The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for Matagorda County will host the Feral Hog Mitigation and Management Workshop Dec. 13 at the Matagorda County Fairgrounds, 2604 Nichols Ave.
Jay Guerrero, regional director for Senator John Cornyn, will be in attendance. Cornyn was instrumental in obtaining a portion of $75 million, available to 10 states across the South for hog mitigation and management.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. It offers three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units: one integrated pest management, one laws and regulations and one general.
The registration fee is $20 by check or money order payable to LAB, Leadership Advisory Board. All proceeds will be allocated to future feral hog mitigation efforts.
Workshop topics will include trapping strategies and integrated pest management approaches to feral hog mitigation. Presenters also will cover producer cost-share aerial gunning and strategic shooting options in detail.
For access to trapping resources, Matagorda County producers must attend a feral hog program. Producers who want to employ aerial gunning and strategic shooting are strongly encouraged to attend for a clearer understanding of this effort and its intended outcome.
There is no better time than now to learn to deal with these issues, said Aaron Sumrall, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Matagorda County.
“Agriculture producers all along the Texas Gulf Coast are being heavily affected by the destructive habits of our growing population of wild pigs,” he said. “The expectation is that the destruction will continue and increase in severity throughout the winter months, assisted by low mast production from oak and pecan, which are main staples in the winter food supply for the species.”
For more information, contact Aaron Sumrall at 979-245-4100.
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