Integrated toxic plant management the subject of March 7 webinar
Toxic plant identification, livestock poisoning symptoms and management strategies will be covered
Integrated toxic plant management will be the subject of a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service webinar on March 7 from noon to 1 p.m.
The webinar is part of the ongoing Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, RWFM, Stewardship Series.
Cost is $35, and advance registration is required at https://tx.ag/ToxicPlantManagement.
The webinar offers one integrated pest management continuing education unit for pesticide applicators in Texas.
After payment is received, a follow-up email will be sent from the event organizer with instructions on how to access the webinar.
Utilizing integrated pest management principles
The featured speaker will be Barron Rector, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension range specialist and associate professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Bryan-College Station.
Rector said integrated pest management principles can be utilized to control toxic plants found in native and introduced grass pastures.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, integrated pest management uses knowledge regarding the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment combined with available pest control methods to manage pest damage in an economical and safe manner.
“Identification of toxic plants, understanding the symptoms of poisoning in livestock, recognizing problem areas in pastures and facilities, and formulating a management strategy to minimize livestock losses is critically important for producers,” Rector said.
Management strategies covered
Specific management strategies covered in the webinar include:
- Correct identification of new and potentially poisonous plants.
- Recognizing when plant control is necessary.
- Identifying the best control method for situations.
- Planning follow-up management to reduce reinfestation by targeted toxic plants.
For questions, contact Casey Matzke, AgriLife Extension program manager, Bryan-College Station, at casey.matzke@ag.tamu.edu, or Brittany Chesser, AgriLife Extension aquatic vegetation program specialist, Bryan-College Station, at brittany.chesser@ag.tamu.edu.
