The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host its Spring Livestock Guardian Dog, LGD, Field Day on May 2 in San Angelo.

A livestock guardian dog sitting in a field
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host its Spring Livestock Guardian Dog, LGD, Field Day on May 2 in San Angelo. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

The field day will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 7887 U.S. Highway 87 North, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost, which includes morning refreshments and lunch, is $30 for an individual or $50 for a couple before April 25. After that date, the cost is $35 and $60, respectively. 

Registration can be made by visiting https://tx.ag/LGDSpring, by calling the Texas A&M AgriLife center in San Angelo at 325-653-4576, or by emailing [email protected].

Predation prevention

“The biggest single loss in sheep and goat production is predation,” said Jake Thorne, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension sheep and goat specialist and assistant professor, Department of Animal Science, San Angelo. “The problem is not going away and, in many areas, it’s increasing.”  

Thorne said the workshop would benefit all LGD owners, but especially those with little or no dog-handling experience.

“This workshop is part of the center’s ongoing effort to help producers adopt the age-old practice of keeping specially bred and trained dogs with livestock as a deterrent to predation,” said Bill Costanzo, AgriLife Extension livestock guardian dog program specialist, San Angelo.

Field topics and speakers

Featured topics include:

  • Canine behavior and solutions, Walter Burghardt, canine behaviorist, San Antonio.
  • LGDs and predators, John Tomeček, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research wildlife damage  researcher and associate professor, Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Thrall. 
  • Aggressive behavior in LGDs, Cat Urbigkit, rancher and author, Pinedale, Wyoming.
  • LGD nutrition, feeding and feeding stations, Costanzo.
  • The Texas Livestock Guardian Dog Association information and updates, David Ortiz, association director at large, Brady.
  • Sheep and Goat Predator Management Board updates, Curry Campbell, member, Rocksprings.

Additionally, there will be a local ranch tour, a producer panel, vendors and LGD breeders on site. 

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