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January 5, 2001

Water, commodities focus
of 2001 B.I.G. Conference

Texas cotton producers can learn more about boll weevil suppression, financing and marketing, and get an overview of the 2000 Texas cotton crop by attending the Jan. 16 cotton seminar at the 39th annual Blackland Income Growth (B.I.G.) Conference at the Waco Convention Center in Waco.

According to Ronald Woolley, Texas Cooperative Extension District 8 Director and B.I.G. coordinator, this year's conference will host commodity sessions, a water program, and other special meetings and forums so participants can obtain the information and ideas they need to make day-to-day farm and family management decisions and accrue CEUs.

"The conference also features 45,000 square feet of exhibits at the Mid-Tex Farm and Ranch Show," Woolley noted.

Registration will begin at the door at 8 a.m. each day. The cost, which covers the noon meal, is $10 each day.

In addition to cotton, concurrent beef, horticulture, grain, forage and horse production sessions are slated throughout the day on Jan. 16. Howard D. Graves, chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, will present the keynote address at the noon B.I.G. luncheon. A Texas Family Forum on youth and character, families, ethics, business, and communities is also slated the first day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Beef marketers to share tips

During the B.I.G. beef session, Dr. Todd Thrift, Extension beef specialist, will discuss how producers can identify which market is best attainable, taking into consideration their resources, the level of management, and the current genetics of their herd.

After Thrift's presentation, Ken Jordan, Jordan Cattle Auction Companies, San Saba, will discuss "Marketing Opportunities for Today's Cattlemen." Jordan will be followed by Jim Theeck, owner and operator, Rafter J Ranches, South Central Texas, who will share his experiences on breeding, developing and marketing replacement heifers. After Theeck, David Nichols, managing partner and president of Nichols Farms Ltd., Bridgewater, Iowa, will give a talk on "Marketing Predictability Through Quality Sires."

Extension Ag Economist Dr. David Anderson's presentation, "Utilizing Grain Storage in the Central Texas Blacklands," will discuss financing of new/used storage facilities, marketing opportunities created by storage, and which crop to store in the new economic environment.

Other grain session talks will include "Potential for Soft Red Winter Wheat in Central Texas," by Dr. Travis Miller, Extension small grain specialist; and "Corn Rootworm Situation and Systemic Insecticide Treatment for Grain Sorghum and Corn for Early Season Pests," by Dr. Roy Parker, Extension entomologist.

Forage sorghums on program

During the forage session, photo period sensitive (PPS) forage sorghum and brown mid-rib (BMR) forage sorghum—developed and released commercially in the past few years—will be discussed by Dr. Fred Miller, TAMU professor emeritus. Other talks will include "Benefits of Rotational Grazing," by Dr. David Bade, Extension forage specialist; and "Managing Nuisance Insects in Forages, Fire Ants, Grasshoppers and Armyworms," by Dr. Cliff Hoelscher, Extension entomologist.

The Blackland Cotton and Grain Association will have its annual meeting at 4:30 p.m.

The B.I.G horse session, focusing on all aspects of driving horses—especially entertaining—will be in the Heart of Texas Coliseum, Jan. 16, from 4-9 p.m. Registration for the horse session is $3 per person at the door.

The program includes a health update by Dr. R.F. Edwards, a Waco veterinarian, followed by demonstrations on: "Driving Training," by topic, Dr. Gary Potter, professor of TAMU's Animal Science Department, presenter; "Miniature Horse Driving," by Bob and Betty Branch of Joshua; "Trail Driving," by the Texas Equestrian Trail Riders Association (TETRA); and "Heavy (Draft) Horse Driving," by Ken Williams, draft horse lecturer.

Special water program planned

The Jan. 17 B.I.G. water program will give an overview, both in terms of current legislation and the science behind water supply. Producers will also learn about the outlook for their water supply in the coming decade and what climatic and political forces are shaping water supplies for agriculture in the Blacklands area.

Denis Qualls, regional planning director of the Brazos River Authority, will first give an overview of Senate Bill 1, enacted by the 75th Session of the Texas Legislature in 1997. Qualls' talk will be followed by presentations of surface water by representatives of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Water rights and impoundments will be discussed.

Presentations on laws affecting groundwater—rule of capture, water district and water spacing—will be given by TNRCC personnel.

The water program begins at 1:30 p.m. and should finish by 4:30 p.m. (Those who registered for the Blackland Income Growth (B.I.G.) 2001 Conference Jan. 16 will be automatically registered for the Water Program the next day.)

The B.I.G. 34-county region includes Bastrop, Bell, Bosque, Burleson, Caldwell, Collin, Coryell, Dallas, Delta, Denton, DeWitt, Ellis, Falls, Fannin, Fayette, Gonzales, Grayson, Guadalupe, Hill, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Lamar, Lavaca, Lee, Limestone, McLennan, Milam, Navarro, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, Washington, and Williamson counties.

For other B.I.G. Conference information, contact your county Extension office; call (254) 968-4144; or visit http://stephenville.tamu.edu/BIG).