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Tips on beef production, plus strategies and issues impacting farm production, will be offered at the 43rd Blackland Income Growth (B.I.G.) Conference, scheduled Jan. 18-19 at the Waco Convention Center. Programs in horticulture, horse, grain, forage, family and agricultural policy will also be presented.
The annual B.I.G. Conference is one of the most extensive agricultural production conferences of the year, said Rebecca Parker, regional Texas Cooperative Extension program director for agriculture and natural resources.
"Our goal each year is to bring in the most knowledgeable speakers available who can offer farmers and ranchers the best ideas to enhance agricultural production in this region," Parker said.
The luncheon speaker on Jan. 18 is Dr. Grant Woods of Woods and Associates. Woods is a wildlife biologist specializing in white-tail deer management and research. He is the author of numerous articles and had research or management projects in Camp, LaSalle and Real counties in Texas. Recent deer research contributions by Woods and his company have focused on sex ratios, rub-and-scrape behavior, nutrition and food plot development.
"The increasing popularity of wildlife enterprises is serving as an alternative income for agricultural producers," Parker said. "The increasing need to diversify operations with wildlife is becoming a popular choice. Dr. Woods' discussion will be timely."
The conference opens Jan. 18 with programs offered in beef, horticulture, grain, forage, cotton and horse. The schedule is as follows:
•9 a.m.-noon: Beef session topics include supplemental feeding of cows, heifers and stockers; gene testing technology; and an update on national animal identification program.
•9 a.m.-noon: Horticulture session topics include growing roses in the Blacklands, growing vegetables, fruits and berries in Central Texas, and recognizing and managing ornamental insect pests. One continuing education unit will be offered for pesticide applicators in integrated pest management.
•9 a.m.-3 p.m.: The Texas Family Forum with pre-registration of $30 and $35 at the door. Registration payment can be mailed to Pate Adams, P.O. Box 38, Marlin, TX 76661 by Jan. 10. "With Love From The Garden" is the theme of this year's forum as Madalene Hill and Gwen Barclay will share with participants how to use herbs in cooking. The afternoon session will focus on decorating with herbs. Reid Lewis of Stonebriar Nursery will show how to enhance spaces using landscaping.
•1:30-4:30 p.m.: Grain session topics include fertility and nutrient management focusing on the new soil test developed at Texas A&M University. Other topics include nutrient placement in grain crops, aflatoxin and mycotoxin management strategies; seed-treatment options on grain crops and on- farm grain storage; and marketing options. One continuing education unit will be offered in integrated pest management, and one continuing education unit will be offered in general for pesticide applicators.
•1:30-4:30 p.m.: Forage session topics include grasshoppers and horn fly control with Dimilin; hay value based on nutrient content; and photosensitive sorghum. One continuing education unit will be offered in the general category for pesticide applicators.
•1:30-4:30 p.m.: Cotton session topics include panel discussions on aspects of boll weevil eradication. A panel discussion, titled "Importance of Boll Weevil Eradication Steering Committee," will also be part of the session. Other programs include a producer perspective on insect problems in 2004; an overview of new transgenic insect control; and an update on developments in cotton.
•5-8:30 p.m.: Horse session topics include "Finding My First Horse," "What Can I Do With My Horse," "Hay Is For Horses," and "Basic Concepts In Horse Handling/Training." The horse program is $5 and includes dinner on Wednesday night.
On Jan. 19, three programs will be held: Pesticide License Recertification Training; Texas Beef Quality Producer Program Training Level I and Level II; and an Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Diversification Workshop.
The pesticide license recertification training program will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m offering five continuing education units (one laws and regulations, two integrated pest management continuing education units, and two general) for pesticide license holders. Pre-registration is $30 and $50 at the door. Pre-registration payments can be mailed to Donald Kelm, 420 N. 6th St., Waco, TX 76701. Checks should be made payable to Program Development Fund. Topics include integrated pest management in row crops; pecan insect identification and control; disease control and identification in row crops; and aquatic weed control and pesticide laws and regulations.
Level I and II Texas Beef Quality Producer Program training will also be held from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. There is no registration fee and lunch will be provided as a result of Beef Checkoff funds. Level I training will be held from 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and Level II training will be held from 2:30-5 p.m. Pre-registration is requested; contact Lyle Zoeller at the Extension office in Coryell County. More information regarding the agenda can be found at http://www.texasbeefquality.com .
The Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Diversification Workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is $15 and includes lunch. Topics include identifying opportunities for a diversified operation, planning and marketing for success, support for a successful small business and landowner liability and risk management. Registration is $10 for the Jan. 18 B.I.G. Conference and includes the keynote luncheon.
The sessions on Jan. 19 have individual registration fees.
For more information about the conference, call (254) 968-4144 or visit http://stephenville.tamu.edu/BIG to find a conference brochure with complete schedules and list of speakers.
