Loose Ends

A series of integrated toxic plant management workshops is scheduled for September. ITPM involves applying the principles of IPM to minimize livestock losses to poisonous plants. The ITPM philosophy teaches livestock managers to: identify potentially toxic plants; recognize symptoms in affected animals; recognize problem areas and formulate management strategies for minimizing livestock losses.

The new Toxic Plant Handbook published by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service was developed in support of this program. Included in the handbook are full color pictures of 52 potentially toxic plants with descriptions, distributions and habitat, description of toxicology and livestock symptoms, and integrated management strategies.

Workshops are planned for Alpine, Sept. 8; Van Horn, Sept. 9; Fort Stockton, Sept. 10; Stanton, Sept. 15; Kermit, Sept. 16; and Big Lake, Sept. 17.

More information is available from local county Extension agents.

*****

The annual Sheep and Goat Field Day is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center located approximately five miles northwest of San Angelo on U.S. Hwy. 87.

Topics to be discussed include the pasture to packer program, an update on Ranchers’ Lamb of Texas; effects of goat breeds on carcasses; and integrated management programs. Participants will also be able to view a new rancher’s custom shearing facility, a slatted floor feeding facility, and automated brush spraying equipment.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. with the program tours starting at 10 a.m.

*****

Wildlife managers and enthusiasts are encouraged to attend a seven-county "Rangelands Recreational Resources Symposium" September 1 in the Mills County Civic Center at Goldthwaite. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The program starts at 9 a.m.

A slate of speakers from throughout the state will discuss a variety of wildlife management topics, including: an overview of rangeland resource requirements for personal use and as income generating enterprises; principles of white-tailed deer management; bobwhite quail management practices; non-traditional recreational opportunities; farm pond production and management; a managers’ panel discussion; hunting leases and liabilities for landowners; and qualifications for agricultural lands for wildlife management.

Persons interested in attending are asked to pre-register by calling the Mills County Extension office at (915)648-2650 by August 28 so an accurate lunch count can be made. Registration is $10 per person at the door. The fee includes the on-site lunch.

*****

A rare tour of five prominent area wildlife operations is in store for participants to the "Range Management 101: A Primer for Livestock and Wildlife Managers" field day September 26. Registration is from 7:30-8:15 a.m. at the Menard Country Club.

The day-long field day is sponsored by the Texas Section Society for Range Management and the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society in cooperation with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Ranches on the tour include: the Clark, Leggett, LLL, Schmidt and Comanche Springs Exotic Wildlife Ranch.

Participants will learn about brush control, stocker cattle, prescribed burning, carrying capacity, competition among wildlife and livestock, range nutrition, monitoring and evaluating management decisions, white-tailed deer and quail management programs, as well as a crash course in range plant identification.

Registration by September 15 is $15 per person. After that date, the fee increases to $25 per person. More information is available from Tamara Trail at (915)653-4576 or Ellis Klett at (915)396-4353.