Cool Season Forage Program Aug. 24

Bonham - You may think it is kind of strange to have a “Cool Season Forage program in August” with temperatures over 100 degrees.  Actually, this is the time to plan your cool season forage program, whether it is for livestock or wildlife.  We have a great group of speakers to assist you with your winter forage plans. There is no charge for this event.

Program Details: Begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 12:00 noon on Friday, August 24, 2012. Event will be held at the Bois d’ Arc Cowboy Church (3 miles South of Bonham on HWY 121).

RSVP to the Conservation Office at: 903-583-9513 x3 by August 22.

4.0 CEU’s will be offered for this program. (3-General, 1-IPM)

Ross Cantrell, Business Manager, Range & Pasture Specialist with WinField Services out of Wichita Falls Texas will cover the more commonly applied herbicides used in improved pastures for spring/summer weed control and any carry over affect related to cool season fall seeded legumes. He will touch on the importance of spray equipment calibration and spray adjuvants.  He will talk about the importance of timing of herbicide applications and how this relates to good weed control.

James Rogers, Pasture and Range Specialist with the Noble Foundation will discuss Legume & Grass Varieties:  Extending your Grazing Period and adding Nitrogen with Legumes. What it takes to get legumes in the pasture mix – Species adaptability and management for persistence.

Steve Swigert, Ag Economist with the Noble Foundation will share with us the “Grazing Economics of using cool season grasses and legumes for cow/calf and stocker operations.”

For some people, they are not concerned about livestock but more interested in wildlife. 

Ricky Linex, Regional Biologist with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service has completed multiple annul forage trials of cool season plants for deer, turkey and quail.  He will share with us his findings plus where to locate your food plots.  He will discuss the option of an annual vs. a perennial food plot.  Included in this presentation will be such things as forage varieties, weed control, soil testing for fertilizer needs and the benefits of food plots over feeding corn.

And if that is not enough, we have a panel of legume experienced Farmer/Ranchers that can answer questions you have regarding the “hands on” production of these forages.  Panel will consist of: Carroll Jones, Virginia Whitworth, Eddie Kelton and Ragan White (TPWD Biologist).

At noon, Cappy’s will cater a lunch to end the event.  This program is sponsored by the Fannin Soil & Water Conservation District, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Lennox Foundation.

RSVP to 903-583-9513 x3 by Wednesday, August 22.   There is NO Charge for this Event.