The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host the Big Country Beef Conference on Aug. 24 at the Taylor County Expo Center in the Big Country Hall, 1700 Texas Highway 36, Abilene.

The event will run from 8:15 a.m.-4:15 p.m., with registration and coffee starting at 7:45 a.m. Call the AgriLife Extension office of Taylor County at 325-672-6048 to register. The cost is $20 if registered before Aug. 18, or $30 at the door. Only cash and checks will be accepted.

A catered lunch is included, and door prizes will be drawn and awarded throughout the day.

Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered; one in integrated pest management, one in laws and regulations and one general. There will be four Texas Real Estate Commission, TREC, credits available for licensed realtors.

“Cattle producers in our area have been hit hard due to the ongoing drought, but things are hopefully looking up for the future,” said Steve Estes, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Taylor County. “As drought recovery continues, our goal is to provide information and tools area producers can use to improve their cattle operations. We believe this conference will assist in this effort.” 

Big Country Beef Cattle Conference topics, speakers

The keynote speaker for the conference is Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. He will discuss the state of the agricultural industry in Texas.

The other topics and speakers are:

• Where is the Cattle Market Headed? Overall Outlook and State of the Cattle Industry, David Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist in livestock and food marketing and professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Bryan-College Station.
• How to Get the Most Grazing Out of Cool Season Forages, Reagan Noland, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agronomist and assistant professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, San Angelo.
• Making Pasture Rangeland and Forage Insurance Work for Your Operation, Blake Bennett, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist and associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics Dallas.
• Has El Niño Saved Us from Drought? Weather Outlook and Forecast, Sam Nichols, meteorologist, KTAB TV, Abilene.
• Texas Fence Law, Bennett
• Waters of the U.S Rule: What Does it Mean for You?, Tiffany Lashmet, J.D., AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist and associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Amarillo.
• Carbon Credits: What Are They and What’s on the Horizon? Lashmet.
• Feral Hog Toxicants – Updates on Research Trials and Labeling Process, John Tomecek, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist and associate professor in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Thrall.
• Herbicide Laws and Regulations Update, Jason Jones, Texas Department of Agriculture inspector, Abilene