Blackland Income Growth Conference – February 7-8. 2012

05. Jan, 2012 0 Comments

FROM: Shane McLellan, County Extension Agent-Ag, McLennan County

The 50th Blackland Income Growth Conference will be held on February 7-8 at the Extraco Events Center in Waco. All sessions will be held at the Extraco Events Center.

Registration for the Tuesday, February 7 sessions is $20 per person and includes lunch. Several sessions will award continuing education units. Registration for the Wednesday, February 8th sessions are: $60 for Private Applicator Training and Testing, and $45 for BIG Recertification Program and also includes lunch.

The Honorable Brian Birdwell, Texas State Senator District 22, will be the Keynote Speaker for the BIG Luncheon on Tuesday, February 7.

In conjunction with the conference, the Mid-Tex Farm and Ranch Show will be held both days featuring the latest implements and equipment from dealers across the Blacklands region.

The following is a list of concurrent sessions scheduled Feb. 7-8 as part of the 50th Blackland Income Growth (B.I.G.) Conference:

Tuesday, Feb. 7 morning scheduled sessions:

· 9 a.m. to noon (Feb. 7): Grain session topics include a Historical Perspective of Grains in the Blacklands: 50 Years of Improvements, Wheat Varieties and Management; Nutrient Management in Grain Production; New Technologies in Corn and Grain Sorghum and New Technologies in Aflatoxin Control. There will be 1 IPM and 1 General CEU available. This session will be in the Glass Room.
· 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Feb. 7): Horticulture session topics include Earthkind Gardening and Diagnosing and Identifying Plant Problems. There will be 1 IPM and 1 General CEU This session will be held in the Backporch Club.
· 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Feb. 7): Beef session topics include Bull Power; Producing Safe Wholesome Beef; Pasture Management After a Drought and Financing Beef Production. There are 2 BQA credits available and 2 General CEUs offered. This session will be held in the Creative Arts Building.

Tuesday, Feb. 7 afternoon scheduled sessions:

· 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Feb. 7): Forage session topics include Soil Sampling and Nutrient Management; Grazing Strategies During Drought and hay Production Management Decision During the Drought. There will be 2 General CEUs offered. This session will be held in the Creative Arts Building.
· 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Feb. 7): Cotton session topics include Boll Weevil Eradictional Update; From Basket to Bale; How Cotton is Classed; Learning from the Extreme Years, Managing for the Average Years; Cotton Root Rot Management Update; Production and Price Risk Management Strategies and Blackland Cotton & Grain Producers Association Meeting. There will be 1 IPM and 1 General CEU available. This session will be held in the Glass Room.
· 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Feb. 7): Horse session topics include Stock Horse of Texas Demonstration; Emergency Preparedness; Safe Trailering; Environmental Issues for Horse Owners and When is Old Too Old. There will be 1 IPM and 1 Laws and Regulations CEU offered. This session will be held in the Backporch Club.

Wednesday, Feb. 8 scheduled sessions:

· 8 am – 11:30 am (Feb 8): Rural Land Management Session topics include Tax Valuations: Appraiser Panel Discussion; Landowner Issues; Pond and Lake Management. This session will be held in the Backporch Club.
Cost: $20.00· 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Feb. 8): BIG Re-Certification Program.
Topics include Forage Pest Management; Weed and Brush Management; Laws and Regulations; Predator Control and Water Issues Affecting Grazing. There will be 5 CEUs available: 1 Laws and Regulations, 1 IPM and 3 General. This session will be held in the Creative Arts Building.
Cost: $45.00. **
· 9 am – 11:30 am (Feb 8): Wildlife Session topics include Texas
Brigades; Update on 1-D-1 Open Space “Wildlife Tax Exemption”; Eco Tourism and Update on Quail Research. This session will be held in the Glass Room.
Cost: $20.00
· 9 am – 2:00 (approximately) Feb 8: Private Applicator Training and Testing. Three hours of classroom instruction and test from TDA. Session will be in the Wizard Room. Lunch included.
Cost: $60.00***

The annual conference is sponsored by AgriLife Extension and the Waco Chamber of
Commerce. For more information, please call Texas AgriLife Extension office in Waco,
254-757-5180.

**Pre-registration checks for the BIG Recertification Program on February 8 may be mailed to: McLennan County Master Gardeners, ATTN: BIG, 420 North 6th Street, Waco Texas 76701.

*** Pre-registration checks for the BIG Private Applicator Training/Testing should be mailed to: Coryell County ATTN: BIG, PO Box 149, Gatesville TX 76528. Checks should be made payable to: Ag Industries.

Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation in order to participate in Extension sponsored events are encouraged to contact the County Extension office one week in advance to determine how reasonable accommodations may be made.