Wednesday, February 5, 1997

Cattle Raisers convention will be beefed up with information

By J.T. SMITH / Farm Editor

Recovering from a devastating drought, producers looking to rebuild their numbers and make positive changes in their herds should attend the 1997 Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) School for Successful Ranching.

Breckenridge rancher and TSCRA President Chaunce O. Thompson, Jr., says the school will be held March 22-23 at the Tarrant County Convention Center in Fort Worth - just prior to TSCRA's 120th Annual Convention.

Producers attending the beef management session will learn how to match their cows to their resources. They also will get a look at the demands of today's marketplace.

Ted McCollum, Extension beef cattle specialist of Amarillo, will explain the relationships among cow size, milking ability, nutrient requirements, weaning weights, and forage resources.

"The last couple of years have provided cattle producers a mostly 'involuntary' opportunity to evaluate how well their catle fit their resources," McCollum says. "As producers begn to restock and plan breeding programs for the long term, they should consider what type of breeding stock are best suited for the resources on a ranch."

Profit-minded producers also will get help in selecting the kind of cattle that can produce offspring which meet packer targets, says Ron Gill, Texas A&M Extension livestock specialist based in Dallas.

"For years, cow-calf producers have been told by industry experts to produce a product that will 'fit the box' without a detailed description of what was desired," Gill says. "Ranchers can use production tools - like frame scores - to determine what size and type of cows and bulls will produce what the industry has described as the most desirable slaughter animal."

Fire ants will be hot

There's no doubt fire ants will be a hot topic during the TSCRA school.

By studying how to manage fire ant problems in a cattle operation, producers can earn one continuing education unit in integrated pest management - required for a pesticide applicator's license.

This includes how to correctly estimate losses that determine what treatment plan will minimize losses at an acceptable cost, says Charles L. Barr, Extension associate from Bryan.

"A 1994 survey of TSCRA members showed about 56 percent of the respondents reported cattle injuries due to fire ants, and 78 percent reported damage to equipment and materials," notes Bart Drees, Extension specialist in entomology, also of Bryan.

Drees says the average yearly cost of treatment was more than $250.

"It's important to have an accurate estimate of your losses because pesticide costs are not always offset by production gains," Drees says.

Range, pasture and wildlife

The range, pasture, and wildlife management session will emphasize drought recovery for both land and wildlife.

This session also will be offer two continuing education units.

John Merrill of Crowley will share what he has learned about coping with drought during his 50 years in ranching.

"Drought should be an integral part of ranch planning and management, rather than considered an exception," Merill says.

The pasture aspects of drought recovery will be addressed by Sim Reeves, Extension agronomist from Overton.

Reeves says the rainfall that finally came in the late summer of and fall of '96 saved some pastures but also produced a terrific weed problem. Wildlife also suffered from the drought.

Brad Dabbert of Texas Tech University in Lubbock will offer tips on managing bobwhite quality through drought conditions. Terry Blankenship of Welder Wildlife Foundation in Sinton will explain the impact of drought on deer populations. Both say the decisions that ranchers make about grazing, brush control, and hunting management can help wildlife populations recover.

For more, contact Lionel Chambers or Sharla Adams at (800) 242-7820, or (817) 332-7155.