An update on current farm bill policy as well as presentations on drone technology, maintaining a healthy beef cattle herd plus a number of issues and trends affecting production agriculture will be discussed at the 56th Blackland Income Growth Conference Jan. 10-11 at the Extraco Events Center, 4601 Bosque Blvd. in Waco.

Sponsors are the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Joe Outlaw, co-director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University and AgriLife Extension economist in College Station, will be the keynote luncheon speaker Jan. 10. Outlaw frequently interacts with members of Congress and key agricultural committee staff to provide feedback on the likely consequences of agricultural policy change.

“The BIG Conference features a number of commodity sessions including beef, horse, horticulture, cotton, grain, rural land management, forage and wildlife designed to help producers improve profitability and enhance stewardship practices,” said Bill Foshea, conference chair and Ellis County agriculture producer.

Jan. 10 registration, which includes lunch, is $25 at the door and includes commodity sessions covering beef, cotton, forage, grain, horse, rural land management and wildlife.

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Jan. 11 registration, which includes lunch, is $25 at the door and includes the horticulture session.  

A BIG Recertification Program will be held concurrently. Preregistration is $60 and includes lunch or $70 at the door. Call 254-757-5180 to preregister.

Also Jan. 11, a private applicator training will be held. Registration is $75 and includes lunch. Preregister by calling 254-582-4022. Rounding out the event, a From the Ground Up program will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is $40 and $25 for students. Call 940-552-9941 ext. 226 for registration.

The Mid-Texas Farm and Ranch show will be held in conjunction with the conference and will showcase the latest in farm and ranch equipment, seed, chemicals and ag-related services and technologies.

For a complete schedule, visit http://bit.ly/2jb60W8.