The award-winning Graves T-Bar Ranch in Henrietta, Texas is opening its gates to the public with a Range Field Day on June 17, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The field day, sponsored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Texas Section Society for Range Management (TSSRM) will feature a tour of the ranch and their calving and show barn where they raise their prized commercial cow herd.

The T-Bar Ranch was the 2008 recipient of the Outstanding Rangeland Management Award from the Texas Section Society for Range Management. Ranch owner Alan Graves will show the results of his 60-year battle with mesquites as well as how he has used GPS technology to ground broadcast herbicide. Graves will also explain his cross-fencing system, 60 years of range planting and rotational grazing management plan that he uses to produce high-quality commercial cattle, while keeping his rangeland in excellent condition.

Registration for the event will begin at 8:00 at the Clay County Pioneer Grounds Open Pavillion on FM 1197, one mile north of the Courthouse Square in Henrietta. The tour will begin at 8:30. The Texas Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, Clay County Farm Service Agency, the Little Wichita Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), and Texas AgriLife Extension are co-hosting the event.

The registration fee is $10, which includes a meal and CEUs are available. Call the Little Wichita SWCD at 940-538-4681 to RSVP by June 12.