Texas livestock producers have several opportunities to learn management techniques, including range management, marketing, restocking, weed control and opportunities in grass-fed beef production during upcoming Texas AgriLife Extension seminars and conferences.

Area ranchers can learn the latest news about pasture weed and brush control at an Extension range and pasture field day beginning at 8:30 a.m. May 17 in Abilene.

The field day will begin at the Taylor County Exposition Center’s Big Country Hall, 1700 State Highway 36 in Abilene. Following a mesquite management educational session and introduction of the new herbicide Sendero, participants will board buses at 10 a.m. to tour the Antilley Ranch at Wingate.

Tour stops will include mesquite treated with Sendero, weed control and Brush Busters individual plant control treatments.

After the tour, the group will return to the Big Country Hall for a complimentary lunch, exhibits, more demonstrations and a presentation on pasture economics.

The Texas Extension Service offices in Brewster/Jeff Davis and Presidio counties will conduct the High Country Beef and Range Seminar at 9 a.m. May 18 at the Kokernot Lodge, located on the Scenic Loop in Alpine.

Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available for private license applicators.

“We’ve had no rain to speak of since last September, but provided we are blessed with good rains, producers here want to know what they can expect when it comes to range recovery and restocking, so that’s what this seminar will focus on,” said Logan Boswell, AgriLife Extension agent for Brewster/Jeff Davis counties.

A Livestock Workshop is schedule from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. May 23 at the Frio Pecan Farm, 144 East Ranch Road in Leakey.

The program offers three continuing education units – two general and one integrated pest management — for individuals with a Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator license.

Preregistration is encouraged and can be done May 14–21 at the AgriLife Extension office in Real County, located at 101 Market Street in Leakey.

Day-of registration for workshop will be from 8–8:30 a.m., with presentations to begin immediately afterward.

The registration fee is $10.

A panel of producers that specializes in grass-fed beef production will be a highlight during a conference May 30-31 at college Station.

Dr. Rick Machen, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in Uvalde and coordinator of the grass-fed beef conference, said participants will receive first-hand knowledge of the business from four individuals who are in the business themselves.

“Participants will learn from actual producers in the grass-fed beef business and also receive insight on marketing opportunities,” Machen said.

Participants can still register for $250 through May 15 and $300 after. To register online, visit https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu and enter keyword “grassfed.” The conference will be held at the Rosenthal Meat Center at Texas A&M University in College Station.

The 58th annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, is scheduled Aug. 6-8 at College Station.

A variety of cattle production management topics will be presented at this year’s short course, including a weather outlook, said Dr. Jason Cleere, AgrLife Extension beef cattle specialist and conference coordinator.

“Our topics this year will fit right into what Texas beef producers are experiencing with forage management, beef cattle management and beef cattle marketing,” Cleere said. “The long-term cattle market outlook is one of many other topics that will be discussed in the 22 different cattleman’s college sessions at the short course.”