The 2009 Cow Country Congress is scheduled Sept. 25 at the Corlay Farm & Cattle Co. at Dodge in Walker County.

The annual multi-county event is supported by Texas AgriLife Extension Service beef and forage committees from Walker, Madison, Houston, Trinity, Leon, Freestone and Anderson counties.

The cost is $10 and includes a chicken fried steak lunch.

“Participants will have the opportunity to visit with a variety of commercial exhibitors several times during the course of the day between presentations, demonstrations and tours of the host property,” said Reggie Lepley, AgriLife Extension agent in Walker County.

Corlay Farm & Cattle Co. is an agricultural enterprise owned by Dr. Jody Crawford of Huntsville. Crawford’s farm has been known in Walker County for extremely high quality hay production and intensive beef-herd management characterized by progressive reproductive practices, Lepley said.

“Dr. Crawford’s interest in wildlife management has developed into a variety of wildlife-related enterprises and projects which will be viewed on the ranch during the program,” Lepley said. “Corlay Farm & Cattle Co. has had an ongoing quail management and re-establishment program for many years and is now diversifying into whitetail deer operations.”

Topics discussed will be native grass pastures, forage legumes, smart fertilizer utilization, chute-side management practices, plus artificial insemination and embryo transfer options for smaller cattle operations.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the program starting at 9 a.m.

Individuals interested in attending should RSVP prior to Sept. 21 to the AgriLife Extension office in Walker County at 936- 435-2426, or one of the other participating AgriLife Extension offices in the seven sponsoring counties.

Participants with a Texas Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicators License will be eligible for two hours of continuing education credits for renewal of their license. Additional participant credits of 3.5 hours will be given for Beef Quality Assurance recertification.

Directions and a printable map may be downloaded at http://walker-tx.tamu.edu.