The eighth Concho Valley Cotton Conference is set for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 24 in the San Angelo Convention Center.

“This year’s program will deal mainly with the changing economics associated with farming in our region,” said Rick Minzenmayer, Texas AgriLife Extension Service entomologist for Runnels and Tom Green counties.

“We’ll be looking at everything from the economics of various tillage practices to the cost effectiveness of controlling different crop pests,” he said. “We’ll also have updates on work being done on some perennial problems such as cotton root rot and weeds.”

The event will include a trade show that will remain open throughout the day.

The Southern Rolling Plains Cotton Growers Association will hold its annual meeting scheduled from 3-5 p.m. The meeting will include an election of officers and a review of the current agricultural credit status and economic outlook.

Other conference topics will include: implementation of precision agriculture systems, farm program update, and the nitrogen fertility needs of cotton and milo.

The conference is sponsored by AgriLife Extension’s Runnels/Tom Green Integrated Pest Management Committee, the Tom Green and Runnels County Crops Committees, the Southern Rolling Plains Cotton Growers Association and the AgriLife Extension staffs in Runnels and Tom Green counties.

Four Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered to those staying for the entire program (three general and one integrated pest management).

Registration is free and includes a noon meal and snacks, but participants must pre-register by March 20. After March 20, individual registration is $10.

To pre-register, call the AgriLife Extension office in Runnels County at 325-365-2219, Minzenmayer’s office at 325-365-5212 or the AgriLife Extension office in Tom Green County at 325-659-6523.