Southwest farmers and ranchers have numerous opportunities in December to get the latest information on crop and livestock production, and earn continuing education units to maintain pesticide application certification.

Cattle Trails

The annual Cattle Trails Cow-Calf Conference, Dec. 1 in Lawton, Okla., will focus on practices to improve production and financial efficiency. Driving Your Cattle to Profit is the theme of the 2016 conference, to be held at the Comanche County Fairgrounds Annex Building, 920 S.W. Sheridan Road, Lawton, Okla.

This annual conference provides up-to-date information on topics that will influence cattle profits, said Dr. Emi Kimura, AgriLife Extension agronomist in Vernon. The conference is a joint effort between the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

Registration is $25 and includes educational materials, a noon meal and refreshments. For purposes of meal planning, preregistration is encouraged. To preregister, contact your local county Extension office in Texas or Oklahoma, or contact Marty New at 580-255-0546 or [email protected]. A registration form can be found at http://bit.ly/2eWLswZ.

TPPA

Agricultural technology will be the focus of the 28th annual Texas Plant Protection Association Conference Dec. 6-7 at the Brazos Center, 3232 Briarcrest Drive in Bryan.

“We have an outstanding program that will give attendees the latest information on technology and agriculture,” said Dr. Betsy Pierson, association president and associate professor of horticultural sciences at Texas A&M University, College Station. “This conference also covers the latest issues affecting agriculture and how we produce food and fiber to feed an ever-expanding population.”

Registration is $85 by Nov. 11 and $100 thereafter. Student registration is $25. Registration includes lunch during the Dec. 7 business meeting.

For complete registration and conference information, visit http://tppa.tamu.edu .

Ag Technology

Herbicide resistant weed management, insect identification and management in hay fields, optimizing cotton yields in the Texas Blacklands, anaplasmosis control in beef cattle, and industry updates on new pesticide technology will be featured at the annual Ag Technology Conference on the Texas A&M-Commerce campus Dec. 8.

The annual conference is sponsored by the Cereal Crops Research Incorporated, Texas A&M-Commerce and the agribusiness industry. Participants may earn 5 private applicator, 5 commercial applicator, 5 non-commercial applicator or 5 certified crop advisor continuing education units.

Registration and booth visitation begins at 8 a.m., and the program starts at 10. Registration fee until Nov. 28 is $40 and includes lunch. Late registration is $50. Make your check payable to CCRI and send it to:

Ag Technology Conference

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Commerce, TX 75429-3011

BIG

Julie Borlaug, associate director of external relations at the Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M University in College Station, will be the keynote luncheon speaker at the 55th annual Blackland Income Growth (BIG) Conference, Dec. 13 in Waco, Texas.

Agricultural Sustainability in a Challenging Marketplace will be the BIG luncheon theme. The conference is held at the Extraco Events Center, 4601 Bosque Blvd. in Waco, and is sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Waco Chamber of Commerce.

 “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 Robin Liebe, conference chair and McLennan County agriculture producer.

For complete schedule of sessions and speakers, download the conference brochure at http://bit.ly/17IGNEB.

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Cattle Conference

Improving operational profitability amid a challenging market will be the focus of the fourth annual Four States Cattle Conference.

The conference will be held Dec. 13 at the Texas A&M University of Texarkana University Center Building, 7101 University Ave. in Texarkana.

Preregistration cost is $50 for a couple, $30 for individuals and $15 for 4-H and FFA students. Cost is $70 per couple and $45 per individual after Nov. 29.

To register, send your name, organization, mailing address, phone number and email along with a check or money order payable to Clark County CES, 640 S. 6th St., Suite B, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71923.

The event begins with registration at 8 a.m. followed by speakers at 8:30 a.m.

Featured speakers include nationally known cattle and livestock specialists and include: