Southwest farmers and ranchers should be aware of several meetings scheduled for the next few weeks that will offer timely information on topics from irrigation, small grain production, beef management, feral hog control and crop protection.

The second annual Oklahoma Irrigation Conference, Aug. 18 in Fort Cobb, Okla., will offer producers the latest in irrigation technology, including moisture monitoring, irrigation timing and specific crop recommendations. For more information see the 2015 Oklahoma Irrigation Conference registration website . Also, contact the Caddo County Extension office at 405-247-3376.

A Bailey County, Texas, Small Grains Conference also will be held Aug. 18, hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Bailey County.  Registration will begin at 9 a.m. with the program following from 9:30 to noon at the Bailey County Electric Cooperative, 610 E. American Blvd. in Muleshoe. Contact, Curtis Preston, 806-272-4583, or by email at                  [email protected]

Concho Valley, Texas, producers have an opportunity to get updates on small grain production  during  the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Concho Valley Small Grain Workshop Aug. 19 at the Lowake Community Center in Lowake—23860 Farm-to-Market Road 381. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. followed by the program from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact, Joshua Blanek, 325-659-6523, [email protected]

Beef meetings

Beef producers in the Abilene area have the biennial Big Country Beef Conference Aug. 20 in Abilene, Texas. The conference starts with registration at 7:30 a.m. in the Big Country Hall next to the AgriLife Extension offices located on the grounds of the Taylor County Expo Center. Contact, Robert Pritz, 325-672-6048, [email protected]

A range, pasture and cow/calf management conference is scheduled Aug. 26 at the Haskell Civic Center, 200 S. Ave. B, Haskell. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Haskell hosts the program, which begins with registration at 8 a.m. with the program following at 8:30. Registration will be $20 and includes lunch. Three general Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered. Contact: Jason Westbrook, 940-864-2658, [email protected]

Two important programs for Texas producers are scheduled for early September.

A feral hog management workshop will provide the latest information on control and management options for what has become one of the most devastating pests for Southwest farm and ranch operators. The meeting runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Brazos County Expo Complex, 5827 Leonard Road in Bryan. The program is free, but attendees pay $15 for a catered lunch. RSVP for the meal by Aug. 28 by calling 979-823-0129. Contact: Dusty Tittle, 979-823-0129, [email protected]

The 63^rd meeting of the West Texas Agricultural Chemicals Institute (WTACI) is schedule Sept. 9 at the Bayer Museum of Agriculture in Lubbock. Topics to be discussed at the conference include pesticide application and laws and regulations, crop rotation and nutrient management strategies, weed resistance and insect resistance management, crop insurance, and much more. A detailed list of presentations and speakers can be found at http://wtaci.tamu.edu.