A special general session on precision agriculture will highlight the 23^rd annual Texas Plant Protection Conference Dec. 5 and 6 at the Brazos Center in Bryan, Texas.

The 2011 Conference is co-sponsored by Southwest Farm Press.

Danny Fromme, Texas AgriLife Extension Agronomist and Texas Plant Protection Association President, says anyone involved in production ag, including farmers, extension personnel, researchers, consultants, regulatory, and agribusiness, should plan to attend. More than 225 attended last year’s conference.

The 2011 conference theme is “Back to the Basics” and will feature an opening General Session that includes several timely topics. Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Todd Staples has been invited to attend and speak on the “Impact of the Budget Cuts on Texas Agriculture.” Other topics include aflatoxin sampling and risk management claims.

The half-day precision agriculture program will feature Dr. Ed Barnes with Cotton, Inc.; Dr. Randy Taylor, Oklahoma State University; and Dr. Alex Thomasson, Texas A & M. They will discuss the successful use of precision ag tools in Texas farming. Representatives from John Deere, Veris Technologies and CNH America will discuss the latest in precision ag equipment. Many firms will have displays, including precision ag equipment, at the conference.

Day two will include more than 30 presentations by extension, research and industry leaders on the following subjects:

The conference will offer CEUs for both CCA & TDA credit.

For information on registering or reserving space for a display, contact Bob Sasser, TPPA Executive Director, at (936) 539-2349 or by e-mail at [email protected]. The TPPA Web site is http://tppa.tamu.edu.