Ag Notes

Training

Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Lampasas County will host private applicator training April 15 for those seeking a pesticide license.

Certification allows one to purchase and use restricted pesticides and herbicides.

Training begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Lampasas County Office Building conference room, 409 S. Pecan St.

Cost is $35 per participant, which covers instructional material and a catered lunch.

A TDA representative will be on hand after lunch to give the test.

Registration deadline is April 8. Phone 556-8271 or stop by the office to register and pick up instructional materials.

Reward

Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association's Operation Cow Thief provides rewards to citizens who provide information leading to the arrest and/ or grand jury indictment of individuals for theft of livestock or related property.

An informant may remain anonymous by giving a pseudonym and may be paid by cashier's check made out to the bearer.

The toll-free phone line at (888) 830-2333 is monitored 24 hours a day.

Operation Cow Thief is a charitable reward fund supported by voluntary, taxdeductible contributions from TSCRA members, non-members and corporate sponsorships.

To contribute, make checks payable to Operation Cow Thief and mail to 1301 W. Seventh St., Fort Worth, TX 76102.

Garden show

The 10th annual Hill Country Lawn and Garden Show, sponsored by Highland Lakes Master Gardener Association and Texas AgriLife Extension Service, is March 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Burnet Community Center, 401 Jackson St.

The show will feature nurseries from around the state exhibiting plants, vegetables, trees, flowers, seeds and gardening supplies. There also will be equipment companies exhibiting tractors, mowers and the latest in gardening equipment.

Free seminars will be held throughout the day, along with a children's booth, door prizes and food area.

Master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. Admission is free.

For more information, phone Burnet County Extension Service at 756-5463 or visit http:// hill countryglshow.com.

Leases

Texas Parks and Wildlife is inviting Texas landowners to advertise their hunting leases at no cost through a new Internet service the agency is developing, "Hunt Texas Online Connection."

In the first half of 2008, landowners are encouraged to register for the new free service. TPWD plans to begin promoting it to the hunting public, and hunters are advised to check back in May after landowners have had a chance to register leases.

The service allows landowners to list hunting lease opportunities in Texas for free, including last-minute openings. It provides anonymity for landowners until they are ready to contact potential customers. Hunters will eventually be able to search for hunting opportunities by lease, type, county, game species and other parameters.

To register, landowners can visit the main Hunt Texas Online connection web page on the TPWD website. Click "Get Started," select a user name and password, log in and begin typing in fall 2008 lease opportunities.