Land management educational series to be offered

Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Lampasas County is holding a land management educational series for landowners on the first three Tuesdays in May. Each program is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. at the Lampasas County Office Building Conference Room, 409 S. Pecan.

There is no charge to attend the programs. Phone the Extension office in Lampasas at 556-8271 with any questions. Individual topics will be as follows:

-- brush and weed management, May 6. Dr. Alan McGinty, Texas AgriLife Extension Service range specialist, will be on hand to discuss the "do-it-yourself" approach to brush control. He will address methodology, brush and weed species to target, equipment, new herbicides, and why brush and weed control are critical on rangelands.

Two CEUs will be given for those individuals with a pesticide license.

-- stock pond and surface water management, May 13. Dr. Phil Masser, Texas AgriLife Extension wildlife and fisheries specialist, will give an educational program on managing all aspects of a stock pond. This will include biology, weed identification and management strategies, stocking rates, and fish management. Species discussed will include catfish, bass, crappie, bluegill, sunfish, and grass carp.

Two CEUs will be given for those individuals with a pesticide license.

-- grass & weeds 101, May 20. Members of the local NRCS and Texas AgriLife Extension Service will be hosting a program educating landowners on the identification of native grasses and weeds commonly found across Lampasas County. Pros and cons of many species will be discussed, as well as their potential uses in forage systems for livestock and wildlife. The control of many invasive and undesirable species will also be highlighted.

Two CEUs will be given for those individuals with a pesticide license.

Participants may attend any one session or all three. "This is a great opportunity to learn about land management and steps you can take to improve your own land," said Jason Byrd, Lampasas County Extension agent.