Convention

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association’s 2010 Convention is March 19-21 in Fort Worth.

The weekend will contain programs, educational sessions, a trade show, networking and fellowship.

Programs focused on the truth about climate change and what’s in store for Texas’ cattle industry in 2010 will headline the general sessions.

Multiple discount options are available for those who register before Feb. 19.

A complete convention schedule and convention information is availalbe at www.texascattle raisers.org/convention/schedule. html.

Turfgrass

Speakers at the Feb. 4 East Texas Turfgrass Conference at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Overton will cover a variety of issues ranging from disease updates to weed identification and control of feral hogs in urban and suburban settings.

Registration is $25 and includes lunch, refreshments and educational materials. Pesticide applicators will receive 5 1/2 continuing education units.

The program is designed for professionals who maintain school district grounds, city parks and recreation facilities and commercial lawn and landscape companies. Homeowners and master gardeners also may find the information useful.

Registration is payable by cash or check on event day. Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the conference will adjourn at 3:10 p.m.

For information, phone (903) 236-8428 or dgsmith@ tamu.edu.

Bird count

The Great Backyard Bird Count at Blanco State Park Feb. 12-15 is an opportunity for citizens to become scientists by helping the National Audubon Society and the park track bird species.

Each day there will be guided bird hikes offering the chance to record species sightings and have them entered into the Audubon database by park staff.

On Saturday, in addition to the bird hikes, there will be classes on how to attract birds to one’s backyard, how to observe them and children’s activities.

Bird hikes are daily at 10 a.m. and noon, and Saturday programs are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For a detailed daily schedule, phone (830) 833-4333.

Silage

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Comanche County will host the Central Texas Silage Production Seminar on Feb. 3 at the Comanche Community Center, 100 Indian Creek Dr.

The educational event will address the production of corn and forage sorghums for silage production, said Whit Weems, AgriLife Extension agent for Comanche County.

Registration is free and includes lunch. Participants will receive two continuing education units toward renewal of their Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator license. Additionally, participants will receive one hour of Dairy Outreach Program Area credit.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., and the meeting should end by 3 p.m.

Speakers include Dr. Brent Bean, AgriLife Extension agronomist of Amarillo; Dr. Paul Baumann, AgriLife Extension weed specialist at College Station; and Dr. Chris Sansone, AgriLife Extension entomologist at San Angelo.

For more information or to register, contact Weems at (325) 356-2539 or send an e-mail to w-weems@tamu.edu.