Private Applicator Training

We will be hosting a Private Applicator Training class on Friday, December 11th starting at 9 a.m. The class will last approximately 4 hours. The cost of the class is $40. The certification test will be after the class & will consist of 100 questions. Lunch will be provided.
Its not too late. Come & take the class.

M-44 & Livestock Protection Collar

Predator Management Training Program

M-44 and Livestock Protection Collar

Fredericksburg AgriLife Extension Office

95 Frederick Road

Fredericksburg, TX

Wednesday, June 17th

Starts at 8:00 a.m.

Predators such as coyotes, foxes and feral dogs cause damage to livestock and crops which results in economic loss to Texas farmers and ranchers. Predators also sometimes adversely affect wildlife population. These animals can spread diseases such as rabies, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever to domestic animals and humans. Many control methods are available, and TDA's Predator Management Training Program works closely with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Texas AgriLife Extension Wildlife Services to assist Texans in finding the most appropriate solutions for their problem.

TDA's Predator Management Training Program works to assist the livestock industries and to ensure the methods used to manage livestock predation do not present hazards to humans, non-target animals and the environment. This program covers training on available management techniques and monitoring to allow certification of M-44 Sodium Cyanide and Compound 1080 Livestock Protection Collar applicators. Before being permitted to use these pesticides applicators must have a license with TDA and attend a training class to learn proper use of the selected method. Producers with Private Applicators licenses or certifications may obtain their M-44 certification by participating and passing the exam at this program.

The program also includes other control methods and tips on identifying which predator is taking livestock. While coyotes are the most common predator, foxes, feral dogs, feral hogs, mountain lions and eagles kill young livestock. Identifying what killed an animal is crucial to determining the method of control needed. Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Texas AgriLife Extension Wildlife Services personnel are available to assist in this area.

Please contact the Kerr County Texas AgriLife Extension office prior to Wednesday, June 17th to register for this program by calling 830.257.6568.

Pond Management Field Day - June 5th

With some much needed rains hopefully everyone's ponds have been benefiting and catching some runoff. Along with that runoff will come some unwanted pond weeds. Maintaining a healthy adn growing pond for recreational fishing or just aesthetics is a difficult task. While others jut want to control some of those unsightly, unwanted weeds along the banks and elsewhere in the ponds.

The Texas AgriLife Extension offices of Kerr & Bandera Counties will be hosting a Pond Management Field day in partnership with Camp Verde Ranch on Friday, June 5th. (Go South on Hwy. 173 to Camp Verde turn West on Camp Verde Road, travel 1.6 miles, ranch will be your right - just follow the signs). The Field day will begin at 3:00 p.m. and conclude around 6:00 p.m.

The program is free of charge to the public with Dr. Michael Massey, Extension Fisheries Specialist from College Station presenting the program on topics including weed control, fertilization, renovation, and stocking and population management.

Pesticide applicators with private, commercial or non-commercial licenses may receive 3 hours of CEUs with 2 hours in general, 1/2 in laws and regulations and 1/2 in integrated pest management. Please contact the Kerr County AgriLife Extension Office to register by callling 830.257.6568. Bring you lawn chairs.

Oak Wilt Seminar - June 1st

The Texas AgriLife Extension Office will be hosting an Oak Wilt Seminar on Monday, June 1st, 2009 at the Hill Country Youth Exhibition Center located at 3650 Hwy 27, Kerrville, TX.

The program will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Dr. Davel Appel, Associate Dept. Head and Extension Program Leader for Plant Pathology and Microbiology will be presenting a program on managing oak wilt in the

Texas Hill Country. Other topics will include other tree related diseases and disorders.

Participants will also participate in an Oak Wilt Tree injection demonstration at the conclusion of the progra. For more information on this program and to pre-register, please contact the Kerr County AgriLife Extension at 830.257.6568.

Private Pesticide Applicator Training

Need a license to kill unwanted brush and weeds? If you’re looking at prickly pear, cedar, and other weedy plants on your land you may find that to purchase the products that do the best, you need a private pesticide applicators license to purchase them. The Private Pesticide Applicator License is needed for application of state limit use and restricted use pesticides.
To become licensed you must take a course provided by your local county Texas AgriLife Extension Service office. The private applicators course is a “one time” training course. Once you have completed the course you will have the opportunity to take the 100 question exam which is administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. After you complete the course, testing and pay your fees you gets a license good for 5 years.
In order for you to renew the license after the fifth year, you will need to obtain 15 continuing education credits (CEU’s) over the 5 year life of the license period. There is a CEU requirement with 2 credits in Laws and Regulations and 2 credits in Integrated Pest Management. Training opportunities are offered by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service offices here in the Texas Hill Country year round.
On May 12, 2009, starting at 9:00 a.m., there will be a Private Applicator License Training conducted at the Kerr County Office of Texas AgriLife Extension Service. The office is located at 3655 Hwy. 27 in Kerrville. Registration fee is $40.00 and this will provide you with the needed study materials to pass the 100 question test administered by the Texas Dept. of Agriculture. It is recommended to pick up the study manual prior to the course for review. The course takes around 4 hour to complete. Upon passing this test, Texas Department of Agriculture will provide you with the license application which you can fill out and send in with the $60.00 licensing fee to Austin.
For more details and to register for the training call the Kerr County AgriLife Extension office at 830-257-6568 or e-mail at kerr@ag.tamu.edu

Multi-County Sheep & Goat Field Day

Our Annual Bandera, Kendall, Kerr, Gillespie and Blanco County Sheep and Goat Field Day will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2009. The Field Day will be at the Kerr County AgriLife Extension Office
located at 3655 Hwy 27 in Kerrville. Registration will begin at 4:30 p.m.
The program will kick off at 5:00 p.m.

The FAMACHA program will be discussed at length. FAMACHA is a method to visually identify anemic animals, thus reducing the number of dewormer treatments given, while also maintaining good overall parasitic control. This should hopefully slow the development of resistance to dewormers. FAMACHA was developed in South Africa. To use FAMACHA the color of ocular mucus membranes are observed and compared to a laminated card which has colored illustration of eyes. FAMACHA cards will be available to producers for $10 each.

Three hours C.E.U.s will be given to those in attendance with a pesticide applicators license.
Please contact your local County Extension office for pre-registration.

Pecan Grafting and Production Workshop

A Pecan Grafting and Production Workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21st, at 9:00 a.m. at the Bill Hathaway's Orchard.

This will be an informative and eduational opportunity for those pecan producers interested in grafting pecans. Early season insect and fertilization management will also be discussed by Dr. Larry Stein, Extension Horticulturist from District 10 Texas AgriLife Research & Extension Office in Uvalde.

Bill Hathaway's orchard is located on Texas Highway 173, approximately 4 1/2 miles from the Kerrville Schreiner Stat Park. Turn Left on Center Point River Road and enter the first gate on the Right; signs will be posted.

3 Hours of CEU's will be offered to Private, Commerical, and Non-Commercial applicators.
Please call the Kerr County AgriLife Extension Office to sign up at 830.257.6568.

Image borrowed from aces.nmsu.edu.