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.