Panhandle Ranch Management Event to Update Cattlemen
By: Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a special meeting, "Panhandle Ranch Management: Assessing where we are and evaluating strategy for the future," on Feb. 28 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 6500 W. Amarillo Blvd.
"We haven’t had a string of years this bad since probably at least the 50s," said Tim Steffens, AgriLife Extension range management specialist, Amarillo. "And with the predictions for the foreseeable future from climatologists, we certainly may need to adjust management to allow rangelands to improve. If it stays in this kind of weather pattern, we may need an entirely different management system."
Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the program at 10 a.m. There will be a $30 fee, and lunch is included.
Those planning to attend should RSVP by Feb. 25 to Nathan Carr, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Potter County, at 806-373-0713 or rncarr@ag.tamu.edu .
Speakers and topics will be:
- Clint Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service grazing lands specialist, Amarillo – Current status of Panhandle rangelands: What we are seeing across the region following the past drought years.
- Brian Bledsoe, Meteorologist/climatologist, Brian Bledsoe WX.com, Colorado Springs, Colo. – Current climatic conditions and near- and mid-term climatic trends to consider.
- Steffens – How to assess rangeland conditions on your property, manage for recovery and future forage production risks.
- Stan Bevers, AgriLife Extension economist, Vernon – Restocking strategies for your ranching operation, including financial considerations and what to look for and what to evaluate.
A panel discussion wrapping up the day will include: Dr. Ted McCollum, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, Amarillo; Ken Cearley, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Amarillo; Doak Elledge, Elledge Cattle Co., Pampa; Joe VanZandt, VanZandt Ranch, Mobeetie; and John Welch, Spade Ranches, Lubbock.
