The Farm Bill and Drought to be Main Focus at Abilene Wheat Conference

The Big Country Wheat Conference will be held August 23rd at the Taylor County fair grounds, 1982 Lytle Way in Abilene. The Farm Bill will affect most all West Texans, as most farmers and ranchers try to figure out the challenges the new 'Farm Bill' will bring. The drought conditions are also top-of-mind for most area farmers And ranchers. If you'd like to attend the event, there is no registration fee for those who preregister by August 17th.

The on-site registration will cost $20 per person and will begin at 7:30 a.m. Thursday August 23rd at the Big Country Hall, the  conference is expected to last until 4 p.m.

“The Farm Bill has come to represent a ‘safety net’ for farmers,” said Robert Pritz, AgriLife Extension agent in Taylor County. “The 2012 Farm Bill has faced a number of challenges. These challenges and how they will affect Big Country wheat producers will be a key part of this year’s Big Country Wheat Conference. We’ve purposely placed the topic later in the day to allow plenty of time for discussion. ”

Along with the emphasis on the Farm Bill, Pritz said this year’s conference will also include the following topics and presenters:
Short-and Long-term Weather Forecasts, Dr. Steve Lyons, National Weather Service, San Angelo.
Farm Bill and Other Issues Important to Wheat Producers, Kody Bessent, Texas Wheat Producers Board, Amarillo.
World Wheat Outlook and Wheat Marketing Strategies, Dr. Kim Anderson, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service economist, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla.
Wheat Variety and Disease Summary, Dr. Travis Miller, AgriLife Extension agronomist, College Station.
Forage Production and Weed Management, Dr. David Drake, AgriLife Extension agronomist, San Angelo.
Soil Fertility Management for Wheat Production, Dr. Mark McFarland, AgriLife Extension soil fertility specialist, College Station.
Electrical Conductivity Mapping for Nutrient Management, Cliff Kinnibrugh, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation agronomist, San Angelo.
Insect Management Strategies in Small Grains, Dr. Allen Knutson, AgriLife Extension entomologist, Dallas.
Cost of Production – Factors to Consider, Bill Thompson, AgriLife Extension economist, San Angelo.

More Info

Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units – two general, one integrated pest management – will be available for private pesticide applicator license holders. There is no registration fee for those who preregister by Aug. 17, but a $20 fee will be charged thereafter. For more information and to preregister, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Taylor County at 325-672-6048.