“All area producers are encouraged to attend to receive information to help them make sound management decisions in their beef cattle operations,” said Larry Pierce, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Washington County.
“A great list of speakers has been selected based on the recommendations of the area beef and forage committee members from Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Fayette, Grimes, Harris, Lee, Waller and Washington counties.”
Dr. Jason Cleere, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, College Station, will start the morning session with a presentation on the importance of body condition scoring cows to maximize calf yield. Dr. Ron Gill, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, College Station, will provide information on how to negotiate lease agreements.
Dr. David Anderson, AgriLife Extension livestock marketing economist, College Station, will provide a livestock market outlook.
“Producers will also hear more about what cattle buyers are looking for in calves and how producers can add value to their calves prior to sale with Brian Cummins leading this presentation,” Pierce said. Cummins is a retired AgriLife Extension agent from Van Zandt County.
Dr. Mark Matocha, AgriLife Extension agricultural and environmental safety specialist, College Station, will help producers understand integrated pest management and discuss some of the issues associated with integrated pest management.
At the conclusion of the program, Dr. Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension state forage specialist, College Station, will discuss land stewardship principles to help producers understand how to care for their land to maintain productivity.
Cow-calf clinic participants who hold a private, commercial, or non-commercial pesticide applicators license can earn two hours of continuing education units in the integrated pest management category. Beef cattle producers certified under the Texas Beef Quality Producer Program can receive 1.5 beef quality credits for attending the clinic.
“Some of the other special attractions for everyone’s enjoyment at the clinic will be live cattle demonstrations, commercial exhibits, equipment displays, refreshment breaks, barbecue beef and sausage lunch, social hour, proceedings and much more,” Pierce said. 
Blair Fannin is associate news editor for Texas A&M AgriLife Communications.
PHOTO
Doug Pierce, division chair for agriculture at Blinn College, provided tips on basic beef cattle selection at the 2012 South Central Cow-Calf Clinic. Cattle producers will hear more about adding value to calves during the 2013 clinic scheduled Oct. 25 in Brenham. Photo by Blair Fannin, courtesy of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
