Published: August 26, 2008 09:39 am      

Learn alternative fertilization methods

The Bastrop, Hays and Caldwell County offices of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are sponsoring a seminar on alternative fertilizers and forages for livestock producers on Sept. 5 at the Old Sacred Heart Parish Hall at Rockne.

Registration is $10 per person, which includes lunch. RSVP and pay registration fees by Sept. 3 to the Bastrop County Extension Office at 901 Pecan Street in Bastrop, the Hays County Extension Office at 1253 Civic Center Loop in San Marcos or the Caldwell County Extension Office at 1403 B Blackjack Street in Lockhart. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the program will begin at 9 a.m. on Sept. 5.

Topics of discussion will include fertilization of pastures and hay in times of rising costs, alternative fertilizer options, clover options and adaptation to this area, site selection strategies and nutrient cycling under grazing and top ten strategies for survival in forage production.

Also covered will be drought 2008 disaster programs offered through the Farm Services Agency, and pasture, range and forage insurance programs.

Speakers will include Extension Specialists Mark McFarland and Larry Redmon, Brian Weise of Weise Crop Insurance as well as Tommy Mertschin and Jacob Chapman of the Farm Services Agency. Three hours of CEU credits (2 General and 1 IPM) will be offered to private, commercial and non- commercial pesticide license holders.

Call the Hays County Extension Office at 393-2120 or the Caldwell County Extension Office at (512) 398-3122 for more information. The Sacred Heart Parish Hall is located at 4045 FM 535 at the community of Rockne (between Bastrop and Lockhart).