Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Riparian grazing workshop set for May 10 in Ennis



The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is partnering with several other organizations to host a workshop focused on livestock grazing in riparian areas in the Trinity River basin. Since the majority of the Trinity River basin is used for cattle production, this workshop is geared towards cattle-producing landowners who have streams, creeks and rivers on their property. 

The Trinity River provides water to 40% of Texas’ population.  Therefore, good land stewardship is essential in the Trinity River basin.  Good grazing management and practices can provide long- term land productivity and sustainability. In turn, these same practices also have positive effects on the quality and quantity of water for 40% of our state’s population.  To address these issues, presenters will discuss a number of topics pertaining to riparian grazing management.  

Topics that will be addressed are:
·       Natural functions and flow patterns of streams.
·       How vegetation in and along streams provides benefits.
·       Erosion reduction and flood mitigation.
·       Proper grazing management principles of riparian areas.

Participants will also visit two different sites to experience firsthand conservation practices and discuss management strategies that benefit both cattle production and riparian areas.
The workshop is on May 10th at 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Cowboy Church of Ennis, 429 S.E. Interstate 45 Frontage Road, south of Ennis, Texas.  It is on the east side of I-45 between the towns of Alma and Rice. 

Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units (CEUs) will be offered – one general, one integrated pest management and one drift.  Individual registration is $10 and includes a barbecue lunch. The workshop is limited to the first 100 registrants, so an RSVP is required. 

For more information and to RSVP contact Blake Alldredge at balldredge@tamu.edu or 979-845-0916.  Read the full news release from AgriLife Today.

This post was guest authored by Matt Wilkins ‘14, Wildlife and Fisheries student at Texas A&M.