Blackland Income Growth Conference Scheduled for Jan. 7-8

The annual Blackland Income Growth Conference, now in its 63rd year, will take place on Jan. 7-8 at the BASE Extraco Events Center, 4601 Bosque Blvd., Waco. 

This event is sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Dr. Jeffrey W. Savell, vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, will deliver the keynote address at the luncheon on Jan. 7.

Registration and Schedule

The conference opens on Jan. 7 at 8 a.m. with registration, and will conclude at 4:45 p.m. The registration fee is $25, which includes lunch, and payment is due at the door.

A detailed list of sessions, speakers, and continuing education opportunities is available at https://stephenville.tamu.edu/conference-information/.

On Jan. 8, a recertification and private applicator training session will be held. The cost for this session is $65 and includes lunch. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by Jan. 3.

To register for either session, contact the AgriLife Extension office in McLennan County at (254) 757-5180.

Commodity Sessions and Financial Management

The Jan. 7 sessions will include topics on beef and forage, cotton and row crops, as well as landowner management.

Beef and Forage Session Highlights:

• Beef Cattle Marketing Outlook: Dr. Jason Johnson, AgriLife Extension economist for management, Bryan-College Station.

• Contrasting Bermuda Grass Hybrids for Beef Cattle Production: Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olson, AgriLife Extension statewide forage specialist, Overton.

• Marketing Ranch-Raised Beef: Dr. Ron Gill, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Chico.

• Herbicide Update and Selection in Forage Production: Zach Howard, AgriLife Extension program specialist, Bryan-College Station.

• Genetic Selection and Biosecurity: Dr. Tom Hairgrove, DVM, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension cattle veterinary specialist, Chico.

• Drift Management: Justin Hale, operations director, Ignition Land Services.

Cotton and Row Crops Session Highlights:

 • Endangered Species Act and EPA Labeling: Dr. Todd Baughman, AgriLife Extension and research director, Lubbock.

• Strategies to Confront Profit Margin Pressure: Dr. Jason Johnson.

• Building a Safety Net: Jacob Little, Crop and Range Insurance Agency, Hillsboro.

• Auxin Training: Dr. Ben McKnight, AgriLife Extension statewide cotton specialist, Bryan-College Station.

• Fertility in Row Crops: Dr. Jake Mowrer, AgriLife Extension state soil fertility specialist, College Station.

• Pest Management in Corn and Cotton: Dr. David Kerns, AgriLife Extension entomologist, Bryan-College Station.

Landowner Management Session Highlights:

• Fencing Laws: Dr. Blake Bennett, AgriLife Extension economist, Dallas.

• Wildlife Property Tax Evaluation: Kyle Melton, natural resources specialist, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Austin.

• Year-Round Pond Management: Tyson Keese, AgriLife Extension pond management specialist, Overton.

Additionally, a special afternoon session on Jan. 7 will focus on Farm and Ranch Financial Management, led by Dr. Jason Johnson. This session will cover financial strategies following the election, including investments, taxes, and estate planning.

Mid-Tex Farm and Ranch Show

The Mid-Tex Farm and Ranch Show, which features vendors, farm equipment, and ranch supplies, will be held alongside the conference. This event is free and open to the public, with show hours running from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 7 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 8.