Jan. 2, 2001

South Plains Agriculture Conferences Set in January, February

Writer: Tim W. McAlavy, (806) 746-4051, email: t-mcalavy@tamu.edu
Contact: Jett Major, (806) 746-6101

LUBBOCK – Farmers on the South Plains farmers can update their crop production, marketing, and
management skills, and learn more about diversification, energy and water management at several regional
ag conferences hosted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service in January and February.

“Our regional conferences are designed to provide farmers with a wealth of information on ways to
improve their crop and livestock operations,” said Jett Major, Texas Agricultural Extension Service district
director for agriculture, in Lubbock. “The information presented at each conference is specifically designed
to help producers in that region or county.”

Producers can also earn continuing education units (CEUs) for private and commercial applicator licenses
at these regional conferences. All of the one-day conferences will also feature commercial agribusiness
exhibits.

This year’s conference dates and locations are:

     •    Jan. 15th  – The Southern Mesa Ag Conference at the Dawson County Annex Building (609 North
     1st) in Lamesa. Registration costs $15 through Jan. 11, and $20 thereafter. Topics include
     regulations and policies affecting agriculture and best management practices for cotton, grain
     sorghum and peanuts. 5 CEUs offered. Call Dawson County Extension office at 806-872-3444 for
     more details.

     •    Jan. 17th  – The West Plains Ag Conference at the Hockley County Fairgrounds (Women’s
     Building) in Levelland, from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Registration costs $5 per person, to cover noon
     meal. Topics include ag laws and regulations, local and regional water management, an update on
     FSA and NRCS programs, boll weevil eradication, insect and weed control strategies, production
     tips, crop diversification and marketing strategies. 3.5 CEUs offered. Call Hockley or Cochran
     County Extension offices for more details.

     •    Jan. 23rd  – The Caprock Cotton Conference at the Plains Baptist Assembly Camp south of
     Floydada runs from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration costs $25 per person up to Jan. 12 and $35
     thereafter. Topics include cotton market outlook, crop insurance, local and regional water
     management, managing no-till cotton, insect pest outlook, boll weevil eradication, cotton varieties
     and harvest aids. 3 CEUs offered. Call Floyd County Extension office (806-983-4912) for more
     details.

     •    Jan. 24th – The North Plains Cotton Conference in Friona. Topics include risk management and
     marketing, insect update, cotton varieties, ag laws-regulations, irrigation and boll weevil
     eradication. 3 to 5 CEUs offered. Call Parmer County Extension office (806-481-3619) for more details.

     •    Jan. 25th – The Llano Estacado Cotton Conference at the Bailey County Coliseum in Muleshoe.
     Topics include water and irrigation management, crop production and management strategies, pest
     control options, cotton varieties, and ag laws-regulations. 5 CEUs offered. Call Bailey County
     Extension office (806-272-4584) for more details.

     •    Jan. 26th  – The Hale County Cotton & Soil Fertility Conference at the Ollie Liner Center.
     Registration costs $10 per person. A limited number of commercial booths available for $50 each.
     Speakers will address cotton production and marketing strategies, alternative crops, risk
     management and crop insurance. 5 CEUs offered. Call Hale County Extension office (806-291-
     5267) for more details.

     •    Feb. 20th – Sandyland Ag Conference at the Gaines County Community Building in Seminole.
     Topics include water and pest management, cotton production strategies, chemical safety, and
     marketing options. Call Gaines County Extension office (915-758-4006) for more details.