Brush Appreciation Day Set for May 9

Writer: Steve Byrns, Communications Specialist, (915) 653-4576, email: s-byrns@tamu.edu

ASPERMONT – The Texas Cooperative Extension-sponsored Brush Appreciation day May 9 is set come rain or shine.The program will be an all-day affair covering three ranch stops along a 40-mile route. If it rains, the program
will move to the Aspermont Community Center.

Registration starts at 9 a.m. on the Snipes Ranch, north of Swenson. The program begins at   9:30 a.m. with a pre-test
and Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education unit  (CEU) paperwork.
A minimum of 8.5 CEUs will be offered.
 
The day’s activities are sponsored by Extension and the Natural Resource Conservation Service offices in Stonewall, King, Fisher, Jones, Kent, and Dickens counties. The program’s purpose, according to Dr. Dale Rollins, Extension wildlife specialist and program coordinator, is to bring a heightened perception or “appreciation” for the role brush plays
on native rangeland.

“Our goal is to help landowners develop a ‘Brush Sculpting” plan that best fits their individual livestock and wildlife needs,” said Rollins. “As odd as it may sound to some traditional cattle ranchers, today’s ranching economics usually dictate that
you ‘appreciate’ the value of hunting leases. It’s important that they develop an ‘appreciation’ of the role of brush for various game species. They also must learn how their current management impacts wildlife habitats.
 
“Three important landscape features for critters like quail and deer are the density, diversity, and distribution of brush.
A landowner-manager’s goal should be to maximize useable space for various wildlife species. The proper, planned
use of brush control is a way to maximize that useable space.”

“Texas Cooperative Extension hosted a similar tour last summer in the North Concho River Watershed, and it was as
well attended a tour as I’ve seen in 20 years of Extension work.  The interest in brush sculpting right now is high.”

The first stop’s scheduled speakers and their topics include: “Appreciating Brush,” Rollins; “Sculpting in Sand Shinoak, Greg Bowman, District Conservationist, Aspermont; “Quail Management Concerns,” Mick Savage, Dow AgroSciences, Decatur; “Aerial Broadcast Control of Mesquite,” J.F. Cadenhead, Extension range and brush control specialist, Vernon; and “Logistics of Planning a Brush Sculpting Project,” Rory Burroughs, private consultant, Comprehensive Land Management, Lueders.
 
The tour will move to the Aspermont Community Center for lunch. Scheduled guest speakers and their topics during the lunch hour are: “Future of Brush Sculpting,” Mike Gibbs, Land Enhancement Services, La Pryor and “How Brush Affects Real Estate Value,” Sam Middleton, a rural land appraiser with Charles Middleton and Sons, Lubbock.

Stop Two will be on the Smith Ranch, south of Aspermont. Topics and speakers addressing Brush Sculpting in cedar country include: “Deer Management Concerns,” Dr. Dean Ransom, Extension wildlife specialist, Vernon; “Habitat 101,” Donald Capra, cadet, Bobwhite Brigade, Abilene; and “Complementing Cattle and Wildlife,” Jerry Bob Daniel, rancher, Truscott.

Presentations continue with two talks on cedar control options. They are to be: “Mechanical and Chemical,” Dr. Darrell Ueckert, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station range researcher at San Angelo, and “Fire,” by Bill Masterson, rancher, Guthrie. Stop-Two’s presentations conclude with “Prickly Pear Options,” by Rocky Vinson, Shackleford County Extension Agent, and Alan Heirman, District Conservationist, Anson.

Stop Three is set on the McClellan Ranch, located seven miles west of Hamlin. Topics and speakers include:
“Sculpting in Mesquite Country -- Quail Management Concerns,” Rollins; “Complementing Cattle and Wildlife,”
Paul Melton, rancher, Roby; and “Sculpting for Quail,” by Don Aiken, rancher, Roscoe.
 
The final part of the stop will deal with mesquite control options. Speakers and topics are: “Brush Busters,” Dr. Allan McGinty, Extension range specialist, San Angelo; “Mechanical Options,” Melton; and “Using Fire to Sculpt Mesquite,”
Dr. Jim Ansley, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Vernon.

The stop ends with a 45-minute “head to head” equipment demonstration featuring various mechanical brush control equipment.   Attendees will have opportunity to critique the various implements.

The day’s activities close with supper at 6 p.m.  Speakers for the evening will address various cost share opportunities available to landowners planning to remove brush. The day concludes with a post-test and distribution of CEUs. Adjournment is set for 7:15 p.m.

For further information contact Rebel Royall, Texas Cooperative Extension agent in Stonewall County,
at 940-989-3510.