Ranching workshop aimed at improving wildlife habitat

TSCRA Daily News Update, June 30, 2008

Ranching workshop aimed at improving wildlife habitat

All the tools may be in place for ranchers to make more money off their land, they just need to learn how to diversify and utilize what is there, say Texas AgriLife Extension Service agents.

A workshop, Ranching Aimed at Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Diversification of Enterprises, known as the RAWHIDE program, will be held on July 17 in the Miami School Cafeteria in Miami.

It is co-sponsored by AgriLife Extension in Roberts and Hemphill counties.

The event is to help producers see the value of diversifying their operations while keeping their primary focus on ranching, said Brandon Dukes, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Roberts County.

"It will identify strategies producers can utilize in an effort to tap all available resources on their ranch," Dukes said.

There is no registration fee, and a free lunch will be provided. Participants will have the opportunity to earn two general and one integrated pest management continuing education units, he said.

The program will begin at 8:30 a.m. with Ken Cearley, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, explaining the RAWHIDE program. Dukes will follow him with a discussion on rangeland health.

Other speakers during the morning session will talk about habitat requirements pertaining to livestock, deer, quail and turkey and habitat management tools such as brush sculpting, chemical brush management, grazing, prescribed burning and rainwater harvesting.

The afternoon session will look at economic considerations, such as stocking rates and conservation programs through the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Dukes said the group also will do some strategic planning and look at decision-making aids designed for enterprise diversification.

The program will wrap up at 3:30 p.m.

Advanced reservations are requested by July 10 for meal-planning purposes, he said. Reservations can be made by calling the AgriLife Extension office in Roberts County at 806/868-3191 or in Hemphill County at 806/323-9114.