48th Stiles Farm Field Day scheduled June 21

May 23, 2011 By: Blair Fannin

THRALL – The 48th Stiles Farm Field Day scheduled June 21 will feature presentations on fencing options for feral hog control, discussions on farm safety, fertilizer carryover during drought, and updates on cotton root rot and aflatoxin in corn.
“Drought is on the minds of most Texas farmers right now,” said Archie Abrameit, Texas AgriLife Extension Service farm manager. “We think we have some topics that might assist them during these historic dry times with regards to preserving fertility in soils. Plus, we will demonstrate some options in controlling feral hogs, which are a problem statewide.”
The Stiles Farm is located at 5700 Farm-to-Market Road 1063, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 79 and FM 1063, 1 mile east of Thrall.
Cost is $10 with registration starting at 7:45 a.m. At 8:30 a.m., tours will begin with the following scheduled presentations:

Fencing for livestock and feral hog control, Billy Brown, Stay-Tuff Fence territory manager.
Spill prevention control and countermeasures and farm safety, Brad Urbanczyk, environmental safety manager, Texas A&M University, and Elizabeth Sullivan, environmental safety specialist, Texas AgriLife Research/AgriLife Extension Service.
Fertilizer carryover in drought conditions, Dr. Mark McFarland, AgriLife Extension soil fertility specialist.
Cotton root rot and aflatoxin research update, Dr. Tom Isakeit, AgriLife Extension Service plant pathologist.

At noon, youth scholarships will be presented and the Taylor Agriculturalist of the Year will be named for 2011. A barbecue meal, sponsored by the Taylor Chamber of Commerce, will follow.
The afternoon session will feature a program on sunflower production led by Dr. Calvin Trostle, AgriLife Extension agronomist, along with equipment demonstrations.
Three continuing education units will be given to participants who hold a Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide applicators license, Abrameit said.
The Stiles Farm is a non-profit, self-supporting institution established by bequest of the late J.V. and H.A. Stiles for the advancement of agriculture to benefit all Texans. A field day is held at the Stiles Farm each year to introduce producers to the latest research and best management practices.
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