Livestock producers are currently facing unprecedented drought situations and forced to make tough decisions concerning their livestock, that is, unless you are one of those few who were around and in the ranching business during the drought of the 1950s. Meteorologists are reporting current drought situations as comparable to the “Big One,” that being, “The Time It Never Rained” by Elmer Kelton – referring to that legendary drought I can always remember my father and grandfather talking about.

Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service and the NRCS office have planned an educational program to be held on September 3 at the Pedernales Electric Coop Auditorium in Johnson City beginning at 6:00pm and concluding by 8:00pm.

The program will address options available to cattlemen as they try and make sound management decisions as to what is best for them and the herd, as well as the rangeland.

Mr. Bill Botard, Cattleman and County Extension Agent Emeritus, will give his thoughts on our current situations. We will then have Mr. Ron Feisler of the Blanco-Pedernales Ground Water District update us on current ground water situations.

The primary resource concern identified in Blanco County is WATER.

Mr. Phillip Wright, Rangeland Management Specialist with NRCS, and former head of the SECO Creek Water Quality Demonstration Project, will address the crowd with information relating to the 70,000 acres of property in Blanco County that have participated in brush control conservation programs. He will relate the effects of these conservation programs to the current ground water situation.

Everyone is invited to attend this informative and free of charge educational program.

Educational programs of Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating