June 8, 2001

ABILENE -- Coping with drought has become a fact of life for almost any Texas farmer or rancher.

How to do that best is the focus of the 35th annual meeting of the Texas Council of Chapters of the Soil and Water Conservation Society scheduled at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 4250 Ridgemont Drive, on June 13-14.

The public is invited and encouraged to join with SWCS members from chapters across the state for events on both days, according to USDA soil scientist Dr. Steve Evett of Bushland, president of the state SWCS Council.

"Our focus this year will be on living and prospering under Texas drought conditions," Evett said. The program will include alternatives to make farming and ranching profitable in the state's water-scarce regions, through improved management and technology or by changing what is produced and sold.

Three technical sessions will be offered, with continuing education units (CEUs) available for each. Advance registration is encouraged. Attendees may register early for all three segments by paying $40, or sign up by individual session and pay on site.

Wednesday's technical program will begin with a visit to the Larry Guy ranch for a briefing on the latest and increasingly inexpensive global positioning systems (GPS) being used in a real production setting.

GPS technology enables producers to document key information such as locations and applications rates of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. GPS also tracks grazing rotations, stocking densities and fence line positions, along with tillage, planting, and irrigation information crucial for today's farm and ranch management schemes.

The afternoon program will focus on using aerial applicators for mapping of chemical applications. A briefing will follow on new software applications for soil maps, site and vegetation inventories used in ranch management, and new technology for GPS and geographic information systems mapping.

Thursday's sessions include a keynote presentation by Dr. Dale Rollins of San Angelo, noted wildlife biologist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Tom Milwee of the Governor's Office for Drought Preparedness will provide a state drought update. Humberto Hernandez, regional conservationist, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, will offer a regional drought perspective.

Wayne Hamilton, director of Grazing Lands Management Center at Texas A&M University, will discuss drought as a way of life and planning for the future. Julie Shackelford, regional director of American Farmland Trust, will present a legislative update on land and water issues.

Mike McMurray of the Texas Department of Agriculture will focus on diversity from a rancher's point of view. Other presentations will include diversifying rangeland use, nature based eco-tourism, and artificial wetlands and the Conservation Reserve Program.

Advance registration is through Leroy Mikeska at (361) 575-9542, ext.101. More meeting details, locator maps, and a registration form may be found on the Internet at http://www.tx-swcs.org/txmt2001.htm. For more details, contact Evett at (806) 356-5775 orsrevett@cprl.ars.usda.gov.