Wednesday, September 17, 1997

Brush Sculptors meeting in Abilene Civic Center today

By J.T. Smith / Abilene Reporter-News

You can still register for the two-day "Brush Sculptors" symposium at the Abilene Civic Center early today.

Registration is 7:30-8:30 a.m. Registration is $55 at the door, which covers both Wednesday and Thursday.

The fee includes two meals, refreshments and a copy of the entire symposium proceedings.

This is a highly intensive two-day program with experts on brush control on the agenda from throughout the state. You can earn nine continuing education units by attending this symposium.

After a welcome, wildlife specialist Dr. Dale Rollins will open the program at 8:40 a.m. today with "Appreciating Brush?"

During the two days, participants will learn the latest in managing brush in a balanced way on their land. They will hear an all-star roster of speakers.

A lot of this seminar will focus on tailoring brushy rangelands to enhance wildlife habitat as well as recreational value.

The symposium looks at improving wildlife habitat as well as the boosting the value of land for livestock production, aesthetics, and real estate.

Taylor County Agent Gary Bomar noted that several hundred participants already have registered for the two-day event.

Scurry ag agent goes to Menard County

Terry Millican became the new Menard County Agricultural Extension agent effective this week. Millican began his new duties Monday.

Millican was formerly Scurry County extension agent in Snyder where he had worked since September 1994.

He also was ag agent in Yoakum County from September 1991 to September 1994, and also in Gaines County from 1988-1991.

Millican holds a bachelor's degree in ag economics and a master's degree in ag education from Texas Tech University.

Millican grew up in Coke County where he was raised on a ranch at Robert Lee. He and his wife, Ann, have an 18-month-old daughter, Cheyanne.

He fills some big shoes in Menard County, succeeding long-time Extension Agent Sam Kuykendall who retired.

Texas peanut production pegged to be up

With fair weather, area peanut producers will be digging the peanuts in droves this fall.

Record peanut production of 796.5 million pounds is projected at some 16 percent above last year's Texas peanut crop.

Statewide, the yield is estimated at a record average of 2,700 pounds per acre. That's 100 pounds per acre above last year.

Meanwhile, harvested acres of peanuts is expected to be up 11 percent at 295,000 acres.

Those two factors -- greater yields and more acreage -- are combining for the big Texas peanut crop.

Farmers both north of Abilene in the Rochester area of Haskell County as well as to the east in Eastland, Callahan, Brown, Comanche, and Erath counties will be harvesting peanuts in high gear soon.

Lone Star Peanut Co. in Rochester reported that farmers will begin digging peanuts in that area either today or tomorrow -- weather cooperating.