Turfgrass Conference set for Overton

OVERTON - - Speakers at the East Texas Turfgrass Conference, set Feb. 4 at Overton, will cover a variety of management issues, ranging from disease updates to weed identification and control of feral hogs in urban and suburban settings.

Today, management problems for turfgrass in sports fields aren't limited to disease and weed problems. Feral hogs have become a big issue too, said a Texas AgriLife Extension Service expert.

"Because of urban and suburban sprawl, feral hogs encroachment into these areas is on the rise," said Dr. Billy Higginbotham, AgriLife Extension wildlife and fisheries specialist.

The conference will be held at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton.

Registration is $25 and will include lunch, refreshments and educational materials. Holders of Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator licenses will receive 5.5 continuing education units.

The program is designed for professionals who maintain school districts grounds, city parks and recreation facilities, and commercial lawn and landscape companies, according to Dennis Smith, AgriLife Extension agent in Gregg County.

Homeowners and Master Gardeners may find the information useful too, Smith said.

Higginbotham will not only discuss the extent of feral hog encroachment but also the issues involved in controlling the species in urban and suburban environments.

"The best control remains trapping, as in rural areas," he said. "But once you've got them, the question is what do you do with them."

In rural environments, it's common to shoot the animals once they're trapped. But in urban areas, this is usually not a solution because of safety and legal concerns, Higginbotham said.

"So it's necessary to choose a trap that allows it to either be loaded on a trailer with hogs inside or one where the hogs can be transferred to another confinement," he said.

Other speakers and topics will include: “Disease Control Updates For Turfgrass,” Karl Steddom, AgriLife Extension plant pathologist; "Weed Identification," Dr. Jim McAfee, AgriLife Extension turfgrass specialist; “When You Can’t Grow Grass,” Keith Hansen, AgriLife Extension horticultural agent in Smith County; “Zoysia Management and Varieties For East Texas,” McAfee; “Turfgrass Insect Problems,” Dr. Scott Ludwig, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management specialist; “Ants, Ants & More Ants,” Dr. Bart Drees, AgriLife Extension entomologist; “Facts & Fiction on Soil Fertility Products,” Dr. Leon Young, Stephen F. Austin University. .