A series of auxin trainings scheduled for several Texas counties

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct a series of auxin trainings for producers in Runnels, Tom Green and surrounding counties, according to organizers.

“The Texas Department of Agriculture has required a special auxin-specific training in 2018 for those applying the new auxin formulations of dicamba,” said Josh Blanek, AgriLife Extension agent in Tom Green County. “This training extends to and includes licensed TDA applicators and any unlicensed person who will be making applications of Xtendimax, Engenia and FeXapan under a licensed applicator.”

Blanek said the training is not required for those using range and pasture dicamba products.

Dates, times and locations for the trainings, which all share the same curriculum are:

Jan. 16, 9 a.m., Wall Volunteer Fire Hall, 8065 Loop 570, Wall;

Jan. 17, 9 a.m., AgriLife Extension office, 608 Sealy Ave., Suite A, Ballinger;

Jan. 23, 9 a.m., Mereta Volunteer Fire Hall, 18046 Grand Ave., Mereta;

Jan. 24, 9 a.m., Winters Community Center, 410 Novice Road, Winters; and

March 27, time TBA, AgriPlex Ag Day, St. Mary’s Parish Center, 604 N. 6th St., Ballinger.

Blanek said each program will be one hour and will provide one Texas Department of Agriculture laws and regulations continuing education unit.

Joel Webb, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management agent in Runnels and Tom Green counties, said the training will focus on new label changes and drift precautions.

“Dicamba is offered in many formulations, but this training will focus on the new labels mentioned because they are temporary labels and misuse could cause the industry to lose the new formulations,” Webb said.

For more information on the trainings, contact the AgriLife Extension offices in Runnels County at 325-365-2219, or Tom Green County at 325-659-6523.

For more information on the required auxin training, visit http://agrilife.org/texasrowcrops/current-news/.