Cattle symposium to be held Feb. 18

The 32nd annual San Juan Basin Extension Beef Cattle Symposium will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.

The cost is $20 per person and includes lunch and materials. Registrations received after Tuesday will be $25. Lunch and materials are not guaranteed with late registrations.

Participants will learn what’s new in the cattle industry from specialists from Colorado State and New Mexico State universities. Beef-quality assurance certification and training will be available.

To register and pay, visit Darrin Parmenter at the CSU Extension Office at the fairgrounds; call 382-6464 or 759-4369; email parmenterdm@co.laplata.co.us; or visit www.laplataextension.org.

Owners asked to keep dogs from wildlife

Dogs chasing wildlife is nearly a constant problem in Colorado. The issue is particularly serious during the winter when dogs can easily run down deer and elk in the snow and injure or kill them.

During the winter, deer and elk can lose as much as 40 percent of their body weight.

If a wildlife officer or other law enforcement officer sees dogs chasing deer or elk, Colorado law allows the dog to be shot. Even in seemingly controlled environments such as state parks, dogs are required to be on a leash.

For more information, visit http://cpw.state.co.us.

Grant available for weed mitigation

The La Plata Conservation District was awarded a $25,000 grant to assist landowners with weed abatement this year.

Partnering with the county, which has agreed to provide management and oversight, the district program allows landowners to recoup as much as 50 percent of herbicide costs, with maximum payment of $300.

The grant is limited to “List A” and “List B” weeds and requires active participation from the landowner to ensure spraying is done properly. Other restrictions apply.

Applications are available at www.laplatacd.org under “Weed Cost Share.”

Herald Staff