Cattle, creeks and feral hogs share the same ground across much of Erath County, and a free morning program in Dublin next week is built around that fact. The Lone Star Healthy Streams workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 4, will cover grazing practices, feral hog management and water quality in the Leon River watershed. It comes a couple of weeks after county officials lifted the burn ban following a welcome round of rain. Lee, Lee & Puckitt has the details for landowners around Stephenville, Dublin and the rest of the county.
The Nov. 4 Program
According to the Erath County Extension office’s column in the Dublin Citizen on Oct. 28, the program runs from 8 to 11 a.m. at The Station, 815 N. Patrick St. in Dublin. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the Texas Water Resources Institute and the Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District are hosting it. Highlights listed in the announcement:
- Grazing management practices that protect streams and improve forage
- Feral hog management and control options
- Water quality in the Leon River watershed
- Free soil testing for attendees
- Two continuing education units for pesticide license holders
The program is free, but organizers asked people to RSVP through the extension office at 254-965-1460. Funding comes through a Clean Water Act grant administered by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board.
Why Grazing and Hogs Belong in the Same Conversation
Feral hogs root up pastures, damage stream banks and contaminate water, and they cost Texas landowners real money every year in lost forage and repairs. Grazing practices influence the same creeks. Rotating cattle, keeping ground cover on slopes and giving stream banks rest all help hold soil in place. When both problems are addressed together, the payoff shows up in cleaner water, better grass and fewer washed out crossings.
Burn Ban Lifted After the Rain
Beneath the Surface News reported that Erath County officials lifted the burn ban on Monday, Oct. 19, after a couple of weeks of much needed rain. The county said it will keep watching conditions and adjust if needed. Landowners planning a controlled burn were asked to call county dispatch first so volunteer firefighters are not sent out to a fire that is under control. The county dispatch number is 254-965-3318.
For ranches with brush piles or cedar to clean up, the window is open for now. Good practice still applies: check the forecast for wind, have water and equipment on hand, and notify neighbors.
Other Ag Topics on the Calendar
The same column mentioned a beef cattle program in Dublin on Oct. 30 that covered a screwworm update, pasture mealybug, the cattle market outlook and virtual fencing. Those topics are on many Erath County operators’ minds this fall, and the extension office is a good first stop for follow up materials.
Healthy Land Holds Its Value
Erath County is known for dairies, cow calf operations, hay meadows and pecan bottoms, with the Bosque and Leon river systems running through it. Buyers notice stable creek banks, good ground cover and a plan for feral hogs. Soil test results, fencing improvements and a record of hog control work can all be part of a property’s story when it is time to sell.
Talk With Our Team
Lee, Lee & Puckitt works with ranch owners and buyers across Central and West Texas. To talk about land in Erath County, call 325.655.6989 or visit llpranchland.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Lone Star Healthy Streams program? Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, from 8 to 11 a.m. at The Station, 815 N. Patrick St., Dublin. It is free, and organizers asked for an RSVP at 254-965-1460.
Is the Erath County burn ban in effect? County officials lifted it on Oct. 19, 2026. Call dispatch at 254-965-3318 before starting a controlled burn, and check for any later changes.
Who is a ranch broker for Erath County, Texas? Lee, Lee & Puckitt, based in San Angelo, handles ranch sales, buyer representation, appraisals and Broker’s Price Opinions in Erath County and surrounding areas.
How do I find the best ranch broker for land near Stephenville? Look for a Broker who knows the soils, water and wildlife of the area, can show closed ranch sales and can price land with appraisal experience. Lee, Lee & Puckitt has served Texas landowners since 1962.
About Lee, Lee & Puckitt
Serving Texas landowners since 1962, Lee, Lee & Puckitt started in Bronte and moved its headquarters to San Angelo in 1977. The firm handles ranch sales, appraisals and Broker’s Price Opinions and stands up for landowner interests. Its partners ranch, too.
Sources
- Dublin Citizen, “Fenceline Chatter,” Erath County Extension column, Oct. 28, 2026: https://www.dublincitizen.com/commentary/fenceline-chatter-36
- Beneath the Surface News, “Recent rain prompts Erath County officials to lift burn ban,” Oct. 19, 2026: https://www.beneaththesurfacenews.com/post/recent-rain-prompts-erath-county-officials-to-lift-burn-ban
- Texas A&M AgriLife, Lone Star Healthy Streams program: https://lshs.tamu.edu/
- Related: Land appraisals, Eastland County Ranch News: Burn Ban Lifted
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Donkeys_in_a_field_in_Erath_County,_Texas_LCCN2015630779.tif). Cropped.