The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which runs March 7-26 at NRG Park, is known for live entertainment, competitions, music and food, but it also features a variety of educational seminars that are open to the public. Topics include the cattle market outlook for 2017, ecology, photography, wild game food preparation, predators and other topics of interest to farmers, hunters and anyone with an interest in wildlife and agriculture. Admission to the seminars is free with purchase of a grounds pass or a Rodeo Houston ticket. Here is the schedule for Ranching and Wildlife Expo educational seminars this week:

Tuesday, March 7

11 a.m.—"Cattle Market Report and Outlook for 2017" 1:25 p.m.—"Cows and Quail" 2:10 p.m.—"Agricultural Conservation Easements: Lessening Ag Land Loss and Saving Family Legacies"; presented by James Oliver and Ken Cearley of the Texas Agricultural Land Trust 2:55 p.m.—"Techniques for Predation Identification"; presented by John Tomecek of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Wednesday, March 8

Noon—"Blue Ribbon Panel and a New Opportunity for Funding: HR 5650" 12:30 p.m.—"Posting Observations, Documenting Plants and Exploring Data on iNaturalist"; presented by Cullen Hanks of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 1 p.m.—"Snakes of Texas"; presented by Kelly Norrid of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 1:30 p.m.—"Coastal Prairies"; presented by Cassidy Johnson of the Coastal Prairie Partnership 2 p.m.—"Texas Coastal Watershed: Green Infrastructure for Texas"; presented by Marissa Sipocz of the Texas Coastal Watershed Program  2:30 p.m.—"Texas’ Coastal Conservation Legacy: The Power of Recreational Anglers"; by Patrick Murray, Coastal Conservation Association 3:15 p.m.—"Wild Game Preparation: Sausage Making"

Thursday, March 9

Noon—"Quail: Sustain the Abundance Forever"; presented by Chad Bloom of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever 12:30 p.m.—"Migratory Game Bird Management in Texas"; presented by Shaun Oldenburger of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department  1:15 p.m.—"Development of an Oral Toxicant for Lethal Control of Feral Swine"; presented by John Kinsey of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 1:45 p.m.—"Ecology of Deer Populations in Texas"; presented by Bobby Eichler of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 2:15 p.m.—"Nature Photography"; presented by professional photographer Carol Henrichs 2:45 p.m.—"Ranch Financing Update and 2016 Texas Rural Lands Markets Report" 3:15 p.m.—"Wild Game Preparation: Wild Pigs"