Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.
Impact Report
| For plan | Crop Production Improvement and Water Conservation in Eastern New Mexico |
| Date | December 4, 2009, 6:25 pm |
| For Objective | Medium-term Show medium-term objectives |
| Impact Report | Educational programs on various subjects related to field crop and biofuel feedstock production were presented at two producer conferences and one field day event on January 15-16, 2009, August 18, 2009 and September 8, 2009. A total of 87 participants completed post surveys to evaluate the programs. The following events are included in this assessment: Southwest Hay and Forage Conference, Ruidoso, NM - 200 attendees. Annual Field Day, Clovis, NM - 107 attendees. Wheat Production Workshop, Clovis, NM - 20 attendees. Surveys indicated that 92% of attendees had significantly increased in knowledge and that the programs were useful. Only 8% indicated that they had only 'some' increase in knowledge. 88.5% indicated that they had an improved level of understanding with respect to water conservation as it related to corn and sorghum silage, wheat, and biofuel feedstock production. Only 11.5% indicated that they had no improvement in understanding of water conservation as it related to these crops. No one indicated that they did not learn anything or that the program was not useful. Responses varied with respect to suggestions on what type of material could be covered better or more at future events. Benefits of this program continue to be far-reaching and significant. Greater than 90% of farmers/agencies recognize the need for more water conserving practices in order to maintain regional agriculture and economic stability. Easily, more than 10% of regional farmers have begun implementing water-conserving practices in their operations. Results from the 2009 Annual Field Day alone indicate that greater than 60% of producers have changed to more water use efficient crops and methods in the past 5 years. This is important in that if 10% of crops are conserved in the region, greater than $30 million is conserved annually for the state of NM. If the livestock that are dependent upon these crops are considered, then over $175 million is preserved annually. Agriculture and regional economics have been maintained and, in some cases, improved through conservation efforts highligted by this and other similar programs. Research results from this program have clearly shown that farmer inputs (other than water) in corn and forage sorghum silage systems can be reduced significantly without detriment to yields and end-product quality. For example, seed and fertilizer inputs may be reduced as much as 25% in limited irrigation systems without negative effects. This is very significant, especially with respect to fertilizer as this is one of the most expensive inputs on a farm. This information will continue to be presented to farmers and agricultural professionals in an effort to broaden resource conservation and profitability in the region. |