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Impact Report

For plan Crop Production Improvement and Water Conservation in Eastern New Mexico
Date December 3, 2010, 10:54 pm
For Objective Medium-term Show medium-term objectives
Impact Report Educational programs on various subjects related to field crops, biofuel feedstock production, and weed management were presented at one producer conference and two field day events on January 14-15, 2010, May 13, 2010 and August 12, 2010. The following events are included in this assessment: Southwest Hay and Forage Conference, Ruidoso, NM - 206 attendees. Annual Field Day, Clovis, NM - 116 attendees. Wheat Production Workshop, Clovis, NM - 27 attendees. Surveys and follow up conversations indicated that over 90% of attendees had significantly increased in knowledge and that the programs were useful. Less than 10% indicated that they had only 'some' increase in knowledge. Almost all attendees indicated that they had an improved level of understanding with respect to water and resource conservation and crop management as related to alfalfa, corn and sorghum silage, wheat, sorghum weed management and biofuels. No one indicated that they did not learn anything or that the programs were not useful. Responses varied with respect to suggestions on what type of material could be covered better or more at future events. Those comments will be addressed at future events. 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 field days and workshops 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. Weed management in sorghum continues to be the number one requested area among growers of sorghum for research improvments and updates. This program strives to highlight the benefits of new weed control technologies through research plots containing herbicide-tolerant sorghums and demonstrations to show the benefits of these technologies. Over 95% of sorghum growers have indicted that they will utilize this technology when it becomes available. Most requested aspect of this technology is cost and availability of products, and varieties containing it. 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.