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 | Profitable Livestock Production (Union County) |
| Date | October 20, 2007, 3:59 pm |
| For Objective | Short-term Show short-term objectives |
| Impact Report | Profitable Livestock Production (Union County) Situation Statement Union County animal agriculture accounts for $150 million in farmgate sales annually. There is a major economic multiplier effect. Agriculture is not only important to the overall economy, but vital to preventing costs of dislocation by ensuring the viability of rural communities. To protect those communities and the economic impact of agriculture, we must assure continuous productivity gains in the livestock industry. Cattle growers have registered their concern for increased productivity and competitiveness. Through industry, Extension and research efforts, productivity gains have been realized over the past 20 years. Improving productivity of Union county producers during this plan of work, will insure we remain competitive and profitable in the long run. Short-Term Objectives Increase awareness of novel management practices and knowledge of current issues by 20% for of county livestock producers through educational programs and direct communications. Increase the number of producers using technology by 5 to evaluate production and financial aspects of cow-calf enterprises through participation in SPA workshops. NARRATIVE: A major effort was made this year to build an interest in the use of electronic record keeping for the livestock producer to better determine true enterprise evaluations. 20 producers were worked with having only minimal success in producer’s adoption of the practice. Plans are to continue this process next year as the interest is there and the skills are not. Some 150 producers were worked with on a one-on-one basis in obtaining herd data, and up keep of their production records, BQA programs and general livestock management. Programs such as the Southwest Beef Symposium were used as educational programs along with the use of Livestock Specialists from NMSU and CLRC. The major issue this past year was activities involved during a natural disaster. A blizzard hit the area in December of 2006 and again in January 2007 with the effects lasting well into April 2007. Producers lost some 3000 head of cattle on range and over 2500 in feedlots. Hay lifts, livestock rescue and financial aid was needed and supplied. This affected some 400 producers and caused a tragic economical hit to the area. Feed costs rose some 50% and equipment repair costs rose over 25%. The New Mexico Livestock Board, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, New Mexico Cattle Growers and New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau were all involved in the reaction during the disaster as well as strongly involved in the on going recovery. |