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.
Range Management for New Mexico (Sierra County)
Plan Goals
Increase productivity and knowledge of local area livestock producers through the use of research based best-practices that will produce positive sustainable agriculture for Sierra County.
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- Related Plans
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Range Management for New Mexico
Impact Reports
Private Applicators Training
Continual education for pesticide applicators is important for local farmers and ranchers from Sierra County in order to apply pesticides correctly. Local producers need to be able to use chemicals wisely and in the proper manner to optimize their effectiveness as well as the safety of their neighbors. The agent conducted a pesticide applicators workshop in December with the assistance of the wildlife specialist, water specialist, and the private applicator specialist from NMSU. Participants in the program gained knowledge on sprayer calibration, small vertebrate control, the history of pesticides, and calculating spray area. Fifteen farmers and one rancher attended the workshop. Evaluations from the program showed that 100% were satisfied with the program and all agreed that they gained knowledge that they can apply in the future.
Continual education for pesticide applicators is important for local farmers and ranchers from Sierra County in order to apply pesticides correctly. Local producers need to be able to use chemicals wisely and in the proper manner to optimize their effectiveness as well as the safety of their neighbors. The agent conducted a pesticide applicators workshop in December with the assistance of the wildlife specialist, water specialist, and the private applicator specialist from NMSU. Participants in the program gained knowledge on sprayer calibration, small vertebrate control, the history of pesticides, and calculating spray area. Fifteen farmers and one rancher attended the workshop. Evaluations from the program showed that 100% were satisfied with the program and all agreed that they gained knowledge that they can apply in the future.
Threatened and Endangers Species
Threatened and endanger species in New Mexico have had negative effects on the economies of most small communities and have set back many ranchers and citizens in Sierra County. The Mexican Gray Wolf reintroduction program has been devastating for ranchers in the Gila area. The agent was approached by several ranchers in Sierra County to assist in anyway possible to help curve potential loses that the program has caused. Surrounding counties have also felt the effect of the program and in an effort to assist these citizens the agents from Catron, Socorro, Grant, and Sierra counties in partnership with the Range Improvement Task Force conducted several meetings to discuss potential solutions. An advisory meeting was held with the land owners to discuss possible options. The final outcome was to conduct a research based analysis to find potential cattle management techniques that could assist ranchers in curving losses, also to development literature and brochures that help identify wolves as well as what to do if there is a depredation and hold trainings for ranchers in collecting data. Follow up meetings were held to train data collectors and hand out collection kits. About forty interested citizens participated in the trainings and advisory meetings. This is an on going process that may assist producers in finding ways to manage for the wolf program and keep ranchers in Sierra County in business.
Threatened and endanger species in New Mexico have had negative effects on the economies of most small communities and have set back many ranchers and citizens in Sierra County. The Mexican Gray Wolf reintroduction program has been devastating for ranchers in the Gila area. The agent was approached by several ranchers in Sierra County to assist in anyway possible to help curve potential loses that the program has caused. Surrounding counties have also felt the effect of the program and in an effort to assist these citizens the agents from Catron, Socorro, Grant, and Sierra counties in partnership with the Range Improvement Task Force conducted several meetings to discuss potential solutions. An advisory meeting was held with the land owners to discuss possible options. The final outcome was to conduct a research based analysis to find potential cattle management techniques that could assist ranchers in curving losses, also to development literature and brochures that help identify wolves as well as what to do if there is a depredation and hold trainings for ranchers in collecting data. Follow up meetings were held to train data collectors and hand out collection kits. About forty interested citizens participated in the trainings and advisory meetings. This is an on going process that may assist producers in finding ways to manage for the wolf program and keep ranchers in Sierra County in business.
Noxious Weed and Poisonous Plant Management
Plant identification and management is important in forage production and land value in Sierra County. The more desirable plants that local pastures and rangeland have the more the land is worth. In the past few years ranchers and citizens of Sierra County have had difficult with encroaching poisonous plants and noxious weeds with some range conditions exceeding 40% encroachment. In an effort to educate county clientele on management and identification the agent along with the County Noxious Weed coordinator presented a workshop on “Noxious Weed and Poisonous Plant Management in Sierra County”. Other speakers were the Veterinarian specialist and the Brush and Weed Control specialist from New Mexico State University. Fifteen farmers, ranchers, transportation department, and interested citizens attended the workshop. 95% of those who attended were satisfied with the program and all agreed that they gained knowledge on the topics that were presented. Comments were “good presentation” and “would like to see more programs like this one”.
Plant identification and management is important in forage production and land value in Sierra County. The more desirable plants that local pastures and rangeland have the more the land is worth. In the past few years ranchers and citizens of Sierra County have had difficult with encroaching poisonous plants and noxious weeds with some range conditions exceeding 40% encroachment. In an effort to educate county clientele on management and identification the agent along with the County Noxious Weed coordinator presented a workshop on “Noxious Weed and Poisonous Plant Management in Sierra County”. Other speakers were the Veterinarian specialist and the Brush and Weed Control specialist from New Mexico State University. Fifteen farmers, ranchers, transportation department, and interested citizens attended the workshop. 95% of those who attended were satisfied with the program and all agreed that they gained knowledge on the topics that were presented. Comments were “good presentation” and “would like to see more programs like this one”.
Ranchers were able to monitor ranges and understand why changes in the range condition occur and take appropriate management actions if needed. Ranchers were able to take preemptive measures in reducing poisonous plant losses.
Range monitoring manuals that cover range , riparian,soil erosion,water quality and wildlife population inventory and monitoring techniques have been published and will be revised in 2010.
Range monitoring manuals that cover range , riparian,soil erosion,water quality and wildlife population inventory and monitoring techniques have been published and will be revised in 2010.
Ranchers were able to monitor ranges and understand why changes in the range condition occur and take appropriate management actions if needed. Ranchers were able to take preemptive measures in reducing poisonous plant losses.
Range monitoring manuals that cover range , riparian,soil erosion,water quality and wildlife population inventory and monitoring techniques have been published and will be revised in 2010.
Range monitoring manuals that cover range , riparian,soil erosion,water quality and wildlife population inventory and monitoring techniques have been published and will be revised in 2010.