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.
Profitable Livestock Production (Chaves County)
Plan Goals
Improve the profitability of livestock production by enhancing decision-making skills of livestock owners and managers in Chaves County.
- Owner
- Related Plans
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Profitable Livestock Production
Impact Reports
Food Protection Alliance
The agent worked with the Home Economist to form a Food Protection Alliance to identify organizations, agencies, businesses, processors, educators, and others who could play key roles in disseminating food protection and safety information. An introductory meeting was held to bring local partners together. Two persons attended and discussed what other local groups/individuals should be included in the group, how recall information is distributed, and what else can be done to get the word to the public. A follow-up meeting is set for this November.
The agent worked with the Home Economist to form a Food Protection Alliance to identify organizations, agencies, businesses, processors, educators, and others who could play key roles in disseminating food protection and safety information. An introductory meeting was held to bring local partners together. Two persons attended and discussed what other local groups/individuals should be included in the group, how recall information is distributed, and what else can be done to get the word to the public. A follow-up meeting is set for this November.
Horse Program
The agent serves on the Horse Program Advisory Committee for the Extension Horse Specialist. The agent assisted the Extension Specialist with setting up local sites for a New Mexico Horse Industry class to visit horse facilities in the Chaves County area. Approximately 12 NMSU students visited Roswell for a day during a week-long tour of the New Mexico horse industry. The students toured Bueno Suerte Equine Services, a horse breeding facility; Hunter Creek Farms, a mare care/foaling facility; Double Eagle Training Center, a race-horse breaking and training facility; and Bogle Farms “Reins of Life” therapeutic riding facility and ranch horse business. The students saw state-of-the-art facilities, various management techniques, and were able to talk with very knowledgeable people about many aspects of the New Mexico horse industry. The highlight of the day was a visit with “Mine That Bird”, 2009 Kentucky Derby winner. This hands-on program vastly contributes to the students’ knowledge of the New Mexico horse industry.
The agent serves on the Horse Program Advisory Committee for the Extension Horse Specialist. The agent assisted the Extension Specialist with setting up local sites for a New Mexico Horse Industry class to visit horse facilities in the Chaves County area. Approximately 12 NMSU students visited Roswell for a day during a week-long tour of the New Mexico horse industry. The students toured Bueno Suerte Equine Services, a horse breeding facility; Hunter Creek Farms, a mare care/foaling facility; Double Eagle Training Center, a race-horse breaking and training facility; and Bogle Farms “Reins of Life” therapeutic riding facility and ranch horse business. The students saw state-of-the-art facilities, various management techniques, and were able to talk with very knowledgeable people about many aspects of the New Mexico horse industry. The highlight of the day was a visit with “Mine That Bird”, 2009 Kentucky Derby winner. This hands-on program vastly contributes to the students’ knowledge of the New Mexico horse industry.
Feral Hog Program
To assist area producers in combating a steady increase in feral hog population and the problems that have accompanied the increase, the agent coordinated the Southeastern New Mexico Feral Hog Symposium, which was held in Roswell. The agent worked with USDA Wildlife Services’ District Supervisor and NMSU’s Wildlife Specialist to conduct the program. Topics covered at the program included the history of feral hogs, biology, disease, property damage, control, legislation, and the laws and regulations pertaining to hunting and spotlighting of feral hogs. Eradication and control options were also discussed, which included demonstrations of current equipment and techniques being used. Forty-eight persons attended the program to learn more about eliminating this costly pest.
To assist area producers in combating a steady increase in feral hog population and the problems that have accompanied the increase, the agent coordinated the Southeastern New Mexico Feral Hog Symposium, which was held in Roswell. The agent worked with USDA Wildlife Services’ District Supervisor and NMSU’s Wildlife Specialist to conduct the program. Topics covered at the program included the history of feral hogs, biology, disease, property damage, control, legislation, and the laws and regulations pertaining to hunting and spotlighting of feral hogs. Eradication and control options were also discussed, which included demonstrations of current equipment and techniques being used. Forty-eight persons attended the program to learn more about eliminating this costly pest.
NAP Program Assessment
The agent was asked by the Farm Service Agency office to assess the native forage production in the county for the Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). As usual for New Mexico, rains were spotty and erratic during the 2010 growing season, and estimating an amount of production or lack of production of native grass and assigning a numerical value is very hard, particularly for a large area such as a county. Fortunately, rains were in abundance during 2010 and there were very few areas that did not produce a “normal” amount of forage. The agent spent time assessing forage production in the county and assigning a “percent loss” for the program.
The agent was asked by the Farm Service Agency office to assess the native forage production in the county for the Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). As usual for New Mexico, rains were spotty and erratic during the 2010 growing season, and estimating an amount of production or lack of production of native grass and assigning a numerical value is very hard, particularly for a large area such as a county. Fortunately, rains were in abundance during 2010 and there were very few areas that did not produce a “normal” amount of forage. The agent spent time assessing forage production in the county and assigning a “percent loss” for the program.
Drought Program
With the severe drought being first and foremost on producers’ minds this reporting year, the agent coordinated an educational program on “Drought Damage Evaluation and Range Management” for area livestock producers. The program was held at the Chaves County Extension Office in Roswell. Range Management Specialists from NMSU demonstrated site evaluation, and discussed forage budgeting, range assessments, climate forecast and website information, and gave an update on the Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Insurance Program. Seven livestock producers attended the program and all came away with answers to questions about the forage situation on their ranch. Topics most discussed during the program included assessing whether grass has been killed by the drought and how long it will take for forages to return to sites. One producer who was new to Chaves County was most concerned about identification of grasses on his property and the utilization of the old grass that he still had on his place.
With the severe drought being first and foremost on producers’ minds this reporting year, the agent coordinated an educational program on “Drought Damage Evaluation and Range Management” for area livestock producers. The program was held at the Chaves County Extension Office in Roswell. Range Management Specialists from NMSU demonstrated site evaluation, and discussed forage budgeting, range assessments, climate forecast and website information, and gave an update on the Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Insurance Program. Seven livestock producers attended the program and all came away with answers to questions about the forage situation on their ranch. Topics most discussed during the program included assessing whether grass has been killed by the drought and how long it will take for forages to return to sites. One producer who was new to Chaves County was most concerned about identification of grasses on his property and the utilization of the old grass that he still had on his place.