Profitable Livestock Production (Harding County)

Coordination between industry and producers is key in disseminating information. Agent collaborated with Curry county agent to put on a producer meeting where a pharmaceutical company and a packing company came and interacted and trained actual producers. Over 40 producers (including 8 from Harding County) were served a meal and participted in discussions about the following: worming and vaccination programs for cattle, what live cattle buyers look for when buying cattle for slaughter and what premiums and discounts do to your bottom line, and how focused the company is on working with producers. Producers also increased their knowledge of beef cattle weights and size by guessing the weights of several cattle to predict amount of wormer to be used. Also: producers were then given a full tour of the local packing house to gain first hand knowledge of the food production chain and the efficiency at which these facilities operate. As a result, producers increased their understanding of beef production.

New Mexico Cattle Growers Association works to help keep livestock growers in business in New Mexico. As a board member and committee chairmen, agent attended the fall meeting of NMCGA. Items discussed included: game commission hunting rules, potential GIPSA rules to regulate marketing of cattle, tax problems, etc. Agent increased knowledge of current problems and challenges facing industry and can take this information back to Harding County. As a result, producers stay informed of potential negative and positive informatino that affects their living.

Agent was selected by New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to be on a taskforce to come up with ideas and solutions to the APLUS (antelope private land use system)potential problems. Agent attended 3 meetings in Alb. with over 25 in attendence at all three meetings to discuss the issues. Increased hunting opportunity, tresspass issues, permit allocation, and different hunting options were all discussed. As a result, agent was able to take information back to cliental in county so they could give input on scheduled public comment meetings to be held.

Local stakeholders and cattle affiliations go a long way in establishing policy and working on behalf of the agriculture industry. Agent, as president of the North East New Mexico Livestock Association, coordinated and ran the summer meeting. Over 40 producers from 3 counties participated in the producer meeting. Current issues facing agriculture was discussed such as property righs, hunting, estate tax reform, environmental regulations, etc. This organization allows north eastern NM landowners and ranchers to have a voice in these issues.

The dairy industry in New Mexico is growing and ranks as one of the highest drivers of economic growth in Eastern New Mexico. The industry is constantly bombared with media propaganda, and sensationalized accusations about the welfare of dairy animals and the environmental affects of day to day operation. Agent attended dairy media training to learn about the proper ways of responding to negative publicity about the dairy industry. Agent increased knowledge of how to handle questions and interact with the media by 100%. Although no dairies reside in Harding County, agent increased knowledge and awareness and can take information back to county and be a positive spokesperson for the industry.