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.
Brush and Weed Control Education Program (Taos County)
Plan Goals
Private land ranchers and state and federal agency range conservationists are expected to learn the most efficacious, economical and ecologically sound means of managing noxious brush and weeds.
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- Related Plans
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Brush and Weed Control Education Program
Impact Reports
A good year for crop production usually also brings about a good year of weeds. 2009 was certainly a good year for weeds. The County Agent spent a considerably amount of time identifying weeds. The variety of species brought in by clientele from across Taos County was quite broad. Each identification included recommendations for control options depending on the goals and objectives of the client.
Over twelve days, or ninety six hours were spent during the course of the year identifying plant/weed species and making recommendations. This included both office and field visits.
In partnerships with the Taos Soil and Water Conservation District, the County Agent taught a program for 13 government employees on the subject of Brush Control.
Over twelve days, or ninety six hours were spent during the course of the year identifying plant/weed species and making recommendations. This included both office and field visits.
In partnerships with the Taos Soil and Water Conservation District, the County Agent taught a program for 13 government employees on the subject of Brush Control.
The problem with weeds is that no matter how much you plan to control or eradicate them, they always seem to be one step ahead! Given this aspect of job security, the County Agent met with the Taos Soil and Water Conservation District, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Weed Specialist, a representative from the Alternative Weeds Committee, Mr. Linus Myer from the BLM, and, an instructor from the UNM-Taos who teaches weed physiology. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the need for, and agreement to the establishment of a Cooperative Weed Management Agreement. This agreement, while not obligating in any way, brings together those agencies and organizations with the common goal of doing all that is necessary to combat the problem of noxious weed management. This committee and its work will take about two years to get in full motion, however the NMDA representative will serve as the primary coordinator toward this end for the initial part of this endeavor.
The County Agent along with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services and the Taos Soil and Water Conservation District presented training for individuals from various agencies and government programs that use or supervise the use of chemicals for weed, ornamental, insect, brush, or rodent control. These individuals are called public applicators and must be certified to use any chemicals on public facilities, whether general use or restricted use chemicals. Representatives included the Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde, New Mexico Transportation Department, Town of Taos Parks and Recreation, Taos Regional Airport, Taos County General Services, Taos Soil & Water Conservation District and the Taos Municipal Schools.
The County Agent also tested one individual for Private Applicator Licensing. This licensing will allow the farmer to purchase, use and supervise the use of material not ordinarily available to the public. This farmer in particular, has worked to provide weed-free hay for use in public lands and this is one more tool available to accomplish this task. Last year, the County Agent, who is also a certified Weed-Free Hay Field Inspector, inspected several fields to help provide applicants an opportunity to sell weed-free hay which is all that will be allowed on public lands from now on. This helps producers obtain a premium for their hay thus boosting their income from agricultural production.
The County Agent along with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services and the Taos Soil and Water Conservation District presented training for individuals from various agencies and government programs that use or supervise the use of chemicals for weed, ornamental, insect, brush, or rodent control. These individuals are called public applicators and must be certified to use any chemicals on public facilities, whether general use or restricted use chemicals. Representatives included the Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde, New Mexico Transportation Department, Town of Taos Parks and Recreation, Taos Regional Airport, Taos County General Services, Taos Soil & Water Conservation District and the Taos Municipal Schools.
The County Agent also tested one individual for Private Applicator Licensing. This licensing will allow the farmer to purchase, use and supervise the use of material not ordinarily available to the public. This farmer in particular, has worked to provide weed-free hay for use in public lands and this is one more tool available to accomplish this task. Last year, the County Agent, who is also a certified Weed-Free Hay Field Inspector, inspected several fields to help provide applicants an opportunity to sell weed-free hay which is all that will be allowed on public lands from now on. This helps producers obtain a premium for their hay thus boosting their income from agricultural production.
Long term objectives accomplished to date:
As more new technology and information becomes available and is adopted by land managers, overall range conditions will improve.
D. Activities carried out to meet program goals and/or objectives.
1. Ten new demonstration/research trials were installed during
2006-2007. Three demonstrations were installed on prickly pear in Eddy County and one in Lea County. Three cholla trials were established in Guadalupe, Lea and Quay Counties. Two saltcedar trials were established in Eddy County. One mesquite trial was established in Eddy County.
2. Twelve existing demonstration/research trials were evaluated in 2006-2007. One aerial cholla trial was evaluated in Chaves County. One mesquite trial was evaluated in Eddy County. Four prickly pear trials were evaluated in Eddy and Lea Counties. Six cholla trials were evaluated in Guadalupe, Lea and Quay Counties.
3. The Brush and Weed Specialist was involved in planning and coordinating the 2007 New Mexico Vegetation Management Association annual meeting in Albuquerque. This Specialist served as program chair and local arrangements chair for the 2007 meeting. This Specialist attended 10 Board of Directors meetings.
4. The Brush and Weed Specialist provided technical proposal review assistance to the Claunch Pinto SWCD saltcedar management project.
5. This Specialist participated in the Saltcedar Bio-control Consortium meeting - presented information on New Mexico Legislature support of saltcedar management activities.
6. This Specialist participated in the Harding County Locoweed Field Day - provided information on locoweed control.
7. The Brush and Weed Specialist was invited to speak at the Four Corners Irrigation Workshop - provided information on saltcedar control.
8. The Brush and Weed Specialist was invited to speak at the Southwest Noxious Weed Short Course - presented two talks on brush and weed control and saltcedar management.
9. This Specialist provided information and training at the Guadalupe County pesticide training meeting.
10. The Brush and Weed Specialist participated in the two day BLM Rio Grande Saltcedar Project in Taos County - provided information on saltcedar, Russian olive and noxious weed management.
11. This Specialist co-hosted a University of Nebraska- Water Center tour of the southern Pecos River - provided information on saltcedar management and government and public participation in natural resource management.
12. The Brush and Weed Specialist co-hosted an Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell tour of southern New Mexico agriculture - provided information on southeast New Mexico agriculture and saltcedar management.
13. This Specialist attended the EDEN Animal Agro-security Conference.
14. This Specialist co-authored the publication: “Management of Saltcedar Re-growth with Carpet-roller Applied herbicides.” Jose G. Franco, Kirk C. McDaniel, Brent Tanzy and Keith W. Duncan.
E. Resources obtained to meet program objectives:
$15,000 grant from Dow AgroSciences
F. Evaluation results reflective of objectives:
Private landowners and state and federal land managers adapted new information and technology in 2006-2007. This is revealed by the fact that approximately 250,000 acres of New Mexico rangeland and riparian areas were treated during the year. Species in the brush and weed control programs include: Saltcedar, mesquite, creosote bush, tarbush, African rue, Russian knapweed, Russian olive, leafy spurge, woolly locoweed, big sagebrush, sand shinnery oak and scrub oak. In addition, approximately 20,000 acres of previously treated areas are currently in some stage of re-vegetation efforts.
As more new technology and information becomes available and is adopted by land managers, overall range conditions will improve.
D. Activities carried out to meet program goals and/or objectives.
1. Ten new demonstration/research trials were installed during
2006-2007. Three demonstrations were installed on prickly pear in Eddy County and one in Lea County. Three cholla trials were established in Guadalupe, Lea and Quay Counties. Two saltcedar trials were established in Eddy County. One mesquite trial was established in Eddy County.
2. Twelve existing demonstration/research trials were evaluated in 2006-2007. One aerial cholla trial was evaluated in Chaves County. One mesquite trial was evaluated in Eddy County. Four prickly pear trials were evaluated in Eddy and Lea Counties. Six cholla trials were evaluated in Guadalupe, Lea and Quay Counties.
3. The Brush and Weed Specialist was involved in planning and coordinating the 2007 New Mexico Vegetation Management Association annual meeting in Albuquerque. This Specialist served as program chair and local arrangements chair for the 2007 meeting. This Specialist attended 10 Board of Directors meetings.
4. The Brush and Weed Specialist provided technical proposal review assistance to the Claunch Pinto SWCD saltcedar management project.
5. This Specialist participated in the Saltcedar Bio-control Consortium meeting - presented information on New Mexico Legislature support of saltcedar management activities.
6. This Specialist participated in the Harding County Locoweed Field Day - provided information on locoweed control.
7. The Brush and Weed Specialist was invited to speak at the Four Corners Irrigation Workshop - provided information on saltcedar control.
8. The Brush and Weed Specialist was invited to speak at the Southwest Noxious Weed Short Course - presented two talks on brush and weed control and saltcedar management.
9. This Specialist provided information and training at the Guadalupe County pesticide training meeting.
10. The Brush and Weed Specialist participated in the two day BLM Rio Grande Saltcedar Project in Taos County - provided information on saltcedar, Russian olive and noxious weed management.
11. This Specialist co-hosted a University of Nebraska- Water Center tour of the southern Pecos River - provided information on saltcedar management and government and public participation in natural resource management.
12. The Brush and Weed Specialist co-hosted an Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell tour of southern New Mexico agriculture - provided information on southeast New Mexico agriculture and saltcedar management.
13. This Specialist attended the EDEN Animal Agro-security Conference.
14. This Specialist co-authored the publication: “Management of Saltcedar Re-growth with Carpet-roller Applied herbicides.” Jose G. Franco, Kirk C. McDaniel, Brent Tanzy and Keith W. Duncan.
E. Resources obtained to meet program objectives:
$15,000 grant from Dow AgroSciences
F. Evaluation results reflective of objectives:
Private landowners and state and federal land managers adapted new information and technology in 2006-2007. This is revealed by the fact that approximately 250,000 acres of New Mexico rangeland and riparian areas were treated during the year. Species in the brush and weed control programs include: Saltcedar, mesquite, creosote bush, tarbush, African rue, Russian knapweed, Russian olive, leafy spurge, woolly locoweed, big sagebrush, sand shinnery oak and scrub oak. In addition, approximately 20,000 acres of previously treated areas are currently in some stage of re-vegetation efforts.
Private land ranchers, state and federal agency personnel and county agents observed and evaluated new and existing field trials throughout the year and adopted new information and technology in 2006-2007. This is revealed by the fact that approximately 250,000 acres of New Mexico rangeland and riparian areas were treated during the year. Species included in the brush and weed control program include: saltcedar, mesquite, creosote bush, tarbush, African rue, Russian knapweed, Russian olive, leafy spurge, woolly locoweed, big sagebrush, sand shinnery oak and scrub oak. In addition, approximately 20,000 acres of previously treated areas are currently in some stage of re-vegetation efforts.
More than 135 demonstration-research cooperators have assisted with this program by permitting research trials on land which they own or manage. Numerous chemical companies such as Dow Agro Sciences, Monsanto, and BASF cooperate by providing herbicides as well as small grants for conducting research. State and federal agencies cooperating include the Bureau of Land Management, U. S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NM State Parks, NM Game and Fish Department, NM Forestry Division, NM Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Carlsbad Irrigation District, Bureau of Reclamation, NM State Land Office, and several Soil and Water Conservation Districts and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services.
More than 135 demonstration-research cooperators have assisted with this program by permitting research trials on land which they own or manage. Numerous chemical companies such as Dow Agro Sciences, Monsanto, and BASF cooperate by providing herbicides as well as small grants for conducting research. State and federal agencies cooperating include the Bureau of Land Management, U. S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NM State Parks, NM Game and Fish Department, NM Forestry Division, NM Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Carlsbad Irrigation District, Bureau of Reclamation, NM State Land Office, and several Soil and Water Conservation Districts and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services.
Ten new demonstration/research trials were established on four species in four counties. County agents and private landowners were present or aware of the trials as they were established. The 2007 New Mexico Vegetation Management Association Annual Conference included several speakers addressing current rangeland brush and weed topics. A total of 246 registered participants received new technology information on problem rangeland plants in New Mexico.