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 (Union County)
Plan Goals
Union County Private land ranchers and land managers are expected to learn,and use the most efficacious, economical and ecologically sound means of managing noxious and invasive brush and weeds.
- Owner
- Related Plans
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Brush and Weed Control Education Program
Impact Reports
Five workshop/demonstration projects were presented with approximately 30% of the affected producers participating. Of the participants, 75% adopted a brush control program of some sort depending on their particular problems. 25% of these have completed an active brush control project with 10% completeing a long term plan for brush control. In the area of salt cedar control, 100% of participante have completed chemical application with 20% of participants involved in the NRCS EQIP program and 80% participation is solely producer financed.
Loco weed participation was slight with the onset of a drought and the appearance of the striped loco bug. However, 90% of the involved producers practiced stringent monotoring and kept preperations in place for control. 75% of producers were given the opportunity to participate in workshops and up-date meetings concerning loco weed. 100% of these participants indicated that they would up-date their long range plans to include new ideas.
The county emergency agriculture plan incorporated weed invasions into the overall county emergency plan which allows all producers to recieve emergency help in the case that implementation is needed.
Loco weed participation was slight with the onset of a drought and the appearance of the striped loco bug. However, 90% of the involved producers practiced stringent monotoring and kept preperations in place for control. 75% of producers were given the opportunity to participate in workshops and up-date meetings concerning loco weed. 100% of these participants indicated that they would up-date their long range plans to include new ideas.
The county emergency agriculture plan incorporated weed invasions into the overall county emergency plan which allows all producers to recieve emergency help in the case that implementation is needed.
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.
Brush and Weed Control Education Program (Union County)
Situation Statement
Noxious,and invasive brush and weeds are found in Union county and the surrounding area and present a serious problem rangeland. Union county to date has very few noxious plants, but about 65% or the rangelands are home to invasive Pinon/Juniper or, salt cedar,or snakeweed and locoweed. About 25% percent is so densly covered that grass production is seriously curtailed. In addition to the loss of forage production, invasive and noxious plants result in soil erosion, reduced water use efficiency and increased animal handling costs. These in turn lower animal production and cause loss of income to the ranching community. Land managers want to know the most efficacious and economic means of managing noxious brush and weeds. Chemical, mechanical and biological tools can be used to help reduce the detrimental effects of noxious brush and weeds. Locoweed research is needed to adequately understand the locoweed plant, livestock activity with the plants, and to develop management practices that reduce the economic loss due to loco intoxication and rangeland losses due to invasions.
Medium-Term Objectives
To increase the knowledge of brush and weed management programs by private land ranchers and state and federal agency range conservationists. To increase the adoption of brush and weed management strategies by 15% over life of POW and decrease the losses in rangeland, livestock and wildlife enterprises by 5%.
NARRATIVE
SNAKEWEED: A major demonstration area was set up in Union County where we used a ground sprayer and fogger method to control snake broom weed was set up where in October we sprayed a 640 acre area heavily infested with broom weed, using Tordon 22K as the spray which is recommended by Dr. McDaniel for control on snake broom weed. The producer supplied the chemical and the extension agent supplied the sprayer and labor. Evaluations showed a 95% control and the area was used as a “show place” visited by 42 producers individually, and shown 3 times as a tour stop. As a result of this effort, 12 producers have plans to use this method in November 2007 to control snake broom weed.
LOCOWEED: Locoweed research involving the USDA/PPL and New Mexico State University researchers was still ongoing with work being done on the endophytes, the loco weevil, chemical control, and animal nutrition. Grazing studies were conducted by Dr. Encinias and Dr. Panter to study the role of nutritional stress and loco eating, effects on the fetus, and study of a swainsonine blood marker in known eaters. Loco Up-Date presentations were made (4 in New Mexico, 4 in Texas, 6 in Colorado, 2 in Texas, and 2 in Kansas). Six Demonstrations on using fogger spraying were conducted with 3 in Union County, 2 in Colfax County and 1 in Harding County. Sprayer construction and set up was done involving 23 producers. Loco programs were attended by some 800 people with all using some of the information for their production unit loco problems.
Eleven producers were worked with in setting up a Piñon / Juniper control program using the EQIP program, Five producers set up control projects using only private funding. Twelve producers started a cholla cacti control project, with another 20 producers being involved in various brush programs such as catclaw, wolfberry, and sumac.
Situation Statement
Noxious,and invasive brush and weeds are found in Union county and the surrounding area and present a serious problem rangeland. Union county to date has very few noxious plants, but about 65% or the rangelands are home to invasive Pinon/Juniper or, salt cedar,or snakeweed and locoweed. About 25% percent is so densly covered that grass production is seriously curtailed. In addition to the loss of forage production, invasive and noxious plants result in soil erosion, reduced water use efficiency and increased animal handling costs. These in turn lower animal production and cause loss of income to the ranching community. Land managers want to know the most efficacious and economic means of managing noxious brush and weeds. Chemical, mechanical and biological tools can be used to help reduce the detrimental effects of noxious brush and weeds. Locoweed research is needed to adequately understand the locoweed plant, livestock activity with the plants, and to develop management practices that reduce the economic loss due to loco intoxication and rangeland losses due to invasions.
Medium-Term Objectives
To increase the knowledge of brush and weed management programs by private land ranchers and state and federal agency range conservationists. To increase the adoption of brush and weed management strategies by 15% over life of POW and decrease the losses in rangeland, livestock and wildlife enterprises by 5%.
NARRATIVE
SNAKEWEED: A major demonstration area was set up in Union County where we used a ground sprayer and fogger method to control snake broom weed was set up where in October we sprayed a 640 acre area heavily infested with broom weed, using Tordon 22K as the spray which is recommended by Dr. McDaniel for control on snake broom weed. The producer supplied the chemical and the extension agent supplied the sprayer and labor. Evaluations showed a 95% control and the area was used as a “show place” visited by 42 producers individually, and shown 3 times as a tour stop. As a result of this effort, 12 producers have plans to use this method in November 2007 to control snake broom weed.
LOCOWEED: Locoweed research involving the USDA/PPL and New Mexico State University researchers was still ongoing with work being done on the endophytes, the loco weevil, chemical control, and animal nutrition. Grazing studies were conducted by Dr. Encinias and Dr. Panter to study the role of nutritional stress and loco eating, effects on the fetus, and study of a swainsonine blood marker in known eaters. Loco Up-Date presentations were made (4 in New Mexico, 4 in Texas, 6 in Colorado, 2 in Texas, and 2 in Kansas). Six Demonstrations on using fogger spraying were conducted with 3 in Union County, 2 in Colfax County and 1 in Harding County. Sprayer construction and set up was done involving 23 producers. Loco programs were attended by some 800 people with all using some of the information for their production unit loco problems.
Eleven producers were worked with in setting up a Piñon / Juniper control program using the EQIP program, Five producers set up control projects using only private funding. Twelve producers started a cholla cacti control project, with another 20 producers being involved in various brush programs such as catclaw, wolfberry, and sumac.