Brush and Weed Control Education Program (Quay County)

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.

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.