Profitable Livestock Production (Harding County)

The Beef Quality Assurance Program has been in existence since the 90's. It's focus is to demonstrate to producers best animal husbandry practices so that they can raise the safest and best product for consumers. Consumers are questioning where their food comes from more and more and agriculture activists are becoming more prevalent. Consequently, beef producers must continue to practice good animal handeling and management skills.
Agent trained and discussed BQA guidelines with seven producers in Harding County who wanted to become certified. As a result, they increased their understanding of vaccination protocals, the grading system, Beef Quality Audits, animal welfare issues, and other animal handeling procedures by 50%. One producer claimed that "this was an eye-opening experience and very educational". Furthermore, these producers can use these pratices to become more efficient and profitable in their operations. Hopefully, BQA certified producers will start to receive 2-3$/cwt more for their livestock than a producer uncertified.

Many landowners are looking into wind energy to compensate cash returns on land. However, the lease agreements can be complicated and confusing. Agent worked with lawyer who specializes in wind agreements to put on workshop for interested landowners and residents. Over 40 people increased their knowledge by 100% during a 2 hour workshop. Discussions took place on private property rights, easments, transmission, and what should be in a lease. As a result, landowners have a better understanding of wind leasing.

College students engage in hands on activites and learning to undertand beef production. Agent hosted beef cattle management class from West Texas A&M University on day and a half tour of ranch. Agent demonstrated management, breeding, and cash flow dynamics of ranching in NE New Mexico to 13 students and 1 professor. Nutrition, calving, and estate transition was also discussed. Students increased their awareness and understanding of range cow-calf management and networked with producers from another state.

Producers depend on applicators licenses for pesticides to buy products to control weeds, brush, or other problems on their properties. Producers must obtain educational credits in order to keep their licenses. Agent hosted a private applicator training for region wide license holders. Forty-five producers and citizens learned about prairie dog control, brush managment and the record keeping and inspection requirements of NMDA. 100% of participants will not have to participate again for at least 5 years. 75% of particpants increased their knowlegde of brush control on certain species by over 50% as measured by comments after the meeting. As a result of this informative gathering, landowners can continue to manage their lands to sustain economic and ecological success and stay in agricultural business. Agent collaborated with 2 other agents from region and had producers or agency reps from over 6 counties.

Agent and county commissioners have become involved in the NEPA process for the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program. Agent and commission attended meeting in Tucumcari to learn more about EIS and the NEPA process so Harding can participate as a cooperating agency during the comment period. Knowledge and information increased by 50% among the meeting goers from Harding County. As a result, Harding can hopefully have a say in the process as it relates to the county.