Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development

Pesticide CEU Workshop
The agent conducted a Pesticide Applicator License Continuing Education Workshop to assist New Mexico pesticide license holders in securing continuing education for their pesticide licenses. Topics included “Control and Management of Noxious Weeds”, “Review of Pesticide Safety”, “Management and Control of Feral Hogs”, “Brush and Weed Control Basics”, and “Update on Biocontrol of Salt Cedar in New Mexico”. A total of 39 persons attended the workshop, while 29 of the attendees received five CEU’s, making it possible to renew their pesticide license for the licensing period. All persons gained knowledge of pesticide laws and regulations, weed and insect management, safety, and application. Agricultural producers gained information about these subjects to enable them to be safe and knowledgeable pesticide applicators. License holders can significantly reduce pesticide application costs by applying pesticides themselves.

Corn Workshop
Over 16,000 acres of cropland in Chaves County is in production to grow corn for silage to feed area dairy animals. To assist growers in maximizing the production of their corn crop, the agent worked with NMSU’s extension specialists to host a free workshop for area farmers. Topics covered included the agronomy of corn, weed control, soil fertility, tillage and soil health management, diseases and pest control, corn cropping systems, and corn silage management and were presented by seven NMSU extension specialists. Time was also designated during the program for industry updates. Two continuing education units were given to those attendees who had a pesticide applicator license through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Chaves County Farm and Livestock Bureau graciously provided a noon meal for the group. Twenty-nine persons attended the program to improve their knowledge of corn production. Comments from the evaluations collected from the audience rated the workshop a four out of five with the topics of “tillage and soil health management” and the “disease and pest control” being most useful to the participants. One producer commented, “Great workshop! Very informative.”

Pesticides are an important piece of the management tools available to row crop producers, but in order to use them they must have a private applicator’s license. One component of keeping that license is to further their education of proper pesticide use and management. This agent in conjunction with the Curry County Agent and the Bailey County, TX IPM agent hosted a class for those producers that had not received enough credits to renew their license. Twenty-eight producers from two states attended the training meeting and completed their continuing education units and renewed their licenses. Because of their attendance at this class, 100% those who completed their training were better prepared to manage their farming practices and gained knowledge that would improve their business.

This agent was able to assist New Mexico State Entomologist in locating and releasing predatory insects into an organic alfalfa field in the county. This was an extremely valuable learning experience for this agent in understanding more about the life cycle of insects that impact alfalfa production in this county which contributes a large proportion of the forage sales in this county. During the course of the growing season this agent was able to assist local growers identify a new insect in alfalfa fields in this area and with the assistance of state entomologists develop a treatment scheme. 100% of the affected farmers benefited from this assistance and stated they would change management practices to counteract this new pest.

Now in its third year this agent has collected rainfall amounts and forage production data for the entire county. This agent was asked in 2008 by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee to assist the Natural Resource Conservation Service in developing a better means of assessing the health of Roosevelt County grazing lands. Eight rainfall and forage production sites were set out across the county to measure precipitation and forage yield. These samples are also analyzed to determine nutrient content and that data passed along to producers in order to make better management decisions. This data will be used by the FSA County Committee to assist producers with grazing losses occurred during a given year. This agent feels this opportunity will greatly benefit county clientele by establishing production data that can be measured and compared from year to year and location to location and establish a useful database for future use. Loss of production can then be evaluated by the County Committee to determine if compensation is justifiable for producers.
This agent has fielded and referred numerous questions throughout the year regarding an array of field crops. Part of this job is to provide resources and access to information not readily available to producers. 100% of the producers serviced this year found answers to their production questions which allowed them to make better management decisions. An effective agent doesn’t have to know everything but they have to be able to access a wide array of information from multiple sources.

The agent has been actively involved in promoting and assisting farmers with information and field consults who have interest or have planted high-value crops such as berries, certain vegetables, and pecans on their property. The agent developed a farm plan for 3 acres of brambles in the county planted in spring 2011. Due to low numbers of farms (<20) adopting these crops, these consults are currently done on an individual basis as needs arise.

Private Applicator CEU Workshops: When applied correctly the application of restricted use pesticides provides a reliable and cost-effective method of weed and pest control for agricultural producers. In 2011, Valencia CES Agriculture Programs provided CEU training required for license renewal to 29 local agricultural producers.

Integrated Pest Management: IPM Bug Nights: The agent collaborated with the Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center and NMSU Small Farm IPM Specialist to hold monthly ‘Bug Night’ workshops during the 2011 growing season. These workshops focused on a hands-on approach identifying beneficial and problem insects for small farm gardeners, as well as offered a discussion of effective control strategies. Many participants who attended all 4 trainings witnessed several different stages of insect development and damage symptoms. Further, many participants commented that many perceived ‘bad’ insects were actually beneficial insects, and control strategies would be changed immediately.
Over 80 participants attended the monthly workshops with a mean increase in knowledge gained of 59%, as determined by pre- and post-course quizzes. Some unsolicited comments from participants included “(I) enjoyed the class and would to return next year”, “(I) thoroughly enjoyed the class, teachers, participants and facility!”, and “Great hands-on class!”

Apple Maggot Workshop: In spring 2011, the agent and IPM Small Farm Specialist collaborated to host a apple maggot educational day for local commercial apple orchards. The apple maggot was first identified in Valencia County in fall 2010. Orchard operators were informed of the new pest life stages, damage symptoms, and control strategies. Further, attendees formed an ‘apple maggot’ contact list among producers to keep members informed of pest occurrences during the growing season, which extension faculty offered timely control strategies to mitigate damage.

Rise with Roswell – Agriculture Day

The agents in the Chaves County Extension Office have long cooperated with the Roswell Chamber of Commerce in promoting National Agriculture Week in Chaves County. National Agriculture Week is the third week in March and is conducted to promote and publicize agriculture. National Ag Day is the first day of spring and in Roswell is noted by the Chamber of Commerce hosting a chuck wagon breakfast for the public, which also includes a keynote speaker. The agent, along with the other agents in the Chaves County Office, assisted with planning the event and was responsible for table decorations . Approximately 185 persons attended the breakfast, coming together to promote the agriculture industry in Chaves County.