Range Management for New Mexico

The agent arranged, set up and taught two Private Pesticide Applicator spring courses. These courses gave producers the information they needed to know in order to pass an exam required for obtaining a Private Applicator License. All testing and licensing materials were provided by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, but the agent oversaw training and administered the tests. Six producers attended the first course held in Raton in March 2007. Ten producers attended the second course held in Springer in April 2007.
The agent planned and conducted three meetings of the Colfax County Cooperative Weed Management Area (CCCWMA). Cooperating individuals, agencies and other attendees included 11 representatives from the New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish, Vermejo Park Ranch, Colfax Soil and Water Conservation District, US Fish and Wildlife, Adalante RC&D Council, Adalante RC&D Council, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NM State Forestry. Discussion topics involved financial status of the CCCWMA, plans for mapping weeds in the 2007 growing season, chemical and equipment inventories for the CCCWMA. The agent requested funds from the Colfax County Commission but the funds were not available due to problems with transferring the funds to a non-profit organization. The agent signed out chemical to five producers in the county to be used to control noxious weeds designated by the CCCWMA. The agent rented out spray equipment to three producers. The agent also coordinated with United States Department of Agriculture and the Animal and Plant Heath Inspection Service to do a biological control release of Larinus Obtusus on spotted knapweed in Cimarron Canyon in Colfax County. The 4-H assisted the agent in that the agent was not present on the day of release.
The agent was asked by the Colfax County Commissioners to serve as the County’s representative on the Adalante RC&D Council. The agent attended one meeting of the council in which the agent provided information on how the CCCWMA was started. San Miguel and Mora Counties were to use the information provided in making a better decision on the possibility of starting weed management areas in their counties. Colfax County has hosted a Fire, Forest and Water Fair for the last several years. The fair is designed to provide educational information about topics related to the fair. The agent served on a committee that planned and put on a Forest, Fire and Water Fair in July in Angel Fire. The agent attended regular meetings in which topics included possible locations, financial funding, presenters, invitations for booths and all logistical preparations for the fair. Representatives from the village of Angel Fire, Angel Fire Fire Department, NM State Forestry, and other interested parties attended the meetings. The agent prepared agendas and recorded decisions of the committee. The agent contacted presenters for the fair, invited individuals and organizations to host a booth at the fair and coordinated individual and volunteers for the fair. The agent also presented information about noxious weeds via a power point presentation and a booth at the fair. A total of 29 booths and presenters and approximately 99 individuals attended the 2007 Fire, Forest and Water Fair. A post evaluation meeting showed that the committee may look at changes to the location of the fair due to low attendance in 2007.

Short-Term Objectives
75% of area Ranchers and land managers will be able to monitor ranges and understand why changes in the range condition occur and take appropriate management actions if needed. Ranchers will be able to take preemptive measures in reducing poisonous plant losses and natural disaster losses after particiption and observation of demonstration activities, and attending range and poisonous plant up-date meeting.

Much of the day to day activity in the catron County office is spent dealing with natural resource issues. Topics include endangered species, water, wildlife and land management agency regulations. The past two years have seen excellent forage production in Catron County. This has been a welcome change to six or so drought years that proceeded them. Despite the abundance of forage many ranchers are still facing livestock reductions on their allotments. Regulatory issues along with the mexican grey wolf reintroduction program continue to put pressure on ranchers who depend on forage from public lands. Work has been done to assist ranchers in developing management plans to deal with the impacts of the Mexican grey wolf. To date no changes in management have resulted in significant changes in wolf depredation. The problems associated with the mexican grey wolf program will continue to increase as the wolf numbers increase. The possibility is very real that ranchers will be forced out of business. More time and research needs to be spent on this issue to be able to provide ranchers with the information need to make informed management and business decisions

Agency cooperation with NRCS in evaluating chemical control of Mesquite. Grant County Agriculture Agent was used as a resource for evaluating effectivness of chemical control of Mesquite on large acreages. Mesquite is an invasive woody that takes over large acres of New Mexico Rangeland. Using EQUIP monies landowners are able to effectivly treat this invasive plant with some control if treated at the right time and under good conditions.

Southwestern New Mexico including Grant County experienced an unusually severe problem with Livestock poisionings due to Loco plants. Numerous livestock losses including death, weight loss, abortions, and loss of value were seen. Several different plants complicated Ranchers problems including: Redstem Peavine, Wooly Loco, Rattleweed (Garbancillo) and others. Numerous ranch and horse owner visits were made to educate individuals on identification, toxic agents, symptoms, diagnosis, mangment options and chemical contol options.