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.
Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development
Plan Goals
Improve the sustainability and production potential of agronomic crops and improved pastures in order to improve the soil tilth, yield capability, crop or forage quality as well as the economic and environmental benefits to the land users.
- Owner
- Related Plans
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Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development (Chaves County)
Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development (Curry County)
Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development (De Baca County)
Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development (Hidalgo County)
Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development (Roosevelt County)
Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development (San Juan County)
Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development (Sandoval County)
Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development (Santa Fe County)
Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development (Valencia County)
Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development (Valencia County)
Impact Reports
Hay Market Report
Alfalfa and other hay production is one of the top crops produced in Chaves County, bringing a total of $25,900,000 for producers in 2008. NMSU produces a newsletter entitled “Alfalfa Market News” that is distributed across the state. The agent converses with alfalfa producers in the county and submits hay prices to be published in the newsletter. This information assists producers in being knowledgeable of market prices for the commodity they produce.
Alfalfa and other hay production is one of the top crops produced in Chaves County, bringing a total of $25,900,000 for producers in 2008. NMSU produces a newsletter entitled “Alfalfa Market News” that is distributed across the state. The agent converses with alfalfa producers in the county and submits hay prices to be published in the newsletter. This information assists producers in being knowledgeable of market prices for the commodity they produce.
Pecan Production in Chaves County
Chaves County produces approximately 4 million pounds of pecans annually on 4000 acres in the Pecos Valley. The county has both large and small producers, plus homeowners with only a few trees in their yard, so demand for researched-base information is high. The agent cooperated with the entomologist at the Artesia Ag Science Center on a research project to gain information about the pecan casenut bearer by utilizing pecan orchards in the Roswell, Dexter, and Hagerman areas. The project is ongoing.
The agent also worked with the NMSU Pecan Specialist and the entomologist from the Artesia Ag Science Center to assist local pecan growers with tree health problems. Samples were taken from area orchards on two separate days and submitted to the NMSU Plant Pathology Lab for diagnosis. No pathogens were found, although a leaf miner that is new to pecans in New Mexico was identified. It was determined that extreme heat during the summer is partially to blame for the health issues in the pecan trees.
Chaves County produces approximately 4 million pounds of pecans annually on 4000 acres in the Pecos Valley. The county has both large and small producers, plus homeowners with only a few trees in their yard, so demand for researched-base information is high. The agent cooperated with the entomologist at the Artesia Ag Science Center on a research project to gain information about the pecan casenut bearer by utilizing pecan orchards in the Roswell, Dexter, and Hagerman areas. The project is ongoing.
The agent also worked with the NMSU Pecan Specialist and the entomologist from the Artesia Ag Science Center to assist local pecan growers with tree health problems. Samples were taken from area orchards on two separate days and submitted to the NMSU Plant Pathology Lab for diagnosis. No pathogens were found, although a leaf miner that is new to pecans in New Mexico was identified. It was determined that extreme heat during the summer is partially to blame for the health issues in the pecan trees.
Pecos Valley Water Issues
The agent assisted with a New Mexico Water Issues class through the AXED Department at NMSU that was conducted at the Chaves County Extension Office. The agent secured four area speakers to present information on Pecos Valley water issues to the class of 8 students and their instructor.
The agent serves as a member of the Pecos Valley Water User’s Association. This association is a very important group as they are the body that wrote the regional water plan for the Chaves and Eddy County areas. The group is very cognizant of water demands on the area due to litigation about Pecos Valley water that has occurred through the years and realizes that their actions would affect water usage for all in the Pecos Valley. The group continues to work with the regional water plan and plans to update as funds allow.
The agent assisted with a New Mexico Water Issues class through the AXED Department at NMSU that was conducted at the Chaves County Extension Office. The agent secured four area speakers to present information on Pecos Valley water issues to the class of 8 students and their instructor.
The agent serves as a member of the Pecos Valley Water User’s Association. This association is a very important group as they are the body that wrote the regional water plan for the Chaves and Eddy County areas. The group is very cognizant of water demands on the area due to litigation about Pecos Valley water that has occurred through the years and realizes that their actions would affect water usage for all in the Pecos Valley. The group continues to work with the regional water plan and plans to update as funds allow.
Networking with Agencies
The monthly meetings of two Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the county are attended by the agent. Participating in these meetings gives the agent the opportunity to interact with county clientele that are on the board and be aware of producer activities and other agency events. These activities further the impacts of the Extension Service by allowing networking with area agencies and individuals.
The monthly meetings of two Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the county are attended by the agent. Participating in these meetings gives the agent the opportunity to interact with county clientele that are on the board and be aware of producer activities and other agency events. These activities further the impacts of the Extension Service by allowing networking with area agencies and individuals.
Alfalfa Weevil Biocontrol
The agent worked with the entomologist from the Artesia Ag Science Center on releasing a parasitoid to control alfalfa weevil in the Pecos Valley. One species of parasitoid is present in the area, but research shows that two different species are needed to keep up with control until after the first cutting of alfalfa. To establish the second species, insects were released on one producer’s alfalfa. Field monitoring will be done during the next few seasons to determine if the insect numbers increase and any benefit is seen.
The agent worked with the entomologist from the Artesia Ag Science Center on releasing a parasitoid to control alfalfa weevil in the Pecos Valley. One species of parasitoid is present in the area, but research shows that two different species are needed to keep up with control until after the first cutting of alfalfa. To establish the second species, insects were released on one producer’s alfalfa. Field monitoring will be done during the next few seasons to determine if the insect numbers increase and any benefit is seen.