Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development

2010 PRIVATE APPLICATOR TRAINING

The agent conducted a private applicator continuing education training for licensee who needed credits for license renewal. Topics included record keeping, mode of action by different chemicals, laws and regulations, weed control and calibrating sprayers. 26 attended and gained knowledge in each of the topics.

2010
Santo Domingo Pueblo has for the last two years requested that a demonstration hoop house construction program be done on the Pueblo. Del Jimenez, Rural Agricultural and Public Affair Project Specialist agreed to do a demonstration. Funding was received through a grant and a location was approved by the Santo Domingo Elementary/Mid High School. At the construction site there were about 15 adults and two classrooms also helped to build the structure. The teachers have plans to immediately start planting some greens and will start making plans for next spring. Principal was very excited to see the project and wants extension agents to speak to classes on 4-H membership and assist with speech contests and science fairs.

2010 NATURAL RESOURCES
The Rio Rancho Library program director requested that agent give a series of talks on water issues. The agent came up with three topics that he felt were important for general public to know and gain a better understanding of how water is utilized and how we can make the best use of our water resources.

The first topoic was “Improving our soils to optimize water efficiency. Agent showed a model that shows how plant uses water and nutrients from the soil and oxygen from the air to manufacture carbohydrates, fats, proteins. The more it can manufacture the more food and fiber that plant can yield. It takes approximately the same amount of water to get good yields or poor yields if fertility is not there. About 30 residents showed up.

The second talk in the series was talking about Irrigation Basics. How and how to determine the water needed to maintain plant health. 22 attended this talk and gained knowledge of when and how to determine their own watering needs.

The last topic was “water supply and users”. This went into the earth’s water cycle and how this ends up in our homes, yards and farm land. For instance rainwater accounts for only 1% of the total water supply on earth. Agriculture is the biggest recycler of water back to aquifers and the ocean. Domestic use is the most inefficient use of water but steps are being taken to recycle a lot of water used in our homes. Only 15 attended this series of workshops.

When used correctly the application of restricted use pesticides provides a reliable and cost-effective method of weed and pest control for agricultural producers. In 2010, Valencia CES Agriculture Programs provided CEU training required for license renewal to 37 local agricultural producers.

Although the majority of agriculture is forage related products, a large component of Valencia County’s agronomic profile is small farm or backyard gardening (less than 1 acre). Although often considered non-commercial producers, many of these individuals are beginning to sell their excess produce at local farmers markets, generating supplemental income from agriculture. Subsequently, information related to reducing risk, improving crop production and subsequent economic returns on small farm fruit and vegetable operations is increasingly requested, and handled by the agriculture agent on an individual basis. These topics include business planning, resource allocation, and effective cultural practices including but not limited to variety selection, crop diversification, disease and pest control, high-value crops, planting and harvesting dates, soil testing and amending, and effective irrigation. In addition, the agent has been actively involved in Hoop House construction demonstration workshops throughout the state, which are designed to teach clientele how to extend their growing season and increase profitability. Personal contact from small farm fruit and vegetable producers accounts for approximately 15% (an increase of 5% from previous year) of extension agent incoming phone calls, and clientele field and office visits.

Another aspect of Valencia County agriculture is the adoption of high-value crops on small acreage farms. 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. Due to low numbers of farms (<20) adopting these crops, these consults are currently done on an individual basis as needs arise.

Valencia County commercial agriculture is over 90% small farm operators (less than 10 acres), with the majority of farms in forage crop production. This results in a variety of plant and soil related questions, as well as requests for continuing education units required for NMDA private pesticide applicator license renewal. Forage crop educational programs, clientele interaction including field and office visits, phone calls, workshops, and weed, pest, and disease services account for approximately 20% of the extension agriculture agent’s work load. Additionally numerous tests and services (soil tests, weed and disease identification) were conducted over the past year.
As a result, an annual program designated to meet the educational demands of local forage and irrigated pasture producers and managers was developed in 2009. The reports summarize the 2010 (2nd Annual) Valencia County Forage Workshop.
Over 75 producers attended the 1 day workshop, with the majority of attendees pleased with the quality of information provided. The program was evaluated using a survey at the end of the day. One program participant stated “I just wanted to thank you and all who organized, donated and spoke at this conference. It was incredibly informative and I learned more than I ever anticipated!” Other similar comments were documented.
All program participants consistently ‘agreed or strongly agreed’ they gained significant knowledge in all agronomy topics that could be used to improve their forage crop and/or irrigated pasture operation. Program participants learned of cultural methods to improve their agronomic crop operation, which can directly contribute to improved water management, drought mitigation strategies, higher yields, lower input costs, and the overall productive capability and economic value of their particular crop.
Topics included: Weed Identification and Control, Herbicide Usage, Forage Insects, Soil Health, Post-Harvest Management, Alfalfa Production, Annual Crop Production, Livestock Poisoning Plants, and Horse Forages