Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development

2010 Programming and Impacts

Quarterly informational newsletter
The agent developed a quarterely informational newsletter for crop producers in combination with a livestock and range County newsletter. Of the 98 newsletter sent out, about half of these are crop producers only and many are dual producers (both crop and range). Topics for the newsletter throughout the year highlighted spring and fall harvest management techniques, top-dressing winter wheat, Weed management in alfalfa and other irrigated crops, pesticide application and related herbicides, etc. Of the 20% of newletter recipients across the county who the agent polled for response, 100% stated that the newsletter brought them pertinent information regarding issues they are or have faced in their production practices.

De Baca County Ag. Producer Seminar--The De Baca County Ag Extension Agent developed and coordinated the 2010 annual Agriculture Producer Seminar with several collaborating agencies and business assisting with programming activities and educational information as well as sponsorship of luncheon, snacks and related door prizes. The NMDA approved 3 credit hours towards Pesticide licensure compliance. A total of 90 producers and program sponsors (of which 1/3 of the participants were strictly area farmers)attended the 4 hour training which included topics such as: Grass Control in Irrigated Crops; Gopher and Prairie Dog Control in pastures and native grasslands; Herbicides and their effectiveness; an NRCS Update on Programming; Trichomoniasis in Cattle and the Problem in our Area and other livestock production issues (see livestock production impact report). The program was extremely well received and when evaluating producers, one-on-one, the agent received feedback on the effectiveness of subject matter which was positive and informing to participants. 100% of evaluations indicated and increase in knowledge concerning portions of subject matter discussed.

Pesticide Applicator Training and Licensure
Tweny-four area producers attended a four hour private pesticide applicator training and testing session put on by the Agent (2 different time, spring and summer, 2010) in coordination with the area NMDA Inspector, Tiffany Aragon, the local NRCS office and the local Soil and Water Conservation District. The agent reviewed test materials and answered questions pertaining to the information and slide presentation. Most of this information was related to safety with pesticides, chemical and biological nature of pesticides, application, environmental issues and reading/understanding associated labels. The NMDA Inspector than administered the test to participants if which 100% passed and received their licensure.

Development of Spanish Record Keeping Pesticide Applicator Form. Upon a local producer requests, the Agent, not being able to locate any NM pesticide record keeping forms recorded in Spanish, developed a simple record form to assist Spanish speaking workers and applicators. The Agent also put together a record form book in Spanish for the producer. The form was developed using several other forms from Florida and California.

The Buckhorn Plantain control demonstration plots that were established in September 2008 using 3 different herbicide treatments were evaluated in March and again in May. The plots that showed the best results were those that were treated with 2,4-D. Therefore based on this these results that were shared with the 6 local livestock producers, 3 livestock producers collectively treated 36 acres of pasture to rid them of this invasive weed.

Pecan Field Day

Pecan producers in the Pecos Valley account for approximately ten percent of the state’s pecans, harvesting five million pounds annually. 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, particularly in tough economic times. The Chaves and Eddy County extension agents cooperated to host a Pecan Field Day in Artesia. Topics covered included tree management basics, nutritional needs of pecan trees growing in New Mexico soils, the use of manure in orchards, and case bearer control and other insect pest problems. The Field Day also included a tour of two area orchards. Bringing NMSU’s pecan specialist and other speakers to Chaves/Eddy County allowed detailed information that was specific to the counties to be conveyed to the producers. Impacts are that producers can better solve problems and are better able to manage their pecan crops for production success.

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 “Gopher and Prairie Dog Management,” “Noxious Weed Management,” “IPM of Insects in the Pecos Valley,” “Alfalfa Variety Selection as a Component of IPM,” and “Grass ID and Brush Control Basics.” Forty-six attendees received five CEU’s, making it possible to renew their pesticide license for the licensing period whiling gaining knowledge of integrated pest management, and pesticide safety. Utilizing IPM techniques has a significant impact on our environment and gives the agriculture producers a choice of management tools to utilize. In addition, pesticide license holders can significantly reduce pesticide application costs by applying pesticides themselves, valued at an average of $120.00 per hour.

Pesticide Safety Training

The agent assisted the City of Roswell’s Spring River Zoo staff with their annual Pest Control Study Session and Continuing Education Workshop. The study session was designed to prepare individuals that did not currently hold a pesticide license for testing to obtain a public pesticide applicator license. The agent presented a program on “Pesticide Safety.” Approximately 20 attendees gained knowledge of safe pesticide use and storage to enable them to be safer, more knowledgeable pesticide handlers.