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 (Chaves County)
Plan Goals
Improve the sustainability and production potential of agronomic crops and improved pastures in Chaves County 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
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- Related Plans
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Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development
Impact Reports
Weed Identification and Management Program
Once again, the agent was asked by the New Mexico Department of Transportation to present a program on “Weed Identification and Management” to DOT personnel and others from across the state at a Herbicide Application Workshop held at the NMDOT Training Academy in Roswell. The presentation covered plant classification, plant identification, and weed management principles. Approximately 40 persons gained weed management knowledge so that they could obtain a public pesticide applicator license through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Since NMDOT employees are on the front lines of weed management along the highways in the state, they are an important part of noxious weed management in New Mexico. Being able to correctly identify noxious weeds and manage them correctly affects the spread of weeds throughout the state.
Once again, the agent was asked by the New Mexico Department of Transportation to present a program on “Weed Identification and Management” to DOT personnel and others from across the state at a Herbicide Application Workshop held at the NMDOT Training Academy in Roswell. The presentation covered plant classification, plant identification, and weed management principles. Approximately 40 persons gained weed management knowledge so that they could obtain a public pesticide applicator license through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Since NMDOT employees are on the front lines of weed management along the highways in the state, they are an important part of noxious weed management in New Mexico. Being able to correctly identify noxious weeds and manage them correctly affects the spread of weeds throughout the state.
Pesticide Licensing Workshops
Five workshops were held by the agent throughout the reporting year to train and license agricultural commodity producers to be able to purchase and apply restricted use pesticides. A total of 32 persons attended one of the five workshops and gained information on the federal and state pesticide laws and regulations, labels and labeling, storage, application, personal protective equipment, pesticide formulations, and recordkeeping. Agricultural producers gained information about these subjects to enable them to be safe and knowledgeable pesticide applicators. All persons took the NMDA private pesticide applicator test and became a certified pesticide applicator.
Five workshops were held by the agent throughout the reporting year to train and license agricultural commodity producers to be able to purchase and apply restricted use pesticides. A total of 32 persons attended one of the five workshops and gained information on the federal and state pesticide laws and regulations, labels and labeling, storage, application, personal protective equipment, pesticide formulations, and recordkeeping. Agricultural producers gained information about these subjects to enable them to be safe and knowledgeable pesticide applicators. All persons took the NMDA private pesticide applicator test and became a certified pesticide applicator.
Worker Protection Standard Training
The agent coordinated a workshop held in Roswell to train employers and their employees on the EPA Worker Protection Standard. The program was presented by the Eddy County Extension Agent, as he was certified as a third-party trainer. Seven persons were trained as an Agricultural Employer. Seventeen persons received Pesticide Handler Training. The training was delivered in both English and Spanish and training cards were issued. In addition, four of the attendees received continuing education units for their private pesticide applicator license. Those trained went away with an increased knowledge of safe pesticide handling to prevent accidental poisoning or exposure in an agricultural setting.
The agent coordinated a workshop held in Roswell to train employers and their employees on the EPA Worker Protection Standard. The program was presented by the Eddy County Extension Agent, as he was certified as a third-party trainer. Seven persons were trained as an Agricultural Employer. Seventeen persons received Pesticide Handler Training. The training was delivered in both English and Spanish and training cards were issued. In addition, four of the attendees received continuing education units for their private pesticide applicator license. Those trained went away with an increased knowledge of safe pesticide handling to prevent accidental poisoning or exposure in an agricultural setting.
AgClimate Tool
New Mexico State University, in cooperation with University of Arizona and University of Georgia, is compiling an interactive website with climate and agriculture information that allows users to assess resource management options linked to climate phases that have a strong influence on the climate in New Mexico. The New Mexico AgClimate website currently contains a Climate Risk Tool that allows decision makers to compare climate variability under different climate conditions, plus has links to other sources of related information. Other tools are still under development. In March, researchers and specialists hosted an informational session and demonstration at the Chaves County Extension Office in Roswell where multiple counties attended to learn about this new website. One Chaves County producer and another legislative liaison attended the spring program to learn about the new website. Another meeting/demonstration was held in the Chaves County Extension Office in June, where five producers representing 5 different farms or agencies attended the second program and offered their insight as to what additions to the website would be beneficial to their sector of the agricultural community. The agent assisted in coordinating the meetings, and also arranged to take the researchers to two other farms for personal interviews with the owners in order to gain information that would assist the researchers in providing beneficial information for producers on the website. The program is ongoing, and as more information is provided on the website, producers will be informed. Producers are able to utilize these webtools to monitor long-range climate forecasts in order to effectively plan their farming practices for optimum production.
New Mexico State University, in cooperation with University of Arizona and University of Georgia, is compiling an interactive website with climate and agriculture information that allows users to assess resource management options linked to climate phases that have a strong influence on the climate in New Mexico. The New Mexico AgClimate website currently contains a Climate Risk Tool that allows decision makers to compare climate variability under different climate conditions, plus has links to other sources of related information. Other tools are still under development. In March, researchers and specialists hosted an informational session and demonstration at the Chaves County Extension Office in Roswell where multiple counties attended to learn about this new website. One Chaves County producer and another legislative liaison attended the spring program to learn about the new website. Another meeting/demonstration was held in the Chaves County Extension Office in June, where five producers representing 5 different farms or agencies attended the second program and offered their insight as to what additions to the website would be beneficial to their sector of the agricultural community. The agent assisted in coordinating the meetings, and also arranged to take the researchers to two other farms for personal interviews with the owners in order to gain information that would assist the researchers in providing beneficial information for producers on the website. The program is ongoing, and as more information is provided on the website, producers will be informed. Producers are able to utilize these webtools to monitor long-range climate forecasts in order to effectively plan their farming practices for optimum production.
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 “Worker Protection Standards,” Noxious Weed Management,” Pesticides in the Environment,” “Record Keeping Requirements,” and “Entomology and Pest Control”. Thirty-one attendees received five CEU’s, making it possible to renew their pesticide license for the licensing period, whiling gaining knowledge of pesticide laws and regulations, weed and insect management, safety, and application. License holders can significantly reduce pesticide application costs by applying pesticides themselves, valued at an average of $120.00 per hour.
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 “Worker Protection Standards,” Noxious Weed Management,” Pesticides in the Environment,” “Record Keeping Requirements,” and “Entomology and Pest Control”. Thirty-one attendees received five CEU’s, making it possible to renew their pesticide license for the licensing period, whiling gaining knowledge of pesticide laws and regulations, weed and insect management, safety, and application. License holders can significantly reduce pesticide application costs by applying pesticides themselves, valued at an average of $120.00 per hour.