Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development (De Baca County)

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.

Local NRCS/FSA Collaborative efforts. The agent collaborates on a regular basis with the local NRCS and FSA office to keep informed on programming and services offered by those service agency. The NAP assessment, recently removed from the responsibility of the Agent and a local NRCS representative in determining loss number, is a controversial issue in De Baca County. Rain fall and drought conditions are particularly difficult to measure across the county as any rainfall is usually spotty and drought conditions persist beyond one single year of adequate moisture. Not utilizing local agriculture experts such as the Extension Agent and a qualified NRCS individual leaves area producers at a disadvantage when applying for federal assistance. These have been ongoing talks between the agencies and local producers over the course of the past few years. The agent attends regular advisory meetings with the NRCS and FSA to stay informed and continues to collaborate with the benefit of local producers in mind.

2008/2009 Producer Newsletter. The agent produces a newsletter for agriculture producers on a bi-annual basis. The agent wanted to increase to a quarterly publication, but was only able to sustain and increase to a tri-annual publication in 2008/2009. A newsletter was published in fall, 2008; winter, 2009 and Spring 2009. The newsletter targets both livestock and crop producers with pertinent information on production strategies, industry and extension educational programs, research trial information, etc. Sent out 2 mailing of 96 newsletters to county producers. The agent visited with 25% of recipients and was informed about the relative nature of the newsletters as they pertain to production practices, being commended on the information included. The agent utilizes area NMSU research facility specialists as well as NMSU specialist to compile pertinent information distributed.

Local Farm visits--the agent worked with 10 area producers this year to improve crop production practices and problem solve. Several hay and wheat producers sought expertise from the Extension serve in trouble-shooting problem areas in their individual fields. In a couple of scenarios, the producers were applying fertilizer inconsistently. Two other producers were finding problems areas in their alfalfa fields that were receiving inconsistent irrigation. In another situation, a producer was having problems with land leveling and inquiring about the flood basin in the area. Another producers was having problems with pecan production where as another producer inquired about of cash crop fruits that may have some sustainability in the area. NMSU Specialist and research specialist from both the Clovis and Tucumcari research stations were enlisted in the problem solving efforts by the Agent.

In the area of pest management, the agent directed local producers to area workshops that offered the CEU credits they needed to keep their license updated. In addition, the local USDA pesticide applicators curriculum and CEU trainings are not being handled as much by the local Extension Service. The agent will hold local CEU training every 2 years and 2009 was an off year for that training. Several County producers took advantage of the USDA private applicators licensure program and others that needed CEU attended workshops that were within one to two-hours of their residence.
Most local pest questions were related to yard and garden home-owners and the agent worked with Carol Sutherland at NMSU and Curtis Smith, Horticulture Specialist, to assist clientele with their questions concerning yard and garden pest management.

2008 Crop Seminar. The agent worked with local NRCS office, the 4-H Council and several local and surrounding businesses to put together a crop production seminar for local producers. 35 producers and area participants received training from extension specialists and industry professionals in the areas of Hardy Alfalfa Varieties and Performance, Increasing and Sustaining Quality Alfalfa Stands, Industry overview on Herbicide and Pesticide use. Evaluations indicated that over 50% of participants rated most presentations as moderately useful in knowledge acquired and another 50% rated presentations very useful in knowledge acquired.

2008 Producer Newsletter. The agent produces a newsletter for agriculture producers on a bi-annual basis. The agent wanted to increase to a quarterly publication, but was only able to sustain a bi-annual publication in 2008. The newsletter targets both livestock and crop producers with pertinent information on production strategies, industry and extension educational programs, research trial information, etc. Sent out 2 mailing of 98 newsletters to county producers.

*The agent worked with the local NRCS and Farm Service Agency to host a Crop Producers workshop in March, 2007. The agent relied on the expertise of area and state-wide Extension professionals to educate producers in a variety of crop production suject matter including: Weed Control in Alfalfa, Gopher Control in Irrigated Pastures, Aphid Control in Alfalfa and Other Irrigated Crops, Water Management, Hay Transportation Regulations and Alternative Cropping. 39 individuals attended the local seminar. All program evaluations indicated an increase in knowledge by all participants regarding suject matter discussed. Participants were offered Pesticide Applicators CEU's if needed.
*The agent compiled two seasonal Producers Agriculture Producer newsletters that were sent out to County producers in March and in August. The crop producer list is cross-referenced with the livestock producer list, since many are one in the same. Subject matter included educational information on soil testing and preparation for spring planting and work, pertinent wheat and alfalfa trials, Managing last cuts in Alfalfa, etc. 15% of the total mailing clientele who the agent has visited with have found the newsletters interesting and the information of useful.