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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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Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development
Impact Reports
Rise with Roswell – Agriculture Day
The agents in the Chaves County Extension Office have long cooperated with the Roswell Chamber of Commerce in promoting National Agriculture Week in Chaves County. National Agriculture Week is the third week in March and is conducted to promote and publicize agriculture. National Ag Day is the first day of spring and in Roswell is noted by the Chamber of Commerce hosting a chuck wagon breakfast for the public, which also includes a keynote speaker. The agent, along with the other agents in the Chaves County Office, assisted with planning the event. Keynote speaker was Dr. Catlett, Dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. Approximately 145 persons attended the breakfast, coming together to promote the agriculture industry in Chaves County.
The agents in the Chaves County Extension Office have long cooperated with the Roswell Chamber of Commerce in promoting National Agriculture Week in Chaves County. National Agriculture Week is the third week in March and is conducted to promote and publicize agriculture. National Ag Day is the first day of spring and in Roswell is noted by the Chamber of Commerce hosting a chuck wagon breakfast for the public, which also includes a keynote speaker. The agent, along with the other agents in the Chaves County Office, assisted with planning the event. Keynote speaker was Dr. Catlett, Dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. Approximately 145 persons attended the breakfast, coming together to promote the agriculture industry in Chaves County.
Cotton Production in Chaves County
The glandless cotton evaluation project in New Mexico has expanded into Chaves County during this growing season. After years of breeding and development, a new line of Acala that contains no gossypol glands, which produces the toxic substance in cotton seed, has been made available. But without gossypol, glandless cotton is more susceptible to insect pests. NMSU researchers have headed up trials at research centers and with growers in the Mesilla Valley this past year. To test its response in other parts of New Mexico, the agent arranged for a grower in Hagerman to plant glandless cotton this season. To date, the cotton has responded well. Yield and fiber quality data will be collected this fall to determine final response to Chaves County’s climatic and soil conditions.
The glandless cotton evaluation project in New Mexico has expanded into Chaves County during this growing season. After years of breeding and development, a new line of Acala that contains no gossypol glands, which produces the toxic substance in cotton seed, has been made available. But without gossypol, glandless cotton is more susceptible to insect pests. NMSU researchers have headed up trials at research centers and with growers in the Mesilla Valley this past year. To test its response in other parts of New Mexico, the agent arranged for a grower in Hagerman to plant glandless cotton this season. To date, the cotton has responded well. Yield and fiber quality data will be collected this fall to determine final response to Chaves County’s climatic and soil conditions.
Hay Market Report
Alfalfa and other hay production is one of the top crops produced in Chaves County, bringing a total of $21,964,000 for producers in 2009. Due to the extreme weather and lack of moisture this year, prices were extremely volatile. 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 and allows them to stay current with the market.
Alfalfa and other hay production is one of the top crops produced in Chaves County, bringing a total of $21,964,000 for producers in 2009. Due to the extreme weather and lack of moisture this year, prices were extremely volatile. 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 and allows them to stay current with the market.
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 continued to work with the NMSU Pecan Specialist and the entomologist from the Artesia Ag Science Center to assist local pecan growers with tree health problems. It was determined that the hard freeze that hit in February and the extreme heat during the summer is to blame for the majority of health issues in the pecan trees, including insect problems.
The NMSU pecan specialist cooperated with the agent to host a Tree Grafting Workshop in Roswell for the public. The program included a lecture on the biology of tree grafting of fruit and nut trees and grafting techniques, then a hands-on portion of the class to actually practice banana grafting and patch budding. The agent purchased bare-root pecan trees and potted them for the attendees to have a tree to practice on and take home. Seventeen persons, both large and small producers, attended the program and gained knowledge about grafting trees to change and improve the cultivars they are currently growing.
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 continued to work with the NMSU Pecan Specialist and the entomologist from the Artesia Ag Science Center to assist local pecan growers with tree health problems. It was determined that the hard freeze that hit in February and the extreme heat during the summer is to blame for the majority of health issues in the pecan trees, including insect problems.
The NMSU pecan specialist cooperated with the agent to host a Tree Grafting Workshop in Roswell for the public. The program included a lecture on the biology of tree grafting of fruit and nut trees and grafting techniques, then a hands-on portion of the class to actually practice banana grafting and patch budding. The agent purchased bare-root pecan trees and potted them for the attendees to have a tree to practice on and take home. Seventeen persons, both large and small producers, attended the program and gained knowledge about grafting trees to change and improve the cultivars they are currently growing.
Pistachio Production in Chaves County
Although pistachio production is not a large cash crop in Chaves County, there are small growers in the area who are interested in expanding their knowledge about pistachio tree management and harvesting processes to maximize their efforts with their crop. Since this is not a common crop, people do not possess the knowledge of production and management of pistachios. The agent assisted two growers this reporting year in this area. One grower attended the Pistachio Growers Workshop with the agent to have his questions answered about tree care and management. The agent also sent literature from the workshop to a grower that was unable to attend. The agent also assisted both growers with harvesting, nut processing techniques, and marketing. One grower in the Hagerman area was very pleased with the end results of his crop after he learned how to harvest the nuts and ultimately marketed them with an Alamogordo processing facility.
Although pistachio production is not a large cash crop in Chaves County, there are small growers in the area who are interested in expanding their knowledge about pistachio tree management and harvesting processes to maximize their efforts with their crop. Since this is not a common crop, people do not possess the knowledge of production and management of pistachios. The agent assisted two growers this reporting year in this area. One grower attended the Pistachio Growers Workshop with the agent to have his questions answered about tree care and management. The agent also sent literature from the workshop to a grower that was unable to attend. The agent also assisted both growers with harvesting, nut processing techniques, and marketing. One grower in the Hagerman area was very pleased with the end results of his crop after he learned how to harvest the nuts and ultimately marketed them with an Alamogordo processing facility.