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.
Brush and Weed Control Education Program (San Juan County)
Plan Goals
Private land owners and state and federal agency land managers will learn the most efficacious, economical and ecologically sound means of managing noxious brush and weeds.
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- Related Plans
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Brush and Weed Control Education Program
Impact Reports
As more new technology and information becomes available and is adopted by land managers, overall range conditions will improve.
D. Activities carried out to meet program goals and/or objectives.
1. Twelve new demonstration/research trials were installed during
2009-2010. Six mesquite trials were established in Chaves, Donna Ana and Eddy Counties. One saltcedar trial was established in Sierra County. One sand sagebrush/broom snakeweed trial was established in Chaves County. Two sand shinnery oak trials were established in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties. One prickly pear trial was established in Quay County. One creosote bush trial was established in Eddy County.
2. Fourteen existing demonstration/research trials were evaluated in 2009-2010. Trials on mesquite, saltcedar, cholla, Russian olive, sand sagebrush and sand shinnery oak were evaluated in Chaves, Eddy, Guadalupe, Lea, Sierra and Quay Counties.
3. The Brush and Weed Specialist was involved in planning and coordinating the 2009 and 2010 New Mexico Vegetation Management Association annual meeting in Albuquerque. The Specialist served as program chair and local arrangements chair. The Specialist attended 10 Board of Directors meetings.
4. The Brush and Weed Specialist was invited to speak at the Southwest Noxious Weed Short Course – presented two talks on brush control and saltcedar control.
5. The Brush and Weed Specialist provided information on brush and weed control at meetings in Colfax, Quay, Sierra and Union Counties.
6. This Specialist participated in a data review and research planning meeting in Uvalde, TX held by herbicide industry personnel.
7. The Brush and Weed Specialist participated in a mesquite field tour to educate NRCS/BLM personnel on aerial applications of herbicides to mesquite.
8. This Specialist served as Chair of the Departmental Promotion and Tenure Committee. He also served on the college wide Promotion and Tenure Committee.
9. This Specialist served as Chair of the Search Committee for the new Range Specialist.
10. Revisions of two publications were completed in 2009-2010. Juniper Control with Individual Plant Treatments and Mesquite Control: Aeiral Application were revised.
E. Resources obtained to meet program objectives
F. Evaluation results reflective of objectives
Private landowners and state and federal land managers adapted new information and technology in 2009-2010. This is revealed by the fact that approximately 750,000 acres of New Mexico rangeland and riparian areas were treated during the year. Species in the brush and weed control programs include: Saltcedar, mesquite, creosote bush, tarbush, African rue, Russian knapweed, Russian olive, leafy spurge, woolly locoweed, big sagebrush and sand shinnery oak.
D. Activities carried out to meet program goals and/or objectives.
1. Twelve new demonstration/research trials were installed during
2009-2010. Six mesquite trials were established in Chaves, Donna Ana and Eddy Counties. One saltcedar trial was established in Sierra County. One sand sagebrush/broom snakeweed trial was established in Chaves County. Two sand shinnery oak trials were established in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties. One prickly pear trial was established in Quay County. One creosote bush trial was established in Eddy County.
2. Fourteen existing demonstration/research trials were evaluated in 2009-2010. Trials on mesquite, saltcedar, cholla, Russian olive, sand sagebrush and sand shinnery oak were evaluated in Chaves, Eddy, Guadalupe, Lea, Sierra and Quay Counties.
3. The Brush and Weed Specialist was involved in planning and coordinating the 2009 and 2010 New Mexico Vegetation Management Association annual meeting in Albuquerque. The Specialist served as program chair and local arrangements chair. The Specialist attended 10 Board of Directors meetings.
4. The Brush and Weed Specialist was invited to speak at the Southwest Noxious Weed Short Course – presented two talks on brush control and saltcedar control.
5. The Brush and Weed Specialist provided information on brush and weed control at meetings in Colfax, Quay, Sierra and Union Counties.
6. This Specialist participated in a data review and research planning meeting in Uvalde, TX held by herbicide industry personnel.
7. The Brush and Weed Specialist participated in a mesquite field tour to educate NRCS/BLM personnel on aerial applications of herbicides to mesquite.
8. This Specialist served as Chair of the Departmental Promotion and Tenure Committee. He also served on the college wide Promotion and Tenure Committee.
9. This Specialist served as Chair of the Search Committee for the new Range Specialist.
10. Revisions of two publications were completed in 2009-2010. Juniper Control with Individual Plant Treatments and Mesquite Control: Aeiral Application were revised.
E. Resources obtained to meet program objectives
F. Evaluation results reflective of objectives
Private landowners and state and federal land managers adapted new information and technology in 2009-2010. This is revealed by the fact that approximately 750,000 acres of New Mexico rangeland and riparian areas were treated during the year. Species in the brush and weed control programs include: Saltcedar, mesquite, creosote bush, tarbush, African rue, Russian knapweed, Russian olive, leafy spurge, woolly locoweed, big sagebrush and sand shinnery oak.
Private land ranchers, state and federal agency personnel and county agents observed and evaluated new and existing field trials throughout the year and adopted new information and technology in 2009-2010. This is revealed by the fact that approximately 750,000 acres of New Mexico rangeland and riparian areas were treated during the year. Species included in the brush and weed control program include: saltcedar, mesquite, creosote bush, tarbush, African rue, Russian knapweed, Russian olive, leafy spurge, woolly locoweed, big sagebrush, sand shinnery oak and scrub oak.
More than 140 demonstration-research cooperators have assisted with this program by permitting research trials on land which they own or manage. Numerous chemical companies such as Dow Agro Sciences, Allegery and DuPont cooperate by providing herbicides for conducting research. State and federal agencies cooperating include the Bureau of Land Management, U. S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NM State Parks, NM Game and Fish Department, NM Forestry Division, NM Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Carlsbad Irrigation District, Bureau of Reclamation, NM State Land Office, and several Soil and Water Conservation Districts and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services.
More than 140 demonstration-research cooperators have assisted with this program by permitting research trials on land which they own or manage. Numerous chemical companies such as Dow Agro Sciences, Allegery and DuPont cooperate by providing herbicides for conducting research. State and federal agencies cooperating include the Bureau of Land Management, U. S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NM State Parks, NM Game and Fish Department, NM Forestry Division, NM Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Carlsbad Irrigation District, Bureau of Reclamation, NM State Land Office, and several Soil and Water Conservation Districts and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services.
Twelve new demonstration/research trials were established on seven species in six counties. County agents and private landowners were present or aware of the trials as they were established. The 2009 and 2010 New Mexico Vegetation Management Association Annual Conference included several speakers addressing current rangeland brush and weed topics. A total of 260 registered participants received new technology information on problem rangeland plants in New Mexico.
The Brush and Weed Control Program has been actively educating producers on a county level in all aspects of brush and weed control, including plant identification, proper control techniques, timing and equipment, mapping and development of weed control cooperatives. Grant, Guadalupe, Lincoln, Quay, Rio Arriba, Taos, Chaves, Mora, Harding and San Juan counties report activities reaching individually over 580 clientele.
The Brush and Weed Control Program has been actively educating producers on a county level in all aspects of brush and weed control, including plant identification, proper control techniques, timing and equipment, mapping and development of weed control cooperatives. Grant, Guadalupe, Lincoln, Quay, Rio Arriba, Taos, Chaves, Mora, Harding and San Juan counties report activities reaching individually over 580 clientele.
Participants (43 people, mostly small farmers and backyard market gardeners) of the 2nd Annual Four Corners Organic Weed Symposium indicated on the evaluation instrument the utilization of cover crops and crop rotation methods as “The most significant change you plan to make as a result of your participation today.” The agenda covered the areas of: Introduction to Western SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education), Cover Crops, Transitioning to Organic Production, Insect Bio-Control Agents, Using Grasses in Revegetation, Organic Weed Management, and Crop Rotations Methods. 89% of participants indicated they would use the information learned often. The agent was responsible for developing the agenda in conjunction with the Colorado State University Extension Agents involved. The agent hosted this event in San Juan County and was responsible for securing facilities, coordinating and collecting registration, soliciting sponsors, contracting a caterer, contacting speakers, and served as the moderator on the day of the event.
Participants (81 people) of the 18th Annual Four Corners Weed Symposium indicated on the evaluation instrument reading and paying more attention to labels/MSDS/Other Safety Information and properly identify weed species/appropriate control measures prior to spraying herbicide as “The most significant change you plan to make as a result of your participation today.” This program reaches a wide array people including: federal, state, and tribal land management personnel, farmers, ranchers, weed management companies, environmental consultants, and oil industry personnel. The agenda covered the areas of: Applicator Safety, Chinese Leaf Beetle and Salt Cedar Update, Cautions When Using Herbicides In Conjunction with Grass Revegetation, Principles of Weed Management, and Update From the San Juan Basin Cooperative Weed Management Area. 71% of participants indicated they would use the information learned often. The agent was responsible for developing the agenda in conjunction with the Colorado State University Extension Agents involved. The agent hosted this event in San Juan County and was responsible for securing facilities, coordinating and collecting registration, soliciting sponsors, contracting a caterer, contacting speakers, and served as the moderator on the day of the event.
Participants (81 people) of the 18th Annual Four Corners Weed Symposium indicated on the evaluation instrument reading and paying more attention to labels/MSDS/Other Safety Information and properly identify weed species/appropriate control measures prior to spraying herbicide as “The most significant change you plan to make as a result of your participation today.” This program reaches a wide array people including: federal, state, and tribal land management personnel, farmers, ranchers, weed management companies, environmental consultants, and oil industry personnel. The agenda covered the areas of: Applicator Safety, Chinese Leaf Beetle and Salt Cedar Update, Cautions When Using Herbicides In Conjunction with Grass Revegetation, Principles of Weed Management, and Update From the San Juan Basin Cooperative Weed Management Area. 71% of participants indicated they would use the information learned often. The agent was responsible for developing the agenda in conjunction with the Colorado State University Extension Agents involved. The agent hosted this event in San Juan County and was responsible for securing facilities, coordinating and collecting registration, soliciting sponsors, contracting a caterer, contacting speakers, and served as the moderator on the day of the event.
Participants (43 people, mostly small farmers and backyard market gardeners) of the 2nd Annual Four Corners Organic Weed Symposium indicated on the evaluation instrument an average of 40% increase in knowledge of the topics presented during the course of the day. The agenda covered the areas of: Introduction to Western SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education), Cover Crops, Transitioning to Organic Production, Insect Bio-Control Agents, Using Grasses in Revegetation, Organic Weed Management, and Crop Rotations Methods. The agent was responsible for developing the agenda in conjunction with the Colorado State University Extension Agents involved. The agent hosted this event in San Juan County and was responsible for securing facilities, coordinating and collecting registration, soliciting sponsors, contracting a caterer, contacting speakers, and served as the moderator on the day of the event.
Participants (81 people) of the 18th Annual Four Corners Weed Symposium indicated on the evaluation instrument an average of 20% increase in knowledge of the topics presented during the course of the day. This program reaches a wide array people including: federal, state, and tribal land management personnel, farmers, ranchers, weed management companies, environmental consultants, and oil industry personnel. The agenda covered the areas of: Applicator Safety, Chinese Leaf Beetle and Salt Cedar Update, Cautions When Using Herbicides In Conjunction with Grass Revegetation, Principles of Weed Management, and Update From the San Juan Basin Cooperative Weed Management Area. The agent was responsible for developing the agenda in conjunction with the Colorado State University Extension Agents involved. The agent hosted this event in San Juan County and was responsible for securing facilities, coordinating and collecting registration, soliciting sponsors, contracting a caterer, contacting speakers, and served as the moderator on the day of the event.
In order to increase awareness of weed and brush management the agent responded to 2 invitations to present. The first was a presentation given at the NMSU Pesticide Applicators Training held in Farmington. The audience consisted of approximately 25 people aspiring to become Certified Applicators. The second was a presentation made at the Shiprock Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Meeting. Approximately 40 farmers, ranchers and NRCS/BIA agency staff were in attendance. On both occasions the participants learned about the biology and lifecycle of invasive species and how to identify common invasive plants in San Juan County.
As a partner of the San Juan Basin Cooperative Weed Management Area the agent takes on most of the responsibility of community education, research, and inventory if grants require those components. Our CWMA secured a grant of $28,100 from NM State Forestry to be conducted in 2010 and 2011 for the prevention and control of invasive weeds in and around the Animas Watershed in San Juan County. The bulk of the grant ($15,000) will be spent on a cost-share program to purchase herbicide for land owners with infestations of our target weeds Russian knapweed, Musk Thistle, and Hoary Cress, among others. This grant did allow some additional funds ($7,800) to be spent on educational programs, demonstration plots, and an invasive species inventory project. While this grant is still underway significant strides have been made at accomplishing the goals set forth in the grant. Fund expenditures to date are $13,644.70. A weed inventory mapping project, coordinated by the agent, of the entire area (30,340 acres) has been completed. Grant expenditures for the project including labor and fuel totaled $5,350. The agent is currently working with the San Juan County GIS department to make maps of the weed inventory data to be distributed to the public. A Demonstration plot was set up to determine the best herbicide and rate of application to recommend to participants of the cost share program and others. A booth was set up as a joint project of San Juan CWMA and San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District at the San Juan County Fair. Approximately 2,000 “San Juan Basin Invasive Weeds” brochures and other information were distributed and the weed coordinator, district coordinator, county extension agent, and Soil and Water Supervisors were available to answer questions and help with weed identification.
Participants (81 people) of the 18th Annual Four Corners Weed Symposium indicated on the evaluation instrument an average of 20% increase in knowledge of the topics presented during the course of the day. This program reaches a wide array people including: federal, state, and tribal land management personnel, farmers, ranchers, weed management companies, environmental consultants, and oil industry personnel. The agenda covered the areas of: Applicator Safety, Chinese Leaf Beetle and Salt Cedar Update, Cautions When Using Herbicides In Conjunction with Grass Revegetation, Principles of Weed Management, and Update From the San Juan Basin Cooperative Weed Management Area. The agent was responsible for developing the agenda in conjunction with the Colorado State University Extension Agents involved. The agent hosted this event in San Juan County and was responsible for securing facilities, coordinating and collecting registration, soliciting sponsors, contracting a caterer, contacting speakers, and served as the moderator on the day of the event.
In order to increase awareness of weed and brush management the agent responded to 2 invitations to present. The first was a presentation given at the NMSU Pesticide Applicators Training held in Farmington. The audience consisted of approximately 25 people aspiring to become Certified Applicators. The second was a presentation made at the Shiprock Soil and Water Conservation District Annual Meeting. Approximately 40 farmers, ranchers and NRCS/BIA agency staff were in attendance. On both occasions the participants learned about the biology and lifecycle of invasive species and how to identify common invasive plants in San Juan County.
As a partner of the San Juan Basin Cooperative Weed Management Area the agent takes on most of the responsibility of community education, research, and inventory if grants require those components. Our CWMA secured a grant of $28,100 from NM State Forestry to be conducted in 2010 and 2011 for the prevention and control of invasive weeds in and around the Animas Watershed in San Juan County. The bulk of the grant ($15,000) will be spent on a cost-share program to purchase herbicide for land owners with infestations of our target weeds Russian knapweed, Musk Thistle, and Hoary Cress, among others. This grant did allow some additional funds ($7,800) to be spent on educational programs, demonstration plots, and an invasive species inventory project. While this grant is still underway significant strides have been made at accomplishing the goals set forth in the grant. Fund expenditures to date are $13,644.70. A weed inventory mapping project, coordinated by the agent, of the entire area (30,340 acres) has been completed. Grant expenditures for the project including labor and fuel totaled $5,350. The agent is currently working with the San Juan County GIS department to make maps of the weed inventory data to be distributed to the public. A Demonstration plot was set up to determine the best herbicide and rate of application to recommend to participants of the cost share program and others. A booth was set up as a joint project of San Juan CWMA and San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District at the San Juan County Fair. Approximately 2,000 “San Juan Basin Invasive Weeds” brochures and other information were distributed and the weed coordinator, district coordinator, county extension agent, and Soil and Water Supervisors were available to answer questions and help with weed identification.