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.

Profitable Livestock Production (Taos County)

Plan Goal

Improve the profitability of livestock production by enhancing decision-making skills of livestock owners and managers.

Situation Statement

Livestock production in Taos County, as across New Mexico,is only marginally profitable. Livestock producers and rural economies recognize the impact of livestock production on the County's economy. In 2004, the number of beef cattle and calves in Taos County had dropped to just 0ver 5000 and sheep to just over 3,500 head, yet they are still major contributors to the economy. Sheep production in New Mexico, and other sectors of the beef industry have been only marginally profitable during this time period as well. If the profitability of cattle and sheep production in New Mexico does not improve, the long-term sustainability of ranching in the state is jeopardized. Educational programs like the Cattle Growers’ Short Course, Southwest Beef Symposium, SPA, Cattlemen’s College, Ranch to Rail, Beef Quality Assurance, and other events have been used as avenues for the Cooperative Extension Service to better equip livestock producers with management and marketing knowledge. Additionally, numerous resources have been published to provide producers information on livestock issues and management. In order for producers to improve profitability of cattle and sheep enterprises, they must increase revenue at a greater rate than costs increase, or they must decrease costs while maintaining revenue. If Extension related efforts are successful during this program of work, livestock producers will become more profitable.

Target Audience and Actions

The target audience consist of approximately 100 cattle and sheep producers in Taos County. In order to service the educational needs of these communities of livestock producers, county educational programs will be conducted. Producers will also be encourage to participate in local, state and regional programs such as Cattle Grower's Shortcourse, Southwest Beef Symposium, Cattlemen's College, and Cow-Calf Standardized Performance Analysis program. Additionally, management recommendations will be incorporated into Extension presentations, publications, and through one-on-one communication.

Short-Term Objectives

Increase awareness of management practices and knowledge of current issues by 25% for 10% of county livestock producers through educational programs and direct communications. Update 50% of the county livestock producers on National Animal Identification System. Compile and distribute a newsletter for producers in the county to disseminate information, announce county, district and state programs and promote extension publications and related economic agricultural and livestock opportunities.

Medium-Term Objectives

Improve decision-making skills of 40 livestock producers through educational program such that they are more confident in livestock management. Five cow-calf operators and 1 sheep producer will increase their profitability by following management recommendations.

Long-Term Objectives

Improve profitability of cattle and sheep producers by lowering production costs and/or increasing gross revenue.

Evaluation Plan

Maintaining a communication log to document producer acknowledgement of improved management practices.

Measure the increase in the number of producers using updated technology during this plan of work.

Evaluation instruments for educational programs will be devised to capture producer perception of both the monetary and practical value of information and potential level of improvement in decision-making skills.