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.

Crop Production Improvement and Water Conservation in Eastern New Mexico

Plan Goal

To identify improved crop production systems for dairy silage, grain, and biofuel feedstock operations that reduce water consumption, while maintaining economic profitability.

Situation Statement

Agriculture is the foundation for economic stability on the High Plains of eastern New Mexico. While comprising only 30% of the state’s total land area, the counties of Chaves, Colfax, Curry, DeBaca, Eddy, Guadalupe, Harding, Lea, Quay, Roosevelt, and Union account for over $1.2 billion annually (60% of all agricultural cash receipts; New Mexico Agricultural Statistics, 2002; 1997 Census of Agriculture). Curry County alone accounted for over $270 million in cash receipts of farm commodities in 2002. Eastern New Mexico is considered semi-arid and precipitation is limited and quite variable. Average annual precipitation ranges from 12 to 20 inches and rainfall during the growing season often is not enough for profitable crop production. Evaporation exceeds precipitation by greater than 5 times in many areas. Subsequently, agricultural production and the maintenance of rural economies in the region depend largely on irrigation from groundwater supplied from the Ogallala Aquifer. Water is extracted from the aquifer in large amounts each year to irrigate such crops as grain sorghum, grain and forage corn, cotton, wheat, peanuts, and alfalfa. About 70% of the water depletions in New Mexico are attributed to irrigated agriculture (New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, 2000). In Curry and Roosevelt Counties, almost 95% (> 340,000 acre-feet) of the water taken from the Ogallala Aquifer is used for irrigation purposes. There is a general concern that the water in the aquifer, which is extracted at much higher rates than the amounts returned through recharge, is in danger of being depleted and that we will lose this natural resource forever. Because water levels in the aquifer are not uniformly distributed, some areas have experienced drying of wells and have been forced to convert from irrigated crop production to dryland endeavors. Increasing costs of fuel and pumping expenses have contributed to the difficulty of extracting water for irrigation. In short, prevailing agricultural practices and water use are not sustainable, neither resourcefully nor economically. Statistics and projections concerning water quantity indicate the urgency of water use conservation and improved management practices in the Southern High Plains region. Many anticipate that the majority of water usage will shift from agriculture to municipal consumption as human populations increase, particularly in the dry areas of the western U.S. With reduced amounts of irrigation water available to producers, it is imperative that maximum water-use efficiency be achieved and water-use efficient crops be grown in order for farmers to maintain a level of productivity necessary for continued feed, food and energy supply. There is a great need for alternative, water-conserving crops in the area and for information on the management of these crops for maximum efficiency and profitablitly. Corn (Zea mays L.) is the predominant silage of choice for dairies in the region, however corn production consumes large amounts of water annually. It has been documented that forage sorghums [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] have the potential to produce as much, and in some cases more, dry matter than corn when grown with the same amount of water. Although dependent upon many environmental and management conditions, productivity of forage sorghum, if managed properly, can be as productive and nutritous as corn. Just as widely accepted is the assertion that, in general, sorghums are more water-use efficient than corn and require less water to produce a certain amount of dry matter. What is uncertain is whether or not forage sorghums can be grown as efficiently as corn under the unique climatic conditions and currently utilized irrigation practices that exist in the region. If it can be shown that sorghum will produce adequate yields, nutritious forage and a consistent feedstock with limited amounts of water, acceptance of this crop may increase among growers and the ever-expanding dairy and biofuel industries on the High Plains.

Target Audience and Actions

The target audience is composed of all agricultural producers in the eastern New Mexico and West Texas areas. Also included will be local, urban and rural community citizens who are unfamiliar with agricultural practices of the region and how agriculture impacts their communities. Other specialists and county agents will be targeted as well. Actions will attempt to educate all parties on conserving irrigation water through alternative cropping stategies; these actions will be based on research results from existing projects on station and from colleagues in nearby regions conducting similar research.

Short-Term Objectives

After demonstrations (field days, seminars, publications) of research involving corn and sorghum silage production, regional farmers and dairymen will gain knowledge of improved, water-use efficient cropping strategies that may benefit their own operations immediately. Initial visualization of these strategies by producers is critical to the success of this program. A small group of farmers (>5%) will report significant water and money savings by implementing water-conserving crops and practices.

Medium-Term Objectives

After gaining knowlege of water-use efficient systems, more growers will begin to implement (accept) these practices as part of their own operations and will be able to recognize the benefits with time. Word of mouth from other growers will help convey messages of savings. Determine to what extent growers are adopting new practices. Continue to educate clientele as updated practices emerge to complement previous systems. More than 10% of all farmers will have adopted new water-conserving practices.

Long-Term Objectives

Significant numbers of producers and dairies (>30%) will have accepted some form of alternative practice and will have realized benefits of such efficient systems. Water usage in eastern New Mexico for forage (silage, hay, grazing) crop production will be reduced and new systems will contribute significantly to water conservation efforts in the region.

Evaluation Plan

All accomplishments will be assessed through regional observations, conversations with producers, and group meetings that will focus on the feasability of new, water-conserving cropping systems and how the new methodologies have contributed to improved water resource status in eastern New Mexico. Conversations with other extension personnel (e.g. agents) will discuss the issues of program success and impact. Also, surveys will be distributed to agents, area growers and dairies that will assess the impact of new practices.