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 (Chaves County)

Plan Goal

Private land managers, as well as state and federal agency land managers will learn the most efficacious, economical and ecologically sound means of managing noxious brush and weeds.

Situation Statement

The spread of invasive non-native plant species is one of the greatest threats to the long-term environmental stability and health in the western United States. In Chaves County, Russian knapweed is the most prevalent species of noxious weeds, followed by African rue and malta starthistle, while salt cedar dominates the tree species of invasives. Many of these weeds have caused serious ecological and economic damage in other areas of the country and threaten Chaves County if action is not taken.

Responsibility for the management of invasive weeds is divided among a wide array of people and agencies, complicating efforts to develop a cohesive control strategy. Close coordination is a precursor to successful containment and control of invasive weed species. The Chaves County Cooperative Weed Management Area has been established, with the cooperation of the Chaves County and Hagerman/Dexter Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Chaves County Flood Control, the Bureau of Land Management, and Sureste RC&D. The Chaves County Cooperative Extension Service fits well into the mix of agencies to provide an educational component for the Cooperative Weed Management Area.

Target Audience and Actions

Agricultural producers, state and federal land managers, and the general public will be targeted with the educational efforts of the noxious weed program. The following will be conducted:


1. Work with the Chaves County Cooperative Weed Management Area to identify and map the locations of invasive plant species in Chaves County.
2. Work with the Chaves County CWMA to coordinate the development of a management strategy among the responsible parties.
3. Educate and involve land management entities and the public about noxious weeds, the problems they cause, and the correct management techniques to use.

Short-Term Objectives

Field demonstrations utilizing appropriate range improvement techniques will be established in the county according to producer and land management agency needs and requests. Private land managers and land management agency personnel will become aware of and adept at using the various range improvement tools. Workshops will be conducted and literature distributed to promote awareness of the noxious weed problem and techniques used to manage those problems.

Medium-Term Objectives

To increase the knowledge of brush and weed management programs by private land managers and state and federal land managing agencies. To increase the adoption of brush and weed management strategies by 5% over life of POW.

Long-Term Objectives

Overall land condition on treated acreage will improve over pretreatment conditions. As the number of acres infested with noxious brush and weeds declines, forage production will increase, soil erosion will decline, and water use efficiency will improve. Land without noxious weeds will remain weed-free due to knowledge gained by land managers and the general public, thus eliminating management costs.

Evaluation Plan

All demonstrations will be evaluated for plant kill, brush and weed reduction, and increased forage production, depending on age of plots and nature of brush and weed species. Field days and tours will be held to show results to clientele. Knowledge gained by land managers and general public will be measured by evaluations given after workshops or programs conducted. Impact of program will be determined by acres of noxious weeds surveyed each year and compared with previous years, and by acres of noxious weeds treated each year.