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Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development (Valencia County)

Plan Goal

Improve the sustainability and production potential of agronomic crops and improved pastures 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.

Situation Statement

Crop output in New Mexico has a value of over $582.3 million with a net income reported in 2004 of over $862.4 million, up 65% from 2003. With either or both agronomic crops and improved pasture in Valencia County, strong county level programs disseminating the latest information and research to local farmers is increasingly needed to improve cropping enterprises and benefits to the land and producers. The majority of Valencia County agricultural production is done on small farms. Over 90% of the estimated 900 farms in production are less than 50 acres, totaling over 368,800 acres in agricultural production (USDA Census of Agriculture 2007). Agronomic crops, particularly feed crops such as hay, grain sorghum, grain corn and silage corn generate over 6.4 million dollars in agricultural cash receipts. Valencia County farmers cultivate approximately 8,500 acres of forage, averaging 4.97 tons per acre totaling over 42,000 tons per year (2006 NMDA). Of that, approximately 7,000 acres are in alfalfa hay production.
* This program studies how the plant functions in its environment, and then uses this knowledge to establish improved crop management alternatives throughout the county for increased economic yield and environmental friendliness by providing advanced cropping information through the use of timely workshops and other outreach tools. * This program develops alternate forage-based enterprises that improve yields and quality in Valencia County. * This program responds to targeted agronomic crops to improve the crop responses to water deficits and irrigation; to seeding rates, row spacing, narrow rows; and, to plant growth regulators, crop chemicals, fertilizers and other inputs by improving crop growth efficiency. The systems emerging through research and disseminated through teaching and outreach programs contribute to improvements in systems thinking and practice, new technology, crop productivity, environmental quality, and profitability.

Target Audience and Actions

Because the majority of Valencia County agriculture is defined as small farms, the program is intended for small to medium agricultural operations, however, the program is developed in a manner that any other land owner, farmer, rancher, consultant, or student that wishes to improve agronomic production and efficiency will benefit by attending a workshop.

Short-Term Objectives

*At least 50 percent of the producers attending workshops and meetings on crop or pasture improvement will gain an awareness of NMSU program and services offered through their county office
*at least 15 percent attending meeting(s) will gain knowledge of the latest permanent pasture management and improvement practices
* at least 15 percent attending meeting(s) will gain knowledge of annual forage crop production best suited for Valencia County
* at least 15 percent attending meeting(s) will gain knowledge of integrated pest management (IPM) in forage crops/pasture production
* at least 15 percent attending meeting(s) will gain knowledge in weed identification and control in forage crops/pasture production
* at least 15 percent attending meeting(s) will gain knowledge of USDA conservation programs available to small farm producers and landowners.
* at least 15 percent attending meeting(s) will gain knowledge of effective irrigation management in forage crops/pasture production

Medium-Term Objectives

*At least 10 percent of the clients attending educational meetings on crops and pastures will gain a working knowledge of improvements that can be implemented on their land and over 8 percent will implement part of these practices
*Producers participating in Extension programming for crop and pasture improvement will increase production or grazing potential by 5 percent
* Pasture improvement programming will insure better water holding capacity, using nutrients more efficiently and choosing better fitted crops and pasture forages for each site.

Long-Term Objectives

• With educational information, over 5 percent of the clients working with crops and pastures will show better soil tilth and plant development and utilization on their land
• Land value and sustainability for clients will improve and management of the land will allow 5 percent of the clients to improve planning and input cost reductions
• The long term objective is to improve the life style and structure of the producer and his family by providing more efficient means of creating greater income and sustainability on over 50 percent of the specific farm sites visited
• To introduce new technology for ease and economics to 20 percent of the producers by showing how simple soil and water testing can optimize operational needs to provide a better lifestyle
• To work as a change agent in offering alternatives to current operations that are struggling with sustainability by seeking a better fit enterprise or method to farming and ranching that will help in minimizing input costs and optimizing gains in over 15 percent of the farms in the state through economics, soil tilth, operational efficiency and time spent in practice improvements to farms in the state

Evaluation Plan

Short term evaluation: • use of meeting evalutions and/or end of session group quiz recapping of information • after assembling the information for a system plan with individual clients, use of five to ten key priorities for sustainability of operations will be used to evaluate the potential for improvement of a cropping or pasture situation • by use of priority needs described by the producer or land owner, targeted areas of improvement will be decided upon and these priorities dealt with first as the producer requests. If only a variety recommendation is requested, then this system development profile will be addressed with the client. On the other hand, if more improvement is desired, a priority list of practices to address can be devised and worked on to accomplish the goals needed by both the client. • Use of soil and water testing as well as soil type determination, altitude, growing season length and growing degree days expected as well as general field conditions can create a preliminary evaluation of whole operation needs and priorities for the program
Medium term evaluation: • In order to determine if the information taken to the producer was utilized, a follow up evaluation or visit will allow a quick assessment of the practices implemented and continued over time on the operation. • with an increase in revenue and a decrease of 10% of inputs normally wasted or misused, the program evaluation for optimizing whole farm operations can be evaluated or tailored to new needs of the producer through individual reporting on improvements due to implementation of suggestions • This dynamic programming technique will allow a continual programming input from the client. With time, anticipation of changes in the farm enterprise or new goals or needs by the client can create a new programming strategy and information with specialist input as needed. • The client(s) will be able to run a self-assessment on their proposed farm operation plans and determine through the use of the whole farm planning sheets, the information they need to choose varieties, determine nutrient input, find out current soil nutrient status, predict irrigation needs while working within equipment, time and seasonal limitations. • Use of changes reported on conservation planning and implementation in coordination with NRCS where they are actively working too with the cooperator.
Long term evaluation: • Effectiveness of the programming will be evaluated by review of changes made and implemented on each farm with each producer. • By revealing alternative means of operation through the use of demonstrations and information, a long term evaluation will be to see if the practices suggested are not only implemented by the producer but continuing to be part of the operation with continued improvements in management and environmental sustainability. • Continued use of Extension information and input to the producer will show effectiveness of the program on a farm by farm basis. • Land use changes and production reported through the New Mexico agricultural statistical service will also provide feedback on program effectiveness.