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.
Agronomic Crop and Improved Pasture System Development (Chaves County)
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Plan Goal
Improve the sustainability and production potential of agronomic crops and improved pastures in Chaves County 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
Total crop production in Chaves County is valued at over $283 million. By providing research-based knowledge in production practices including land preparation, pest management (weed, insect, and disease), irrigation management, crop management alternatives, new technology, crop productivity, environmental quality, and other management practices, both the land and producers will benefit.
Target Audience and Actions
The audience will include all agricultural producers of Chaves County. The general public will also receive education on the importance of agriculture and its researched-based agricultural practices.
Short-Term Objectives
Short term objective:
To facilitate a better working relationship with clients in the state by fulfilling the need to provide educational and innovative information to the client.
To help in constructing a better whole farm operation in order to improve the clients lifestyle and sustainability of his land.
To determine the best fit operations and varieties to utilize in various regions of the state and counties.
To improve overall cost constraints so that the farming operation or pasture enterprise will fulfill the needs of the client and his family and operation.
Medium-Term Objectives
Medium term objective:
* After participation in the whole farm programming within this objective, the producer should be able to identify not only improvements in his operation, but also how rotations over multiple years can benefit the sustainability of his operations.
Pasture improvement programming will insure less New Mexican land is erodible to wind damage and thus will improve the soil tilth by maintaining better water holding capacity, using nutrients more efficiently and choosing better fitted crops and pasture forages for the site.
By working with clients over a season, the producers understanding of the use of total cropping inputs and cost-benefits will be increased by 20% and the appreciation of soil improvements will increase by 40%.
Long-Term Objectives
Long term objective:
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 income and sustainability on specific farm sites.
Collect information on sustainability for various regions of New Mexico to help both small as well as large and medium sized operations to fit into the economic future of the state.
To introduce new technology for ease and economics to the producer by showing how simple soil and water testing can optimize his operational needs to provide a better lifestyle for his family and himself.
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 economics, soil tilth, operational efficiency and time spent in running the whole farm operation.
Evaluation Plan
Agricultural statistics will be utilized to monitor crop pattern changes and number of producers and acreages over time. Advisory committee input and one-on-one visitation with producers will be utilized for effectiveness of programs. Use of appropriate evaluation surveys with producers.