Monday, July 31, 2017

NMSU professor, students assist with endangered bat species research

NMSU professor, students assist with endangered bat species research DATE: 07/31/2017 WRITER: Kristie Garcia, 575-646-4211, kmgarcia@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Kathryn Stoner, 575-646-7051, kstoner@nmsu.edu What do tequila and bats have in common? You may not think the two go together, but the Mexican long-nosed bat and agave plants have a unique connection. Agave plants are native to certain arid regions in Mexico and parts of the Southwestern United States. Mexican long-nosed bats – Leptonycteris nivalis – migrate from Central and Northern Mexico into the southern areas of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. This endangered bat, with a long nose and a fuzzy body, pollinates columnar cactuses and agave plants. And tequila is a Mexican liquor made from the blue agave, a succulent-type plant. “The bats’ migration up from Mexico is initiated by the corridor of the blooming agave and columnar cactus, which have the main food item – the flower nectar – these bats eat,” said Kathryn Stoner, professor and department head of the New Mexico State University Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology. “So, not only is this bat an endangered species, but it has economic value because it pollinates the tequila plant.” The Mexican long-nosed bat was listed as an endangered species in 1988 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and in 1991 under the Mexican Endangered Species Act. Stoner, a faculty member in the NMSU College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, is part of the Nivalis Conservation Network, a binational group of researchers working to conserve this particular bat species. Bat Conservation International initiated this collaborative research effort last year. Earlier this month, Stoner and her graduate student, Scarlet Sellers, made their way to Nuevo Leon, Mexico, and down to Cueva del Infierno, a known L. nivalis cave. The purpose of the trip was to learn how to properly mark the bats in order to track their migratory patterns. Senior director of conservation science at BCI, Winifred Frick, showed Stoner and Sellers, as well as researchers from BCI, Texas, Universidad de Nuevo Leon and Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, the proper technique of pit-tagging the bats. “With the pit-tagging technique, you insert small pits under the skin with an injector,” Stoner said. “Because this is an endangered species, the marking of the bats requires special permits, so we wanted to be trained by the best.” Once the bats have been marked at locations such as Cueva del Infierno, the next step is for Nivalis Conservation Network researchers to track the bats at particular caves in their respective areas. For Stoner and Sellers, they will collect data from a cave in Southwestern New Mexico. So, how exactly do the researchers record the presence of these high-flying, strong, nocturnal creatures? They use a large rope antenna that is placed around the entrance and exit to the cave. “The rope antenna actually looks like a cable, and it’s connected to a data system that records a bat when it flies through,” Stoner said. “Having these bats marked – and we’re all making large efforts to mark many bats in each of our respective areas – we’re hoping that we’ll get a bat that flies into our cave that was marked in Cueva del Infierno, for example.” Rope antennae are also set up in caves in Big Bend, Texas, in Baja, California and in several locations in Mexico. The overarching goal of the collaborative effort is to determine the bats’ movement patterns, including arrival dates and departure dates, as well as location of origin. Sellers, who is pursing a master’s degree in wildlife sciences at NMSU, is specifically studying the diet of the Mexican long-nosed bat in New Mexico. Stoner said although bats mainly eat agave, the plant is scarce in New Mexico, and there are not any columnar cactuses in the area where these bats are in New Mexico, only in Arizona. NMSU student Rachel Burke is also studying under Stoner. Burke, who is pursuing a master’s degree in wildlife sciences like Sellers, has modeled the availability of food resources across the landscapes so researchers can recognize areas where L. nivalis may be found. “This will help us determine locations at which we can more carefully look for caves and roosting areas,” Stoner said. Stoner’s NMSU team has received help from several entities in support of bat research. “Locally, we’ve received funding from T&E, which is a nonprofit organization that funds ecological research, and many NMSU students receive funding from T&E,” she said. The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management’s Las Cruces District has also supported the Mexican long-nosed bat research effort. “The BLM has helped us significantly with our research,” Stoner said. “The local BLM office has helped us with the equipment. The equipment is on loan, but we can use it whenever we need to do our research on Leptonycteris.” This is a long-term research project. But in the end, Stoner and the research team hope to save the Mexican long-nosed bat, which may in turn help save the tequila.

Public meeting to discuss the proposed drafting of the “Eddy County Man Camps and Recreational Vehicle Park Ordinance” and the proposed “Eddy County Business Licensing and Registration Ordinance”

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Eddy County Administration is providing notice to inform all interested parties that Eddy County will hold two public meetings. The first public meeting will be held on Thursday, August 3rd, at 6:00 p.m. at the Eddy County Public Works Building located in Artesia, NM at 2611 S. 13th St. The second public meeting will be held on Monday, August 7th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Eddy County Commission Chambers located at 101 W. Greene St, Carlsbad, NM. The purpose of both meetings is to invite public comment on two proposed ordinances – “Eddy County Solid Waste, Nuisance and Illegal Dumping Ordinance” and the “Eddy County rural Addressing Ordinance.” Additionally the August 3rd meeting will be the scheduled monthly Planning and Development Advisory Committee meeting and will discuss the proposed drafting of the “Eddy County Man Camps and Recreational Vehicle Park Ordinance” and the proposed “Eddy County Business Licensing and Registration Ordinance” A copy of the agenda and draft ordinances is available online at http://www.co.eddy.nm.us/ and is available during normal business hours at the Eddy County Administration Building. The public is invited to attend. If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of aid or service to attend the meeting, please contact the Community Services Department at least 24 hours in advance at (575) 887-9511. This notice is given pursuant to Section 10-15-1 NMSA 1978.

New or Revised NMSU Cooperative Extension Service Publicaions.

The following CES publications are now available online in PDF format. Guide B-708: Documents Required to Transport Horses in New Mexico Revised by Jason L. Turner (Extension Horse Specialist, Dept. of Extension Animal Sciences & Natural Resources) Donald Martinez (Extension Agriculture Agent, Rio Arriba County Extension Office) John Wenzel (Extension Veterinarian, Dept. of Extension Animal Sciences & Natural Resources) http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_b/B708.pdf Guía B-708: Documentos Requeridos para el Transporte de Caballos en Nuevo México Revisado por Donald Martinez (Agente de Extensión Agrícola, Oficina de Extensión Cooperativa del Condado de Rio Arriba) Rossana Sallenave (Especialista de Extensión en Ecología Acuática, Departamento de Extensión en Ciencias Animales y de los Recursos Naturales) Jason L. Turner (Professor/Especialista de Extensión de Caballos, Departamento de Extensión en Ciencias Animales y de los Recursos Naturales) http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_b/B708sp.pdf Guide I-111: The Benefits of Strength Training and Tips for Getting Started By Raquel Garzon (Extension Nutrition and Wellness Specialist, Dept. of Extension Family and Consumer Sciences) http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_i/I111.pdf

Eddy County fair just ended but I thought I would run this anyway.

THE WESTERNER https://thewesterner.blogspot.com/ Sunday, July 30, 2017 Cowgirl Sass & Savvy See you at the county fair by Julie Carter It is county fair time –locally and pretty much all across America. Spending a day at the fair is as much a lesson in history and anthropology as it is an excuse to eat homemade pie and see cute bunnies in their best fur coats. County fairs nuture the roots of rural life. They are one of the few places left that bring together the generations of agriculture to experience a culture and a heritage that has been left behind by the majority population of this country. Yet the fair is a teaching tool as well. I believe one it’s best functions is to provide today's youth with a glimpse into the lives of the generations before them. Local 4-H clubs and FFA chapters champion agricultural education and community service. The members work on several projects throughout the year and come to county fairs to exhibit their accomplishments. Fair projects can include anything from baking and knitting to crafts and photography, but at most fairs, the focus is on the show ring where youth exhibit animals they’ve been preparing for months. The majority of the fair's events are livestock contests in which 4-H and FFA members display their animals and receive prizes based on which animal shows best confirmation, grooming and obedience. Fairs are about families. What you don’t see when you arrive at the fair is the hustle, bustle, cram, jam and near panic that goes on within those families for a few weeks prior to the fair itself. Sometime around the Fourth of July, the fair families look up at the calendar and gasp. Only a few weeks until the county fair. They begin to give a serious eye to the livestock that up until that moment simply got fed twice a day, exercised occasionally and not much else. Exercise and nutrition plans quickly take on a scientific edge with the only comfort coming from hearing the neighboring 4-H’er say, “I still can’t catch mine.” Ok, so maybe almost everyone, at least someone, started as late as the kid you thought had it all together until he admitted to finally just now getting to work with his goats, sheep and steer. Ag teachers and extension agents hit the road almost 24/7 during the final “crunch” to get every fair animal in the county clipped and trimmed in time. You can spot them easily. They are carrying at least one set of hog scales and two trimming racks in the back of their pickup. They spend long days crisscrossing the county to clip the next set of lambs or spend hours fine tuning the coiffure on a couple of fat steers. Show boxes are sorted and re-organized, show ring wardrobes planned and the last-minute rush is on to finish the braiding, welding and baking projects. Then finally the fair becomes about relaxing, having fun and showing off a little of what has been learned and accomplished. Lifelong memories are made annually as another generation passes through the show ring. Families make memories they won’t have time to enjoy until years later, but when that season in their life passes, they will first feel like a big part of their lives is missing. It really was more fun than it seemed like at the time. Julie can be reached for comment at jcarternm@gmail.com

Thursday, July 20, 2017

USDA Farm Service Agency News Release - New Mexico Producers Have Until Aug. 1, to Submit FSA County Committee Nominations

Albuquerque, NM, July 17, 2017 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Executive Director for New Mexico, Brenda Archuleta, today reminded farmers and ranchers that they have until Aug. 1, 2017, to nominate eligible candidates to serve on local FSA county committees. County committees are made up of farmers and ranchers elected by other producers in their communities to guide the delivery of farm programs at the local level. Committee members play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of FSA. Committees consist of three to 11 members and meet once a month or as needed to make important decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs, county office employment and other agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms. Nationwide there are over 7,700 farmer and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. "The Aug. 1 deadline is quickly approaching,” said Acting SED, Brenda Archuleta. "If you know of a great candidate or want to nominate yourself to serve on your local county committee, go to your county FSA office right now and submit the nomination form. I especially encourage the nomination of beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as women and minorities. This is your opportunity to have a say in how federal programs are delivered in your county.” To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in an agency administered program, and reside in the local administrative area where the election is being held. A complete list of eligibility requirements, more information and nomination forms are available at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. All nominees must sign the nomination form FSA-669A. All nomination forms for the 2017 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA county office by Aug. 1, 2017. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters by Nov. 6 and are due back to the local USDA Service Centers on Dec. 4. The newly elected county committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2018.

USDA Farm Service Agency State Office in Albuquerque to Move to New Location

USDA Farm Service Agency State Office in Albuquerque to Move to New Location Albuquerque, NM, July 17, 2017 – USDA Farm Service Agency Acting State Executive Director, Brenda Archuleta announced today the agency will be moving its State Office from 6200 Jefferson Street, Suite 211 to One Sun Plaza Building, 100 Sun Avenue, NE, Suite 200, Albuquerque, NM. Due to the move, the State Office Staff will be available by appointment only, Thursday, July 20, 2017 and Friday, July 21, 2017. The State Office will resume walk-in business at 8:00a.m. on Monday July 24, 2017. Other USDA agencies also moving in the weeks to follow will include Rural Development (RD) and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) State Offices. The moves are being conducted to fill office space vacated by the U.S. Forest Service. When: July 20, 2017 and July 21, 2017. What: USDA Farm Service Agency State Office will be moving to a new office space. Where: One Sun Plaza Building, 100 Sun Avenue, NE, Suite 200, Albuquerque, NM 87109. Contact: For information on this News Release, please contact Veronica Tribbet, Farm Service Agency Administrative Specialist during business hours at (505)761-4900 or at Veronica.Tribbet@nm.usda.gov.

House Panel Lifts Ban on Slaughtering Horses for Meat

House Panel Lifts Ban on Slaughtering Horses for Meat The New York Times By Associated Press A House panel has voted to lift a ban on slaughtering horses at meat processing plants. The move by the House Appropriations Committee would reverse a horse slaughter ban that was contained in a huge catchall spending bill signed into law by President Trump in early May. A move to renew the slaughter ban, pushed by California Democrat Lucille Roybal-Allard, was defeated by a 27-25 vote. The Horse slaughter ban has mostly been in force for more than a decade. The ban is enforced by blocking the Agriculture Department from providing inspectors at meat plants that slaughter horses and is in place through Sept. 30. There are currently no horse slaughter facilities operating in the U.S.

USDA Technology Transfer Report Highlights “Made in America” Research

USDA Technology Transfer Report Highlights “Made in America” Research (WASHINGTON, July 20, 2017) - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research generated 244 new inventions and 109 patent applications in the 2016 fiscal year. These innovations included an anti-cancer drug derived from Omega-3 fatty acids, sensors to help prevent bridge collapses, gene-silencing technology that controls mosquito populations, and hand-held imaging tools to detect meat contamination. The Secretary released USDA’s annual Technology Transfer Report, which listed the technology produced through research either conducted or supported by USDA. “USDA’s made-in-America research gives us new technology that creates business opportunities and private sector jobs in both agriculture and other sectors,” Perdue said. “Studies show that every dollar invested in agricultural research returns $20 to our economy. Just like the crops that come up out of our soil, these inventions and innovations were made in America.” The 559-page report outlines the public release and adoption of information, tools, and solutions developed through USDA’s agricultural research efforts, collaborative partnerships, and formal Cooperative Research and Development Agreements. The innovations outlined in the report show how these efforts have translated into public-private partnerships that help American agriculture and other businesses compete in the world marketplace. For more information, please read the Fiscal Year 2016 Annual Report on Technology Transfer (PDF, 5.9 MB). Innovations include: • Anti-cancer drug: A patent application was filed in September 2016 by Penn State University researchers for an anti-cancer drug developed from Omega-3 fatty acid derivatives. The researchers received funding from USDA’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture. (p. 538 in the report) • Protecting Bridge Infrastructure: The U.S. Forest Service (FS) has patented a method for measuring streambed variations around bridge piers. This will help prevent unexpected bridge collapses by providing real time monitoring of bed scour at piers. (p. 487) • Silencing mosquito genes: Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and collaborators in Gainesville, Florida have demonstrated that selectively silencing proteins in the genes of mosquitoes is an effective method for controlling disease-carrying mosquitoes. (p. 206) • Meat contamination tool: ARS researchers in Beltsville, Maryland developed a handheld fluorescent imaging device (HFID) that detects contaminated food and equipment surfaces. This patented technology is under license and commercial development by an industry partner and will support and improve industry and government meat safety inspection programs. (p.166) In addition to ARS, NIFA, and FS, the Technology Transfer Report lists activities at USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Economic Research Service (ERS), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). #

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Vegetable Garden with Boil Water Advisory.

Drinking and recreational water have been carriers in several outbreaks of E-coli, but it is more common to come from fecal contamination by infected animals or people. The Boil Water advisory should not change what you do to your garden vary much. You should all ready be taking precautions to prevent infection of E. coli from your garden. This Advisory does alert you to do somethings different. E. coli bacteria cannot be taken up by plant roots and then transported throughout the plant. However, if the edible portion of your plants contact the soil or if the edible portion of your plants have been watered with "suspect water" there is some risk of E. coli contamination. To minimize risk of E. coli contamination. It is best not to harvest with in 30 days of exposure to potentially infected water. But that may not be possible. It is important to prevent direct contact of potentially contaminated water with the fruits or vegetables you plan to harvest. The type of plant you are growing affects how you water. If the edible portion of the crop is located above the soil, it is better to water with a drip system or a furrow or flood system than with sprinklers. Keeping the water on the ground will minimize exposure on the editable portion, and limit direct contact between the water and the eatable crop. If the plants can survive until the boil water advisory is over it is best not to water. Apply a thick mulch to limit evaporation and extend the time until you have to water. If you have to irrigate you can treat the water with unscented house hold bleach. Table 1. Amount of bleach needed to disinfect water Gals. of water to disinfect Amount of bleach needed* 1 2 drops 5 11 drops 50 1 3/4 tsp. 100 3 1/2 tsp. 500 6 Tbs. *Will produce water with about 2 parts per million of chlorine. Let stand one hour before watering. Root crops and leafy vegetables have the greatest risk of exposure from infected water to soil. Colorado State University Cooperative Extension recommends that in the kitchen: Food handling and preparation practices are the last line of defense for preventing infection from E. coli and other food borne pathogens. The following actions can help ensure the safety of the food you serve. They are especially important if you or those you are serving are at risk for food borne illness. The groups at highest risk include pregnant women and infants, children, the elderly and immune-compromised individuals. Wash hands thoroughly before working with food and after using the toilet, changing diapers, handling animals or helping people who have diarrhea. Thoroughly wash with either boiled water or water from out side the advisory area. The water does not have to be hot. All raw fruits and vegetables just before preparing or eating them. This not only helps remove dirt, bacteria and stubborn garden pests, but it also helps remove residual pesticides. Separate and individually rinse the leaves of spinach and lettuce. Peel potatoes, carrots, yams and other root vegetables, or clean them well with a firm scrub brush under lukewarm non-suspect preferable running water. Pat dry with paper towels. Clean and sanitize cutting boards, utensils and surface areas used to prepare any raw food before using them to prepare another product, especially if that food will be eaten raw. Use 3/4 teaspoon of chlorine bleach per quart. Avoid cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods. Store fresh meat below produce in the refrigerator. Never place cooked meat on an unwashed plate that held raw meat. Cook ground meats thoroughly to 160 degrees F. Check the internal temperature with a thermometer. Use only safe, treated water to clean with. Refrigerate leftovers promptly. Rinsing some produce, such as leafy greens, with a vinegar solution (1/2 cup distilled white vinegar per 2 cups water) followed by a clean water rinse has been shown to reduce bacterial contamination but may affect the taste. For more information see http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/nutrition-food-safety-health/preventing-e-coli-from-garden-to-plate-9-369/

USDA Announces More Than $8 Million to Address Shifting Environmental Conditions and Impact on Agriculture

USDA Announces More Than $8 Million to Address Shifting Environmental Conditions and Impact on Agriculture Media contact: Selina Meiners, 202-720-3359 WASHINGTON, D.C. July 19, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced nine grants totaling more than $8 million to study and develop new approaches for the agriculture sector to adapt to and mitigate the effects of changing environmental conditions. The funding is made possible through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “We have to develop robust plants, animals, and management systems that can flourish under challenging environmental conditions,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “We expect the outcomes of these investments will support American farmers and producers, and ensure their profitability.” AFRI is America’s flagship competitive grants program for foundational and translational research, education, and extension projects in the food and agricultural sciences. The Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area aims to provide risk management information and tools to enable land managers to stay viable and productive, and reduce the use of energy, nitrogen, water, and greenhouse gas emissions. FY16 grants being announced today, by state, include: Climate Outreach and Extension: • University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, $250,000 • New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, $249,900 • Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, $250,000 • University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, $248,900 Climate and Land Use: • University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, $3,414,911 • University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, $3,414,911 • Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, $147,744 • George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, $35,300 • Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington, $49,260 Project details can be found at the NIFA website. Among the grants, a New Mexico State University project aims to increase climate change literacy while supporting both adaptation and mitigation activities for different and diverse groups through a comprehensive program. A University of Florida project will identify and test climate adaptation and mitigation in fruit and vegetable supply chains using a holistic, systems approach based on crop, economic, and environmental modeling. Since 2009, more than $150 million in research and extension grants have been awarded through AFRI in support of efforts to adapt to and minimize the impacts of climate change. Previously funded projects include a Kansas State University study focused on developing grazing management strategies in the Southern Great Plains to adapt regional beef production to changing conditions, such as heat and drought, while reducing its environmental footprint. This work in the Southern Great Plains will contribute to resilience and sustained productivity in the beef industry. A Washington State University study is dedicated to improving the sustainability and integrity of water resources and ecosystems in the Columbia River Basin threatened by dwindling water supplies, growing demand from multiple uses, low oxygen, algae blooms, and reduced biodiversity. Understanding how the demands on water resources are impacted by climate variability will factor into sound public policy to improve water conservation and quality. NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and extension and promotes transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges. NIFA support for the best and brightest scientists and extension personnel has resulted in user-inspired, groundbreaking discoveries that combat childhood obesity, improve and sustain rural economic growth, address water availability issues, increase food production, find new sources of energy, mitigate climate variability and ensure food safety. To learn more about NIFA’s impact on agricultural science, visit www.nifa.usda.gov/impacts, sign up for email updates or follow us on Twitter @USDA_NIFA, #NIFAImpacts. ### USDA is an equal opportunity lender, provider, and employer.

Monday, July 17, 2017

LIVESTOCK WATER DURING BOIL WATER ADVISORY

LIVESTOCK WATER DURING BOIL WATER ADVISORY Artesia recently had a boil water advisory for city water. I received a few phone calls on what should I do with my livestock water? This is a good question obviously; it could be difficult to boil 15 to 25 gallons of water per head per day. First of turn off the water supply to the livestock tanks if possible. \ If you know your tank, size most small horse tanks are about 125 gallons it is a lot easier. For horses the University of Minnesota Extension Service, make the following recommendation. After the bleach treatment, let the water stand for at least an hour, before allowing the horse to drink. If the water is cold (less than 10°C or 50°F) increase the waiting period to two hours. If you are treating water that may be contaminated with chlorine-resistant parasites from animal droppings, double the amount of bleach and wait for 2 hours before allowing your horse to drink. Strict adherence to recommended levels of bleach and the subsequent waiting time need to be followed in order to avoid over application, which can lead to toxicity. Table 1. Amount of bleach needed to disinfect water Gals. of water to disinfect Amount of bleach needed* 1 2 drops 5 11 drops 50 1 3/4 tsp. 100 3 1/2 tsp. 500 6 Tbs. *Will produce water with about 2 parts per million of chlorine. To sanitize the water for ruminant livestock be commiserative. The microflora of the rumen are subject reduction or killing by chlorine according to Dr. Marcy Ward livestock Specialist New Mexico Cooperative Extension. If you have a large storage tank you may have to calculate the volume of the tank of water. Google will actually do that for you if you put in the detentions of the tank. The first step is to determine the amount of water to be treated. This can be done using the following formulas. For vertical cylinder tanks Water volume in gallons = D2×H x0.78×7.48 Where D = the diameter of the tank in feet H =standing height of the water in feet.0.78 = a constant of pi (π) 7.48 = gallons per cubic foot (Note: This formula is not accurate for cylinder tanks positioned horizontally). For square and rectangular tanks Water volume in gallons = L×W×H×7.48Where L = length of tank in feet W = width in feet H = standing height of water in feet 7.48 = gallons per cubic foot 1. (Extension Water Resource Specialist, Department of Extension Plant Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces). Example: The volume of water in a six-foot-diameter vertical cylinder tank where the water stands at eight feet is: 6×6×8×0.78×7.48 = 1,680.31 gallons For practical purposes, this can be rounded to the nearest hundred, in this example, 1,700 gallons. You will need this information for a couple of things. Divide the gallon by the number of gallons need per head per day and that will tell you how many days of water you have on hand. If the advisory is lifted before your storage is gone, you don’t have to worry about the second part. If the advisory continues and your storage is low, you will need to know how many gallon of water you need to treat. If your storage is low you will have refill the storage, turn off the water so you do not keep adding water and diluting the sanitized water with contaminated water You will have to let your storage deplete then calculate how much water is left. Calculate how much contaminated water you will be adding to your sanitized water. Refill and add treatment to the volume you added. This recommendation is not for human use! Please go to our web site and read the following publications. http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_m/M116/welcome.html ; http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_w/W-101.pdf for more information. Of course, there are some other alternatives, which are discussed in the above publication. If you have the capabilities, you can get water from outside the advisory area and transport it to your livestock. If you have livestock who have loose bowel movement or show, symptoms of distress contact your local Veterinarian as soon as possible. The Subscribe to Eddy County Ag news at: http://nmsueddyag.blogspot.com/ Eddy County Extension Service, New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. New Mexico State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Eddy County Government Cooperating

Friday, July 14, 2017

NMSU Clayton research center to resume work focusing on feeder cattle

NMSU Clayton research center to resume work focusing on feeder cattle DATE: 07/14/2017 WRITER: Jane Moorman, 505-249-0527, jmoorman@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Glenn Duff, 575-374-2566, glennd@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Shanna Ivey, 575-646-2515, sivey@nmsu.edu CLAYTON – On the windblown plains of northeastern New Mexico stands a feed mill and livestock pens with the sole purpose of researching how cattle react to the feedlot environment. Research at New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences’ Clayton Livestock Research Center is the culmination of cattle research. “This facility’s primary focus is protocols for cattle, particularly evaluating the health and performance of newly received cattle, and nutrition and management of the cattle from feedlot to slaughter,” said Glenn Duff, NMSU professor of livestock management and superintendent of the center. “The 48-pen facility with feed mill is one of the outstanding research centers in the country,” he said. “A lot of research can be done here. With a capacity of 20 calves per pen, that’s enough numbers for solid findings.” Duff returns to Clayton following a stint as department head of NMSU’s Animal and Range Sciences Department. Since earning his doctorate at NMSU, he has worked in calf, dairy and feed mill research at the University of Arkansas, University of Arizona and Montana State University, and private industry in Garden City, Kansas. He returned to NMSU in 1994 and served as superintendent of the Clayton facility prior to leaving in 2001 to work at the University of Arizona until 2010. After serving as Department Head for Animal and Range Sciences and as interim dean of Montana State University’s College of Agriculture, he returned to NMSU in July 2015 as the department head. “It’s a pleasure being back here,” he said. “The facility has been in a stand-by mode for a year because of maintenance issues with the feed mill, but we are working to get it back up and running. We expect to have cattle in the pens in the fall.” The studies conducted at Clayton are the culmination of research by the Animal and Range Sciences Department on campus in Las Cruces and off campus at the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center. “Unfortunately, there is a perception in the feedlot industry that New Mexico calves are sickly. It’s not necessarily true,” he said. “So previous research conducted at Clayton concentrated on health and performance on newly received calves from New Mexico.” Healthy calves is the desire of all livestock producers. Reaching that goal begins with maternal nutrition, grazing and feed efficiency, and calf nutrition after weaning. “We are trying to make our research fit what is needed. To make sure what we are doing has a practical application,” said Shanna Ivey, NMSU Animal and Range Sciences interim department head. “We are trying to help the producer to have the best use of their natural resources by providing research-based information for them to make decisions based on the needs of the cattle and to be profitable.” The research begins in labs at NMSU where ruminant microbiologists study how cattle digestive systems process feed and forage. “The nutrition consumed by the mother impacts her ability to breed and the composition of her milk,” said Ivey. “At Corona we are focusing on nutrition supplement efficiency and fertility.” With the diverse rangeland, from short-grass prairie ecosystem to the semi-arid environment of southwestern New Mexico, the Corona ranch and NMSU’s Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center focus on sustainability and management of natural resources and environmental ecosystems. “Forage fuels cattle growth and development,” said Duff. “Our research centers focus on helping ranchers raise quality cattle for market.” - 30 - Follow NMSU News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nmsunews Follow NMSU News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NMSUNews

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Watershed health resource appears in newspapers statewide

Watershed health resource appears in newspapers statewide NMDA is proud to present a newspaper insert all about watershed health, a topic that concerns not just those in agriculture but all of New Mexico’s 2 million residents. If you do not get a news papper or missed it you can down load it at http://www.nmda.nmsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/WaterShed_Tab_2016.pdf

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Intreped Labled for Alfalfa

Intrepid now has a 3 day pre-harvest interval for alfalfa when used at 8 oz per acre or less. It is the only material that will kill all three cutworms as well as moths and butterflies pest. All instar are controlled.

Souther NM Cattle Growers Assoicatio Ranch DAy

Hunting plans shot? Donate that license to a good cause

Hunting plans shot? Donate that license to a good cause SANTA FE – New Mexico hunters are reminded that in the event they can’t use their hunting license this season, it can be donated for a youth to use. The State Game Commission has authorized two nonprofit organizations, the New Mexico Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife of Farmington and The Donald R. Kemp Youth Hunting Club in Las Cruces to receive donated hunting licenses and provide them to qualified youths to use. Requests to donate hunting licenses must be made in writing to the department before the start of the hunt. The department recommends submitting the request well in advance to give the organizations time to find an eligible recipient. When a recipient is located, the department will transfer the existing license to them. Hunters should be aware that for mandatory harvest reporting species, the license holder is responsible for filing a harvest report until the transfer is completed or if no recipient is found. Last year, 23 youths age 17 and younger got to go hunting with donated licenses. Hunters should contact the department’s Information Center, (888) 248-6866 or ispa@state.nm.us to make arrangements to donate a hunting license or for more information about the program. No refunds are offered for donated licenses. See the 2017-2018 Hunting Rules and Information Booklet, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, for exceptions that qualify for a refund or transfer of a hunting license.

Monday, July 10, 2017

Hiring A Pest Control Operator

HIRING A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR Pest problems arise from time to time that may require you to seek help controlling the pest from a professional. Pest is a term for undesirable plants (weeds), insects and plant diseases. It can be daunting to choose a pest control company. Don't rush into a decision. Consider talking with several companies before deciding on one. Even if your pest problem is urgent, take time to look for a reputable and knowledgeable company that meets your standards. As I travel around Eddy County, I have notice a number of persons applying pesticides, which may or may not be legal. Anyone applying any pesticide, including over the counter products, for a fee or on property that they are not the owner or lease must under, State and Federal law have a commercial pesticide applicator license for the categories they are applying. The law requires the business name and NMDA pesticide license number to be visibly displayed on the truck they are using. A landscaping company without a pesticide license cannot apply over the counter products, even as a basic maintenance package unless they are subcontracting to a commercial licensed applicator. Some questions to ask when hiring a Pest Control Operator. Do technicians have current licenses? Is the license the correct classification for the job? If they have an ornamental and Turf category they cannot do termite control. You can verify licensing by calling New Mexico State Department of Agriculture at 575-646-2733. How does the company keep their staff informed of changes in regulations, products, techniques and safety? Do they use Integrated Pest Management techniques? How many years has the company been in business? Do newly hired applicators train with more experienced employees? How much experience does the company have with treating pest problems like yours? Can the company offer an estimate for services in writing? Many offer free estimates. Get estimates from more than one company and compare their rates and services. Does the company require you to sign up for a long-term contract? If so, what are the long-term costs? Is the company able to provide a guarantee for their work? What are the terms? Do the employees listen to your concerns and address them with care and respect? Can the employees identify the pest, explain the extent of the infestation, and provide details about the pest and its behavior? Are they willing to discuss product selection and other details of the treatment? This is very important if you have pets or children. Are they willing to discuss low-toxicity options and reducing environmental risks? Do they have insurance to cover you, your property, and their employees? Will they give a letter of certification of coverage from their insurance provider? Are they responsible about wearing protective equipment when necessary? What measures will they take to prevent unnecessary exposures and accidents? As you contact and interview the companies, don't be afraid to ask questions. Educate yourself about the pest and your options for treatment. Once you have selected a pest control company, take note and keep for your files the following items: • The contact information for the company • The names of employees who are performing the work • The time and date of the inspections/treatments weather conditions • The names of the products they will use and their EPA Registration Numbers • The formulation of each product and where that product will be used. For example, is the product a gel, a spray, or a dust? • Any preparations you need make before the treatment, such as putting away clutter, removing items from kitchen cabinets, or keeping pets and children away from the area • Precautionary information or potential health effects in case of exposure to pesticide products. • Successful pest control will require communication and cooperation between you and the company. Ask questions and make sure you understand the treatment and your responsibilities in making the treatment a success. Contact the company or New Mexico Department of Agriculture to report any problems. Do not use unlicensed applicators, there have been illegal (not used by the label requirements) application of restricted and over the counter products which have resulted in irreparable landscape damage and human loss of life from unqualified and irresponsible applicators. Subscribe to Eddy County Ag news at: http://nmsueddyag.blogspot.com/ Eddy County Extension Service, New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. New Mexico State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Eddy County Government Cooperating.

Thursday, July 6, 2017

The Hornshell CCA and CCAA drafts publish in the Federal Register

The Hornshell CCA and CCAA drafts publish in the Federal Register tomorrow, July 7th. Here is the link to the CCA/A Federal Register notice: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2017-14235.pdf. The open comment period will end on August 7th and the drafts will go to signature on August 10th. After that, we have one month to enroll folks into the program. Because it is a short window to enroll, we have developed a nonbinding application (attached) that can be filled out and signed (after the agreements have been signed by FWS) to show intent to enroll. This in no way binds you to enrollment, but assures enrollment in the event you so desire. It will allow us more time to get individual CIs/CPs in place with folks once the listing determination has occurred. If you wish to enroll, please fill out the application, sign and date (must be dated after the parent agreements have been signed by FWS) and send back to me. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thank you, Emily ___________________________ Emily K. Wirth Operations Manager CEHMM 505 North Main Street Carlsbad, NM 88220 575-885-3700 Facebook: www.facebook.com/centerofexcellence Website: www.cehmm.org

NM Forestary Conservation Tree sale

Ordering for seedlings from the NM Forestry Division Conservation seed- ling program for Fall 2017 begins July 10, 2017 and orders will be accepted through October 6, 2017. Distribution of seedlings begins September 12, 2017 and ends on October 13, 2017. You may order on-line at www.nmforestry.com or by mailing in an order form with payment (order forms can be downloaded and printed from the website). We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover for on-line orders and check for mail orders. Over 59,000 seedlings are available for purchase through the Fall 2017 Conservation Seedling Program. There are over 50 species available for the Fall 201 7Distribution. NM Forestry Division only sells containerized stock in the fall and will have bare root stock available during the Spring 2018 distribution. If there is containerized stock remaining at the end of fall distribution it will be available in the spring. Please do not wait until spring to order containerized stock if there are particular species that you want because if it sells out in the fall it will be another year before it is available again. Ordering for spring distribution will begin the first Monday of December.

2017 Field Day (August 15, 2017) Los Lunas

2017 Field Day (August 15, 2017) 1036 Miller Road, Los Lunas, NM Mechanical Chile Harvest • Pollinator Plants and Beneficial Insects Grape Research • Tree Water Management • Weed Control in Chiles Cover Crops and Soil Health • Native Plants • Soil Carbon and Gas Flux Research • Jujube as an Alternative Fruit Crop Registration: 7:30 a.m. | Field Tours: 9 a.m. | Lunch Program: Noon (Join us for this free event with door prizes!) For additional information or if you are an individual with a disability and need auxiliary aid or service, please contact 505-865-7340 by August 9, 2017, or visit our website: loslunassc.nmsu.edu.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Earn your Ag Days Degree from NMSU Aug. 2 to 4

Earn your Ag Days Degree from NMSU Aug. 2 to 4 DATE: 07/05/2017 WRITER: Kristie Garcia, 575-646-4211, kmgarcia@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Marcy Ward, 575-646-5947, maward@nmsu.edu Perhaps you want to brush up on your knowledge of cattle anatomy or fire ecology. Maybe you could use a lesson in saddle fitting or plant identification. Learn about all these topics and more at New Mexico State University’s Ag Days Degree program Wednesday, Aug. 2, to Friday, Aug. 4. The NMSU College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences will host the three-day program on the Las Cruces campus. The program is open to the public. “This is an opportunity for people to come back to school, refresh their knowledge and learn more about various topics,” said Marcy Ward, NMSU Extension Livestock Specialist. “Ag Days starts with a horsemanship clinic with nationally known instructor Curt Pate, and it ends with hands-on lessons at the NMSU Campus Farm.” Check-in for the Ag Days Degree program is at 11 a.m. Aug. 2 at the NMSU Livestock Judging Pavilion. A separate, pre-session clinic with Curt Pate is from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. the same day at the NMSU Horse Farm. The Ag Days Degree program officially begins at 1 p.m. with a stockmanship presentation by Pate, and the day concludes with a cookout for all attendees. On Aug. 3, participants may choose from a wide range of animal science or natural resources courses at Knox Hall. Ag Days Degree wraps up with hands-on demonstrations at the NMSU Campus Farm Aug. 4. The early registration fee is $60, and the deadline is Tuesday, Aug. 1. Day-of registration is $70. The fee for the Curt Pate Horsemanship for Stockmanship Clinic is $50 for riders and $10 to audit. Space is limited to 10 riders. There is no charge for the Curt Pate clinic for participants under age 18 who are auditing the course. Please visit nmbeef.nmsu.edu to register. For more information, please contact Ward at 575-646-5947 or maward@nmsu.edu. - 30 - Follow NMSU News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nmsunews Follow NMSU News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NMSUNews