How Do You Own Your Property

The following CES publication has been revised and is now available online in PDF format.

Guide G-250: How Do You Own Your Property?

Bryce Jorgensen (Extension Family Resource Management Specialist, Dept. of Extension Family and Consumer Sciences)

PDF: https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_g/G250.pdf

NMSU to host forage workshop in Los Lunas Dec. 4

NMSU to host forage workshop in Los Lunas Dec. 4
DATE: 11/26/2018
WRITER: Jane Moorman, 505-249-0527, jmoorman@nmsu.edu
CONTACT: Newt McCarty, 505-565-3002, jnewton3@nmsu.edu
LOS LUNAS – The majority of New Mexico agricultural commodities are fueled by forage.

Of the state’s $3.22 billion cash receipts for commodities in 2016, 73.1 percent is from livestock and milk production, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

In 2017, New Mexicans farmed 343,032 acres of forage products valued at $206 million.

Providing research-based information through workshops and publications, New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences helps farmers efficiently produce high quality forage.

NMSU’s Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service will host its ninth annual Forage Growers Workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 4, to share the latest forage information. The workshop will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the University of New Mexico-Valencia Campus, 280 La Entrada Road, Los Lunas.

Registration is $20, which includes program materials and lunch.

“There are many challenges to growing a high quality forage crop: weather, water, insects and weeds are some of those,” said Newt McCarty, NMSU’s agricultural agent in Valencia County. “At the workshop, we hope to provide information, tools and guidance to address challenges and increase the income potential for producers.”

Farmer Jim Cox always learns something from the presenters.

“I find the benefit of attending this workshop outweighs the registration fee,” said Cox, who is a regular at the workshop. “If I don’t get all the information I want about certain things, I get pointed in the right direction to find it. It’s also a great opportunity to earn continuing education units for your private applicator licenses. And it’s a great place to see old friends and make new ones.”

A wide range of topics will be covered during the presentations, including the effect of water quality on pesticides.

“The quality of the water that managers mix with the herbicide active ingredients can potentially decrease the efficacy up to 50 to 60 percent, thus potentially increasing the need for higher herbicide rates, multiple sequential applications, and ultimately, a failed attempt at controlling weeds in a safe and successful way,” said Leslie Beck, NMSU Extension weed specialist, who will speak on this subject.

Other topics will include:
– Soil testing and appropriate fertilization to maximize forage production by Robert Flynn, NMSU agronomist.
– Water outlook and discussion of opportunities for more efficient and consistent water delivery in the future, by Mike Hamman, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District’s chief executive officer and chief engineer.
– General management practices impacting alfalfa quality by Leonard Lauriault, forage agronomist at NMSU’s Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari.
– Pest identification and management of alfalfa weevil, aphids and white fringed beetle by Jane Breen Pierce, NMSU Extension entomologist.
– Research findings on Plantain management in alfalfa and follow up on managing common weeds in forages by Beck.
– Weed-free forage and the opportunity for producers to participate in a higher value market by Cary Hamilton, NMSU research director for the New Mexico certified weed-free forage.
– Results from the first year variety trials of fescue and orchard grass by Mark Marsalis, Extension forage specialist at NMSU’s Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas.
– Variety selections of alfalfa and fescue by Marsalis.

Five CEUs for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture applicator’s license are available for attendees.

USDA agency representatives will also present updates on programs available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Services Agency and Valencia County Soil and Water District.
- 30 -
Follow NMSU News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nmsunews
Follow NMSU News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NMSUNews

Travel safely

Safety tip: How to travel safely Before you take to the roads (or skies) this holiday season, make sure you are ready for both the expected and unexpected. These simple tips can help make the difference. • Know before you go: Check local road conditions (https://www.nmroads.com/mapIndex.html?), weather forecasts (https://www.weather.gov), and news for each part of your journey so you can pack and prepare accordingly. Check your vehicle condition carefully, and pay particular attention to safety equipment (lights, wipers, car jack, spare tire, etc.). • Stick to main roads/highways when possible: If there is adverse weather expected, stick to the main roads. You can go sightseeing later when the weather is better. Highway crews prioritize the clearing of busy roads during storms, and usually have no capability of ever clearing small roads. • Let others know your plans: Make sure friends/family are aware of your travel plans, to include the route(s) you plan to take, and when to expect you. Importantly, stick to the planned route(s), or let them know if you have to change plans. • Bring extra blankets, clothes, and supplies: You may be perfectly fine driving in bad weather, but other people on the road might not be as skilled. If they cause you to crash, make sure you are able to get by until emergency help arrives. An extra coat, blanket, some food and water can all be very helpful. • Make sure your cellphone is charged, and bring along a car charger. It is difficult to communicate with others, including calling for help, if you don’t have a way to do it. If you plan on listening to music from your phone, keep it plugged in so your battery is still in good shape so you can call if you need to. • Slow down in bad weather: If you encounter bad weather, like rain, sleet or snow, slow down. Wet pavement reduces traction, which makes braking difficult. If you have to stop, try to plan where you will pull off the road. Look for level, paved shoulders, rest areas, parking lots, etc. If you are still near the road, stay in your vehicle, keep your seatbelt on, and turn on your hazard lights. • Keep fuel in your tank: Winter is not the time to try to see how far you can go before you run out of fuel. When you get below half a tank and have an opportunity to refuel, take it. Remember, a winter storm may mean power is out in the place you otherwise might have been planning to get fuel, and you could be stuck. • If stranded, stay warm and ration supplies: If you get stranded in a storm in winter, stay inside the vehicle if possible to avoid being exposed to frigid temperatures. Ration food, water, and fuel, and get out that blanket you brought to help stay warm. If needed, run the vehicle for about 10 minutes each hour to generate heat, but make sure the tailpipe/exhaust pipe is not blocked, and crack a window so you don’t get carbon monoxide in the car.