Thursday, May 12, 2016

Tell Your College Kids: These 4 Ag Fields Have Great Job Opportunities By Andrew Amelinckx on September 9, 2015

When you hear the word “agriculture,” images of a farmer atop his tractor may come to mind, but there are a slew of other related professions to pursue, from engineering to economics. Want A Job After College? Study Agriculture Job Opportunity: Become A Large-Animal Veterinarian Campus Dining Goes Local Earlier this year, a study led by Purdue University determined that in the next five years there would be close to 60,000 job openings annually in fields related to agriculture, food, the environment, and renewable natural resources. We spoke to three professors at Purdue—a major research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana, which is consistently ranked as having one of the top agricultural sciences programs in the country (and world for that matter)—on which professions are emerging in this field. Agricultural and Biological Engineering Agricultural engineers can focus on machine design, design, and processes of getting food produced at the farm to your plate, or environmental challenges working with soil, water, and air, says Bernard Engel, head of Purdue’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Careers include working for equipment manufactures in the agricultural, forestry, construction, and military industries. On the environmental and natural resources end, there are jobs with various government agencies or consulting firms. Engel says the all of the programs in his department are in high demand right now. “Many of the advances in agriculture right now are coming in this area. The future looks bright as well, given expectations of even more technology being used in agriculture in the future,” he says in an email. Biological engineers deal with issues that include food processes, things like making food taste better or making it last longer; and cellular and biomolecular engineering, which concerns “finding better ways to get value from by-products or getting energy from biological materials.” The food industry is a major employer. Engel says there is also a demand in research and development for these graduates, not only in the food and pharmaceutical industries, but also in genetic engineering in plants. Agricultural Systems Management graduates help make agricultural technology easier to understand and use, says Engel, and students in this area are “highly sought after in careers with machinery, grain handling, and precision technology.” Soil Science Students can focus on soil ecology, chemistry, physics, conservation, and soil landscapes—mapping the soil attributes of a certain area—among other fields of study. John Graveel, an agronomy professor and director of the Natural Resources and Environmental Science program at Purdue, says job prospects for soil scientists right now are very strong. Job opportunities include working for state and federal agencies, environmental consulting firms, and other groups, like the Nature Conservancy. … because we’re entering an era of data-driven decision making, “the students who can position themselves to be strong from an analytical and problem-solving perspective are going to have an edge in the market.” “Soil science students are getting some training in geographical information systems [GIS],” Graveel tells Modern Farmer in a phone interview. (GIS is a computer system that is used for collecting and displaying data as it relates to geographic points on the Earth’s surface.) “It’s hugely in demand right now by consulting firms to have people on staff who know how to do GIS.” Agricultural Economics Agricultural economics is the practice of applying economic principles to public and private decisions made in the agricultural sector, explains Kenneth Foster, head of Purdue’s Agricultural Economics Department. The field includes sales and marketing, agribusiness, farm management, policy making, and natural resource and energy economics. Job prospects are “pretty strong” for graduates in this “heavily data and metric driven” field, Foster says. “We placed 98 percent of our graduates last May by the end of the summer. Well over 100 students got jobs.” Pro tip: Foster says because we’re entering an era of data-driven decision making, “the students who can position themselves to be strong from an analytical and problem-solving perspective are going to have an edge in the market.” All three professors agree on what students interested in these fields should be focusing on: math and science. You get a bonus for taking part in extracurricular activities that help build leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Startups Finally, let’s not forget the entrepreneurs out there who are tech savvy and like to go it alone. Agricultural technology startups are blooming right now. Last year the industry grew by 170 percent and had more than $2.36 billion in investment, according to the website TechCrunch. “I think the agricultural tech industry is doing well because it’s been overlooked for awhile. I think that’s really going to change and it’s going to continue to grow,” says Jason Aramburu, founder and CEO of Edyn, a startup that makes a smart watering sensor for crops.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

NMSU Extension expert provides tips for mosquito-proofing your yard

NMSU Extension expert provides tips for mosquito-proofing your yard DATE: 05/11/2016 WRITER: Justin Bannister, 575-646-5981, jbannist@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Jeff Anderson, 575-525-6649, lantz@nmsu.edu Unfortunately, the dry New Mexico desert doesn’t protect the state from mosquitoes. These bloodsuckers emerge each year and, according to Jeff Anderson, the Agronomy and Horticulture Agent for New Mexico State University’s Dona Ana County Cooperative Extension Service, the state’s mosquitoes are especially active in July and August, once the monsoon season rains kick in. Anderson warns the mosquitoes that carry the dangerous Zika virus, known as Aedes aegypti mosquitos, are found in Dona Ana County. And, unlike other mosquitoes, these are especially aggressive during the day, and only land on humans for a short time, making them harder to spot and swat. Anderson offers the following tips for mosquito-proofing your yard: 1) Find dry land. Get rid of any standing water around your home. Old tires, plastic buckets and toys left outside can collect rainwater where mosquitoes lay eggs. Taking care of your property won’t just help you; it will help the whole neighborhood. 2) Be water smart. Too much water on your lawn can make it a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Don’t overwater. It’s also a good idea to water in the morning, instead of in the evening, so the soil has an opportunity to dry during the day. 3) Spray the bugs away. Use mosquito repellent that contains DEET when you’re outdoors. For those allergic to DEET, stores often have natural repellents as well. 4) Use power plants. Some forms of eucalyptus, as well as lavender, can repel mosquitoes simply by being planted in an area. Other plants, such as basil and catnip, produce oils in their leaves, which can be crushed and used in sprays to repel mosquitoes. 5) Get an oil change. Essential oils, including citrus, lemon eucalyptus, cedar, garlic and citronella, are useful in keeping mosquitoes at bay and can be purchased locally or online. 6) Go all-natural. A number of granular mosquito prevention products for lawns and floating products for use in water features contain natural bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis, which is toxic to mosquitoes, but won’t hurt pets, humans or other animals. 7) Dress for success. Mosquitoes are attracted to heat, and dark-colored clothing tends to retain heat. During mosquito season, make sure to wear clothes that are light-colored, loose-fitting and long-sleeved. 8) Set some traps. Studies have found that commercial carbon dioxide mosquito traps can kill thousands of mosquitoes a night. Bug zappers, on the other hand, aren’t as effective. Zappers kill bugs indiscriminately, and only about one percent of the zapped bugs turn out to be mosquitoes. Stick with the CO2 traps. 9) Bring in the big guns. A number of chemical products specifically designed for mosquito control are available at local stores. Make sure to check for these products early, and stock up. They’ll sometimes run out before the end of mosquito season.

Monday, May 9, 2016

Registration for Produced Water Workshop in Carlsbad – May 24, 2016

Registration for Produced Water Workshop in Carlsbad – May 24, 2016 REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 5:00 PM The New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute is collaborating with academic institutions, government agencies, industry representatives, agriculturalists, and community leaders to better understand the potential beneficial uses of produced water. A workshop will be held May 24, 2016 in Carlsbad to bring these stakeholders together. This is the final workshop for the current project. While the first meetings of the project focused primarily on the research being conducted under this project, the final workshop will bring in experts from industry, governmental agencies, and community water planning groups to provide different perspectives on produced water. The workshop features a wide range of presentations covering the topics of treatment technology, regulatory framework, research, industry uses, oil and gas, and community water planning. The workshop is free of charge and lunch will be provided, however, those planning on attending must register by 5:00 PM on May 19 in order to receive lunch. What: Community Workshop on Produced Water in Lea and Eddy Counties Who: Open to the public When: Tuesday, May 24, 2016 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (*lunch sponsored by the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute) Where: Pecos River Village Conference Center, Carousel Room, 711 Muscatel Ave, Carlsbad, NM 88220 Click here to register * PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER BY 5:00 PM ON THURSDAY, MAY 19 IN ORDER TO RECEIVE LUNCH For more information contact: Robert P. Sabie, Jr. Research Assistant/GIS Technician NM Water Resource Research Institute Office (575) 646-5026 rpsabie@nmsu.edu

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Next Steps, Funding to Address Substance Abuse in Rural Communities

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Next Steps, Funding to Address Substance Abuse in Rural Communities ATLANTA, March 28, 2016 – At the Operation UNITE Summit in Atlanta today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a series of upcoming rural town halls as well as funding rural communities can use to conduct health and safety outreach around prescription painkiller and heroin abuse. Opioids, including prescription painkillers and heroin, accounted for 28,648 deaths in 2014, and rural communities are affected at higher rates than urban communities. This is in part due to a lack of outreach and treatment resources available in rural communities, and this year USDA is expanding its Rural Health and Safety Education (RHSE) competitive grants program to give rural communities the opportunity to use funds for programs that will address the opioid epidemic. In January, President Obama tapped Secretary Vilsack to lead an interagency task force focused on this specific challenge. Recent efforts have helped identify effective tools to reduce drug use and overdose, including evidence-based prevention programs, prescription drug monitoring, medication-assisted treatment and the overdose reversal drug naloxone. "The opioid epidemic is a fast-growing problem all across America, and we know that rural communities are facing an even higher burden than those in urban areas," said Vilsack. "We've identified ways to use existing resources to help rural towns and organizations address this challenge head-on and potentially save lives, and I look forward to meeting with community leaders to better understand how we can further support their efforts to create healthier, safer futures for families and individuals who may be struggling." Over the next several months, Vilsack will travel to New Hampshire, Missouri, Nevada, Mississippi and Appalachia to participate in town halls that will bring together local and state government partners, the health community, and other stakeholders to raise awareness of the issue and discuss possible solutions. Vilsack will encourage public and private organizations to commit to plans of action for their communities. Additionally, USDA is making available $1.4 million through its Rural Health and Safety Education (RHSE) competitive grants program. Administered through USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA), the program's goal is to enhance the quality of life in rural areas through improved health and safety education efforts, including expanding the focus to address the critical challenges of substance abuse in rural communities across the nation. For the first time, USDA is encouraging applicants to develop projects that specifically work to educate the public about opioid abuse and overdose. USDA will also consider projects that target other health outcomes. Since 2009, NIFA has awarded $10.6 million to the RHSE program for projects that support the health and safety needs of rural America. Fiscal year 2016 applications to the RHSE program should focus on supporting projects proposing to scale-up existing, outcome-based extension programs in the area of individual and family health education to rural communities, state-wide or regionally across state lines. Programs that apply for RHSE funding in fiscal year 2016 can focus on extension work in the realm of substance abuse, as well as nutrition and physical activity, healthy and safe homes, aging in place, as well as other behavioral health and human social topics. Applications are due June 1, 2016. More information is available in the online Request for Applications. Past projects funded through the RHSE program include an Oklahoma State University project that aims to improve health literacy among family and consumer sciences educators, rural hospital discharge planners, and family caregivers. A project from the University of Wisconsin seeks to increase cancer treatment education and access to services for rural residents, while also forming coalitions to address rural health disparities. Since 2009, NIFA has invested in and advanced innovative and transformative initiatives to solve societal challenges and ensure the long-term viability of agriculture. NIFA's integrated research, education, and extension programs, supporting the best and brightest scientists and extension personnel, have resulted in user-inspired, groundbreaking discoveries that are combating childhood obesity, improving and sustaining rural economic growth, addressing water availability issues, increasing food production, finding new sources of energy, mitigating climate variability, and ensuring 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. #

New farm data coalition puts farmers in the driver’s seat Agricultural Data Coalition Apr 25, 2016

From WWESTERN FARM PRESS Thanks to precision agriculture and advancements in equipment and computing technology, America’s farmers are building a treasure trove of production information that will help fuel future innovation. A new organization, the Agricultural Data Coalition (ADC), plans to help farmers better control, manage, and maximize the value of their data. The ADC is the result of years of planning and coordination by AGCO, the American Farm Bureau Federation, Auburn University, CNH Industrial, Crop IMS, The Ohio State University, Mississippi State University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Raven Industries, and Topcon Positioning Group. Its goal is to build a data repository where farmers can securely store and oversee the information collected by their tractors, harvesters, aerial drones, and other devices. Over time, the data can be scrubbed, synced, and transmitted in an efficient and uniform way to third parties - whether they be researchers, crop insurance agents, government officials, farm managers, input providers, or any trusted advisor the farmer chooses. “The key is that farmers are in complete control, and they decide who is allowed access to their data,” explained ADC Executive Director Matt Bechdol. “That’s what sets ADC apart. This is not about profit for others, it’s about streamlining data management, establishing clear lines of control, and helping growers utilize their data in ways that ultimately benefit them.” Bechdol says to understand ADC’s platform, it’s helpful to think of it like a bank. “Farmers deposit their asset into a secure location,” he said. “They manage that asset through the equivalent of an online banking system, and then just like an ATM or an online transaction, ADC is able to transmit the data on the farmer’s behalf wherever the farmer wishes.” Bechdol added, “Today, farmers have to store their own data, have to transmit it themselves, and have to deposit assets in a number of separate banks just to do business.” Few farmers are currently maximizing their data because the marketplace lacks a viable central repository like the one ADC is developing. Bechdol believes that ADC’s collaborative approach and ability to bring a critical mass to the data bank is what will enable it to succeed and demonstrate value. He explained that ADC is working with farm leaders and farmer-owned cooperatives to ensure the system is organized, structured, and positioned to operate in ways that will be most beneficial to growers and encourage farmer use. “And even if some people aren’t ready or sure how to use their data, it still makes sense for them to take time to deposit their information into this universal bank,” Bechdol concluded. “That way, they will be prepared when they need the data or choose to put it to work.” Farmers interested in learning more about data collection, and organizations interested in joining ADC’s efforts, should visit www.AgDataCoalition.org.

Arizona alfalfa industry gains acreage, tonnage, respect May 4, 2016

While California alfalfa acreage has declined in recent years largely tied to drought, the forage crop in Arizona is gaining in acreage, yield, and respect. Barry Tickes pegs Arizona alfalfa acreage at 300,000 acres. Add another 35,000 acres in other hays to bring the state’s total forage production acreage to about 335,000 acres.“Arizona is the most productive hay production state in the U.S. and one of the top areas in the world,” says Tickes, director of the University of Arizona’s (UA) La Paz County Cooperative Extension at Parker. La Paz County borders the Colorado River in west central Arizona. Tickes was the lead off speaker at the La Paz County Alfalfa Meeting held in late April. La Paz County growers currently farm about 65,000 acres of alfalfa, including a 40-mile long swath about five miles wide through the scenic Parker Valley on Mohave Road - also called Indian Route 1 - from Parker to Ehrenburg. The flat low desert farming mecca also includes desert durum wheat, cotton, and dehydrator onions. Arizona top yielder Tickes says Arizona alfalfa yields average 8.4 tons per acre – the highest yield in the nation. This compares to 6.5 tons in 2014 in neighboring California. The National Agricultural Statistics Service pegs last year’s average price for Arizona alfalfa hay at $161 per ton, compared to $248 per ton in the Golden State (2014). In its ‘hay day’ before the current four-year drought, Golden State alfalfa acreage was about 1.1 million acres. Today, the state’s acreage is about 835,000 acres. Water use Turning to water use in Arizona alfalfa, UA Extension Agronomist Mike Ottman said timely irrigation is critical to alfalfa quality and yields. Cutting off irrigation to the forage crop does not pencil out at current water costs and hay prices. When a grower shuts off the water, it’s sometimes to prevent scalding plants, though Ottman says laser leveling has helped reduced scalding. Other reasons to cut off water include weed control, a water shortage, a water transfer to municipalities, and to reduce production costs. Alfalfa is a drought tolerant plant so turning the water off is an option for growers, Ottman said, since the plant better tolerates water stress, it’s a perennial crop with multiple harvests per year, and alfalfa is not a high value crop. El Niño dying Paul Brown, UA agricultural biometeorologist, provided a weather update, including a review of the El Niño weather pattern which is now dying quickly and expected to end by summer.Brown said this was the strongest El Niño weather system since the late 1990s. For California, Brown said there was significant moisture improvement from this El Niño, yet he noted, “California is not out of the woods yet.” Colorado River update Brown then turned to the ongoing western drought’s impact on the Colorado River and falling water levels at Lake Mead. Current projections point to the increased likelihood of a Stage One drought call on the river - sooner rather than later - which would reduce surface water deliveries, primarily in Arizona. According to government estimates, there will be not be a Colorado River shortage call this year. Yet there is a 37 percent chance of a shortage call in 2017, a 59 percent chance in 2018, and the odds only increase the following years. “The bottom line is there is a fairly good chance we’re heading into a shortage call unless one of two things happen – it gets wet in a hurry, or water leaders in the lower basin states (California, Arizona, and Nevada) come up with a plan to prevent this.” Brown added, “There are major political discussions underway on proposed shortage alleviation policies that could delay or prevent a shortage declaration.” Among the ways to achieve this could be further water reductions now and in the near future which could basically keep more water in Lake Mead, above the 1,075 foot depth that could trigger a shortage call. Overall, El Niño brought more than expected rain and snowfall to much of California last winter and this spring, yet less than expected moisture to the Southern California desert, Arizona, and western New Mexico.Subsurface drip Representatives from several commercial companies spoke to the alfalfa crowd, including Pat Fernandez of Netafim who discussed subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) in alfalfa. On average, Fernandez says SDI increases alfalfa yields by 20 percent with some higher yields reported at 25 percent to 30 percent. Overall, yields can total 12 tons per acre with SDI.Overall, yields can total 12 tons per acre with SDI. Other advantages of SDI include rapid regrowth after cutting, improved alfalfa quality (supreme to premium), and fewer weeds. He pegged today’s per acre costs for a SDI system at about $2,500. Fernandez shared that SDI-irrigated alfalfa requires more management, including increased rodent control. He cited rodents as the No. 1 concern with SDI in alfalfa. Uncontrolled rodents can damage the SDI system, including holes in the underground tubing, and reduce yields up to about 30 percent. Fernandez said, “Bait and trap is the most effective (rodent control method) in Arizona whether in drip, flood, or sprinkler.” His advice to growers, “Start rodent control early.” He said SDI can increase the number of “cuts” (cuttings) during the year, noting that a grower near Eloy reported 18-19 cuttings a year. Low lignin varieties Don Miller of Alforex Seeds, the forage division of Dow AgroSciences, discussed the company’s conventional alfalfa breeding work and their new low lignin varieties now on the market. Lignin is a product in the plant which helps keep the plant erect but it has a drawback.plant erect but it has a drawback. “Lignin in mature plant tissue interferes with animal digestion and negatively affects forage quality,” Miller said. “Low lignin alfalfa creates a more digestible alfalfa.” He said lower lignin alfalfa fed to dairy cows can increase milk production by one gallon per cow per day, and produce more meat. In the 1970s and 1980s, most industry alfalfa research focused on pests and diseases. In recent years, Miller said the emphasis has been on alfalfa quality, including reduced lignin. In 2014, Alforex Seeds released the industry’s first low lignin variety, Hi-Gest Alfalfa. Miller says the variety reduces the plant lignin level by 7 percent to 10 percent, enough to increase forage quality without hindering the plant’s ability to remain upright. Alforex’s low lignin varieties include Hi-Gest AFX 960 and AFX 1060 for Arizona and Southern California, and Hi-Gest 660 for Central California. Latest news in western agriculture – Western Farm Press Daily e-news blast - delivered free to your inbox.

Why consumer sentiment matters May 5, 2016 by Nevil Speer BEEF

It’s difficult to get a solid read on the economy. That’s been an enduring theme ever since the start of the financial crisis. Any advances in the economy have seemingly come in fits and starts. Therefore, there remains a lot of uncertainty about the future economic direction and momentum, hence why there’s so much focus on central banking policies across the globe. That clearly has influence on the beef industry in terms of both domestic and global demand. Despite economic headwinds, the beef industry has enjoyed solid gains during the past several years. Beef demand has been robust, meaning more spending by consumers. For more on those trends see: Beef Demand vs. Beef Consumption and Beef Recapturing Market Share. However, it becomes more difficult looking forward. It’s challenging to assess how consumers will respond in terms of purchasing decisions. That’s especially true given the forecast for increased supply coming from all three major sources of protein. On that note, the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index is a good measure of consumer perceptions of the economy over time. This week’s illustration highlights monthly readings along with the 12-month moving average since January 2000. Most important, the index has climbed steadily during the past several years. However, the outlook can be assessed from two different views. On one hand, the 12-month moving average is roughly equivalent to levels established prior to the financial crisis and heading in the right direction. On the other hand, April’s monthly assessment (89) is down sharply from the near-term high (98.1) established last January – thus heading in the wrong direction. How do you perceive the state of the consumer going into the summer? What impact might that have on beef spending? Do you foresee stronger demand versus 2015, or do you think consumers will begin to waver when it comes to purchasing beef? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.