The New Mexico Legislative Report

The New Mexico Legislative Report summarized the end of the legislature’s special session in these words: At approximately 12:00 noon today, the Senate and House adjourned sine die. All Senate bills received from the House were acted upon by the Senate and are now in the process of being Enrolled and Engrossed in preparation for action by the Governor. No House bills were acted on by the Senate. The vote to adjourn sine die (for the second) time in the Senate was a 22-16 party line vote, that cut off any consideration of the 3 “tough on crime” bills approved by the House. The Senate concurred with all of the House changes to the Senate bills that were adopted before their first adjournment early last Saturday morning. This means that the acceleration of the phase out of hold harmless payments to local governments is NOT in the final version of Senate Bill 6. It was taken out of the bill on Sunday in Chairman Harper’s Ways and Means Committee amendment. The bill passed the House 50-17 some time during the House’s marathon evening/night/early morning session, which ended about 7 a.m. today. In spite of a strong week-long effort by our DWI Coordinators Affiliate, the language sweeping funds from that program and from the E911Fund in Senate Bill 2, was not changed in the House. The bill passed 43-22, which means it did not get an emergency clause (that takes a 2/3 vote) and will take effect 90 days after signature by the Governor. DWI Coordinators Affiliate Chair Kelly Ford’s good explanation of the implications of that loss of funding is copied below the signatures at the end of this message. The Special Session is over; the feed bill passed so the workers will be paid. We are already working on plans for NMAC to play a proactive role in the last 3 months of the year, on tax policy, DWI & E911 funding, and other issues that will be critical to counties in the 2017 regular session. Call us anytime! Tasia Young Steve Kopelman Brian Moore tyoung@swcp.com skopelman@nmcounties.org brian@ranchmkt.com 505-469-6409 505-469-5584 505-670-9311 • From Kelly Ford (reprinted with permission): • The LDWI fund currently has a cash balance of $2 million - this is current revenue, not fund balance. • $4 million was swept from the LDWI in the last regular session in HB311 o This is being paid out of this current year revenue and we still have $1 million left to pay! • Another $3.6 sweep will have to be paid out of current/future revenue to be accomplished. • The first quarterly distribution amounts to each of the 33 county local programs were already reduced from $4 million to $1,555,700 to pay $3 million towards the original (HB311) sweep allocation. • With having a reduced balance and paying the sweeps out of the current year revenue we also must pay the following: o $1.6 to AOC for Drug Court (per HB2) o $2.8 for Detox Programs (per 11-6A-3.D.) o $1.9 in DWI Grants (per 11-6A-3.C.) o $900,000 to DFA/TSB (per 11-6A-3.C./11-6A-3.E.) • The County Local Programs will receive approximately 50% of their estimated distributions. Most Local Programs budgeted the majority of their LDWI distributions for payroll. o Statewide we employ approximately 212 FTEs, 56 PTEs, and 64 contract employees. • If the LDWI sweep amount is not amended, the LDWI fund will be unable to sustain its original intent and Local Programs will not be able to supervise and treat our current convicted 11,319 DWI offenders or provide services for future DWI occurrences. If the LDWI fund is reduced an additional $3.645 million, current program operations will be affected and the fund will be unable to pay the actual County Programs as intended by statute. I know these bills were drafted with the understanding there would be a year’s worth of operating funds and we very much appreciate that effort. However, with the current balance of the fund and the allocations to be paid I am afraid that will not be the case for LDWI.Please, take a second look at the calculations for this fund. I know for my own program, if my distributions continue to be the same or less than my first distribution, I will be laying off employees.

WHAT IS THE "VETERINARY FEED DIRECTIVE"?

WHAT IS THE "VETERINARY FEED DIRECTIVE"? 10/11/2016 ...and what does this have to do with my ranch, dairy, farm, or show animals? Why are we now discussing VFD's and VFD drugs? Beginning January 1, 2017 a certain class of livestock drugs will find their way onto the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) drug list. In 1996 Congress enacted the Animal Drug Availability Act (ADAA, Public Law 104-250) to regulate new animal drugs used in or on animal feed. These uses were limited to those allowed under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. These drugs were termed Veterinary Feed Directive drugs or VFD drugs. Continue reading... For additional information, click on the following links: Read full story on the VFD here List of distributors by state registered to sell the VFD drugs (to date) The FDA site for the Veterinary Feed Directive List of the drugs transitioning

USDA Announces Plans to Purchase Surplus Cheese, Releases New Report Showing Trans-Pacific Partnership Would Create Growth for Dairy Industry

USDA Announces Plans to Purchase Surplus Cheese, Releases New Report Showing Trans-Pacific Partnership Would Create Growth for Dairy Industry LA CROSSE, Wisc., Oct. 11, 2016 – Following a roundtable discussion with dairy producers near La Crosse, Wisc. today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering to purchase $20 million of cheddar cheese to reduce a private cheese surplus that has reached record levels, while assisting food banks and other food assistance recipients. While USDA projects dairy prices to increase throughout the rest of the year, many factors including low world market prices, increased milk supplies and inventories, and slower demand have contributed to a sluggish marketplace for dairy producers and caused dairy revenues to drop 35 percent over the past two years. Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 authorizes USDA to purchase surplus food to benefit food banks and families in need through its nutrition assistance programs. "America's farming families are being called on to demonstrate their world-famous resourcefulness and resilience in the face of this current market downturn, and USDA is making use of every tool that we have to help them," said Vilsack. "For dairy farmers, this has included $11.2 million in payments in August through the Dairy Margin Protection Program, in addition to the surplus purchase offers. While our analysis predicts the market will improve for these hardworking men and women, reducing the surplus can give them extra reassurance while also filling demand at food banks and other organizations that help our nation's families in need. Farmers at other points in the supply chain are also receiving a boost with over $7 billion in Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage payments for the 2015 crop year, which by design kick in when times are tough. As always, we continue to watch market conditions and will explore opportunities for further assistance in the coming months. For producers challenged by weather, disease and falling revenue, we will continue to ensure the availability of a strong safety net to keep them farming or ranching." A solicitation will be issued shortly, and cheese deliveries to food banks and other food assistance recipients are expected to occur beginning in March 2017. Also at the roundtable, Vilsack shared details of a new report by the USDA's Office of the Chief Economist, which shows continued growth of the U.S. dairy sector is largely contingent on trade and that the Trans-Pacific Partnership could create an additional $150 to $300 million in annual U.S. dairy exports. Free trade agreements have contributed to the growth in U.S. dairy exports and helped to address tariff and nontariff barriers that disadvantage U.S. products in overseas markets. U.S. dairy exports to free trade agreement partners grew from $690 million in the year prior to each agreement's entry into force to $2.8 billion in 2015, driven by lower trade barriers and increased U.S. competitiveness. For more information on TPP, visit www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trans-pacific-partnership-tpp. USDA works to strengthen and support American agriculture, an industry that supports one in 11 American jobs, provides American consumers with more than 80 percent of the food we consume, ensures that Americans spend less of their paychecks at the grocery store than most people in other countries, and supports markets for homegrown renewable energy and materials. Since 2009, USDA has provided $5.6 billion in disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; expanded risk management tools with products like Whole Farm Revenue Protection; and helped farm businesses grow with $36 billion in farm credit. The Department has engaged its resources to support a strong next generation of farmers and ranchers by improving access to land and capital; building new markets and market opportunities; and extending new conservation opportunities. USDA has developed new markets for rural-made products, including more than 2,500 biobased products through USDA's BioPreferred program; and invested $64 billion in infrastructure and community facilities to help improve the quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/results. #

EPA Acts on New Chemical Law to Fast-Track Five Chemicals

EPA Acts on New Chemical Law to Fast-Track Five Chemicals WASHINGTON - EPA is taking swift steps to carry out requirements in the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act and to reduce exposure to certain persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals. “The threats from persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals are well-documented,” said Jim Jones, assistant administrator in EPA’s office of chemical safety and pollution prevention. “The new law directs us to expedite action to reduce risks for these chemicals, rather than spending more time evaluating them. We are working to ensure the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act signed in June of this year delivers on the promise of better protecting the environment and public health as quickly as possible.” The five chemicals to receive expedited action are: • Decabromodiphenyl ethers (DecaBDE), used as a flame retardant in textiles, plastics and polyurethane foam; • Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD), used in the manufacture of rubber compounds and lubricants and as a solvent; • Pentachlorothio-phenol (PCTP), used as an agent to make rubber more pliable in industrial uses; • Tris (4-isopropylphenyl) phosphate, used as a flame retardant in consumer products and other industrial uses; and • 2,4,6-Tris(tert-butyl)phenol, used as a fuel, oil, gasoline or lubricant additive. The statutory deadline for EPA to propose action is June 22, 2019. The new law gave manufacturers an opportunity to request by September 19, 2016, that EPA conduct risk evaluations for the PBT chemicals on EPA’s 2014 Work Plan, as an alternative to expedited action. Requests for risk evaluations were made for two chemicals that can be used in fragrance mixtures. For the remaining PBT chemicals, EPA must move ahead to take expedited action to reduce exposure to those chemicals to the extent practicable. After EPA finishes identifying where these chemicals are used and how people are exposed to them, the Agency will move directly to propose limitations on their use. PBT chemicals are of particular concern because they remain in the environment for significant periods of time and concentrate in the organisms exposed to them. These pollutants can transfer among air, water, and land, and span boundaries of geography and generations. The new amendments to TSCA will help bring significant improvements to public health as EPA continues to take the steps necessary for its successful implementation. More about the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act and EPA’s implementation activities and to sign up for updates, visit: https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/frank-r-lautenberg-chemical-safety-21st-century-act

NMSU hosts regional turfgrass conference

NMSU hosts regional turfgrass conference DATE: 10/11/2016 WRITER: Kristie Garcia, 575-646-4211, kmgarcia@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Bernd Leinauer, 575-646-2546, leinauer@nmsu.edu Homeowners, master gardeners, landscape managers and turfgrass professionals are invited to attend the Southwest Turfgrass Association Recreational Landscape Conference and Expo hosted by New Mexico State University Oct. 25-27. The event begins with a golf tournament Oct. 25 at the NMSU Golf Course. The conference is at the Las Cruces Convention Center and includes a field trip to the NMSU Turfgrass Salinity Research Center on Triviz Drive southeast of campus. Bernd Leinauer, NMSU Extension Turfgrass Specialist, said the conference will focus on water and the economic impact of turfgrass, among other topics. “Water is the key issue, in regards to turfgrass and its impact on the tourism industry and on quality of life in general,” Leinauer said. “The turfgrass industry plays an important role in the state, as it generates a lot of income through tourism, which contributes to the economy. It also makes our environment more habitable. And how can we do this with the least amount of resources, particularly with the least amount of water, possible? That has always been the aim of our research.” While the conference rotates locations each year, Leinauer said having the event in Las Cruces is important because people are able to visit the NMSU turfgrass research facilities and see the work that’s being accomplished first-hand. The conference will include the following presentations: Oct. 26: - Introduction (Steve Hendley, SWTA President) - Welcome (NMSU Associate Dean and Cooperative Extension Service Director Jon Boren and Associate Dean and Agricultural Experiment Station Director Dave Thompson) - Extension and research update (Leinauer) - Keynote address: The State of the Golf Courses (Brian Whitlark, United States Golf Association Agronomist) - NMSU Turfgrass Salinity Research Center field trip Oct. 27: - Irrigation needs of Southwest trees; distinguishing biotic and abiotic problems in trees and shrubs; managing annual and perennial plants (University of Arizona School of Plant Sciences Extension Specialist and Professor Ursula Schuch) - Weed control in newly established or over-seeded areas; weed control in home lawns (University of Tennessee Turfgrass Weed Science Research and Extension Program Head Jim Brosnan) - Beyond green speed: How rolling affects putting green physiology; where do turfgrasses fit in a world with less water? (University of Arkansas Horticulture Department Professor Mike Richardson) - Maximizing turf health in challenging soil conditions (Whitlark) - Weed update (NMSU Extension Plant Scientist Specialist Leslie Beck) - Insect update (NMSU Extension Entomologist Carol Sutherland) A trade show – featuring the latest technology in turfgrass management and maintenance – will also be part of the conference. On Oct. 26, SWTA scholarships in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded to two NMSU Plant and Environmental Sciences students: Laura Johnson and David Rodriguez Herrera. The Arden Baltensperger Lifetime Achievement Award will also be presented. Continuing education units will be granted for New Mexico and Texas pesticide professionals needing to maintain their license. For a list of fees or to register, visit www.southwestturfgrass.com. Contact SWTA Secretary Mike Jones at 575-317-6104 or golfturf@hotmail.com for more information

Pesticide Workshops

Reminder for CEU credit we are having three workshops this year. This Thursday is the first one October 13; the second will be November 17, Privite Applicators tests will be given after this class,; the LAST ONE is December 15. Class start at 9:00 am and are at the Eddy County Extension Office 1304 west Stevens, Carlsbad NM. Cost is $10 THIS IS NOT PART OF YOUR RENEWAL FEE OR TESTING FEE! Call Robin Wilson at 575-887-6595 or toll free at 1-877-887-6595 to pre register or if you have a disability and need an auxiliary aid or service.

Drought Workshop for producer and Profesionals 25 October 2016!

Join agricultural producers and professionals for a workshop on the drought outlook for the upcoming winter season. Experts from the National Drought Mitigation Center, NOAA, NMSU, University of Arizona and the USDA will be presenting on the potential impacts of drought on agriculture in the Rio Grande Valley and surrounding rangelands of New Mexico and West Texas, and available local and regional resources to help manage and monitor those impacts. Workshop topics will include short- and medium-range weather forecasts, historical climate trends, local monitoring activities, drought tools and early warning resources, and USDA programs. If you are in Eddy County I will be going to this and can furnish transportation for up to nine, call Roblyn Wilson 575-887-6595 or e-mail me whoughto@nmsu.edu if you want to travel with us. Date: October 25th, 2016, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: Jornada Experimental Range, Wooton Hall, 2995 Knox St, Las Cruces, NM, 88003 Register online: Southwest Hub website: http://swclimatehub.info/content/drought-workshop-registration Contact: Caiti Steele: tel. 575-646-4144, email. caiti@nmsu.edu Limited travel support available for agricultural producers - enquire early!