USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for September 2015

USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for September 2015 09/01/2015 09:00 AM EDT USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for September 2015 WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2015 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for September 2015. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for September is 0.375 percent, up from 0.250 percent in August. The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during September is 1.375 percent, up from 1.250 percent in August. Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for September are as follows, 2.000 percent with seven-year loan terms, down from 2.125 percent in August; 2.250 percent with 10-year loan terms, down from 2.375 percent in August and; 2.250 percent with 12-year loan terms, down from 2.500 percent in August. The interest rate for 15-year Sugar Storage Facility Loans for September is 2.375 percent, down from 2.625 percent in August. Further program information is available from USDA Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Financial Management Division at 202-772-6041. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

FALL OR WINTER GARDENING

Press Release Eddy County Cooperative Extension Service 1304 West Stevens Carlsbad, NM 88220 For More Information, Contact: Woods Houghton, Eddy County Agriculture Agent Eddy County Cooperative Extension Service Phone: 575-887-6595 Fax: 575-887-3795 whoughto@nmsu.edu FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FALL OR WINTER GARDENING The same basic steeps for fall and winter gardening apply to winter gardening, but in some ways the first two steps are even more critical to be successful. Step one is know your climate, which is different from know your weather. In Eddy County it is difficult because we go from hot to cool to cold then back to cool in a short period of time. Predicting the first frost is always a crap shoot it seems. Using weather data from the Artesia Agriculture Experiment Station for a 32 F frost the earliest recorded is September 18 in 1968 the latest is November 16 in 1978, and 88. The most common is October 24. Likewise for a killing frost 28 F the earliest is October 8 1976 the latest is November 28 1970 and the most common is November 3. The Artesia Station posts it data daily on the Eddy County Agriculture and master gardener Facebook pages, including soil temp. Of course this changes a day or two further south or north. Around these data prepare to take action to protect your plants. Step two is plan before you plant. For a winter or fall garden you want to plan for the sun moving a little further south and take advantage of as much sunlight as possible. Also take advantage of heat adsorbing structures such as walls, these can radiate heat a night and extend your growing season up to a week. Step three is preparing the soil. Healthy soil makes health plants; healthy plants make healthy people. I try not to disturb the soil structure as much as possible by minimal tillage or no tillage. There are a number of techniques to do that. Step four is fertilizing for optimum crop production. A German agronomist a long time ago came up with the axiom that you can only produce to the minimum limiting nutrient. If you don’t test your soil you don’t know for sure what that is. It does not do any good to put on a lot of what is already there. Step five is to plant your garden semi hardy vegetable for late summer or early fall include Broccoli, most gardener’s in Eddy County plant this at the wrong time in the spring it does much better when planted in the fall. Turnips, I remember we always threw in some turnip seed with the fall planted alfalfa. Garlic, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, Kohlrabi, kale, spinach, lettuce, radish and European cabbage all do well in the fall. Someone asked me about winter squash. The winter part of the name has nothing to do with when you plant it but when it is consumed. Before current food preservation techniques were available squash varieties which could be stored and consumed in the winter was called winter squash. I have the diary of a pioneer relative in my family and every January there was a note, “All there is to eat is squash and jerky.” Step six is to water properly. As the day time temperature drop the water demands of the plant are reduced so water based on soil moisture not on the day of the week. It is still good to water deep and not as often as the roots grow deeper. Step seven is to control pest. That is one of the good things of fall and winter gardening often the number of insects competing for the food is less. You do need to be mindful of winter annual weeds which because you are watering will germinate early. Step eight is to harvest at the right time. New Mexico Extension Vegetable Specialist Dr. Walker has an excellent publication on how to know when to harvest. You can down load it from our web page or we can mail you a copy. As the cold weather approaches plant protection will need to be constructed, such as plastic grow tunnels or other measures will be necessary. New Mexico Extension also has plans for hoop house that can be constructed in the fall. 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.

EPA Proposes Rules to Improve Hazardous Waste Management and Better Protect our Waterways

EPA Proposes Rules to Improve Hazardous Waste Management and Better Protect our Waterways New Rules Also Reduce Regulatory Burden on Businesses WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing two new hazardous waste rules to strengthen environmental protection while reducing regulatory burden on businesses. One of the proposed rules will protect waterways, including drinking and surface water, by preventing the flushing of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals and simplify the requirements for healthcare workers. The other rule will provide greater flexibility to industry while requiring new safeguards to protect the public from mismanagement of hazardous waste. “These rules provide businesses with certainty and the flexibility they need to successfully operate in today’s marketplace,” said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. “The proposals will improve the safety and health of our communities by providing clear, flexible, and protective hazardous waste management standards.” The proposed hazardous waste pharmaceuticals rule will make our drinking and surface water safer and healthier by reducing the amount of pharmaceuticals entering our waterways. EPA’s proposal is projected to prevent the flushing of more than 6,400 tons of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals annually by banning healthcare facilities from flushing hazardous waste pharmaceuticals down the sink and toilet. The proposed rule will reduce the burden on healthcare workers and pharmacists working in healthcare facilities by creating a specific set of regulations for these facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and retail stores with pharmacies and reverse distributors that generate hazardous waste. EPA’s proposed generator rule will enhance the safety of facilities, employees, and the general public by improving labeling of hazardous waste and emergency planning and preparedness. The proposal will also reduce burden by providing greater flexibility in how facilities and employees manage their hazardous waste and make the regulations easier to understand. EPA solicited public comment on improving hazardous waste management from states, healthcare facilities, retailers, facilities generating hazardous waste, and other key stakeholders. Both proposals directly address the challenges raised by these stakeholders in implementing and complying with hazardous waste regulations. The Agency will accept public comments on the proposal for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register. Read Assistant Administrator Mathy Stanislaus’ blog “Making Hazardous Waste Regulations Work for Today’s Marketplace” here: https://blog.epa.gov/blog/2015/08/making-hazardous-waste-regulations/ For additional information on these proposed rules, including how to submit comments, visit: http://www2.epa.gov/hwgenerators R231

Hunting seasons ramp up across New Mexico

Hunting seasons ramp up across New Mexico SANTA FE – Many hunters will be taking to the woods and fields across New Mexico starting Sept. 1, the opening day for deer, elk and turkey archery hunts and for most small game and upland game birds. Hunting seasons for doves, blue grouse, band-tailed pigeons and squirrels will open in many areas of the state starting Sept. 1. Licenses, maps, questionnaires and other related materials are available online at the Game and Fish Department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us. The 2015-16 migratory game-bird hunting rules and information booklet is available on the department website. Printed copies will be available soon at game and fish offices and license vendors. The department will accept draw applications for sandhill crane and pheasant hunts from Sept. 2 to Sept. 30. Apply online with a customer account at www.wildlifestate.nm.us or by phone at (888) 248-6866. A list of available hunt dates and more information about bag limits and seasons is available on the department website. This year, department staff manning crane harvest check stations also will inspect harvested ducks for evidence of avian flu, said Kristin Madden, bird program manager for the department. Pronghorn antelope hunting season began in early August and is ongoing while big-game muzzleloader and rifle hunts commence later in the fall and continue through the early winter. An estimated 36,000 elk hunters, 27,000 deer hunters, 4,400 pronghorn hunters and 30,000 small-game and bird hunters are expected to be in the field this season. The Department of Game and Fish urges all hunters to stress safety while in the field, especially during archery seasons when hunters commonly are dressed in camouflage. Hikers, bikers and others using the back country during hunting seasons are encouraged to wear bright clothing so they are easily visible to hunters. For more information about hunting in New Mexico please visit the Department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

Department seeks next generation of conservation officers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUG. 28, 2015: Department seeks next generation of conservation officers SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish is seeking qualified men and women to join the next generation of Conservation Officers who protect and conserve the state’s wildlife. The department is accepting applications for game warden trainees with a starting pay of $17.03 an hour with an increase upon successful completion of required training. Prior law enforcement experience is not required, but successful applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in a related field, pass a psychological and medical exam, and fitness and drug tests. Recruits will receive basic training at the Law Enforcement Academy and on-the-job training before working alone in the field. Conservation officers enforce New Mexico’s game and fish laws and investigate and pursue criminal and civil cases against offenders. They also educate the public about wildlife and wildlife management, conduct wildlife surveys, investigate wildlife damage to crops and property, assist in wildlife relocations and help develop new rules and regulations. Interested applicants can get more information about conservation officer duties, educational and physical requirements, training, and employee benefits by visiting the Enforcement page on the department’s website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us/enforcement/career-advancement. Those interested in a career with the department can contact Lt. Brady Griffith, department recruiting officer, (505) 795-1700 or bradyd.griffith@state.nm.us. ###

Ranching sign language

Ranching sign language by Julie Carter The rancher’s wife stands at the gate waiting for him to make up his mind which direction he is going to go with the small herd of cattle he’s bringing to the pens. She sees him look at the cattle that are trotting a little faster than he’d like and then glance at her, but he says nothing. With long established telepathy, she knows by watching him she’s got the wrong gate open even though it’s the one he told her to have ready. She slams her gate and runs as fast as boots, spurs and chaps will let her to the other gate that is now the one that needs opened. The language that is spoken and more often not spoken at the ranch requires visual skills as well as interpretive ones. Some days the meaning comes through loud and clear without words. Cattle and horses speak to their owners through patterns and natural instincts. A mother cow will eventually give away the location of her hidden new baby if you just quietly watch her trying to not give it away. She will look every which way but the right one until at one point, she’ll glance the direction of her calf. A baby calf, falling behind the herd while you are driving them, will get a look in his eye that reads in the next second you are going to see him with his tail curled up over his back, eyes glazed over, and leaving to go back to where he came from before you bothered him. By instinct, he will return to the last place he suckled his momma and wait for her return. A horse’s ears will perk up to attention while you ride through the brush and you can bet the bank he’s heard, seen or smelled something you haven’t. If the rider will pay attention, a horse will find more cattle in the brush than a rider will ever see on his own. Ranch husband and wife communications, while pretty much the same across the land, take on a bit more animation and sometimes humor. The “funny” often doesn’t arrive until later, and sometimes much later, like years later, when the story is retold. While she’s chunking rocks at the bulls to get them through the gate and he’s hollering it’s the wrong gate, or wrong cattle or wrong something, the next rock chunking usually is directly at him. Not hard to interpret that. A time-proven cowboy trick is to loudly give the wife instruction that she doesn’t need, but that someone else within hearing does. Rather than offend the “help” that he won’t scold, he makes her look less than capable with his admonitions to her in hopes the one who needs to hear it will. It usually fails in its intended mission and the chill in the air at the ranch house could last for days. A can of Spam served on a plate, still in the can mind you, is a not so subtle hint of the relationship infraction. A nod, a whistle, a wave or a shake of his head speaks an entire language to his partner who most often is also the cook. Better judgment on his part is not always in use when communicating his thoughts. He knows that there is fine line between making a point and her quitting him all together. Sometimes though, he just has to ask, “You mean the marriage license didn’t include ‘for better or worse’ and for mind reading?” Julie, a fair hand at reading cowboy sign language and dishing out a bit of it herself, can be reached for comment at jcarternm@gmail.com Posted by Frank DuBois at 6:32 AM No comments: Permalink Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest Labels: Julie Carter

Domenici Conference

Domenici Conference Within our campus community, we have many extracurricular lectures and events that promote discovery and enrich the student experience. It is important to encourage students to take advantage of these opportunities that enhance their coursework. I hope you will join me in this effort. One such event is the Domenici Public Policy Conference. I host this conference each year and guide its planning. It is free to all university students and I seek your assistance in encouraging students to attend. The conference will be held at the Las Cruces Convention Center, 680 E. University Avenue, Sept. 16 and 17. This annual event – now in its eighth year – will highlight recent developments in four trending policy areas: the nation’s aging infrastructure, U.S. energy independence, regional economic development and Middle East policy. At the close of each speaker’s session, we will have staff outside the conference room ready to hand out tickets to students who attended the session. The ticket can be used to confirm a student’s attendance, for example, if you are in a position to offer extra credit or make the conference part of an assignment. Students can register for the entire conference or just one session. While they attend for free, registration is still required. Registrations are accepted online until 5 p.m., Sept. 14. For members of the public, faculty and staff, the two-day conference costs $50. The full agenda and registration information can be found at: www.domenici.nmsu.edu. For more information, call 646-2066. Lastly, some of you may know that university students from across the state compete each spring for an opportunity to question the conference speakers. I would like to recognize the six NMSU students who were awarded positions on the Domenici Student Panel. They are: Michael Alarid Barrio, Rhetoric and Professional Communication; Bethany Blundell, Journalism and Mass Communications; Chu Hui Cha, Counseling Psychology; Aaron Lindsay, Chemical Engineering; Angie Mestas, Agricultural Biology; and, Kristen Sullivan, Government. Congratulations! Thank you for your help with this important effort.