South West Hay and Forage Conference

January 13-15 Ruidoso Convention Center NM Hay Association and NMSU http://www.nmhay.com http://forages.nmsu.edu 5 CEUS for pesticide license that expire latter than 1 Jan 2015

NMDA offers exporting opportunity at Joint Stockmen's Convention

NMDA offers exporting opportunity at Joint Stockmen's Convention Attendees also invited to sign up for information about livestock scale inspections (ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) – Ranchers attending the 2015 New Mexico Joint Stockmen’s Convention in Albuquerque December 3-6 are invited to stop by New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s (NMDA) International Room to meet and talk with Mexican cattle buyers, one on one. NMDA marketing specialists Juan Sanchez and David Lucero – both of whom are fluent in English and Spanish – will be on hand to make introductions and help translate. The programs they work with can benefit ranchers of all backgrounds, regardless of exporting experience. “We have 10 buyers interested in Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Santa Gertudis, and Brangus breeds,” Sanchez said. “Along with these buyers, we’ve invited Jose Luis Gabilondo from the Santa Teresa Livestock Export Facilities and Bilo Wallace, Jr. from the Columbus Livestock Export Facilities, to attend and answer questions about exporting livestock into Mexico.” Sanchez said ranchers are encouraged to bring their business cards, catalogs, photos, Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs), DVDs, etc. NMDA will have two laptops available so ranchers can show their digital content. Ranchers need not be members of New Mexico Cattle Growers Association to talk with potential buyers in the International Room, but they must register for the 2015 New Mexico Joint Stockmen’s Convention taking place at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North. Ranchers who cannot attend the Joint Stockmen’s Convention can get in touch with Sanchez by calling 575-646-4929 or emailing jsanchez@nmda.nmsu.edu. At a separate booth, NMDA invites livestock scale owners to register with their email address so they can receive information related to livestock scale inspections. Other departmental information will also be available at NMDA’s booth. For more information about NMDA and its programs and services, please visit www.nmda.nmsu.edu.

Water Banking Workshop Brings Stakeholders Togeth

Water Banking Workshop Brings Stakeholders Together by Catherine Ortega Klett, Program Manager On November 12, 2015, the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute hosted a one-day workshop in Las Cruces to learn more about the possibility of establishing a water bank in the Lower Rio Grande in southern New Mexico. The workshop was sponsored by several Lower Rio Grande water users including PNM, City of Las Cruces, New Mexico Farm Credit, New Mexico Pecan Growers, Southern Rio Grande Diversified Crop Farmers Association, Camino Real Regional Utility Authority, New Mexico State University, a USDA grant, and NM WRRI. Over 100 stakeholders participated in the workshop including farmers, local water-user groups, faculty and students, state water agency staff, legislators, and other interested individuals. Workshop participants were eager to hear from groups that have successfully addressed the effects of groundwater pumping on surface water depletion through the establishment of a water bank or through other similar and flexible mechanisms. Several states such as Kansas and Nebraska have established water banks. Representatives from those states spoke at the workshop and described how they implemented successful water banks in their area. University of Arizona Professor Bonnie Colby, an expert on voluntary, incentive-based arrangements to improve water supply reliability and reduce regional economic losses during drought, described how to develop a system to trade water. NMSU Professor Frank A. Ward specifically addressed drought adaptation in the Rio Grande Basin through water banking. An executive summary of the workshop is being prepared and will be posted on NM WRRI’s website. Slide presentations from the workshop are available on the NM WRRI website under the Conferences tab at: http://nmwrri.nmsu.edu/.

Salinity, Invasive Plants, and the Soil Water Supply

Salinity, Invasive Plants, and the Soil Water Supply by Geno A. Picchioni, New Mexico State University The soil water supply is the hidden but indispensable component of our water budget. In the southwestern U.S., long-term drought, soil salinity, and land-use intensification have increased the risk of invasive plants that cause economic and environmental harm to ecosystems, including the alteration of the soil water supply. Preventing the spread of invasive plants by predictive and preventative practices is considered to be the most economically and environmentally viable approach for control, but the approach is hindered by limited ability to forecast early stages of plant invasions. There is growing appreciation for the role of salinity in regulating plant species populations on semiarid lands, but research is lacking to address this hypothesis. Better understanding of the relationship between salinity and the spread of invasive plants could fill hard data gaps in the literature and have a positive influence on land and water management decisions for rangelands, riparian zones, grazing, crops, dairies, and the oil and gas industry. We have investigated the salinity responses of a unique plant taxon, Lepidium, in greenhouse and growth chamber experiments. Two member species, L. latifolium (perennial pepperweed) and L. draba (white top), have earned their reputations as alien aggressive invaders throughout much of the western U.S. with anecdotal accounts in the literature classifying them as salt-tolerant. A third species, L. alyssoides (mesa pepperwort), is indigenous to New Mexico and our earlier research revealed its potential to become invasive on salt-affected landscapes. In the current study, the salt tolerance of all three species equaled or exceeded that of salt-tolerant cotton despite their combined leaf sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) concentrations reaching halophytic proportions of 7% to 13% with no characteristic signs of leaf injury. Species such as those in our study appear to exploit high leaf Na and Cl in ways that other plant species cannot and they shed their high-salt leaf litter to the ground at the expense of the other species to intensify the invasive cycle. By “engineering” a site to fit their needs, salt-tolerant invasive plants can significantly alter vegetation diversity by changing the soil water supply and quality. The broad impact of the findings is in application to the larger diversity of invasive plant species to aid in the understanding of factors that govern invasions, to strengthen predictive and preventative measures, and to preserve the quality and supply of soil water in semiarid regions. The NM WRRI just published a technical completion report of a project by Picchioni, Hooks, Schutte, and Daniel, Drought, Salinity, and Invasive Plants: A New Model for Sustainable Water Management. Click here to view NM WRRI Technical Completion Report No. 368. The project was funded by the NM WRRI and the New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station Rangeland Ecosystems Program.

New Mexico University Researchers Assess Water Supply Challenges

New Mexico University Researchers Assess Water Supply Challenges by Catherine Ortega Klett, Program Manager In 2014, New Mexico’s State Legislature funded a New Mexico Universities Working Group to look at the state’s water supply vulnerabilities. The Group was asked to (1) assess the current status of water supply and demand after years of severe drought in New Mexico; (2) put the current drought into long-term context with reduced surface water, groundwater depletions, and economic activity; and (3) develop a list of vulnerabilities and promote policy strategies to mitigate these vulnerabilities. The research focused on the Lower Rio Grande. Researchers from the three major research universities in New Mexico participated in the study and included both water and social scientists. The Group included Janie Chermak, UNM Professor of Economics; David Gutzler, UNM Professor of Earth & Planetary Sciences; Peggy Johnson, Principal Hydrogeologist with NM Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources at NM Tech; J. Phillip King, NMSU John Clark Distinguished Professor in the Civil Engineering Department; and UNM Bureau of Business and Economic Research Professor Lee Reynis. The researchers were assisted by several undergraduate and graduate students. The Group's final report to the Interim Committee on Water and Natural Resources was presented on August 31, 2015. The report includes an executive summary with key findings, recommendations, and principal vulnerabilities. Click here to view the report in its entirety.

Maximizing Efficacy from POST Herbicides for Palmer Amaranth – Application Time of Day By Garret Montgomery, UTcrops News Blog

With the weather finally looking like it will give us a break, many people are gearing up to spray. Most folks are aware of the effect that time of day of application can have on glufosinate (Liberty, Cheetah, etc…) and how to maximize the effects of this herbicide. In a recent test we found that application time of day can also affect many of the PPO herbicides (Flexstar, Prefix, Ultra Blazer, Cobra, etc…) that are commonly utilized for controlling Palmer amaranth. In recent trials we examined Flexstar, Cobra, Ultra Blazer, Resource, Cheetah (glufosinate), and Cheetah Max (premix of glufosinate and fomesafen) applied at sunrise, noon, and sunset on to 3-6 inch tall Palmer. With Cheetah, we saw the same effect as with past trials using Liberty where Palmer amaranth control drastically decreased at the sunrise and sunset applications in comparison to the application that was made around noon. With the PPO herbicides we saw a similar, but less drastic effect. Control at the noon application timing was 10-15% better than at sunrise and 5-10% better than at sunset. Of these herbicides, Cobra, Flexstar, and UltraBlazer provided the best control of this size Palmer amaranth. The most notable result from this study is that though we saw less Palmer amaranth control with glusfosinate and fomesafen when applied early and late in the day compared to noon, this was not the case when the two herbicides were tankmixed together. A tankmix of glufosinate and fomesafen (Cheetah Max) provided similar control when applied at all three timings. We also saw significant injury from each of these herbicides (15-25%). Out of the herbicides mentioned above, Cobra caused the greatest amount of injury. Injury from Cobra was about 5% worse than Flexstar and just slightly worse than that of Ultra Blazer. The premix did not increase injury in comparison to the PPO herbicides alone. In conclusion, be mindful of the characteristics of the herbicides you are using. Maximizing the efficacy of these herbicides on Palmer amaranth is always important. This is even more the case this spring which has proven to be very challenging. Remember that if you are using just a PPO herbicide or glufosinate alone to control Palmer amaranth that efficacy will be maximized by waiting until the middle part of the day. If you have the option, combining glufosinate with a herbicide like fomesafen can be a very effective way of improving Palmer amaranth control.

Researchers identify a key molecule in nitrogen-fixing bacteria By University of Massachusetts

Molecular biologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst who study nitrogen-fixing bacteria in plants have discovered a "double agent" peptide in an alfalfa that may hold promise for improving crop yields without increasing fertilizer use. In the current early online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, lead author and postdoctoral researcher Minsoo Kim, former undergraduate student Chris Waters, and professor Dong Wang of UMass Amherst's biochemistry and molecular biology department, with colleagues at the Noble Foundation in Oklahoma, report that alfalfa appears to use an advanced process for putting nitrogen-fixing bacteria, rhizobia, to work more effectively after they are recruited from soil to fix nitrogen in special nodules on plant roots. As Wang and Kim explain, legumes attract nitrogen-fixing bacteria to their roots from the surrounding soil. Once inside the host plant, rhizobia form nodules on its roots and the plant starts to transform the bacteria into their nitrogen-fixing state. In return for borrowing the rhizobia's essential enzymes that turn nitrogen into useful ammonia, the plant gives the bacteria fixed carbon, the product of photosynthesis. In alfalfa, this transformation of bacteria is called differentiation, which Wang likens to domestication, because it makes the bacteria reliant on their plant host. "They are no longer wild and able to live outside the plant," he says. "I think of it as analogous to domestication of animals by humans." He adds, "Bacteria that can no longer proliferate as free-living individuals are a bit like slaves at that point, living to serve the plant." At the molecular level, plant peptides found exclusively in the nodule, known as NCR peptides, act on the bacteria in the differentiation process. By studying this differentiation processes in an alfalfa-clover, Medicago truncatula, the researchers discovered that one of these peptides, DNF4, also known as NCR211, can act as a sort of double agent, Wang says. DNF4 supports nitrogen-fixing bacteria when inside the plant, but its actions can kill free-living bacteria outside. "At first sight, it may appear perplexing that DNF4/NCR211 supports the survival of differentiating bacteria in plants while also blocking free-living bacteria from forming colonies in culture," Wang and Kim write. However, the two activities may actually reflect similar action by NCR211 on bacteria in different physiological states. The dual effect of DNF4/NCR211 may reflect a mechanism to ensure that the rhizobia stay in a properly differentiated state, say the authors. Host control of bacteria differentiation has evolved in multiple lineages of legumes, indicating a possible fitness benefit to the host plant. Furthermore, nodules with differentiated bacteroids returned more benefit to the host. Curiously, the legume with the most economic value, soybean, doesn't seem to have evolved this strategy, opening possible avenues to improve their yield. Wang says, "We haven't solved it all yet," but discovering NCR211 peptides that maintain bacterial survival inside host cells may turn out to be a key factor in future efforts to improve legume crops without using more fertilizer, which would be an important advance for farming in developing countries and organic farming in the developed world. "Next we want to find out why this peptide helps the bacteria inside the plant, but it can kill free-living bacteria outside the plant. Why does one molecule function as a double agent?" Wang says that in a companion study also appearing in PNAS, Price et al. at Brigham Young University recovered a bacterial peptidase capable of degrading host NCR peptides. "This collection of discoveries demonstrates the evolving nature in controlling bacterial differentiation in classical host-microbe mutualism," Wang and Kim conclude. Funding for this work was from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

EPA withdraws registration for Dow's Enlist Duo herbicide By Reuters November 30, 2015 | 7:02 am EST

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on Wednesday it had pulled its approval of Dow Chemical Co's new herbicide Enlist Duo as the agency studies new information regarding the product's impact on non-target plants. The EPA approved the herbicide for sale and use in several U.S. states more than a year ago, but later found that its assessment of the product's two active ingredients was incomplete. Enlist Duo, developed by Dow Chemical's Dow AgroSciences unit, is among a group of next generation herbicides designed to combat weeds resistant to glyphosate, a widely used herbicide in the United States and the active ingredient of Monsanto Co's Roundup. Enlist Duo, which combines an herbicide component known as 2,4-D with glyphosate, is meant for use on corn and soybeans that have been genetically altered to tolerate it while killing surrounding weeds that can drag down crop yields. The EPA said it discovered claims by Dow AgroSciences - the registrant of Enlist Duo - in its patent filings that the two active ingredients work better in combination, according to a court filing seen by Reuters. The EPA's study had assumed the components did not have such "synergistic effects." "The information suggests that EPA's analysis may have understated the phytotoxicity of the product, therefore EPA can no longer be confident that Enlist Duo will not cause risks of concern to non-target organisms, including those listed as endangered," the court filing said. Dow Chemical said it was working with the EPA to provide further assurances for Enlist and it expects a "prompt resolution of all outstanding issues." Rival seed and agrochemical company Monsanto Co, said it is not worried that its next generation herbicide platform Xtend, which combines the herbicide dicamba with glyphosate, would be similarly targeted by EPA. "Monsanto's patent submissions have not made claims of synergistic activity between glyphosate and dicamba. We believe we have submitted a regulatory data package that supports approval of our product," Monsanto spokesperson Sara Miller said.

Statement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Rural America at a Glance, 2015 Edition

Statement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Rural America at a Glance, 2015 Edition WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2015—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement on Rural America At A Glance, 2015 Edition, an annual report by USDA's Economic Research Service: "Today's report reflects a rural America on the road to recovery. Rural employment has increased; rural population decline did not increase over the past year and some rural counties have seen population growth; and the rural child poverty rate has declined by one percentage point. These trends are promising. "The report also demonstrates the continued need for targeted investments in rural people and places. USDA's nutrition programs, the StrikeForce Initiative for Rural Growth and Opportunity, and the Rural Impact effort, which focuses on a multi-generational approach to public and private investments in rural families and communities, work together to address persistent rural poverty, particularly among children. At the same time, the Administration continues to look for innovative ways to spur rural job and business growth, including expanding access to credit and capital through USDA's Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund and the Rural Business Investment Companies, and the Small Business Administration's commitment to increasing credit to rural small businesses by $2 billion. "Collectively, these investments work to attract and retain a talented rural labor force, make rural communities more competitive, and support the businesses and families that call America's rural areas home." The Rural America at a Glance, 2015 Edition report can be viewed at http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib-economic-information-bulletin/eib-145.aspx. To see how USDA has invested in rural communities across the country, visit www.usda.gov/opportunities. #

Resilience in New Mexico Agriculture

Editors note: It is not to late you can just show up on Wednesday and register on site. However you should call NM first so they can adjust the head count for lunch. I know the timing is hard but I think this meeting will be worth while but it hinges on REAL agriculture producers attending. Resilience in New Mexico Agriculture The New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service and New Mexico First will hold a series of regional meetings designed to bring together a diverse group of agriculture stakeholders to identify industry trends, challenges, and solutions. Why? A resilient New Mexico food and agriculture system capable of withstanding new challenges and advancing to new successes will require both a strong export-oriented commodity agriculture sector and a robust local food system of small and medium-sized family farms and ranches. These meetings will kick off a series of events that will lead to a statewide resiliency plan that will: • Create common ground regarding food and agriculture policies • Generate ideas for more economic value for producers and economic vitality for communities • Develop strategies to support young people who want to stay with or get back into agriculture • Address water, land-use, climate and economic challenges facing the agricultural industry • Support agriculture’s contributions to health-related solutions for consumers and communities • Contribute to worker, consumer, and community welfare Who should attend? • Farmers and ranchers • Commercial producers & marketers (e.g., process, store, distribute or market agricultural products) • Educators & researchers • Government employees (e.g., extension agent, water and environmental policy, food safety, etc.) • Financial lenders & grant makers (e.g., banker or philanthropist) • Advocates • Policymakers • Consumers A local regional meeting will be held at the following: Roswell December 2, 2015 Check-in: 9AM Meeting: 9:30AM-12PM Lunch: 12PM Roswell Convention & Civic Center 912 N. Main St. Roswell, NM Agenda: Welcome Meeting Overview Table Group Discussions: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions Full Group Review: Prioritize Solutions Closing Lunch will be served To Register: There is no registration fee, but space is limited and food needs to be ordered, so reserve your seat now! Please go to the following link to register for the event: http://chaves-extension.nmsu.edu/ Confirmation/Cancellation Registrants will receive confirmation materials by email. Space is limited at each meeting, therefore if you find you cannot attend, please send someone in your place, or let us know so we can give your seat to someone on the waiting list (New Mexico First - 505-225-2140). For Additional Information Please contact: Sandra Barraza at the Chaves County Extension Office in Roswell at 575-622-3210 or New Mexico First in Albuquerque at 505-225-2140 or your Local County Agent.

Webinar: Increasing Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment

Webinar: Increasing Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Tuesday, December 8, 2015 | 2–3:30 p.m. Eastern Time SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), in collaboration with the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), invites you to join an important webinar to discuss health insurance enrollment during the 2015–2016 open enrollment period for the state Health Insurance Marketplaces. The webinar will explore “how to” examples for expansion and nonexpansion states targeting prevention, treatment, and recovery in community-based organizations. Specific attention will be given to strategies for enrolling individuals with substance use disorders. The webinar will draw upon the expertise of several national and community-based recovery organizations to discuss the ways in which they are addressing the specific needs of individuals with substance use conditions. The goals are to help individuals understand and enroll in health insurance coverage to gain access to needed care. Speakers include: • Kana Enomoto, Acting Administrator, SAMHSA • Michael Botticelli, Director, ONDCP, The White House • Tom Hill, Acting Director, CSAT, SAMHSA Register for the Webinar

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

The following CES publication has been revised and is now available online in PDF format. Guide E-215: High-Altitude Cooking Revised by Nancy C. Flores (Extension Food Technology Specialist, Dept. of Extension Family and Consumer Sciences) And Cindy Schlenker Davies (County Program Director/Extension Home Economist, Bernalillo County Extension Office) http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_e/E215.pdf

Embrace the water availability debate or else?

Embrace the water availability debate or else? BEEF Magazine Wes Ishmael “Our nation cannot exist without agriculture and agriculture cannot exist without dependable and affordable water supplies. … If competition for limited water resources harms agriculture, then society as a whole suffers consequences as measured by scarcity, increased costs to consumers, and increased dependence on foreign food sources with the attendant risks to our national security.” That statement was among the overriding conclusions reached by a group of agricultural landowners assembled by the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management (KRIRM) in 2012. Collectively, this group manages more than 5 million acres of ranchland and crop ground across the U.S. It was charged with addressing the single topic of water strategy. “Ultimately, water will be limiting in all respects unless we learn to do a lot more with a lot less, learn to reuse, and reuse more and more, and to manage our way to a sustainable water future,” explained Jay Famiglietti at this year’s annual meeting of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, which focused on water and the future of agriculture. He is senior water scientist for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. In a TED Talk video, Famiglietti explained that no one individual can simply end the growing water crisis here and around the world. “It’s too big. It’s too complex. We can’t beat it down or conquer it. We’ve passed too many tipping points with respect to climate change, population growth and human behavior to able to turn this very complicated situation around,” Famiglietti says. “But I firmly believe with shared vision, with the leadership and commitment of governments — our government and those around the world — and with public and private partnerships, [that] if we work together, we can manage our way to ensure a sustainable water future.” Here’s what sticks out when you read the white paper developed by the KRIRM group: The water crisis agriculture faces is about all water users. The paper, “Agricultural Water: Protecting the Future of Our Nation,” is essential reading for today. “As these experienced agriculturists identified the most critical water resources priorities, their deliberations quickly turned to strategies needed to prioritize adequate water supplies for all users,” according to the paper. “The deliberations did not focus on specific industry or regional issues, but intentionally concentrated on comprehensive issues more likely to affect all water users.” Ultimately, the KRIRM group identified three priority issues: water supply, water resource stewardship and long-term water policy. Recommendations from the group revolve around these points: effectively use existing water resources; responsibly increase water supplies; encourage continued investment in water infrastructure; protect water rights ownership; and incentivize innovation and private investment in water resource management. “Those who prepared this paper firmly believe that our nation’s current water policies do not adequately allow for the water supply, infrastructure and stewardship required to support the agricultural community, much less an economically balanced, secure and environmentally sound nation,” say the KRIRM group authors. “The agricultural community knows the perils of bad policy and that we cannot wait for others to provide timely solutions,” the authors continue. “Wise, creative, cooperative and practical solutions that assure water supplies are desperately needed, and are needed very soon. But this nation has the people who can provide direction and who will take action. This document is presented to help provide positive direction and a blueprint for constructive action.” “The 21st-century American water wars have nothing to do with water,” says Aubrey Bettencourt, California Water Alliance executive director. “I would say the root challenge to the ongoing debates in these arenas is the societal shift from an agrarian society and agrarian majority to a consumer majority, that the new relationship between the reactive agrarian minority and the susceptible consumer majority increasingly determines the outcomes of water policies.” “Population growth and the trend to urbanization will continue to affect agricultural water supplies,” say the KRIRM authors. “In most of the U.S., there are no new sources of unused water, so growing cities increasingly reach out at greater and greater distances to take water currently used by agriculture. Approximately half of the population growth in coming decades is projected to occur in Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas, all regions that produce a huge portion of our domestic food supply.” “The future of American agriculture depends on water availability, and water availability depends on being an advocate,” Bettencourt says. At this year’s NIAA meeting and in a subsequent white paper, Bettencourt emphasized, “As an industry, we must get ahead of the mandates and regulations, embrace and pioneer water use technology wherever beneficial … It’s time to speak with authenticity, confidence, gratitude and persistence. Say what you want to say. Say it clearly. Say it with confidence … Represent the industry with confidence.” The KRIRM white paper is a good starting point. The purposes of the white paper are to: • call on landowners and agricultural producers to engage at all levels and proactively lead in the strategic development of solutions to the long-term water issues facing our nation • voice the urgency sensed by the agricultural community on water issues • reach out to the greater community on the critical and urgent need for wise water resource planning and management • urge sound policy development in local, state, and national forums “The general public does not know what agriculture producers know, in part because there is little incentive to know,” KRIRM authors say. “Water and food are more abundant, cheaper and convenient than at any time in human history. The vast majority of the U.S. population does not know what goes on beyond the water faucet and the grocery store,” the KRIRM paper stresses. “Only agricultural producers can tell the whole story firsthand and have both the knowledge base and the need to do so. With only 2% of the U.S. population directly involved in production agriculture and only 1% in full-time farming, there needs to be a concerted effort to provide future generations the enhanced understanding of the social, economic, national security and environmental benefits of agriculture, and the stewardship required to preserve and grow these unique communities and ecosystems.” Obviously, the nation’s water crisis — let alone that of the world — didn’t begin with the current drought still pistol-whipping the West, or the one tentatively erased by historic rains in the Southern Plains. It won’t end if the predicted El Niño brings a long wet spell. “The urban dweller, whose very existence depends on the agricultural producer’s ability to manage the brunt of Mother Nature’s most severe challenges, whether expressed as drought, blizzard or swarming insects, might be excused from knowing the story unless it is told and told well,” say authors of the KRIRM paper. “Those who are not on the front lines of these battles do not know how close the contest has become. Hence, the agricultural producer must not only have a seat at the water policy table, but also fulfill the responsibilities that come with that role.” To read the KRIRM white paper, go to www.krirm.tamuk.edu/content/uploads/2014/12/agriculturalwater_whitepaper.pdf +++++++++++++++++

Timely manure incorporation should be top 'poo' priority

Timely manure incorporation should be top 'poo' priority By Randy Pepin, University of Minnesota Extension November 24, 2015 | 11:06 am EST What manure management practice, when performed correctly, will help farmers obtain the highest economical return from the manure? Which practice will help protect the environment the most? Is it filling out the required paperwork, annually sampling each manure source, taking soil tests at least once every four years for each field, recording all nutrient related activities for each field, calibrating manure applicators/spreaders? Alternatively, is it compiling soil grid maps, applying manure based on crop nutrient needs, using proper manure pit agitation, completing manure incorporation soon after application, utilizing a nitrogen stabilizer, or some other practice? These are all important activities that either aid in utilizing the nutrients in manure or help comply with regulations. Some of these activities are required on many farms depending on its animal unit size and/or additional local ordinances. Paperwork and record keeping maintain a history of all these activities for compliance but also provide farm management tools. Sampling of soil and manure provide us information on how to manage these components. Calibrating equipment and proper agitation of pits help ensure even and correct distribution of the nutrients in manure. Calculating the appropriate amount of manure to apply based on crop needs and considering use of a nitrogen stabilizer when needed help to ensure the application of manure is adequate, not over applied, and is potentially available for the next crop. All of the practices in the previous paragraph are important and necessary for properly managing manure. However, there is one practice that when not performed properly can cause substantial economic loss and can potentially lead to environmental issues; timely and adequate incorporation of all manure into the soil. The economic loss from not incorporating manure is mainly from nitrogen losses due to volatilization illustrated by the accompanying chart. In the case of dairy manure, only 20% of the nitrogen is available for the first year's crop without timely manure incorporation, compared to 50 to 55% availability if properly and quickly incorporated into the soil. Is the difference between 20% and 55% nitrogen availability very significant? After all, it takes time to incorporate so soon after application. Manure N Availability Year available Broadcast incorporation timing Injection None 12 to 96 hrs. <12 hrs. Sweep Knife % of total Nitrogen available per year Beef Year 1 25 45 60 60 50 Year 2 25 25 25 25 25 Dairy Year 1 20 40 55 55 50 Year 2 25 25 25 25 25 Swine Year 1 35 55 75 80 70 Year 2 15 15 15 15 15 Poultry Year 1 45 55 70 NA NA Year 2 25 25 25 NA NA Hernandez, Schmitt. 2012. Manure Management in Minnesota, University of Minnesota Extension. Let us study a couple of dairy situations. We will assume a typical dairy liquid manure analysis (each farm's manure source should be individually sampled annually) of 23% N, 12% P2O5, and 25% K2O applied at a rate of 12,000 gallons per acre. Utilizing commercial fertilizer prices for fall 2015 and using the University of Minnesota "What is Manure Worth Spreadsheet", the total value of this manure is about $200 per acre. If application costs are $100 per acre, the net manure value is around $100 per acre. If we do not incorporate that same manure within 4 days, it reduces the value of the manure about $50 per acre due to nitrogen losses. That is a $5,000 loss for each 100 acres of liquid manure applied. Let us examine pen-pack manure with a typical analysis of 15% N, 7% P2O5, and 17% K2O applied at a rate of 12 tons per acre. When incorporated within 12 hours, the total nutrient value is about $170 per acre. If application cost of pen-pack manure is about $60 per acre, the net value is about $110 per acre. If incorporation of this pen-pack manure occurs after 4 days, it has a total value of about $130 per acre; when subtracting application costs of $60 per acre it nets a value of $70 per acre. That is a loss of $40 per acre or $4,000 for each 100 acres of pen-pack manure applied. Chances are that most farmers already have the equipment necessary for incorporation of manure; it is usually a labor issue. Of course, it is not possible to incorporate manure on frozen or snow covered ground. What is the environmental issue? Any phosphorus that reaches any surface water is an environmental problem. Locally we witness blue-green algae blooms from excess phosphorus. The Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone at the Mississippi mouth is from excess phosphorus and nitrogen. How do we lessen the environmental risk of phosphorus in our manure? When manure is on top of the soil, we expose the phosphorus enabling it to wash away during any rain or snowmelt event, even without soil erosion. When soil phosphorus levels are near normal levels (21 ppm Bray 1-P or 16 ppm Olson), most of the phosphorus attaches to soil particles within days after incorporation into the soil. The objective then is to incorporate manure into the soil as soon as possible after application. The conclusion is that rapid and proper incorporation of manure into soil can potentially save us considerable money on nitrogen fertilizer expenses and will have a major effect on reducing phosphorus entering our surface water, which is an environmental issue.

A deal that was expected to save crop insurance programs from $3 billion in cuts may now be in jeopardy.

Editor's note: The following article was originally published on the Texas Farm Bureau Federation website. A deal that was expected to save crop insurance programs from $3 billion in cuts may now be in jeopardy. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California have indicated they were not part of the agreement House Ag Committee Chairman Mike Conaway announced at the end of October. That agreement was supposed to save crop insurance from the cuts included in the Bipartisan Budget Act at a later time through an omnibus bill. The deal appears to have been struck with retired Speaker John Boehner rather than current Speaker Paul Ryan. After the announcement of a “deal” to save crop insurance, legislators introduced several bills in both the House and the Senate that would strip up to $24 billion from the crop insurance program. If the bills are passed and crop insurance is cut, farmers and families across the nation will suffer the consequences. “The last farm bill was over a year ago. Agriculture took about $23 billion in cuts. About the only thing we were going to be able to hold onto, they said, was crop insurance,” TFB President Russell W. Boening said in an interview with the TFB Radio Network. “Now, they’re coming back a year or so later and wanting to go into crop insurance—the one thing we had left, really. Congress cannot balance the federal budget on the back of the American farmer.” Without crop insurance in 2011 and 2012, many farmers would have suffered much bigger losses. Some would have been forced out of the business altogether without a safety net. “A blow like that doesn’t just hurt the farmer,” Boening said. “It hurts rural businesses. It hurts industries that depend on agriculture.” Agriculture as a whole wouldn’t collapse immediately without crop insurance. But it would become much more volatile. “Whenever you can’t take out deep losses like when you have a drought, the volatility gets to be much more severe,” Boening said. “You will lose operations. You will lose family farms.” Some experts say that farmers should pay for their crop insurance without government subsidies. Boening explains that would still create market volatility, which would eventually hurt the American economy. “Farmers wouldn’t be able to afford it,” Boening said. “There’s no doubt about it. It’s marginal in some areas and on some crops already. If you had to pay the entire premium, you’d go without it. If you went without it, if you had a bad enough year, it would force you to close the doors. We would lose production that we desperately need to feed a hungry world.” Losing production in one part of the U.S. would affect American agriculture as a whole-especially in difficult crop years. For example, when the Corn Belt suffers from too much or too little rain, the corn growers in Texas and across the South are very important. Agriculture programs, as a whole, don’t take up much of the federal budget anymore. Proposed cuts to the programs that are left are just additional slashes to an already small piece of the pie. “I try to explain to them what it costs them in tax money. You can get it down to the average taxpayer pays pennies a day for crop insurance,” Boening said. “I think if the average consumer and taxpayer really studied it, at the end of the day, they would agree it’s a good investment for them.” Agriculture groups continue to meet with legislators in Washington, D.C. about the proposed cuts.

PLF sues again over feds stalling on Endangered Species Act petition

PLF sues again over feds stalling on Endangered Species Act petition November 24, 2015 Chris Kieser The Endangered Species Act allows interested persons to petition the Fish & Wildlife Service to delist or downlist species based upon relevant evidence. It also requires the Service to respond to such petitions in a timely manner. The Service is first obligated to issue an initial finding on each petition within 90 days of receipt, determining whether or not the petition “may be warranted.” If the 90-day finding is positive, the Service must make a final decision on whether to grant the petition within a year. But the Service often shirks its duty to respond to petitions. This case is a typical example. In July 2012, PLF filed a petition on behalf of our clients Jim Chilton, the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau, New Mexico Federal Lands Council, and Texas Farm Bureau to delist the gypsum wild-buckwheat and downlist the black-capped vireo, Kuenzler hedgehog cactus, lesser long-nose bat, and Tobusch fishhook cactus from endangered to threatened. After the Service didn’t make its 90-day finding in time, PLF sued in federal court to compel it to act. In September 2013, the Service belatedly found that PLF’s petition “may be warranted,” initiating the 12-month window to make a final decision. But once again, the Service has failed to comply with the Endangered Species Act’s deadlines. In this case, our petition was based entirely on the government’s own five-year status reviews conducted between 2005 and 2010 that recommended reclassifications of all five species. PLF and our clients presented no new evidence, but simply asked the Service to act on its own recommendations. All too often, the Service drags its feet and doesn’t act until it is threatened by litigation. These classifications are not academic to our clients; the listing status of these species has a significant impact on their property rights. And they are entitled under the statute to a decision on their petition in a timely manner. Therefore, we have asked a federal court in New Mexico to order the Service to make the required final decision. The complaint we filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico is here.

Gila diversion pact signed in D.C.

Gila diversion pact signed in D.C. Written by Benjamin Fisher on November 24, 2015 The U.S. Department of the Interior announced Monday afternoon that Secretary Sally Jewell signed the New Mexico Unit Agreement with the New Mexico Unit of the Central Arizona Project Entity, late in the day on the deadline date set forth by the Arizona Water Settlements Act. The executed agreement opens the door for a series of environmental reviews of a potential diversion of the Gila River. In a release, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science Jennifer Gimbel stressed that signing the agreement does not ensure a diversion, but greenlights the upcoming National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act and Historic Preservation Act review processes. These must be successfully completed before any final project could be approved. Those processes will not begin until the N.M. CAP Entity develops a 30 percent design of a proposed project. “No final decision has been made on the construction of a dam along the upper region of the Gila River, nor has any decision been made about any non-diversion alternative to a dam,” said Gimbel, who oversees the Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of the Interior agency that will lead the evaluation of alternatives for the New Mexico Unit of the Central Arizona Project. “Interior is ensuring that a robust review process will be completed under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and other environmental laws before a final decision is made. This review process will include early development of a full range of alternatives to meet water supply needs in southwestern New Mexico, which will inform the CAP Entity, Interior, and the public as analysis proceeds and will provide ample opportunities for public participation.” N.M. CAP Entity Chair Darr Shannon responded to the big news, saying simply, “The New Mexico CAP Entity will continue to move forward with diligence and integrity regarding the job we have before us.” Monday’s action comes after a lengthy period of negotiations between the N.M. CAP Entity — following their formation in August — and Interior regarding a list of supplemental terms required by Jewell, outlining the federal standards the project must meet and placing more responsibility on the CAP Entity. It also comes after the delivery of a petition signed by 5,400 opponents to a diversion, urging Jewell to not sign the agreement. Some of those opponents, while disappointed with the Interior secretary’s decision on Monday, were heartened by the importance placed on the upcoming environmental measures in the release. The Interior Department’s “decision today recognizes the concerns expressed by so many by requiring a rigorous federal review process,” said Beth Bardwell, Audubon New Mexico’s director of conservation, in a statement following the announcement. “A diversion cannot be built without clear demonstration of benefit, and financial, physical and environmental feasibility. This is a tall order for this project. The review process is more likely to lay a deep foundation for the eventual permanent protection of the Gila River.” “We support the action taken by Interior today to establish a robust review process for any proposed Gila River diversions,” Protect the Flows Co-director Craig Mackey said in a release. “The Gila River in New Mexico is habitat for bird species and wildlife, a paradise for outdoor recreation and tourism, and a strong economic driver for local communities and the state. Protect the Flows is committed to keeping the Gila River free and undammed, and we are thoroughly confident that the ensuing environmental review process will emphatically show that a diversion is not feasible environmentally or financially.” Others were not swayed in their belief that the diversion is wrong for southwest New Mexico. “People from all over the country have made their voices heard. They don’t want a Gila River diversion project that we can’t afford, that won’t efficiently meet our water needs, and will damage New Mexico’s last free-flowing river,” said Allyson Siwik, executive director of the Gila Conservation Coalition. “The Gila River diversion process has been riddled with secrecy, bad judgment, and waste. The eyes of the nation are looking on Secretary Sally Jewell to ensure an honest and rigorous environmental review and to ultimately do the right thing — protect the Gila River forever,” said Todd Schulke, co-founder of the Center for Biological Diversity. U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, long an opponent of the diversion, also shared his doubts that the government’s decision to continue with project planning was the right choice. “Based on everything I’ve seen so far, this project simply isn’t financially realistic or environmentally wise,” he wrote in a release Monday. “Given federal budget constraints, funding outside the Arizona Water Settlements Act is extremely unlikely. Further, many New Mexicans are rightly concerned about the extremely high cost of this project and the damage that it could do to our thriving tourism and sporting businesses. The Gila is the last free-flowing main-stem river in New Mexico — to sacrifice it to a project that the state can’t afford and that might not ever yield enough water, would be irresponsible. Those millions of dollars would be better spent to rebuild roads, bridges and the crumbling water infrastructure in communities across our state.” As a result of Monday’s agreement, the process continues, just another step toward a potential diversion and subsequent development of up to 14,000 acre-feet of water from the Gila and its tributaries that has been ongoing since the AWSA was approved in 2004. Once environmental assessments begin, they will be handled by the Department of the Interior through its Bureau of Reclamation, and the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission. The agencies will work to assess possible impacts and necessary mitigation, according to the Interior Department release: “The process will include extensive dialogue with and input from stakeholders and the general public. Topics for analysis in the review process will be addressed during public scoping, but will include impacts to fish and wildlife, hydrology, land use, economics, cultural resources, recreation, and ecosystem services. The agreement also calls for cost-benefit analysis of all alternatives in accordance with Federal Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines for Water and Land Related Resources Implementation Studies.” The N.M. CAP Entity was scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. today at the Grant County Administration Center. Look for full coverage of that meeting in Wednesday’s Daily Press. Benjamin Fisher may be reached at ben@scdailypress.com.

Statement from Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden on the Passing of Dr. D.D. Hardee, cotton boll weviel

Statement from Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden on the Passing of Dr. D.D. Hardee WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2015—Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today released the following statement on the passing of Dr. D.D. "Dick" Hardee, the research entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service who led the team that developed the boll weevil pheromone trap that helped eradicate the pest from the U.S. Cotton Belt: "As an internationally recognized entomologist, Dr. Hardee's work changed the cotton industry forever. Dr. Hardee will be remembered for his contributions to eradicating a costly insect from the United States. His legacy lives on in all of the cotton farmers across the Cotton Belt who still use the boll weevil trap today. My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Hardee's family and friends." # 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).

What Happened To My Pecans?

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 What Happened To My Pecans? Although fall can be a rare season weatherwise in Eddy County New Mexico, it is a season of great anticipation for pecan growers whether they have one tree or several thousand. Those of us who cherish such nuts know that the taste of that first fresh nut of the season (properly dried of course) is something to behold. However, many times the crop is lost long before we can ever harvest a single nut. The pecan is a most unique horticultural crop in that it stays on the tree from May until October and sometimes December?? 6 months ?? half a year ?? that's a long time! Another interesting characteristic is how the nut develops, that is, the nut is full sized by the end of July with absolutely no kernel inside. Hence, if growing conditions are favorable early in the season, one will have large pecans ?? then, if it turns dry later ?? the nuts will be poorly filled. So, although there are years when trees have super good nuts regardless of what we do, there are a lot more factors involved in production than meets the eye. Premature nut drop in summer may have been caused by a lack of pollination, insect damage and/or stress. Pecans require cross pollination, but with all the pecan trees around, it is rare for there to be a lack of pollen. However, unfavorable environmental conditions such as heavy rain or hot dry winds during bloom could cause pollination problems and result in nut drop when the nuts are small. Another common cause of early drop is insect damage. The first generation pecan nut casebearer can cause a lot of drop. Nuts with such damage will be characterized by an exit hole covered by frazz. There can be as many as three generations a year. Usually the first generation causes the most damage, but this can vary from year to year. Other insect feeding on the nuts before shell hardening will also cause the nuts to drop. Insect puncture by stink bugs will cause interior nut discoloration and later drop. Nuts which drop with no interior discoloration is caused by physiological drop or stress, that is, not enough water or too much. However, once the nut shell becomes hard ?? the nut will no longer drop from stress, rather the leaves drop resulting in little to no filling of the nuts. Poor shuck opening can be caused by either, third generation casebearer damage and/or stress. A common late season problem in many locations is casebearer. Such nuts will have black lesions which can be spongy. When one cuts into the lesion, one will find a small white larva or worm tunneling in the shuck. Early damage will cause shucks not to open and later damage causes poorly filled nuts. If the first generation is controlled this is usually not an issue. Excessive feeding by stink bugs will also cause nuts not to open. A similar shuck problem where the shucks will not open can be caused by stress. There are no apparent insect problems in the shuck and the kernel is usually shriveled. Such "stick?tights" are caused by drought and heat stress in September and October. Pecans require water right up until the time of shuck split to reduce this problem. Nuts sprouting in the shuck before harvest (vivipary) are also reduced by late season water and/or stress reduction. I have gotten some brought in this year mostly of different varieties than Western or Wichita. The problem seem to be in a few Burkerts, Pawnee, and Mohawk. A similar shuck problem where the shucks will not open can be caused by stress. There are no apparent insect problems in the shuck and the kernel is usually shriveled. Such "stick?tights" are caused by drought and heat stress in September and October. Pecans require water right up until the time of shuck split to reduce this problem. Nuts sprouting in the shuck before harvest (vivipary) are also reduced by late season water and/or stress reduction. Black spots on the kernels are caused by stink bugs feeding on the nuts after the shell hardened. The black spots on the kernels are bitter and inedible and can be severe in some years. However, the damage is undetected until the nuts are shelled. Such nuts can be salvaged by breaking off the spot if minor. Another common problem found at shelling is fuzz on the surface of the kernels. This fuzz is typically caused by stress such as drought. It is a very common problem on trees with too many pecans. Also nuts maturing on broken limbs generally have a lot of fuzz. So, when one asks the question: What happened to my pecans, the answer is usually not simple. Rather it is a combination of factors which caused the problem or problems. Poorly filled kernels can be caused by all of the following: crowded trees, overloaded tress, shallow soil, late summer drought stress, casebearer damage, stink bug damage, oversized nuts and poor nutrition. Thus, one can understand what a tremendous challenge pecan production can be for the commercial producers to produce quality nuts year in and out. Also, the price you have to pay for quality kernels should not seem unreasonable. 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.

FOREST SERVICE HOSTS COLLABORATIVE FOREST RESTORATION PROGRAM ANNUAL WORKSHOP, DECEMBER 8-9, 2015

FOREST SERVICE HOSTS COLLABORATIVE FOREST RESTORATION PROGRAM ANNUAL WORKSHOP, DECEMBER 8-9, 2015 The Southwestern Region of the US Forest Service is hosting the Collaborative Forest Restoration Program (CFRP) 2015 Annual Workshop on December 8-9, 2015. The Workshop will be held in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the Santa Fe Community College, 6401 Richards Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87508 (Jemez Rooms), phone: 1-505-428-1000. There is no cost to attend the workshop but participants are encouraged to register by clicking on the following link: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=dljzvhoab&oeidk=a07ebu2agpta15b758b. Since it began in 2001 The CFRP has awarded 193 grants totaling $58.6 million in federal funding for forest restoration projects in 20 counties across New Mexico. The CFRP Annual Workshop brings together CFRP grant recipients, their partners and other stakeholders to share their experiences and discuss accomplishments, challenges, and strategies to overcome barriers to the implementation of collaborative forest restoration projects. CFRP grants can be used for hazardous fuels reduction forest restoration and small diameter tree utilization projects on federal, tribal, state, county and municipal lands in New Mexico. To be eligible, grant applicants must use a collaborative process that includes a diverse and balanced group of stakeholders and appropriate government representatives to design, implement and monitor their project. Applications for this year are due January 25, 2016. The 2016 CFRP Request for Applications is posted on the following website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r3/workingtogether/grants/?cid=stelprdb5439207 . For more information on the 2015 Collaborative Forest Restoration Program Annual Workshop, please contact Walter Dunn at 505-842-3425. Walter Dunn, Program Manager Collaborative Forest Restoration/Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes Forest Service Cooperative & International Forestry, Southwestern Region p: 505-842-3425 c: 505-301-1291 f: 505-842-3165 wdunn@fs.fed.us 333 Broadway Blvd., SE Albuquerque, NM 87102 www.fs.fed.us Caring for the land and serving people

Statement from Secretary Tom Vilsack on Updated 2015 U.S. Farm Income Forecast

Statement from Secretary Tom Vilsack on Updated 2015 U.S. Farm Income Forecast WASHINGTON, Nov. 24, 2015 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today made the following statement: "As one growing season comes to an end and another lies on the horizon, USDA continues to seek out new and innovative ways to expand opportunity for America's farming families and support markets that will boost farm income. Roughly one in three American farm products are exported, but there is significant and as yet untapped opportunity in markets in Asia and Europe. By the end of the year, I will have met with key leaders in those regions to promote the benefits of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and further negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, as well as expanded access in China. Expanded trade will help to drive higher commodity prices, additional farm income and agribusiness jobs that ultimately generate more cash flow in rural economies and support local businesses on main street. "Thanks to its ability to remain competitive through thick and thin, American agriculture continues to enjoy some of the strongest years in our nation's history, supporting and creating good-paying American jobs for millions, and positioning the United States as a reliable supplier of high-quality goods for domestic and foreign markets alike. Overall, today's projections provide a snapshot of a rural America that continues to remain innovative, stable and resilient in the aftermath of the worst animal disease outbreak in our nation's history and as the western United States unloosens itself from the grip of historic drought. For example, today's projections indicate a rise in specialty crop receipts in 2015, while final farm income for 2014 was revised upward by $1.9 billion since August and $13.5 billion since February. Today's estimates also indicate that new 2014 Farm Bill safety net programs are working as intended and helping producers protect their operations from changes in the marketplace. "Since 2009, USDA, under President Obama, has made historic investments in rural America and American agriculture. Two-thirds of all rural counties gained jobs over the past year and the American economy overall has created 8 million jobs over the past 36 months, the fastest pace since 2000. USDA and the Obama Administration will continue to stand with America's farming families, small businesses and rural communities as they build a brighter future for our country on the land that they love." Full Forecast: http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-sector-income-finances/2015-farm-sector-income-forecast.aspx # 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).

WI: Second Wolf Incident Lends Credit To Wolf Attack Account

NEW MEXICO FEDERAL LANDS COUNCIL, fyi WI: Second Wolf Incident Lends Credit To Wolf Attack Account By Dean Weingarten Arizona – -(Ammoland.com)- Wolf attacks are extremely rare, less common than mountain lion or bear attacks in North America. It is not hard to understand skepticism about a hunter’s account of a wolf attack where he used a .380 pistol to successfully defend himself, in central Wisconsin. The pistol used was a Walther PK. The Department of Natural Resources investigated. They believed the account, but did not list it as a wolf attack, because there was no injury to the defending human. From americanhunter.org: The first wolf came in from the right, mouth open, fangs ready to rip into Nellesen’s leg. A swift kick from the man’s boot landed square on the wolf’s face and deflected the bite. “That first wolf missed my leg by 8-10 inches,” he said. The other two wolves weren’t far behind. As the next wolf leapt toward Nellessen, the man jumped back and was able to fire a single round into the animal. Nellessen was unsure of the lethality of the hit, but two wolves immediately retreated for the bush at the sound of the gunshot and the third limped away “like a gut-shot deer,” said Nellessen. Another account from the same area lends credibility to Nellesen’s story. A father and son were in the area for a youth deer hunt on October 10th, a little more than two weeks after the first incident. From outdoornews.com: That incident involved a father and son who had one wolf pass by them at about 10 feet and a following wolf come to within 5 feet before a shot was fired into the air, according to DNR Chief Warden Todd Schaller. Both incidents occurred in the Colburn Wildlife Management Area, which is located in Adams County, about 75 miles due north of Madison, Wisconsin. Nellessen says this about the classification of his incident as “not an attack”: “You do not have to be harmed to be attacked,” Nellessen said. “They can label it whatever they want to label it. I thought I was going to die and I had to defend myself. That first wolf’s teeth just missed my thigh. “I let the authorities know what happened. I took them to where it happened. I could have walked away and not said anything, but what if something would have happened to someone else? I had to report it. WI: Second Wolf Incident Lends Credit To Wolf Attack Account The Department of Natural Resources temporarily closed two of the parking lots for the management area. Traps were set for wolves, but none were caught. The DNR thought the incident serious enough that they had decided that any wolves caught would be euthanized. Wolf attacks were common in Europe, with wolf attacks woven into legend and history. Few wolf attacks have been documented in North America; there are no written records before the introduction of European civilization; certainly North American Indian legend considers wolves dangerous; but there are not “documented” attacks, as newspapers were non-existent. Bernal Diaz, in “The Conquest of Mexico” mentions “wolves” as among the predators that were fed human flesh by the Aztecs; but that is not an attack, as such. Most likely, attacks occurred, but simply were not recorded. With the arrival of Europeans, wolves were shot on sight, and quickly driven from areas that had established the rule of law. c2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included. Link to Gun Watch http://www.ammoland.com/2015/11/wi-second-wolf-incident-lends-credit-to-wolf-attack-account/#ixzz3sPpN9Pte

RESILIENCY IN NEW MEXICO FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

You can stop and do this on your way to Albuquerque for the NM Stockman meeting December 3-5. We have only one producer from Eddy County Signed up at this time. Your input is important! You can still register at nmfirst.org If you want a ride up I will be going up leaving the extension office at 7:30 am. I can pick up people on the way call the extension office to make arrangements. Will return as soon as you all are ready. December 2 ROSWELL civic center. Non agriculture special interest groups will be making their voice heard. Agriculture Producer need to attend to speak up as well. RESILIENCY IN NEW MEXICO FOOD AND AGRICULTURE What this project and survey are all about All of Our Hopes The project purpose is for us, as New Mexicans, to establish an in suppressible food and agriculture system capable of withstanding new challenges and advancing a strong and growing export-oriented commodity agriculture sector and a robust local food system of small to medium-sized family farms and ranches producing locally grown food to meet the growing consumer demand in the state for local food. Project Benefits A resilient New Mexico food and agriculture system built on a diverse network of producers, processors, distributors and markets will: • Create common ground regarding food and agriculture policies going forward. • Increase the economic value of agricultural products. • Generate more revenue for producers and economic development for communities. • Encourage young people to get back into the food and agricultural economy. • Foster and sustain pragmatic discussion to strengthen the state’s food and agricultural economy even when facing water, climate, and economic challenges. • Support the agricultural community in contributing to health-related solutions (e.g., nutrition education, access to healthy foods, community garden projects, etc.) What Can I Do To Contribute My Opinion To This Process? • I can take the survey provided here and now. • I can attend one of the town hall meetings listed on the back of this information sheet. • Mtg 9:30-12:00 + Lunch Agenda is well organized it will flow well and end on time. General discussion in small groups of 6-10 people Trends in Agriculture Challenges in Agriculture.

NMSU’s 52nd Quality Concrete School set for January

NMSU’s 52nd Quality Concrete School set for January DATE: 11/23/2015 WRITER: Linda Fresques, 575-646-7416, lfresque@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Craig Newtson, 575-646-3034, newtson@nmsu.edu New Mexico State University’s Engineering New Mexico Resource Network will start off the New Year with its 52nd annual Samuel P. Maggard Quality Concrete School that includes workshops and lectures covering various concrete-related topics. The Quality Concrete School will be held Jan. 8-9 for professional engineers and others involved in the construction industry to provide the latest technologies and information used in concrete applications. The workshops encompass a range of competency levels to accommodate those attending. Among the sessions offered will be pervious concrete, concrete overlays, new equipment, sampling and testing, polishing and concrete mix design. The Quality Concrete School is a combined effort by NMSU and the New Mexico Ready Mix Concrete and Aggregates Association. NMSU civil engineering professors and the New Mexico Ready Mix Concrete and Aggregates Association will facilitate the lectures and workshops. “Our main goal is simply to improve the quality of concrete construction and engineering industries in our region,” said Craig Newtson, professor of civil engineering at NMSU and chair of the school. The course will be held on the NMSU main campus in Las Cruces, New Mexico. For more information or to register, visit https://nmsuqualityconcrete.eventbrite.com. - 30 - Follow NMSU News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nmsunews Follow NMSU News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NMSUNews

2016 Intergerated Resource Managment books are available (Red Book)

For over 25 years, Eddy County Extension Service has supplied the IRM red book. Cattlemen have used the IRM Redbook to track the profitability of their cow-calf operations. These pocket-sized record books provide an effective way to keep better production records. The primary use of the IRM Redbook is to record calving information and daily production activities. The Redbook also provides over 100 pages to record calving activity, herd health, pasture usage and cattle inventory, plus an annual calendar and notes/address section. It offers special features, such as body condition scoring section, summary of death loss section, calving section and cattle treatment record. Included are Beef Quality Assurance national guidelines and proper injection technique information. As well as a pocket calendar. If you are an Eddy County Cattle Producer and would like on of these free of charge come by and pick it up, saves us from paying to mail it. Or you can call, or e mail and Robin will mail it to you. we only have 100; so if you are not an Eddy County Cattle Producer and want a book contact your local county extension office. They are also available from Farm Credit Service. I will have some with me at the Ag Resilience meeting in Roswell December 2nd as well. For those of you who are a computer use there is a computer excell spread sheet that you can transcribe your data to and make reports and gaffs. You can down load it for free at The spreadsheet features the same record keeping sections as the Redbook in an easy to use Excel format. To download the spreadsheet free of charge go to www.beefusa.org/CMDocs/BeefUSA/Resources/NCBA-Redbook-Worksheet-Excel-2007.xlsx

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

The following CES publication has been revised and is now available online in PDF format. Guide H-605: Training Young Pecan Trees Revised by Richard Heerema (Extension Pecan Specialist, Dept. of Extension Plant Sciences) http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/H605.pdf Guide E-319: Home Canning of Fruits Revised by Nancy C. Flores (Extension Food Technology Specialist, Dept. of Extension Family and Consumer Sciences) And Cindy Schlenker Davies (County Program Director/Extension Home Economist, Bernalillo County Extension Office) http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_e/E319.pdf Guide E-308: Canning Green Chile Revised by Nancy C. Flores (Extension Food Technology Specialist, Dept. of Extension Family and Consumer Sciences) And Cindy Schlenker Davies (County Program Director/Extension Home Economist, Bernalillo County Extension Office) http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_e/E308.pdf

IT IS ALMOST PECAN HARVEST TIME: HOW SHOULD YOU STORE THEM?

IT IS ALMOST PECAN HARVEST TIME: HOW SHOULD YOU STORE THEM? Pecan nuts harvested in the fall can retain their fresh condition during the next year or until consumed, if handled and stored properly. Good storage helps maintain the pecan’s quality. A good quality kernel is about 73–75% oil, 12–15% carbohydrates, 9–10% proteins, 3 to 4% water, and about 1.5% minerals. A high percentage of oil is indicated by plumpness, crispness, and solidity of kernels, compared with shriveling, sponginess, and hollowness. The high oil content of Pecans and the fact that it is highly unsaturated (93%), or cholesterol free, is one of the most important factors, along with water and temperature, impacting the storability of pecans. Because of the high oil content, rancidity can develop at warm temperatures and is more noticeable than in most other nuts. Pecan oil is 95% or more oleic and linoleic oils. Both the amount of oil and degree of saturation vary with geographical locations. Linoleic acid is the primary chemical component responsible for oxidation and rancidity in pecan kernels. Linoleic acid varies widely in different varieties of well matured and plump kernels, and it also varies from year to year in the same variety. From personal experience don’t make pie for poorly stored Pecans. Lowering the moisture content of pecan kernels is an important step for maximum storage life of pecans. Pecans are often harvested at moisture contents higher than desirable for storage. Pecans harvested early can contain 25–30% moisture which decreases when harvested latter. The ideal storage moisture for pecans is about 4% so lowering the moisture as soon as practical after harvesting is best. This prevents molding, discoloration, and breakdown of the oil. Shelled pecans stored at non-freezing temperatures should be maintained in an atmosphere of about 65–70% relative humidity to hold the 3–4% moisture content. Humidity above these values can cause kernel molding and pecan texture deterioration (pecans become soft and rubber-like), whereas lower humilities will cause excessive drying. In-shell pecan kernels will darken under high humidity as a result of the tannic acid being dissolved from the shell lining. For vacuum or gas packed pecans, or those stored under freezing conditions, relative humidity control is not necessary. Lower temperatures usually result in longer storage life of nuts. Pecan pieces have a shorter shelf-life than pecan halves. This time reduction is the result of more surface exposure of the pieces. Storage of nutmeat pieces should be limited to 1 or 2 months at temperatures about 32°F. The greatest benefit of storing at low temperature is retention of fresh flavor, followed by color, aroma and texture. Because pecan meats absorb odors and flavors readily from the surroundings, a storage area free of odoriferous materials and commodities is necessary. In-shell pecans can remain good for 4 months at 70°F, but can be stored successfully for 18 months at 32°F to 36°F. Storage life of in-shell nuts may extend to 5 years or more when stored at 0°F. An unbroken pecan shell is one of the best packages for kernels. But, an oil film will form from the broken areas of shelled pecans and spread over the kernels as rancidity develops. When taking nuts out of frozen storage, thaw kernels slowly; this is called tempering and involves gradually raising the temperature to 45°F or 50°F before exposing to a higher temperature. If the pecans are subjected to unusually high temperatures upon removal from storage, moisture will condense on the kernels. Therefore, a series of gradually increasing temperatures is desirable. The package for shelled pecans must be impermeable to oil. At home, pecan kernels may be kept in the refrigerator in a covered glass jar or in plastic bags. In-shell pecans can be stored at room temperature for a short period of time. Keep in a refrigerator, if so desired, to keep for longer than 4 months. 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.

Edward Joseph Walterscheid, passed.

Edward Joseph Walterscheid, 94, of W. Riverside Drive, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at his home.There will be no visitation, cremation has taken place. A Vigil and Rosary are scheduled for 6:00 PM, Friday, November 20, 2015 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2015, 11:00 AM, at St. Edward Catholic Church with Fr. Pasala Hruday Kumar officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors.Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Edward Joseph Walterscheid was born May 31, 1921 in Carlsbad, NM to William and Helen (Reinart) Walterscheid. He was a graduate of Carlsbad High School. Edward served his country in the Army Air Corp during WWII. He married Mary Lou Johnson September 27, 1946. After the war, Edward along with two brothers, Alfred and John L., formed Walterscheid Bros. Partnership. They farmed hay and cotton as well as running the dairy and were known for their innovation and leading technology, always being on the cutting edge in agriculture. In later years, Edward and his sons established Bar W Farms, which Edward remained actively involved with throughout his life. One of his greatest joys in life was his Saturday card games with his family and friends. Edward was a member of the Knights of Columbus, life member of St. Edward Catholic Church and charter member of Otis Farm Co-op. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Lou Walterscheid, 4 sisters and 7 brothers. Survivors are his children: Betty Sanders and husband, Jack of Richmond, Texas, Gary Walterscheid and wife, Jan of Carlsbad, NM, Jennie McIlvain and husband, Tom of Midland, Texas, Patti Crawford and husband, Dan of Katy, Texas, Steve Walterscheid and wife, Monica of Carlsbad, NM, Janice Massey and husband, Benny of Midland, Texas; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters: Margaret Green of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Pat Baker of Tucson, Arizona and numerous nieces and nephews Honorary pallbearers will be his nephew, Michael Walterscheid and grandsons: Darren Sanders, Michael Walterscheid, Jeff McIlvain, Jamie Walterscheid, Kevin McIlvain, Adam Walterscheid, Aaron Walterscheid, Chance Patton and David Walterscheid. Memorial contributions may be made to Lakeview Christian Hospice, 1905 W. Pierce Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220 or Jonah's House, 512 W. Stevens Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220 Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/currentargus/obituary.aspx?n=edward-joseph-walterscheid&pid=176557572&fhid=7151#sthash.zq28uhuT.dpuf

Restoration of Rio Grande flood plain underway

Restoration of Rio Grande flood plain underway By Ollie Reed Jr. / Journal Staff Writer Sunday, November 22nd, 2015 at 12:02am BOSQUECITO – Bouncing along the dirt road into the Rhodes property in Socorro County, just east of San Antonio, is like driving back into a time when rivers were unfettered, running wild and flooding freely. And that’s just the point. “This property has flooded four times during the last 10 years,” said Doris Rhodes, whose late father, state Sen. Virgil Rhodes, bought the land in 1980. “This road was under 2 feet of water a few years ago.” She said that like it’s a good thing, because she believes it is. Rhodes, along with the government and private partners she enlisted in her cause, has been working for 10 years to restore the property to the flood plain nature intended it to be. Phase I of the project is about done. Now Rhodes is marshaling forces and resources to start Phase II. An epiphany of geese On a day earlier this month, when the weather could not seem to decide if it wanted to shine, shower or just blow, Rhodes, her sister, Carol Jameson, and ecologist Gina Dello Russo led a small convoy of state and federal agency officials onto the Rhodes property, which runs along the east bank of the Rio Grande. “Dad called this the ranch, because he grazed cattle on it,” Rhodes said as the vehicle she was in crossed a cattle guard. “He was not really an environmentalist, but he had a vision of what this property should look like. He used a backhoe to clear some salt cedar. He recognized that salt cedar was depleting the water.” When her father died in 2005, Rhodes was prepared to sell the property. But driving over it one day, she saw geese crowding a lake created by river water that had backed over the banks and spread over a field. “It was an epiphany,” she said. “It came on me that this was conservation land. It has an important part in the ecology of the middle Rio Grande.” The property consists of 629 acres of deeded land, 200 acres of land leased from the state and 4,400 acres of land leased from the Bureau of Land Management. Restoration efforts have been centered on 516 acres of the deeded land, which for the past few years have been protected from development and livestock grazing by a conservation easement from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. It floods here because there are no levees along this east-side stretch of the river. In the 1950s, when levees were being built on the river, nothing on this side of the river was considered worth saving from floodwaters. When the river runs high out of Cochiti Dam in the spring, or, as was the case a few years ago, ice clogs the river, water backs onto the property, creating a marshy wetland of cattails that is splendid habitat for birds and other wildlife, and is a flashback to the way most of the river behaved before it was subdued by dams and corralled by levees. Down along the river here, there’s a thick forest of mature cottonwoods, more youthful stands of coyote and black willow, wet marsh grasses and, despite persistent efforts to remove it, salt cedar that has battled its way back to flaunt its resilience in shades of yellow and orange. It has been nearly eight years since cattle have been on this land. But Rio Grande turkey live here. So do grassland birds, deer, mountain lion and bear. Water birds winter here and neotropical song birds pass through during their migrations. On this blustery day, however, the only wildlife apparent were a couple of roadrunners sprinting in the distance. The convoy was made up of representatives of the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Audubon New Mexico. Rhodes and Dello Russo showed the visitors what has been accomplished during Phase I and explained what is planned for Phase II. A blooming success Phase I work included the planting of cottonwood, coyote willow and black willow; the creation of swales, land depressions designed to get newly planted trees closer to groundwater and to increase rainwater infiltration; the establishment of salt grass to combat weeds; and the planting of 65 acres of the endangered Pecos sunflower. The latter bloom brilliantly yellow in late summer and early fall but were just bare, brown stalks on this raw day. “The Pecos sunflower is certainly a success for us,” Dello Russo said. “Everyone that has seen them is impressed that we started with a sack of seeds that was smaller than a lunch bag.” Phase I efforts have been aided significantly by the Save Our Bosque Task Force, and funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ($433,000), state of New Mexico capital outlay funds ($150,000), the U.S. Department of Agriculture ($469,000), and a Partners for Fish and Wildlife Grant ($76,000). Now, Rhodes is seeking partners and funding for Phase II. Dello Russo said Phase II goals are two-fold. The first is to provide habitat for water birds, shore birds, the Southwestern willow flycatcher, the yellow-billed cuckoo and the Rio Grande silvery minnow. The second is to make better use of the water that floods the property. “We can provide additional, low-velocity water, backwater connected to the river, for the silvery minnow,” Dello Russo said. “This is still, open water that provides food and habitat for the minnow.” Secondly, Dello Russo said channels need to be created to get floodwater back to the river in a timely fashion. “Roads and berms artificially dam the property so that, when it floods, it stays flooded,” she said. When that happens, Dello Russo said, weeds and salt cedar flourish, and water that could be better used otherwise evaporates. “Channels would give the water a way to flow back into the river,” she said. “That’s a better use of the water for the habitat, and it gets water downstream to Texas.” Jennifer Faler, manager of the Albuquerque area office of the Bureau of Reclamation, was among those touring the Rhodes property. She said the bureau is enthusiastic about the Rhodes property restoration effort and the opportunity it presents to offset impacts on the environment, as required by federal law, caused by other bureau projects. “We are looking for flycatcher (habitat) opportunities and wetland opportunities,” Faler said. “Reclamation’s role would be to construct the (Rhodes) project. That’s right down our alley.” Benjamin Tuggle, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director for New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Arizona, was not part of the tour this month, but he knows the Rhodes property well and has championed the restoration from the start. “This is a wonderful way for us to re-establish a natural flood plain without spending millions of dollars,” he said. “This is an opportunity we might not see again on this river.”

The State Game Commission held their last meeting of the year

Thanks to Kerri Cox Romero from Outfitters and guides for the update! We missed the meeting due to our annual meeting. There was some great news from this meeting. The commission wants the SWAP to be redone! If you haven’t read this monstrosity Over 400 pages, it is one of the most anti Agriculture (Anti human) documents put out by the G&F. 10 years ago we fought hard against it, it came back and was still a mess. Hopefully we can clean it up and get the Grants G&F needs without hurting the industry in the process. Below you will find our summary of the most recent State Game Commission meeting as well as a brief update regarding the gross receipts taxes on landowner hunting permits issue. You can also locate this information on our website by clicking HERE. November 19, 2015 - Commission Meeting Re-cap The State Game Commission held their last meeting of the year in Roswell at the Pearson Auditorium, on the NMMI campus, on Nov. 19, 2015. The meeting was well attended by approximately 50 members of the public as well as State Representative Candy Ezzell. TESF Mexican Wolf Permit Appeal & Black Footed Ferret Permit Renewal Mike Phillips of the Turner Endangered Species Fund (TESF) made a lengthy presentation regarding why Turner Enterprises is appealing the June 2015 denial of their permit to breed and hold captive Mexican wolves, at the Ladder Ranch, for the purpose of future release into the wilds of NM and AZ. Mr. Phillips expressed the importance of the TESF in the efforts of recovering many endangered species in NM including desert bighorn sheep. He stressed that the continuance of the Turner facility is essential to the survival and subsequent recovery of the Mexican wolf as a species. He also stressed that the research and efforts taking place at the Turner facility should be considered separately of any Mexican wolf recovery plan issued by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. However, he emphasized that the Dept. should attempt to remain involved in providing best available science for the USFWS to refer to in their development of a new recovery plan. The Dept.’s attorney provided a rebuttal to Mr. Phillips presentation. Attorney Sayer gave a very complex, legal overview of why the Director was within her purview in denying the TESF permit application. The primary reason that the TESF Mexican wolf permit was denied is that the USFWS has failed to issue an update to their 1982 Mexican wolf recovery plan which states a wolf recovery of 100 wolves, a population that was met in 2015. Based on this recovery plan there is no longer a need to release captive bred wolves into the wild and therefore no need for a private landowner to be permitted to do so. The attorney indicated that the Commission only has grounds to overturn the denial of a permit if the Director did not act reasonably or acted outside of Dept. regulations. Since Director Sandoval acted parallel to the wishes of the Commission, which was within Dept. regulation, the Commission has not grounds to overturn the denial. The Commission agreed and upheld the denial. Separately of the wolf issue, TESF also provided a presentation to renew their permit to possess endangered black footed ferrets on the Vermejo Ranch. TESF has been actively involved, in conjunction with the US Fish and Wildlfe Service, in the recovery of the black footed ferret since the 1990s. The Dept. issues TESF an annual permit to possess black footed ferrets which must be renewed by the Commission each year. Because of this TESF has amended their permit for a 2 year issuance. The Commission agreed to this arrangement and voted unanimously to approve the permit. State Land Easement Agreement The Department provided a presentation regarding the ongoing negotiations with the Sate Land Office to secure an agreement to provide sportsman access for the 2016-2017 season. The most recent variables that have been agreed upon by the Dept. and the SLO include a fee of $1,000,000 to be paid by the Dept. with an agreement from the SLO to increase camping opportunities (locations and time frame) and designate vehicular access points on state lands through GPS waypoints to be posted on both the SLO and NMDGF websites. Additionally the “scouting” period of 7 days will be maintained in the agreement, and up to three guests may accompany each hunter, angler, or trapper on state trust lands. Public comment centered primarily on sportsman feeling that the actions taken by the SLO in initiating this access fee increase were unfair and unnecessarily pointed towards sportsman. People urged the Dept. to pay the SLO mandated fee of $1 million but argued they empathize that the Dept. is between a rock and a hard place. Most comments recommended the fee be paid this year but reassessed for subsequent years. Although no representatives from the State Land Office attended the meeting, the Commission voted 7-1 to approve (but with expressed reservations) the current easement negotiations. Commissioner Ramos voted against the motion. State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) Voted Down The Dept. provided a presentation to update the Commission on their efforts to revise the conservation plan that they must complete every 10 years, as a requirement of the federal government, to maintain funding for conservation of non-game species. The plan looks at species of greatest conservation need and takes into consideration climate change and other external factors that impact threatened and endangered species. During public comment a number of individuals expressed deep concern with the frequent negative references to the agricultural and oil & gas industries within the document and they urged the Commission to disapprove the SWAP. Ultimately the Commission agreed with the agricultural and oil & gas industries’ concerns. Every Commissioner expressed concerns with the wording of the document as well as the vast list of over 400 species of greatest conservation need. And although the SWAP is, supposedly, only to be used for reference, the Commissioners also expressed concern with the fact that other government agencies, in the past and presently, are using this document when determining the direction of wildlife policy. Commissioner Ryan made a motion to not approve the current draft of the SWAP. The motion passed by unanimous vote. The Commission also voted to approve the Director to request additional time from USFWS to submit the document and, if approved, to consult with participating stakeholder to revise the document. Oryx and Pronghorn Hunt Date Changes 2016-2019 The Dept. provided a presentation to discuss that the NMDGF public draw oryx and pronghorn hunts conflict with the White Sands Missile Range trinity site tours. The Dept. is proposing to move the hunts out to one week later for the next rule cycle dated 2016-2019. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the date change. Valles Caldera Management Strategies for Fishing The Department has been working with the National Park Service to determine the direction of fishing on the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Fishing on the preserve has historically been considered quality waters however the NPS wanted a little more flexibility for anglers. The Dept. is proposing restricted fishing on the Caldera with a 2 fish limit and bate & fly restrictions. The Dept. will also be creating a special season for fishing on the preserve. The Commission voted to approve the Dept. proposals. Hunt Draw Deadlines The Dept. presented their proposal for the 2016 deadline to enter the Big Game Draw. Applicants for the primary big game draw will have until March 23, 2016 to get their applications in. The deadline for Bear and Turkey draw hunts will be February 10, 2016 and upland game and waterfowl hunters will have until August 24, 2016. Odds and Ends In addition to the above agenda items the Dept. also presented their initial proposal to amend their Gaining Access Into Nature (GAIN) program on WMAs as well as the future management for Tiger Muskies and Trout in Bluewater Lake. The Dept. provided an update on the hunter education program and also an update on inspections for out of state boats to prevent aquatic invasive species. The Commission additionally approved Sportsman for Fish and Wildlife as an approved non-profit to receive donated hunting permits as well as an application for a bird shooting preserve on the Bosque Bird Dog Farm. General Public Comments – Landowner Permit Gross Receipts Tax Update During the public comment segment of the meeting Representative Ezzell provided the Commission with some commentary in regards to landowners being pursued by NM Taxation and Revenue for back pay of gross receipts taxes on landowner hunting permits. Rep. Ezzell was very displeased with this recent turn of events and mentioned that it was possible that she would no longer be allowing hunters to access her property under the permit program. The general comment period is not a two way line of communication with the Commission so no response was given to Rep. Ezzell’s comments. Coincidentally, a TRD/landowner workshop, hosted by NMFLB, took place the same day as the Commission meeting in ABQ. Gross receipts taxes on landowner hunting permits was the focus of the workshop. NMCOG representatives also attended this meeting and reported that the event became a very heated discussion between Taxation and Revenue, who are seemingly not planning to back down, and landowners, who are understandably nervous and frustrated. We continue to recommend that outfitters (who purchase private land permits) prepare yourselves for landowners to be requesting you provide them with NTTC Type 2 forms (which will help the landowner prove to TRD that the gross receipts taxes on their permits has already been paid). However, it is important to remember that as an outfitter you are not required to issue the NTTC. Also, in order to issue an NTTC the landowner must be registered with TRD and have a CRS number. If the landowner does not have a CRS number it is impossible for the outfitter to issue an NTTC. Please note - The NM Cattle Growers Association will also be hosting TRD to provide this same landowner permit gross receipts tax presentation to their membership during their annual meeting on December 4th in Albuquerque. Please feel free to contact NMCOG if you have questions regarding this issue or any other issue. The next Game Commission meeting will be held on Thursday January 14, 2016 in Santa Fe, NM. (Please email info@nmoutfitters.com for archived Commission Reports) Kerrie C. Romero Executive Director - New Mexico Council of Outfitters and Guides 51 Bogan Rd Stanley, NM 87056 (505) 440-5258 (www.nmoutfitters.com)

Gary Waltershied Father passed

I dont have much information but Gary Waltershied father passed on the 17 of November, he was a long time farmer in the Carlsbad, Loving area.

Longtime Carlsbad resident, Alegra Thomason Townsend, passed

Longtime Carlsbad resident, Alegra Thomason Townsend, beloved mother, grandmother and "Grandma Great" went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 in Las Cruces, NM. She was born April 12, 1926 in Cloudcroft, NM to Roy and Sallie Thomason. Mrs. Townsend was employed as a secretary to the principal at several elementary schools in the Carlsbad Public School district. She was a longtime, active member of First Baptist Church in Carlsbad, NM. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Bill G. Townsend and her grandson, Michael D. Johnson. She is survived by her son Bill R. Townsend and Barbara of Hereford, Texas; and children Brian, Brienna, and Bethany; her daughter Susan T. Johnson and Sky of Prescott Valley, Arizona; her son Tom Townsend and Pam of Carlsbad, NM; and children Ross, Megan and Jared; her son Jim G. Townsend and Paula of Artesia, NM; and children Trevor and Lindsay; her daughter Alegra T. Alexander and Socorro Zubia of Las Cruces, NM; and Alegra's children, Ashley and Todd. "Grandma Great" also had eighteen loving great grandchildren. There will be a viewing on Friday, November 13, 2015 from 4:00-6:00 pm at Denton Wood Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at Carlsbad Cemetery on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 2:30 pm with burial to follow. Pallbearers will be: Bill Townsend, Tom Townsend, Jim Townsend, Sky Johnson, Brian Townsend, Ross Townsend, Trevor Townsend, and Todd Howell. Honorary pall bearers will be Aaron Scott, Brian Maki, Cole Gardner, Joe Stell, and Oral Nichols. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice 299 Montana, Las Cruces, NM or the charity of your choice . Denton Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/currentargus/obituary.aspx?n=alegra-thomason-townsen&pid=176473531&fhid=7151#sthash.FVlCTkff.dpuf

Alisa Ogden named Cattleman of the year by New Mexico Cattle Growers.

In case you may have missed it but November Stockmans magazine has a great article on Alisa Ogden being named Cattleman of the year. Alisa was selected by her peers at the New Mexico Cattle Growers of the year at their December 2014 meeting. Alisa is known by all as a rancher who is in front of the game when it comes to animal health and rage stewardship. Alisa is the fifth generation of her family to walk the lands and handle the daily work of Ogden farms and cattle. This pioneering family has survived and thrived in Loving NM for the past 125 or so years by taking responsibility of their livestock and stewardship of the land and teaching the next generation to do the same. Congratulation Alisa!

EPA Extends Comment Period for Proposed Pesticide Applicator Certification Rule

EPA Extends Comment Period for Proposed Pesticide Applicator Certification Rule EPA is extending the public comment period on the proposed changes to the certification rule. EPA is proposing stronger standards for pesticide applicators who are certified to apply the riskiest pesticides, known as restricted use pesticides (RUPs). The goal is to reduce the likelihood of harm from the misapplication of RUPs and ensure a consistent level of protection among states. More information about this rule is available at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/epa-proposes-stronger-standards-people-applying-riskiest-pesticides. A formal announcement of the 30-day extension to the comment period will be published in the Federal Register shortly. The closing date for comments is now December 23, 2015. Comments can be submitted via www.regulations.gov under docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0183.