Sonny Perdue was sworn in as the 31st U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

Washington, D.C., April 25, 2017) – Sonny Perdue was sworn in as the 31st U.S. Secretary of Agriculture by fellow Georgian and Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Clarence Thomas in a brief ceremony today at the Supreme Court building. The U.S. Senate confirmed Secretary Perdue by a vote of 87-to-11 on Monday evening. After Secretary Perdue took the oath of office, he addressed employees at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) before getting to work on his first day. Also this morning, USDA launched his official Twitter handle: @SecretarySonny. “The only legacy that I seek is the only one that any grandparent or parent seeks – to be good stewards, and to hand off our nation, our home, our fields, our forests, and our farms to the next generation in better shape than we found it,” Perdue said. “Making sure that Americans who make their livelihoods in the agriculture industry have the ability to thrive will be one of my top priorities. I am committed to serving the customers of USDA, and I will be an unapologetic advocate for American agriculture.” Perdue’s policies as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will be guided by four principles which will inform his decisions. First, he will maximize the ability of the men and women of America’s agriculture and agribusiness sector to create jobs, to produce and sell the foods and fiber that feed and clothe the world, and to reap the earned reward of their labor. It should be the aim of the American government to remove every obstacle and give farmers, ranchers, and producers every opportunity to prosper. Second, he will prioritize customer service every day for American taxpayers and consumers. They will expect, and have every right to demand, that their government conduct the people’s business efficiently, effectively, and with the utmost integrity. Third, as Americans expect a safe and secure food supply, USDA will continue to serve in the critical role of ensuring the food we put on the table to feed our families meets the strict safety standards we’ve established. Food security is a key component of national security, because hunger and peace do not long coexist. And fourth, Perdue will always remember that America’s agricultural bounty comes directly from the land. And today, those land resources sustain more than 320 million Americans and countless millions more around the globe. Perdue’s father’s words still ring true: We’re all stewards of the land, owned or rented, and our responsibility is to leave it better than we found it. “As secretary, I will champion the concerns of farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers, and will work tirelessly to solve the issues facing our farm families,” Perdue said. “I am proud to have been given this opportunity and look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work as we continue to move the USDA and our nation forward.” Upon nominating Secretary Perdue in January, President Donald J. Trump said, “Sonny Perdue is going to accomplish great things as Secretary of Agriculture. From growing up on a farm to being governor of a big agriculture state, he has spent his whole life understanding and solving the challenges our farmers face, and he is going to deliver big results for all Americans who earn their living off the land.” About Secretary Perdue: Sonny Perdue came by his knowledge of agriculture the old fashioned way: he was born into a farming family in Bonaire, Georgia. From childhood, and through his life in business and elected office, Perdue has experienced the industry from every possible perspective. Uniquely qualified as a former farmer, agribusinessman, veterinarian, state legislator, and governor of Georgia, he became the 31st United States Secretary of Agriculture on April 25, 2017. Additionally, Perdue recognizes that American agriculture needs a strong advocate to promote its interests to international markets. The United States is blessed to be able to produce more than its citizens can consume, which implies that we should sell the bounty around the world. The relationship between the USDA and its trade representatives, as well as with the U.S. Trade Representative and Department of Commerce, will be vital. The work of promoting American agricultural products to other countries will begin with those relationships and will benefit us domestically, just as it will fulfill the moral imperative of helping to feed the world. Perdue has pledged to be an unapologetic advocate for American agriculture. Under Secretary Perdue, the USDA will always be facts-based and data-driven, with a decision-making mindset that is customer-focused. He will seek solutions to problems and not lament that the department might be faced with difficult challenges. As a youngster growing up on a dairy and diversified row crop farm in rural Georgia, Perdue never fully realized that the blessings of purposeful, meaningful work would serve him as well as they have in life. When he was a young boy feeding the calves and plowing the fields, he was an integral part of the workforce on his father’s farm. As the son of a mother who was an English teacher for 42 years, he benefitted from her teachings as well – not just by instilling in him the beliefs he still holds dear, but also by lending him an appreciation and respect for language and proper grammar. But more than anything in his life, it was the family farm which shaped Sonny Perdue. He has lived and breathed the exhilaration of a great crop and the despair and devastation of a drought. He learned by experience what his father told him as a child, “If you take care of the land, the land will take care of you.” The work ethic cemented in him by his farming roots has remained with Sonny Perdue throughout his life. As a younger man, he served his country in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of Captain. After earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia, he put that training to use in private practice in North Carolina. As a member of the Georgia State Senate for eleven years, he eventually ascended to the position of President Pro Tempore as elected by his senate colleagues. As a two-term governor of Georgia, he was credited with transforming a budget deficit into a surplus, dramatically increasing the student performance in public schools, and fostering an economic environment that allowed employers to flourish and manufacturers and agricultural producers to achieve record levels of exports. He followed these accomplishments with a successful career in agribusiness, where he focused on commodities and transportation in enterprises that have spanned the southeastern United States. These experiences have proven invaluable in his current role as principal advocate for American agriculture and all that it serves. Perdue is a strong believer in good government, in that it should operate efficiently and serve the needs of its customers: the people of the United States. As a state senator, he was recognized as a leading authority on issues including energy and utilities, agriculture, transportation, emerging technologies and economic development, and for his ability to grasp the nuances of complex problems. As governor, he reformed state budget priorities, helped Georgians create more than 200,000 new jobs, and promoted his home state around the world to attract new businesses. In 2009, the Reason Foundation’s Innovators in Action magazine recognized Perdue as a leader who “aggressively pursued new strategies to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of government and deliver better value at less cost to taxpayers.” In addition, he was named “Public Official of the Year” in October 2010 by Governing Magazine. To this day, his thoughts are never very far from the wishes of the citizens – the true owners of the government. Perdue’s views on agriculture have always been shaped by his first-hand knowledge of all of its aspects, both as a farmer and as an agribusinessman. He appreciates the daily concerns and needs of American farmers, while also understanding the intricacies of global commodities markets. He is acknowledged as a national leader in agriculture, having served as a board member for the National Grain & Feed Association, and as President of both the Georgia Feed and Grain Association and the Southeastern Feed and Grain Association. Perdue has long-standing, close relationships with the leadership of the National Farm Bureau and has been recognized by the Georgia 4-H and FFA programs, among others, for his leadership in agriculture. As the product of Georgia, a state where agriculture is the leading economic driver, Perdue recognizes that agriculture is an issue and industry which cuts across political party boundaries. He recognizes that the size, scope, and diversity of America’s agricultural sector requires reaching across the aisle so that partisanship doesn’t get in the way of good solutions for American farmers, ranchers, and consumers. Perdue has been married to Mary Ruff Perdue for 44 years and has four adult children and fourteen grandchildren. He and his wife have served as foster parents for eight children awaiting adoption. Perdue remains a licensed airplane and helicopter pilot and avid outdoor sportsman.

Pecan Nut Case bearer Spray Time Is Earlier than the past years

Pecan Nut Case bearer Spray Time Is Earlier than the past years Carlsbad, NM,— It is that time of the year again to be thinking about spraying for Pecan Nut Case bearer (PNC). Population projections are not very reliable this year because of the strange weather. We have not had a drop in minimum daily temperature since bud break in Pecans like those that we did last year. I estimated bud break to be March 30 this year but it varies up and down the valley. Some reported as early as March 26 and other as late as 10 April. Using a Heat unit model developed by Texas A & M Cooperative Extension Service, the Eddy County Cooperative Extension Service predicts the Pecan Nut Case bearer would be earlier this year. Based on the adapted PNC heat unity model, crop protection chemicals may be necessary around May 22-May 29. However, this may need to be revised aw weather may change as we progress. Also reported moth counts in pheromone traps will bring this to a more accurate prediction. Computer predictions are best used to plan when to set out pheromone traps, look for eggs and to plan insecticide application but are not reliable enough to be the only source of information to make application decisions. This year may prove this. Orchard scouting for eggs should begin two weeks before the predicted spray date as unusual weather conditions near the spray date, can either accelerate or delay egg-laying activity. I am getting reports of third generation larva in the shoots of new growth; these are from crop years 2014 and have managed to over winter to this spring. This is usual for this valley. Most Case bearer eggs are found at the tip of the nutlet, either on the top or hidden just under the tiny leaves at the tip of the nut let. A good hand lens is necessary to determine their development, (hatched, white, or pink). Also, look for bud feeding just below the nut cluster to detect the presence of newly hatched larvae. You should examine 10 nut clusters per tree. A cluster infested if it has a Case bearer egg or nut entry. If two or more clusters that are infested, insecticide applications may be necessary. Application should be two days after the eggs hatch. If no infested clusters are found, you should check again two days later. Keep checking until June 15. If by this date an infestation is not found insecticide application should not be required, for the first generation. Scouting for the seconded generation should start June 30 as currently predicted by the heat unit model. Caution is required when selection of a pesticide for backyard trees because of the great potential for spray drift onto nearby garden, pets, and living areas. Homeowner can only use products containing Carbaryl, and Malathion. Refer to label instructions for mixing and application rates and precautions. It is in violation of federal law to apply any chemical in any manner except what is on the label. Commercial orchards may use the above products or Interpid, Chlorpyrifos (Lordsban) (Cobalt), Confirm 2F, Pyrethroid or Spintor insecticide. Interpid is the product has a very good residual and is very effective and much safer than Oregano Phosphates and is the current product of choice. It does not harm predatory insects. This product is very safe for use around people. The fact it is not labeled for homeowner is a disappointment, because it is safer than some products, which is labeled for non-restricted use. Pecan nut Case bearer is one of the most important nut infesting insect pests of pecans. It is found in most the pecan growing areas from the east coast to Eddy County New Mexico. The Case bearer larva tunnels into nut lets shortly after pollination, often destroying all of the nut lets in the cluster. The most effective and reliable method of control is a well-timed insecticide application(s) made in the spring to kill hatching larvae before they tunnel into the nut lets. However, insecticides should only be applied if an infestations and nut load justify treatment. 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.

Need some Aferican Rue.

Dr. Kert Young our new range and brush Specialist needs some African rue to kill or try to kill. If you have an acre or so let me, know. We will be looking a plot Thursday and Friday this coming week.

Circular 685: Sheep Nutrition

Circular 685: Sheep Nutrition Marcy Ward (Extension Livestock Specialist, Dept. of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources) Craig Gifford (Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Dept. of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources) http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR685.pdf

NMSU student develops device to improve cattle grazing, partners with Aggie Innovation Space

NMSU student develops device to improve cattle grazing, partners with Aggie Innovation Space DATE: 04/11/2017 WRITER: Tiffany Acosta, 575-646-3929, tfrank@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Eric Scholljegerdes, 575-646-1750, ejs@nmsu.edu New Mexico State University Department of Animal and Range sciences junior Josiah Brooks is creating a feed intake device for cattle, and he is working with the Aggie Innovation Space to design and develop parts for a prototype. Through an NMSU College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences USDA-Hispanic Serving Institution LEADERS grant awarded to the Animal Science Department, Brooks is conducting a research trial to develop a marker system to determine feed intake in grazing cattle that will allow researchers to investigate how grazing management and supplementation programs can improve cattle health and performance. To properly manage rangelands, ranchers need to understand grazing cattle nutrition and have the ability to quantify how much cattle eat when they are grazing in a pasture, according to Eric Scholljegerdes, Animal and Range Sciences associate professor and Brooks’ faculty adviser. Researchers obtain this data with an inert marker (not digested), titanium dioxide, which is typically administered to cattle twice daily. Unfortunately, this dosing method requires manpower and interrupts grazing. Brooks is working on a device that will be inserted into the stomach of cattle and will automatically release the marker over a period of time. To create a cap and a plunger for a prototype, Brooks has been working with Jordan Glaze, an Aggie Innovator in the Aggie Innovation Space Presented by Intel in the College of Engineering. “The Aggie Innovation Space has allowed us to develop parts for this device that would otherwise be unavailable,” Scholljegerdes said. “We are very grateful for the wonderful help we have received thus far from the personnel at the Aggie Innovation Space. Without their help we would not be where we are at in the development process.” As a former engineering student, Brooks knew about the Aggie Innovation Space and started working with Glaze in late 2016. “I’m extremely happy with the Aggie Innovation Space,” Brooks said. “Jordan, specifically, because working with that level of technology is extremely challenging. I didn’t realize how much effort went into designing something on a software program.” “You can’t do that without patience and you can’t do that unless you have a passion,” he added. “You feel welcome as a student even though you are not in the department, a completely different department, but they help and that’s what they want to do and that’s their passion. It’s been a very positive experience for me. I wouldn’t have gone back if I didn’t get that experience.” A junior majoring in both mechanical and aerospace engineering, Glaze said he has enjoyed working with Brooks on his first animal science project. A few of projects Glaze has recently assisted on are from the industrial engineering department, art department, geology department and a community outreach project for a dog wheelchair for a NMSU employee. “The Aggie Innovation Space is based around developing cross disciplinary skills focused on engineering specifically, but also branching out into different disciplines such as this case being animal science,” Glaze said. “We guide projects from the very first stage, and work with our clients to help them get to the prototyping and later the manufacturing stages,” Glaze noted. “We work very hard to make projects successful, but focus on not doing the project for the client. We want them to learn and take away something when the project is said and done, and hopefully give them the guidelines to follow for future projects.” While Brooks and Glaze are continuing to work on a prototype, Scholljegerdes hopes to test the device on cattle this summer. If successful, Brooks and Scholljegerdes would like to patent the device. - 30 - Follow NMSU News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nmsunews Follow NMSU News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NMSUNews

United States Fish and Wild life public hearing on Texas Hornshell mussel in the Black River and Delware.

US Fish and Wildlife will be holding a public hearing on the Texas Hornshell mussel and the CCA/CCAA at the Carlsbad BLM office at 2:30pm on April 12th. That is tomorrow.

NMSU Cooperative Extension Service assists with pecan weevil identification, education

NMSU Cooperative Extension Service assists with pecan weevil identification, education DATE: 04/11/2017 WRITER: Kristie Garcia, 575-646-4211, kmgarcia@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Jane Pierce, 575-748-1228, japierce@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Carol Sutherland , 575-646-1132, csutherl@nmda.nmsu.edu The New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service is working with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to identify pecan weevil – and pecan weevil damaged nuts – and to educate the public in eastern New Mexico, where the pest has affected some pecan trees in residential areas and commercial orchards. NMSU Extension Plant Sciences Entomologists Jane Pierce and Carol Sutherland, along with NMSU county Extension agents, have been very involved in identification of pecan weevils and weevil larvae damage to nuts. NMSU Extension specialists and staff have also developed and disseminated educational material and have assisted with on-site visits. A fact sheet titled “Pecan Weevil: Wanted DEAD, Not Alive” is available on the NMSU College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences website at http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR683.pdf. The fact sheet describes pecan weevil, its life cycle and the many problems it creates for New Mexico pecan producers, from backyard to large-scale commercial growers. While pecan weevil adults will not emerge from the soil until later in the summer, people who suspect pecan weevil in their pecan trees should contact their local county CES office: - Eddy County: Woods Houghton, 575-887-6595, whoughto@nmsu.edu - Lea County: Wayne Cox, 575-396-2819, hwcox@nmsu.edu - Chaves County: Sandra Barraza 575-622-3210, sbarraza@nmsu.edu - Curry County: Patrick Kircher (Roosevelt CES) 575-356-4417, pkircher@nmsu.edu CES agents will continue to take calls from both the public and pecan producers in their counties and have disseminated information about this economically significant pest. The agents will continue to do this for the next several years as the pecan weevil infestation eventually is eradicated by NMDA. NMSU Extension specialists and staff have worked closely with the NMDA to develop quarantine guidelines and to provide basic information about the pest (http://www.nmda.nmsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/21.17.36-NMAC-3.27.2017-AMENDED.pdf). If this information does not answer your questions, please call your CES office listed above, as your agent is aware of the situation in your respective county. Sutherland is responsible for confirming the presence or evidence of pecan weevil in nut samples submitted to CES agents, as well as those collected by NMDA inspectors from the public and commercial orchards in those communities affected by the quarantine. Pierce is based at the NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Artesia and was able to make site visits to some of the affected areas, and she worked closely with the NMDA inspector responsible for the affected counties. The Agricultural Science Center at Artesia produced a poster used by Extension agents and NMDA to help the public identify this pest. Pierce is also developing a research program based out of the Agricultural Science Center at Artesia to support eradication and control efforts. Everyone involved responded quickly and shared their findings, permitting rapid and targeted response to this serious problem. Sutherland said now that it is April, the 2016 crop should be long gone. “The 2016 nut crop should be cracked and cleaned, frozen or consumed by now,” she said. “Pecan weevil adults emerge from deep in the soil mid-to-late summer but are not easily noticed, being very shy and well-camouflaged. If anyone in the public or the pecan industry thinks they see an adult pecan weevil this coming summer, capture it intact and immediately submit it to your county agent for confirmation.” Sutherland also said the public will be more likely to see damaged nuts or possibly larvae. “Pecan weevil larvae – creamy white, multi-segmented, legless creatures with reddish brown head capsules – won’t be seen again until the 2017 crop of pecan nuts is mature and ready for harvest,” she said. “Mature pecan weevil larvae will bore a BB-size hole through the woody shell prior to their escape. If the public, pecan producers or nut processors see anything out of the ordinary in their 2017 crop – a large snout beetle, a white legless grub inside a nut or a BB-sized emergence hold in the nut shuck or shell – they should collect and freeze this evidence immediately and report it to their county Extension agent.” Pierce said while there have been surveys to detect pecan weevil this past season, some infestations may have gone undetected, particularly in residential areas. “The weevil can only be eradicated if infested trees are identified,” she said. “To help in this effort, growers and homeowners are encouraged to be vigilant about examining nuts as they are harvested this fall.” Sutherland made it clear that nobody involved wants to have that threat of infestation – or establishment – in New Mexico at all. “Pecan weevil is not known to be established in New Mexico, and we want to keep it that way,” she said. “Prompt and aggressive response to this invasive creature is of paramount importance to our state’s pecan industry. A team approach involving producers at all levels, regulatory personnel from New Mexico Department of Agriculture and expertise from Cooperative Extension Service faculty is essential for getting the problem under control, plus planning and execution of eradication measures.” Pierce agreed. “It’s very worrisome,” she said. “Growers are well aware of the problem, but most homeowners haven’t heard about pecan weevil at all and don’t understand the importance of not moving unshelled pecans from their quarantined areas. People love to share nuts with friends and relatives who sometimes throw the bad nuts in the backyard for birds to eat, not understanding that this could spread pecan weevil into their backyard trees.” - 30 - Follow NMSU News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nmsunews Follow NMSU News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NMSUNews

Guide A-152: Reducing Tillage in Arid and Semi-arid Cropping Systems

The following new CES publication is now available online in PDF format. Guide A-152: Reducing Tillage in Arid and Semi-arid Cropping Systems: An Overview John Idowu (Extension Agronomist, Dept. of Extension Plant Sciences) Sangu Angadi (Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Plant and Environmental Sciences) Murali Darapuneni (Asst. Professor, Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari) Rajan Ghimire (Asst. Professor, Agricultural Science Center at Clovis) http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_a/A152.pdf

Managing Risk and Thinking Ahead

Managing Risk and Thinking Ahead If there is interest in Eddy County you can ride with us but call and let me know ASAP. Join agricultural producers and professionals for an interactive workshop discussing current and future challenges facing agricultural production in the Southern High Plains of New Mexico and West Texas. Representatives from the National Drought Mitigation Center, NOAA, NMSU, and the USDA will be presenting on weather- and climate-related challenges along with resources and research that support producer decision-making and risk mitigation. Workshop topics will include short- and medium-range weather forecasts, historical climate trends, local monitoring activities, drought tools, drought early warning resources, and USDA programs. Climate Outlook Forum Managing Risk and Thinking Ahead Date: April 26th, 2017: 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Location: Indoor Pavilion, Curry County Fairgrounds, Clovis, NM Register online: https://swclimatehub.info/content/registration Register by Date: April 26th, 2017: 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Location: Indoor Pavilion, Curry County Fairgrounds, Clovis, NM Register online: https://swclimatehub.info/content/registration Register by phone: Caiti Steele: tel. 575-646-4144, email. caiti@nmsu.edu Limited travel support available for agricultural producers and Extension - Enquire early! Lunch, coffee and snacks provided Please register to secure your seat!

USDA Authorizes Emergency Grazing in Response to President Trump's Directive

USDA Authorizes Emergency Grazing in Response to President Trump's Directive 04/04/2017 12:30 PM EDT WASHINGTON, April 4, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), acting in response to a directive from President Donald J. Trump, today authorized emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands located in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas – the three states which were most heavily impacted by ongoing wildfires which began on March 6, 2017. USDA Acting Deputy Secretary Michael L. Young issued a memorandum authorizing the emergency grazing of cattle by ranchers, who are facing the ruination of their herds due to lack of sufficient grazing land. The authorization is pursuant to appropriate restrictions and conservation measures, which can be found in the Acting Deputy Secretary’s memorandum. Release No. 0028.17 Contact: Wayne Maloney FSA: (202)720-6107 USDA Authorizes Emergency Grazing in Response to President Trump’s Directive WASHINGTON, April 4, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), acting in response to a directive from President Donald J. Trump, today authorized emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands located in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas – the three states which were most heavily impacted by ongoing wildfires which began on March 6, 2017. USDA Acting Deputy Secretary Michael L. Young issued a memorandum authorizing the emergency grazing of cattle by ranchers, who are facing the ruination of their herds due to lack of sufficient grazing land. The authorization is pursuant to appropriate restrictions and conservation measures, which can be found in the Acting Deputy Secretary’s memorandum. “Ranchers are facing devastating conditions and economic calamity because of these wildfires and they need some relief, or else they face the total loss of their herds in many cases,” said Acting Deputy Secretary Young. “These measures will allow them to salvage what remains of their cattle and return to the important business of feeding Americans and the rest of the world. I commend and thank President Trump for acting decisively in response to this dire situation.” The USDA action is required to direct the Farm Service Agency to permit the grazing on lands covered by the CRP, which exists to conserve and improve wildlife resources. In this case, the grazing will overlap with the primary nesting season of the lesser prairie chicken. CRP has procedures in place, already developed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to permit emergency grazing on protected lands during nesting season. Lesser prairie chicken nesting season runs in Texas from March 1 to June 1, in Kansas from April 15 to July 15, and in Oklahoma from May 1 to July 1. Ranchers and farmers are only now able to begin to estimate losses, since the fires are still burning in some places and access to the lands to survey the damage has been limited. Damages in the states are expected to grow, but are now estimated as follows: Kansas • Counties affected include Clark, Comanche, Ellis, Ellsworth, Ford, Hodgeman, Kiowa, Lane, Lincoln, Meade, Ness, Russell, and Seward. • An estimated 630,000 acres burned, primarily pasturelands. • Estimated livestock loss: between 3,000 and 9,000 head of cattle. • Large volumes of hay and feed destroyed. • Estimated cost of fencing destroyed exceeds $36 million. Oklahoma • Counties affected include Beaver, Ellis, Harper, Roger Mills, Woodward, and Woods. • An estimated 389,533 acres burned. • Estimated livestock loss: 3,000 head of cattle. • An estimated cost of structure loss of $2 million. • Estimated cost of fencing destroyed exceeds $22 million. Texas • Counties affected include Armstrong, Carson, Collingsworth, Donley, Gray, Hansford, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, and Wheeler. • An estimated 550,000 acres burned, affecting 346 farms and ranches. • Estimated livestock loss: at least 3,000 cattle and 1,900 swine. • Thousands of miles of fences expected to be a total loss, but so far unable to be surveyed. The Acting Deputy Secretary’s memorandum can be found on the USDA website (PDF, 387 KB).

The following new CES publication is now available online in PDF format

The following new CES publication is now available online in PDF format. Circular 684: Sheep Breeds Best Suited for Arid Climates Marcy Ward (Extension Livestock Specialist, Dept. of Ext. Animal Sciences & Natural Resources) http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR684.pdf

NIFA Announces $2.4 Million to Relieve Veterinary Shortages

I could not get into Veterinary school in 1982. NIFA Announces $2.4 Million to Relieve Veterinary Shortages Media contact: Scott Elliott, 202-720-7185 WASHINGTON, D.C. April 3, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced $2.4 million in available funding to relieve veterinarian shortage situations and support veterinary services. Funding is made through NIFA’s Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “Veterinarians play significant roles in assuring animal health and wellbeing, food safety and security, public health, and producer profitability, especially in rural areas of the country where most livestock production occurs,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “VSGP supports education and extension activities that will help veterinarians, veterinary students, veterinary technicians, and veterinary technician students gain specialized skills and provide practices with additional resources." The Veterinary Services Grant Program supports development, implementation, and sustainability of veterinary services to relieve veterinarian shortage situations in the United States and insular areas. Grants will be made available on a competitive basis to: • Establish or expand accredited veterinary education programs, veterinary residency and fellowship programs, or veterinary internship and externship programs carried out in coordination with accredited colleges of veterinary medicine. • Provide continuing education and extension, including veterinary telemedicine and other distance-based education, for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other health professionals needed to strengthen veterinary programs and enhance food safety. • Cover travel and living expenses of veterinary students, veterinary interns, externs, fellows, and residents, and veterinary technician students attending training programs in food safety or food animal medicine. Eligible applicants for education, extension and training programs include: state, national, allied or regional veterinary organization or specialty board recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association; college or school of veterinary medicine accredited by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges; university research foundation or veterinary medical foundation; department of veterinary science or department of comparative medicine accredited by the Department of Education; state agricultural experiment station; or state, local or tribal government agency. Eligible applicants for rural practice enhancement programs include for-profit or nonprofit entities or individuals operating veterinary clinics in rural areas and veterinarian shortage areas as specified in the request for applications. The deadline for applications is May 19, 2017. See the request for applications for details. In 2016, the first year NIFA implemented VSGP, the agency awarded $2.3 million to support rural veterinary services in 11 states. Among them, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners in Opelika, Alabama will offer a two-year intensive training program to help practitioners manage and grow their business. Utah State University will offer workshops, technical training, and mentorship to strengthen the diagnostic skills of early career rural practitioners. NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education and extension and promotes transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges. NIFA support for the best and brightest scientists and extension personnel has resulted in user-inspired, groundbreaking discoveries that combat childhood obesity, improve and sustain rural economic growth, address water availability issues, increase food production, find new sources of energy, mitigate climate variability and ensure food safety. To learn more about NIFA’s impact on agricultural science, visit www.nifa.usda.gov/impacts, sign up for email updates or follow us on Twitter @USDA_NIFA, #NIFAimpacts. # USDA is an equal opportunity lender, provider and employer.

Bat Bugs

BUGS My master’s degree is in medical and veterinary entomology, so when I get a chance to write about an odd happening in this field. I recently had a citizen who had a bat get into their house and roosted above her bed unfortunately and it took her a couple of day to get this unwanted houseguest removed and released to a place where both were much happier. After a few days, she had bites on her. She captured a few insects on tape that resembled bed bugs, brought these insect in for identification, and related her story about the bat. Breaking out the microscope and key to the cimex genera, I identified these as bat bugs, which to a Medical Veterinary Entomologist is extremely interesting, having been in NM my entire life and Eddy County for about 27 years I have never come across these before. The family Cimicidiae are blood-sucking insects that feed on birds and/or mammals. There are five member of this family present in New Mexico the notorious bed bug (Cimex lectularius) along with a close cousin the Bat bug (Cimex pilosellus), Swallow bug (Oeciacus vicarious), Poultry bug (Hamatoisphon inodorus) and Wood pecker bug (Hesperocimex coloradensis) which is mostly on the Colorado border on wood peckers and owls. In this article I am only talking about the bat bug (Cimex pilosellus), but some of this information can be applied to all. Prior to increase in bed bug, the bat bug was the most common bug found in homes in Colorado, according to Extension Entomologist with CSU. Bat bugs develop in colonies of roosting bats, which sometime occur in attics or behind walls of buildings. Bat bugs may move into human living areas and incidentally bite people. This happen more often after the bats either migrate or are removed from a roosting area. However, these insects are host specific and in the absences of a bat host, they cannot sustain and reproduce. They usually die out within a few weeks without the bat host, unlike its cousin the bed bug that does quite well on humans. The bites are however itchy and unpleasant but there are no known pathogens that are transmitted or vectored by the bed bugs or bat bug. Control of bat bugs focus on management on the roosting bats that are the original source of the insect. Removal and exclusion of the bats will prevent future infestations as the bat bugs will ultimately die –out in the absence of their bat hosts. However, like this citizen the problem may temporarily increase as the existing bat bugs migrate in search of new hosts. Any method of sealing off the area of bat roosting and human leaving space is useful to prevent these insects quest. If all ready in the human living space, the same treatment for bed bugs will help eliminate this temporary problem. 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