Services for long time Farmer Rancher Educator FFA teacher and Freind

NMSU Extension hosts large animal rescue training for emergency response teams

NMSU Extension hosts large animal rescue training for emergency response teams DATE: 05/25/2017 WRITER: Jane Moorman, 505-249-0527, jmoorman@nmsu.edu CONTACT: John Allen, 575-835-0610, allenj@nmsu.edu The emergency call comes into the 911 center: a horse and its rider have fallen into a deep arroyo and the horse is laying on the person. Another call asks for help getting a horse out of a water-filled drainage ditch. A third call tells of a livestock trailer that has rolled over during a traffic accident. These may seem like scenes from a television show, but they are real-life scenarios where emergency response personnel must be ready to respond. Sarah Jucha of Bernalillo County Animal Control said it’s not uncommon to get calls to rescue large animals. “We get them all the time,” Jucha said. “I’ve had to get horses out of ditches. It can be tricky if you haven’t had training.” New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences hosted a three-day training in April to provide an opportunity for emergency response and agriculture personnel to train together prior to an actual emergency. Hosted by NMSU’s Cooperative Extension Service county offices in Dona Ana and Socorro counties and funded by New Mexico’s Department of Homeland Security, the training addressed awareness, operations and technical methods. “The training provided practical consideration, behavioral understanding, specialty equipment techniques, methodologies and tactics behind the safe extraction of a live, large animal from entrapments in an emergency situation,” said Teresa Dean, NMSU CES agent in Dona Ann County. Rebecca Gimenez of Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue in Macon, Georgia, led the training. Gimenez was called upon to conduct the training after Jessica Smith, former CES agricultural agent in Socorro County, took Gimenez’s class in Georgia. “Jessica came back from our training and convinced the county emergency management to purchase an A-frame bi-pod hoist system and ropes for rescues, and a 600-pound horse mannequin for training,” Gimenez said. The horse mannequin allowed participants to practice techniques for handling the animal, such as putting straps on the animal to be lifted out of mud or water, or strapping the sedated horse to a sledge to be hauled out of a deep ravine. “It’s one thing to practice on a lightweight stand-in for a horse, it’s another thing to have to pull a 1,000-pound horse out of a steep ravine or hoist them out of water,” Gimenez said. “The mannequin gives the trainees a realistic experience.” The first two days of training in Las Cruces introduced participants to the proper handling of cattle and horses and how to use a fire extinguisher in case of a barn fire; to properly use an A-frame bi-pod hoist and rope pulley system; and how to rescue a horse from a roll-over trailer accident and from a burning barn. During the technical training in Socorro County, participants had to rescue a mannequin human and horse from a 100-foot ravine, and a horse from a swift-water drainage ditch. “This was just an introduction into the types of scenarios that they might face,” Gimenez said. “You never know who will be present to help in an emergency. It could be yourself and two other people. Or you could be lucky to have a team that includes EMTs and veterinarians.” Participating in the training were firefighters from Las Cruces, Dona Ana County, Radium Springs, Sunland Park and Socorro; animal control officers from Deming, Dona Ana County, Las Cruces, Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque and Bernalillo County; Extension agents from Luna, Otero, Dona Ana and Socorro counties; veterinarians from Las Cruces, Edgewood and Magdalena; Back Country Horsemen members from Edgewood; NMSU livestock specialist Marcy Ward; and NMSU students. - 30 - Follow NMSU News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nmsunews Follow NMSU News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NMSUNews

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on the Proposed FY 2018 Budget

Email: press@oc.usda.gov Statement from Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on the Proposed FY 2018 Budget (Washington, D.C., May 23, 2017) – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today issued the following statement on the proposed FY 2018 budget: “President Trump promised he would realign government spending, attempt to eliminate duplication or redundancy, and see that all government agencies are efficiently delivering services to the taxpayers of America. And that’s exactly what we are going to do at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). “Having been the governor of Georgia from 2003 to 2011 – not during the best economic times – we did what it took to get the job done, just like the people involved in every aspect of American agriculture do every single day. While the President’s budget fully funds nutrition programs, wildland fire suppression and food safety, and includes several new initiatives and increases for Rural Development, whatever form the final budget takes, it is my job as Secretary of Agriculture to manage and implement that plan, while still fulfilling the core mission of USDA,” said Secretary Perdue. Background: Earlier today, Secretary Perdue sent the following video message to all USDA employees:

STORM DAMAGED CROPS

STORM DAMAGED CROPS Several areas throughout Eddy County have been hit with violent storms producing heavy winds and/or hail. Damage to vegetable crops by severe wind and hail includes leaf defoliation, leaf tearing and shredding, stem breakage, stem bruising and wounding, loss of flowers and small fruit, and fruit bruising and wounding. Effects of storm damage on vegetable crops and recovery of crops will depend on a number of factors including the type of vegetable, stage of growth, weather conditions immediately after storms, and prevalence of disease organisms. Continued hot, wet conditions after storm events pose the most risk by increasing disease incidence, particularly bacterial diseases. While hot dry weather is not favorable to disease organism. Defoliation reduces leaf area and plants will need to grow new leaves from buds (for vegetables such as vine crops where this is possible). It will take several weeks to replace the leaf area lost. This will cause delays in maturity. If crops are more advanced, loss of leaf area can reduce fruit or storage organ quality (reduced sugars). Fruit or storage organ size may or may not be affected. Leaf area recovery (growing new leaves) will be aided by additional nitrogen applications after the storm event. In crops such as sweet corn that cannot grow new leaves, research has shown that hail damage will reduce marketable ears and overall tonnage if leaf damage occurs in vegetative stages or at silking. Leaf loss near harvest will have minimal effects. Fruit bruising or wounding often causes the most severe losses in crops such as tomatoes. Fruits may be rendered unmarketable or of reduced grade. Wounds can also increase the incidence of some fruit diseases and storage rots. In particular, bacterial rots that normally are minimal may be increased in damaged fruits. In plants such as tomatoes, it is advised to remove damaged fruits from plants. These fruits are likely to be unmarketable and will just be a drain on food resources produced by the plant. By removing damaged fruits, remaining uninjured fruits will have access to more photosynthates being produced by the plant. Stem breakage or injury can lead to major losses in some fruiting crops such as peppers by loss of fruiting area as well as increased sunburn as plants are opened up. Many vining crops will recover significantly from stem breakage by producing new branches, although production will be delayed. Losses of flowers or small fruit may limit yield potential and delay crop harvest in many vegetable crops. Beans that are flowering are particularly susceptible and flower loss due to storms may lead to split sets. Damaged plant tissue also can affect healthy surrounding tissue. As cell contents leak, enzymes, oxidative compounds, and other reactive chemicals are released that can injury surrounding cells. Age and stage of development of plants will also be a factor in the overall impact of storm damage. A good example is with bean plants. In the case of hail, the bean plant is considered dead if it is in the cotyledon stage and is cut off below the cotyledons, or if the cotyledon is damaged by hail to such a degree that they have no green leaf tissue or re-growth. The reason is that nutrients and food reserves in the cotyledons supply the needs of the young plant during emergence and for about seven to 10 days after emergence, or until there is one fully-developed trifoliolate leaf. Cotyledons are the first photosynthetic organs of the bean seedling and are also major contributors for seedling growth. Unlike corn, whose growing point is below ground until it reaches V5-V6, the growing point for beans is between the cotyledons and moves above the soil surface at emergence. This makes beans particularly susceptible to damage from hail, or anything that cuts the plant off below the cotyledons early in its life. Stand reductions are likely to follow hailstorms. If the first trifoliate leaf is formed, photosynthesis by the developing leaves is adequate for the plant to sustain itself. Of immediate concern after storms will be bacterial diseases on susceptible crops. Bacterial diseases have been shown to be more severe after storm damage as they can readily enter through wounds. Including copper products in spray programs after storm injury is recommended to limit bacterial diseases. In North Carolina research, peppers were shown to have increased bacterial spot after hail. Use of copper fungicides with maneb limited the effect of bacterial spot in these hail damaged peppers. There has been some non-scientific based recommendation to use peroxide based fungicide/bacteriacide products after storm events. These products kill what they contact and have no residual. There may be some reduction in the numbers of disease organisms on plant surfaces; however, there is little research to show major benefits after storm damage. General recommendations for storm damaged vegetables are to first evaluate the extent of the damage. According to the stage of the crop and extent of damage, determine if the crop can be salvaged. For commercial crops including cotton crop insurance adjusters are trained to evaluate storm damage in many crops and should be contacted immediately for insured crops. For crops that will be salvaged or kept, consider applying additional nitrogen to encourage new growth where appropriate. Apply fungicides and include copper compounds where bacterial diseases are of concern. 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.

Office closed Wendsday pm and Thursday

The Eddy County Extension Office will be on bereavement leave from 12 noon on Wednesday until 8:00 Fri morning the office will not be open.

NMSU College of ACES evaluates agricultural science center system

NMSU College of ACES evaluates agricultural science center system DATE: 05/18/2017 WRITER: Jane Moorman, 505-249-0527, jmoorman@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Rolando A. Flores, 575-646-3748, rolflo@nmsu.edu Public concern regarding New Mexico State University potentially closing two agricultural science centers has stimulated the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences to conduct a self-evaluation of the 12 centers around the state. “At this time we are not closing any centers; that would be the last recourse, but it is on the table,” said College of ACES Dean Rolando A. Flores. “In a time of low budgets, we need to rationalize and properly manage our resources.” During visits with the advisory boards at each agricultural science center, Flores explained the evaluation process the college has begun. “We have formed a committee to determine ways we can operate the research centers more efficiently as a whole, while reaching our goal of providing applied science that the agricultural producers may use in their operations to position themselves for success,” Flores said. The committee includes individuals from the private industry, some agricultural science center superintendents, college department heads and faculty members. “Our agricultural science centers need to be as self-sufficient as possible; research is not free,” Flores said. “It is critical that faculty members submit grant proposals, and they are doing it. However, at the national level, funding sources have decreased while the amount of people applying for funding has increased.” The alternative for the College of ACES is to do as other universities have done – turn to the private sector for partnerships. “We need to start looking at different approaches as to how we fund research,” he said. “We need more involvement with private industry participating in research, sponsoring research.” Under Flores’ leadership the entire college is conducting an extensive self-evaluation to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of each department and program, including the Cooperative Extension Service within each county and the 12 agricultural science centers around the state. “As with any organization involving 700 employees, we are finding issues and we are working to solve them,” Flores said. “As an engine for the economic and community development of New Mexico, we are committed to use efficient systems with considerable positive impact in the state.” - 30 -

Last Chance to Register USDA PARTNERING FOR INNOVATION Funding Opportunities for Agribusinesses

For many ag-entrepreneurs and innovators, finding capital can be quite an odyssey. Having the right existing relationships and knowing where to look is more than half the battle. Fortunately, there are several grants and programs geared toward fueling agri-businesses. Attend this information session on May 18th from 11:00am-12:00pm to learn about U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development financial and technical assistance programs for ag-entrepreneurs. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Learn more and register at bit.ly/AgSprintUSDAWorkshop. ABOUT THE SPEAKER Clyde F. Hudson is the Community Development Coordinator for U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development in New Mexico.

USDA Certifies Another Rural Business Investment Fund Fund to Help Capitalize Small Rural Businesses

Weldon Freeman (202) 690-1384 USDA Certifies Another Rural Business Investment Fund Fund to Help Capitalize Small Rural Businesses WASHINGTON, May 18, 2017 – Acting Deputy Under Secretary Roger Glendenning today announced that USDA has certified the Innova Ag Innovation Fund IV LP as an investment pool for small and startup rural businesses. “This certification is another tool USDA provides to help rural businesses, to create jobs and to attract private-sector capital to rural communities,” Glendenning said. “Geography should not be a barrier to economic success. This pool will offer rural business owners the same access to capital as their counterparts in metropolitan areas.” The fund will support 30 to 45 companies that have the potential to generate more than $200 million in economic activity and create 600 jobs. It will provide capital for high-growth companies in the biosciences, technology and agricultural technology industries. The fund is the second USDA has certified under the Rural Business Investment Program (RBIP). RBIP funds support USDA’s strategy for rural economic growth. For a fund to receive USDA certification, its managers must demonstrate that they have venture capital experience and that they have successfully worked with community development organizations. The Ag Innovation Fund is being managed by Innova Memphis RBIC, LLC. Innova has three other funds that are not part of the Rural Business Investment Program. Those three funds collectively have invested $20 million in 75 startup companies, attracted $90 million of outside capital and created approximately 250 jobs. Farm Credit System members are contributing $31 million to the Ag Innovation Fund. The Farm Credit System is a nationwide network of banks and lenders specifically chartered to serve agriculture and the U.S. rural economy. USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; homeownership; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov

Bryce Bowerman Eddy County 4-H Alumni

Bryce Bowerman, an incredible son, brother, and friend who always lent a hand to anyone in need, passed on April 29, 2017. His parents, Matt and Brandi, and sister Kyler, were blessed to have him for twenty years that were lived to the fullest. Bryce's love for people was infectious--he never knew a stranger. Bryce was a dedicated member of the FFA organization and continued to mentor as an Aggie at NMSU, leading and encouraging younger FFA members to reach their potential. He was happiest outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He enjoyed ranch work and working with animals. He loved and appreciated the communities he lived in and the many opportunities that they gave him. Bryce’s final gift of compassion was through his decision to help others as an organ donor. We love you, “Nice” Bryce. Bryce’s Memorial Services will be Saturday, May 13 at 11 AM at the Eddy County Fairgrounds (3402 S 13th St, Artesia, NM). The family has requested that any donations be made to a memorial scholarship to the NMSU's College of ACES that has been established in Bryce's name. Donations can be made at https://advancing.nmsu.edu

The May 1 water supply forecasts for the western U.S.

The May 1 water supply forecasts for the western U.S. show well above average streamflow from California to Montana. States across this area are forecast for above 180% of normal runoff from the large snowpack in the region. In addition, most of the Pacific Northwest is forecast to be above average, whereas a few stations, mainly in Montana, South Dakota, Colorado, southern Utah, and New Mexico, are forecast to be below average

Secretary Perdue Announces Creation of Undersecretary for Trade Reorganization of USDA Elevates Rural Development as Department Priority

Cincinnati, OH – May 11, 2017) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the creation of an undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a recognition of the ever-increasing importance of international trade to American agriculture. Perdue made the announcement standing by barges filled with agricultural products along the banks of the Ohio River. As part of a reorganization of USDA, Perdue also announced the standing up of a newly-named Farm Production and Conservation mission area to have a customer focus and meet USDA constituents in the field. Finally, Perdue announced that the department’s Rural Development agencies would be elevated to report directly to the secretary of agriculture in recognition of the need to help promote rural prosperity. Perdue issued a report to announce the changes, which address Congressional direction in the 2014 Farm Bill to create the new undersecretary for trade and also are a down payment on President Trump’s request of his cabinet to deliver plans to improve the accountability and customer service provided by departments. “Food is a noble thing to trade. This nation has a great story to tell and we've got producers here that produce more than we can consume,” said Secretary Perdue. “And that’s good, because I’m a grow-it-and-sell-it kind of guy. Our people in American agriculture have shown they can grow it, and we’re here to sell it in markets all around the world.” Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Agricultural trade is critical for the U.S. farm sector and the American economy as a whole. U.S. agricultural and food exports account for 20 percent of the value of production, and every dollar of these exports creates another $1.27 in business activity. Additionally, every $1 billion in U.S. agricultural exports supports approximately 8,000 American jobs across the entire American economy. As the global marketplace becomes even more competitive every day, the United States must position itself in the best way possible to retain its standing as a world leader. “Our plan to establish an undersecretary for trade fits right in line with my goal to be American agriculture’s unapologetic advocate and chief salesman around the world. By working side by side with our U.S. Trade Representative and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, the USDA undersecretary for trade will ensure that American producers are well equipped to sell their products and feed the world,” Perdue said. USDA’s reorganization seeks to place agencies in more logical order. Under the existing structure, the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), which deals with overseas markets, and the Farm Service Agency (FSA), which handles domestic issues, were housed under one mission area, along with the Risk Management Agency (RMA). It makes much more sense to situate FAS under the new undersecretary for trade, where staff can sharpen their focus on foreign markets. Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Additionally, a new undersecretary will be selected for a newly-named Farm Production and Conservation mission area, which is to focus on domestic agricultural issues. Locating FSA, RMA, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service under this domestically-oriented undersecretary will provide a simplified one-stop shop for USDA’s primary customers, the men and women farming, ranching, and foresting across America. “The men and women of American agriculture are hardy people, many of whom were born into the calling of feeding America and the world,” Perdue said. “Their efforts are appreciated, and this adjustment to the USDA structure will help us help them in even better ways than before.” Under the reorganization plan, the undersecretary for natural resources and environment will retain supervision of the U.S. Forest Service. A reduction in USDA workforce is not part of the reorganization plan. Elevating Rural Development Just as importantly, the USDA reorganization will elevate the Rural Development agencies to report directly to the secretary of agriculture to ensure that rural America always has a seat at the table. Fighting poverty wherever it exists is a challenge facing the U.S., and the reality is that nearly 85 percent of America's persistently impoverished counties are in rural areas. Rural childhood poverty rates are at their highest point since 1986, affecting one in four rural children, with deep poverty among children being more prevalent in rural areas (12.2 percent) than in urban areas (9.2 percent). The vitality of small towns across our nation is crucial to the future of the agricultural economy and USDA must always argue for the needs of rural America. “The economic health of small towns across America is crucial to the future of the agriculture economy. It is my commitment to always argue for the needs of rural America, which is why we are elevating Rural Development within USDA,” said Secretary Perdue. “No doubt, the opportunity we have here at the USDA in rural development is unmatched.” USDA’s report detailing the reorganization was transmitted to Congress this morning. You may click here to view the report on the USDA website. USDA employees and members of the public may comment on the reorganization plan by visiting this page hosted by the White House.

USDA Announces $300,000 to Support America’s Forest and Rangeland Resources

USDA Announces $300,000 to Support America’s Forest and Rangeland Resources Media contact: Sally Gifford, 202-720-2047 WASHINGTON, D.C. May 11, 2017 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced the availability of $300,000 in funding to support America’s forest landowners and ranchers. The grants are being funded through the Renewable Resources Extension Act – National Focus Fund Projects (RREA-NFF), administered by NIFA. “More than half of forest lands in the United States are privately owned,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “NIFA investments in extension forestry and rangelands education programs help ranchers, farmers, land managers, and scientists make informed decisions about how to use and sustain these natural resources.” Forest and rangeland resources include vegetation, water, fisheries and wildlife, soil, and recreation. Renewable Resources Extension Act – National Focus Fund Projects seek to enhance the sustainability of the nation’s forest and rangeland resources and enable landowners and managers to achieve their desired goals and objectives by making resource management decisions based on sound research findings. Projects will support the capacity of the Cooperative Extension System – Extension Forestry and Rangeland Programs to educate private forestland owners and ranchers and contribute to well-managed forests and rangelands. The deadline for applications is July 10, 2017 See the request for applications for more details. Among previously funded projects, the University of Georgia is developing curricula and training to help extension agents better serve the needs of forestland owners and managers. Clemson University Cooperative Extension hosted a summit to investigate alternative markets for local wood, which can lead to healthier forests and rural economic development. The average age of a forest landowner is over sixty years old, and a recent Penn State University project looked at the issue of intergenerational land transfer to help landowning families preserve forests and address other challenges such as invasive species. 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.

NMDA works to change the organic certification fee structure.

NMDA works to change the organic certification fee structure. For Immediate Release: May 11, 2017 Contact: Shelby Herrera 575-646-3007 office (LAS CRUCES, N.M.) – In January, New Mexico’s organic industry traveled to the legislature in Santa Fe to meet with state representatives about a change to an existing fee structure for Organic Certification. A new equitable and sustainable fee structure, which standardizes the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s organic department’s program, with other accrediting programs across the nation, is being written. This came after members of the New Mexico Organic Industry initiated this legislation. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture will hold public meetings in Las Cruces, Portales, Santa Fe and Albuquerque. During these meetings the new structure will be explained and they hope to receive community input on the proposed changes to the New Mexico Organic Program. Meetings for the community to attend, have been scheduled across the state. Meetings will be:  Monday, May 22, 2017 from 1 to 3 p.m., at the New Mexico Department of Agriculture office in Las Cruces;  Tuesday, May 23, 2017 from 3 to 5 p.m., at the Roosevelt County Extension Office;  Wednesday, May 24, 2017 from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Santa Fe County Extension Office;  And Wednesday, May 24, 2017 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the USDA State Office in Albuquerque. If you have any questions or for more information, please contact David Lucero at 575-646-4929

How Do You Select the Appropriate Herbicide to Control Weeds in Your Area

May 2017 How Do You Select the Appropriate Herbicide to Control Weeds in Your Area U) How Do You Select the Appropriate Herbicide to Control Weeds in Your Area? Always Consider the Labeled Active Ingredients of each Product Rather than the Trade Name Spring is in the air, which is also the time for focusing on the management of weeds germinating within lawns that are coming out of winter dormancy. If you are located in the southern regions of New Mexico you’ve probably had summer annual weeds germinating for a few months now. However, both daytime and nighttime temperatures are still within the ideal range to prompt the continued germination of these summer weeds over the next couple of months. In contrast, the more northern portions of the state are probably starting to notice the summer annual weeds germinating within the past few weeks which will also continue through the spring and summer months. Regardless of your location, this time of year is a great reminder of how important it is to read herbicide product labels, both synthetic and organic, prior to every application. When trying to select the right herbicide for your weed management needs at your local garden center, there are two names at the top of every label to take into consideration. One is the trade name, also known as the brand name. Every manufacturer has a trade name for their products which are the registered trademark name for their specific product. A great example is the trade name ‘Roundup’ which is given by the company to products that they manufacture which traditionally contained the herbicide glyphosate in some measurable quantity. Another product with the trade name ‘Eliminator: Weed and Grass Killer’ is manufactured by a different company, but it contains the same herbicide. The second, and most important, name to consider when choosing or applying an herbicide is the active ingredient. The active ingredient (a.i.) is the chemical or chemicals in a synthetic or organic herbicide product that is responsible for the injury which ultimately controls the target weed. In the case of the two products mentioned above, ‘Roundup’ and ‘Eliminator’ the active ingredient that actually controls the weed is glyphosate, which is available under numerous different trade names. It is important at all times when purchasing, and most certainly when applying, any synthetic or organic herbicide to pay special attention to the active ingredients within the product. Remember, it is these active ingredients that will be responsible for the control of your target weed. A great example of the importance of reading the label, and paying more attention to the active ingredients over the company trade name, can be observed in a new product on the shelves called ‘Roundup for Lawns’. Since ‘Roundup’ is so commonly associated with the active ingredient glyphosate, it is possible that this new product may be applied incorrectly if the label directions are not followed. ‘Roundup for Lawns’ does not contain glyphosate, which injures both grasses and broadleaf plants…instead the active ingredients could include: MCPA, quinclorac, dicamba, sulfentrazone, and/or penoxsulam. These active ingredients are used to specifically injure broadleaf weeds while causing minimal damage to the surrounding desirable turfgrass. There are multiple readily-available herbicide products that contain combinations of these active ingredients, such as ‘Weed-b-Gon’, ‘Spectricide’, and ‘Touch Up’. If the directions specifically contained within that product’s label are not followed when making an application, not only will it not result in the expected injury or control of your weeds, these active ingredients may also have the potential to cause unintended injury to surrounding desirable vegetation (i.e. trees, shrubs, horticulture plants, gardens). Why trying to choose the most appropriate herbicide for your weed control needs, it is important to remember that the label is the law! To avoid unintentional injury and ensure a safe and effective application, it is imperative to always, always, always read and follow the directions/restrictions specified within the label. Disclaimer: Trade/brand names appearing in publications are for information purposes only. The author and New Mexico State University assume no liability resulting from their use. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned. By law, persons using such products assume responsibility for their use in accordance with current label directions of the manufacturer.

New NMSU publicaon on gestaton and stress on Ewes.

The following CES publication is now available online in PDF format. Guide B-411: Effects of Stress from Predation in Gestating Ewes—A Case Study M.A. Ward, A.F. Summers, S.L. Rosasco, J.K. Beard, S.A. Soto-Navarro, and D.M. Hallford http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_b/B411.pdf

What to do when cattle get attacked by a snake

What to do when cattle get attacked by a snake Although it’s not common, cattle and horses get snake-bitten every summer. Here’s how to deal with it. By Heather Smith Thomas | Jul 07, 2016 A cool, wet spring has transformed into the heat of summer. While that means easier living for both you and your cattle, it’s still prudent to keep your eyes peeled for the hidden and well-camouflaged danger lurking behind a pair of snake eyes. Indeed, you roll the dice when poisonous snakes are around. The rattlesnake is the most common poisonous snake in the U.S. It belongs to a family of snakes called pit vipers that have heat-sensing organs on their heads, which help them locate prey. Other pit vipers include copperheads and cottonmouth, also called water moccasin. The rattlesnake usually gives a warning when an animal or person approaches, unless the rattles are wet; but copperheads and sometimes rattlesnakes may just try to hide — and then you or a cow or your horse might step on them and get bitten. The danger/potency of a bite depends on amount of venom injected and the type of toxin — which can vary, depending on the species or variety of snake. It also makes a difference where the bite is located. A bite on the leg is usually not as dangerous as a bite on the face. Swelling from a bite on the nose, for instance, may cause death from suffocation if it shuts off the air passages and the animal cannot breathe. Matt Miesner, associate professor in the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, says large animals like cattle are rarely killed by snakebite because the amount of venom per unit of body is small. “They are less apt to suffer heart failure, kidney failure or all the other things that might be more dangerous for a person or smaller animal,” he says. Often, the toxins from a bite result in damaged tissue and a lot of necrotic (dead) tissue and infection. Sometimes the infection may go systemic (septicemia, or blood poisoning). cattlewomen 65 Photos That Celebrate Cowgirls & Cattlewomen Ranch women are often the backbones of our cattle operations. Enjoy these stunning photos here. “I’ve seen two calves with black, necrotic, swollen areas on the abdomen, where I suspect they were bitten when they lay down on or near a snake. These calves were very sick, and the necrotic tissue was sloughing off. Both of these calves died; the infection was too severe for them to recover. With their smaller body mass, they were more seriously affected than an adult cow might be,” he says. Rob Callan, head of livestock veterinary services at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University, says the good thing is that most cattle don’t seem to get too “nosy” with rattlesnakes. “Most bites are on the lower legs, unless it’s a curious individual that approaches the snake to smell it. A bite on the leg shows up as a swollen leg. The biggest problem would be infection in those tissues,” he says. The immediate problem with face or nose bites is suffocation, since snakebite can cause rapid, severe swelling. Immediate treatment and monitoring are key, as is keeping the animals confined so they don’t have to walk. If they can’t breathe well, you don’t want them exerting. Breathing emergency “With a bite on the nose, we often must find an alternate breathing route, and sometimes this means a tracheotomy to allow the animal to breathe while the swelling goes down,” Callan explains. Jacques Fuselier, a veterinarian with the Whittington Veterinary Clinic, Abbeville, La., says that if you can catch a nose bite early enough, when tissues are just starting to swell, a veterinarian can put an endotracheal tube with a cuff into the nasal passage to keep it open, while giving treatment to reduce the swelling. “If the veterinarian can’t get there quickly, you could use a piece of hose,” he says. For a calf, use smaller tubing. This can be left in until the swelling goes down. “A piece of hose can be pushed up each nostril, all the way through the nasal passages, to maintain an open airway before they swell shut,” Callan says. The tube or hose should be secured with tape or a string on the outside to keep it from sliding in or out, or being inhaled into the trachea, or swallowed. If the swelling is too advanced and airways are already squeezed shut and the animal can’t breathe, an emergency tracheotomy is necessary. It’s best if this can be done by a veterinarian, but if there is no way to have the veterinarian get there in time, you may have to do it to save the animal. “Be as clean as possible, and make a vertical incision through the skin, along the windpipe, right in the middle of the throat—so you can get down to the rings of the trachea,” says Fuselier. “Then use your fingers to open that slit a bit wider side to side, so you can make a stab incision between the rings [a bit like slicing between the ribs of a vacuum cleaner hose]. If that’s not enough of a hole to let air go in and out, make a cut in a small circle, remove a portion of the cartilage ring to make a bigger hole.” Often a pocketknife stab is enough between the rings to get it open for air flow. “If necessary, slip a small piece of hose or tube into that hole to keep it open. This buys the animal time until the veterinarian arrives and can take it from there,” says Fuselier. After the bite “If you see the animal bitten, or suspect it was bitten, treat with an antibiotic,” says Callan. “There are bacteria in the snake’s mouth, and bacteria that proliferate in damaged, dying tissue.” Most common antibiotics will work to prevent and combat these infections; you can use penicillin, oxytetracycline, florfenicol, ampicillin or any other broad-spectrum antibiotic. Some animals develop a fever and/or septicemia from the infection; antibiotics can help prevent these problems. Immediate treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation, pain and swelling can make a big difference, but it’s sometimes hard to treat cattle early because you might not see them as soon as you might notice a snake-bitten pet. “In humans, treatment within the first couple of hours is generally accomplished, but we rarely get that opportunity with cattle,” says Miesner. “There are antivenom products that work, but those need to be infused within the first few hours. They are expensive, and they don’t cover every type of snakebite,” he says. These products are not very practical for adult cattle because it would take multiple vials for an animal this large. Cold therapy, such as cool water from a garden hose, dexamethasone, DMSO or similar products can often help. “There are regulations regarding DMSO, but used as a topical it’s still OK,” Miesner says. “Use caution with DMSO topically on devitalized tissues, however, as this may result in absorption of contaminants and worsening of systemic disease.” He suggests you check with your veterinarian. “We generally prefer to use steroids to help prevent or reduce swelling and inflammation. It is important to control swelling and pain, because a snakebite is horribly painful,” Miesner says. “We don’t recommend the old treatment of slicing across a bite area and sucking out the venom. It generally doesn’t work. But after the area becomes necrotic, we may have to open it up and debride it to get rid of dead tissue that serves as a source of more infection,” says Miesner. If the head is so swollen that the animal has trouble eating and drinking, you might have to provide fluid and nutrients via stomach tube. “Another thing we can do with cattle that can’t eat is create a port through the cow’s side into the rumen, and put feed directly into the rumen, but usually the swelling can be reduced quickly enough that we don’t have to do something this involved,” he says. But it might not be snakebite Glennon Mays, a veterinarian at Texas A&M University, says that a suspected snakebite could turn out to be something else. Swelling on a lower leg, for instance, is more often due to foot rot or another infection than to snakebite. “Animal owners over the years have asked me to look at lumps on jaws, faces, necks and other body parts, swollen legs and feet, believing their animal has suffered snakebite. Snakebite wounds have a fairly typical appearance, and often some bleeding. Signs vary, depending on the length of time transpired since the bite occurred, the environmental temperature, the amount of venom and other factors that might affect the appearance of the affected area,” he says. “Often, a swelling the owner is worried about turns out to be an abscess or seroma [collection of fluid] or reaction of body tissue, rather than snakebite. This is why it’s important to have a proper diagnosis and involve your veterinarian,” Mays says. Heather Smith Thomas is a rancher and freelance writer based in Salmon, Idaho.

Pecan Nut Casebear EARLY

I just spoke to a couple of growers who run pheromone traps for Pecan Nut Casebear and they have had very high numbers for the last three nights. So you may want to consider gearing up and start spraying soon. I have not gone out and looked for eggs but they should be able to be found in the next three days. Remember the Heat Unit model is just an estimate to get us close to the date for spraying. Based on what your moth count and egg count is I would consider applying the appropriate product this week.

Rangelands Symposium

June 21-22, 2017 Ruidoso Conference Center. Drought

Cycles influence on Range land and cattle management options.

NMSU Cooperative Extension trains landowners proper prescribed burn techniques

NMSU Cooperative Extension trains landowners proper prescribed burn techniques DATE: 05/05/2017 WRITER: Jane Moorman, 505-249-0527, jmoorman@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Doug Cram, 575-646-8130, dcram@nmsu.edu Well before the emergence of humans on the planet, fire played a role in shaping vegetation. Evidence suggests fire may have been burning plants as early as 440 million years ago. The question of how long humans have been using fire, for cooking, is hotly debated. “So where do these two stories converge? How long have humans been using fire to manipulate vegetation?” said Doug Cram, wildland fire specialist in New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. “At least in North America, Native Americans were the first fire managers. However, that skill has largely been lost among landowners.” Unlike other management tools such as tree cutting or herbicide spraying, burning is not a surrogate for some other disturbance. Rather, it is a natural process that can be used to influence vegetation toward a specific objective, such as reduced brush cover. Last month the NMSU Cooperative Extension Service and the New Mexico Prescribed Fire Council joined forces to begin training the next generation of landowners on the safe and effective use of fire. The training was conducted on the NMSU Corona Range and Livestock Research Center under the direction of Shad Cox, superintendent; and Richard Dunlap, senior research assistant. “Fire is a useful management tool, but understanding when, where and how to use it takes practice,” Cox said. “The training was designed specifically to address how to best use fire.” To facilitate this learning, the New Mexico Prescribed Fire Council recently acquired a “Burn Trailer” that citizens can borrow. The trailer contains all the tools landowners would need to burn. “Equipment that they would not find in the barn can be found in the trailer, such as drip torches, flappers, Pulaskis and a sling psychrometer, an instrument used to measure relative humidity,” Cram said. “Burning in the Corona country is one part fire experience and nine parts weatherman,” said Brent Racher, a veteran burner who helped teach the students. Indeed, being able to interpret weather forecasts for the day of the burn, as well the following days, is critical to successful burning. “People need to know what will be the wind speed and direction, relative humidity, ventilation rate and fuel moisture,” Cram said. “These are all variables that must be considered and taken into consideration.” In addition, smoke must be account for in order to avoid impacting downwind neighbors, communities and highways. “This unique training opportunity is set to be repeated annually, as well as later this summer during growing season conditions, a historically non-traditional season of burning that may offer equal efficacy but with reduced fire behavior conditions such as flame lengths and rates of spread,” Cram said. Contact Cram at 575-646-8130, dcram@nmsu.edu, or the NM Prescribed Fire Council to learn more about this hands-on training.

The Food and Drug Administration will fund a campaign to promote genetically modified organisms in food under a bipartisan agreement to keep the government funded through the end of September

NOTE NMSU has a publication on this: GMO Crops in New Mexico Agriculture Circular 682 Steve Hanson, Leslie Beck, Nancy Flores, Stephanie Walker, Mark Marsalis, and Richard Heerema College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences New Mexico State University The Food and Drug Administration will fund a campaign to promote genetically modified organisms in food under a bipartisan agreement to keep the government funded through the end of September. The deal to avert a government shutdown, which passed the Senate by a vote of 79 to 18 Thursday, allocates $3 million to “consumer outreach and education regarding agricultural biotechnology,” which includes genetic engineering of food and commodity crops. The money is to be used to tout “the environmental, nutritional, food safety, economic, and humanitarian impacts” of biotech crops and their derivative food products. [We're having the wrong argument about GMOs] More than 50 agriculture and food industry groups had signed on to an April 18 letter urging the funding to counter “a tremendous amount of misinformation about agricultural biotechnology in the public domain.” But some environmental groups and House Democrats have derided the provision as a government-sponsored public relations tour for the GMO industry. “It is not the responsibility of the FDA to mount a government-controlled propaganda campaign to convince the American public that genetically modified foods are safe,” said Rep. Nita M. Lowey (D-N.Y.), who attempted to get the measure struck from the bill last month. “The FDA has to regulate the safety of our food supply and medical devices. They are not, nor should they be, in the pro-industry advertising business,” Lowey said during a congressional hearing It’s unclear what the FDA campaign will look like, or when it will launch. The $3 million allocated is little more than a speck in the FDA’s total allocated budget of $2.8 billion. The budget specifies only that the initiative be developed in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, and include the “publication and distribution of science-based educational information.” An attempt by Democrats to redirect the project’s funding to pediatric medical projects within FDA was unanimously voted down by Republicans. A 2016 study by the Pew Research Center found that 39 percent of American adults believe that genetically modified foods are worse for health than their conventional equivalents — an assessment with which the vast majority of scientists disagree. Nearly 90 percent of the members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science believe GMOs are safe to eat, according to another Pew study. “Clearly, communication of the benefits of biotechnology from the scientific community has not gone well, and this presents an opportunity to engage with the public in a more meaningful dialogue,” said Mark Rieger, the dean of the University of Delaware’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, who signed the industry letter. “We see it as a communication issue, not a political one.” But critics argue the issue is inherently political, given the financial ties between lawmakers and the ag biotech industry. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, agribusiness interests donated more than $26.3 million to political campaigns, including those of several congressmen who sit on the House agriculture appropriations subcommittee. Rep. Robert B. Aderholt (R-Ala.), the chair of that subcommittee and a defender of the GMO education funding, received $10,000 from Monsanto in 2016. “This is a really clear example of big ag influencing policy,” said Dana Perls, the senior food and technology campaigner for the environmental group Friends of the Earth. “The Trump administration is putting big ag before consumer desire and public health … Consumers do not want this.” Critics have also wondered whether it’s the government’s job to communicate this particular information — and whether that information, as written in the budget, oversteps what scientists really know. While there’s a widespread consensus that GM crops are safe, there are valid and lingering questions about the environmental and social impacts of GMOs. Last year, an academic analysis of 14 years of farm data found that an uptick in GM seed plantings goes hand-in-hand with increased herbicide use, for instance. Some herbicides have been found to contribute to health problems in animals and humans. Many of the touted benefits of GMOs haven’t materialized, either, argues Andy Kimbrell, the executive director of the Center for Food Safety, a D.C. nonprofit that has filed numerous legal challenges against the makers of GM crops. An October analysis by the New York Times found that the technology does not significantly increase yields. And few GM products with tangible consumer benefits — such as better taste or nutrition — have yet made it onto the U.S. market. “So yes, that gives them a marketing problem,” Kimbrell said. “But Monsanto has plenty of money to advocate for GMOs ... Why do we need to use taxpayer dollars?” One possible answer, from industry’s perspective, is that taxpayer dollars are already funding a Department of Agriculture initiative to label GM foods. Last year, Congress passed a bill mandating that food companies disclose the GM ingredients in their products, and USDA has said it is actively working on the standards for those labels. Patrick Delaney, a spokesman for the American Soybean Association, said it will be important for consumers to understand those labels once they roll out, likely after September 2018. “We recognize that there is a need for better and more accessible information on what this technology is and what it provides to consumers, he said by email. “We supported (and still support) that $3 million in funding for biotech education ... to better inform the public about the use of biotechnology in food and agricultural production.” Correction: This story originally said that the Food and Drug Administration was working on an initiative to label GMO foods. The effort to develop those labels is based at the Department of Agriculture. The Post regrets the error.

Top New Mexico attorney launches probe of U.S. beef processors

Meatingplace.com New Mexico’s attorney general has launched an investigation into the business practices of beef processing companies to protect his state’s ranchers and cattle farmers that he contends are being harmed by “out of state corporations.” New Mexico Atty. Gen. Hector Balderas said he is concerned about what he described in a news release as the “unfair and anticompetitive practices” of such companies as Cargill Inc., JBS USA, Tyson Foods Inc. and the National Beef Packing Co., among others. The probe — believed to be the first of its kind filed by a state attorney general — accuses the “mega meatpacking” companies of harming New Mexican families by “reaping record profits” at the expense of local residents who are seeing their paychecks shrink and meat prices rise.

SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING

P SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING We hear that a lot in Bio Security or Agro Terrorism training. Intentional acts to disrupt or cause terror to our food supply is possible. In fact, U.S. Intelligence has found plans in Afghanistan, Iraqi and Syria on how to do just that. The agriculture sector in the U.S. is a $1 trillion business and employs approximately 9.2 percent of American workers. In 2012, domestic animal agriculture – livestock and poultry production – generated approximately 1.8 million jobs, $346 billion in total economic output and $60 billion in household income. Experts are calling better understanding of the threats to agriculture posed by biological agents, which can inflict catastrophic consequences on the U.S. population and economy. The treat to plant agriculture is very real as well but would be more complicated, difficult and slower. Vigilance is the key. While it was not an intentional act recently I had an Eddy County Citizen contact our office about something he thought was unusual. He had bought birdseed a local store and when he got home, he put some out into his bird feeder. Soon he noticed that there were tiny bugs everywhere. He used a house hold insecticide spray double bagged both the feeder and the birdseed he had just bought. Then he called the Extension Office, I was in Artesia but he brought his items to the Extension Office. Unfortunately, I do not have a deep freeze to put the infested product. However, we cooled them down and got a look under the microscope as well as sending them to the NMSU/NMDA entomologist. We also notified NMDA feed and seed bureau for inspection. These insects are grainy weevils and the sack was at least 90% infested. NMDA took appropriate regulatory action to protect sorghum and milt production in Eddy County and New Mexico. Fortunately, the time of year for this particular pest reduced the treat to our local Agriculture. We thank the citizen who did what we ask if you see, something unusual say something to someone so the treat will be evaluated and eliminated. Another producer noticed a different insect and it turn out to be a simple issue of meal worms but again we the Agriculture Sector of our community appreciate people saying something. Subscribe to Eddy County Ag news at: http://nmsueddyag.blogspot.com/ Eddy They turned out to be grainy weevils 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.

CME cattle futures have gone vertical

Gone Vertical Posted on: 5/02/2017 By Cassie Fish, http://cassandrafish.com CME cattle futures have gone vertical the last 7 trading days. Most active Jun LC has gained almost $13 during that time and is eyeing the gap on the spot weekly left by spot Apr LC at $128.30. Futures no longer can ignore their historically large discount to cash prices and are responding with a vengeance to the near $12 cash fed cattle rally that occurred in April. Whether cash cattle prices are higher this week or not (and most assume higher is a given), Jun LC stands $10 discount to last week’s prices and the argument that Jun LC is discount because its trading where cash cattle prices in early July has been diminished to meaningless words. Shorts, especially in options, have panicked in droves the last 3 trading sessions and the option market is portending another huge rally tomorrow. There has been talk of intra-day margin calls as losses for hedgers mount. It is truly a take-no-prisoners, old-fashioned blow off. Even 2014 did not produce as brutal of a rally as this one. The head and shoulders bottom chart formation on many cattle charts has now been fulfilled or overreached at this point. Futures are sharply deviated from moving averages and are overbought by all counts. The extreme nature of this rally is mirroring some of the extreme sell-offs experienced by this market in 2015 and 2016. This rally has been missed by many due to the over-reliance on supply fundamentals and historical probabilities and not enough emphasis on demand, the huge kills and plummeting carcass weights. Speaking of demand, the current boxed beef rally is more of a push, rather than a pull affair- which has not been the case over the last 6 months. Interest in out-front purchases has slowed at current prices levels and trade volume has been lighter than packers would like. This was evident in Monday’s USDA Comprehensive Boxed Beef report and has become even more prevalent this week. Boxes have been muscled higher in the past few days to a new high for 2017, as packers work hard to expand margins. This morning’s quote of $228.77, the new high for the year, is $10 higher than 7 trading days ago, clearly not keeping pace with cash or futures cattle prices. This week’s kill will come in lower than last week’s 624k, partly impacted by weather yesterday and partly due to some packers pulling Saturday kills because of shrinking margins and slowing boxed beef sales. Look for a 605k-618k. Over? It is starting to feel like there is a lot of air underneath this market. But until the last short has blown, it’s difficult to say when, let alone where, this market tops for this run.

Brush and Weed Control on New Mexico Ranges

The following CES publication has been revised and is now available online in PDF format. Guide B-806: Brush and Weed Control on New Mexico Ranges Reviewed by Kert Young (Extension Brush and Weed Specialist, Dept. of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources) http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_b/B806.pdf

Eddy County Weed Control group does a great job.

This past week I have been looking for some dense stands of African rue, for a research demonstration plot. I told our Range Brush Specialist no problem we got it here in Eddy county, I was thinking I had seen it all over the county in past years. Every where I went that I remembered it so thick you would have sworn that it was planted and it was not there. Drove over 200 mile on back dirt county roads and did not find anything but a few spot with a few weeds. Put the word out to you all and got a few calls on place where it had been sprayed but a few survived. Or where Ray Killer and the weed group sprayed but a few plant here and there had survived. My advice is hit those few plant again with Arsenal and Round up, and or spike. But compared to the acres and acres I saw just a few years ago, what left is manageable, as long as we keep after it. We need to thank Ray and the other from the BLM, County road dept, State Department of Transportation, State Parks, State Land office and you the producers for work so hard on this project. There are always more weeds to go after however. I am also looking for some Malta Start Thistle that is dense and has not bee sprayed.

Eddy County 4-H alumni in automotive accident last week.

Bryce Bowerman, who is a freshman at NMSU college of ACES and a 4-H alumni was mortally injured in a tragic automobile accident last week. He is on life support pending organ donation and the funeral service will be at the Eddy County fair grounds, on a date to be determined. I will post more information as we receive it. Our pray go out to the family and our community. We will be needing help to clean up the fair grounds and I will post cleanup dates.

AG investigates corporate farming practices

LAS CRUCES – New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas and his office have launched a wide-ranging investigation aimed at protecting cattle ranchers, feeders and producers from harmful practices by large-scale, corporate farming operations. Balderas announced the investigation on Tuesday in Las Cruces. Balderas said the “multi-pronged” investigation will “review unfair and anti-competitive practices in the cattle industry that harm New Mexican families and our ranchers and cattle farmers,” who he described as the “backbone” of the state’s economy. “My office will investigate the actions of the mega meat-packing corporations in order to determine whether they broke the rules, and if they did, hold those parties fully accountable for their actions,” he said. According to the Attorney General’s Office, the cattle and calf industry is one of the top two commodities for cash receipts in New Mexico. Figures provided by the office show that in New Mexico, there are about 7,000 cattle farms and about 1.4 million dairy and beef cows, including an estimated 325,000 milk cows alone. Balderas said the struggles plaguing cattle ranchers in New Mexico are compounded when they’re also faced with unfair and anti-competitive practices by corporate farming entities, leading to the demise of more small cattle ranch operations. He said his office has recently become aware of such practices by “four mega meat-packing corporations that collectively process approximately 80 percent of all the beef slaughtered in the U.S.” “This issue is critical not only for the local businesses which it directly affects, but for all New Mexicans, and I am taking it very seriously,” he said. Lena Sanchez, a 19-year-old student at New Mexico State University who hails from a ranching family in Jicarilla Apache, also spoke during Balderas’s news conference. She welcomed a thorough investigation of corporate farming practices. “It’s becoming harder and harder, every year, to continue ranching,” Sanchez said. “I think this is an issue that affects all of New Mexico.” She added: “More and more, we’re seeing that agriculture producers and consumers are becoming farther and farther apart, and it is reducing the profit for producers and it’s also increasing costs for consumers.” Balderas urged all New Mexico ranchers who believe they have been harmed by corporate farming to come forward and bring their allegations to his office. “Right now, we’re starting very broad and we’re conducting enough outreach to make sure that we have the largest harmed parties class that we can secure,” he said. “I am committing my office’s resources and I will use the full force of its authority to challenge any entity that illegally or unfairly threatens our local farming and ranching communities, including the USDA or any other entity that acts without integrity,” he said. “My office will fight against federal overreach that hurts our family-owned farms and ranches, to ensure that this critical piece of our state’s identity is honored and protected for generations to come.” To contact the attorney general's Las Cruces office, call 575339-1120 or visit http://www.nmag.gov/. Carlos Andres López can be reached 575-541-5453, carlopez@lcsun-news.com or @carlopez_los on Twitter.

USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for May 2017

USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for May 2017 05/01/2017 10:00 AM EDT WASHINGTON, May 1, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation today announced interest rates for May 2017. The Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing rate-based charge for May is 1.000 percent, unchanged from 1.000 percent in April.