National Cotton Council following multiple issues that could affect crop protection products and farm efficiency

National Cotton Council following multiple issues that could affect crop protection products and farm efficiency Southwest Farm Press By Ron Smith Dicamba, pollinators, pesticide reregistration, worker protection, glyphosate evaluation, endangered species and online pesticide labels are all issues that bear watching by farmers and consultants in coming months, according to a National Cotton Council spokesman. Don Parker, NCC manager for integrated pest management, offered an update on regulatory issues during the Crop Consultant’s Conference, the opening session for the 2018 Beltwide Cotton Conferences held in early January in San Antonio, Texas…Parker says the pollinator issue also “is not going away,” and that NCC continues to monitor pollinator issues that include evaluation of products important to the cotton industry.

Efforts to eradicate the pecan weevil, which threatens New Mexico’s multi-billion-dollar pecan industry,

Efforts to eradicate the pecan weevil, which threatens New Mexico’s multi-billion-dollar pecan industry, took the form of two bills in both the New Mexico Senate and House of Representatives. Sen. Carroll Leavell (R-41) introduced a bill intended to appropriate $250,000 from the State’s general fund to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture for studies and eradication programs. Senate Bill 160 was matched by House Bill 184, sponsored by Rep. James Townsend (R-54). SB 160 is scheduled to be heard before the Senate Conservation Committee, Thursday in Santa Fe. Both bills specify the money would be used for detection, eradication and mitigation. “It’s a pretty simple bill,” Leavell said. “They’re to use (the money) to do the experimentations and find the best way to get rid of the pecan weevil.” Pecans represent an about $180-million industry in New Mexico, records show. Leavell said the bug must be destroyed. “It’s important because we’ve got to put a stop to that weevil,” he said. “It’s become a major crop in New Mexico. It produces a lot of income. It needs to be under control, before it causes more harm.” Woods Houghton, agriculture agent at the Eddy County Cooperative Extension Service said the battle is far from over. He listed three stages of eradication: confine, control and cleanup. The parasite’s range is continuing to spread throughout New Mexico, Houghton said, and NMDA staff have yet to discern the bug’s full range. “We’re still trying to figure out where it is,” he said. “Right now, the weevil’s territory is expanding.” Pecan Weevil Pecan Weevil (Photo: Courtesy photo) The pecan weevil was found in multiple southeastern New Mexico counties: Eddy, Chaves, Curry and Lea counties. The weevil bores into the nut, consuming the nut meat and making the product unfit for human consumption. The NMDA announced a 180-day quarantine in November, restricting pecan sales from the counties known for infestations. Producers who ship into uninfected counties, such as Doña Ana, are required to have proof of where the nuts came from and take extra steps to prevent contamination such as shipping the pecans in a sealed, covered vehicle. New Mexico’s pecan weevil quarantine was initially enacted in 1997 to restrict shipments from all states except Arizona, California and parts of West Texas. The insect, a species of beetle, is believed to have originated in the Midwest. “This is where everyone fights it, in New Mexico,” said Brad Lewis, NMDA assistant division director of Entomology and Nursery. “We’ve watched it march across Texas, and across the pecan belt." Lewis said stopping the weevil's path of destruction did show some progress recently, but as more and more trees are found infected, he said efforts must continue to increase. “Eradication efforts have been productive," Lewis said. "But insufficient for the number of trees we have found to be infested with pecan weevil.” Houghton said Eddy County produces about 10 million pounds of pecans per year, worth about $29.2 million. Pecans are the second-largest cash crop in the county, he said, after alfalfa and recently ahead of cotton. New Mexico is the country's second largest pecan-producing state, providing about 30 percent of the country's crop. Statewide, the nut represents a $180 million annual industry. “The industry is growing,” Houghton said. “We can grow pecans as far north as Tucumcari. Pecans are quickly becoming our number-one crop.” It can take up to 10 years, he said, for a pecan grower to see a profit. “It’s a capital-intensive industry,” Houghton said. “The people that grow them have invested a tremendous amount of money.” While the funding, if approved, will likely go toward staffing, Houghton said he hopes a portion will be dedicated to educating local growers and buyers on the dangers of the weevil, and how to stop it. Carroll Leavell Carroll Leavell (Photo: Courtesy) “People won’t do anything until they know what to do,” he said. “I would like to see some money for education. I prefer education over regulation. It’s going to be up to the producers. Everything we do is producer-driven.” Until then, the NMDA has only one agent who oversees pecan mitigation – part time – in Eddy County, Houghton said. New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte said funding is focused on increasing staff to inspect pecan orchards for the weevil, while also supporting eradication and exportation efforts. “The appropriations would be used to continue our cooperation with industry in an effort to expand current detection and eradication of pecan weevil," Witte said. "Our current expenditures are directed toward seasonal staff and pest control contractors." Two more bills, House Bill 214 and the equivalent Senate Bill 217 are intended to establish the Pecan Buyers Licensure Act which would offer more guidance and regulation on pecan sales amid the weevil’s infestation. The Senate bill was sponsored by Sen. Cliff Pirtle (R-32) and Sen. George Munoz (D-4). The House legislation was put forth by Townsend, Rep. Yvette Herrel (R-51) and Rep. Bealquin Bill Gomez (D-34). The bills instruct the NMDA to develop an inspection program for in-shell pecans, adopting rules and criminal penalties for non-compliance, and giving NMDA the right to seize any pecans found in violation. License fees are not to exceed $500 per year, read the bill, and are required for all buyers and purchase locations. Rep. James Townsend Rep. James Townsend (Photo: Courtesy photo) Purchase records must be maintained for two years, specifying the location, date of purchase, name and address of the seller, and the location of the tree or farm where the pecans originated. The law, if approved, would not apply to personal consumption, purchases totaling 50 pounds or less, or restaurants who purchase less than 100 pounds throughout the year. Theft of pecans was also addressed in the bill, specifying different levels of prosecution based on the quantity of pecans stolen. Stolen pecans worth $250 or less constitute a petty misdemeanor, while between $250 and $500 worth are a misdemeanor. If passed, the bills would take effect on July 1. Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.

Market Data to Agricultural

USDA Launches MARS, Delivering Market Data to Agricultural Producers Around the Globe Faster and Easier WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced the launch of a new electronic data platform to deliver market price information to the commodities industry. The new web-based platform, Market Analysis and Reporting Services (MARS), uses state-of-the-art technology to present detailed data sets in a more customer-focused way to better support competitive markets for producers and help stabilize food prices for American families. “USDA Market News is the most relied upon source of unbiased agricultural market data,” said Greg Ibach, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “USDA’s on-site market reporters gather, analyze and publish unbiased data all day long to ensure fair food prices for consumers across the country and around the world. The MARS project applies the best data management practices to make that data available when and where farmers, packers and processors need it.” As Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue promised last summer, USDA staff are using the latest technologies available to deliver the most effective, most efficient, customer-focused service in the federal government. MARS improves the transparency, speed and accuracy of USDA Market News, and facilitates the flow of data from more than 3,600 markets to AMS analysts and ultimately to producers, industry and the public. The new dynamic interface provides data analysts one-stop instant access to agricultural commodity data through a searchable database with the ability to create custom reports, data sets and data visualizations to make large amounts of information more easily understandable in a fraction of the time. Businesses may also utilize the built-in application program interface (API) to use the data to create new uses for the data as customer needs evolve. On Feb. 2, 2018, Market News information for dairy products will be the first set of data and reports available through MARS followed by Cotton and Tobacco, scheduled for April 2018. Dates for Livestock, Poultry and Grain and Specialty Crops will be announced on the new My Market News website. It is anticipated that all Market News data will be moved to the new system by March 2019. USDA’s existing Market News website will continue to post data until all commodities are available through MARS. To learn more about MARS, participate in our overview webinar or visit the new My Market News web portal.

In The Spotlight at the NM Roundhouse.

HB163: Unimproved Land Property Tax Valuation sponsored by Rep. Nate Gentry, Rep. Bobby Gonzales, Sen. Peter Wirth and Sen. Steve Neville creates a new conservation schedule. For property taxation purposes, unimproved land used primarily to conserve the land under a qualified conservation management plan shall be valued at five percent of its current and correct value. Eligibility for this method of valuation is limited to unimproved land (1) valued in the previous year as agricultural land but which is no longer eligible for that status and (2) is either greater than 10 acres or, if less, has water rights for agricultural purposes. NMF&LB opposes this bill as a top priority. HB163 has been scheduled in House Local Government, Elections, Land Grants & Cultural Affairs Committee for tomorrow (Thursday), February 1, 2017 at 1:30 pm in capitol room 315. Here is the committee contact information: Miguel Garcia Dem Chairman 505.986.4844 miguel.garcia@nmlegis.gov Daymon Ely Dem Vice Chair 505.986.4336 daymon.ely@nmlegis.gov David Adkins Rep Member 505.986.4467 david.adkins@nmlegis.gov Zachary Cook Rep Member 505.986.4233 zachary.cook@nmlegis.gov Doreen Gallegos Dem Member 505.986.4780 doreen.gallegos@nmlegis.gov Nate Gentry Rep Member 505.986.4757 natefornm@gmail.com Debbie Rodella Dem Member 505.986.4329 debbie.rodella@nmlegis.gov The easiest way to engage legislators is one of three ways: by telephone, by email or public testimony during a committee meeting. TELEPHONE OPTION: If you call, you will most likely not be able to speak to the legislator, however LEAVE A MESSAGE with their secretary and say: “Please tell Representative _________ that House Bill 163: Unimproved Land Property Tax Valuation sponsored by Rep. M. Garcia is BAD for New Mexico Agriculture; please vote NO on HB163.” EMAIL OPTION: If you prefer to email legislators, their email addresses are provided above. Here are some talking points you can include in your email should you so choose. You are encouraged to call and email all legislators on the committee if your time permits. HB163 Talking Points • This bill is trying to rectify a problem that exists in one or two counties. This problem should be handled through a local option. We should not be changing the whole property tax code to solve the problems of a few counties. • This type of legislation leads us further away from fair and equitable assessments. HB163 will open a tax loophole that will transfer the tax burden on to other taxpayers and impact students. What will this legislation do to the bonding capacity for school districts and others? • It has been misrepresented that if the owners do not have “agricultural production” then the assessor’s office is putting the value at development land values. This is incorrect, the land would be valued at the market value for vacant land in that area. • Current tax law already allows for agriculture and conservation; if the purpose of this proposed bill is truly “conservation,” then this legislation is unnecessary! Large acreages for conservation and nonagricultural use hurts the counties (tax income and economic activity) and benefits land and water speculators. • Taking land out of agriculture will reduce economic activity and the multiplier effect within the county and could be substantial. A maximum acreage (cap) must be part of the bill to ensure minimal impact to county budgets and avoid budget shortfalls. PUBLIC TESTIMONY: Finally, nothing is more impactful than YOUR public testimony in committee. We always encourage our members to come to Santa Fe and join us as we engage the legislature. If you would like to appear in person to testify, contact NMF&LB Government Affairs Matthew Gonzales (mattg@nmflb.org) so he can prep you (if need be) or just show up to the committee at the time and date listed above and Matt will ensure you’re ready. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact our offices. Thank you for your time and effort on this legislation!

Circular 688: Understanding Predation

Circular 688: Understanding Predation Louis C. Bender (Senior Research Scientist [Natural Resources], Dept. of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources) PDF: http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR688.pdf

Donation in Memory of Bill Queen, Carlsbad, NM supports youth equine education

Donation in Memory of Bill Queen, Carlsbad, NM supports youth equine education McDonald, NM, January 30, 2018- The American Youth Horse Council (AYHC) is pleased to accept a donation in memory of Bill Queen, Carlsbad, NM that makes equine education more accessible for hundreds of youth throughout the country. Through this donation, AYHC is able to offer a discount on the new publication from AYHC, Horse Smarts: An Equine Reference and Youth Activity Guide. Bill Queen was active in community programs in Carlsbad and Eddy County and supported many youth programs including 4-H, horse shows and rodeos. On September 29th, 1991, Bill Queen died while trying to salvage a barn that had been damaged by a tornado. Bill loved life, cared for his friends and family, and could always be depended on for his fairness and support. He was raised in Loving, NM and graduated from Texas Tech University in 1969. Although he had a degree in entomology, his natural business ability led him to become one of the most successful New Mexico businessmen in the petroleum industry. In 1972, he established Queen Oil and Gas in Carlsbad, NM and at the time of his death, his business covered the entire southeast corner of New Mexico. The people that he touched know that they could trust him and his employees because Queen Oil and Gas employees did not work for Bill, they worked with him. Although Bill was a successful business man, his life also encompassed farming, ranching, team roping, and most of all helping his friends succeed, especially young people. He continues to help and educate young kids and students thanks to the many people who donated to his scholarship and educational fund. As a resource for 4-H horse contests, the Horse Smarts publication has potential to help hundreds of young people increase their horse knowledge and the quality of care given to their equine partners. Horse Smarts includes 70 equine topics, plus more than 750 pictures and illustrations, organized into six general categories. • Selection & Use • Management • Health & Disease • Nutrition • Reproduction & Genetics • Leadership & Youth Development Each topic has hands-on and thought-provoking creative youth activities that make learning fun. These activities include a variety of games, puzzles and interactive learning activities. Horse Smarts: An Equine Reference and Youth Activity Guide is a resource that will help you develop your “horse smarts” and learn more about the amazing equine. The publication is available online at AYHC.com, use coupon code HorseSmarts for a $20 discount. The Queen family are avid equestrians, who continue to support youth programs and the equine industry. The American Youth Horse Council appreciates the Queen family’s generous support in honor of Bill Queen and hope that readers will share Horse Smarts and a love for horses with young people. It is the best way to honor Bill’s memory! About the American Youth Horse Council The American Youth Horse Council is a network of academic, breed, industry and other representatives interested in facilitating the flow of horse-related educational resources for youth. AYHC’s mission is to provide encouragement, communication, leadership & resources to serve and promote the youth horse industry. For complete presentation proposal instructions and/or more information about the association, please visit AYHC.com or contact the American Youth Horse Council at info@AYHC.com.

What a Farm Operator Needs to Know about Underground Private Facilities

What a Farm Operator Needs to Know about Underground Private Facilities by Claude Anderson, MNOPS A. CALL 811 TO NOTIFIES OPERATORS TO LOCATE THEIR FACILITIES "Call or click before you dig!" You have heard it before, you know IF you call 811, click www.gopherstateonecall.com or file online you will greatly reduce the chance of damage to an underground utility. But what exactly does the call to 811 mean? Do all of the underground facilities at your excavation site get marked? Excavation can be a common activity for a farm operator or landowner. Examples of typical rural excavations include: (a) installing or repairing drain tile, (b) fencing, (c) well drilling, (d) burying a wire, pipe or anything else, (e) digging a foundation, (f) setting a pole, (g) cultivating, plowing or any field activity to a depth greater than 18-inches, (h) extending a gas line from a farm tap, (i) installing a well or (j) ditch cleaning, contouring, grading or changing of the land. Minnesota’s excavation safety law, MS 216D, requires that anyone doing excavation must contact Gopher State One Call "GSOC" center before doing so. Whether you call 811 or file online at www.gopherstateonecall.com GSOC notifies the public utilities in your excavation area and they will locate any facilities they have within the area of excavation. Excavation damage to underground facilities is a major threat to a facility as well as to the excavator that may unintentionally damage the facility. Protecting these facilities is an ongoing task. Underground facilities can be classified as public facilities or private facilities. Public facilities that are owned and operated by utilities include, natural gas pipelines, hazardous liquid pipelines, underground electrical cables, fiber optic and electrical communication cables, water lines and sewer lines. Pipeline companies have over 70,000 miles of underground pipeline in Minnesota. In addition to pipelines a large number of power lines and communication cables currently are being installed underground. www.gopherstateonecall.org 2 However, there may be more than the public facility underground lines on your property or job site! B. SOME UNDERGROUND FACILITIES ARE NOT MARKED WHEN YOU CALL 811 Private utilities (also called customer owned facilities) are not owned by the utility and are generally anything "after the meter" or main line. Private systems may be found almost anywhere, these networks range from simple to very extensive and may include yard lights, secondary electric lines, communication lines, water, gas, sewer, video and fiber optic networks. These facilities are typically not part of the GSOC network and will not be marked with a call to 811. Private facilities are largely unregulated. Generally there are no permanent markers, diagrams or even a clear agreement as to who owns these vast private underground networks. Often farm operators and landowners don’t realize that they exist or that they might not be marked. Private propane, electrical and other underground networks are inherently dangerous, are installed every day and are vulnerable since they are not covered by the one-call process. A farm tap (See Fig. 1) is generally located near a natural gas transmission main to supply natural gas for use by the landowner. A call to 811 will result with the transmission line and underground piping to the gas meter in the excavation area being marked. Except for the portion that may be in public right of way, the underground pipeline from the meter to the buildings or equipment where the gas is used will not be marked by the utility even though it may be a significant distance from the meter. Similarly underground electric power lines are located by utility operators just up to the meter (See Figs. 2A and 2B) even though an extensive network of power lines may connect buildings, lights and electrically powered equipment. Water (Fig. 3), propane (Fig. 4) or sewer lines serving buildings or other equipment are also generally not located unless they are within a public right of way. These private facilities must be located by either the owner of the property or the party conducting the excavation. W

USDA, FDA Announce Formal Agreement to Bolster Coordination and Collaboration

You are subscribed to USDA Office of Communications. FDA Media Inquiries: Lauren Sucher, 301-796-5353, lauren.sucher@fda.hhs.gov USDA Media Inquiries: Office of Communications, 202-720-4326, press@oc.usda.gov FDA Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA USDA Information Hotline: 202-720-2791 USDA, FDA Announce Formal Agreement to Bolster Coordination and Collaboration (WASHINGTON, D.C., January 30, 2018) -- U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. announced at the White House today a formal agreement aimed at making the oversight of food more efficient and effective by bolstering coordination between the two agencies. The formal agreement outlines efforts to increase interagency collaboration, efficiency and effectiveness on produce safety and biotechnology activities, while providing clarity to manufacturers. “Today, Commissioner Gottlieb and I signed a formal agreement to promote coordination and the streamlining of capacities and obligations on shared concerns and jurisdiction,” said Secretary Perdue. “Congress passed the Food Safety Modernization Act and assigned responsibilities to the USDA and the FDA. The USDA has the knowledge and expertise to support the FDA’s work related to farming. We at the USDA have a motto: Do Right, and Feed Everyone. We believe this joint effort will help us move one step closer to that goal.” (Secretary Perdue and Commissioner Gottlieb announce formal agreement at the White House.) The FDA and the USDA have worked closely over the years to oversee the nation’s food supply. The USDA oversees the safety of most meat, poultry, catfish and certain egg products while the FDA has authority over all other foods such as dairy, seafood, produce and packaged foods. The USDA and the FDA are partnering in many key areas, including the implementation of produce safety measures and biotechnology efforts. “Secretary Perdue and I share a deep commitment to further strengthening our nation’s food safety system in the most effective and transparent way,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “Over the last several months, the Secretary and I have worked closely and identified several areas where we can strengthen our collaboration to make our processes more efficient, predictable, and potentially lower cost to industry; while also strengthening our efforts to ensure food safety. This agreement not only formalizes this ongoing coordination, but presents a great opportunity to expand those efforts through better integration and increased clarity to the agriculture and food processing sectors. Our coordination with these sectors plays an integral role in helping to keep our nation’s food supply safe and secure.” This agreement is the agencies’ newest initiative to expand those efforts and take new steps to streamline regulatory responsibilities and use government resources more efficiently to protect public health. It aims to increase clarity, efficiency and potentially reduce the number of establishments subject to the dual regulatory requirements of the USDA and the FDA. For example, when a facility, such as a canned soup facility, produces both chicken noodle soup and tomato soup, it is currently subject to regulation by both agencies. The agreement tasks both government organizations with identifying ways to streamline regulation and reduce inspection inefficiencies, while steadfastly upholding safety standards for dual-jurisdiction facilities. This can reduce costs on industry and free government resources to better target efforts to areas of risk. The agreement also commits the USDA and the FDA to identify ways the agencies can better align and enhance their efforts to develop regulatory approaches to biotechnology, as each agency works to fulfill commitments outlined in the September 2016 National Strategy for Modernizing the Regulatory System for Biotechnology Products and the more recent Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Report. These initiatives established a vision for increasing transparency, predictability and efficiency of the regulatory processes for biotechnology products. The agreement also calls for the FDA and the USDA to enhance their collaboration and cooperation on produce safety activities. The FDA is implementing the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which shifts the food safety paradigm from one of reaction to prevention of foodborne illness. Under FSMA, the FDA coordinates with state and/or territorial government agencies, which will conduct most farm inspections under FSMA’s Produce Safety rule. For more information: Formal Agreement FSMA Final Rule on Produce Safety

Secretary Perdue Praises President Trump's Invitation of USFS Fire Fighter David Dahlberg to State of the Union

Secretary Perdue Praises President Trump's Invitation of USFS Fire Fighter David Dahlberg to State of the Union (Washington, D.C., January 30, 2018) – U.S Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today applauded President Trump’s invitation of David Dahlberg, a U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service firefighter, to attend the President’s State of the Union address. David is being honored for his courageous actions during the historic wildfire season of 2017. He will observe the President’s speech while seated with First Lady Melania Trump. On July 8, 2017, David helped rescue 62 children and staff members trapped at Circle V Ranch Camp by the Whittier Fire in Santa Barbara, CA. David single-handedly worked to fireproof the camp and keep its inhabitants safe until they could all be rescued. Thanks to the efforts of David, and the Santa Barbara Fire and Sheriff's personnel, everyone survived. “David’s heroic actions in the face of grave danger displayed exceptional character, selflessness, and sound judgement,” Perdue said. “His story of heroism is just one of many exhibited by the dedicated men and women of the United States Forest Service, who risk their lives to protect lives and property. I am grateful that President Trump is recognizing David and the excellent work of the Forest Service.”

Crona Round Table Feburuary 14 Roswell.

Join us in Roswell at the for our next Chaves County Farm and Livestock Bureau Building on the ENMSF grounds for breakfast starting at 8 am. A roundtable discussion will follow from 9-12, lunch at noon, then Beef Quality Assurance training or recertification at 1 pm. Our panel will be ready to address any questions you have about range livestock production. Free to attend thanks to our sponsors! Please register for meal planning at www.corona.nmsu.edu. Flyer attached.

Electronic Log and Horese hauling.

For those of you concerned about the electronic logging device implementation and how it may relate to equine businesses and owners, the American Horse Council is presenting an online educational webinar on February 12, 2018. You can find out more information and download informative brochures at the link below. http://www.horsecouncil.org/press-release/ahcs-1st-quarter-webinar-to-discuss-eld-mandate/

Need Help with Saving CID Farms.

Woods, would you send out this information on your blog. If you want to add or edit feel free to do so. Thanks, James Walterscheid Call to Action The NM legislature has a House Energy, Environment, Natural Resources committee which is scheduled to hold a hearing on 4 bills dealing with funding for remediation of the South Y Brinewell. Rep. Cathrynn Brown is carrying all 4 bills. This hearing is scheduled for Jan. 30 at 1 pm, Tues. Last Thursday Sen. Carroll Leavell carried 5 bills in a Senate Conservation Committee hearing relating to funding for remediation of the South Y Brinewell and 4 of his bills were tabled. One was withdrawn. It appears that many legislators do not realize what the impact would be if the South Y Brinewell collapsed and resulted in a very large sinkhole causing a lot of terrific damage to the infrastructure in the area surrounding the South Y Brinewell: The farms downstream of the South Y Brinewell would not receive any irrigation water through the Carlsbad Irrigation District Main Canal for possibly up to 3 years. This would affect about 80% of the CID total district acreage. Furthermore, it could impact the underground aquifer which supplies water to underground water wells in the area. There would be quite a lot of economic losses as a result of an uncontrolled collapse. Assuming that US 285 would be shut down completely (very likely), the US 285 highway traffic would have to be rerouted for a very long time. Most of the possible detour routes are 2 lane, somewhat narrow, roads especially NM 216 (Grandi Rd. & Wood Ave.). Traffic congestion would increase astronomically. At the present traffic on US 285 (split 4 lane) is heavy at early morning hours and late in the afternoon. No one can really predict the effect of subsidence in the immediate area surrounding a resulting sinkhole in the years to come. I am asking you to call, email, or if you have the inclination, to show up at the hearings at the legislature in Santa Fe. It appears that many legislators don’t believe we have an emergency. Like Edward Rodriguez, Carlsbad City councilman, said at the Eddy County ( Emergency) Commission meeting last Saturday afternoon: “We have no control over 2 things: time and gravity. It is up to us, to educate the legislators about the Brinewell”. James Walterscheid Eddy County Commissioner – District 1 Farmer and CID member Cell #575-200-6294 County email: jwalterscheid@co.eddy.nm.us WOODS NOTES: There is a probability that if this collapses not only will it remove water supply to 80+% of CID, but it could push brine water into the shallow aquifer which would have a detrimental effect on a number of primary water wells and supplemental water wells. There is a large about of tonnage in the warehouse of various chemical compounds including KCl as well as under ground fuel tanks which would also contaminate this aquifer. The cleanup would be expensive.

Question on Trucking Regulations and CDL requirements.

Eddy County Sheriff Mark Cage gave me this to help answer question on horse and livestock hauling. Attached is a reference from the FMCSA website regarding Commercial Vehicles and CDL's and a CDL flow chart. In a nut shell, if your vehicle has a GVWR (listed on the VIN plate) of 26,001 pounds and is in furtherance of a commercial enterprise (Making money), that vehicle is a CMV. If your vehicle has a GVWR (listed on the VIN plate) of 10,001 pounds and is in furtherance of a commercial enterprise (Making money) and is crossing state lines, that vehicle is a CMV. There are NO horse or livestock specific new laws in effect; however, the new ELD (Electronic Log Devices) fed reg took effect 12/18/18. Classes of License and Commercial Learner's Permits (CLP) Pursuant to Federal standards, States issue CDLs and CLPs to drivers according to the following license classifications: Class A: Any combination of vehicles which has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) whichever is greater. Class B: Any single vehicle which has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 pounds or more), or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight that does not exceed 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds). Class C: Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is transporting material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and is required to be placarded under subpart F of 49 CFR Part 172 or is transporting any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 73. Reference: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/drivers http://www.horsecouncil.org/eld-mandate-cdl-requirements/ There is a Agriculture Exemption on the Electronic Log Book. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/regulations/hours-service/elds/81736/agr-exemption-factsheet.pdf

Udall, Heinrich Urge Secretary Zinke to Keep Public Lands in Public Hands

Udall, Heinrich Urge Secretary Zinke to Keep Public Lands in Public Hands Ask Interior Department to codify prohibition of selling or transferring federal public lands WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tom Udall led a letter, also signed by Senator Martin Heinrich, urging Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to keep public lands public by prohibiting widespread sale and transfer of public lands. The senators asked Zinke to uphold the Department of the Interior's responsibility to retain America's public lands so every American can continue to access public lands. In response to a growing movement by some states to sell or transfer federal lands to states or give states management authority, a coalition of sportsmen, hunters, anglers, hikers, bikers, paddlers, wildlife watchers, and outdoor businesses submitted a petition requiring the Interior Department to issue clear regulations and guidance that would prohibit the sale or transfer of public lands without congressional authorization. The senators are urging Zinke to honor the rulemaking procedures initiated by the petition and codify the Interior Department's stance on retaining public lands. "We appreciate your stated opposition to the sale or transfer of federal lands out of federal ownership and we urge you to follow through on your commitment to retain America’s public lands. As Montana’s at-large member in the U.S. House of Representatives and during your nomination hearing you vowed to support public lands and protect every Americans’ right to access those lands. We absolutely agree with you that public lands should remain in public hands," the lawmakers wrote. The senators said the attempted land transfers "run afoul of the Constitution and Congress’ plenary authority to regulate and manage federal lands under the Supremacy Clause…. So there is no ambiguity about your position or the limited power the Department of the Interior retains regarding land transfers, we urge you to respond to this petition and draft the proper regulations clarifying DOI’s authorities and process to sell or transfer public lands. We, like you, are committed to retaining ownership of federal lands for the use and enjoyment of all Americans, which will grow our economy and build resilient communities and landscapes into future generations." The letter is also signed by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.). A summary of the petition can be found here.

Managing Filamentous Algae in Ponds

The following CES publication has been revised and is now available online in PDF format. Guide W-103: Managing Filamentous Algae in Ponds Rossana Sallenave (Extension Aquatic Ecology Specialist, Dept. of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources) PDF: http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_w/W103.pdf

Perdue Announces USDA’s Farm Bill and Legislative Principles for 2018

Perdue Announces USDA’s Farm Bill and Legislative Principles for 2018 (Mifflintown, PA, January 24, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Bill and Legislative Principles for 2018 during a town hall at Reinford Farms in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania. “Since my first day as the Secretary of Agriculture, I’ve traveled to 30 states, listening to the people of American agriculture about what is working and what is not. The conversations we had and the people we came across helped us craft USDA’s Farm Bill and Legislative Principles for 2018,” said Secretary Perdue. “These principles will be used as a road map – they are our way of letting Congress know what we’ve heard from the hard-working men and women of American agriculture. While we understand it’s the legislature’s job to write the Farm Bill, USDA will be right there providing whatever counsel Congress may request or require.” (Secretary Perdue holds a town hall meeting at Reinford Farms where he rolled out USDA’s 2018 Farm Bill and Legislative Principles) Download USDA’s 2018 Farm Bill and Legislative Principles USDA’s 2018 Farm Bill and Legislative Principles: FARM PRODUCTION & CONSERVATION • Provide a farm safety net that helps American farmers weather times of economic stress without distorting markets or increasing shallow loss payments. • Promote a variety of innovative crop insurance products and changes, enabling farmers to make sound production decisions and to manage operational risk. • Encourage entry into farming through increased access to land and capital for young, beginning, veteran and underrepresented farmers. • Ensure that voluntary conservation programs balance farm productivity with conservation benefits so the most fertile and productive lands remain in production while land retired for conservation purposes favors more environmentally sensitive acres. • Support conservation programs that ensure cost-effective financial assistance for improved soil health, water and air quality and other natural resource benefits. TRADE & FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS • Improve U.S. market competitiveness by expanding investments, strengthening accountability of export promotion programs, and incentivizing stronger financial partnerships. • Ensure the Farm Bill is consistent with U.S. international trade laws and obligations. • Open foreign markets by increasing USDA expertise in scientific and technical areas to more effectively monitor foreign practices that impede U.S. agricultural exports and engage with foreign partners to address them. FOOD, NUTRITION, AND CONSUMER SERVICES • Harness America’s agricultural abundance to support nutrition assistance for those truly in need. • Support work as the pathway to self-sufficiency, well-being, and economic mobility for individuals and families receiving supplemental nutrition assistance. • Strengthen the integrity and efficiency of food and nutrition programs to better serve our participants and protect American taxpayers by reducing waste, fraud and abuse through shared data, innovation, and technology modernization. • Encourage state and local innovations in training, case management, and program design that promote self-sufficiency and achieve long-term, stability in employment. • Assure the scientific integrity of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans process through greater transparency and reliance on the most robust body of scientific evidence. • Support nutrition policies and programs that are science based and data driven with clear and measurable outcomes for policies and programs. MARKETING & REGULATORY PROGRAMS • Enhance our partnerships and the scientific tools necessary to prevent, mitigate, and where appropriate, eradicate harmful plant and animal pests and diseases impacting agriculture. • Safeguard our domestic food supply and protect animal health through modernization of the tools necessary to bolster biosecurity, prevention, surveillance, emergency response, and border security. • Protect the integrity of the USDA organic certified seal and deliver efficient, effective oversight of organic production practices to ensure organic products meet consistent standards for all producers, domestic and foreign. • Ensure USDA is positioned appropriately to review production technologies if scientifically required to ensure safety, while reducing regulatory burdens. • Foster market and growth opportunities for specialty crop growers while reducing regulatory burdens that limit their ability to be successful. FOOD SAFETY & INSPECTION SERVICES • Protect public health and prevent foodborne illness by committing the necessary resources to ensure the highest standards of inspection, with the most modern tools and scientific methods available. • Support and enhance FSIS programs to ensure efficient regulation and the safety of meat, poultry and processed egg products, including improved coordination and clarity on execution of food safety responsibilities. • Continue to focus USDA resources on products and processes that pose the greatest public health risk. RESEARCH, EDUCATION & ECONOMICS • Commit to a public research agenda that places the United States at the forefront of food and agriculture scientific development. • Develop an impact evaluation approach, including the use of industry panels, to align research priorities to invest in high priority innovation, technology, and education networks. • Empower public-private partnerships to leverage federal dollars, increase capacity, and investments in infrastructure for modern food and agricultural science. • Prioritize investments in education, training and the development of human capital to ensure a workforce capable of meeting the growing demands of food and agriculture science. • Develop and apply integrated advancement in technology needed to feed a growing and hungry world. RURAL DEVELOPMENT • Create consistency and flexibility in programs that will foster collaboration and assist communities in creating a quality of life that attracts and retains the next generation. • Expand and enhance the effectiveness of tools available to further connect rural American communities, homes, farms, businesses, first responders, educational facilities, and healthcare facilities to reliable and affordable high-speed internet services. • Partner with states and local communities to invest in infrastructure to support rural prosperity, innovation and entrepreneurial activity. • Provide the resources and tools that foster greater integration among programs, partners and the rural development customer. NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT • Make America’s forests work again through proactive cost-effective management based on data and sound science. • Expand Good Neighbor Authority and increase coordination with states to promote job creation and improve forest health through shared stewardship and stakeholder input. • Reduce litigative risk and regulatory impediments to timely environmental review, sound harvesting, fire management and habitat protection to improve forest health while providing jobs and prosperity to rural communities. • Offer the tools and resources that incentivize private stewardship and retention of forest land. MANAGEMENT • Provide a fiscally responsible Farm Bill that reflects the Administration’s budget goals. • Enhance customer service and compliance by reducing regulatory burdens on USDA customers. • Modernize internal and external IT solutions to support the delivery of efficient, effective service to USDA customers. • Provide USDA full authority to responsibly manage properties and facilities under its jurisdiction. • Increase the effectiveness of tools and resources necessary to attract and retain a strong USDA workforce that reflects the citizens we serve. • Recognize the unique labor needs of agriculture and leverage USDA’s expertise to allow the Department to play an integral role in developing workforce policy to ensure farmers have access to a legal and stable workforce. • Grow and intensify program availability to increase opportunities for new, beginning, veteran, and underrepresented producers.

Secretary Perdue to Roll Out Farm Bill & Legislative Principles in Pennsylvania

TOMORROW: Secretary Perdue to Roll Out Farm Bill & Legislative Principles in Pennsylvania (Washington, D.C., Tuesday, January 23, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will be in Pennsylvania TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 24th to roll out the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Bill and legislative principles for 2018. The Secretary will start the day by touring facilities and meeting with faculty and students at the state’s land grant university, Pennsylvania State University. He will tour Reinford Farms in Mifflintown and take part in a luncheon and town hall meeting. The Secretary will then tour the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank in Harrisburg and AgCom, Inc. in Gettysburg, holding roundtable discussions at each. He will conclude his day at the Adams County FSA Service Center in Gettysburg. Secretary Perdue Tours Pennsylvania State University WHAT: Secretary Perdue will have breakfast with students and faculty at Pennsylvania State University. He will then tour the College of Agricultural Science facilities ending at Penn State Berkey Creamery. Secretary Perdue will hold a media availability at the end of the tour. WHEN: TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 24th beginning at 7:00 a.m. EST WHERE: Pennsylvania State University, W 257 Millennium Science Complex, University Park, PA 16802 Secretary Perdue Tours ARS Pasture Systems and Watershed Facility WHAT: Secretary Perdue will tour and meet with staff at ARS Pasture Systems and Watershed Facility, then hold a media availability. WHEN: TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 24th beginning at 9:00 a.m. EST WHERE: ARS Pasture Systems and Watershed Facility, Curtin Rd, Building 3702, University Park, PA 16802 Secretary Perdue Tours Reinford Farms, Holds Town Hall Meeting to Roll Out Farm Bill and Legislative Principles WHAT: Secretary Perdue will tour Reinford Farms and hold a town hall meeting where he will roll out USDA’s 2018 Farm Bill and legislative principles. After the town hall the Secretary will hold a media availability. WHEN: TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 24th beginning at 11:00 a.m. EST WHERE: Reinford Farms, 444 Cedar Grove Road, Mifflintown, PA 17059 Secretary Perdue Visits Central Pennsylvania Food Bank WHAT: Secretary Perdue will tour Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and participate in a roundtable discussion on nutrition assistance. Secretary Perdue will hold media availability at the end of the tour. WHEN: TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 24th beginning at 1:15 p.m. EST WHERE: Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, 3908 Corey Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109 Secretary Perdue Tours AgCom, Inc. and Holds Town Hall Discussion WHAT: Secretary Perdue will tour AgCom, Inc. facilities and hold a town hall discussion. Following, the Secretary will hold a media availability. WHEN: TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 24th beginning at 3:10 p.m. EST WHERE: AgCom, Inc., 1585 Granite Station Rd., Gettysburg, PA 17325 Secretary Perdue Tours Adams County FSA Service Center WHAT: Secretary Perdue will visit the Adams County FSA Service Center, before holding a media availability. WHEN: TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 24th beginning at 4:15 p.m. EST WHERE: Adams County FSA Service Center, 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg, PA, 17325 *NOTE: Media interested in covering the events should RSVP to press@oc.usda.gov by TODAY, Tuesday, January 23rd, at 6:00 p.m. ET.

National and state economists present their economic forecasts for 2018

Join us for the 7th Annual Economic Outlook Conference National and state economists present their economic forecasts for 2018 Thursday, February 8, 2018 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Las Cruces Convention Center 680 East University Avenue Las Cruces, NM 88001 Reception: 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Refreshments will be served Speakers: Eugenio Alemán, Ph.D. Senior Economist Wells Fargo & Company Jim Peach, Ph.D. Regents Professor of Economics and International Business at New Mexico State University Register by Monday, February 5 No entrance charge for the event To register online, visit http://business.nmsu.edu/cob-events or call Anthony Casaus at 575-646-5817 Directions From El Paso (south of Las Cruces). Take I-10 West. Take I-25 North toward Las Cruces/Albuquerque. Take the University Avenue exit (Exit #1). Turn left onto University Avenue. Continue on University and turn left on East Union Avenue to enter the parking lot. From Albuquerque (north of Las Cruces). Take I-25 South. Take the University Avenue exit (Exit #1). Merge right onto University. Continue on University and turn left on East Union Avenue to enter the parking lot. From Alamogordo (east of Las Cruces). Take US-70 West. Take the I-25 South ramp toward El Paso. Take the University Avenue exit (Exit #1). Merge right onto University. Continue on University and turn left on East Union Avenue to enter the parking lot. From Deming (west of Las Cruces). Take I-10 East to Las Cruces. Take the Main St. exit (Exit #142, toward NMSU). Keep right at the fork in the ramp. Turn right onto NM-478 North, Main St. Then, turn right onto NM-101 East, University Avenue. Continue on University (in right lane) and turn right on East Union Avenue to enter the parking lot.

Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting seasons

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Public contact: Information Center, (888) 248-6866 Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004 dan.williams@state.nm.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JAN. 22, 2018: Expect roadblocks statewide during hunting seasons SANTA FE – The Department of Game and Fish will conduct roadblocks throughout the state during fall hunting seasons to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations. Hunting seasons are underway or soon will begin in some parts of New Mexico. For more information, please consult the department's Hunting Rules & Information booklet, available at www.wildlife.state.nm.us or at area offices and license vendors. At roadblocks, conservation officers also will check for compliance with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act. Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays. Hunters are encouraged to report any violations they may observe, such as shooting from a vehicle or driving off-road. To report a wildlife-law violation, please contact a Department of Game and Fish area office in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Raton, Roswell or Las Cruces, or call the toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations also can be reported online at Operation Game Thief. ###

33 recommendations have been submitted to the ISC for consideration and potential inclusion in the 2018 State Water Plan.

Dear Town Hall Registrant, New Mexico First and the Interstate Stream Commission (ISC) thank you for your attendance and participation at last month’s state water planning town hall. Due to your commitment to water policy, 33 recommendations have been submitted to the ISC for consideration and potential inclusion in the 2018 State Water Plan. We are now proud to announce the release of the State Water Planning Town Hall Final Report. The report details the processes and outcomes of the town hall – including all 33 of the recommendations with their perceived impact voting results. Please access the report here and at nmfirst.org. Sincerely, The New Mexico First Team nmfirst.org info@nmfirst.org 505-225-2140

Don't Forget if You are an Employer in Agriculture Conference. January 24, 2018 El Paso

2018 Red Book Intergerated Resource Managment calander book

If you are a regular user of the "Red Book" IRM calendar and records in the mail. If you did not and want one call Roslyn at the extension office. We only have a few left so it first come first serve. Our cost have increased in the past year so we reduced the amount we buy.

SO HOW IMPORTANT IS NEW MEXICO AGRICULTURE?

SO HOW IMPORTANT IS NEW MEXICO AGRICULTURE? Why you need to complete your Agriculture census information. I was at a state wide town hall meeting dealing with the New Mexico State wide water plan. I volunteered to work in a small group on improving our water supply, a difficult subject to say the least. In this group there were only a few agriculture producer or had ties to agriculture. The issue came up that Agriculture is the majority water right holder. That Agriculture should surrender it water for the growth of cities and “higher and best use”. I responded with a quote often said by Aron of PVACD. The most famous speech in American political history was delivered by William Jennings Bryan on July 9, 1896, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. “Burn down your cities and leave our farms, and your cities will spring up again as if by magic; but destroy our farms and the grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country.” Interesting enough this was in a great debate on the Gold or Silver standard and involved NM quest for state hood. I noted that some point we will have taken from Agriculture more then she has to give and we will destroy our self’s. The response from one very learned speculator in the water market was. “New Mexico Agriculture is nothing on the national scale”. So, is that true? What is agriculture contribution to the economy? The economy of the World, the Nation, our great State, and our local communities, how important is it? The 2016 Agriculture statistics were just released and based on the National Agriculture Statists Service New Mexico production was about $2.86 billion and the total value of Agriculture sector production valued at just over $3.22 billion. It should be noted from an economic view point most of New Mexico Agriculture products are exported out of state. When you export products out you import money in. Many Eddy County agriculture products are export around the world, Pecans, Cotton, Wool all go to China and off set our trade deficit there, Milk, goes to other states as well as to Mexico. Beef, and chili also have an export market as well as a domestic one. New Mexico sold to foreign markets well over $191 million just form Pecans. Milk is $162 million in sales to foreign markets. New Mexico produces more than 27% of the Pecans in the United States. Eddy County has 551 farms reporting and produces $119,564,000 in agriculture products down from 2007 when we produced a little over $270,000,000. Eddy County produces more than 10,000,000 pounds of Pecans most of which are exported. One very important fact that when considering economic impact to a local economy is multiplier effect. As money is expended in the state's or local area channels of business, it changes hands several times, this is the multiplier effect. Agriculture inputs (buys) from local suppliers, as does a lot of small business. The individuals and businesses (farms) receiving a payment (Agriculture exports products so import “new” money) return it to the income stream as payment of expenses. At this point, the all-important leakages emerge. When an individual or a business (farm) returns dollars to the income stream, they return part within the state or local community and part outside. The portion spent outside no longer creates more business or income within the state or local community. At this point the money is then exported out. Source NMSU publication Guide Z 108, “Income Multipliers in Economic Impact Analysis”. The NMSU study on multiplier effect in New Mexico indicate that Agriculture imported money has a 1.7 or better turnover. That state wide average is 1.4 and any industry trying to claim more than 2 is reaching and that information should be securitized and looked at closely. So a difference of 0.3 in the multiplier effect is a great increase. Just as a side note this study was completed and reviewed in 2011, when the internet and the on line shopping was less of an impact. I would speculate that since then the state wide multiplier effect average has been reduced. I could not find any recent data to indicate how much. Agriculture uses our abundant sunshine, soil and minerals and water to manufacture a product some of which is consumed domestically and some exported. When you eat, or where or use various products for shelter you are consuming that sunshine, soil and minerals and water as well as the sweat from the farmer. The local economy is benefited by the production of agriculture products. If you think about where your money comes from and where it goes to you will find Agriculture is a major player. How important those impacts are, depend on your perspective? On a world economic, on a national economic, on that state economic or our local economy Eddy County Agriculture is involved. If you take off the back of a gear driven watch and remove just one tooth of one gear, the rest of the teeth and gears are unable to complete their purpose. The watch will run for a short period of time until that one tooth is need. The byproduct of growing plants is recycling Carbon Di Oxide out of our environment and increasing Oxygen. Agriculture producers do that for free. In this discussion we did not touch on the subject of value added, changing a Agriculture product that is sold wholesale into a finished product that is sold retail. We have room for economic growth by doing this. 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

Secretary Perdue Presents Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Task Force Report to President Trump

Release No. 0181.17 Contact: USDA Press Phone: (202) 720-4623 Email: press@oc.usda.gov Secretary Perdue Presents Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Task Force Report to President Trump (Nashville, TN, January 8, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will ceremonially present today the findings of the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to President Donald J. Trump at the 2018 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. On April 25, 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the task force “to ensure the informed exercise of regulatory authority that impacts agriculture and rural communities.” As Secretary of Agriculture, Perdue served as the task force’s chairman and identified over 100 recommendations to help improve life in rural America. The recommendations centered around these five areas: E-Connectivity, Quality of Life, Rural Workforce, Technology, and Economic Development. Secretary Perdue issued the following statement: “Since his inauguration, President Trump has made agriculture and rural America a high priority. On the day he swore me in to office, he tasked me with chairing the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. With the voice of rural America leading the way, and in close collaboration with local, state, and tribal leaders, 22 federal agencies, offices, and executive departments accepted the challenge to make rural America great again. We traveled to 30 states, held two RV Tours covering over 2,200 miles, and most importantly, we listened to the people of rural America. “While the task force worked tirelessly to identify solutions to the problems plaguing our rural communities, there is more work ahead. No doubt, rural America has struggled under burdensome regulations with no voice in Washington, but under President Trump’s leadership, and with the work of this task force, we can turn that around and restore rural prosperity once and for all.” You may click HERE or on the video above to watch a recap of the creation and work of the Rural Prosperity Task Force Background: The Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity identified over 100 actions for the federal government to consider in order to achieve a vision of a better rural America. These actions include legislative, regulatory, and policy changes and were built around these key indicators: • E-Connectivity • Quality of Life • Rural Workforce • Technology • Economic Development You may click HERE to read the Rural Prosperity Task Force Report in its entirety on the newly unveiled Rural Prosperity website, which includes a link for farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers to submit comments and ideas on regulatory reform.

NMSU’s ACES High pilot program produces calves for international market

NMSU’s ACES High pilot program produces calves for international market DATE: 01/08/2018 WRITER: Jane Moorman, 505-249-0527, jmoorman@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Craig Gifford, 405-880-1877, cgifford@nmsu.edu Getting the best price possible at the sale barn is the goal of cattle producers. It can be tricky with the constantly changing market prices. However, a value-added program is a marketing tool that helps producers earn more dollars for their operation’s bottom line. New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences has established ACES High and ACES High+ calf certification programs to help producers prosper in the competitive market either through private sales or at area sale barns. “By participating in the ACES High and ACES High+ programs, producers have a better chance of obtaining top dollar when they sell their calves,” said Craig Gifford, NMSU Cooperative Extension Service beef cattle specialist. Through the program, the producer adheres to the Beef Quality Assurance standards and follows a proven vaccination/immunization protocol. Plus the calves’ age and source verification are registered with IMI Global, a beef verification service that qualifies the beef for international export. “With the involvement of the marketing program, ACES High should help us get better prices,” said Ft. Sumner rancher Pow Carter. “That’s basically what we are after.” Following the first year’s sale at the Clovis Livestock Auction, Carlsbad rancher Fred Beard said he was pleased with the results. “My 500-pound steer brought $826 and I’m real proud of my heifers,” Beard said. “I’m going to continue with this program. I think it’s worth it.” Gifford tallied the ACES High prices compared to the value sale calves and non-value sale calves to see how the program’s eight producers did overall. When the ACES High calves were compared within individual 50-pound weight classes to other calves sold that day, the average price per hundred pounds premium ranged up to $29 in steers and up to $25 in heifers. “As a whole, steers in the ACES High+ program average a premium of $6.37 per hundred weight above the sale barn acclaimed value added calves and brought a premium of $14.51 per hundred weight above the non-value added calves,” Gifford said. “Taking into consideration the costs of vaccination, and age and source verification, the net premium for a steer calf ranged from $13.38 to $124.12, factoring in its actual weight.” What brings the higher price at the sale barn is that the animals have age and source verification registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture data system. This allows the U.S. Meat Export Federation to sell the final product of beef internationally where the markets bring top dollar. “Usually having this verification is not financially feasible for herds of 50 or less calves because of the flat ranch fee, but IMI Global has adjusted their fees for the ACES High participants to a per head fee,” Gifford said. Another factor affecting the sale barn price is the physical condition of the animal. Bovine respiratory disease remains the largest challenge facing the beef industry, and calves who contract respiratory disease are a major revenue loss for feedlots. To ensure the quality of the beef, ACES High requires the producers to practice Beef Quality Assurance standards and a prescribed vaccination protocol. Both the BQA training and the protocol are provided by John Wenzel, NMSU Extension veterinarian. In promoting the protocol,Wenzel explains that producers are not just vaccinating the animals at branding, weaning and 45 days after weaning, but if it is done correctly it is providing an immunization that helps the calf remain healthy. “Things like vaccination programs are going to become so much more important because of the scrutiny of the use of antibiotics,” Gifford said. “John Wenzel designed this protocol so that antibody against respiratory viruses should be really high the day of sale and transportation to the feedlot, so the calf has the best protection possible for the next week or two allowing the animal to cope with both the transportation stress and exposure to any pathogens. They should be healthy calves.” Looking to the future, enrollment in the 2018 program begins Feb. 1 and ends May 15. Producers are encouraged to enroll online and contact their local county NMSU Extension office to have the calves certified by the agricultural agent. New to the 2018 program will be the revival of the “Ranch-to-Rail” program where producers will be able to track the health, growth and carcass performance of a subset of their animals. For more information about enrolling in the program visit nmbeef.nmsu.edu. - 30 - Follow NMSU News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nmsunews Follow NMSU News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NMSUNews

Avoiding contamination will be job 1 in 2018 for the U.S. cotton industry.

U.S. cotton must avoid contamination Avoiding contamination will be job 1 in 2018 for the U.S. cotton industry. John Hart | Jan 01, 2018 Cotton farmers are beginning the new crop year with optimism as prices are expected to stay above 70 cents. Credit strong export demand and tightening world stocks for the bullish 2018 outlook. At the Deltapine NPE (New Product Evaluator Summit) in Savannah in December, Ed Jernigan, the CEO of Jernigan Global, forecasted prices in the 75 cents per pound range with the greater need for higher quality, machine-picked cotton driving stronger demand. He also pointed to the end of “fast fashion” that favors polyester with mills expected to move to more cotton for higher quality apparel. Crop Rotation has never been more critical CLICK HERE Smaller crops in India, Pakistan and China help with the U.S. expected to enjoy a greater share of world trade in 2018. The outlook is good, but with the good outlook comes the continued call for quality. More customers will be looking to U.S. cotton and the industry must do all it can to keep the quality parameters of U.S. cotton high. Avoiding contamination will be job 1 in 2018. This is a top priority for the National Cotton Council that Council Chairman Ronnie Lee hit home in an interview with Southeast Farm Press editor Brad Haire. “Over the years, U.S. cotton has had an excellent reputation with global cotton customers as a source of contamination-free cotton. Unfortunately, based on an increase in complaints that we are receiving from mills, our reputation and our ability to receive a premium in the market is under serious threat,” Lee, a Bronwood, Ga. producer and ginner, said. The National Cotton Council has a website dedicated to getting the word out on best practices with regard to handling cotton to prevent contamination. The website lays out steps for keeping cotton clean with the Council calling for “zero tolerance” when it comes to lint contamination. Fierce competition, both from manmade fiber and other cotton producing countries, is not going away. Higher quality can give U.S. cotton an edge. At the NPE Summit, Jernigan said the strong demand for machine-picked cotton will strongly favor U.S. cotton. Ensuring quality by taking steps to avoid contamination is paramount.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service announced the southwestern willow flycatcher would keep its protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Southwestern willow flycatcher keeps 'endangered' status The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service announced the southwestern willow flycatcher would keep its protection under the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service announced the southwestern willow flycatcher would keep its protection under the Endangered Species Act. Jim Rorabaugh/USFWS via Wikimedia Commons Posted Friday, January 5, 2018 6:00 am By Cody Hooks chooks@taosnews.com Ranching organizations in New Mexico that asked the federal government to remove a small bird from its list of endangered speeches received some disappointing news last week. On Thursday (Dec. 28), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service announced the southwestern willow flycatcher would keep its protection under the Endangered Species Act. The New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau and New Mexico Wool Growers Inc. filed a petition in 2015 to have the bird removed from the federal list of at-risk species. The New Mexico organizations were joined by a building industry organization in California and represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation, a conservative law firm that has also litigated to overturn jaguar habitat designations in Southern New Mexico. The groups challenged that the southwestern willow flycatcher is not a valid subspecies and argued that the bird no longer faced a variety of threats that put it on the endangered list. "An exhaustive review of the best available scientific information... led to the conclusion that the southwestern willow flycatcher is a subspecies protectable under the [Endangered Species Act]," according to the Thursday press release from the wildlife agency. While some populations of the bird have made progress toward recovery, the bird and its habitat "are experiencing substantial threats." The bird populations have "declined because of removing, thinning, or destroying riparian vegetation; water diversions and groundwater pumping which alter riparian vegetation; overstocking or other mismanagement of livestock; and recreational development," according to the agency. Taos County is home to habitat for the southwestern willow flycatcher, including along the Río Grande del Rancho. "The habitat is degraded but has potential to be high quality," read a Carson National Forest review of wild and scenic eligible rivers released in September. None of the subspecies have been observed in that habitat since 2014. "We are disappointed," Caren Cowan, executive director of the cattle growers' association, told The Taos News Wednesday (Jan. 3). "This is an issue we've been involved with since 1997. Most of the damage has been done," Cowan said. "The [endangered status] decision was made based on the habitat, which is a means of control of lands and people and not necessarily addressing the bird itself."

New Mexico leaders will travel to U.S. Supreme Court for Texas v. New Mexico and Colorado

New Mexico leaders will travel to U.S. Supreme Court for Texas v. New Mexico and Colorado By: Kate Bieri Posted: Jan 03, 2018 12:54 PM MST Updated: Jan 03, 2018 06:33 PM MST Texas New Mexico Water Wars New Mexico political and agricultural leaders will travel to Washington, D.C. for oral arguments in the U.S. Supreme Court case, Texas v. New Mexico and Colorado on Monday. The litigation at hand involves a decades-old dispute among states in the southwest: Water. “Obviously, being in the desert, we are extremely reliant on water," said Robert Faubion, President of Elephant Butte Irrigation District's Board of Directors. In 2008, EBID and its sister district in El Paso entered into an operating agreement that provided El Paso with extra water to make up for those impacts of pumping here in the Mesilla Valley, Faubion said. Texas sued New Mexico in 2013, alleging a violation of that agreement. “Texas made it clear at the time that if they challenged the operating agreement, that Texas would feel obliged to go to the Supreme Court, and that is exactly what happened and that is exactly why we’re here where we are today," Faubion said. “This is a huge issue that could affect states all across the nation," said Samantha Barncastle Salopek, General Counsel for the Elephant Butte Irrigation District. Barncastle told ABC-7 that this could be a precedent-setting case because the federal government has moved to intervene in the dispute among states. “What the United States has said is that they have enough of a federal interest in this contract, that even though they have not signed on to it, they’re not a party to the contract, they should still be allowed to come into this case and litigate as though they were a party to the contract," Barncastle said. Las Cruces city officials would not comment on the case because of pending litigation.

Computer modern conserns

As we have seen in the news, security researchers have discovered two vulnerabilities, which together, impact most of the chips used in our computing devices (computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones). Manufacturers are moving quickly to mitigate these vulnerabilities by rolling out patches for their systems. It has been noted that the patch will impact performance on computer devices. The impact is highly variable depending on the type and the complexity of the work being performed on the device with the biggest performance impacts on central high-performance computer systems. Malicious programs executed on our computing devices can exploit these vulnerabilities. The main thing we can do to protect ourselves and the university against these threats is to apply all patches from operating system vendors (Microsoft, Apple, RedHat, Ubuntu, Google Android, etc). If you have automatic updates turned on or have manually upgraded your devices recently, many systems are already patched. As the remaining manufacturers release their patches, these should be applied. For more information on these vulnerabilities search for Meltdown and Spectre using your favorite search engine. For a more extensive list of manufacturer information and responses search for US-CERT alert TA18-004A.

National News

USDA VACANCIES SAID TO AFFECT CUSTOMER SERVICE: There are thousands of open positions at the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Service Agency, and the Democratic members of New Mexico's congressional delegation want Perdue to fill them ASAP. The vacancies - 1,446 at NRCS and a like number at FSA - are harming the agencies' ability to provide assistance to farmers and ranchers, the lawmakers said in a letter to Perdue. Carlsbad, N.M., a city in an important agricultural part of the state, hasn't had any NRCS staff for nearly a year, the lawmakers said. Read their letter here. USDA's response: A spokesperson said the department is "already in the process of conducting workload assessments for our customer-facing agencies to ensure that USDA maintains its superior level of customer service."

State water rights experts: Controversial water project is ‘speculative’ By Laura Paskus

Almost 100 people packed into the Catron County Courthouse in Reserve, N.M. last week for a hearing about plans to pump groundwater from beneath the Plains of San Agustin in southwestern New Mexico. Augustin* Plains Ranch, LLC wants to pump 54,000 acre-feet of water—more than 17 billion gallons—each year from the aquifer and pipe it to commercial or municipal water customers hundreds of miles away. The state has rejected similar applications from the company twice. Now, a third application is pending before the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, which administers the state’s water resources. The final decision will lie with the State Engineer, a position currently held by Tom Blaine, who was appointed by Gov. Susana Martinez three years ago. Opponents of the project say the application is the same as those previously rejected, and that the company fails to say who will use the water it plans to pull from the area. At the hearing, Chris Lindeen, deputy general counsel at the Office of the State Engineer, ticked off the ways in which the application is complete, and explained that water rights applicants have the right to due process, just like protestants. But he had more to add. Under the New Mexico Constitution, water is owned by the public and subject to “prior appropriation.” That is, people or entities with water rights must put that water to “beneficial use.” When considering water rights applications, the state must consider three crucial issues: public welfare, whether the project will impair existing water rights holders and conservation. Speculation, Lindeen explained, can be described different ways, including as monopolizing or hoarding water. And that relates to public welfare. The San Augustin Plains Ranch application, he concluded, is speculative and violates the prior appropriation doctrine. “So, the water rights division recommends that the State Engineer dismiss or deny the application based on speculation,” he said. The company’s project director, Michel Jichlinski, remained upbeat after the hearing. “The hearing confirmed that our application is complete as per the law,” he wrote in an emailed statement to NM Political Report. “APR remains the best and only economically viable project currently proposed to alleviate the known water shortages which threaten the future well being of the State.” He added that the company looked forward to “demonstrating that APR can provide sorely needed water to the Rio Grande basin, without any impairment to the area’s residents now and in the future.” Unlikely alliances Carol Pittman, an opponent of the project who lives just outside Datil, was surprised to hear Lindeen call the project “speculative” but remained only cautiously optimistic. “We don’t know what that means: Will the State Engineer go along with it, or is he going to ignore it?’” asked Pittman. “We’re going to proceed as if the application were going to be heard, and we’re going to continue with our plan to hire a hydrologist.” Local residents want to better understand the aquifer and how pumping might affect it and the water rights of the people who already rely on it. Pittman and others in conservative Catron County, as well as environmental groups, have been fighting against the project for about a decade. “I think a lot of people who live in urban and suburban communities cannot really fathom people who live so far apart as we do—Quemado is 40 miles away, Glenwood, 100 miles away—who have pulled together,” Pittman said. “People do come together. The only ones who left [the coalition fighting the project] are those who died or had to sell their property to move.” Catron County’s attorney, Pete Domenici, Jr., blasted the company for not adhering to New Mexico state law. Before the state’s hearing examiner, Uday Joshi, Domenici criticized the application on a number of fronts, including for not explaining where the company plans to sell the pumped water. “On its face, this proposal says, ‘We don’t have to follow New Mexico law,’” he said during the hearing. Catron County covers about 7,000 square miles and hosts only about 3,500 residents. Domenici assured the hearing officer that the remote, sparsely populated county not only expects, but demands, that the rule of law apply to the proceeding. The pueblos of Sandia, Isleta, and Santa Ana and Sandia also opposed the application. An attorney for the Pueblo of Sandia, Jessica Aberly, said at the hearing that without including an end-user or place of use for the water, the company prevents the pueblos from understanding how the project might affect them. She also noted the company’s plans to build its pipeline across the Pueblo of Isleta. But, Ablerly said, “Isleta can find nothing about the specifics of this pipeline that will go across its property, other than the drawing of a line across the map.” Fears of a precedent “The issue here is whether water can be taken out of a rural area, where people are using it, and transported for use in areas like Socorro, Belen, Los Lunas, Albuquerque, or Rio Rancho, which is where the company proposes to run its pipeline,” said Douglas Meiklejohn, executive director of the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, which represents about 80 individuals, as well as some homeowners associations and the Gila Conservation Coalition. “There seems to be a view that rural areas of the state or agricultural uses of water can be sacrificed for municipal and industrial uses of water.” That’s not unique to the San Augustin proposal, he said. “The prevailing view of decision makers in a lot of the parts of New Mexico where development is proposed is that somehow or other, development can always get more water,” Meiklejohn said. “That’s the sort of thinking, it seems to me, that’s also behind the Bernalillo County Commission’s approval of the proposed Santolina development.” Western Albuquerque Land Holdings, created by Barclays Bank and two other investors, wants to develop more than 13,000 acres on Albuquerque’s westside, and needs approval from Bernalillo County for its Santolina Master Plan. Opponents of Santolina have questioned where the water to support such a large new community would come from. Catron County Commissioner Anita Hand has also been fighting San Augustin Plains Ranch. A decade ago, her brother and father spotted a legal notice in the newspaper announcing the plans to drill 37 wells into the aquifer. They feared the project would deplete their own water supplies and ruin the ranch they have built up over decades. “Obviously, we’re hoping this will get thrown out and we won’t have to deal with it again,” Hand said of last week’s hearing. “Unfortunately, this is something we’re going to have to deal with until we get some legislation passed.” Such legislation, she explained, would prevent interbasin transfers of water, or prevent water speculation. The upcoming legislative session, however, is a 30-day session, focused mainly on the budget. “For rural New Mexico, this is one of our biggest concerns, that something like this comes in and destroys our livelihood, our way of life, and any type of future where we can pass on our ranch to our heirs,” she said. “If they can do it here, if they can find another way to justify taking water or natural resources from one area to benefit another area, it sets a precedent.” No buyers yet To buy or transfer water rights in New Mexico, people or companies must show the water will be put to “beneficial use.” According to its application, the company plans to sell water commercially in seven counties and to state and federal agencies. It also says it will provide water for Magdalena, Socorro, Belen, Los Lunas, Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. No buyers are identified, but the application includes a 2014 letter from Rio Rancho City Manager Keith Riesberg who wrote that if it’s successful, the city would be “interested in discussing” moving water into the city’s system. Others towns named in the application, like Magdalena and Socorro, are actively fighting the project. The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority weighed in publicly ahead of the hearing. In a letter published by the Albuquerque Journal in early December, the authority’s chair, Klarissa Peña, wrote that the authority “wishes to make clear that the agency does not intend—or need—to purchase water from the Augustin Plains Ranch.” NM Political Report followed up with the authority’s chief operating officer, John Stomp. “We understood that the San Augustin pipeline application had somehow identified us [as a buyer of the water], that’s why we wanted to make sure we clarified that,” he said. “The best future for us is to conserve and utilize the resources we already have.” The authority recently completed a 100-year planning effort, he said, after studying 37 alternatives to supply water for the city’s future. “Importing water was certainly one of those alternatives,” Stomp said. “But clearly, we didn’t pick San Augustin or anybody else.” Stomp added that in its new plan, the board agreed it will not import water or purchase pre-1907 water rights. Aside from water rights belonging to New Mexico’s pueblos, those are the oldest water rights, typically associated with farms. For about two decades, the water authority has been transitioning away from groundwater and toward surface water from the Rio Grande and the San Juan-Chama Project. As a result, Stomp said, “Albuquerque is in a pretty good position to meet demands for the next 100 years without looking at other people’s water to support our interests.” “We want agriculture to continue, and not transferring pre-1907 water rights is a very important step for us,” he said. “And we want to make the same pitch to the San Augustin Project, that we’re not interested.” The state itself, however, might end up looking for water. New Mexico is squaring off against the state of Texas and the federal government in the U.S. Supreme Court on Texas v. New Mexico. Texas filed the lawsuit in a dispute over New Mexico’s deliveries of Rio Grande water. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation also joined the suit, against New Mexico. If New Mexico loses the case, the state could owe a billion dollars or more in damages and also be forced to curtail groundwater pumping by farmers in southern New Mexico. After losing a similar lawsuit against Texas on the Pecos River in the eastern part of the state, New Mexico started a program to pump groundwater into the Pecos during dry times. The New Mexico Office of the State Engineer did not respond to a request for comment on the hearing or the San Augustin Plains Ranch application. *Geologically, the area is the Plains of San Agustin or the Valley of San Agustin. The ranch, however, is spelled differently: Augustin Plains Ranch.

FSMA: Right Around the Corner for Large Growers

FSMA: Right Around the Corner for Large Growers AFBF Market Intel …The Produce Rule includes five main parts: biological soil amendments, domesticated and wild animals, worker training and health and hygiene; equipment, tools and buildings; and agricultural water and testing. Growers of sprouts have an additional set of rules, in addition to the above five. On January 26, growers of covered produce will be expected to be in compliance with the first four of the five parts. With regards to the fifth part – agricultural water and testing - after significant concerns from the industry were raised in September 2017, FDA proposed revised standards and compliance dates for agricultural water. FDA’s new proposal for compliance standards for water quality standards and related testing is expected in 2018.

Lawsuit against former attorney general laid to rest

Lawsuit against former attorney general laid to rest Santa Fe New Mexican By Andrew Oxford A federal court on Wednesday rejected an appeal by the owners of a Northwestern New Mexico ranch who said former state Attorney General Gary King’s animal cruelty task force illegally killed hundreds of their roosters, hens and chicks after claiming the animals were linked to cockfighting. The decision by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals might end the yearslong legal battle that stirred accusations of King targeting Hispanic ranching families and destroying livestock despite not having enough evidence in some cases to charge them with crimes. The task force included law enforcement officials as well as a private veterinarian and an advocate who was employed by the nonprofit organization Animal Protection of New Mexico

Farm Groups Launch ‘Farm Town Strong’ Campaign to Address Rural Opioid Epidemic

Farm Groups Launch ‘Farm Town Strong’ Campaign to Address Rural Opioid Epidemic AFBF Press Release As farming communities face mounting challenges with the nation’s opioid epidemic, the nation’s two largest general farm organizations are teaming up to confront the issue. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and National Farmers Union (NFU) today announced a new campaign, “Farm Town Strong,” to raise awareness of the crisis’ impact on farming communities. The campaign will also provide resources and information to help farm communities and encourage farmer-to-farmer support to overcome the crisis. The groups have launched a new website, FarmTownStrong.org, to provide easy access to information and resources that can help struggling farm families and rural communities. The Farm Town Strong campaign comes on the heels of a recent survey commissioned by AFBF and NFU that highlighted how the opioid epidemic has hit farmers and farm workers especially hard. While just under half of rural Americans say they, a family member or friend have been directly impacted by opioid abuse, for farmers and farm workers it’s 74 percent.

Sunland Park Horse Cleared of EHV-1

Sunland Park Horse Cleared of EHV-1 El Paso Proud By: Beau Bagley On Tuesday, January 02, 2018, Sunland Park management was informed by Dr. Tim Hanosh, DMV, Division Director of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Diagnostics Services that the horse which was removed from the racetrack grounds on December 29, 2017 after being reported with a fever, has been cleared to leave its isolation barn following a negative test for EHV. The Sunland Park Racetrack barn where the horse was previously housed, is now cleared to resume its normal training and racing regimen

USDA Announces No Actions under Feedstock Flexibility Program

USDA Announces No Actions under Feedstock Flexibility Program 12/28/2017 04:00 PM EST WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) announced today that it does not expect to purchase sugar under the Feedstock Flexibility Program for fiscal year (FY) 2018. The CCC is required by law to announce quarterly estimates of sugar to be purchased for the Feedstock Flexibility Program based on crop and consumption forecasts.

New Mexico specialty crop funds available

New Mexico specialty crop funds available NMDA to offer workshops beginning in January, proposals are due March 1 (Las Cruces, New Mexico) – If you have a specialty crop, you may be eligible for federal funding as part of the Specialty Crops Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides grants to state departments of agriculture solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets. Increasing competitiveness may include developing local and rural food systems, improving food access in underserved communities, specialty crop research, feasibility studies, marketing projects and much more. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. The funding cycle begins September 29, and grant funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis only. Funds cannot be awarded to projects that solely benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture will offer three workshops to assist growers and other agribusinesses in January. The workshops will provide an overview of the grant program and the application process. New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte said the funding provides a unique and beneficial opportunity to agriculturalists in New Mexico. “The USDA’s Specialty Crops Block Grant Program provides an avenue through which growers and processors may leverage their business to grow the New Mexico economy,” Witte said. “The grant program has allowed New Mexicans to develop new opportunities and maintain a competitive market, both locally and globally.” Previously funded projects range from one-to-three years in length and vary in amounts from $15,000 to over $100,000. Funds may not be used for the following:  Capital expenditures (equipment, buildings, land) or expenditures to make improvements to capital assets that materially increase their value or useful life  General purpose equipment (equipment not limited to research, scientific or other technical activities)  Equipment (an article of nonexpendable, tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost equal to or greater than $1,000) Proposals must be submitted to NMDA via email by 5 p.m. March 1 using the template to be provided by NMDA at http://www.nmda.nmsu.edu/marketing/under competitive grant programs. Projects may began September 29, as long as a sub-award is in place. Workshop dates and the application template will be available at the website above. Other questions may be directed to NMDA Marketing Specialists Felicia Frost or Sarah Hacker at specialtycrops@nmda.nmsu.edu or (575) 646-4929. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NMDeptAg and follow us on Twitter @NMDeptAg. - NMDA – Attachment 1: Grapes in vineyard (Photo courtesy New Mexico Department of Agriculture) Attachment 2: Green chile (Photo courtesy New Mexico Department of Agriculture) Attachment 3: Pecan close-up (Photo courtesy New Mexico Department of Agriculture) Confidentiality Notice: New Mexico has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state employees are public records. Your e-mail communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure. This e-mail, including all attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipients. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited unless specifically provided under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act. Confidentiality Notice: New Mexico has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state employees are public records. Your e-mail communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure. This e-mail, including all attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipients. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited unless specifically provided under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act.

Rulemaking to Revise Certain Aspects of the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS

EPA Initiates Rulemaking to Revise Certain Aspects of the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) and the Certification and Training (C&T) Rule; Implementation Dates for WPS and C&T Remain In Effect Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) EPA has initiated a process to revise certain requirements in the WPS. By the end of FY2018, EPA expects to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to solicit public input on proposed revisions to the WPS requirements for minimum ages, designated representatives, and application exclusion zones. The compliance dates in the revised WPS published on November 2, 2015, remain in effect; the Agency does not intend to extend them. Certification and Training (C&T, or Certification of Pesticide Applicators) Rule EPA has initiated a process to revise the minimum age requirements in the C&T rule. EPA expects to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to solicit public input on proposed revisions to the rule by the end of FY2018. The implementation dates in the January 4, 2017, final rule, (1) for certifying authorities to submit revised certification plans and (2) for EPA to act on those plans remain in effect; EPA has no plans to change those implementation dates. Learn more about the WPS Learn more about the C&T Rule

FOREST SERVICE HOSTS COLLABORATIVE FOREST RESTORATION PROGRAM ANNUAL WORKSHOP, JANUARY 10-11, 2018

FOREST SERVICE HOSTS COLLABORATIVE FOREST RESTORATION PROGRAM ANNUAL WORKSHOP, JANUARY 10-11, 2018 The Southwestern Region of the US Forest Service is hosting the Collaborative Forest Restoration Program (CFRP) 2018 Annual Workshop on January 10-11, 2018 in Santa Fe New Mexico. The workshop will be held in the Jemez Rooms of the Santa Fe Community College, 6401 Richards Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87508 (Jemez Rooms), 1-505-428-1000. The workshop is open to the public and there is no charge for attending. To register for the workshop, click here: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07eeusi18j418f8c48&llr=dljzvhoab The CFRP Annual Workshop brings together CFRP grant recipients, their partners and other stakeholders to share their experiences and discuss accomplishments, challenges, and strategies to overcome barriers to the implementation of collaborative forest restoration projects. CFRP grants can be used for hazardous fuels reduction forest restoration projects on or on any combination of federal, tribal, state, county and municipal and land grant lands in New Mexico. To be eligible, grant applicants must use a collaborative process that includes a diverse and balanced group of stakeholders and appropriate government representatives to design, implement and monitor their project. The 2018 CFRP Request for Applications and the agenda for the January 10-11, 2018 Annual Workshop will be posted on the CFRP website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r3/cfrp. 2018 CFRP grant applications will be due on February 27. For more information on the Collaborative Forest Restoration Program Annual Workshop, please contact Walter Dunn at 505-842-3425 or Amanda Montoya at 505-842-3176. Thank you, Walter Dunn

2017 Census of Agriculture Gets Underway

Woods Note: Data from the census of Agriculture is used to determine federal funds for Farm Service Agency program, Natural Resource Service Programs, Cooperative Extension matching funds (Smith Leaver) for County and State Government to fund your county extension office. This data is also used by numerous Federal and State Agencies. So it is real important that you complete the census as soon and as accurate as possible. You don't have to be real exact and you know your business. This data is confidential your personnel information is removed and it just becomes farm data assigned to a County and a State not to a individual farm. Please complete the forms and mail them in ASAP. New Mexico has been typically under reported in the past. If you need help with your form I will be glad to help or find the correct answers to your questions. Contact: Sue King, (202) 690-8122; Teresa White, (202) 690-8123 2017 Census of Agriculture Gets Underway Questionnaires being sent to over 3 million U.S. producers WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 2017 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) starts mailing the 2017 Census of Agriculture to the nation's producers this week. Conducted once every five years, the census aims to get a complete and accurate picture of American agriculture. The resulting data are used by farmers, ranchers, trade associations, researchers, policymakers, and many others to help make decisions in community planning, farm assistance programs, technology development, farm advocacy, agribusiness setup, rural development, and more. "The Census of Agriculture is USDA's largest data collection endeavor, providing some of the most widely used statistics in the industry," said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. "Collected in service to American agriculture since 1840, the census gives every producer the opportunity to be represented so that informed decisions can support their efforts to provide the world with food, fuel, feed, and fiber. Every response matters." The census will be mailed in several phases through December. Farm operations of all sizes which produced and sold, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural product in 2017 are included in the census. The census is the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every state and county in the nation. NASS revised the census forms in an attempt to document changes and emerging trends in the industry. Changes include a new question about military veteran status, expanded questions about food marketing practices, and questions about on-farm decision-making to help better capture the roles and contributions of beginning farmers, women farmers, and others involved in running a farm enterprise. "Producers can respond to the census online or by mail. We highly recommend the updated online questionnaire. We heard what people wanted and we made responding to the census easier than ever," said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. "The online questionnaire now has timesaving features, such as automatic calculations, and the convenience of being accessible on mobile and desktop devices." The census response deadline is February 5, 2018. Responding to the Census of Agriculture is required by law under Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113. The same law requires NASS to keep all information confidential, to use the data only for statistical purposes, and only publish in aggregate form to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual producer or farm operation. NASS will release the results of the census in February 2019. For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call (800) 727-9540.