New Mexico Ag Leadership program members to attend mission in Netherlands

New Mexico Ag Leadership program members to attend mission in Netherlands (LAS CRUCES, N.M.) - The New Mexico Department of Agriculture and the New Mexico Agriculture Leadership program are hosting a joint innovation and trade mission to the Netherlands in May. The New Mexico Agriculture Innovation and International Trade Mission is May 5 to 13. Seven leadership class members will join NMDA officials on a trip to the Netherlands for educational tours of production and processing operations, meetings with key government officials within the industry and appointments with importers, buyers and distributors. NMDA hopes that this innovation and trade mission will help attendees recognize the potential for prime international markets and gain exposure to new and innovative agricultural production, processing and marketing techniques. “Agriculture in New Mexico has innovative operators and a desire to adopt new technologies while respecting our customs, culture and traditions,” said New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte. “The mission to the Netherlands is intended to showcase operations and adaptable technologies that can be incorporated into our state’s agriculture. The Netherlands is the world’s second largest exporter of agriculture products behind the United States on only a fraction of the land base.” The class members that will be traveling with NMDA include: • Katie Kruthaupt, NMDA Soil and Water Conservation District Specialist • Beverly Idsinga, Dairy Producers of New Mexico Executive Director • Shannon Berry, Ag New Mexico Farm Credit Senior Relations Manager • Eric Nez, Navajo Agricultural Products Industry Bean Crop Manager • Jeff Anderson, Dona Ana County Agronomy & Horticulture Cooperative Extension Agent • Jeff Mayberry, farmer in Artesia, New Mexico • Cheri Lujan, East Torrance Soil and Water Conservation District Manager New Mexico Agricultural Leadership is a practical, seminar-based leadership experience for growing professionals. Its mission is to develop knowledgeable, multicultural leaders for New Mexico’s agricultural, food and natural resource industries. This innovation and trade mission serves as the international experience for the current leadership class. Members also participate in six in-state seminars and a trip to Washington, D.C. The seminars include cultural issues in Northwestern New Mexico and state political processes in Santa Fe. For more information about the New Mexico Agricultural Leadership program, visit http://aces.nmsu.edu/nmal/ and you can follow along on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook (@NMagleadership) during the trip.

SHINNERY OAK POISONING OF RANGE CATTLE

SHINNERY OAK POISONING OF RANGE CATTLE It has been a long time since I wrote an article on this issue, in fact it was on a 51/2 floppy disk so I had to start from scratch. This is a recurring problem on the east side of Eddy County and other sandy range sites in the southwest and west Texas. In drought periods, particularly in the spring and fall cattle and other classes of livestock will consume oak leaves, buds, catkins (flowers) twigs, and in the fall acorns. They don’t have to consume very much to reduce their performance and depending on the year to cause death. Some years are not as bad as other, my personnel observations have been that when plants are under stress, either by drought, cold, or growing too fast (when it rains) the negative effects of oak browsing are increased. The chemicals responsible are called tannins. Tannins can be either condensed or hydrolysable. Condensed tannins are broken down only in strong acids, like that of the digestive system, hydrolysable are easily degraded and can be absorbed into the blood stream. As the chemical classification suggest the presence of water makes this occur. From personal experience we often find cattle that are suffering toxic injection near water. Since I took poisonous range plants and toxicology in college there has been a significant amount of research on how these toxic chemical affect the digestive track of livestock, by the USDA poison plant lab. Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and NMSU. If you are interested in the specifics, I will be glad to give you the citations. As Producers we are generally interested in symptoms, and prevention/treatment. Long before the producer will see the toxic effects on their livestock the livestock performance has been reduced. In the spring the catkins can contain 18-20% tannins while the leaves are only 2-6%. It takes a much smaller percentage of the diet if catkins are present and being consumed. Several days after consuming oak the producer may notice dark, dry feces and mucus and blood, reduced appetite or not ranging out, and constipation. A few days later bloody diarrhea, frequent pungent urination and animals staying close to water. The final stages the hair coat will be rough, muzzle dry, urine reddish and often watery swelling on the underbelly. On steers and bull misdiagnosed as water belly or urinary calculi. Symptoms usually last 3-10 days, the animal will recover or die. When eating catkins again personal observation symptoms appear much faster as little as one day and toxicity progress much faster as short as 3-5 days they are dead. Prevention, poisoning occurs when oak is the main source of forage, drought, when spring green up is delayed or does not occur. The first 30 days after oak leaves emerge are the most critical, tannins are forming and are concentrated as well as catkins. If oak have been chained, dozed or damaged by equipment, and or frost that also increased tannin production. I could not find any information about toxicity following herbicide treatment. Nursing calves can receive the tannin from the mother milk as well as consuming it directly. The best prevention is avoidance if possible, of course. Back in 1966 NMSU and Texas A & M suggested supplementing calcium hydroxide at 10% of total intake as a preventative measure, and that still works. Calcium hydroxide seem to prohibit tannin absorption by forming insoluble complexes which are not digested. Manny producer are able to supply high-energy and high-protein feeds. If there is some green forage this will prevent use of the oak. NMSU recommendation is a supplement of 54% cottonseed meal, 30% alfalfa, 10% hydrated lime and 6% fat, for a one-ton mix that is 1,040 lb. Cottonseed meal, 600 lb. alfalfa, 200 lb. hydrated lime and 160 lb. vegetable oil. Start feeding preferably two weeks before you anticipate leaf emergence of oak and continue to feed this for the first 30 days’ oak is in leaf. Treatment of livestock affected is first remove them from grazing oaks, give them a laxative to flush the digestive track of undigested oak forage then feed with a quality alfalfa hay or similar forage until better. Roughly 85% of all cattle that demonstrate symptoms die. Of the 15% that survive there is no research as to why. 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.

Agricultural Broadband Bill Important Milestone, Farm Bureau Says AFBF

WOODS NOTE: When you consider the USDA want's us to do it all online with FSA, NRCS this bill is important. Agricultural Broadband Bill Important Milestone, Farm Bureau Says AFBF AFBF Press Release The Senate Commerce Committee today approved S. 2343, the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018. The bipartisan bill is an important milestone in delivering broadband service crucial to the operation of modern farming equipment. The bill would create a task force to focus on the connectivity and technology needs of modern farmers who are too often without broadband in the fields and on the ranches where they work. According to the Federal Communications Commission, 39 percent of rural Americans lack access to 25 Mbps/3 Mbps service, compared to only 4 percent of urban Americans. Today’s tractors, harvesters and other farm equipment gather vast amounts of data to determine the precise amount of seed, water, crop protection products and nutrients to deliver based on soil conditions down to the square inch. Such precision maximizes yield, lowers environmental impact and improves profitability at a time when farmers must watch every penny to survive. Even so, all that data has to be processed somewhere, and to do that farmers need high-speed connections that link their equipment to far-off data centers. The American Farm Bureau Federation thanks Sens. Wicker and Klobuchar for sponsoring this important legislation and looks forward to eventual passage by the Senate and House. Farm Bureau eagerly awaits tangible progress in delivering broadband to places that have too long been neglected.

Barbary sheep, oryx, Persian ibex rule changes topic of public meetings

Barbary sheep, oryx, Persian ibex rule changes topic of public meetings NMDG&F Press Release The Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comments on proposed revisions to the Barbary sheep, oryx, and Persian ibex rule. The department is proposing changes in Barbary sheep, oryx, and Persian ibex hunting across the state, including increasing Barbary sheep draw licenses, adding new oryx hunts on White Sands Missile Range, and increasing female/immature ibex draw licenses. To gather public comments, three public meetings will be conducted: Las Cruces: 6 to 7 p.m. May 7 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 2715 Northrise Drive. Roswell: 6 to 7 p.m. May 8 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 1912 W. Second Street. Albuquerque: 6 to 7 p.m. May 9 at the Department of Game and Fish office, 3841 Midway Place, NE. The proposals can be viewed on the department website

New NMSU Extension Publications.

Guide A-616: Herbicide Resistance: Development and Management Leslie Beck (Extension Weed Specialist, Dept. of Extension Plant Sciences) PDF: http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_a/A616.pdf

USDA Rural Development Innovation Center Launches Interactive Webpage to Share Best Practices for Rural Economic Development

USDA Rural Development Innovation Center Launches Interactive Webpage to Share Best Practices for Rural Economic Development WASHINGTON, April 25, 2018 – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today unveiled a new interactive webpage to identify best practices for building rural prosperity. “Rural communities need forward-thinking strategies to build strong, resilient futures,” Hazlett said. “USDA’s Rural Development Innovation Center is focused on identifying unique opportunities, pioneering new, creative solutions to tough challenges, and making Rural Development’s programs easier to understand, use and access.” The webpage highlights effective strategies that have been used to create jobs, build infrastructure, strengthen partnerships and promote economic development in rural America. An interactive feature allows webpage visitors to submit comments on ways USDA can improve Rural Development program delivery. Innovation Center staff will review these recommendations and direct customers to resources, services and expertise that will help their communities create transformative solutions to complex rural challenges. The webpage also highlights USDA resources that can be used for investments in infrastructure and innovation. These resources include USDA’s Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grant Program, Community Connect Grant Program, and Community Facilities Programs. Secretary Perdue established the Rural Development Innovation Center to streamline, modernize and strengthen the delivery of Rural Development programs. To do this, the Innovation Center is focused on improving customer service to rural communities and increasing rural prosperity through strategic partnerships and capacity-building, data analytics and evaluation, and regulatory reform. In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump, which included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB). USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. #

Farm Service Agency Makes Administrative Change to the Livestock Indemnity Program

Farm Service Agency Makes Administrative Change to the Livestock Indemnity Program USDA Farm Service Agency sent this bulletin at 04/24/2018 04:15 PM EDT You are subscribed to FSA News Releases for USDA Farm Service Agency. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USFSA/bulletins/1ebe7b8 Farm Service Agency Makes Administrative Change to the Livestock Indemnity Program 04/24/2018 03:55 PM EDT CANADIAN, Texas, April 24, 2018 – Starting today, agricultural producers who have lost livestock to disease, resulting from a weather disaster, have an additional way to become eligible for a key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance program.

USDA to Immediately Assist Producers for Qualifying Livestock, Honeybee and Farm-raised Fish Program Losses

USDA to Immediately Assist Producers for Qualifying Livestock, Honeybee and Farm-raised Fish Program Losses $34 Million in Payments for 2017 Losses Part of Broad Suite of Programs Aiding Ag Operations WASHINGTON, April 13, 2018 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will issue $34 million to help agricultural producers recover from 2017 natural disasters through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP), which covers losses not covered by certain other USDA disaster assistance programs. These payments are being made available today, and they are part of a broader USDA effort to help producers recover from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, wildfires and drought. A large portion of this assistance will be made available in federally designated disaster areas. “From Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, through the South, the Southwest, California and the Great Plains, American agriculture was devastated by natural disasters in 2017,” said Bill Northey, Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. “The Trump Administration is moving quickly to distribute financial assistance to help producers recover and rebuild. It is important to get this help to producers in time for the spring planting season.” ELAP aims to help eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions, including blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the Secretary. ELAP assistance is provided for losses not covered by other disaster assistance programs such as the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). The increased amount of assistance through ELAP was made possible by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, signed earlier this year. The Act amended the 2014 Farm Bill to enable USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide assistance to producers without an annual funding cap and immediately for 2017. It also enables FSA to pay ELAP applications as they are filed for 2018 and subsequent program years. -more-

ATV Safety 101

ATV Safety 101 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ATVs were first introduced in the U.S. for agricultural use in the early 1980s. Over the past thirty years, ATVs have grown increasingly popular recreationally and more recently, have become a valuable asset at work. With more than 10 million in use, it is important to know the hazards associated with ATVs and how to operate them safely. Recommended Practices for the Safe Use of ATVs at Work For Employers: • Provide helmet and eye-protection for workers and encourage the use of other personal protective equipment (PPE). • Identify and mark – and eliminate if possible – hazards such as excavations, trenches, and guy wires that might be present in specific work environments, so they are easily seen and avoided by workers on the job site. • Establish operating and maintenance policies that follow manufacturer’s terrain guidelines, specified hauling and towing capacity, and passenger restrictions. • Provide employees access to hands-on training by an ATV Safety Institute instructor or a similarly qualified instructor. • Share responsibility with employees on the practices detailed below. In other words, practice what you preach. For Employees: • Wear PPE including a helmet, eye-protection, long pants, and sturdy boots. • Participate in hands-on training in the safe handling and operation of an ATV. • Conduct a pre-ride inspection of tires, brakes, headlights, etc., and follow employer’s maintenance polices for upkeep of the ATV. • Understand how implements and attachments may affect the stability and handling of the ATV. • Never exceed the manufacturer’s specified hauling and towing capacity or weight limits and ensure cargo is balanced, secured, and loaded on provided racks. • Be aware of potential hazards such as trees, ruts, rocks, streams and gullies, and follow posted hazard warnings. • Drive at speeds safe for weather and terrain and never operate ATVs on surfaces not designed for ATVs such as paved roads and highways. • Never permit passengers on the ATV, unless the ATV has an additional seat specifically designed to carry them. • Never operate an ATV while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Did You Know? ATVs have unique features that enable them to operate in harsh work environments where larger, less mobile vehicles cannot safely be used. Their oversized, deep tread, and low-pressure tires (4-5psi) and light weight (600-1000lbs) – compared to other motorized vehicles. Thier enhanced maneuverability also presents risks such as rollovers which may occur due to high center of gravity and a relatively narrow wheelbase. Below are two videos showcasing what could happen when operating an ATV. The rider needs to be properly trained BEFORE using these vehicles to prevent injuries or fatalities. ATV Safety Video: The Last Ride Off-Road Safety Documentary: Their Stories One seat, one rider! Take the ATV Safety 101 quiz to test your knowledge! Resources: • Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America: http://www.ashca.com • ATV Safety Institute: http://www.atvsafety.org/InfoSheets/ATV_Riding_Tips.pdf; https://online.svia.org/training/default.aspx • Farm Safety 4 Just Kids: http://www.fs4jk.org • National Children’s Center for Rural Agricultural Health and Safety: http://www.marshfieldclinic.org/nccrahs • National Education Center for Agricultural Safety: http://www.necasag.org • National Institute for Occupational Safety and health (NIOSH): https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ • Texas AHEC East: http://txaheceast.org/resource-center/atv-safety-the-last-ride/ Disclaimer: The facts and information listed above are merely suggestions for your safety, but are in no way a comprehensive and exhaustive list of all actions needed to insure your safety.

ACES High Calf program

Hello Everyone, With the ongoing drought, we thought it would be best to slightly modify the ACES High Certified Calf program in response. The concern is that if producers purchase the program tags now and then are forced to wean early (and ship calves), that money would be wasted. Thus, we will only require vaccine receipts, date of first calf born, and date of last calf born (or branding date) to get started. There will be no tags until fall weaning which will allow time to evaluate range conditions and the ability to wean for 45 days. This makes the program no cost to the producer until he/she has the opportunity to see what their range and feed situation is later this summer or early fall. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Thanks for all the help! Craig. NMSU Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources Extension Beef Cattle Specialist

PLEASE JOIN US FOR A RETIREMENT CELEBRATION & FUNDRAISER FOR NMSU LIVESTOCK JUDGING TEAM HONORING MR. L. NEIL BURCHAM

PLEASE JOIN US FOR A RETIREMENT CELEBRATION & FUNDRAISER FOR NMSU LIVESTOCK JUDGING TEAM HONORING MR. L. NEIL BURCHAM Event is set for Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Las Cruces Convention Center, from 6:00-9:00PM Mr. L. Neil Burcham has retired from NMSU after 48 years of service. Join us to honor this individual who has made an impact on the lives of many NMSU students and the cattle industry in New Mexico. In addition to honoring Mr. Burcham this event will also be a fundraiser for the NMSU Livestock Judging team. We will also be hosting an Alumni Livestock Judging contest at 4:00 PM at the main campus Livestock Center. Get your Former NMSU Judging Team together for some friendly competition or team up with your friends. (please visit the Department of Animal and Range Sciences facebook page) https://www.facebook.com/ANRS.NMSU/ or for more information and registration details please contact Dr. Shanna Ivey (sivey@nmsu.edu ) or Dana Wiebe (wiebed@nmsu.edu). Doors open at 6:00 p.m. at the Las Cruces Convention Center, 680 E. University Ave. Please make your reservation by Friday, April 13, 2018.

New Mexico agriculture industry hosts conference for future producers

New Mexico agriculture industry hosts conference for future producers (LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO) – The New Mexico Department of Agriculture and a dozen other New Mexico agencies and agriculture organizations are hosting the 2018 AgriFuture Educational Institute for future agriculturists. This event is geared toward anyone 18 to 40 years of age but is open to anyone older or younger who are interested in being a part of the future of agriculture. Current producers of any age are highly encouraged to join alongside future producers to learn and share insights. Veterans of the armed forces are encouraged to attend. The 2018 AgriFuture Educational Institute aims to connect, inform and inspire the next generation of farmers, ranchers and all people involved in agriculture. AgriFuture will be held May 15 to 17 in Albuquerque. “AgriFuture provides a tremendous opportunity for those who have an interest in agriculture production,” said Jeff Witte, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture. “The conference is about opportunities and resources and is presented by those who are actively engaged in agriculture. I encourage anyone who wants to explore these opportunities to attend, especially the next generation of agriculturists, our returning military veterans and those who have had other careers who may be ready to return to the land.” With over 150 attendees expected, the conference will feature breakout sessions, educational agricultural speakers, dinner with mentors, networking opportunities and more. Future ag producers may attend for $50, which includes a two-night hotel stay. Current ag producers and mentors may attend for $100, and exhibitor booth registration is $250. Registration may be found at https://agrifuture2018.eventbrite.com. For more information, visit http://www.nmda.nmsu.edu/agrifuture-educational-institute/ or contact Kristie Garcia at 575-646-2804 or krgarcia@nmda.nmsu.edu. Like the New Mexico Department of Agriculture on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NMDeptAg and follow us on Twitter @NMDeptAg.

The following CES publication are new or revised.

The following CES publication has been revised and is now available online in PDF format. Guide H-149: Marketing Alternatives for Small- to Medium-sized Family Farms and Ranches David Kraenzel (Research Associate Professor, Dept. of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business) PDF: http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/H149.pdf Circular 643: Tools for Understanding Economic Change in Communities: Economic Base Analysis and Shift-Share Analysis J. Michael Patrick (Community Resource and Economic Development Specialist, Dept. of Ag. Economics and Ag. Business) Don Blayney (College Professor, Dept. of Ag. Economics and Ag. Business) PDF: http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR643.pdf Guide H-303: Pruning Grapes to the Four-Arm Kniffin System Gill Giese (Extension Viticulture Specialist, Dept. of Extension Plant Sciences) PDF: http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/H303.pdf Research Report 792: The Chile Cultivars of New Mexico State University Released from 1913 to 2016 Danise Coon (Senior Research Specialist, Chile Pepper Institute) Paul W. Bosland (Regents Professor/Director, Chile Pepper Institute) PDF: http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/research/horticulture/RR792.pdf Guide L-111: Basics of Trophy Management Louis C. Bender (Senior Research Scientist [Natural Resources], Dept. of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources) PDF: http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_l/L111.pdf Guide F-125: Aging: What to Expect and How to Cope Cydney Martin (Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Santa Fe County Extension Office) PDF: http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_f/F125.pdf

2017 National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health Presentations

Now Available: 2017 National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health Presentations Videos and presentations from the 2017 National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health sessions are now available. Held December 7-8, 2017 in Indianapolis, the conference highlighted insights from some of the nation's most innovative producers, conservation leaders and scientists on using cover crops to improve soil health. Watch Now Plenary session highlights include: • Opening remarks by Jane Hardisty (USDA-NRCS Indiana) with video message Bill Northey (Iowa Secretary of Agriculture) • Growing a Revolution - Bringing Our Soil Back to Life, by David Montgomery (University of Washington) • Farmer panel: Experiences with Cover Crops and Soil Health, with Dan DeSutter (Ind.), Trey Hill (Md.) and Jimmy Emmons (Okla.) • Top 10 Ways Cover Crops Build Soil Health, by Rob Myers (North Central SARE) • Plenary session: Carbonomics, by Keith Berns (Neb. farmer and Green Cover Seed) Breakout session presentations address cover crops basics, advanced cover cropping insights from farmers, soil health, the role of cover crops in cropping systems and more. Browse a complete list of available videos and presentations here. Share: This material is distributed by SARE Outreach for the SARE Program and based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture , U.S. Department of Agriculture , under award number 2014-38640-22173 . SARE Outreach operates under cooperative agreements with the University of Maryland to develop and disseminate information about sustainable agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. This email was sent from SARE to naflores@nmsu.edu . SARE Outreach | 1122 Patapsco Building, College Park, MD, 20742-6715, United States Why am I receiving this email? Click here to unsubscribe | Update your profile Follow SARE:

promote the sheep industry in New Mexico

WOODS NOTE:Below is a letter from Dr. Eckhoff DVM, If you think there would be an interest I will be glad to schedule a program for Eddy County in Hope or another location. Call me at 575-887-6595 or 877-887-6595 toll free or email me a whoughto@nmsu.edu. If you want one in a different county contact your local county agent. Good afternoon, I am trying to promote the sheep industry in New Mexico. Hopefully I might have some producers that might be interested. Three weeks ago, while visiting with a fifth generation NM sheep producer regarding the current situation of the sheep industry in New Mexico, it became evident that producer numbers have dwindled substantially. The main concern for this livestock business is that the majority of small ruminant ranchers are an older generation who have no one following in their footsteps. If we don’t begin to promote the industry now while some of the experienced ranchers are present to teach future generations, numbers will continue to dwindle. With that in mind, I write this email to ask for your help promoting the sheep industry in New Mexico in hopes of seeing it grow and I was hoping you might forward this message to sheep ranchers who might be interested. So far, I have the support of a few producers, a member of the Board of the NMLB, and the NM Woolgrowers Association. Frankly, we need more people. Promoting the industry would be possible through education and contact with producers, children, 4-H groups, extensions etc. The goal of growing the industry can be accomplished if we establish a working group comprised of the producers and different agencies that could promote raising sheep through talks, tours, outreach to schools and communities, publicity and marketing, etc. As a veterinarian for the New Mexico Livestock Board I do have a vested interest in this project since we oversee the scrapie program and would enjoy the opportunity to talk to people about testing for scrapie. Many people don’t know that the scrapie program has changed and testing for the disease and finding a positive animal no longer means culling an entire flock and losing their livelihood and that the program is voluntary and free of charge to all producers who qualify for testing. That being said, no one will be forced to test their sheep or talk to me about scrapie if they do not wish to do so. I would still welcome them in the project. Please let me know if promoting this livestock and its by-products is a project you or anyone you know would like to be a part of. I am looking for people involved in raising sheep, handling wool and meat, judging this livestock, weaving, making/selling yarn or wool, lanolin, etc. Please feel free to share any ideas or experience you have or know of a good way to reach more people. I am available via email at alexandra.eckhoff@state.nm.us or by phone at (505) 841-6161. Sincerely, Alexandra Eckhoff, DVM Field Veterinarian New Mexico Livestock Board 300 San Mateo Blvd NE. Ste. 1000 Albuquerque, NM 87108

Sheep/Wool NEWS- from Roswell Wool

________________________________________ ASI Accepting Nominations for Sheep Center, ALB The American Sheep Industry Association is accepting nominations for directors to serve both the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center and the American Lamb Board. Recognized as a nominating organization by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ASI will accept applications through May 11 for positions with both entities before forwarding qualified applicants by USDA's May 25 deadline. There are two vacancies on the NSIIC board - one for a sheep producer and one for an individual with expertise in finance and management. Nomination forms for the sheep center are available at http://sheepusa.org/Resources_AlliedOrganizations_NsiicNominations. On the American Lamb Board, there are four openings: a producer with 101 to 500 lambs, a producer with more than 500 lambs, a feeder with 5,000 or more lambs and one first handler. Nomination forms are available at http://sheepusa.org/Resources_AlliedOrganizations_AlbNominations. Anyone interested in applying for either NSIIC or ALB should first consult with representatives from their state sheep association. Applications should be submitted to ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick at porwick@sheepusa.org and nominations will be considered by the association's executive board. Source: Sheep Industry News Advanced Shearing Schools Added to Schedule Watertown, S.D., will play host to two advanced shearing schools this summer with AWI Shearing Instructor Mike Pora once again making the trip to the United States to serve as the lead instructor. The schools are scheduled for June 28-29 and July 1-2. For more information, contact Loren Opstedahl at lorkatopstedahl@goldenwest.net or 605-484-3600. New factsheets show wool’s environmental credentials Many key facts illustrating wool’s renewability, biodegradability, and ultimate environmental footprint have been compiled in a series of factsheets, free to anyone wanting to know the facts and promote the natural fibre. These factsheets are a science-based resource that point to peer-reviewed, published studies. Developed to help underpin the credentials of wool as an environmentally responsible natural fibre, the factsheets cover wool’s natural production, decomposition and the measurement of the wool’s environmental footprint. With the increasing prioritisation of sustainable resources as consumer textile choice, Merino wool shines out as a leading natural, renewable and biodegradable fibre. Scientific studies are revealing that synthetic fibres such as polyester and nylon have detrimental impacts on the environment. One recent revelation is the pollution and toxicity problems caused by micro-plastic fibres in natural ecosystems. Whilst synthetic fibres do degrade with physical exposure to the elements, they never fully decompose and this causes pollution in waterways, landfill and debris. Natural fibres, such as wool, biologically degrade and return to the environment as nutrients, elements and proteins. Because of this quality, wool is considered an environmentally responsible choice in textiles. As one of the world’s oldest known fibres to be used in textiles, dating back to 1500 BC, wool’s natural and renewable production has been the obvious choice in the past and remains the choice for the future as the demand for sustainable textiles continues to increase. Wool is grown all year round by Australian Merino sheep with a simple mix of water, air, sunshine and grass. Once wool is in service in the textile industry, it has longevity of use, is reusable, recyclable and is eventually biodegradable. This versatility – spanning between the cradle to grave life of wool – lowers its overall environmental impact. As the 2014 study Biodegradability of Wool: Soil Burial Biodegradation has shown, wool naturally decomposes in as little as three to four months, returning vital nutrients such as nitrogen, sulphur and magnesium to the soil.1 The McNeil study has also shown that when wool is broken down by microorganisms the return of these nutrients to the soil can improve the dry matter yield by up to 82%.2 Instead of stripping our soils of nutrients and fertility, the production and decomposition of wool has the capacity to enrich soil and self-sustain the production cycle. Wool’s biodegradability, together with the long service life of wool garments – on average 50% longer than cotton garments as evidenced in the Neilson Company report – reflect a lighter environmental footprint.3 With greater scope in emerging scientific studies that considers the sustainability of different fibres, not just in the production phase but with consideration of the broader impact fibres have on marine life, natural habitation and environmental pollution, the story of wool can be better understood as the sustainable textile fibre that it is. Source: AWI

Perdue Statement on House Committee Passage of 2018 Farm Bill

Perdue Statement on House Committee Passage of 2018 Farm Bill (Washington, D.C., April 18, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today issued the following statement regarding approval of the 2018 Farm Bill by the House Committee on Agriculture: “I commend Chairman Conaway and the House Committee on Agriculture for passing a comprehensive Farm Bill out of the Committee today. The bill closely aligns with the Farm Bill Principles released by USDA in January and is nearly identical to the legislation first introduced last week. We are encouraged that the Committee heard the voices of their constituents, who want to preserve and enhance programs contained in the 2014 Farm Bill, as I learned in my conversations with farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers in 35 states in the last twelve months. As the bill heads to the floor, I hope the House recognizes the long-term certainty it provides for America’s farmers, just as it preserves nutrition programs for people who need help feeding themselves and their families. USDA stands ready to provide technical assistance as the bill progresses in the House, and we look forward to working with our friends in the Senate as well. As Republicans and Democrats have farm interests in their own districts and states, we are hopeful that the 2018 Farm Bill can move forward in a bipartisan manner.” #

FDA Cardiobeat

FDA CardioBeat Email Updates provide information about FDA cardiovascular product approval, safety warnings, medical product labeling changes, notices of upcoming meetings, and notices about proposed regulatory guidances. The FDA recently approved a firmware update that is now available and is intended as a corrective action (recall), to reduce the risk of patient harm due to premature battery depletion and potential exploitation of cybersecurity vulnerabilities for certain Abbott ICDs and CRT-Ds. "Firmware" is a specific type of software embedded in the hardware of a medical device (e.g. a component in the defibrillator). The FDA recommends that all eligible patients receive the firmware update at their next regularly scheduled visit or when appropriate depending on the preferences of the patient and physician. For the purposes of this safety communication, cybersecurity focuses on protecting patients' medical devices and their associated computers, networks, programs, and data from unintended or unauthorized threats. This firmware update includes mitigations to addresses two separate issues: 1) a device-based Battery Performance Alert to detect rapid battery depletion in devices subject to the Battery Advisory from October 2016; and 2) updates to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities across Abbott's radio frequency (RF) enabled ICDs and CRT-Ds. Steve Morin Office of Health and Constituent Affairs Food and Drug Administration

Secretary Perdue Statement Regarding Chinese Duties on U.S. Sorghum

Secretary Perdue Statement Regarding Chinese Duties on U.S. Sorghum USDA Office of Communications sent this bulletin at 04/18/2018 09:38 AM EDT You are subscribed to USDA Office of Communications. Release No. 0085.18 Contact: USDA Press Email: press@oc.usda.gov Secretary Perdue Statement Regarding Chinese Duties on U.S. Sorghum (Washington, D.C., April 18, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today issued the following statement regarding China’s announcement of duties of almost 179 percent on U.S. sorghum imports: “The international grain market is about the freest market there is, and it is ludicrous to even mention ‘dumping,’ because China can buy product from anywhere they choose. This is clearly a political decision by the Chinese and we reject their premise. Our sorghum producers are the most competitive in the world and we do not believe there is any basis in fact for these actions. As we explore options, we are in communication with the American sorghum industry and stand united with them. The fact remains that China has engaged in unfair trade practices over decades and President Trump is correct in holding them accountable. We remain committed to protecting American agricultural producers in the face of retaliatory measures by the Chinese.”

NMSU athletes qualify for College National Finals Rodeo

NMSU athletes qualify for College National Finals Rodeo DATE: 04/17/2018 WRITER: Savannah Montero, 575-646-1614, smontero@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Logan Corbett, 575-646-3659, lcorbett@nmsu.edu Dust, strong winds and unusually cold weather swarmed through the final Grand Canyon region rodeo April 13-14. The New Mexico State University rodeo team brought its game faces to the last rodeo in Socorro, New Mexico, which determined the top three finalists who advance to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming, in June. Many contestants were on the borderline of qualifying for the top three positions and after the Socorro rodeo, some NMSU athletes fell, while others will compete at the largest college rodeo in the world. NMSU rodeo head coach Logan Corbett believes this is the strongest team to qualify for the CNFR since he arrived at NMSU. “Every individual that will be making a trip to Casper has a legitimate chance of winning a national championship,” Corbett said. “If we’ll stay calm and take it one run or ride at a time, we will have multiple national champions.” Senior Anna Barker, from Rochester, Washington, finished as the reserve barrel racing champion in the region. This was her last college rodeo in the New Mexico and Arizona circuit. Regional director and senior Carly Billington, from Cave Creek, Arizona, will compete in the barrel racing event as well. Regional directors are given the chance to compete in the event that they scored the most points in even if it’s not in the top three. “Through lots of struggles and mistakes, to setting arena records and winning countless buckles, Rios (Barker’s horse) took me to the top and got me another chance at the CNFR,” Barker said. Sophomore Derek Runyan, from Silver, New Mexico, had countless rodeo average wins that led him to holding the title of the champion tie-down roper. Senior Wyatt Jurney, from Las Cruces, New Mexico, took home the gold in the steer wrestling event. He had a strong spring season that led to him winning a championship title in the Grand Canyon region and a brand-new saddle. Junior Tyler Muth, from Murrieta, California, finished third overall in the steer wrestling. “I have three unbelievably great horses: Frank the Tank, Nacho and Beetle Juice, they take care of me and help me win,” Jurney said. “NMSU has been a great atmosphere for my college rodeo career.” Freshman Levi Whitley, from Blanco, New Mexico, put himself in the danger zone all year in the bull riding event, which led him to be crowned as the Grand Canyon regional champion. He had a strong spring semester and covered many rank bulls. Freshman Blaise Milligan, from Artesia, New Mexico, continues to the finals in the third position for the bull riding. “I’m glad I achieved my goal and ended the season out on top,” Whitley said. “I’m excited to be able to have the chance to experience the CNFR my freshman year and hope to get some bulls rode up in Casper this June.” Senior Jace Cooley, from Musselshell, Montana, won reserve champion in the region for the saddle bronc riding. Freshman Colton Clemens, from Firth, Idaho, spurred his way to the top in the region for the bareback riding event winning a champion title. Freshman Cauy Pool, from Klamath Falls, Oregon, rode his bucking horses aggressively during the Socorro rodeo and placed second in the region for the bareback riding. “If feels good to finish the year strong, I appreciate everyone wo has helped me get to where I am today,” Clemens said. “I am going to work hard and push myself the whole mile to have a successful trip to Casper.” Senior Savannah Montero, from Winnemucca, Nevada, is headed to the CNFR in the third position for the goat tying event. “The CNFR will be the last rodeo ever in my life,” Montero said. “I plan to go out with a bang, I have nothing to lose so I hope to break arena records and compete as aggressively as possible.” The Aggies will compete against every college rodeo region in the United States in Casper June 8-16. For more information on rodeo, contact Corbett at lcorbett@nmsu.edu.

Dr. Arnold Nelson passed away

I just received word that Dr. Arnold Nelson passed away yesterday. Dr. Nelson was a former department head for Animal and Range Sciences from 1971 to 1985. Dr. Nelson and his wife Dorothy remained active in our department and Gamma Sigma Delta Events. Arrangements for a memorial service are pending and will be distributed when known. Please keep the Nelson Family in your prayers.

USDA Announces 2018 Cotton Loan Rate Differentials

USDA Announces 2018 Cotton Loan Rate Differentials 04/16/2018 02:06 PM EDT WASHINGTON, April 16, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced the 2018-crop loan rate differentials for upland and extra-long staple cotton.

New Mexico agriculture industry hosts conference for future producers

New Mexico agriculture industry hosts conference for future producers (LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO) – The New Mexico Department of Agriculture and a dozen other New Mexico agencies and agriculture organizations are hosting the 2018 AgriFuture Educational Institute for future agriculturists. This event is geared toward anyone 18 to 40 years of age but is open to anyone older or younger who are interested in being a part of the future of agriculture. Current producers of any age are highly encouraged to join alongside future producers to learn and share insights. Veterans of the armed forces are encouraged to attend. The 2018 AgriFuture Educational Institute aims to connect, inform and inspire the next generation of farmers, ranchers and all people involved in agriculture. AgriFuture will be held May 15 to 17 in Albuquerque. “AgriFuture provides a tremendous opportunity for those who have an interest in agriculture production,” said Jeff Witte, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture. “The conference is about opportunities and resources and is presented by those who are actively engaged in agriculture. I encourage anyone who wants to explore these opportunities to attend, especially the next generation of agriculturists, our returning military veterans and those who have had other careers who may be ready to return to the land.” With over 150 attendees expected, the conference will feature breakout sessions, educational agricultural speakers, dinner with mentors, networking opportunities and more. Future ag producers may attend for $50, which includes a two-night hotel stay. Current ag producers and mentors may attend for $100, and exhibitor booth registration is $250. Registration may be found at https://agrifuture2018.eventbrite.com. For more information, visit http://www.nmda.nmsu.edu/agrifuture-educational-institute/ or contact Kristie Garcia at 575-646-2804 or krgarcia@nmda.nmsu.edu. Like the New Mexico Department of Agriculture on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NMDeptAg and follow us on Twitter @NMDeptAg.

APHIS Amends Karnal Bunt (Tilletia indica (Mitra) Mundkur) Regulated Areas in Maricopa and Pinal Counties in Arizona

: WOODS NOTE: We have had Karnal bunt in our wheat in the past and were limited in our ability to sell wheat products including wheat hay in the boot stage. Please be diligent in where you buy your wheat seed. APHIS Amends Karnal Bunt (Tilletia indica (Mitra) Mundkur) Regulated Areas in Maricopa and Pinal Counties in Arizona To: State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending the Karnal bunt regulated areas in Maricopa and Pinal Counties in Arizona. Specifically, APHIS is reducing the regulated area Maricopa County and increasing the regulated area in Pinal County. Following a review of available information, APHIS determined that 728 fields qualify for deregulation in accordance with the criteria listed in 7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 301.89-3(f). Accordingly, restrictions are no longer required on the interstate movement of Karnal bunt regulated articles from these areas. Specifically, APHIS is removing a total of 21,355 field acres from the list of regulated areas in Maricopa County, Arizona. In addition, APHIS is adding 4,611 field acres in the Maricopa area of Pinal County, Arizona, to the Karnal bunt regulated area in response to the detection of five Karnal bunt-positive fields. Following the completion of field surveys of Karnal bunt regulated areas, we have determined that these fields meet the criteria for regulation outlined in 7 CFR § 301.89-3(e). APHIS is taking this regulatory action to prevent the spread of Karnal bunt from Arizona. Karnal bunt is a pest that affects wheat quality; however, APHIS regulates this plant disease because many trading partners require that U.S. wheat be certified as grown in areas free of Karnal bunt. APHIS will follow this emergency action with the publication of an interim rule in the Federal Register. The Karnal bunt regulations can be found at the following website: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-health/kb For additional information about the Karnal Bunt Program, please call National Policy Manager Lynn Evans-Goldner at 301-851-2286. Osama El-Lissy Deputy Administrator Plant Protection and Quarantine Attachment: Federal Order FEDERAL ORDER Domestic Quarantine for Karnal Bunt (Tilletia indica (Mitra)) Mundkur DA-2018-09 April 5, 2018 This Federal Order amends the Karnal bunt regulated areas in Arizona. Specifically, it reduces the regulated area in Maricopa County and increases the regulated area in Pinal County. This Federal Order is issued in accordance with the regulatory authority provided by the Plant Protection Act of June 20, 2000, as amended, Section 412(a), 7 U.S.C. 7712(a). The Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit or restrict the movement in interstate commerce of any plant, plant part, or article, if the Secretary determines the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the dissemination of a plant pest within the United States and is likewise issued pursuant to the regulations promulgated under the Plant Protection Act found at 7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 301.89 et. seq. Section 7 CFR § 301.89-3(b) allows the designation of less than an entire State as a Karnal bunt regulated area only when the APHIS Administrator has determined, as in this case, that the designation of less than an entire state as a regulated Karnal bunt area is adequate to prevent the interstate spread of infestations of Karnal bunt. In addition, 7 CFR § 301.89-3(a) requires that the State enforces an intrastate Karnal bunt quarantine that is equivalent to the Federal Karnal bunt regulations. The State Plant Regulatory Official for Arizona has confirmed the establishment of an intrastate quarantine area for Karnal bunt that mirrors the Federal regulatory requirements as specified in 7 CFR § 301.89. Section 7 CFR § 301.89-3(d) provides for the temporary designation of new regulated areas pending publication of a rule to add the new areas to the list shown in 7 CFR § 301.89-3(g). Section 7 CFR § 301.89-3(d) further requires written notification be given to the owner or person in possession of a newly quarantined area. This is the responsibility of the Federal and/or State regulatory personnel responsible for the Karnal bunt program in the affected state. This Federal Order updates the regulated areas in Arizona designated in the Federal regulations located at 7 CFR § 301.89-3(g), and updates and replaces Federal Order (DA-2011-69) issued December 6, 2011, Federal Order (DA-2013-51) issued November 22, 2013, as well as Federal Order (DA-2016-57) issued October 3, 2016. Also, this Federal Order updates and replaces the regulated areas listed in Federal Order (DA-2017-08) issued April 11, 2017, but does not negate the removal of wheat, durum wheat, and triticale harvested for silage from the list of regulated articles listed at § 301.89-2. Following a review of all available information, APHIS determined that 728 fields qualify for deregulation in accordance with the criteria listed in 7 CFR § 301.89-3(f). Accordingly, restrictions are no longer required on the interstate movement of Karnal bunt regulated articles from these areas. Specifically, APHIS is removing a total of 21,355 field acres in Maricopa County, Arizona. In addition, APHIS is adding 4,611 field acres in the Maricopa area of Pinal County, Arizona, to the Karnal bunt regulated area in response to the detection of five Karnal bunt-positive fields. Following the completion of field surveys of Karnal bunt regulated areas, we have determined that these fields meet the criteria for regulation outlined in 7 CFR § 301.89-3(e). Quarantine Boundaries – Arizona Update § 301.89-3(g) Arizona, Maricopa County, paragraph (1), as follows: (1) Beginning at the southeast corner of sec. 4, T. 1 S., R. 1 E.; then west to the northeast corner of sec. 7, T. 1 S., R. 1 W.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 7, T. 1 S., R. 1 W.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 9, T. 1 S., R. 2 W.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 9, T. 1 S., R. 2 W.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 5, T.1 S., R.2 W.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 5, T.1 S., R. 2 W.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 32, T. 1 N., R. 2 W.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 8, T.1 N., R.2 W.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 12, T.1 N, R.2 W.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 12, T.1 N., R.2 W.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 15, T.1 N., R.1 W.; then north to the northwest corner of sec.26, T.2 N., R.1 W.; then east to the southwest corner of sec. 19, T.2 N., R. 1 E.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 19, T. 2 N., R.1 E.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 21, T. 2 N., R.1 E.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 21, T.2 N. R. 1 E.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 27, T.2 N., R.1 E.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 27, T.2 N. R. 1 E.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 35, T. 2 N., R. 1 E.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 14, T. 1 N., R. 1 E.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 15, T. 1 N., R. 1 E.; then south to the point of beginning. Update § 301.89-3(g) Arizona, Maricopa County, paragraph (3), as follows: (3) Beginning at the southeast corner of sec. 11, T. 6 S., R. 6 W.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 11, T. 6 S., R. 6 W.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 15, T. 6 S., R. 6 W.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 13, T. 6 S., R. 7 W.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 13, T. 6 S., R. 7 W.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 11, T. 6 S., R. 7 W.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 2, T. 6 S., R. 7 W.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 35, T. 5 S., R.7 W.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 26, T. 5 S., R. 7 W.; then east to northeast corner of sec. 26, T. 5 S., R. 7 W.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 12, T. 5 S., R. 7 W.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 12, T. 5 S., R. 7 W.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 6, T. 5 S., R. 6 W.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 2, T. 5 S., R. 6 W.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 2, T. 5 S., R. 6 W.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 12, T. 5 S., R. 6 W.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 25, T. 5 S., R. 6 W.; then west to the southwest sec. 25, T. 5 S., R. 6 W.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 35, T. 5 S., R. 6 W.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 2, T. 6 S., R. 6 W.; then south to the point of beginning. Update § 301.89-3(g) Arizona, Maricopa County, paragraph (5), as follows: (5) Beginning at the southeast corner of sec. 33, T. 2 S., R. 6 E.; then west along the Maricopa/Pinal County line to the southwest corner of sec. 33, T. 2 S., R. 5 E.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 21, T. 2 S., R. 5 E.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 21, T. 2 S., R. 5 E.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 27, T. 1 S., R. 5 E.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 27, T. 1 S., R. 5 E.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 23, T. 1 S., R. 5 E.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 21,T. 1 S., R. 6 E.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 28, T. 1 S., R. 6 E.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 34, T. 1 S., R. 6 E.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 10, T. 2 S.,R. 6 E.; then west to the southeast corner of sec. 9, T. 2 S., R. 6 E.; then south to the point of beginning, the Maricopa/Pinal County line. Update § 301.89-3(g) Arizona, Maricopa County, paragraph (7), as follows: (7) Beginning at the southeast corner of sec. 27, T. 1 S., R. 4 W.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 27, T. 1 S., R. 5 W.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 22, T. 1 S., R. 5 W.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 22, T. 1 S., R. 5 W.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 26, T. 1 N., R. 5 W.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 29, T. 1 N., R. 4 W.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 29, T.1 N., R. 4 W.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 33, T. 1 N., R. 4 W.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 33, T. 1 N, R. 4 W.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 3, T. 1 S., R. 4 W.; then south to the point of beginning. Update § 301.89-3(g) Arizona, Pinal County, paragraph (2), as follows: (2) Beginning at the southeast corner of sec. 3, T. 6 S., R. 4 E.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 4, T. 6 S., R. 4 E.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 17, T. 6 S., R. 4 E.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 18, T. 6 S., R. 4 E.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 24, T. 6 S., R. 3 E.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 19, T. 6 S., R. 3 E.; then north to the southeast corner of sec. 13, T. 6 S., R. 2 E.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 13, T. 6 S., R. 2 E.; then north to the southeast corner of sec. 26, T. 5 S., R. 2 E.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 26, T. 5 S., R. 2 E.; then north to the southeast corner of sec. 10, T. 5 S., R. 2 E.; then west to the southwest corner of sec. 10, T. 5 S., R. 2 E.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 27, T. 4 S., R. 2 E.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 27, T. 4 S., R. 2 E.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 14, T. 4 S., R. 2 E.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 18, T. 4 S., R. 3 E.; then follow the section line north to the northwest corner of sec. 8, T. 4 S., R. 3 E.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 9, T. 4 S., R. 3 E.; then follow the section line south to the southeast corner of sec. 9, T. 4 S., R. 3 E.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 15, T. 4 S., R. 3 E.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 15, T. 4 S., R. 3 E.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 19, T. 4 S., R. 4 E.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 30, T. 4 S., R. 4 E.; then east to the southwest corner of sec. 28, T. 4 S., R. 4 E.; then north to the northwest corner of sec. 28, T. 4 S., R. 4 E.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 28, T. 4 S., R. 4 E.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 28, T. 4 S., R. 4 E.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 35, T. 4 S., R. 4 E.; then south to the northwest corner of sec. 1, T. 5 S., R. 4 E.; then east to the northeast corner of sec. 1, T. 5 S., R. 4 E.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 1, T. 5 S., R. 4 E.; then west to the northeast corner of sec. 12, T. 5 S., R. 4 E.; then south to the southeast corner of sec. 36, T. 5 S., R. 4 E.; then west to the northeast corner of sec. 3, T. 6 S., R. 4 E.; then south to the point of beginning. We continue to appreciate the cooperative relationship with the State regulatory officials, Native American tribes in Arizona, and the wheat industry in our effort to prevent the spread of Karnal bunt. For more information on the Karnal Bunt Program, please call National Policy Manager Lynn Evans-Goldner at 301-851-2286.

USDA Prioritizes Investments to Address Opioid Crisis in Rural America

USDA Prioritizes Investments to Address Opioid Crisis in Rural America WASHINGTON, April 4, 2018 – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is giving funding priority in two key grant programs to address opioid misuse in rural communities. “The opioid epidemic is dramatically impacting prosperity in many small towns and rural places across the country,” Hazlett said. “With this focused investment, we are targeting our resources to be a strong partner to rural communities in building an effective local response to this significant challenge.” USDA is reserving $5 million in the Community Facilities Grant Program and is giving priority to Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant (DLT) Program applications proposing innovative projects to address the opioid epidemic in rural communities. In the Community Facilities grant program, rural communities, non-profit organizations and federally recognized tribes can apply through the usual Community Facilities grant application process for grants up to $150,000 for innovative projects such as mobile treatment clinics. Community Facilities grants may fund up to 75 percent of an eligible project. Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant program applicants will receive priority for telemedicine projects with the primary purpose of providing opioid prevention, treatment or recovery services. Eligible proposals can receive 10 priority points on their applications. Funding for both programs was made available through the FY 2018 Omnibus spending bill. The funding comes at a time when the Trump administration is pursuing an ambitious agenda to combat the nation’s opioid crisis. Applications for Community Facilities grants funded with this National Office reserve should be submitted on or before June 4, 2018. Applications will be accepted at the Rural Development office in the state in which the applicant is located. Applications submitted after this date will be considered for regular, state-allocated funding. The application deadline for Distance Learning and Telemedicine grants is June 4, 2018. Applications can be submitted electronically at Grants.gov or in hardcopy to: USDA Rural Development Telecommunications Programs, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 2844, STOP 1597, Washington, DC 20250-1597. The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that nearly 64,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2016. More than half of those deaths involved opioids, including prescription drugs and heroin. USDA is an important partner to rural communities addressing this national emergency. The Department is investing in treatment facilities and services, e-Connectivity and telemedicine, and public education efforts. In addition to program investment, USDA is helping communities share information about best practices to address the crisis. Visit USDA’s Rural Opioid Misuse webpage for more information. In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. In the area of quality of life, the Task Force included a recommendation to modernize health care access through innovative approaches like telemedicine. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

USDA Designates 12 Counties in New Mexico as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States

USDA Designates 12 Counties in New Mexico as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States WASHINGTON, April 3, 2018 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 12 counties in New Mexico as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. Those counties are: Catron Lea Rio Arriba San Miguel Guadalupe McKinley Sandoval Santa Fe Harding Mora San Juan Taos Farmers and ranchers in the following contiguous counties in New Mexico also qualify for natural disaster assistance. Those counties are: Bernalillo Eddy Roosevelt Chaves Grant Sierra Cibola Lincoln Socorro Colfax Los Alamos Torrance De Baca Quay Union Farmers and ranchers in the contiguous counties in Arizona, Colorado, Texas and Utah also qualify for natural disaster assistance. Those counties are: Arizona Apache and Greenlee Colorado Archuleta, Conejos, Costilla, La Plata and Montezuma Texas Andrews, Cochran, Gaines, Loving, Winkler and Yoakum Utah San Juan Qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA’s) emergency (EM) loans, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration of March 30, 2018, to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from the impacts of this disaster. Other FSA programs that can provide assistance, but do not require a disaster declaration, include: Operating and Farm Ownership Loans; the Emergency Conservation Program; Livestock Forage Disaster Program; Livestock Indemnity Program; Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program; and the Tree Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA service centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov. FSA news releases are available on FSA’s website at www.fsa.usda.gov via the “Newsroom” link.

NMSU forage, cover crop experts plan field day April 11 near Clovis

NMSU forage, cover crop experts plan field day April 11 near Clovis DATE: 04/03/2018 WRITER: Darrell J. Pehr, 575-646-3223, pehr@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Rajan Ghimire, 575-985-2292, rghimire@nmsu.edu CLOVIS, N.M. – Agricultural experts will provide an update on crops and dairy farming at a special field day Wednesday, April 11, at the Heritage Dairy Farm, south of Clovis. “This field day will provide an opportunity for eastern New Mexico and West Texas agricultural stakeholders to discuss and learn about regional challenges related to row crop production, quality management and cover cropping, soil and water conservation and soil health monitoring for sustainable crop and dairy farming,” said Abdel Mesbah, superintendent of New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Science Center at Clovis. Registration for the event starts at 8:30 a.m. with coffee and donuts. Mesbah will welcome attendees and provide introductions at 9 a.m. followed by field presentations and demonstrations: – Sultan Begna, agricultural research scientist at the Science Center, will give a presentation on forage corn production systems modification (cutting height, row spacing, quality and cover cropping considerations) and soil/water conservation. – Robert Hagevoort, NMSU Extension dairy specialist, will speak about nutrition and milk production. – Rajan Ghimire, cropping systems agronomist at the Science Center, will discuss cover crops and stubble management for soil health. – Zachary Cordel and Nick Pipkin, dairy producers, Heritage Dairy Farm in Clovis, will give a producers’ perspective on the topics. – Kevin Branum, state agronomist, and D’Llaynn Bruce, district conservationist, of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, will conduct a soil health score card demonstration. The field day will adjourn at 11:30 a.m. The event is free to attend and the public is invited. To reach the field, from the intersection of U.S. 70 and C.R. 5, drive east .75 miles and the field is on the south side of the road. For more information, contact Sultan Begna or Rajan Ghimire at 575-985-2292.

USDA Reopens Enrollment for Improved Dairy Safety Net Tool

USDA Reopens Enrollment for Improved Dairy Safety Net Tool Bipartisan Budget Act Makes Substantial Program Changes Washington, D.C., April 3, 2018 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is encouraging dairy producers to consider enrolling in the new and improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), which will provide better protections for dairy producers from shifting milk and feed prices. With changes authorized under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has set the enrollment period to run from April 9, 2018 to June 1, 2018. "We recognize the financial hardships many of our nation’s dairy producers are experiencing right now. Folks are losing their contracts and they are getting anxious about getting their bills paid while they watch their milk check come in lower and lower each month. The Bipartisan Budget Act provided some much-needed incentives for dairy producers to make cost-effective decisions to strengthen their farms, mitigate risk, and conserve their natural resources,” said Secretary Perdue. “This includes our support of America’s dairy farms. We encourage dairy producers to review the provisions of the updated program, which Congress shaped with their feedback. Those changes are now in effect, and I’d ask any producers who are interested to contact their local USDA service centers.” About the Program: The program protects dairy producers by paying them when the difference between the national all-milk price and the national average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount elected by the producer. Changes include: • Calculations of the margin period is monthly rather than bi-monthly. • Covered production is increased to 5 million pounds on the Tier 1 premium schedule, and premium rates for Tier 1 are substantially lowered. • An exemption from paying an administrative fee for limited resource, beginning, veteran, and disadvantaged producers. Dairy operators enrolled in the previous 2018 enrollment period that qualify for this exemption under the new provisions may request a refund. Dairy operations must make a new coverage election for 2018, even if you enrolled during the previous 2018 signup period. Coverage elections made for 2018 will be retroactive to January 1, 2018. All dairy operations desiring coverage must sign up during the enrollment period and submit an appropriate form (CCC-782) and dairy operations may still “opt out” by not submitting a form. All outstanding balances for 2017 and prior years must be paid in full before 2018 coverage is approved. Dairy producers can participate in FSA’s MPP-Dairy or the Risk Management Agency’s Livestock Gross Margin Insurance Plan for Dairy Cattle (LGM-Dairy), but not both. During the 2018 enrollment period, only producers with an active LGM-Dairy policy who have targeted marketings insured in 2018 months will be allowed to enroll in MPP-Dairy by June 1, 2018; however, their coverage will start only after active target marketings conclude under LGM-Dairy. USDA has a web tool to help producers determine the level of coverage under the MPP-Dairy that will provide them with the strongest safety net under a variety of conditions. The online resource, available at www.fsa.usda.gov/mpptool, allows dairy farmers to quickly and easily combine unique operation data and other key variables to calculate their coverage needs based on price projections. Producers can also review historical data or estimate future coverage based on data projections. The secure site can be accessed via computer, smartphone, tablet or any other platform. USDA is mailing postcards advising dairy producers of the changes. For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy or contact your local USDA service center

USDA Reopens Enrollment for Improved Dairy Safety Net Tool

USDA Reopens Enrollment for Improved Dairy Safety Net Tool 04/03/2018 11:41 AM EDT WASHINGTON, April 3, 2018— U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is encouraging dairy producers to consider enrolling in the new and improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), which will provide better protections for dairy producers from shifting milk and feed prices. With changes authorized under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has set the enrollment period to run from April 9, 2018 to June 1, 2018.

USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for April 2018

USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for April 2018 04/02/2018 09:04 AM EDT WASHINGTON, April 2, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation today announced interest rates for April 2018. The Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing rate-based charge for April is 2.000 percent, up from 1.875 percent in March. Eddy County Extension Service and New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity employer and educator. Eddy County Government, New Mexico State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating, Extending Knowledge Changing Lives.

Pecos River Statkeholders meeting April 9.

AGENDA Pecos River Stakeholders’ Meeting April 9, 2018, 10:00 am Bureau of Land Management – Roswell Field Office 2909 West Second Street Roswell, NM 88201 Introductions 2018 River Operations (USACE, Reclamation) Overview of 2017 Biological Opinion (George Dennis, Mark Horner, USFWS) Basin Outlook (Royce Fontenot, NWS) New Mexico Office of the State Engineer Activities (Tim Williams, NMOSE District 2) NMACD Activities in SE New Mexico (Jesse Juen, NM Association of Conservation Districts) Avalon Dam Update (Michael Vollmer, Reclamation) CCAAs on the Black River (Emily Wirth, CEHMM) Shiner Research (Howard Brandenburg, ASIR) Shiner update (Steve Davenport, USFWS) Eddy County Extension Service and New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity employer and educator. Eddy County Government, New Mexico State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating, Extending Knowledge Changing Lives.