NMSU’s High Plains Crop and Livestock Symposium set for Feb. 21

NMSU’s High Plains Crop and Livestock Symposium set for Feb. 21
DATE: 02/07/2019
WRITER: Darrell J. Pehr, 575-646-3223, pehr@nmsu.edu
CONTACT: Patrick Kircher, 575-356-4417, pkircher@nmsu.edu
PORTALES – Entering its second year, the 2019 High Plains Crop and Livestock Symposium will highlight current topics facing agricultural producers around eastern New Mexico.

New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service will host the symposium, set for Feb. 21 at the Roosevelt County Fairgrounds in the Jake Lopez building, 705 E. Lime St. in Portales. Registration will begin at 8:45 a.m. with the first program at 9:30 a.m.

The program will feature two educational tracks, one discussing agronomic issues and the other cattle production. Opening the agronomy track at 9:30 a.m. will be Mark Marsalis, NMSU forage agronomist, discussing “Alfalfa Production with Limited Resources.” Following that will be Calvin Trostle, Texas Agri-Life Extension agronomist, presenting “Dealing with Retiring CRP Acreage and an Update on Sugar Cane Aphids.”

The symposium will break for lunch at noon with a catered meal by Country Rose Catering. The final agronomy program for the day at 1 p.m. will be given by Greg Alpers, former DOW Agri-Chemical representative, providing a “Current Update on Rangeland Brush Control.” All agronomy talks are certified with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture for one continuing education credit for a total of three credits on the day.

The cattle production track will follow the same timeline as the agronomy tract. Opening the morning at 9:30 a.m. will be Dr. John Wenzel, NMSU Extension veterinarian, discussing “Updates on Trichomoniasis and other Cattle Health Issues.”

Following at 10:30 a.m. will be Gary Creighton, Purina beef specialist, presenting “Self Feed and Mineral Programs for Developing Cattle.” At 1 p.m., Craig Gifford, NMSU beef specialist, will present “Managing Reproduction and Utilizing Reproductive Technologies to Maximize Profitability.”

The cattle programs carry Beef Quality Assurance credits for BQA certification renewal.

“The planning committee is very excited and looking forward to this year’s program,” said Roosevelt County Cooperative Extension Service Agent Patrick Kircher.

For more information or to RSVP for lunch please call the Roosevelt County Cooperative Extension Service Office at 575-356-4417.
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