Youth photo contest on sheep.

"In order to be an immaculate member of a flock of sheep, one must above all be a sheep oneself." -Albert Einstein The New Mexico Livestock Board and the New Mexico Wool Growers, Inc. invite kids, ages 18 and under, to submit pictures for a photo contest, Aug. 5 - Oct. 5, 2016. This contest supports the local economy, displays New Mexico raised sheep in our environment and creates youth awareness about Scrapie eradication. First prize includes a $100 Tractor Supply gift card, and the winning photograph will be featured in the NM Stockman magazine. • Pictures must be of sheep and goats, any breed or number, and contestants can enter all the pictures they want. The sheep can be owned by the participant or belong to someone else. People may be included in the photographs. • All submissions must include the attached Permission & Liability Waiver form completed and signed by the parent or legal guardian of the participant. • Digital and print photos are both acceptable. Prints can be dropped off or mailed, but MUST be postmarked by 10/5/16 to: New Mexico Livestock Board 300 San Mateo Blvd. NE Suite 1000 Albuquerque, NM 87108 • Digital images can be e-mailed to statevet@nmlbonline.com • Pictures must be in good taste: acts of cruelty or vulgarity will not be accepted. • A person submitting photos acknowledges that his/her photo(s) will not be returned. By submitting, the contestant grants permission for his/her photo(s) to be used by New Mexico Livestock Board and the New Mexico Wool Grower´s, Inc. for a Scrapie brochure featuring New Mexico sheep. Additional photos may be used for other educational materials and marketing purposes by the above mentioned parties and the NM Stockman magazine. Happy Sheep Photo Contest Details and Waiver.pdf

Udall, Heinrich Announce $4.4 Million for NMSU Research to Support Sustainability and Profitability of Pecan Industry

Udall, Heinrich Announce $4.4 Million for NMSU Research to Support Sustainability and Profitability of Pecan Industry WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that New Mexico State University (NMSU) will receive more than $4.4 million to support research on pecan genetics and breeding that will help New Mexico pecan farmers improve the sustainability and profitability of their crops. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture Specialty Crop Research Initiative, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, which Udall and Heinrich supported. The funded research will allow for the development of genetic tools that will help farmers select varieties of trees that will thrive in the varying growing conditions of different regions. "This significant investment in research at New Mexico State University to support the pecan industry will help pecan farmers in New Mexico and across the country expand their production and increase the yield and quality of their crops," Udall said. "New Mexico is one of the top pecan-producing states in the country and the pecan industry is critical to local economies in Southern New Mexico, but our state’s climate and weather pose unique challenges for farmers. This research will help pecan farmers select the varieties of crops that will thrive and be most profitable, and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’ll continue to push for investments in cutting-edge research at our universities that supports local economic development." "Southern New Mexico is a leading producer of pecans, and pecan farmers are a driver of our state’s economy," said Heinrich. "I was proud to support the Farm Bill, which included the Specialty Crop Research Initiative. These funds will further position New Mexico State University as a leading agricultural research center. Many growers in New Mexico come from families that have cultivated land for generations. However, challenges today such as long-term drought has made farming difficult. This research will help ensure that the pecan industry can continue to thrive." The funded project, Coordinated Development of Genetic Tools for Pecan, is a multi-institutional collaboration between NMSU, the University of Georgia, the University of Arizona, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. The project seeks to identify the genetic elements of crops that control traits, such as nutrient uptake, drought tolerance and nut quality, and to identify trees that will yield the largest and best quality crops in specific environments, yet require less input by growers. The $4,404,284 grant awarded to NMSU was one of 19 grants totaling $36.5 million awarded nationally through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative. The awarded grants fund research and extension to support farmers throughout the country growing fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops. The program seeks to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry through grants that address challenges in sustaining all components of food and agriculture.

field sandbur

Press Release Eddy County Cooperative Extension Service 1304 West Stevens Carlsbad, NM 88220 For More Information, Contact: Woods Houghton, Eddy County Agriculture Agent Eddy County Cooperative Extension Service Phone: 505-887-6595 Fax: 505-887-3795 whoughto@nmsu.edu FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Controlling Field Sandbur (Grass bur) in Turf grass Field sandbur (grass bur) is a summer annual grassy weed that can be found in home lawns, sports fields, parks and along roadsides. It the spinney grass like weed that is in your pants legs, shoe laces and pet’s hair and paws at this time of the years. This weed is especially adapted to dry, sandy soils but can be found growing in other types of soils as well. The big problem with this weed is the sharp, spiny burs that are part of the inflorescence. These burs can be painful and are difficult to remove from clothing material. Field sandburs (grass burs) generally start germinating in late spring and will continue to germinate until late summer or early fall months. This weed will continue to grow until the first hard frost or freeze occurs in the fall. Field sandburs (grass burs) are generally not a problem in well maintained turf grass areas. With proper fertilization, mowing and irrigation, you can produce a turf that is dense enough to prevent sandbur (grass burs) from becoming a problem. However, if field sandburs (grass burs) do become a problem there are several effective herbicides that can be used to control this particular weed. The most effective and efficient method of control is to use a pre-emergent herbicide. This is done in February; during mild winters the field sandbur plants will survive and act like a perennial weed. In these cases, a pre-emergent herbicide will not be effective in controlling these particular plants, but will work on any of the seeds that try to germinate. At this time of the year a post-emergence herbicide such as Dimension – dithiopyr (pyridine, Group 3); Drive XLR8 – quinclorac (quinolinecarboxylic acid, Group 4 (26 for monocots)); Dismiss – sulfentrazone (aryl triazolinone, Group 14); Tenacity – mesotrione (triketone, Group 27); Sedgehammer – halosulfuron (sulfonylurea, Group 2);l Monument – trifloxysulfuron-sodium (sulfonylurea, Group 2) ;Revolver – foramsulfuron (sulfonylurea, Group 2);Certainty – sulfosulfuron (sulfonylurea, Group 2); Celsius - iodosulfuronmethyl-sodium and thiencarbazone-methyl (triazinylsulfonylurea, triazolone, Group 2) is used. These products will do a good job of controlling the field sandbur (grass bur) when it is young. As the sandbur (grass bur) matures, such as now, it becomes more difficult to obtain effective control. REMEMBER: A dense stand of healthy grass provides the best weed control. Because most weeds are "opportunists" that invade weakened lawns, the fight against weeds starts with good management. All cultural practices such as mowing, fertilizing and watering should be done in a manner and time that will favor the grass rather than the weeds. Height of mowing influences competition against weeds such as crabgrass - the higher the cut, the lower the infestation. Frequent light sprinkling encourages shallow-rooted weeds and seed germination. Less frequent "deep-soak" watering that maintains a dry surface layer provides the grass with a competitive advantage. Temperature, light, soil moisture and other factors determine the time and extent of weed germination and development. Some weeds germinate in early spring while others sprout in summer or fall. If conditions are favorable, a weed may be particularly abundant in a given year, but under different conditions the next year, it may be little in evidence. Herbicide application Although most herbicides are formulated with reliable safety factors, application rates higher than those recommended may cause injury to turf and other ornamental plants. Many people over apply herbicides; the user needs to follow instructions on containers carefully to avoid overdoses. This and all programs are available to everyone regardless of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. New Mexico State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Eddy County Government Cooperating “to put knowledge to work”.

Secretary Vilsack Announces $36.5 Million for Specialty Crop Research and Extension Investments

Secretary Vilsack Announces $36.5 Million for Specialty Crop Research and Extension Investments WASHINGTON, Aug. 2, 2016–Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced 19 grants totaling $36.5 million for research and extension to support American farmers growing fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops including floriculture. The grants are funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Specialty Crop Research Initiative, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “America’s specialty crop farmers face many challenges ranging from a changing climate to increasing production costs. Investing in cutting edge research helps uncover solutions to keep their operations viable and ensures Americans have access to safe, affordable and diverse food options,” said Vilsack. “The universities, state departments of agriculture and trade associations that partner with USDA address challenges at the national and local levels to help sustain all parts of America’s food and agriculture system, whether the farms are small or large, conventional or organic.” USDA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) develops and disseminates science-based tools to address the needs of specific crops. The funded projects address research and extension needs that span the entire spectrum of specialty crops production from researching plant genetics to improving crop characteristics; identifying and addressing threats from pests and diseases; improving production and profitability; developing new production innovations and technologies; and developing methods to respond to food safety hazards. Grants being announced today, by state, include: • University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, Ark., $50,000 • The American Olive Oil Producers Association, Clovis, Calif., $50,000 • Agricultural Research Service, Peoria, Ill., $3,694,012 • Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., $3,673,611 • Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Md., $3,683,590 • Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., $1,467,724 • Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., $48,558 • North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., $ 3,717,519 • North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., $ 3,276,666 • North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., $46,956 • Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., $ 2,849,975 • Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., $50,000 • New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M., $ 4,404,284 • Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., $ 4,281,618 • Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., $ 2,019,142 • Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, $35,240 • Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, $33,744 • Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore., $3,112,410 • Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, Texas, $35,418 Abstracts for this year’s funded projects can be viewed on NIFA’s reporting website. Scientists at USDA’s Agricultural Research Service in Beltsville, Md., will use one of these grants to develop new mechanisms to improve food safety and prevent pathogen contamination of fresh and fresh-cut produce at retail. USDA consistently conducts and funds food safety research to generate real-world results for both government and the private sector. Read more about how USDA’s food safety improvements over the past seven years are leading to a safer food supply at www.medium.com/usda-results. To date, NIFA has awarded almost $400 million through the SCRI program. Previously funded projects include a Virginia Polytechnic Institute project that will help producers reduce pathogens in their water recycling systems, and implement best irrigation practices for improving horticultural profits. A Michigan State University project is helping growers better manage pollinators such as native bee and honey bee populations to improve their specialty crop yields. NIFA invests in and advances innovative and transformative initiatives to solve societal challenges and ensure the long-term viability of agriculture. NIFA's integrated research, education, and extension programs, supporting the best and brightest scientists and extension personnel, have resulted in user-inspired, groundbreaking discoveries that are combating childhood obesity, improving and sustaining rural economic growth, addressing water availability issues, increasing food production, finding new sources of energy, mitigating climate variability and ensuring food safety. To learn more about NIFA’s impact on agricultural science, visit www.nifa.usda.gov/impacts, sign up for email updates, or follow us on Twitter @usda_NIFA, #NIFAimpacts. # USDA is an equal opportunity lender, provider and employer.

Love your enchiladas? You can thank NMSU chile research pioneer Fabian Garcia

Love your enchiladas? You can thank NMSU chile research pioneer Fabian Garcia DATE: 08/01/2016 WRITER: Amanda Bradford, 575-646-1996, ambradfo@nmsu.edu If you’ve ever sat and admired a perfect restaurant relleno before digging in, or sent up a quiet “thank-you” when you found some New Mexico certified green chile on the shelf in a coastal grocery store, you probably know how important the Mexican food industry is to American consumers. In fact, Mexican cuisine is second only to Italian in its familiarity and frequency of eating, according to research from the National Restaurant Association. But you might not realize that the spicy staple of the most popular northern Mexican dishes – the chile pepper – owes much of its widespread popularity to the early work of one of New Mexico State University’s pioneering researchers, horticulturist Fabian Garcia. “Really, Fabian Garcia is the father of the Mexican food industry in the United States as we know it,” said Paul Bosland, director of NMSU’s award-winning Chile Pepper Institute and a Regents Professor of horticulture. “Until his early research, chile peppers were a regional kitchen garden plant. His creation of the New Mexican pod type changed the food landscape of the United States forever.” Born in Mexico in 1871, Garcia attended New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts, which would later become NMSU, and was a member of the university’s first graduating class in 1894. A horticulturist with an interest in many crops, including onions, pecans, fruit trees and others, Garcia began a series of groundbreaking experiments to develop more standardized chile pepper varieties around 1894. “He looked around the Mesilla Valley and saw that the only people eating chiles were Hispanics, who were growing very spicy peppers in their gardens,” Bosland said. “He saw the potential for this crop, and set out to develop a pepper pod that was milder in heat profile to attract non-Hispanic consumers, as well as more uniform in size and shape and better-yielding, to allow for cost-effective processing.” Garcia improved the native chile pepper through hybridization and selection, Bosland said. He selected 14 chile accessions growing in the Las Cruces area from three types: pasilla, colorado and negro chiles. After nine years, only one line – “New Mexico No. 9” – remained, and Garcia said it had proven to be the best. He said although it was “not quite as hot as most of the unimproved varieties, it seems to be hot enough.” Now, instead of needing jalapenos, pasilla, ancho, mulato, de arbol, mirasol and dozens of other true Mexican pod types to make different Mexican dishes, Garcia’s “New Mexico No. 9” pod, released in the early 1900s, provided one pod type that served all those needs, from salsa and sauces to rellenos and other dishes, with a dependable pod size and heat level. All New Mexican-type chile peppers grown today, including popular varieties like the “NuMex Big Jim” cultivar, come from the genetic base of Garcia’s “New Mexico No. 9.” The uniformity and versatility of this pod allowed commercial chile processors, both for canned green chiles and dried red chiles, to scale up their production, continuing to expand the chile pepper’s reach and popularity. Among his many significant research contributions, Garcia also developed a raised-bed growing method for chile peppers still in use today to reduce disease and control “chile wilt” root rot. Garcia’s legacy of research at NMSU continues today, including at the 45-acre horticultural farm named for him. Bosland said the focus of research at NMSU has changed over the years, reaching back to those heritage seeds to develop new lines with better flavors, diverse heat profiles and even colorful ornamental characteristics. “Our NuMex lines concentrate on good-tasting chile,” Bosland said. “The industry has become much more compartmentalized and specialized.” He said the Chile Pepper Institute, which was founded in 1992 at NMSU as a resource for education and research related to chile peppers, works closely with growers and processors around the state to develop new cultivars that meet their specific needs, like thicker walls or a milder flavor that can be used to blend down spicier pepper varieties without changing the flavor. A founder of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences, the first American horticultural researcher to publish research literature in Spanish and English, the first Hispanic to lead a land-grant agricultural research station, and an advocate for Mexican-American students at the university, Garcia was a true pioneer in many areas, Bosland said, although he probably didn’t have a sense at the time of how impactful his chile research would become. “He was working on so many things,” Bosland said. “When you look at his writings, you see that chile was no more important than other crops.” While pecans, onions and other crops may make up a larger portion of the state’s agricultural economy, the chile pepper is so integral to New Mexico culture that it was adopted as the official state vegetable in 1965. And thanks to Garcia’s pioneering breeding work, NMSU claims the longest continuous program of chile pepper breeding in the world. For more information about the Chile Pepper Institute, visit www.chilepepperinstitute.org. Learn more about types of chile pepper at chilefacts.nmsu.edu.

NMSU Agriculture Business take first place.

Aggies take first place for NMSU in Denmark DATE: 08/01/2016 WRITER: Peter Foreman, 575-646-6233, peterjay@nmsu.edu CONTACT: William Gorman, 575-649-1295, wigorman@nmsu.edu Three agribusiness students represented New Mexico State University at the 2016 International Food and Agribusiness Management Association Annual Conference in Aarhus, Denmark. Julie Wilbanks of Moriarty, Shayna Gallacher of Carrizozo, and Emily Russell of Las Cruces traveled to the IFAMA Conference where they were able to take first place among more than 27 other universities in the Student Case Study Competition. They competed in the Undergraduate division which allows for one graduate student. “Being able to represent NMSU in this capacity has been such an exciting and knowledgeable experience,” Wilbanks said. “IFAMA is an educational organization with members including leaders from the food and agribusiness from around the world, university professors and students,” Professor Emeritus, Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business, William Gorman said. The competition entailed forming a 15 minute presentation on the case study given to the students. The topics of the presentations were on a sustainability program called AgBalance by BASF. NMSU won the preliminary round for the first time in the 11 years of the conference. In the final round, the NMSU group topped an experienced group from China. “We based our presentation on marketing AgBalance in the US as a tool to help the agricultural industry become more sustainable and responsible from farm to table,” Wilbanks said. The event featured more than 400 students from multiple countries. The group’s attendance at the conference was made possible by CHS Inc. (Farmer owned cooperative), IFAMA, NMSU Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business Department, NMSU Aggies Go Global, and the NMSU Honors College.

Albuquerque Journal: Dallas Fed: NM oil outlook likely to improve in 2017

(7/29) Albuquerque Journal: Dallas Fed: NM oil outlook likely to improve in 2017 The oil industry outlook in New Mexico and elsewhere is likely to improve somewhat in early 2017, according to Robert Kaplan, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Kaplan said the improvement will be driven by what the Federal Reserve predicts to be an increase and then stabilization in the price of oil. “It seems to slowly be moving toward balance,” said Kaplan. “There won’t be a huge burst, and it won’t be spectacular, but we’ll be looking at a better operating environment for energy.”