THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NEW MEXICO FARM AND LIVESTOCK BUREAU®
No better time for a
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Contact your Farm Bureau agent to schedule your SuperCheck.
By Larry Reagan
It seems like all we have talked about for the last two years is the farm bill. It’s important, so let’s talk about it some more. Last year, the farm bill received an extension that expires in September of this year. If Congress is unable to pass a farm bill before the end of the year, some farm bill programs will revert to outdated permanent law. Fortunately, there has been some movement on the farm bill in the past few weeks. The House Agriculture Committee finally passed their version of the farm bill out of committee on May 24th with 33 yes votes and 21 no votes. All the Democrats serving on the committee except four held the party line and voted no. NM Representative Gabe Vasquez who sits on the House Agriculture Committee voted no. In speaking with the Congressman, he noted that he and many of the other Democrats opposed the bill due to cuts to the SNAP program and the lack of climate smart guardrails tied to
Reagan cont. on page 18
By Zippy Duvall
The 4th of July is a highlight of the year on our family farm. Each summer, my family gets together for a traditional cookout, celebrating our nation with delicious food and the company of loved ones. This holiday serves as a reminder of the freedoms we enjoy, safeguarded by the dedication and sacrifice of countless Americans who have fought to protect our country. It also is a great time to look around the table and count the other blessings we enjoy in our great nation, such as having a plate filled with fresh, wholesome food.
Every year, the American Farm Bureau Federation, with the help of our volunteer shoppers around the country, calculates the average cost for a July 4th cookout. The survey includes popular items such as cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, homemade potato salad and desserts such as ice cream and cookies.
Duvall cont. on page 19
A Mid-Year Recap
By Elizabeth Foster
We are in the middle of our fire season, and we pray there are less catastrophic disasters as the year continues. We are working on how to best meet the needs of our members impacted by wildfires and storms. Staff and leaders will continue to reach out to counties impacted by the disasters and offer assistance where we can. Speaking from experience, fires and other disasters such as floods have a dramatic impact on communities that is felt for many years. It changes communities and management decisions for ranchers and farmers. It creates change.
The last 18 months it has seemed as though the theme was “Change is Happening.” We have been working on a few more changes to best serve this organization and its members. We are restructuring staff and duties, bringing on new staff members, and looking at new program opportunities to better meet the needs of our members and county Farm and Livestock Bureau
NMF&LB hosts day at the Isotopes for third year
While enjoying green chile cheeseburgers, peanuts, and ice cream, fans of the Albuquerque Isotopes were also connecting directly with the farmers and ranchers who grow their favorite treats on June 28, 2024. This is the third year that New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau sponsored an Albuquerque Isotopes game to connect urban and rural New Mexicans over the two things they love most: baseball and food.
“If we don’t get our point across and are advocates for agriculture to tell the general public what we are doing, how we do it ,and what we need to continue to do it, we are missing the boat,” said Travis Harris, NMF&LB second vice president and a farmer from Socorro County. “There are a lot of places that we as agriculturalists don’t like to go and that is where the general public is. If we can try to bring the two aspects together, then we have an opportunity to share our point of view.”
The home game against the Salt Lake Bees had 6, 391 attendees. NMF&LB partnered with the Albuquerque Isotopes to bring in various other agricultural groups to showcase the many aspects of the industry in New Mexico. A John Deere tractor from Desert Greens Equipment and Ford truck from Power Rich Ford, both of which are member benefit partners, sat outside the stadium. Socorro FFA members brought goats to greet attendees as they walked up to the gates and talked about agricultural education.
In the stadium concourse, NMF&LB was joined by the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, New Mexico CowBelles, and Farm Bureau Financial Services. NMF&LB staff led game attendees through a spin-the-wheel trivia game where attendees answered agriculture-themed baseball questions to win NMF&LB swag.
New Mexico Beef Ambassadors Elia Encinias and Natalie Smith played a beef-themed two truths and a lie game with
Josh Suchon, Albuquerque Isotopes’ Radio Broadcaster, chatted about NMF&LB with NMF&LB President Larry Reagan.
attendees for the chance to receive beef jerky courtesy of the New Mexico Beef Council. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture was connecting New Mexicans with local agricultural products and providing New Mexico branded goodies for those who stopped by their booth.
NMF&LB also sponsored the game giveaway of cowbells for the first 3,000 attendees who entered the stadium.
“I think doing these types of promotions is really good for NMF&LB and NMAITC because just sitting here and listening to these cowbells all over the place and with our logo on it is perfect promotion,” said Patty Waid, a member of the NMF&LB Foundation board. “The people coming in when we were handing out the cowbells were asking if we were a farmer or rancher because they saw the logo. It gave us an opportunity to promote New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau.”
In alignment with the NMF&LB strategic plan, staff and members integrated opportunities for advocacy into the day as well. Legislators, legislative staff, and government agency representatives joined NMF&LB’s state board members to enjoy the game.
“I also think it is important, particularly in a state with 2 million people, that we really have connections with each other,” said Representative Marian Matthews, who represents House District 27 in Albuquerque and sits on the interim Water and Natural Resources committee and House Agriculture, Acequias, and Water Resources committee. “One of the nice things about the ag community is they are always generous with their time and in explaining what they are doing. It’s important for people that live in cities to understand that food doesn’t grow in cans and in refrigerated packages. It takes work, effort, and love to make food.”
By Tiffany Rivera, NMF&LB Director of Government Affairs
On April 26, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule titled “Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States.” The rule was published in the Federal Register on April 29 and becomes effective June 28, 2024. The department claims that the rule was necessary as it targets abuses often faced by H-2A workers while working to create more fair labor standards for all U.S. farm workers.
What is the Farmworker Protection Rule and what does it do?
The Farmworker Protection Rule is a hefty document which describes a vast set of regulations that aim to address various issues related to agricultural labor including organized labor, recruitment transparency, pay, worker transportation, worker exploitation, and more.
According to the DOL, the rule adds new protections for worker self-advocacy, clarifies “for cause” termination, aims to make foreign labor recruitment more transparent, ensures timely wages for H-2A workers, improves transportation safety, works to prevent labor exploitation and human trafficking, and ensures employer accountability.
Workers who are engaged in agricultural labor as classified by the Fair Labor Standards Act are not protected by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The NLRA grants employees the right to form or join unions, engage in protected, concerted activities to address or improve working conditions, or to refrain from engaging in these activities. Because of the lack of protections for agricultural workers under the NLRA, the final rule expands the activities that are protected for agricultural workers by an anti-retaliation provision that includes the right to choose to engage in self-organization. In addition, the rule also broadens the rights of agricultural workers residing in employer furnished housing. Under the rule, employees may engage in activities in their housing quarters with “key service providers” like lawyers and may welcome guests such as labor organizations.
Employers will be limited in when they are allowed to dismiss an H-2A worker for cause. To terminate for cause, the employer must show that the worker failed to comply with the employer policies or rules or “to satisfactorily perform job duties in accordance with reasonable expectations based on the
details listed in the job offer.” Even then, the employer can only terminate for cause if a host of other requirements are met such as following progressive discipline measures.
Why is the for cause termination significant? If an H-2A employee is terminated for cause, the employer no longer must abide by certain requirements of the employment contract including providing the three-fourths guarantee, housing and meals until the worker leaves, and outbound transportation.
The rule imposes new requirements to improve foreign worker recruitment chain transparency and provides additional information about the nature of the employment opportunity. Employers are also required to provide a copy of all agreements with any agent or recruiter they engage or plan to engage, disclose the name and location of any person or entity who will solicit prospective H-2A workers, and disclose in the application the name, location, and contact information of the workplace’s owners, operators, and managers.
The rule discontinues the 14-day implementation window for H-2A employers to adjust their payroll to reflect the annual updates to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), and instead, requires that employers apply the rate change immediately once the new rate is published in the federal register. The rule also requires that employers provide employees adequate notice if there is a delay in their start date. If an employer fails to provide adequate notice, the employer must pay the employee the rate for each day that work is delayed up to 14 days.
The final rule includes a seat belt requirement for vehicles which transport H-2A workers. If the vehicle being used for transportation is required by Department of Transportation regulations to be manufactured with seat belts then all occupants must be secured with seats belts or transportation in that vehicle is prohibited.
The final rule aims to reduce labor exploitation and human trafficking by providing workers additional protections to deter these acts. The rule prohibits an employer from holding or confiscating a worker’s passport, visa, or other identification documents. Employers, at the request of the worker, may hold the documents in a safe and secure place but upon request
from the employee must immediately make available the requested documents.
New procedures will now be in place to discontinue employment services with employers who have failed to meet the DOL’s requirements. The new procedures require states to discontinue services to debarred employers, streamlines the process for debarment of successors who carry forward a debarred company, and lay out how the DOL will determine whether separate entities are acting as a single employer.
Multiple farm groups and 17 states have sued the department over various components in the new rule focusing on the potential of H-2A workers to unionize. The complaint was filed on June 10 in the Southern District Court of Georgia and argues that the new DOL rule is a re-write of the National Labor Relations Act and that only Congress has the authority to make changes to the NLRA not the DOL. The suit further argues that the rule is granting foreign H-2A workers additional rights and better working conditions over domestic agricultural workers because domestic agricultural workers do not have the right to unionize.
The lawsuit is led by two private agricultural trade organizations and attorneys general from Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
H-2A applications filed before Aug. 28, 2024, will be processed according to the current applicable federal regulations. Applications submitted on or after August 29, 2024, will be processed in accordance with the UPDATED provisions of the Farmworker Protection Rule. Although the rule is currently being challenged, employers are urged to begin updating their policies and procedure to comply with the new requirements of the rule.
Questions on H-2A? Contact:
New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions- Foreign Labor Certification Unit
322 E. Oak St. Deming, NM 88030
Call: (575) 546-0192
Email: nm.flc@dws.nm.gov
New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom (NMAITC) is pleased to announce that Chevron has increased its support by 67%, becoming a top-tier Platinum Apple Sponsor at $25,000 in 2024.
A significant portion of Chevron’s support is earmarked for establishing a partnership between NMAITC and the New Mexico School for the Blind & Visually Impaired, which has a residential campus in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The remainder will fund NMAITC’s involvement at the 2024 New Mexico State Fair STEM/Environment Day where more than 3,000 New Mexico youth will be reached with NMAITC’s agricultural literacy educational materials.
The partnership with the New Mexico School for the Blind & Visually Impaired will involve the development and coordination of agricultural literacy curriculum that supports their student population. Additionally, NMAITC will provide teacher training and guidance for the school’s sensory garden, which is especially useful when working with the blind and visually impaired.
"We sincerely appreciate Chevron’s increased support and their commitment to New Mexico agriculture,” said Elizabeth Foster, CEO of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau and secretary/treasurer of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Foundation. “Their support will help us develop a new, very unique partnership with the New Mexico School for the Blind & Visually Impaired and will also allow us to continue our significant presence and impact at the 2024 New Mexico State Fair.”
“Chevron is pleased to further our commitment to STEM education and agricultural literacy through increased support to New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom,” said Patrick Killen, Chevron’s Senior State Government Affairs Representative for New Mexico. “Chevron’s collaboration with NMAITC, the New Mexico School for the Blind & Visually Impaired, and the New Mexico State Fair’s STEM/Environment Day underscore our dedication to ensuring today’s students are prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.”
Chevron Corporation is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. Through its subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide, the company is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.
These sponsors have increased their support!
American Pistachio Growers
ExxonMobil
Heart of the Desert Pistachios
New Mexico CowBelles
Paul’s Veterinary Supply
Xcel Energy Foundation
The Fund for Pursuing Federal Funding Opportunities
The New Mexico Agricultural Literacy Project aims to help connect K-5 classrooms with well-trained volunteers within their local communities.
16 FFA chapters participated in classroom visits. Two ounty 4-H/Ext. programs and one middle school student council completed this year’s project.
Curry County Extensionpresented by Diana Wood Luna County 4-H - advised by Katherine Turner Mesa View MS Student Council - Heather Beaty
It is an honor to recognize the hard work and dedication that goes into completing an Agricultural Literacy Project. The IMPACT that 19 programs from across the state made this year was incredible. We appreciate all the time and effort that goes in to completing a presentation at any your local elementary schools. We look forward to our 10th year of Ag Literacy Projects
TOTAL IMPACT 5,291 students 255 presenters 279 classrooms 19 programs
To see the full list of all 16 FFA chapters, scan this QR code with your phone’s camera to watch our YouTube video
www.nmaitc.org
“Our FFA chapter and elementary students learned a lot from this activity and really got out of their shell Students of all ages were engaged and excited.”
-Abby Gudgell Santa Rosa FFA Advisor
We offer detailed trainings that provide our volunteers with resources, materials, and knowledge of how to adapt and fit the needs of each grade level This is designed to foster in younger students a broader understanding of agriculture as well as encourage an interest in careers associated with agriculture and natural resources, and join ag related organizations when they’re old enough
FFA chapters who completed the project: Artesia FFA, Aztec FFA, Belen FFA, Fort Sumner FFA, Hatch Valley MS FFA, Hatch Valley HS FFA, Los Lunas FFA, Maxwell FFA, Organ Mountain FFA, Rserve FFA, Santa Rosa FFA, Shiprock FFA, Silver FFA, School of Dreams Academy FFA, Tularosa FFA, and Valencia FFA.
These projects are funded by a Natural Resources Conservation Service grant Thank you for the support
Twelve schools across New Mexico will be awarded extensive project materials designed to help students explore growing their food thanks to the New Mexico Grow Project Grant. This grant is an educational partnership between Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of New Mexico and New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom (NMAITC) The grant provides everything necessary to not only grow plants, but student engagement and curiosity as well.
The grant provides both an outdoor raised bed science lab and an indoor classroom hydroponics system so students can explore ecosystem connections all year no matter where they are located across the state. More importantly, the grant provides trainings, curriculum connections, and both in person and online year-round support for busy educators.
Congratulations to these 12 schools receiving the 2024-2025 New Mexico Grow Project Grant:
Apache Elementary, Farmington, Tiffany Gobble
Desert Pathways, Rio Rancho, Patrick Puentes Dixon Elementary, Española, Christine Kane Hagerman Schools FFA, Hagerman, Alan Parker
Inez Elementary, Albuquerque, Lee Anna Maestas
James Elementary, Portales, Christina Maestas Memorial Elementary, Deming, Whitney Castor Nina Otero Community School, Santa Fe, Jennifer Warren Reginald Chavez Elementary, Albuquerque, Erik Johns San Antonito STEM Magnet , Sandia Park, Kyla Proctor
Tres Volcanes Community Collab , Albuquerque, Natasha Carty West Mesa High School, Albuquerque, Mary Soto
Anyone interested in learning more about curriculum connections to raised bed and hydroponics growing or in applying for the next grant is invited to attend the upcoming training on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Inez Elementary in Albuquerque.
To register, please visit https://form.jotform.com/91183897031158.
Hello everyone! My name is Mirhonda Good and I am pleased to announce that I was selected as the 2024 Summer New Mexico Ag In the Classroom (NMAITC) Intern.
I’m so thankful for this opportunity and excited to broaden my perspectives and strengthen my knowledge of the agricultural industry.
Workshop registration closes on Monday, July 15, 2024.
From the Land of Enchantment of Alamogordo, New Mexico I am currently a sophomore Agricultural Communications student at Texas Tech University I am passionate about advocating for the agriculture industry to diverse audiences and am striving to enhance and build upon my skill set. One of my main goals of service is to find ways that I can assist in bridging the gap of misconceptions of agriculture Utilizing the resources from Ag In the Classroom has given me the tools necessary when working towards this goal. For my future, once my bachelor’s degree is completed, I plan to attend law school e
When it comes to my industry background, neither myself nor my family was ever involved in agriculture but within my town there were many opportunities presented to me through the industry. I grew up in FFA and 4-H and held several leadership roles within them. More recently, I just retired from serving as a New Mexico State FFA Officer. Looking back on the last seven years within the Blue Jacket I’ve realized how this organization has played a pivotal role in shaping who I’m today and the path I’m pursuing for my future. Those years taught me the importance of failure, respect, service, and community. Being a first-generation agriculturist; these organizations led me to find my passion for communicating to the public about this industry and how it impacts us all I’m beyond thankful for this opportunity this summer and can’t wait to see what all is in store!
By Autumn Robertson, NMF&LB Regional Manager
A total of 107 women from 27 states gathered to attend the 2024 ACE (Activate, Cultivate, Empower) Summit in Washington, D.C. on June 3-5, 2024. Among those 107, four were women from New Mexico - Cheryl Hartman (Deming, NM), Carlina Harris (San Antonio, NM), Kate Cooper (Las Cruces, NM), and myself, Autumn Robertson (Silver City, NM). ACE Summit is a two-day event that offers training and team building for Farm Bureau women with the purpose of building a sustainable future of women leaders to advocate for agriculture and women who will engage with lawmakers.
At the opening session of the conference, the women were given the opportunity to listen to Deputy Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture Xochitl Torres-Small as she talked about various issues dealing with agriculture, including her role as Deputy Secretary, USDA programs, her leadership journey, and the role of women in community and government.
Attendees also heard from a panel of women serving on the House Agriculture Committee which include Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR) and Rep. Angie Craig (MN) as they talked about their roles and encouraged women to get more involved in their communities and politics.
We went to various breakout sessions of our choice throughout the two days of training which included workshops such as the “Women in Urban Agriculture” and “Transferring a Negative to a Positive.” Other sessions covered topics such as getting women more involved in politics in their communities and state and storytelling to help deliver advocacy message to politicians.
On the last day of the summit, we did some training before visiting Capitol Hill in the afternoon. NMF&LB Director of Government Affairs Tiffany Rivera set up visits at Capitol Hill for Cheryl, Carlina, Kate and I where we got to visit with the staff person of Congresswoman Leger Fernandez, Senator Ben Ray Lujan, and Senator Martin Heinrich, all of which were so excited to see women from Farm Bureau. All said how thankful they were for Farm Bureau and the women who come to visit during events in D.C. While we were walking from the House to the Senate, we were able to walk through the underground tunnels and take a ride on the trolley that runs underground. We also got to sit in the Senate gallery and listen to discussions and were given a short tour before we exited Capitol Hill.
Cheryl, Carlina, Kate and I found time in the three days we were there to have some fun in D.C. Kate and I visited Arlington National Cemetery where we got to experience the changing of the guard. After that, we went to the National Archives and got to see the original documents of the United States of America. Cheryl, Kate, and I got to do the night tours of D.C. and visit most of the national monuments. It was a once in a lifetime experience between getting to see D.C, learning everything we did at ACE Summit, and taking what we learned and putting it into action at Capitol Hill. I think all four of us learned a lot while we were up there, and we look forward to being able to put our training to use as we advocate for agriculture going forward.
The Farm Bureau Women’s ACE summit is only held every other year (on even years) and is open to all Farm Bureau women who are interested in attending the next ACE Summit. If you would like more information on how to attend the next summit, reach out to your county Farm Bureau president or myself and we can help keep you informed of the next summit.
Do you enjoy sharing information about successful programs and activities with other Farm Bureau members? Does attending the 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio, Texas, in January sound appealing? If so, read on.
County Farm Bureaus are invited to submit applications for AFBF’s County Activities of Excellence program. The CAEs celebrate outstanding county Farm Bureau projects –unique, volunteer programming at the local level. Activities will be recognized in the areas of Education & Ag Promotion, Member Services, Public Relations & Information, Leadership Development, Policy Implementation and Safety.
Up to 24 innovative county Farm Bureau activities from across the nation will be selected to display at the 2025 AFBF Convention and Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 2527. AFBF’s convention is the “go-to” event to meet other farmers and leaders, hear from experts, learn about new tools and trends and be inspired to step up and drive forward in 2025.
Individual county and multicounty CAE winning entries will receive four complimentary registrations and a $4,500 cash award to be used toward travel and display costs to attend the convention.
“We’re fortunate to have strong leadership and engagement at the county Farm Bureau level that leads to an array of great volunteer-driven programs across the country worthy of recognition,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “I encourage all counties to consider applying for CAE recognition, so we can showcase the best Farm Bureau has to offer in San Antonio as we step up and drive forward in 2025.”
The deadline for counties to submit applications online for state CAE coordinator approval is Aug. 30 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
Applications will be evaluated by membership group: up to 1,000 members; 1,001 – 3,000 members; 3,001 – 5,000 members; and 5,001+ members. Multicounty activities may also be submitted.
Additional details and the application link can be found at www.fb.org/cae. Each county Farm Bureau that applies must create a unique login.
Winners will be announced the first week of October.
By Paul Schneider Jr., AG-USA
The best way to optimize rain absorption and retention is through aeration. The best way to aerate the soil is with microbes!
In the soil, the mineral particles are the building blocks. Sugars sequestered by the plant (organic matter) are the cement that holds these particles together. If the soil is healthy, around 66% of the soil will be air gaps. These air gaps are like a carbon sponge that is capable of storing a huge amount of water.
Highly structured soil massively increases nutrient availability
Eighty percent of the availability of nutrients has to do with how much of the surface area of mineral particles are exposed. Air gaps in the soil create a LOT of surface area, making nutrients much more available to the plant.
Moreover, 80% of essential minerals and trace minerals are cations that stick to this aerated surface.
MycorrPlus-A does a great job of aerating the soil. It does this by:
● Helping kick carbon sequestration by the plant into high gear.
● Helping establish conditions in the soil where mycorrhizal fungi flourish.
● Bacteria, fungi and earthworms then work together to develop a carbon sponge in the soil.
Fix carbon to build topsoil; burn carbon and you deplete soil
Nature has an amazing ability to fix carbon back into the soil. In our American prairie land, grasses had fixed enough carbon to create 30 to 50 feet of deep organic soil with 8% organic matter. Most of that is now gone.
Our farms have this same ability to build organic matter by utilizing crop residues and cover crops and by maximizing carbon sequestration.
Sadly, we also have the ability to oxidize and burn off organic matter (CO2) through burning, clearing, tillage, over-fertilization, over-grazing, cutting hay too short, biocides and bare fallowing our land.
With these negative practices, mankind has turned 40% of the world’s good growing land into desert and wasteland. In many places in America we are halfway through destroying our
organic matter deposits.
As this happens, water doesn’t soak into the soil. This moisture is therefore not retained. When things get dry, the soil becomes dry and hard. Poor farming practices are slowly turning our great farmlands into desert.
Carbon sequestration is the best way to fix stable carbon down into the soil. Organic matter from plants disappears within two years. The great thing about MycorrPlus is that it helps kick carbon sequestration into high gear. This steadily builds stable organic matter back into the soil.
MycorrPlus works even better when used with practices like rotational grazing, cover crops, utilizing crop residues and not cutting hay too short.
● Imagine creating a huge soil carbon sponge.
● Imagine optimizing your soil’s ability to store moisture.
● Imagine your crops staying green and growing when it turns dry. Call toll-free 888-588-3139 and request a free information packet! Or go to www.AG-USA.net
Conquer Nature by Cooperating with it!
Like a center pivot for dryland farmers!
information packet.
With farm life being beyond busy all the time, putting up hay can feel like the last thing you need to do. Having to wait for it to dry down, baling at night or in the early morning, and then risking rot and mold are all factors that consume time and energy.
All of these problems are eliminated by using AG-USA’s HayMax to treat your hay. With HayMax hay conditioner, you can put up hay when you want to and no longer have to get up at night to bale; it will let you bale in the daytime! It helps work against rot and mold, and the dry-down wait time is greatly diminished.
With HayMax, you’ll have the most beautiful green alfalfa hay of the highest quality, and you will be able to keep all the leaves. Nutrients are in the leaves, so why lose them in the field?
It will provide faster removal, and it will allow you to water sooner for quicker recovery. Getting hay off the field quicker means no more hay growing on both sides of windrows, no more slowing the growth or killing alfalfa.
And HayMax is the best for all grass hay too. Whatever you’re baling, AG-USA will give you the best choice for the best results with HayMax!
● HayMax helps reduce molds and rot while improving the keepability of higher moisture hay.
● Our conditioner will not wick off or evaporate on hot days like others do.
● Unlike other competitors on the market, our HayMax does not contain corrosive propionic acid.
● Our HayMax is made with high-quality grade non-corrosive acid to protect your equipment against corrosion.
● The HayMax exclusive formula uses a different chemical process than other hay conditioners. Because of this perfected formulation, you can bale with moisture as high as 25% and have no problems or regrets!
Your preserved hay will also give better nutrition to the cattle, which in turn gives better beef and milk quality.
Elimination of field losses means more hay to sell or feed. And healthier cattle sell better. Increase your profits with HayMax!
A 5-gallon bucket of HayMax treats 8 ton of hay and is $90 per bucket.
1 to 8 buckets ships to NM for $40 a bucket. 9 to 19 buckets ships to NM for $20 a bucket. 20 to 36 buckets ships flat rate to NM for $400.
A 275 gallon tote treats 440 ton and sells for $15 per gallon by the tote.
Shipping a 150 to 300 gallon tote to NM is $400. Call AG-USA today for more HayMax info. (888) 588-3139
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Reagan from page 4
agricultural conservation programs. The fate of the House bill remains uncertain as the September deadline nears.
What’s next? Now that the House Agriculture Committee has passed their bill, the Senate Agriculture Committee must pass their version. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow released her farm bill proposal that includes more than 100 bipartisan bills and ensures protections for SNAP and the climate smart guardrails tied to conservation funding. I understand Senator Boozman, the ranking member on the Senate Agriculture Committee, has released the Republican plan that closely aligns with the version passed by the House Agriculture Committee. After Senate Agriculture passes a bill out of committee, both versions will be sent to a conference committee that will try to combine the bills into one that both the full House and full Senate can pass. When that happens, it will likely be sent to the President and hopefully signed into law. But no date has been set in the Senate for a markup of either version of the proposal. With limited time remaining before the September 30th deadline, it looks like Congress must once again look to pass another extension of the 2023 farm bill.
There are a few other issues that are being closely followed that I would like to highlight. The following proposals will likely be accompanied with bills presented during the 2025 legislative session. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is going to ask for a fee increase. The NMDGF is convening a working group to determine what it would take to develop a consensus around increasing license fees. The license fees are those assessed on hunting licenses. NMDGF is
having a challenging time completing the work that is statutorily required of them under their current fee structure and needs additional funding to help accomplish their workload. The proposal that will be presented during the 2025 session would modernize the Game Commission, expand the scope and mission of the department, and seek increased recurring funding to accomplish more work. In addition, NMDGF may also look at expanding use of the “open gate” hunting program. Also, the New Mexico Livestock Board may potentially ask to increase their fee caps. NMLB is statutorily maxed out on their fee caps and needs additional funding to help them continue to maintain the inspection programs that they run. According to NMLB, they have not had a fee increase since 2002. We talk a lot about government interference and overreach in our organization, but some regulation and enforcement is necessary. Both the NMDGF and NMLB have been useful to New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers, and we have policy on both agencies. As we enter our resolutions season, we will look closely at our policies to see how to proceed regarding the potential legislative proposals.
I would like to highlight the importance of our policymaking process. Our organization is guided by the policies our members develop through the grassroots process. I recommend that you take the time to review our policy book with your county Farm Bureau boards and bring forward any changes or new policy your county deems needed. Our organization is guided by you, and I challenge each county to bring forward at least one policy for consideration.
This year, it will cost about $71 to feed ten people, a 5% increase from last year. At a little more than $7 per person, that’s the highest cost since AFBF began its survey in 2013. It’s also a 30% increase in cost since the start of the pandemic in 2019. The increasing cost of food and supplies remains a real concern, not only here in the United States but across the world. Factors such as inflation, the rising of supply costs and global uncertainties continue to drive up prices, impacting households across the nation.
Despite these challenges, most Americans on average still dedicate a relatively small percentage of their spending to food compared to many other countries. That’s thanks to the hard work of our farmers and the support they receive from the farm bill to manage risk and advance innovation. Even after the many challenges we’ve faced and continue to overcome in the past few years, our nation enjoys one of the world’s safest, most affordable food supplies.
There was also some good news found in the survey, as the price of chicken breasts and eggs are down due to the recovery of chicken populations from avian influenza in 2022. We also saw the prices of potatoes drop after reaching a market high last year because of drought.
So how do we continue to keep these prices affordable? The biggest answer is a new and modernized farm bill. From risk management to food security and nutrition programs —
Foster from page 4 boards.
As we prepare for Benjie Segovia’s retirement in April 2025, we have been building a team that he can share institutional knowledge with and give them some historical context as they begin to work with their counties. Our entire department at the time of this publication has been on board less than six months. We are creating a director position for the field services team who will lead the three field staff in working with local leaders to fulfill the mission of the organization as well as work toward the goals set forth by the state board. In addition, the director will be working on bringing information and resources to our urban counties for building a strong foundation including new grassroots volunteers who want to join long serving board members in bettering their communities. This person will also be leading the team in looking at resources to assist our rural communities in securing or bringing in new resources to continue to meet the needs of the local community.
We are continuing to build on new relationships with other organizations to create opportunities for our counties and schools to access and use our Ag in the Classroom (AITC) program funded through the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Foundation. Last summer, we expanded AITC to the southeast portion of the state and the entire team continues to build new relationships, involve current board and community
this critical legislation affects all Americans, and we need the many programs within this bill to reflect current challenges. A lot has changed since the 2018 farm bill and if we want to safeguard our food supply and ultimately reinforce our national security, then we need a new farm bill passed this year.
Addressing our trade deficit is also key to our food security and the economic sustainability of our farms and ranches. USDA has forecasted a record high trade deficit for agriculture, at $32 billion. If we want to continue to grow the safest and most sustainable food, and also keep food prices affordable for all families, we need to ensure that U.S. farmers can remain competitive here at home by expanding our trade agreements and keeping our current partners accountable.
Farmers and ranchers across America work tirelessly every day to provide for my family and yours, and all Americans share an interest in protecting agriculture here at home. It’s imperative that Congress and the administration get the farm bill across the finish line this year, and ensure the stability of American agriculture, because a nation that cannot feed itself cannot truly be free.
As we celebrate this 4th of July, and gather with loved ones around the grill, let’s remember to reflect on our blessings, the food on our plates and the privilege of living in a country where we can freely celebrate our freedom and abundance.
Happy Independence Day!
leaders in classroom presentations, and make inroads to the local schools.
Our communications and marketing department are stretching their creativity and skills by taking the lead on our large events such as Isotopes, summer conference, annual meeting and will be learning the ropes of AgFest this coming February. They are making our events something that people don’t want to miss.
Our government relations department is continuing to strive forward in working on behalf of our members and creating new opportunities for members to engage. We will be working with our legislature and members to highlight New Mexico agriculture with tours throughout the state to give new and returning elected officials a better understanding of our industry and the complex needs we have, the issues we struggle with, and the pride we take in producing products for our communities and others around the world.
I can truly say that the staff and state officers are listening to members and ensuring we stay relevant and committed to making the changes necessary to ensure we continue to grow and meet the needs of the membership. I am proud to work with the team we have and encourage you as a member to reach out to staff if you want to be involved.
NMF&LB awards three students $1,000 scholarship
Each year New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau turns a hopeful eye toward the future and selects three students from among our Farm Bureau family to receive a $1,000 scholarship to help ease the financial burden of attending a university, community college, or trade and vocational school of their choice. This year, the NMF&LB Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Aubry Putman from Carlsbad, Trey Greeman from Silver City, and Catelyn Breshears from Portales.
Aubry Putman has served in 4-H leadership positions on a club, county, and state level and served as the New Mexico State 4-H President from 2023 to 2024. In addition to her leadership position, Putman was part of the National 4-H Champion Parliamentary Procedure team and Reserve National 4-H Champion Livestock Skill-a-thon team. She plans to attend Texas A&M University to study agricultural leadership and development with a minor in agricultural communications with the goal to one day have a career as a lawyer focusing on water rights law.
“I have been fascinated with politics ever since I was young,” Putman said in her application. “This year I was privileged to get to go to Washington, D.C., where I got to meet with several important ag corporations in the U.S. such as NASDA, USDA, EPA, Senate and House Committees and the NM legislatures. I got to see firsthand how important agriculture is to our entire nation and how many jobs are necessary and available to make laws pertaining to agriculture.”
Trey Greeman is a two-time winner of the New Mexico FFA State Talent Contest and was part of the New Mexico FFA Agriculture Mechanics Team that took second place at state in
2023. He served as secretary and treasurer for Silver FFA and as his 4-H club treasurer. In addition to his leadership roles, Greeman was actively involved in his local 4-H and FFA civic duties including New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom presentations, a canned food drive for the Silver City Gospel Mission, Grant County Fair cleanup, and Southwest Horseman’s Area Cleanup, and Angel Care Hospice meal donations. He plans to attend New Mexico State University and be a rancher and business owner.
“I would also stay involved with my local Farm Bureau and other organizations like New Mexico Cattle Growers,” said Greeman in his application. “In addition, I would communicate with my state and national representatives on issue that directly affect agriculture and encourage them to vote wisely on these items of legislation.”
Catelyn Breshears currently attends West Texas A&M University. She made all district and all state in both basketball and volleyball. Breshears was involved in FFA and FCA and was part of the National Honor Society. She plans to continue her education at Eastern New Mexico University and pursue a career in the field of animal and dairy science.
“Through animal nutrition, I believe that I can assist with the well being of animals and their nutritional needs which essentially leads to healthy, safe, and accurate foods required by the people of this world,” Breshears said in her application.
NMF&LB proudly supports the future of these students as they look to strengthen and serve agriculture for the benefit of all New Mexicans.
We can help protect your grazing or haying acres against a lack of rainfall with Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF), and protect your livestock herd from the risk of declining markets with Livestock Risk Protection (LRP).
Contact your Farm Bureau agent to learn more about these programs and to discuss options before the December 1 PRF sign-up deadline.
2220 N. Telshor Blvd.
Las Cruces, NM 88011
2220 N. TELSHOR BLVD.
LAS CRUCES, NM 88011
575.532.4700 • nmflb.org
OFFICERS
Larry Reagan
President, Ft. Sumner
Don Hartman
1st Vice President, Deming
Travis Harris
2nd Vice President, San Antonio
Elizabeth Foster
Chief Executive Officer
Ron Baca, Aztec
Kenneth Davis, Clovis
Bud Deerman, La Mesa
Jim Ellett, Hope
Duane Frost, Claunch
Leon Hemann, McDonald
Gary Hathorn, Flora Vista
John Jackson, Lake Arthur
Russell Johnson, Columbus
Deena Kinman, Elida
Donald Martinez, El Rito
Kim Miller, Grenville
Tommy Ortiz, Las Vegas
Troy Sauble, Maxwell
Jamie Viramontes, Deming
Leonard Valerio, Española
Tina Wilson, Las Cruces
Tom Wilton, Ft. Sumner
Connie Rooks, Chair
Women’s Leadership Committee
Joel Ferguson, Chair
Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee
Katie Adams Regional Manager
Marissa Cereceres
Marketing Manager
Traci Curry Director of NMAITC
Shae Devers
NMAITC Program Coordinator
Cecilia Diaz-Johnson Controller
Britney Lardner
NMAITC Sr. Program Coordinator
Bailey Hart Membership Clerk
Tiffany Rivera Director of Government Affairs
Autumn Robertson
Regional Manager
Benjie Segovia
Regional Manager
Katelin Spradley Director of Communications
Logan Stoltz
Regional Manager
Theresa Widner
Executive Administrative Assistant
Ethan Wright Regional Manager