December / January 2017 New Mexico Farm & Ranch

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NEW MEXICO FARM AND LIVESTOCK BUREAU®

The McCollums - Farm Family of the Year 2017 Legislative Preview Chronic Wasting Disease Page 1

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

December / January 2017

NMF&LB President’s Column IDEAS AND ELBOW GREASE

BY CRAIG OGDEN

An Introduction I was once asked, “Why did you decide to be a farmer?”

I jokingly responded, “It is not a choice, it is a birthright.”

Like many in agriculture, my occupation is a “family tradition” and I follow in the footsteps of generations that came before me. I grew up on my family’s farm in southeastern New Mexico, near the Loving-Malaga metropolis. After graduating from Carlsbad High School, I attended New Mexico State University (NMSU), where I received a degree in Agricultural Business. I worked for the Federal Land Bank in Colorado, but returned to NMSU, partly to pursue a Masters of Agriculture and partly due to the green enchiladas at Nopalito’s.

myself and my sister, Alisa Ogden. In working beside my father, I was able to witness a life dedicated to agriculture, one that required hard work, grit and faith. This is the same example I hope to share with my son and business partner, Joseph.

I have been married to my wife Teresa for 27 years. Although, I still haven’t convinced her to become a tractor driver, I will forever be grateful for her unconditional love and support. We have two adult children.

Our son, Joseph, is my partner in Lookout Agriculture Enterprises and is married to Tessa, a first-grade teacher.

Linsey, our daughter, is serving as a Peace Corps Ag-Business advisor in Cameroon.

“We all have our good and bad days, but

overall farming is something that I both enjoy and am immensely proud to do.”

Upon graduation, I taught agriculture economics at West Texas A&M University. After a year of teaching, my father gave me the farmer’s ultimatum—return to the family farm or plant your roots elsewhere. Needless to say, I have been a full-time farmer and rancher ever since. Years later, my late-father asked if I regretted my decision. With a $**t-eating grin, I facetiously replied, “depends on which day you ask me.” We all have our good and bad days, but overall farming is something that I both enjoy and am immensely proud to do.

Ogden Farm and Cattle Company was started by my late parents and continues today under the joint leadership of Page 2

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

I am honored and humbled to be your President. My vision is for the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau to have further participation from all factions and generations of New Mexico agriculture producers in order to serve as a unified voice, however, the direction of this organization is dependent on YOU, its members.

A captain of a ship is worthless unless he has an active crew to keep the engines running and the cannons firing.

Together we must navigate the waters ahead in order keep our “family tradition” a viable way of living for both ourselves and future generations.

December / January 2017

AFBF President’s Column BEYOND THE FENCEROWS

BY ZIPPY DUVALL

Farmers and Ranchers Make their Voices Heard As the dust settles on a long election season, now is the time for the real work of addressing the critical issues facing America’s rural communities. Our elections are decided by those who show up, and that’s just what rural Americans did. As we move forward, we expect the new administration and Congress to support the rural Americans who supported them. Farmers, ranchers and rural business owners deserve a seat at the table when it comes to shaping policy that impacts our livelihoods and our way of life.

I’m proud of how seriously our grassroots members take their civic responsibility. That duty doesn’t just fall on Election Day. We must hold our elected leaders accountable to make good on their promises to agriculture and rural America. The communities of America’s heartland aren’t just stops on a campaign tour: they are the backbone of our economy.

for future generations, but regulatory overreach, like EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule, threatens to stamp out our ability to produce. We need to protect natural resources, but that work is done best by the people who know the land, not bureaucrats thousands of miles away. And we need to ensure our farm and ranch families can pass their operations on to the next generation, without having to sell assets that are critical to the farm just to pay the tax bill.

Too many problems still hang in political limbo. Agriculture faces a real labor crisis, but we can have meaningful reform only if we come together to address the need for both a workable visa system and a secure border.

“I’m proud of how seriously our grassroots members take their civic responsibility.”

President-elect Trump has promised a pro-farmer administration, and Farm Bureau will hold him to that. America’s farmers and ranchers have made great strides in our sustainability thanks to hard work and innovation. We need our elected leaders to recognize the value of tools like economies of scale and biotechnology, and then to lead the way in setting policies that promote science and common sense.

We need regulatory and tax reforms that address the unique challenges of agriculture. Farmers and ranchers take great care to preserve their land and protect their businesses Page 3

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

“American farmers are the best in the world at growing food and other products that people need to flourish,” President-elect Trump said. We couldn’t agree more. We will work with his administration and Congress on issues like the farm bill, energy and trade to boost American agriculture and increase access to American-grown food, fuel and fiber.

Our elected leaders come at these issues with different points of view, but they all have one thing in common. Each ran on a platform to make America better and improve this country for all of us. That same unity of purpose drives us at Farm Bureau. We can learn from each other as we respect our differences. No matter what we raise or how we do it, we must work together to protect our farms and strengthen our rural communities.

December / January 2017

Reflections

by Micheal S. White, Past President I first became aware of Farm Bureau through a man named Rosco “Rusty” Fletcher who happened to become my father-in-law and he was a dyed in the wool Farm Bureau believer. There have been many individuals that influenced me over the years Bill McIlhaney, John VanSweden and Pete Davis as Presidents of the organization. Watching them represent Farm Bureau around the State and Country made you aware of the influence and reputation that the organization has and how people listen because they spoke for the people that they represented.

Many past County Presidents and State Board members such as Archie Payne, Dennis Harris Sr., JC Sanchez, Frank Rice and Jack and Grace Cain are just a few of the people that have worked and influenced all of us over the years and there are too many to mention here. But I would say that there have been so many who have left their mark and impressions on us with their continued dedication to the Cause of Farm Bureau and its mission for agriculture.

After moving back to Dexter and the farm in 1986 I soon found myself on the Chaves County Farm & Livestock Bureau Board, all due to an invitation to attend a county meeting by Rusty Fletcher. And then found myself becoming the County President within the next year. This seems to be a common scenario in Farm Bureau. Then Bob Porter did me the favor of appointing me to different committees in the State and always kept telling me that I could do it.

I credit many people with influencing mine and Helen’s interest in Farm Bureau and starting the journey, or you might call it the Train, which Helen and I have been on for over thirty years. It has been a journey that I will never forget and that I have considered a distinct honor to have been afforded by NMF&LB members and friends, or the “Farm Bureau Family” as we often refer to ourselves. For without your trust and support we would not have been honored with the chance to be your spokesman.

I have traveled the state, the country and the world, and it has been rewarding to meet so many hard working farmers and ranchers everywhere. It was eye opening to travel to South America and discuss trade issues with different countries and to compare their Ag operations to ours here in the States. Attending the Euro American Trade meetings in Canada, and the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland gave me an insight into international trade and the impact which it has on our Nation and New Mexico agriculture and also the influence that Farm Bureau has on them that I did not appreciate before.

As I have always said it is the grassroots which make this organization function and gives it the influence it has across the Globe. The name of Farm Bureau is known and respected in all circles here and abroad and that is due to the fact that its voice is the voice of its members. And I have the confidence that its current and future leadership will continue to speak for the members because that is where they all come from, the Grassroots.

Again, Helen and I thank you for the privilege and the honor to have been your spokesman for this great family. It has been quite a ride but I have always believed in riding for the Cause, not the applause! We will be seeing you along the trail on this continuing journey.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

December / January 2017

Thank you to these companies who sposnored our 2016 Annual Meeting.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

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December / January 2017

New Mexico Farm & Livestock Farmers, ranchers and dairy operators from across the state are cautiously optimistic going into a new year, an optimism that was reflected at the 98th Annual Meeting of the New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau. “This was a productive meeting,” said Chad Smith, NMF&LB CEO. “The sessions on the Food Safety Modernization Act and the Veterinary Feed Directive gave us a clear picture about these new regulations while the session on bridging the generational gap helps us understand each other as we work together to strengthen our organization for the year to come.”

Other sessions included Tom Dean’s discussion of the Youth Ranch Management Camp and how this program is preparing a younger generation to take over family NMSU President Garrey Carruthers ranches. Dr. Sam Smallidge spoke about the Endangered Species Act and Mary Fowler with the National Council on Compensation Insurance Coverage gave an overview of Worker’s Comp regulations as they now apply to agricultural businesses.

Guest speakers included New Mexico State University President Garrey Carruthers who reminded us that “We need to extend our nation’s success in food production, success that began at the land-grant universities, to other countries to ensure food security in the future.” AnNMSU ACES Dean Rolando Flores other NMSU representative, Dr. Rolando Flores, Dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences stated that “Our college needs to be an economic driver for the state of New Mexico and my goal is to expand opportunities for value added agriculture.”

The Young Farmer & Rancher Program hosted a discussion meet for FFA students, 29 students participated from nine chapters across the state.

During the business session Craig Ogden YF&R Committee, back row, from left to right - Andy Ellett, Danielle Lowry, Jeff was elected President, Mayberry, Nicole Jaynes, Shacey Sullivan, Jeroen van der Ploeg, and Joseph Ogden. Larry Reagan was voted FFA discussion meet final four, from left to right - Breanna McDonald (first), in as First Vice PresiStacey Swope, Caitlyn Rooney, and Kurtis Welker. dent and Boe Lopez was elected Second Vice President. Burl Brown of Union County was elected to fill the remainder of Boe’s term as a State Board Member. Mr. Ogden and his son Joseph own and operate Lookout Ag. Enterprises. They grow Page 6

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

December / January 2017

Bureau’s 98th Annual Meeting a variety of forage crops and cotton. He graduated from NMSU in 1981 with a degree in Agricultural Business. After graduation, he worked for the Federal Land Bank then returned to NMSU to get his Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics. He taught Agricultural Economics for a year at West Texas A&M before returning to the farm in 1985. Craig has served as First Vice President for 4 years, Second Vice President before that and has been active in Farm Bureau for over 25 years.

He has been married to his wife Teresa for 26 years. They have two children, Joseph who is married to Tessa, a first-grade school teacher, and Linsey who is serving in the Peace Corp in Africa. Craig is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, past member of the Cotton Council, Past President of the NMSU Cotton Advisory Council, alternate on the Cotton Board, member of the Carlsbad FFA Alumni Association, Secretary/Treasurer for the Malaga Mutual Domestic Water and Sewage Association, and has held numerous other positions for various organizations.

“It is my profound Chad Smith, John Bell, Craig Ogden Craig Ogden, President privilege to serve this organization that represents New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers. The strength of New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau lies in its members and their grassroots involvement,” said Ogden. “Our accomplishments are a result of each individual that contributes to a greater good for agriculture and rural living. I look forward to projecting the voice of agriculture and protecting the livelihood which we all share.”

At the Awards Banquet John Bell, a rancher near Weed, was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year. John has spent hours working diligently to make the public aware of problems and concerns involving water rights and has organized multiple local and regional educational seminars to promote agriculture. “Volunteers are a vital part of agricultural advocacy.

They organize meetings, spread awareness of the importance of ag, and involve law makers in agricultural issues,” said Chad Smith, CEO of NMF&LB. “John has actively represented the Otero County agricultural community through his activities and we appreciate his efforts.”

Grace Cain, long-time T or Above, from left to right - Russ Cain (son), Ruth Silva (daughter), Bryan C science teacher, was honored Cain (grandson), Loden Cain (great grandson), Grace Cain, Chris Goetz with the Distinguished Service Cain (Bryan’s wife), Deryn Cain (great granddaughter), Rob Cain (son, in cap), Jack Cain (husband) and Craig Ogden. to Agriculture Award for her Page 7

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

December / January 2017

work with Ag in the Classroom. Grace’s interest in Ag in the Classroom began when she attended an American Farm Bureau meeting that featured teachers incorporating agriculture into their curriculum. As a fifth- grade science teacher, Grace already knew the importance of connecting real life to lesson plans. With Ag in the Classroom she found a way to connect students with the world around them. As volunteer coordinator for NMAITC, Grace organized farm, ranch and ag days, gave tours at the State Fair, and coordinated summer workshops for teachers. “We are honored to recognize Grace for her amazing work with Ag in the Classroom,” said Smith.

“The program’s current success is a reflection of her dedication and this award honors her legacy.”

Farm Family of the Year honors went to Mark and Kim McCollum, ranchers near Ft. Sumner. Mark was first added to the De Baca county Farm Bureau board of directors at 18 years old and has served the organization since. The McCollums have managed ranches in New Mexico and Texas, including the well-known OxBow ranch near Turkey, Texas before returning home to the ranch at Ft. Sumner in the mid-1990s. “Mark and Kim are an exemplary Farm Bureau Family and have worked tirelessly Above, from left to right, Chad Smith, Bosten, Megan, Brennan and through their Farm Bureau activities Branson Broyles, Colby, Lacey, Kelsey and Ryan McCollum, Kim to promote the beef community in and Mark McCollum, Ted McCollum and Craig Ogden our state,” said Ogden. “We thank the McCollum family for all they do.”

The rarely bestowed “Riding for the Brand” award went to Mike White in honor of his 24 years of service to NMF&LB. Mike, a farmer from Dexter, retired from the presidency after having served the organization for twenty-four years. He was a second vice-president for two years, the first vice president for eight years, and since 2002 has served as president. “For a little over two decades Mike has traveled the country as an ambassador for New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers. He has advocated for policy by attending national AFBF meetings, voiced opposition to proposed bills by attending legislative sessions at the Roundhouse and supported our state’s food producers by attending county meetings across the state. You could not Chad Smith, Mike White, Craig Ogden ask for a finer representative,” said Smith.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

December / January 2017

“ G I V E T H A N K S I N E V E RY T H I N G ” - 1 T H E S S A L O N I A N S 5 : 1 8

Buckles & Boots Event Sponsors:

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Otero County Farm Bureau Ellett Enterprises Jim Ellett Ranch Leon & Betty Hemann Brad Houston Silver Bell Ranch

$500: Roswell Livestock & Farm Supply Chaves County Farm Bureau Citizen’s Bank of Clovis Paul’s Veterinary Supply

$250: First National Bank of NMClayton George & Mayra Jackson Smith Ford of Lordsburg Chase Farms Roosevelt County Farm Bureau

$100: Powell Tire Co.- Roswell Valley Bank of Commerce The Witte Family

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

NM Council of OutÞtters & Guides NMF&LB Women’s Leadership G.L. Runer Electric Inc.- Santa Fe Tractor Supply Inc.- Clovis Tinnin Hunt Club Tractor Supply Inc.- Artesia

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$500 TEACHER SPONSORSHIP: Al & Cheri Porter

“One of the greatest gifts you can give is your time.”

Thank you to all of our volunteers!

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AUCTIONEERS: Wayne Kinman & Aubrey Dunn

December / January 2017

Spotlight on Cibola/McKinley County

by Kathy Landers, President Cibola McKinley County Farm Bureau is no stranger to advocating for the importance of agriculture. We play an active role in supporting the youth and promoting agriculture in our schools and community. In 2015, the newly elected board started a Facebook page and has a large number of followers. Being a part of social media helps keeps members involved and abreast of local issues. Because of this initiative, we have had board members and members present for meetings, specifically, wilderness meetings in our community.

For the past few years, we have had county representation at the summer and annual conferences. We continue to have commitment from our board to participate in state and local events. Every year we participate in Ag Days. An event that has taken place over the last 19 years and involves students in Grants and surrounding areas learning about agriculture.

This year over 650 kids participated in the event. Cibola McKinley Farm Bureau decided to add an additional component. We sponsored the 1st annual Ag Day Poster contest. This year’s theme was “What is Agriculture.” Seven posters were entered and the lucky classroom received a pizza party while the others were treated to ice cream. The poster contest was successful and well received. It is the start to a continued tradition.

The board has always supported Ag in the Classroom. Presentations have been made in several schools and in 2015, the board sponsored a teacher to attend the workshop on wheels in Las Cruces. In 2016, in collaboration with Lava Soil and Water District, three teachers were sponsored to attend the National AITC Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. These teachers came back with the knowledge and passion to spread ag education within their schools and community.

The importance of supporting our youth is evident throughout our great state.

Cibola McKinley Farm Bureau not only supports ag in the classroom; we also support our 4-Hers. Every year the board feeds over 200 people the night before the Bi-County Fair starts. This is a great opportunity for the kids and their families to interact with Farm Bureau members and receive support before the fair and sale.

They also add on to the Jr Livestock Sale.

2017 holds new and exciting opportunities. We are partnering up with McKinley County Extension Service and Cibola County Extension Service to put up Hoop Green Houses at 2 Elementary Schools in Grants, Zuni and one in the Gallup area. These green houses will be outdoor classrooms and will utilize ag in the classroom curriculum.

There is never a shortage of opportunities to promote and educate people on the importance of agriculture. We strive to educate our youth, support our teachers and participate and play an active role in our community, state and country in spreading the seed of agriculture. This is what makes us Farm Bureau Proud.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

December / January 2017

Bill Porter

Farm Credit of New Mexico has been farmer and rancher owned since 1916.

We’ve spent the past 100 years helping our fellow farmers and ranchers grow their businesses and provide for their families. We’ve strengthened our communities and our ties to the land over that time. We look forward to building on our mutual success in the century to come.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

December / January 2017

Chairman Conaway Visits Southern NM

by Zach Riley, Director of Government Affairs “The pie keeps getting smaller and we have to figure out how to cut the pieces proportionately and insure that everyone is still provided for,” said Congressman Michael Conaway, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, during his recent visit to Las Cruces. The Chairman made a visit to the southern reaches of the state first to visit family and friends, but also to reach out to the very heart of the oldest industry in our state. While in town the Chairman was able to carve out some time to sit down to breakfast with local producers at Jay Hill’s bean plant where red and green both were served.

During the Chairman’s visit with producers the Farm Bill, amongst other issues, was discussed at length. He explained the unparalleled importance of the legislation and the nuances contained within its comprehensive language. There was some discussion of the future of insurance and programs such as Conservation Reserve Program. To echo his words, the pie is ever decreasing and Congress will do as it can to provide, but there will be some changes. Many different items for farms and ranches requiring funding by the government were brought into question and no guarantees were made. As the current Farm Bill is only a couple years into implementation it is hard to really review successes and failures at this juncture, while looking forward to how to shape a new Farm Bill for 2018.

There has long been a push by a vocal minority to separate the Farm Bill into different parts, one being the removal of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs. The Chairman spoke pointedly in response to this ideology calling it a red herring, stating that this could never be without detriment to the farm and ranch programs. The Farm Bill contains this component, as a compromise effort with the opposition, in order that one’s funding source only exists as long as the other does too. The two components are complimentary and codependent as he explained in some detail.

The Chairman was a breath of fresh air and reminded the southern Rio Grande valley of the importance of agriculture and the return of young farmers and ranchers. He also complimented our state for having a member of our delegation on his committee, Congresswoman Michelle Lujan-Grisham and stated her presence has given New Mexico a very unique voice. Secretary of From left to right, Secretary of Agriculture, Jeff Witte; Zach Riley; Mike White, NMF&LB Past President; Chairman Michael Conaway; Caren Cowan, NMCGA Executive Director; Beverly Idsinga, DPNM Executive Director; and Shacey Sullivan, Farm Credit of NM, Assistant Vice President and Director of Marketing.

Agriculture, Jeff Witte and his staff gave the Chairman a tour of several ag operations in Doña Ana County to showcase the diversity of New Mexico’s agriculture.

It was very fortunate that the Chairman and his wife and family have placed New Mexico in such high regard. It is hopeful that as the discussions in this new political landscape continue and begin, much weight and opportunity for participation might be afforded to New Mexico’s agriculture industry. We sure hope that we are granted the opportunity to host the Chairman and any members of the Agriculture committee again, as well as any other members of Congress.

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December / January 2017

ATTENTION BEEF PRODUCERS The New Mexico Beef Council’s FY 2015-2016 Annual Report is available.

Please visit the NMBC website @ www.nmbeef.com, call 505-841-9407, or email nmbeef@nmbeef.com to request your copy of the report.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

December / January 2017

2017 Legislative Outlook

By Zach Riley, Director

of

Government Affairs

Interim committees have been hard at work discussing many things, which a few points of discussion have an impact on agriculture. NMFLB has presented to a number of committees on workers comp and the impact that the courts ruling will have on our industry. Vice President Craig Ogden presented to an interim committee on what is prohibiting agricultural growth. Water has also been discussed and will continue to be discussed as the state faces challenges with water.

As we look ahead into the next 60-day legislative session we are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

Here’s an outlook of what could be expected in the upcoming legislative session:

Workers Compensation: This has been a continued, hard fought battle for the past couple of years. Since it all came to a close this past summer with the rendering of the Supreme Court decision that there is now a complete disregard for public opinion and the legislative process. However, all is not lost as there has been much momentum and attention by the legislature in this interim and there is more to come from them as we look to the 2017 legislative session. It is our hope that something will come out of all of the attention garnered by this decision and the complete circumventing of the elected legislative body. As we look forward to this upcoming-legislative session there has got to be action by this representative body and there cannot be waiting or inaction, because of lack of continuity.

Water and State’s supremacy: water has long been a hard fought battle in this state and never more than it currently is being fought over. As the Federal government continues to exert its power over land users and allotment owners, it has never been more apparent that there is a need for strengthening legislation asserting the state’s right to govern its waters. There are multiple ways that this may be accomplished one such is the State’s Supremacy statute could be strengthened in the same ways that several other states already have. Other ways to insure water for NM agriculturists and generations to come would be to pass legislation fortifying the NMFLB position concerning inter-basin transfers. As well, we could improve statutory language as it pertains to impairments so as to provide the State Engineer with better guidelines in making decisions that might negatively impact those neighboring water users.

This being a 60-day session means that there is little to be done to control the influx of potentially harmful legislation, expect the worst: Animal cruelty and companion animal’s bills: already slated to be reintroduced. There is going to be much work by the horse advocates to remove equines from the livestock definitions and placing them on the companion animal list. This would substantially change the ways in which equines are governed and how laws are applied to control livestock.

Again this is just a brief glimpse of what is to be expected, of course this does not list all the harmful legislation we have faced in the past but rest assured your New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau will be protecting your interests as we move into the 2017 Legislative Session. As always we encourage you to get involved and stay tuned as we move ahead and we will be sure to keep you posted with weekly and sometimes daily updates during the session. You are always welcome to come join the team in Santa Fe during session to help advocate for our Farmer and Ranchers. Should you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact or your regional director.

Thank you all for your continued support of the Farm Bureau and its mission to protect and preserve a way of life.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

December / January 2017

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

December / January 2017

Chronic Wasting Disease: Possible Cross Contamination?

Baylee Davis, Communications Intern Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal disease among deer and elk throughout North America, has once again appeared in New Mexico. In September, five deer harvested from the McGregor Range in the southern half of the state were found contaminated with the disease. Since 2002, 42 deer and 8 elk have tested positive for CWD in New Mexico.

CWD is a neurological disease much like Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) which causes degeneration of the brain and eventually death. CWD and BSE are both Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) diseases, meaning that they are caused by an irregular protein called a prion. These prions, which contain copper, causes the eventual deterioration of the brain, which is exhibited by loss of appetite, abnormal behavior, loss of body functions and death.

Unlike BSE, which is spread through contaminated feed, CWD is not a foodborne disease but instead is a transmittable disease that is passed laterally between cervids (members of the deer family), both those that are wild and those that are in captivity. Cervids in captivity have a higher risk of getting the disease. CWD and BSE are not spread through muscle meat or milk, which means that those who eat beef or venison will not be affected by the disease.

CWD is spread through saliva, feces, urine and blood, meaning that wherever an infected animal wanders they can leave the disease. The prions are able to easily bind to soil and various grasses, giving almost anything the potential to be a carrier of the disease. Some ranchers are concerned that cross contamination could occur between deer and elk who are infected and other ruminants as they graze in the same areas.

According to State Veterinarian, Dr. Ralph Zimmerman, “at this point there is not believed to be crossover,” and “CWD seems to be species specific.” Since cows and sheep both have their own TSE disease it appears that they will not be able to contract any form of CWD even if they graze on contaminated grasses.

Dr. Scott Bender, Tribal Regulatory Veterinarian for the Navajo Nation said in some studies, cattle have even been placed with deer that have CWD for a number of years and have not become infected with the disease. Dr. Bender said “to date, there is a 99.9 percent chance that CWD will not affect cattle or humans.” It is possible that some other animals other than a cervid could contract CWD if they have some sort of mutation or other unknown illness.

Humans are also unlikely to contract CWD or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), the equivalent to CWD. In order to ensure that humans do not become infected, hunters and owners of game farms have been advised to not eat the brain, lymph nodes or spinal column from any cervid, but to bone-out the animal when it is harvested.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish have been researching CWD by taking tonsil samples from living deer. After taking the sample, they collar the deer so that they can find it again. If the sample comes back positive for the disease they find the animal again so that they will not continue to transmit the disease to other cervids. The biggest risk to spreading CWD comes from humans moving infected living or deceased animals to new areas, and transplanting the disease in places where it was previously not found.

Hunters have been asked to assist the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish with its CWD research by submitting the head of their animal for field testing within two days of harvest. Those who submit their deer or elk head will be entered into a special drawing for the opportunity to get a transferrable elk or Oryx license. Hunters can also be aware of animals that look sick or that are exhibiting odd behavior and report them to Game Management officials so as to stop the spread of the disease throughout New Mexico and other states.

(Photo courtesy of Leah Lack) Page 16

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December / January 2017

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

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NEW MEXICO FARM & LIVESTOCK BUREAU Since 1917 . . . a Leader in New Mexico

ISSN 0028-6192 2220 N. TELSHOR BLVD. • LAS CRUCES, NM 88011 575.532.4700 • FAX: 575.532.4710 PUBLISHER: New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau New Mexico Farm & Ranch is published monthly. Yearly subscription is $24.00.

New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau members receive a complimentary subscription with yearly dues.

U.S. Postage PAID, bulk rate, PERMIT #31, Las Cruces, NM 88001. FORWARDING/RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED, ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED. OFFICERS Craig Ogden President, Loving Larry Reagan 1st Vice President, Ft. Sumner

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Burl Brown, Des Moines Bud Deerman, La Mesa Jim Ellett, Hope Duane Frost, Claunch Anita Hand, Datil Gary Hathorn, Flora Vista Leon Hemann, McDonald Jay Hill, Mesilla Park George Jackson, Lordsburg John Jackson, Lake Arthur Janet Jarratt, Los Lunas Deena Kinman, Elida Matt Lansford, Clovis Danielle Lowry, Albuquerque Donald Martinez, El Rito Tommy Ortiz, Las Vegas Troy Sauble, Maxwell Paula Sichler, San Antonio John Sweetser, Deming Tom Wilton, Ft. Sumner

Boe Lopez 2nd Vice President, Springer

Anita Hand, Chair Women’s Leadership Committee

Chad Smith Chief Executive Officer

Danielle Lowry, Chair Young Farmer & Rancher Committee

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

REGIONAL DIRECTORS Valerie Huerta, Santa Cruz Zach Riley, Albuquerque Benjie Segovia, Las Cruces Natalie DiMatteo Administrative Assistant Cheryl Butterfield Northern Director, Ag in the Classroom Traci Curry Southern Director, Ag in the Classroom Francisco Hatay Marketing Coordinator Dalene Hodnett Director of Communications and Media Relations Carmen Macias Comptroller Theresa Widner Director of Membership Services

December / January 2017