THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NEW MEXICO FARM AND LIVESTOCK BUREAU®
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
NMF&LB Summer Conference
Farmers for Free Trade
Scholarship Winners August 2018
NMF&LB President’s Column TRACTOR SEAT DAYDREAMING
BY CRAIG OGDEN
Ready for the “Better Deal” When President Donald Trump addressed farmers and ranchers at the 2018 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in January, he emphasized the importance of fair and reciprocal trade deals. President Trump, renowned for his unique negotiating tactics, promised “a better deal for our country and for our farmers.” Six months have passed and we have gained no deal and therefore no market certainty. Trade, particularly through the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), is vital for New Mexico agriculture producers. According to the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service, 58% of New Mexico’s total agricultural exports in 2016 were delivered to our NAFTA partners. With NM exporting $712.2 million worth of agriculture exports, ranging from beef and dairy products, to our world famous chile and pecans, trade plays a vital role in New Mexico’s agriculture economy. However, like many of you, I have seen both the positive and negative effects of trade on New Mexico. Being a border state, trade deals often required us to compete directly with Mexico. Although Mexico does not enjoy the freedoms we are privileged to have as Americans, a farmer cannot deny the advantage that Mexican producers have specifically when it comes to labor and environmental regulations. Being true innovators, we found ways to compete and market our products, but when countries began retaliating against
U.S. tariffs, our profit margin became even more thin. With each tariff levied by the United States, the U.S. agriculture industry, which currently boasts a trade surplus, is repeatedly the target of retaliatory measures. The tariffs on U.S. pecan imports to China have risen to 47%. Cheese products exported to Mexico are facing tariffs ranging from 20 to 25%. As lists of tariffs are released, the number of U.S. agriculture products affected only expands. History has shown that agriculture bears the brunt of trade disputes. Patience prevailed in the past, but with net farm income down 52 percent in the past five years, many simply cannot afford to wait it out. We need free, fair and reciprocal trade deals and we need them now. We are ready for the “better deal” we were promised. Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly.
“We need free, fair and reciprocal
trade deals and we need them now.”
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
August 2018
AFBF President’s Column BEYOND THE FENCEROWS
BY ZIPPY DUVALL
Farmers and Ranchers Ready for Long Overdue ESA Reform Farmers and ranchers can’t afford to hang on to equipment and practices that aren’t working. We economize and fix our trucks and tractors until we must replace them. We adopt new technology and farming techniques that make our businesses more efficient and environmentally friendly. We’re always looking to farm better for the good of our families, businesses, communities and country. That’s what makes it even more frustrating when our federal government holds on to run-down practices that stopped working decades ago—or maybe never worked in the first place. When I think of government regulations that are not only broken-down but also hurting America’s farms and ranches, the Endangered Species Act is at the top of my list.
“protections” it offers cost $1.4 billion in federal expenditures in 2016 alone. That price tag doesn’t include the heavy burden the ESA places on family farms and ranches either. Its far-reaching restrictions can limit access to water, prohibit normal farming practices, and even cost financial tools like loan guarantees. In the agriculture industry, we can’t simply pass on the cost to the consumer, which means farmers and ranchers take on the strain of the added cost. Often farmers bear the brunt of ESA restrictions as the land around them becomes more urbanized, and their farmland is seen as a “last refuge” for wildlife in the area. I recall meeting with a cranberry farmer in Massachusetts who could not farm sections of his own land, in order to leave a designated habitat for the endangered box turtle. Meanwhile, the area surrounding his land has been developed with no such restrictions. This same farmer has not seen a box turtle on his land in 20 years.
“Protecting our country’s wildlife is an important goal...”
The ESA is long overdue for reform. Protecting our country’s wildlife is an important goal, and one that farmers and ranchers share. We get to spend every day out in God’s creation, and we take the charge of environmental stewardship seriously. We want to be part of the solution when it comes to wildlife recovery, but the ESA has failed to solve anything in the more than four decades since it became law. It seems the Fish and Wildlife Service has gotten very good at listing species, but the same can’t be said for recovery of endangered species. In fact, the recovery rate for the ESA is about 5 percent. I don’t know about you, but that sounds more like a death sentence to me. The ESA is a failure and an expensive one at that. The Page 3
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
Many more farmers and ranchers across the country have their own stories of how the ESA has threatened their farms and livelihoods. I’ve met with farmers and ranchers from the West to New England who are facing regulations that add financial burdens to their families and threaten the sustainability of their businesses. Farmers and ranchers from the Rockies to the Great Lakes can’t protect their own animals from predators like the gray wolf because of ESA see “ESA” pg 12 August 2018
A Path to Success - Scholarship Winners By Dalene Hodnett, NMF&LB Director of Communications
New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau has a vested interest
in encouraging the next generation of agricultural advocates and we are pleased to announce this year’s recipients of our $500 Memorial Scholarship.
Jaidyn Swartz graduated from Springer High School and will be attending New Mexico State University to study animal nutrition. Why this field? “I hope to work for a feed company and develop higher quality feeds/mineral blocks/licks. By doing this, I will be able to help ranchers feed their livestock the highest quality nutrients. When fed the proper ration of nutrients and protein, livestock grow at an increased rate, which will help increase the productivity of ranchers across the nation.” Jaidyn has been active in National Honor Society, FFA, basketball and cheerleading, all while maintaining a 4.3 gpa. When asked how she promotes agriculture Jaidyn replies, “I promote agriculture every day, whether it is eating beef or putting on clothes in the morning. I also assist the agriculture industry by getting more people actively involved in it. I run the Cloverbud meetings for my 4-H club, by doing so I can instill a passion for agriculture in the younger generation.” Also headed to NMSU but with an interest in Business Administration is Tamia Higgins. Why did she choose this major? “Business is the cornerstone of prosperity in society,” says Tamia. “Companies create the resources that permit social development and welfare. As a business administrator I would assist in that development.” This graduating senior from Fort Sumner has been extremely active in her high school career. She has received awards in cheer, track and field, and National Honor Society. What are her thoughts on agriculture? “Agriculture is the industry that sustains the world. To say that other industries or vocational pursuits are of higher value would be a great admission of ignorance…Agriculture, food, and related industries contributed $992 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product in 2017. That number in itself proves the significance of an industry that is often misunderstood.” Page 4
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August 2018
Hailing from Cliff, Courtney Hardin wraps up our trifecta of NMSU bound scholarship winners. Wanting to help ranchers and agricultural companies who “need assistance in areas such as water rights, agricultural labor, environmental issues, land use, marketing, pesticide and seed issues,” Courtney plans to be an agricultural lawyer. Her list of FFA accomplishments is long and impressive. She’s achieved her Greenhand, Chapter and State degrees, as well as being named Rookie of the year in 2014, and outstanding sophomore and junior. She’s held the offices of Secretary, Sentinel, and Vice President, all while serving as her class secretary and treasurer. How does Courtney feel about agriculture? “Growing up on a family farm in New Mexico, a love for agriculture is something I have had from a young age…The agricultural life has always been a passion of mine, and something I hold close to my heart. For an industry that has given so much to me, I cannot wait to give back.” Congratulations to our winners, we look forward to celebrating your successes!
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Keep It Local! Interested in wholesaling your fresh produce to New Mexico grocery stores, schools, and/or restaurants? Our Value Chain Coordinator is here to help! Call Mike today to set up a visit!
Michael Venticinque: 505-448-2891 vcc@farmersmarketsnm.org Page 5
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
August 2018
The 2018 NMF&LB Summer Conference, A Great Time Was Had By All By Dalene Hodnett, Director of Communications From personality tests to defining GMO’s, attendees at the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Summer Conference enjoyed great sessions and good fun. The meeting kicked off with a presentation by Tom Darling on personality types. Board members who had worked with each other for years were interested to learn how each other approached issues. Artistic introverts to promoting extroverts, NMF&LB members run the gamut. Pivoting from personality differences to the generation gap, our morning speaker Shannon Norris showed different ways to understand and attract younger members. A PhD candidate at Texas A&M, and past National FFA officer from Cliff, Shannon explained how we can use technology to connect with upcoming cohort of county board Shannon Norris members. She also woke us up
Dr. Brad Lewis
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with a lot of fun dance moves! Next on the agenda was a talk on the differences between GMO developed and traditionally produced plants. Guest speaker Dr.Paige Pratt has a PhD in meat science and had lots of advice to share about Dr. Paige Pratt the conversations we should have with consumers. For example, did you know that there is more estrogen in a a teenage boy than there is in a steer implanted with growth hormones? Of course this contradicts with the general populations’ understanding of growth hormones used in the beef industry. Following GMOs came GAP’s. Our next speaker talked about the good agricultural practices that can be utilized to lessen the occurance of pecan weevils. Dr. Brad Lewis, entomologist for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, explained new regulations meant to prevent the spread of the weevil from eastern New Mexico. Dr. Lewis also addressed hemp licensing issues such as seed labeling laws, passing border check points and pesticide registration.
New Mexico Farm & Ranch
August 2018
After lunch the group split as some went golfing and others took a behind the scenes tour of the zoo. From elephants to lorikeets, the zoo group got to feed giraffes, pet rhinos and visit the on-site vet facility. Here Casey Spradley, Sandoval County FLB President feeds the lorikeets and Amanda Deerman feeds a giraffe. That evening participants were entertained by a theater troupe called Foul Play Cafe. Their mystery murder style of drama was a lot of fun and everyone had a good time. Below is NMF&LB First Vice President Larry Reagan surrounded by the group.
Mike White gave blood during the NMF&LB Women’s Leadership Program blood drive. The following morning, candidates for the office of New Mexico Land Commissioner gathered for a debate. Matt Martinez, NMF&LB’s Media Person of the Year for 2017, moderated the debate between Michael Lucero (L), Stephanie Garcia Richard (D), and Patrick Lyons (R). The candidates answered questions about ESA’s, land use issues and how the land commissioner can encourage a younger generation of food producers. Thank you to those who joined us, we look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting, November 15-17th, in Albuquerque. On the cover, State Board members Boe Lopez From left, Matt Martinez, Michael Lucero (L), Stephanie Garcia and Gary Hathorn participate in Shannon Norris’ Richard (D), Patrick Lyons (R), NMF&LB President Craig Ogden. presentation. Page 7
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
August 2018
Rally for Free Trade
By Dalene Hodnett, Director of Communications
Agriculture is a vital part of New Mexico’s economy and New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers need free trade. That was the message of local farmers and ranchers as they gathered for a press conference on Thursday, July 19th in Santa Fe while the city played host to the Summer Meeting of the National Governors Association. According to the latest figures available, the combination of agriculture and food processing accounts for $10.6 billion (roughly 12.3%) of New Mexico’s gross state product. Additionally, the two industries directly created 32,578 jobs and supported 18,308 jobs in related activities for a total of 50,886 jobs statewide. Trade is an important part of this success as milk, pecans and beef are all exported from the state. In 2016 alone, New Mexico exported $176 million in dairy products with over 2,300 jobs created through dairy exports. In 2015, our state exported a reported $203 million in nuts, ranking us third in the nation in nut exports. Another vital export commodity is beef with a 2015 export value of $80 million. “New Mexico as well as our nation, needs free, fair, and reciprocal trade,” said Craig Ogden, a farmer and rancher from Loving, and president of New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau. “Our state shipped $576 million in agricultural products abroad in 2015, making us the 35th largest exporting state in the nation. Free trade helps cushion our profit margin and makes a tenuous livelihood possible.” NMF&LB was joined by representatives from the New Mexico Dairy Producers Association, the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, and members of Farmers for Free Trade. Farmers for Free Trade is a bipartisan 501(c)(4) nonprofit supported by leading agriculture organizations and businesses including the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Pork Producers Council, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Beef, and many others. From left to right, Dona Ana County FLB President Myles Culbertson, Damian Roberts, Kathy and Larry Reagan, NMF&LB’s First Vice-President, San Juan County FLB President Gary Hathorn, NMF&LB State Board Member Linda Ritter, YF&R Representative Jeroen van der Ploeg, NMF&LB State Board Member Bud Deerman, and NMF&LB President Craig Ogden. Photo courtesy of Francisco Hatay. Page 8
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
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National AITC Conference Honorees By Dalene Hodnett, Director of Communications
New Mexico had a strong showing at the National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Maine this past month as two excellent educators were honored with awards. Julie Janecka, a fifth grade teacher in Las Cruces, was one of eight teachers nation-wide to be named a 2018 Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award winner. Also recognized was Margie McKeen who was honored as the National Ag Advocate of the Year. Congratulations to these winners, your dedication to sharing agriculture with students is appreciated. You are treasures to the ag community! To the left, Joan Smith with The Grange, award sponsor, NMF&LB President Craig Ogden, Hugh B and Margie McKeen. Lower left, Julie Janecka and NAITC President Will Fett. Below right, Teresa Ogden and Margie. Teresa was raised in Grant County and knew Margie as a 4-H mentor. Margie has been the San Francisco Valley 4-H Club leader for 55 years.
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Young Farmer & Rancher Update By Britney Lardner, Second Vice Chair
Farm & Ranch Succession Planning – Farm Bureau is Here to Help! “Survey Time” for all the farmers & ranchers who have children interested in the family business: If something happened to you in the next 6 months (meaning serious injury or worse), would your property and life’s work go to your children, who share the same passion and drive as you? OR – Are you nearing the age of retirement, but don’t know how to go about “handing over the reins”? Good News… Farm Bureau is here to help you make sure the family tradition continues strong, and that your children feel confident in filling some really big shoes! Remember the old saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”…? Well, as young farmers and ranchers figure out where their place is within the family business, there is a strong sense of pride and ownership that’s built up when working alongside their parents, grandparents and other family members who’ve kept that property running for generations. They want to continue that legacy and hold onto those traditions past down,… but how can they do that if Dad/Mom won’t give them that chance? Succession Planning helps to create that transition period to allow the next generation to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to continue caring for the land and animals, by having YOU (Dad and/or Mom) mentor them through the process. Scan the QR code with your phone to check out the podcast & writeup on succession planning.
Chaves County FLB Makes Charitable Donation Melinda Jackson, Second Vice Chair and Secretary of the Women’s Leadership Program, represented Chaves County as they donated $500 to the Assurance Home in honor of Food Checkout Day. Shown here is Ron Malone, director of the home, Melinda Jackson and Mary Ann Waide, also a Chaves county FLB member. The Assurance Home is a nonprofit organization that opened its doors in 1979. They are a therapeutic group home for boys and girls ages 12 to 18 who are homeless or considered “at-risk.” “This group home serves about 15 young people utilizing horsemanship and art therapies,” says Melinda. “They incorporate life skills that include business, household, and livestock chores. These kids are involved in the community with work, school and sports. Ron Malone and staff do a great job helping young people grow up well, and we will continue to support their efforts.” Page 10
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A Future Rancher By Lori Robertson
This guest column was written by Lori Robertson of Glenwood. She attended the NMSU Youth Ranch Management Camp which NMF&LB is pleased to sponsor. Here is her synopsis of the experience. This year I was accepted to the 2018 Youth Ranch Management Camp in Cimarron, New Mexico. I have been a cowgirl for several years but have yet to learn the business end of a working ranch. I would also like to learn if there are any programs that will help people who want to get started in the ranching industry but do not have sufficient funds to do so. My journey started Sunday as we kicked off the afternoon by getting to know the rest of the campers. We then separated into our ranch teams and there we started to plan out a ranch for the presentation we had to do throughout the week. My team was the Lazy S Bar Ranch. That night we learned about stocking rates, carrying capacity, and how to calculate these based on an animal unit. Monday was beef day and we went to a local butcher and there we butchered a steer where we cut and packaged the meat. We would use this meat throughout the week for the camp’s meals. After the beef was processed we went back to the ranch and they taught us about Herd Health. We also learned about Beef Cow Nutrition, and Genetic Selection and Breeding. Tuesday was economics and marketing where I learned of a program managed by the USDA that helps people get into agriculture. After that, we broke into our teams and were given a goal of what we needed to buy and we had a certain amount of money to use. Then we had a mock livestock sale and my team bought cows and calves. That experience was very beneficial and was good practice for a real livestock sale. Wednesday, we talked about wildlife and natural resources. They taught us about wildlife management, enterprises, vegetation management and procurement, and riparian management otherwise known as water management. That morning we went to the shooting range and there we shot .22 rifle, skeet, archery, and we threw tomahawks. We also went to a fire area in Cimarron and we learned the effects of fires on a ranch. Later that night we went spotlighting which was approved by the Game and Fish. We did this in order to get an average count of how much wildlife is on the ranch. Thursday was range day and we talked about enterprises (cattle, sheep, horses, and others), grazing plan, adaptive management, and identification of improvements. We also went out on part of the ranch and took a grass sample to see the grass production throughout the year. This gave us an idea of how many animals you can run per acre in that pasture. I also received a top hand award for Thursday which was such an honor. Throughout the week we split into our teams and worked on our ranch plan presentations. Friday all of the teams gave their presentations to a panel of judges and their family. My team got second place and received a knife and a coffee mug. Overall, I enjoyed the ranch camp and I received an exquisite education. Learning the business end of the ranching industry was something I really enjoyed. This education will help me and my family with our ranch. The education was loads of fun and was a wonderful experience. Page 11
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It Takes a Village
By Valerie Huerta, NMF&LB Director of Organization It has often been said, “it takes a village.” That cannot be more evident than the support we received during our homeless veteran drive during summer conference. In 2015, The New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness estimated there is an average of 800 homeless veterans on the streets every year. This year, New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau collaborated with the New Mexico Chapter of Casualties of War to host its first drive for our homeless veterans. This was a great way to give back to our veterans who are in need. Donations received included socks, backpacks, snacks, toiletries bottled water and so much more. Donations were separated and were distributed state wide; and could not have been more needed at that time- monsoon season. A big “Thank you” goes out to Dona Ana and Hidalgo CounItems generously donated by NMF&LB members for homeless veterans
ties who went above and beyond for the drive. Not only did we receive donations, counties allocated money to personally purchase items and even ran an ad in the local paper. The response we received was amazing. It never surprises me how generous and compassionate Farm Bureau members are, and this time was no different. Times where we come together to help our community, our state, those are the times that truly matter. It definitely makes me Farm Bureau Proud. Remember to bring your items to the Annual Meeting where we will again be hosting a drive for homeless veterans!
“ESA” from pg 3 restrictions. Many farmers in California were left out to dry in the recent drought because of strict protections for a small fish. (And those are just to name a couple.) I’ve heard your stories of how your livelihoods are getting stripped away while your hands were tied by regulations that completely disregarded the irreplaceable work of America’s farmers and ranchers. Of course, no one wants to see American wildlife disappear from our landscape, but it is time for common sense reform that brings farmers and ranchers to the table. The upcoming package of House bills on ESA reform are a breath of fresh air to agriculture. It’s time for an ESA that brings clarity and certainty, encourages voluntary conservation work, increases local involvement and charts a path for real recovery and delisting of species. The ESA was created for the public good, and Congress needs to get it on that path before farming and ranching becomes the ESA’s next victim. Page 12
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
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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 Boe Lopez 2nd Vice President, Springer Chad Smith Chief Executive Officer Page 14
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Burl Brown, Des Moines Bud Deerman, La Mesa Jim Ellett, Hope Duane Frost, Claunch Gary Hathorn, Flora Vista Leon Hemann, McDonald George Jackson, Lordsburg John Jackson, Lake Arthur Deena Kinman, Elida Matt Lansford, Clovis Donald Martinez, El Rito Tommy Ortiz, Las Vegas Linda Ritter, Socorro Troy Sauble, Maxwell Casey Spradley, Cuba John Sweetser, Deming Tom Wilton, Ft. Sumner Anita Hand, Chair Women’s Leadership Committee Andy Ellett, Chair Young Farmer & Rancher Committee REGIONAL DIRECTORS Tanner Anderson Benjie Segovia
Valerie Huerta Director of Organization Matthew Gonzales Director of Government Affairs Brenda Logan Director, Northern Region Ag in the Classroom Traci Curry Director, Southern Region Ag in the Classroom Francisco Hatay Marketing Coordinator Dalene Hodnett Director of Communications and Media Relations Cecilia Diaz-Johnson Bookkeeper Theresa Widner Director of Membership Services Eva Hernandez Executive Administrative Assistant
August 2018