THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NEW MEXICO FARM AND LIVESTOCK BUREAU®
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
AgFest 2019
WLP Shops for RMH
NMAITC Update March 2019
NMF&LB President’s Column TRACTOR SEAT DAYDREAMING
Public Lands
After AgFest and the State Board meeting, I spent a few days in Santa Fe to do legislative visits with the staff. Unfortunately, I found myself somewhat frustrated with what is happening in the Roundhouse. Tanner Anderson and I visited with the sponsor of House Bill 366, “The Wildlife Protection and Public Safety Act,” which is basically an anti -trapping Bill. He wouldn’t change his position on trapping, but I asked him to change his definition of “public land” and again didn’t budge. The definition of public land used in the bill is “open space land owned by a government entity but does not include physical structures or land belonging to or held in trust for an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo.” Having both BLM and State Trust Lands on our family ranch there is a considerable difference between the two.
BY CRAIG OGDEN
sidered “public lands” as allowing any benefits to the public would be in breach of loyalty to the specific beneficiaries. It makes economic sense for the state to lease its’ land for mineral development, oil and gas extraction, grazing or logging. The state is well within their right to do so. The state has no obligation to involve its state residents in these decisions. I have read it stated that while we are all owners on federal lands, we are customers on state lands. When a person has a state grazing lease, the leasee is the caretaker of property that the state owns. It is written in the grazing lease that it is the “fiduciary duty” of the leasee to be that caretaker. This is a different philosophy than federal lands as only a permit to graze on federal lands is held by the permittee. Permitees are not expected to help monitor who is using the federal land, unlike state land grazing leases.
“ ...we are all owners on federal public
lands, we are customers on state lands.”
According to Wikipedia, the majority of “public” lands in the United States are held in trust for the American people by the federal government and managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the United States National Park Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, or the Fish and Wildlife Service (under the Department of the Interior), or by the United States Forrest Service (under the Department of Agriculture), as well as a few more. Upon entry into the Union, each western state received trust lands from the federal government designated for specific beneficiaries. The states manage as a condition of acceptance into the Union. Those trust lands cannot be conPage 2
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I hope you can now see why I get disturbed when the term “public lands” is used incorrectly. It is hard to keep it separate especially when you go the New Mexico State Land Office web site and on the first page in the left-hand corner the seal states “Commissioner of Public Lands”. Oh well.
March 2019
AFBF President’s Column BEYOND THE FENCEROWS
BY ZIPPY DUVALL
Dairy Gets a Lifeline in 2018 Farm Bill The last few years have been tough for dairy farmers. Or maybe I should say even tougher, since the ups and downs of dairy prices often make the dairy business challenging. But things are especially challenging now. The price of milk today is less than it was a decade ago. To anyone out there who draws a paycheck, I ask you to think about having to live and fund a business on the same amount of money, or even less, than you earned a decade ago. That’s what our dairy farmers are coping with. Fortunately, help is on the way via the new farm bill. The new Dairy Margin Coverage program makes payments when the national income-over-feed-cost margin falls below a set level. Based on the margins of the past 10 years, we know that the new program will provide more support than the previous Margin Protection Program, which it replaced. Under DMC Tier I coverage, available on the first 5 million pounds of milk produced, margin guarantees are set at $8.50, $9.00 and $9.50, depending on the coverage selected and paid for by the producer. The average margin over the last decade was $8.11, so even the lower end of coverage in this top tier of the program will provide more certainty and support during a downturn. The coverage also is more affordable. The farm bill reduced premiums 30 percent for the top tier of coverage. The premium for a second, lower tier, available to those who need coverage on more than 5 million pounds of milk, was reduced 88 percent in this farm bill. These lower premiums are meant to encourage more dairy farmers to sign up.
A further 25 percent premium discount for dairy farmers making a one-time election of coverage level and amount of milk covered for the next five years sweetens the pot and ensures the farm bill will do its job—help more dairy farms survive a price collapse, a feed-cost spike or a combination of the two. Every farm bill makes improvements on the last one. Farmers and ranchers weigh in on what has worked and what hasn’t, and Congress writes new program provisions to afford the best possible web of risk management tools possible. The Margin Protection Program created in the 2014 farm bill was the first attempt to address tight profit margins. It was a good idea that just didn’t go far enough to help milk producers with the market volatility that was headed their way. That’s why farmers and their representatives in Congress get another whack at farm programs every five years—because markets change and so should farm bills. Another new risk management tool, Dairy Revenue Protection, became available last October, even before the improvements in the 2018 farm bill. Dairy-RP already is proving to be popular with producers. The insurance product, run by USDA’s Risk Management Agency and available through licensed crop insurance agents, gives producers a way to protect themselves from price drops, not just tight margins. In the first few months these insurance policies were available, Dairy-RP policies were in place on more than 13 billion pounds of milk, 6 percent of the expected “Dairy” cont. on pg 8
“Every farm bill makes
improvements on the last one.”
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March 2019
Women’s Leadership Program Update By Valerie Huerta, ProgramCoordinator
Another AgFest has come and gone, and what a success! We started off our week with lunch and shopping. If you have never joined us for our annual Shop-for-Ronald, it is quite the experience. We always meet for lunch then shop at Smiths. We split into teams and have fun competing to see who can stay on budget for their selected food categories. We are so grateful for the volunteers who take time to join us. This year we had NM Secretary of Agriculture, Jeff Witte, NMF&LB CEO Chad Smith, State 4-H President Anne Hodnett and numerous youth and volunteers. It is important to include our youth in our events and we are grateful they had the opportunity to join us. (Participants shown on the cover.) If you were at AgFest, you can attest to the many people who were visiting our booth. This year we raffled off a beautiful squash blossom and shared apple cider from Montoya’s Orchard in Velarde. We were also fortunate to have Alyssa Marable, the 2019 NM State Fair Queen, join us at our booth to greet people. This is the second year we’ve hosted our raffle live on Facebook. The Women’s Leadership Committee and I thank each and every one who sold raffle tickets. We also feel it is important for everyone to see the drawing and know who won. This year the lucky winner was Helen White of Dexter. We strive to be proactive in all that we do and advocate the best we can for agriculture. On January 30th Senate Memorial 28 was passed. Sponsored by Senator Nancy Rodriguez, the memorial, which was unanimously supported in the Senate, expressed support for women in agriculture in leadership roles. From here forward, every January 30th will be known at Women in Agriculture Day in the legislature. Please let us know if you would like to be involved in the legislative process. Advocating is such an important component to agriculture. If we don’t advocate and voice our concerns, support, or opinions, there may not be any agriculture in our future. Every year American Farm Bureau hosts their Media and Advocacy Boot Camp. Last year New Mexico was fortunate to have one of our own, Casey Spradley, attend and complete the week-long Boot Camp. Over 50 applications were received for 15 available slots. This year, AFBF will be hosting two Boot Camp sessions. The summer session will he held June 18-21 with a deadline to apply of March 28th. The fall session will be held October 22-25 (aplications for the Fall are not yet being accepted). This is a great opportunity to take advantage of some awesome media and advocacy training. We encourage every lady to apply. As always, we strive to communicate effectively and efficiently with the counties and the Farm Bureau Women in Agriculture. Please make sure you are on our WLP Facebook Page and look for us on Instagram. Please feel free to reach out to me or any of the ladies on Helen White, winner of the squash blossom the committee if there is anything you need. We look forward to fundraiser raffle. another great year! As always, thank you for what you do! Page 4
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March 2019
New year, same activist tactics By Allyson Jones-Brimmer, director of industry relations with the Animal Agriculture Alliance
It may be new year, but we at the Animal Agriculture Alliance are expecting business as usual from animal rights activists. They are likely to protest at any venue where they can garner attention and anywhere animals are present – farms, ranches, processing plants, fairs, expos and even truck stops. Here are a few pieces of advice to help those working in animal agriculture prepare. Do not engage. Whether you encounter a protester at an event or on a farm or if an activist approaches a truck transporting animals at a truck stop, it is always best to ignore them and immediately contact law enforcement. Keep your cool and always assume you are being recorded or livestreamed online in your interaction, regardless of what you are told or whether a camera is visible. In one incident, the activists falsely claimed they were not recording the conversation at a poultry plant as they were livestreaming on Facebook. Make sure employees at every level know how to handle unexpected and unauthorized visitors. Activists often approach farm or plant employees first when arriving at a facility. In one instance, activists entered a dairy processing plant office and demanded the receptionist tell them where the dairy farms producing for that plant are located. In another situation, a woman brought a young child to the gate of a plant and pleaded to be let in for the child to use the restroom. Once they were inside, she began running around taking photos and trying to access secure areas. One group has started demanding for animals to be released to them from farms, emboldened by a police officer who let them take one chicken in an October protest and a farm who gave them 100 animals in November. While it may be tempting to try to get the group to leave by allowing them to take an animal, it is vitally important we do not give in to their demands. Giving the group an animal significantly weakens our attempts to convey why their actions are unacceptable. Negotiating with an organization who wants to see animal liberation and the end of animal agriculture will not be productive. Proactively build relationships with law enforcement and first responders in your community. Let your local police department know about the protests targeting animal agriculture across the country and get advice from them on preparing. Like most things, it’s best to be prepared. If you haven’t done so already, use the new year as an opportunity to update or create your crisis plan. The Alliance has more in-depth resources for Alliance members in our online resource library as well as information available to anyone about animal rights activism at www.AnimalAgAlliance.org/Protect. An animal rights activist helps a chicken sip water at Petaluma Poultry in Sonoma County, CA on September 29, 2018. (Courtesy Direct Action Everywhere)
The Animal Agriculture Alliance is an industry-united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. The Alliance works to connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues, engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture, and protect the future of animal agriculture by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation. Page 5
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
March 2019
How can estrus synchronization and natural service help beef producers in New Mexico? By Adam Summers, Assistant Professor of Animal Science, Cattle Physiology, New Mexico State University Profitability for beef cow-calf producers can be directly tied to the productive life span of a mature cow. Although there are several factors that may result in a cow leaving the herd (i.e., temperament, structural issues, or age) the main reason cows leave the herd relates to reproductive failure- whether it be failure to maintain a pregnancy or produce a live calf. Improving cow longevity is a challenging process, due in part to the multitude of factors involved. Cows must produce between 3 to 5 calves for the producer to recoup heifer development costs (of which the opportunity cost of selling the animal as a heifer is included), thus we can see the importance of longevity in dealing with our operations. Recent information from the USDA Meat Animal Research Center has reported that heifers born in the first 21 days of the calving season are more profitable and remain in the herd longer than their counterparts born in the second or third 21 day intervals of the calving season, indicating the importance of this trait on production and profitability. There are reproductive technologies presently available (estrus synchronization and artificial insemination) to assist producers in getting cows pregnant early in the breeding season, and subsequently calving early, giving rise to a greater proportion of these early born heifers, from which producers can select replacements. Utilization of estrus synchronization, specifically, has been reported to shorten the breeding season, initiate cyclicity in some anestrus animals, and increase the number of animals bred early in the breeding season. Although estrus synchronization and artificial insemination are tools that have been available for producer utilization for decades, incorporation of these tools has been limited in the beef cattle sector. Reports suggest producers have greater
concerns about the difficulty of the procedure (17.8% surveyed) and labor/time involved (37.3%) than those concerned with the efficacy of estrus synchronization (2.1%). Due to the fact that most individuals couple estrus synchronization and artificial insemination together, it is often an afterthought to many to use estrus synchronization coupled with bull breeding or natural service. Due to the expansive nature of rangelands and pasture size in New Mexico, gathering cattle multiple times to initiate and preform synchronization protocols may be challenging and cost prohibitive. The most common synchronization protocols utilize specific hormones to mimic or alter the estrous cycle specific events within the estrous cycle. Typically, estrus synchronization protocols are trying to mimic or shorten the luteal phase of the estrus cycle, which is described as the phase in which the corpus luteum (CL) is present on the ovary and progesterone concentrations high. Prostaglandin Page 6
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March 2019
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is administered to lyse the CL and thus allow for standing heat and ovulation. However, in order for prostaglandin to be effective, the CL must be fully developed- which takes approximately 6 days. Prostaglandin administration is utilized in all approved estrus synchronization protocols, and understanding its role and function are critical to assist in estrus synchronization. To test this, researchers at the University of Nebraska administered prostaglandin to on group of heifers 108 hours after bulls were placed in the pasture and compared their calving dates to a group of heifers that were placed with bulls without prostaglandin administration. Although synchronization did not influence overall pregnancy rates, there was a 13% increase in the proportion of heifers calving in the first 21 days of the calving season when a single injection of prostaglandin was administered. This protocol was proven to be effective when compared against non-sychronized animals, however it was not tested against other common synchronization protocols. Therefore, current research in the Animal and Range Sciences Department at New Mexico State University (NMSU) has looked to answer the question “Can estrus synchronization with natural service help beef producers in New Mexico?” Over a three year period, 295 Angus and Angus commercial 2 and 3 year old cows were placed in one of two experimental groups: 1) cows were synchronized using the 7-day Co-synch + CIDR protocol (CIDR), a commonly used protocol in the industry today, or 2) placed with bulls for 5 days and then given a single injection of prostaglandin (PG; Figure 1). Bulls were placed with cows at a 1:18 bull:cow ratio beginning on day 0,which corresponded with day of CIDR removal. Estrus detection aids were placed on each cow on day 0 and estrus monitored daily to determine when cows were bred to bulls. On day 5, cows in the PG group were administered a single injection of prostaglandin. Estrus response rate was higher in the CIDR treated cows based on estrus detection over the first 10 days of the breeding season; however, pregnancy rates early in the breeding season- corresponding to breeding on the synchronized cycle- and final pregnancy rates did not differ between the two treatments. Additionally, calf weaning weights were similar for each treatment group, suggesting similarities in calf age based on treatment. Cows synchronized using the PG treatment saved producers and average of $18.41/cow based on synchronization cost and labor estimates, suggesting the protocol is a cost effective method to estrus synchronize cows in extensive management systems utilizing natural service without influencing reproductive performance or calf weaning weights.
“Dairy” cont. from pg 3 U.S. milk production for 2019. Farm Bureau is proud to have worked with USDA to create and launch the new Dairy-RP insurance product. Dairy farmers need all the risk management options they can get! Just like row crop producers, milk producers now have the flexibility to use both the programs in the farm bill and crop insurance together to survive the risk inherent in farming and dairy production. I’m saddened that these tools are coming too late for so many multi-generation family dairy farms that have shut down in recent years. But I’m hopeful that they will quickly come along in time to save many more from the auction block. AFBF is working hard to communicate how important a timely farm bill implementation is for dairy farmers. As a dairy producer for many years before switching to beef cattle and poultry production, I still have a great love of dairying. My favorite food is vanilla ice cream, and I know I’m not alone. Americans love dairy foods and want to save our dairy farms! I’m confident that these new tools will help an industry that is near and dear to me, personally, and vital to consumers, our economy and our nation’s agricultural heritage. Page 8
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March 2019
Less of this.
More of this.
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March 2019
What’s Growing On with NMAITC By Traci Curry, Director - Southern Region
Current Activity Highlights
Mescalero K-2 Teacher Professional Development East Picacho 4th Grade Pecan Harvest Field Trip Roy Elementary Teacher, Deanna Walker, is awarded a $500 CHS Grant. Her grant titled, “Growing Larger Futures” will teach 3rd, 4th and 5th graders how to grow food using traditional, hydroponics and aquaponics growing methods, and compare the efficacy of the different growing systems. Her class also received two introductory lessons to help them better understand the importance of conservation of our natural resources.
NMF&LB Foundation Board Member Patricia Hunt.
A Big Thank You for Taking an Interest: Foundation Board member, Patricia Hunt, took time out of her busy schedule to attend the Cliff FFA “Yucky Worms” training. Socorro County Farm Bureau President Carlina Harris and board member, Linda Ritter, also attended an FFA training in Socorro! Texico High School investigates hydroponics with our loaner kit! USDA SPECA Grant Project in partnership with NMSU titled “Pinning Down Ag Literacy” is underway. We are working to provide educator guides for 4 modules for on-line virtual pinning tools to help students investigate the role insects play in agriculture. The grant will provide funding for teacher workshops upon completion. Page 10
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Socorro County Farm Bureau President Carlina Harris, Brandson Brabson, agricultural advisor at Socorro High School, and Linda Ritter. March 2019
NM GROW PROJECT NOW AVAILABLE! The NM Grow Project Grant is going to help students across NM grow yearround! This grant was made possible through a partnership with NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service). Ms. Julie Janecka, our 2018 NM Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of Excellence, used her expertise to help design an extensive kit that will assure growing success. Teachers are encouraged to fill out the easy on-line application by March 20th. In the initial grant release, twelve kits will be awarded. Kit materials will be provided via four regional workshops through the spring and into early summer. The workshops will be open to all teachers and will be focused on kit set up, use, and curriculum incorporation. Please visit https://newmexico.agclassroom.org/resources/awards.cfm for more information.
NM Ag Literacy Project “Yucky Worms” Update: Since the beginning of this 2018-2019 school year, we have: •
Trained 24 FFA Chapters
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4 of the chapters have already reported back their numbers with Artesia FFA coming in with the highest so far at 20 classrooms/360 students
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Trained 3 County Extension Agents & 1 AGvocate to use the resources in their community
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Made 33 Material Kits
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Delivered 237 books
Encourage your local chapters to participate! Page 11
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PARTICIPATING FFA CHAPTERS: ROSWELL GODDARD TEXICO TATUM CLOVIS GRADY SAN JON HAGERMAN MAYFIELD ARTESIA LOVING ROBERTSON HOT SPRINGS TUCUMCARI LOGAN ALAMOGORDO CLIFF ROY SOCORRO SCHOOL OF DREAMS/ LOS LUNAS Capitan Cobre Animas Las Cruces March 2019
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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 12
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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
March 2019