Spring 2021 New Mexico Farm & Ranch

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

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

Spring 2021

NMF&LB President’s Column TRACTOR SEAT DAYDREAMING

BY CRAIG OGDEN

Dealing with Drought

As the trials and tribulations of the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be on the decline and with some type of normalcy on the horizon, a recurring pandemic has come back to haunt us. Shortages of water span worldwide and are especially evident in our very region. The definition is stated as a moisture deficit bad enough to have social, environmental or economic effects. It’s DROUGHT. For the people that don’t know me, I live south of Carlsbad, NM and I am part of the Carlsbad Irrigation District (CID). We don’t have any wells so we are solely dependent on Mother Nature who hasn’t been kind to us the last few years. There are Ogden cont. on page 7

AFBF President’s Column BEYOND THE FENCEROWS

BY ZIPPY DUVALL

Preserving the Right to Farm

As America’s farmers and ranchers have always had a passion for feeding our country and the world. To the people who get up every day and go to work on the farm from sunup to sundown, farming is more than a job. It’s a way of life and a commitment to providing safe, affordable and wholesome food for our tables in a responsible and sustainable way. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit early last year, consumers saw empty grocery store shelves on a scale we had not seen in our country in our lifetimes. It shook consumers’ confidence to imagine what our world would look like if we had to worry about the availability of food, something Duvall cont. on page 22

NMF&LB CEO’s Column CHATTING WITH CHAD

BY CHAD SMITH

The Value of Local

New Mexicans love our local foods. Whether it’s wine from an area vineyard, tomatoes from the nearby farmers market, or chile from the neighboring farm, we know the value of locally produced foods. Not only do our state’s farmers and ranchers grow some of our favorite foods, but they also provide more than 149,000 jobs, allowing the next generation to find employment in-state. Agriculture is also our state’s third largest industry contributing more than 3 billion in tax revenues to be spent on schools, infrastructure and public safety For those reasons it is vital that we have a thriving ag community in New Mexico. But there are Smith cont. on page 22

On the cover: Mary Beth Bandy-Wright in front of her alfalfa field near Aztec. She’s featured in our Women in Ag story found on page 4.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

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Farm Credit of New Mexico has been farmer and rancher owned since 1916. As a member, you’re an owner – and owners get their share of the profits. We’ve paid more than $133.7 million to our members since 2005, including $14.2 million in 2020.

We provide loans, insurance, financial tools and an annual boost to your bottom line.

Call 1-800-451-5997 or visit www.FarmCreditNM.com

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Women Play Vital Role in NM Agriculture

By Dalene Hodnett, NMF&LB Director of Communications and Media Relations

Whether caring for crops or newborn calves, women have long played a vital role in New Mexico agriculture. According to the most recent census information collected by the United States Department of Agriculture, there are 12,584 women farmers and ranchers in our state, representing 34% of all food producers in New Mexico, with a combined economic impact of $88.5 million. We’re proud to highlight some of those women here.

April Romero is a 4th generation rancher who prides herself on maintaining the Knife Creek Cattle Co. on Cuchillo Creek along with her husband Ray, daughter and son-in-law Kristy and Cody Cummings, and grand-daughter Shayly. April, along with her husband and parents, Art and Wanda Evans purchased the land in 1982 after Art retired from the Ladder Ranch where April was raised. “Ray worked outside jobs most of the time in highway construction which took him all over New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada and Mexico. He was gone a lot and Kristy, was my main help. I met the school bus more than once with a saddled horse so she could help me move cows. Our granddaughter, Shayly, (shown here with April) is a 6th generation rancher and is enthusiastically following in our footsteps. The first time she rode her own horse when we were gathering a pasture (she was 4 years and 1 month), she told me, ‘Patches, I love this,’ and I thought me too, Baby Girl, me too. Even with the work and worry when it doesn’t rain enough (which is more often than not in this part of New Mexico), maintaining the windmills, solar wells, pipelines for that all-important water; repairing fences, competing with predators for your calf crop, when the buyer says, ‘that’s a nice set of calves,’ it makes it all worth it. Having my girls carry on this legacy of ranching that I was born into is a gift.”

Mary Beth Bandy-Wright, shown below and on the cover, is a rancher and farmer from San Juan County. She grows alfalfa for her cattle so they can winter in Aztec and runs them on summer pasture near Durango. Bandy Ranch cattle are grass-raised without hormones or antibiotics and you can find it at area restaurants. “Agriculture to me is best summed up in one quote from Thomas Jefferson. ‘Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness.’ When someone asks me what agriculture means to me, the first thoughts are that agriculture is not only the way of life I choose every day, but it is a lifestyle filled with educating, growing and inspiring others. Agriculture is filled with lots of hard work and true dedication. It is not for the faint of heart as it tries and tests you at every turn. However, it has been the most rewarding career anyone could ever ask for. Agriculture, to me, is a newborn calf being born in the field and us hoping for perfect weather. It is watching my son grow up into a young man and my Dad driving the feed truck while I try and stand upright on the moving bed as I throw hay for cows. It is calling our hayfields and cow camps home because we spend more time there than we do at our house. Agriculture is enduring the blood, sweat and tears during the busy season and then watching your family and friends enjoy the beef you have raised later on. Agriculture has blessed me with a bond of true friends and family that I just cannot explain in words. It is not just a job its lifestyle that God has truly blessed me with.”

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Jamie Viramontes is the co-owner of Viramontes Farms and Red Mountain produce, located in Deming, New Mexico.

She graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Agriculture Business and Economics in 2011. “I have a life-long passion for working in agriculture and promoting the ag industry. My husband, Cole and I live and work on his family’s 3rd generation diversified row crop farm. We grow a variety of crops including, onions, watermelons, green chile, pumpkins, wheat and alfalfa hay. We are grateful and proud to own and operate a family farm where we can raise our kids to appreciate the lifestyle and love the land. Cayden, 5 and Gracelynn, 2 already enjoy riding in the tractor, checking on crops and tagging along with mom and dad whenever they can. While you won’t find me behind the wheel of a tractor, my contributions to our farm include implementing and maintaining a strong food safety program throughout both entities, maintaining crop input and financial records, financial planning and analysis and overseeing all labor and operations at Red Mountain Produce, where we process and ship watermelons and pumpkins to retailers nationwide. I am proud to continue the heritage and traditions of family farms and small businesses in New Mexico. I am committed to advocate for the industry to help keep these important traditions alive.”

Becky Spindle says “It’s most important to me to focus on raising the next generation of agriculturalists. Nothing we do matters if we don’t encourage and pass our knowledge on to the next generation to learn and improve upon.” Becky is a 4th generation rancher from Stanley, NM. She and her husband Tom have been married for 26 years, and have 4 children, Jordan, Abby, Cash and Charli. She currently serves on the board of directors for the American Hereford Association, (2nd woman since the polled and horned merged) New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, the New Mexico 4-H Foundation and the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum. She and her family are honored to continue the 105 year tradition of farming and ranching in Stanley, NM. “I’m just trying to do my best every day, whether it’s working calves, selling beef, attending meetings, or encouraging kids to take every opportunity offered to them through 4H and FFA. We have one life to live, and I’m thankful this is the life God gave me. I couldn’t do what I do without the men in my life, we compliment each other, no one can live this life without support and adapting to the everchanging technologies and environment.

Being a woman in agriculture means you have to stretch yourself much more than you anticipated. With more Americans being further removed from where their food comes from, we need to have a seat at the table to help people understand what provides food for our country.”

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Mikelle Lantana, second from the right in the bottom row, is from the Navajo Reservation and started her agricultural career in 4-H. “I enjoyed helping my fellow 4-H members with their projects. As an experienced youth 4-H member you enjoy showing the ropes to your new members whether it is how to show lambs, how to start a demonstration project or how to keep records for their 4-H record books. I have developed valuable life skills obtained from my involvement in 4-H, it helped me in college, at home and in my career. I am currently obtaining my Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural and Community Development at New Mexico State University. I am proud and grateful to have met and worked with many great people who I have developed a great connection with while attending NMSU. Before attending NMSU I knew I wanted my career to evolve around agriculture and now I want to be a county extension agent. Overall, I want to give as much knowledge and skills that I have obtained from NMSU and from personal experiences to kids on the reservation about the importance of agriculture and what it has to offer.

Erica Valdez ranches in the southwest corner of the state on her family’s cow calf ranch alongside her husband Bobby, daughter

Photo credit: Kate Bradley Byers

Danli and mom Amanda. “I’m a 3rd generation rancher and it feels like a privilege to be raising the 4th generation in the footsteps of my mom and grandmother. Aside from day to day ranch work, I’ve also worked for 10 years for IMI Global, a third-party beef verification program. “Bobby and I are working hard to fulfill my mom’s dream of raising and training top quality ranch and rodeo horses through JO Bar Quarter Horses. When I’m not working, I’m busy hauling my daughter up and down the rodeo road. I love ranching, and riding and training horses. I feel honored to be able to live and work in an industry that respects a woman’s role on a family run ranch, no matter how diverse that role is or how different it looks at each ranch.”

Are you a woman interested in connecting with fellow women food producers?

The Women in Agriculture Leadership Conference encourages women to join forces in order to address the issues we face, to create a vital network, to provide education, and to build something of value. You can find more information about their upcoming conference by searching on Facebook for Women in Agriculture Leadership Conference.

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Grant County Farm & Livestock Bureau Promotes Ag Awareness How does a county farm bureau grow ag awareness while encouraging the next generation of food producers? They donate and build a greenhouse and that’s just what Grant County Farm & Livestock Bureau did for San Lorenzo Elementary. “We hope to get students excited about agriculture and help them learn what it takes to get a meal to the table,” says Stewart Rooks, President of Grant County F&LB.” On a breezy Saturday afternoon, GCF&LB members were erecting the building with local volunteers and the school’s principal, Michael Koury. “This new greenhouse will be dedicated to hydroponics gardening where we can experiment on which method of growing is most effective such as resources used, amount of water used, amount of area needed, and highest production,” said Koury. “We are looking forward to having a giant science experiment on campus that all students can be involved in.”

Mr. Rooks is looking forward to local groups such as the County Extension Service being able to use the greenhouse to incorporate agricultural curriculum as well as the New Mexico Ag in the Classroom program. “We’re so excited to be partnering with San Lorenzo Elementary as we work with students and teachers to bring this greenhouse to life,” says Traci Curry, Director of NMAITC. “We have so many lessons, hands-on activities and companion resources we can utilize to help connect students with agriculture, and the greenhouse is the perfect setting for those opportunities.”

Demand in the area for additional greenhouses is high as schools in Silver City, Hurley, Bayard and Santa Clara have also expressed interest in schoolbased greenhouses. Mr. Rooks hopes to solicit enough donations to fill those requests. “Ultimately, we want to spark a desire for these students to pursue agricultural careers,” says Mr. Rooks. “We need more farmers and ranchers.”

Ogden cont. from page 2 are five U.S. Drought Monitor Categories. The first is D 0 (zero) which is just abnormally dry. The majority of the Pecos Valley is listed as D4 which is Exceptional Drought, the highest ranking or category. I used to think exceptional was a good thing until it was used in the description concerning drought.

I reviewed CID’s records dating back to 1908 and none of the allotments have been as low as what we may get this year. Our beginning allotment is 0.25-acre feet, which is 3 inches of water. As conditions change, the board may allot more water, but at the present time it doesn’t look good. Even during the 1930s, the lowest allotment that was delivered for that ten-year period was 1.7-acre feet. Much has changed since the 1930s. The population has increased, many more water wells were drilled up the river from us and yes, maybe even some climate change. The worst total allotment recorded for the year was in 2012 when we received 0.8-acre feet. We had major flooding in September of 2014, which got us out of a hole temporarily, but we are right back in it.

On the east side of the state, wells are going dry. The Elephant Butte Irrigation District is in the same condition as the Pecos River. Water is in short supply almost everywhere.

I’ve served on the Malaga Mutual Domestic Water and Sewage Association board for over 20 years. I recall that for several years, we didn’t release any meters for new residents wanting to move to the area. We had a moratorium and no additions were added to the system for the sole reason that we simply didn’t have the supply to add anyone to the system.

Water shortages have been around for decades, which affect all the citizens of New Mexico. There is a limited supply of water, especially potable water (drinking water).

Conservation will help, but it is just one of many tools to consider. A friend of mine works for the water department in Las Vegas, Nevada. They have provided financial assistance to citizens who forgo lawns and xeriscape their yards instead. The casinos are required to use their water efficiently as well as utilize their gray water when and where possible. You can conserve, but when the area keeps growing there is still a negative impact.

It doesn’t matter how big or small your community is, we all need water to survive. It is essential to every being on earth. I want to end my article with a few quotes. “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water” by H. Auden and the last by Benjamin Franklin, “When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water”. Please pray for rain.

Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly.

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1912 Market on 66 Fills the Demand for Local Foods

By Dalene Hodnett, NMF&LB Director of Communications and Media Relations “We wanted to create a local outlet for local foods,” says Kevin Branum on why he and business partner Vonda Frost, opened 1912 Market on 66 in Grants. Local items are in abundance such as green chile, watermelon, carrots, squash, cantaloupe and corn.

The store, managed by Kevin’s wife Bobbie, also features local dairy products, eggs, jerky, popcorn, breads, jams, salsas and sauces. If you’re looking to add locally produced meats to your diet, they offer everything from lamb, to beef, to pork sausage.

1912 Market gets its name from New Mexico’s statehood, which is fitting since New Mexico is front and center of everything they do.

“For me it’s about food security and economic stability within the state of New Mexico,” says Vonda who, with her husband and two children, raises cattle west of Carlsbad. “COVID-19 truly exposed the weaknesses of depending on a national market to provide and deliver food, especially meat proteins. Our vision with 1912 Market is to create a local food network of everything from herbs to beef. Grown and raised by New Mexico farmers and ranchers, for New Mexico consumers.”

Indeed, if you go to their Page 8

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website at www.1912Market.com, you’ll find this mission statement, “We’re passionate. Passionate about the legacy we are humbled to uphold. As New Mexico ranchers, farmers, and makers we maintain a precious connection to the land and all it sustains… we are committed to preserving, protecting and providing to you, and future generations, the best we have to offer. We’ll take you from range to kitchen, farm to table, and our families to yours.”

Kevin, who raises sheep and cattle outside of Grants, says it’s a win-win.

“We buy from local ranchers, have it processed locally, and then sell it to those are interested in supporting local agriculture.” He notes that this model not only provides a stable food supply, it also creates jobs and other economic activity beneficial to the state. “Because the cattle are not shipped out of state to be processed, we’re eliminating the middleman,” says Branum. “Our ranchers make more money, our local butchers have more business and the consumer pays the same amount for local meat that they would in the grocery store.” For more information go to their website or find them on Facebook at 1912 Market on 66.

Spring 2021

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Member Benefits NEW MEXICO FARM & LIVESTOCK BUREAU ijIJƟéǂļŞČ

FORD Members get $500 Bonus Cash toward the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2020/2021 Ford vehicle!

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To print coupon go to www.nmflb.org and find this benefit under the Member Benefits tab.

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Call (877-670-7088)

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LINCOLN

ENTERPRISE

GRAINGER

Members get $750 Bonus Cash toward the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2020/2021 Lincoln vehicle! www.lincolnspecialoffer.com/farmbureau/nm for more details.

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CRUNCH FITNESS All members receive a special on enrollment offer to jump start your fitness journey with Crunch Fitness. $0 Enrollment www.crunch.com Show your membership card for discount.

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(575)288-1792

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FREE PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNT DRUG CARD - Save up to 75% on prescriptions - Everyone is elegible - Accepted at over 68,000 pharmacies nationwide - Card is pre-activated - No health restrictions - Covers many pet prescriptions - No limits on usage Visit www.nmflb.org/UNA

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15% off all purchases excluding alcohol to all New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau Members. www.farmesilla.com Show your membership card for discount.

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10% off all rates.

(575)740-4293

Spring 2021

IN-N-OUT LUBE & WASH

PACKING SERVICES & SUPPLIES

Free $5 car wash with full service purchase in Silver City, NM. Please show your membership card to be eligible.

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15% off: Mailing services including FedEx, UPS, USPS. Packing services and supplies. Fax, scan, notary, binding, copy services, large format, color and screen printing in Edgewood, NM. Show your membership card for discount.

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Fresh or artificial floral arrangements, house plants, gifts. Custom orders available for weddings and event.

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Discounts available to all New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau members upon presentation of their current membership card.

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Service and discounts are subject to change without notice.

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New Mexico 4-H is Making A Difference I/We would like to contribute $ to the New Mexico 4-H Youth Foundation to support New Mexico 4-H members.

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Name Address

Tatumn O’Toole

Emily Kitseallyboy

Austin Rhames

4-H is a place of opportunity which allows me to be myself and pursue my passions.

4-H is being better than I was yesterday. Being a role model never giving up on dreams.

4-H is an opportunity to meet new people and try new things; you might be surprised what you can do!

State 4-H President

State 4-H Ambassador

State 4-H Reporter

Phone Email Enclosed: Check

Money Order

Please Mail To: New Mexico 4-H Youth Foundation C/O First New Mexico Bank 3000 E. Lohman Ave. Las Cruces, NM 88011

ns

l u d o

City/State/Zip

Questions?

Phone: 575-646-3026 Email: state4h@nmsu.edu Website: nm4h.nmsu.edu

All contributions go toward supporting the mission of the New Mexico 4-H Youth Foundation.

Aimee Coletti

Elida Miller

Ashlyn Ahlgrim

4-H is a place I can be myself!

No matter who that is!

4-H is where I can be passionate about the ag industry.

4-H is an opportunity to stay active in my community.

State 4-H Ambassador

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

State 4-H Ambassador

Spring 2021

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Monitoring New Mexico Rangelands Monitoring New Mexico Rangelands

By Casey Spackman, NMSU Extension Range Management Specialist Casey Spackman, Extension Range Management Specialist

Approximately 80% of New Mexico consists of rangelands with almost half being federally managed. Developing a management plan is critical to the preservation or improvement of rangeland resources. Monitoring is the way this occurs and is defined as the orderly collection, analysis, and interpretation of resource data, over time, to evaluate progress toward meeting management objectives (Society for Range Management, 1998). Producers and ranchers often possess the greatest knowledge about these lands, which is derived from life-long on-the-ground experience. However, it is often stored as mental notes (qualitative) that is difficult to portray in a manner that supports management objectives. Physical, quantitative records of rangeland conditions can help bolster qualitative knowledge and prevent conflict and misunderstanding.

There are a variety of methods used to collect rangeland data, ranging from simple to complex.

Additionally, there are abundant items that can be measured from precipitation and water to vegetation dynamics and soil health. When all these factors are taken into consideration for a monitoring plan, the task can appear daunting and discouraging. Not all variables need to be measured and can be tailored to management objectives and time availability. For instance, New Mexico State University developed a step-wise three-level approach to monitoring that caters to producer comfort and time availability (Allison et al., 2002). As efficiency of data collection increases, other parameters can be considered in the monitoring procedures. Thus, the following is a basic synopsis of range monitoring that can help move forward with a monitoring plan.

Where to Monitor Selecting an area that is representative of a larger area is the first step in monitoring and is critical for future management decisions (Allison et al. 2007). Understandably, rangeland pastures and allotments vary greatly depending on location. Thus, there is no set guidelines in site selection but some general factors need to be considered to best portray representative resource data. First, the monitoring site should most closely match that of the whole area. For instance, if trees or shrubs comprise 20 percent of the landscape, then the monitoring area should also comprise a similar proportion. Although distribution and vegetation percentages may not be known, a relative estimate can be made. Second, grazing and browsing animals tend to forage in areas of reduced slope, closeness to water, and easy of travel (Holechek et al. 2011). Areas that appear to be congregation points or areas of high animal densities, should be avoided, although these areas should be noted as focal points that may need future improvement. One monitoring method outlines some specific criterion for selection, such as a quarter to one mile from water sources, slopes less than 15%, soils in satisfactory conditions, and an overall area greater than 5 acres (Allison et al. 2007). Third, if the area of use is large or greatly varies in topographical uniformity, multiple areas can be selected to encompass the variability. The data can be combined as an average to encompass pasture variation but again should be representative of the whole area. No matter the specificity of the selection criteria, the goal of selecting a site is to have a representation of the whole area. Finally, if a producer is using federally managed land, it Page 16

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is best practice to include a representative from the regulatory agency to better align management goals.

When to Monitor Timing of monitoring can have profound impacts on the collected data. Estimating annual forage availability is best done at the end of the growing season. Depending on the targeted vegetation this may be in the late spring, summer, or fall. No matter the timing, measurements should occur annually during the same time frame for repeatability and to develop trends over time.

What to Monitor Precipitation: Rangeland pastures are often in remote areas, lacking a weather station.

Precipitation records can be inaccurate if off-site weather stations are used, thus it is important to record weather events on the monitoring site. A rain gauge should be placed at the monitoring site that would allow for regular access and record keeping. If the area is large, multiple gauges should be placed.

Vegetation: Several ways to measure vegetation exist. One way is to measure vegetation production or biomass. This consists of taking a subsampled area, within a designated area of known size (i.e., square feet or square meters), cutting all vegetation within the square, drying, and then weighing. With the size of the square known, biomass can be calculated and expressed as pounds per acre. However, vegetation composition is highly variable on rangelands and not all vegetation is equally useful as a forage. Taking multiple biomass samples will help account for variations in production across the landscape. Additionally, clipped samples can be separated into vegetation classes (i.e., grasses, broadleaves or forbs, and woody vegetation) to estimate available biomass by forage class (relative biomass).

Another way to measure vegetation is through density counts. Plant density is the number of individual plants per area. Similar to biomass, the area sampled needs to be known for calculations, multiple measurement areas will help to account for variability, and separating counted plants into species can help to identify preferred forages or sensitive species.

Distinguishing between individual plants can be difficult when they are rhizomatous or stoloniferous as one root system can produce several upright plants. An extensive time commitment should be accounted for when doing density counts.

Vegetation cover can be categorized into canopy, foliar, basal, and ground cover. Canopy cover estimates the circumference of ground surface area the plant covers, whereas foliar cover takes into consideration the same surface area and includes gaps as well as overlap in leaf area. These two types of cover are generally reserved for trees, shrubs, and broad leaves or forbs as they have a larger leaf surface area. Basal cover measures vegetation at junction of the soil and plant and is often used to assess grasses. Ground cover incorporates basal cover with the addition of soil characteristics such as litter, rocks, and bare ground. This method allows for assessment of a sites erosion potential. As soil and ground characteristics increase, site stability decreases (i.e., increased erosion potential).

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Spring 2021

Vegetation composition is calculated rather than directly sampling the vegetation and is one of the main methods to assess rangeland conditions. It is the relative proportion of a plant species in relation to the rest of the plant community. As described previously, composition can be expressed in a variety of terms such as relative biomass, relative density, or relative cover.

Frequency is the probability of whether a plant species is present or absent within a particular area. The probability is assessed based on the occurrence of a certain species within specified area. This can be done along a transect (line frequency), a single quadrant marked at designated intervals, or a physical grid within the quadrant (quadrant frequency). Presence or absence can then be calculated as the percent probability of occurrence. For instance, if a quadrant with twenty five internal areas is used and twenty of those have a certain species present, the probability of the plant occurring on the landscape is approximated 80 percent. It is one of the easiest methods to assess rangeland vegetation conditions and trends as it only focuses on targeted species. However, as species diversity increases, it becomes difficult to assess vegetation conditions as not all species are assessed. In addition, when a grass is encountered, the leaves can be extended upwards and measured for a stubble height assessment. More time consuming methods, such as biomass, cover, and density, may provide more meaningful information.

Soil: Ground cover was previously discussed and helps assess erosion potential. Soil moisture is critical for plant growth and can be assessed through a soil pit. A soil pit is simply a hole dug approximately twelve inches deep and moisture is recorded as dry, moist, or wet. Soil organic matter is becoming an increasingly important aspect of rangeland health. Micro-organisms use vegetation, breaking it down into soil organic matter, stabilizing the soil, increasing nutrient cycling and water holding capacity. Quantified data can be obtained by sending soil samples to a laboratory. However, qualitative estimates may be sufficient depending on management objectives.

Animals: Although animals are not the primary target in monitoring rangeland conditions, they do play an integral role in soil, water, and vegetation management. Thus, records should be kept of livestock numbers, days grazing, and distribution, as well as wildlife numbers and occurrences. Wildlife are often scarce and hard to count. The fecal pellet count method is one way to estimate relative animal visitation to a site. This can be done by noting the type and counting each occurrence while taking vegetation samples. Another method is to use game cameras that can survey the landscape from a strategic spot and count wildlife numbers and frequency of visitation.

How to Monitor The key to monitoring is to have objective, repeatable and quantitative measurements, which can be accomplished through establishing transects. A transect is one way to do this and is a line between two points where measurements can be taken at designated intervals. There are some monitoring methods that do not require transects but are qualitative (i.e., photo points and ocular estimates). Qualitative methods are useful when they support quantifiable data rather than alone.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

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Photo Points: Photographs give a point in time visual record of range conditions and supports quantitative measurements for that period of time. Upon site selection, a marker should be used to be able to repeat the photograph annually. Additionally, photos can be taken multiple times yearly, but it is advised to compare the same annual point in time. When repeated annual photos are taken, the original photo should be in hand for duplication. Two photos should be taken per site. A landscape-level photo gives a panoramic estimate of the area condition. This photo should include some permanent identifiable feature of the landscape (i.e., hill, drainage, or rock outcrop). A sign that can easily be seen in the photo should be used with key information such as pasture name, date, photo point number, and other pertinent information. The second photo should be a ground-level photo near the marker point that represents ground-level characteristics.

A scale ruler should be used to quantitatively determine the size aspects of the photo. A two meter carpenter ruler bent in half at a right angle is recommended.

Ocular estimation: Ranchers often use this method and take mental notes for management decisions. It is critical to quantify these observations. An observer can use an approximated area to gauge vegetation types, frequency of occurrence, and amounts of vegetation, then make a record. Even though this can be subjective and highly variable, particularly if different observers are used, it can still be helpful with additional quantified data.

Quantifiable methods: The point method consists of using a sharpened rod or pin to assess plant and soil characteristics. Variations of the point method exist such as a laser, cross-hair, step- and drop-point. The two latter methods require a transect and are a variation of the line method. The step-point transect was developed as a rapid, accurate, and objective method of determining vegetation composition (Evans and Love 1957). This method involves selecting a bearing and recording it for repeatability, then using the toe of one boot as the point of observation or “hit”.

Boot tip size and shape vary depending on observer and therefore marking the boot tip is recommended so that the same point is used. Unlike step-point, drop-point requires a measuring tape and a pin to take observations at designated intervals along the tape. This method is more time consuming but is more precise than step-point. Using either method allows for the measurement of cover, stubble heights, and line frequency. A square, grid, or hoop can also be used at designated intervals to obtain available biomass, density counts, and quadrant frequencies.

References: Allison CD, Holechek JL, Baker TT, Boren JC, Ashcroft NK, Fowler JM (2007) Rapid assessment methodology for proactive rangeland management. Rangelands 29:45–50 Evans RA, Love RM (1957) The step-point method of sampling-a practical tool in range research. Rangel Ecol Manag Range Manag Arch 10:208–212 Holechek J, Pieper RD, Herbel CH (2011) Range Management: Principles and Practices. Prentice Hall.

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Spring 2021

Duvall cont. from page 2 we’ve all come to take for granted. But through it all, farmers and ranchers were #StillFarming, as the supply chain disruptions leveled out and grocery shelves filled up again.

While the global pandemic is one example of a crisis that can shake a food system, there are other real threats that could impact our ability to produce food. For several years now, trial lawyers have gone after food companies with so-called “nuisance lawsuits” that can take away a farmer’s livelihood and his or her ability to produce our nation’s food. We saw this tragic story play out in North Carolina a few years ago, when 26 lawsuits were brought against a meat processing company, affecting 89 North Carolina hog farmers who were accused of being a “nuisance” to their neighbors.

These lawsuits were not based on any violations of environmental laws or regulations: they simply claimed that these farms were a nuisance. When the cases were heard, juries in North Carolina awarded nearly $550 million in damages to the plaintiffs, even though no law was broken, or regulation violated. And while these lawsuits were filed against the company, the individual farmers were the ones who suffered the most, being driven out of business in the process. All because some trial lawyers convinced jurors who didn’t live anywhere near these farms, and weren’t allowed to visit them, that they were a nuisance.

Last November, the meat processing company settled all the lawsuit claims for an undisclosed amount, closing this disturbing chapter in a heartbreaking story for family farmers. But if this happened in North Carolina, it could happen anywhere. It’s a sad state of affairs when you follow all the laws and regulations that apply to your farm but can be put out of business because someone thinks normal farming activities – the very acts of growing our food – are a nuisance or are somehow harmful.

But these trial lawyers’ lawsuits and the multi-million-dollar awards they generated have shown us that sometimes being a good neighbor might not be enough. That’s where state right-to-farm laws come in. Legislatures in all 50 states have enacted right-to-farm laws to assure that normal farming activities, which are highly regulated in every state, should be protected from nuisance lawsuits. But as we saw in North Carolina, these laws are not always applied fairly or in accordance with the intent of the state legislators who enacted them.

All state Farm Bureaus can work with their state legislatures to take a closer look at their right-to-farm laws and update them to ensure that farmers who play by the rules aren’t sued out of business. It’s true we have an obligation to be good neighbors. Of course, we do. Farmers are known for caring about their neighbors and communities. They are not known for outsmarting trial lawyers following an opaque legal standard. States are right to protect farmers from such standards.

Our livelihoods and the future of America’s safe and resilient food supply depend on it.

Smith cont. from page 2 several factors, some uncontrollable and some self-inflicted, that are making our food producers question if our state holds a future for them and their families. The ongoing drought will have long-term effects as productive farmland will be fallowed without a dependable water source. Ranch land that is too dry to be grazed will be divided and sold as ranchettes to out-of-state buyers who are eager for the peace and quiet afforded by our rural areas.

Another factor that is working against us is the average age of our food producers, which at 59, is the highest in the nation. We at NMF&LB are working on this issue through our Young Farmers and Ranchers, and Collegiate Farm Bureau programs which strive to grow the next generation of farmers, ranchers and dairy producers.

Unfortunately, the above factors are being exacerbated by policies, that if passed would detrimental impacts to agriculture. For example, during the most recent legislative session, some legislators voted to increase the price of eggs by 90% by prohibiting the sale of conventional eggs. The bill, which only allows the sale of cage-free eggs anywhere in the state, would affect restaurants, hospitals and senior homes, nearly doubling the price of this important protein source. This at the same time several bills were being introduced to address senior and child hunger. Mandating production methods is not conducive for agricultural productivity.

Another policy that would hamper agricultural production in our state is a ban on the use of neonicotinoids. This class of federally approved pesticides is used by farmers to prevent damage caused by pests in the production of pecans, chile, watermelons and much more. Farmers closely adhere to regulations outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency that dictate the quantity, time and season that farmers can apply this valuable crop protection tool. Eliminating this federally approved tool would force farmers to turn to more expensive, and more powerful pesticides.

These heavy-handed state regulations, combined with other factors, may make it too difficult for farms, ranches and dairies to continue operation in New Mexico. Food production is fluid, and it can, and will, migrate to friendlier operating environments. Let’s hope the Land of Enchantment has a strong enough pull to keep our food producers in-state despite the deck that is stacked against them.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

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NMF&LB 2220 N. TELSHOR BLVD. LAS CRUCES, NM 88011 575.532.4700 • FAX: 575.532.4710 OFFICERS Craig Ogden President, Loving Larry Reagan 1st Vice President, Ft. Sumner Boe Lopez 2nd Vice President, Springer Chad Smith Chief Executive Officer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Burl Brown, Des Moines Bud Deerman, La Mesa Crystal Diamond, Elephant Butte Jim Ellett, Hope Duane Frost, Claunch Travis Harris, San Antonio Don Hartman, Deming Gary Hathorn, Flora Vista Leon Hemann, McDonald John Jackson, Lake Arthur Deena Kinman, Elida Donald Martinez, El Rito Steve Myrick, Clovis Tommy Ortiz, Las Vegas Stewart Rooks, Gila Troy Sauble, Maxwell Mario Trujillo, Questa Tom Wilton, Ft. Sumner Anita Hand, Chair Women’s Leadership Committee Andy Ellett, Chair Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee

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REGIONAL DIRECTORS Benjie Segovia Katelin Spradley Valerie Huerta Director of Organization Tiffany Rivera Director of Governmental Affairs Traci Curry Director, Ag in the Classroom Britney Lardner Coordinator, Ag in the Classroom Francisco Hatay Membership and Marketing Manager Dalene Hodnett Director of Communications and Media Relations Cecilia Diaz-Johnson Bookkeeper Theresa Widner Executive Administrative Assistant Spring 2021