Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
New Mexico State University Extension entomologist Carol Sutherland leads a discussion during the 2018 Field Day at the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences' Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari. The center will host this year's annual field day Aug. 8.
New Mexico State University researchers will give updates on their ongoing agricultural efficiency projects during their annual field day Aug. 8 at the university's Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari.
"We invite everyone to join us and learn about the updates we will present on projects ranging from beef cattle to special mixtures we're developing for increased forage yields and nutritive value," said Leonard Lauriault, superintendent and forage crop management specialist at the center.
Northeastern New Mexico remains an agricultural engine for the state, with annual farm commodity sales surpassing $1 billion in recent years. The region leads the state in livestock production, generating more than $971 million in 2016.
A special program also will unveil the sign reflecting the center's new name.
Registration begins that day at 4:30 p.m., and the keynote speaker will be New Mexico Cattle Growers Association President Tom Sidwell at 5:30 p.m., followed at 5:45 p.m. by a dinner catered by Tucumcari 4-H Roadrunners and sponsored by local businesses.
A hay wagon tour will begin at 6:45 p.m. Participants will hear from the center's experts and others on several topics, including:
• Beef cattle feed efficiency testing update by Marcy Ward, NMSU Extension livestock specialist;
• "Connection Between the Onset of Beef Heifer Puberty and First Breeding Conception," by Craig Gifford, NMSU Extension beef cattle specialist;
• "Plant and Soil Characteristics Following a Single Manure Application with Strip-Tillage," by Murali Darapuneni, NMSU semi-arid cropping systems scientist;
• "Potential of Guar for Eastern New Mexico (Sustainable Bioeconomy for Arid Regions Project)," by John Idowu, NMSU Extension agronomist;
• "Cowpea-Millet Mixtures for Forage," by Gasper Martinez, agricultural research assistant.
The science center is three miles northeast of Tucumcari on U.S. 54. For additional information, directions, or if you are an individual with a disability who needs auxiliary aid or service to participate, call the center at 575-461-1620 or email [email protected].
