RUIDOSO — Agricultural producers in New Mexico have faced serious challenges this year because of drought and no irrigation water.
At the annual Southwest Hay & Forage Conference in Ruidoso this Thursday and Friday growers will come together to learn new ideas on how to combat dry conditions and limited resources, and how to maintain healthy crops.
Other highlights of this year’s conference include alfalfa breeding, diseases and other pests, and whether strip-till conservation practices will work in New Mexico.
“This year has been absolutely dreadful for many producers because of the heat, drought and lack of irrigation water that severely hindered not only yields, but overall hay supplies in the state,” said Mark Marsalis, New Mexico State University agronomist with the Cooperative Extension Service.
This year’s conference will address these and other issues and will provide information to help growers maximize profits and sustainability on their farms.
With water-resource issues at the forefront of people’s minds, Mike Sullivan, with the San Juan Agricultural Water Users Association, will give attendees an update on issues concerning the San Juan River. In addition, Calvin Trostle, an agronomist with Texas AgriLife Extension, will provide strategies to deal with many of the common production concerns associated with growing alfalfa in dry regions, particularly water use and management.
Ian Ray, NMSU alfalfa breeder, will discuss the latest research findings of the breeding program that focuses much of its efforts on drought tolerance, including an update on the NuMex Bill Melton cultivar.
The conference starts at 9 a.m. Jan. 26 at the Ruidoso Convention Center at 111 Sierra Blanca Dr. Pre-registration is $55 per person. For more information, visit www.nmhay.com, or contact Gina Sterrett at nmhay@yahoo.com or 575-626-5677, or Justin Boswell at 575-840-9908 or juboswel@yahoo.com.
