Local Field Days Showcase Agricultural Research
Date: July 30, 1997
Editor: D'Lyn Ford (505) 646-6528, dlford@nmsu.edu
LAS CRUCES -- New Mexico farmers and ranchers who want to see the latest in crop production and livestock management research can attend field days sponsored by New Mexico State University's agricultural science centers at Tucumcari and Clovis Aug. 7-8.
The Tucumcari field day will begin Aug. 7 at 5 p.m. "The field day gives local people an opportunity to come out and see research we're doing that may affect them," said Rex Kirksey, the center's superintendent.
A free dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m., followed by recommendations about selecting alfalfa varieties suited to the region, and research presentations on the yield and forage quality of sorghum-sudangrass for livestock grazing.
"We'll also be discussing the effects of perennial grass yields based on the timing of irrigation," Kirksey said. "There will be commercial presentations about general herd health and parasite control in livestock."
The tour and presentations will continue until 8:30 p.m.
The Clovis science center's field day will begin the following day, Aug. 8, at 9 a.m. Tours and presentations will begin at about 10 a.m. and a free lunch will be served at noon.
"One of the most important research plots we'll be touring is our alfalfa variety trial," said Darrell Baker, the center's acting superintendent. "We have 12 alfalfa varieties on drip irrigation to study water conservation and crop yield."
Researchers also will discuss weed control in peanuts and green beans, and the effectiveness of herbicide-resistant corn varieties and insect-tolerant cotton varieties.
"We've also planted some ergot-susceptible sorghum at the science center," Baker said. "This will give us some idea about whether we will have the sorghum ergot disease here in our area."
Visitors also can tour the center's community garden, which is maintained by individuals performing community service. Seed, fertilizer and plants have been donated to the garden. At the end of the growing season, fresh produce is given to needy individuals in the community.
Children can take a stroll through the pumpkin patch to see how the crop is coming along. Then in October, they'll be able to pick their own pumpkin.
Both field days are open to the public and pre-registration is not necessary. For more information about the Tucumcari field, contact Kirksey at (505) 461-1620. For details about Clovis' field day, contact Baker at (505) 985-2292.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of an auxiliary aid or service to participate in these events, please call the contact person for the event in advance.