Corona Field Day Set for Oct. 10

Date:  Sept. 24, 1997
Editor: D'Lyn Ford  (505) 646-6528, dlford@nmsu.edu

LAS CRUCES -- Research projects such as brush control, mule deer management and supplemental feeding programs, as well as the annual ram test, will be the focus of the Corona Ranch and Livestock Research Center's field day Oct. 10.

The program will be held at the New Mexico State University Research Center, located about 10 miles northeast of Corona, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., said Bobby Rankin, NMSU animal and range sciences department head.

Experts will present information about nutritional factors that affect cattle and sheep. In addition, brush control research will be highlighted. Participants will have the opportunity to view various research plots.

"The range ram test, one part of the field day, helps participants evaluate rams from their own flocks and compare them to those from other ranches," said Ron Parker, head of NMSU's animal resources department. "Rams are brought in as weaned lambs and over the next year are evaluated for growth, wool production and wool characteristics."

During the field day, new rams are dropped off, and tested rams are ready to be picked up. Both sets of rams will be on display for participants.

A variety of other topics will be presented during the program, summarizing many of the research projects underway at the ranch, Parker said.

"These projects yield information that can have an immediate impact on New Mexico cattle and sheep ranches," he said.

Some of the presenters and their research topics include: Tim Ross, supplementation research and display of ewes and lambs used in research studies; Clint Krehbiel, implications of range cattle diets in central New Mexico; Neil Burcham, management of the NMSU Angus cow herd; Dean Hawkins, developing replacement heifers with limited supplement and use of bypass protein; Mark Petersen, limiting supplemental feeding of young cows and use of bypass protein; Richard Spencer, brush control in the Claunch-Pinto Soil Conservation District; V.W. Howard, brush control and its effect on mule deer habitat and hunting success; and Gary Wilcock of HiPro Feeds on the Producer's Edge Program.

Any questions can be directed to Parker at (505) 646-1709.