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New Mexico State University

Range Science Faculty

Laurie B. Abbott
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Laurie B. Abbott

Title: Associate Professor of Range Science Major Field of Interest: Rangeland Ecology and Restoration

Education:

  • B.S., Botany, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1983
  • M.S., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 1992
  • Ph.D., Range Management, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 1999

Courses Taught:

  • Range Science 150 - The Range Science Profession
  • Range Science 325 - Rangeland Restoration
  • Range Science 452 - Rangeland Analysis
  • Range Science 513 - Advanced Rangeland Ecology
  • Range Science 630 - Quantative Plant Ecology

Research:

  • Vegetation and soil dynamics, the role of disturbance in rangeland ecosystems, and sustainable management and restoration of rangeland ecosystems.

Other:

  • Range Judging Team Coach - URME (undergrad range management exam)

Email Address: labbott@nmsu.edu Office Phone:505-646-2870

Derek Bailey
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Derek Bailey

Title: Associate Professor of Range Science Major Field of Interest: Large herbivore grazing behavior, both modeling and empirical approaches; GPS-based animal tracking; rangeland livestock production; rangeland and riparian area management; livestock-wildlife interactions.
Education:

  • B.S., Animal Science, Colorado State University, 1980
  • M.S., Animal Science, Colorado State University, 1985
  • Ph.D., Range Science, Colorado State University, 1988

Courses Taught:

  • Range Science 509 - Approaches to Rangeland Research

Research:

  • 5 year goal: Develop and evaluate sustainable and profitable management practices for rangeland livestock operations.
  • Most significant research accomplishments:
  • Developed strategy to lure cattle to underutilized rangeland using dehydrated molasses supplement.
  • Determined that low-stress herding of cattle is an effective technique to protect riparian areas.
  • Demonstrated differences between cattle breeds in their use of foothills rangeland.
  • Evaluation of cattle movement patterns using GPS tracking collars and simulation models.

Other:

  • Director, Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center

Email Address: dwbailey@nmsu.edu Office Phone: 505-646-2554

Sam Fernald
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Sam Fernald

Title: Assistant Professor of Watershed Management Major Field of Interest: Water quality hydrology

Education:

  • B.A., International Relations, Stanford University
  • M.E.M. Water and Air Resources, Duke University
  • Ph.D., Watershed Science, Colorado State University

Courses Taught:

  • Forestry and Society
  • Watershed Management
  • Advanced Watershed Management

Research:

  • Land use effects on infiltration, runoff, sediment yield, and nonpoint source pollution. Effects of surface water/groundwater exchange on water availability and water quality.

Email Address: fernald@nmsu.edu Office Phone:505-646-1041

Kirk C. McDaniel
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Kirk C. McDaniel

Title: Professor of Range Science Major Field of Interest: Brush Ecology and Management

Education:

  • B.S., Range and Wildlife Management, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, 1972
  • M.S., Rangeland Resources, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 1974Ph.D., Range * Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 1978

Research:

  • Taxonomy, ecology and control of major shrub and weed species found in New Mexico. Particular interest is evaluation efficacy of various herbicides on selected rangeland plants and determining plant successional changes following their control. (75 percent)

Extension

  • Statewide responsibilities as range brush and weed control specialist. Assistance is given to county extension agents, ranchers, farmers, agency conservationists and others interested in brush management. (25 percent)

Other:

  • Member of Range Improvement Task Force

Honors and Awards:

  • College of Agriculture/Home Economics Fabian Garcia Founders Award of Excellence
  • NM Society of Range Management "President's Award for Service"
  • NM Society of Range Management "Rangeland Manager of the Year" Award

Email Address: kmcdanie@nmsu.edu Office Phone: 505-646-1191

Kelly W. Allred
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Kelly W. Allred

Title: Professor of Range Science Major Field of Interest: Plant Taxonomy and Grasses of the Southwest

Education:

  • B.S., Botany, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 1974
  • M.S., Botany, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 1975
  • Ph.D., Range Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 1979

Courses Taught:

  • Range Science 307 - Range Grasses
  • Range Science 316 - Range Plants
  • Range Science 406 - Plant Judging Team
  • Range Science 448 - Special Courses in Nomenclature: Botanical Latin, and Bryology

Research:

  • Grass taxonomy, especially Aristida, Bothriochloa; Grasses of New Mexico; Flora of New Mexico

Extension:

  • Plant Identification Specialist (15 percent)

Other:

  • Coach of the Range Plant Identification Team

Honors and Awards:

  • National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Teaching Award of Merit

Email Address: kallred@nmsu.edu Office Phone: 505-646-1042

Andrés F. Cibils
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Andrés F. Cibils

Title: Associate Professor of Range Science Major Field of Interest: Grazing management and ecology

Education:

  • B.S., Animal Science (Ingeniero Zootecnista), Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1984
  • M.S., Rangeland Ecosystem Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1996
  • Ph.D., Rangeland Ecosystem Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1999
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Renewable Natural Resources, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2002-03)

Courses Taught:

  • Range Science 294 - Rangeland Resource Management (2003 - present)
  • Range Science 440 - Rangeland Resource Ecology (2005 - present)
  • Range Science 460 - Advanced Rangeland Management (2004 - 2005)
  • Range Science 516 - Management of Rangelands (2007- present)
  • Range Science 520 - Rangeland Animal Ecology (team teach, 2008 – present)

Research:

  • Animal-plant interactions; foraging behavior of domestic ungulates; diet and habitat selection by cattle and sheep; manipulation of animal behavior to accomplish rangeland management objectives

Other:

  • Advisor, Range Club (2003-2007)

Honors and Awards:

  • North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Teaching Award of Merit (2008)

Email Address: acibils@nmsu.edu Office Phone: 505-646-4342

CVs:

English pdf

Spanish pdf

Jerry L. Holechek
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Jerry L. Holechek

Title: Professor of Range Science Major Field of Interest: Range Animal Nutrition, Range Wildlife Interactions, Grazing Management on Desert Ranges, and Physiology

Education:

  • B.S., Biology/Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 1971
  • M.S., Range Science, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, 1976
  • Ph.D., Animal Science/Range Nutrition, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 1980

Research:

  • Field studies to evaluate the influence of grazing management practices on wildlife, vegetation and livestock productivity in Chihuahuan desert. 
  • Characterization of financial returns from range management practices in New Mexico.
  • Development of government policies to improve rangeland condition and financial returns on ranches in the Western United States.

Courses Taught:

  • Range Science 294 - Range Management
  • Range Science 317 - Range Communities
  • Range Science 520 - Range Animal Ecology
  • Range Science 611 - Principles/Evaluation of Range Improvements

Honors and Awards:

  • College of Agriculture /Home Economics "Distinguished Research Award"
  • Society of Range Management "Outstanding Achievement Award"
  • Society of Range Management "W.R. Chapline Research Award"

Email Address: holechek@nmsu.edu Office Phone: 505-646-1649