Meet the Team

Shanna Ivey
Extension Department Head
Dr. Shanna Ivey

Title: Extension Department Head

Office Phone: 575-646-4650

Email: sivey@nmsu.edu

Bio:

Dr. Shanna Ivey is a full professor in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences at New Mexico State University. Her faculty appointment is split between teaching and research responsibilities in rumen microbiology and animal nutrition. Shanna joined New Mexico State University in 2004 after completing post-doctoral work at Oregon State University in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Shanna received her B. S. in Animal Science from New Mexico State University, M. S. from University of Nebraska in ruminant nutrition with research emphasizing the use of ethanol co-products in feedlot cattle diets. After completion of her M. S. degree Dr. Ivey worked as a Clinical Research Administrator at Elanco Animal Health. She completed her Ph. D. in 2002 in ruminant nutrition with an emphasis in rumen microbiology and is currently the only rumen microbiologist in the western United States. Current research in Dr. Ivey's laboratory focuses on determining the effect of different dietary constituents including biofuel co-products on rumen microbial ecology and the subsequent impact on animal production. Also the use of secondary plant compounds as rumen modifiers are being investigated.


Lou Bender
College Associate Professor
Louis Bender

Title: College Associate Professor

Office Phone: 575-646-3326

Email: lbender@nmsu.edu


John Campbell
Judging Team Coordinator
John Campbell

Title: Judging Team Coordinator

Office Phone: 575-644-7467

Email: jwcamp@nmsu.edu


Doug Cram
Assistant Professor / Wildland Fire Specialist
Doug Cram

Title: Associate Professor & Extension Forest and Fire Specialist

Office Phone: 575-646-8130

Email: dcram@nmsu.edu

Bio:

Dr. Cram received a BS in Wildlife Science (New Mexico State University), a MS in Forest Science (Oklahoma State University) and a PhD in Range Science (New Mexico State University). He has been with NMSU Cooperative Extension Service since 2002 with a brief hiatus to the University of Hawaii in 2012.

Program Narrative:

Dr. Cram’s research and extension efforts focus on management of forests, rangelands, and riparian areas with a concentration on the interaction of fire within these systems. In addition, he leads a program called “Learning to Live with Fire” that is designed to help New Mexicans become resilient to wildfire, much like the relationships between Floridians and hurricanes, Oklahomans and tornados, and Californians and earthquakes. Contact him to discuss and arrange an Extension program to fit your needs.


Craig Gifford
Extension Beef Cattle Specialist
Craig Gifford

Title: Extension Beef Cattle Specialist

Office Phone: 575-646-6482

Email: cgifford@nmsu.edu

Bio:

Dr. Craig Gifford, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, started employment with Extension Animal Sciences & Natural Resources Department at New Mexico State University July 1st. Dr. Gifford comes to us from Oklahoma State University where he was a Research Associate in the Department of Animal Science. His major field of interest is in Beef Cattle Production with a focus on Beef Cattle Reproduction. He obtained his B.S. Degree in Animal Science from the University of Wyoming, M.S. Degree in Animal Physiology from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces and his Ph.D. Degree in Animal Physiology from the University of Idaho. He has served in education programs in Beef Cattle Production in New Mexico. Dr. Gifford was also involved in programs centered around profitable and sustainable management of beef cattle operations and has been involved in youth development programs. His research is in methods to improve pregnancy rates in beef cattle and the involvement of maternal immune system in early pregnancy in beef cattle.


Robert Hagevoort
Extension Dairy Specialist
Robert Hagevoort

Title: Extension Dairy Specialist

Office Phone: 575-985-2292 ext 106

Bio:

Dr. Robert Hagevoort, a native of The Netherlands, is an Associate Professor and Extension Dairy Specialist in the Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources Department of College of Agricultural in the College of Consumer and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in Tropical Animal Production from the College for Tropical Agriculture (1987) in Deventer, The Netherlands. He received a M.S. degree in Range Nutrition (1989), and a Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition (1993) both from Texas A&M University.

Prior to joining New Mexico State University as an Extension Dairy Specialist in November of 2005, Dr. Hagevoort served for over 10 years as an independent dairy management consultant primarily in California’s southern and central Valley. As a an Extension Specialist, he has been working closely with the Dairy Industry in New Mexico and across the Western US regarding many regulatory and environmental issues, and initiated an effort to rebuild a dairy program at NMSU through the formation of the U.S. Dairy Education & Training Consortium (formerly known as the Southern Great Plains Dairy Consortium).

A key component of his current research & extension program is the development and implementation of a comprehensive dairy workforce training & safety program.

In March of 2011, Dr. Hagevoort was the first recipient of the Topliff Dairy Chair, a position charged with promoting the visibility of the dairy industry through research, extension and education and which serves as a policy center for regulatory matters.

Email: dairydoc@nmsu.edu


Francine-Mezzomo-Giotto
Assistant Professor
Francine Mezzomo-Giotto

Title: Assistant Professor

Office Phone: 575-646-2492

Email: fgiotto@nmsu.edu

Francine Mezzomo Giotto Vitae (CV)


Rossana Sallenave
Extension Aquatic Ecology Specialist
Rossana Sallenave

Title: Extension Aquatic Ecology Specialist

Office Phone: 575-646-6093

Email: rsallena@nmsu.edu

Bio:

Rossana Sallenave is the Extension Aquatic Ecology Specialist at New Mexico State University. She comes from Canada, where she earned her M.Sc. in Biology at the University of Waterloo (Waterloo, Canada) and her Ph.D. in Environmental Biology at the University of Guelph (Canada). Her background is in freshwater ecology, and aquatic ecotoxicology, with special interest in invertebrate ecology. She also has considerable knowledge about aquaculture and aquaponics. Her research interests lie in the effects of anthropogenic activities on aquatic communities and are aimed at improving conservation and sustainable management of aquatic resources. Her extension goals are to provide education programming for New Mexicans on topics aimed at better understanding of watersheds, water quality and aquatic ecosystem health. She serves on the Board of Directors and the Extension Technical Committee of the Western Regional Aquaculture Center (WRAC) and is the WRAC representative on the National Aquaculture Extension Steering Committee.

Program Narrative:

As the Extension Aquatic Ecology Specialist, Dr. Sallenave's goal is to help New Mexicans become informed, active participants in protecting our precious aquatic resources. She specializes in aquatic ecology and aquatic toxicology, and also has considerable knowledge about aquaculture and aquaponics. She provides support, information, and educational programs to New Mexico stakeholders and resource users about aquatic ecosystem health, water quality, watershed stewardship, aquaculture, and managing aquatic resources in a sustainable way. This includes county agents, homeowners, master gardeners, pesticide users, pond owners, and aquaculture producers.

Websites:

Western Regional Aquaculture Center

New Mexico Aquaponics Association

Aquaponics Association


Sam Smallidge
Associate Professor / Extension Wildlife Specialist
Sam Smallidge

Title: Associate Professor / Extension Wildlife Specialist

Office Phone: 575-646-5944

Email: ssmallid@nmsu.edu

Personal Bio: Range Improvement Task Force Website

Program Narrative:

Wildlife Management in New Mexico

People encounter wildlife at home, work and while engaged in recreation. Wildlife may represent significant opportunities and challenges for people. New Mexico's farmers, ranchers and urban citizens need information detailing basic ecology, human health issues related to wildlife, animal biology and management, habitat management, wildlife damage management and wildlife enterprise development. Further information regarding basic ecology, management and human health issues regarding commonly encountered wildlife is needed by youth and adults. Educational programs needed for urban and rural residents often differ in the types of information people need regarding wildlife damage management, wildlife enterprises, and wildlife ecology and management. Objectives of this are:

  • to provide wildlife damage management education and demonstration relevant to urban and rural environments,
  • to provide education related to diversification or income through wildlife enterprises, and
  • to provide general wildlife ecology and management education for youth and adults in rural and urban settings.

Casey Spackman
Extension Range Management Specialist
Casey Spackman

Title: Extension Range Management Specialist

Office Phone: 575-646-3098

Email: spackman@nmsu.edu

Bio:

Dr. Casey Spackman hails from Northern Utah where he grew up on a mixed practice farm of beef, dairy, and crop production. Dr. Spackman attended Utah State University where in 2015 he earned a B.S. degree in Animal Sciences, and in 2019 he earned a Ph.D. in Rangeland Sciences. His studies were focused on Livestock Grazing Behavior, Invasive Annual Grass Control, Poisonous Plants, Plant Ecology and Physiology, Rangeland Monitoring and Revegetation Efforts. While earning his B.S. degree, Dr. Spackman worked for the Department of Wildland Resources as a Research Technician at Utah State University gaining invaluable experience on several yearly experiments in animal behavior and grazing. During his Ph.D., he worked for the USDA-ARS Poisonous Plants Research Laboratory, collaborating on several projects located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. Dr. Spackman moved to New Mexico in the beginning of 2020 where he currently is the Extension Range Management Specialist at New Mexico State University.


Shelly Spears Morris
Program Coordinator
Shelly Morris

Title: Program Coordinator

Office Phone: 575-985-2292 ext 115

Email: sspears@nmsu.edu


Jason Turner
Associate Professor / Extension Horse Specialist
Jason Turner

Title: Associate Professor / Extension Horse Specialist

Office Phone: 575-646-1242

Email: jlturner@nmsu.edu


Marcy Ward
Extension Livestock Specialist
Marcy Ward

Title: Extension Livestock Specialist

Office Phone: 575-646-5947

Email: maward@nmsu.edu

Major Programs:

  • Beef and sheep production / management
  • Rangeland nutrition, ranch products evaluation, performance and quality analyses

Research Emphasis:

  • Evaluation of on-ranch calf preconditioning approaches

Bio:

Dr. Marcy Ward became the NMSU Extension Livestock Specialist in June of 2013. Marcy received her B.S. degree in Animal Science from Colorado State University in 1991, and her M.S. from New Mexico State University in Animal Science in 1993. Her primary research focus was in the area of ruminant range nutrition. She then went to work for Purina Mills, Inc. as a Dairy Specialist in Stephenville, TX. After three years she was transferred to South Central Kansas, where she worked with all livestock species. In 2002, she decided to return to graduate school. She received her Ph.D. in Ruminant Nutrition from North Dakota State University in 2005. She comes back to NMSU from Colby Community College, where she was the Beef Program Director for seven years.


John Wenzel
Extension Veterinarian
John Wenzel

Title: Extension Veterinarian

Office Phone: 575-646-3019

Email: jwenzel@nmsu.edu

Bio:

John C. Wenzel, DVM is a New Mexico native and graduated from New Mexico State University with a B.S. degree in Agriculture in 1982. He attended Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1986. In 1987, Dr. Wenzel moved to the Southwest corner of New Mexico and joined a mixed animal practice as an associate veterinarian. He then purchased the practice in 1991. Since entering private practice, Dr. Wenzel has concentrated on cow / calf medicine and preventative health programs for producers in SW New Mexico. Dr. Wenzel retired from full time veterinary practice in 2012 and in 2006 Dr. Wenzel joined the faculty at New Mexico State University in the Department of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources as the university's first Extension Veterinarian. Since joining NMSU, Dr. Wenzel has given many producer educational presentations all over New Mexico. He is the State Coordinator for several programs., including NM Beef Quality Assurance, NM-ALIRT and Enhanced Passive Surveillance. He also represents New Mexico on the Veterinary Medical Advisory Council for the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. He belongs to several local, state and national organizations. Dr. Wenzel has been married to Dolly since 1979 and they have three sons and nine grandchildren.


Support Staff


Cecelia Marquez
Fiscal Assistant, Sr
Cecilia Marquez

Title: Fiscal Assistant, Sr.

Office Phone: 575-646-3325

Email: cecmarqu@nmsu.edu

Fax: 575-646-3164


Bethany King
Administrative Assistant, Intermediate
Bethany King

Title: Administrative Assistant, Intermediate

Office Phone: 575-646-2514

Email: kingb@nmsu.edu

Fax: 575-646-5441