ACES Impact Stories | 2019

Food and Fiber Production and Marketing

Sheep As A Model To Improve Reproductive Success In Livestock And Women

NMSU researcher is pioneering an innovative approach to enhance understanding of placental development by delivering treatments at the fetal-maternal interface in sheep. Specifically, there is a focus on suppressing chemokine, a protein secreted by cells, during implantation. This understanding can have a dual benefit to livestock production and human reproductive efficiency.

Ryan Ashley - ANRS

Real-Time GPS Tracking For Livestock Grazing Rangelands

On rural New Mexico rangelands, it is difficult and time-consuming to regularly observe livestock and assess health and well-being. Real-time GPS tracking and sensor data can potentially remotely detect welfare issues for livestock grazing rangelands. Ongoing research at NMSU shows that accelerometers have the potential to detect illness and identify water system failures by monitoring changes in cattle behavior. When developed, these could be a tool to help reduce rancher's labor costs and potentially reduce time to respond to health and well-being issues in cattle.

Derek Bailey - ANRS

Sustaining Southwest Ranching

Sustainability of ranching in the southwest is threatened by hotter and drier climate systems, meager financial returns, and an increasingly sophisticated consumer base that demands healthy beef produced in environment-and animal-friendly operations. An 8.9-million-dollar grant awarded to an NMSU research team will allow them to study the impact of three specific strategies that they hypothesize will increase the sustainability of SW beef production: a) use of desert-adapted cattle genetics; b) precision ranching; and c) alternative supply chain options. This project will span five southwestern states and will engage ranchers and K-12 students in assessing the pros and cons of the proposed tools. A new Western Beef Knowledge System will synthesize the lessons learned over the six years of the project and will be made accessible to producers, consumers, teachers, and students across the USA.

Andres Cibils - ANRS

Beef Cattle Production and Climate Change

Recent research conducted by NMSU scholars provided an improved understanding of trends in beef cattle production about climate change. New Mexico experienced an approximate 30% decline in beef cattle production between 1973-2017 which was related to an average 2.3 °C increase in temperature. The research highlighted potential management activities that, if followed, can enhance the sustainability of beef cattle production.

Hatim Geli - ANRS

Reducing Risk of Bovine Respiratory Disease

Increasing growth performance and the immune response of newly received feedlot calves in an important way to decrease morbidity and mortality associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD). More than 25% of beef cattle placed in feedlots are affected by BRD. Estimated antimicrobial treatment per animal is approximately $23.60 with a success risk of 71%. Research reducing morbidity and mortality is significant regionally and nationally for producers, feed yards, and consumers. Preliminary statistical analysis of data collected at the NMSU Clayton Livestock Research Center has shown that antimicrobial metaphylaxis therapy is effective to reduce illness and numbers of treatments required for BRD control.

Vinicius Gouvea - ANRS

Inflammatory Disease Disrupts Ovarian Function

Infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes have been associated with infection. Infections resulting in the accumulation of lipopolysaccharide derived from Gram-negative bacteria can result in ovarian dysfunction. These types of infections can subsequently cause infertility in both women and livestock by altering estrogen concentrations, follicular development, and oocyte quality. Elucidating the impact of bacterial infections on ovarian function can lead to understanding and management of reproduction and reduce the consequence of disease on female fertility.

Jennifer Hernandez Gifford - ANRS

Dietary Nutrients And Amino Acids For Calf Health And Performance

Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is a significant health concern in the cattle industry, affecting more than 20% of cattle and costing the US beef industry more than $600 million per year. Typically, metaphylactic antibiotic use is employed to prevent feedlot calves from succumbing to BRD. However, consumer pressure to minimize antibiotic use in food-producing animals demands exploration of alternative strategies to prevent BRD and improve animal health. An NMSU researcher is studying to find if nutritional strategies utilizing specific nutraceuticals can be developed to increase immunity and reduce BRD in cattle by 5% annually; this could save the US beef industry more than $30 million annually.

Clint Loest - ANRS

Investigation Of Predisposing Factors To Liver Abscesses In Cattle

Liver abscess prevalence in feedlot cattle is less than 18% when cattle are receiving an antibiotic (tylosin phosphate) to control the causative bacterium, but this prevalence increases to 45% when antibiotics are not used. Liver abscesses negatively affect feedlot cattle productivity and welfare and reduce the value of beef carcasses by approximately $38. If the use of antibiotic preventatives is discontinued or banned, the cost to the beef industry could be more than $170 million. Instead of anticipated discontinuation of the use of antibiotics in food animal production systems, NMSU researchers are evaluating alternative strategies to control liver abscesses in feedlot cattle.

Clint Loest - ANRS

Reducing PFOS/PFAS In Tissues Of Dairy Cattle Consuming Contaminated Water In Eastern NM

Certain water supplies in Eastern New Mexico dairies have been contaminated with Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOA), which are used as fire retardants. These contaminants can infiltrate milk and meat in the livestock consuming water and feed contaminated with this organic chemical. Producers with contaminated cattle are unable to market their products for 365 days. NMSU researchers, in conjunction with several government agencies, are determining how long it takes for tissue concentrations of PFOS/PFOA to decline below allowable levels. Studies found that tissue levels fell below regulatory levels much sooner than originally thought and completed the project four months early. This work will provide government agencies information needed to determine how long a producer must hold animals before products can be marketed.

Eric Scholljegerdes - ANRS

The Perils Of Pigs In Odd Places

Invasive species are a threat to New Mexico agriculture. One of the worst invasive species, in terms of the amount of economic and environmental damage, is feral swine. The risk from feral swine is potentially underestimated by looking only at the impact on traditional areas, like crops and natural lands. An NMSU study is surveying golf-course and cemetery managers to measure the economic impact in these non-traditional areas. The survey also includes a geo-spatial component to see how swine are spreading towards New Mexico.

Frannie Miller - AEAB

State Meat Inspection Service

Meat animals represent one-third of New Mexico’s agricultural sales. The majority of livestock produced for meat are shipped out of state for processing. Research conducted by faculty and students in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business is exploring the feasibility of implementing a state-run meat inspection program. If a state-run program can increase retail sales made by the state’s meat processors, replacing imported meat, it could have significant economic benefits. For example, at current prices, a steer processed in the state and sold via retail could add $1,500 to the State’s livestock producers and processors.

Jay Lillywhite - AEAB

Optimizing Metabolize Protein Of Growing Cattle Grazing Wheat Pasture

Winter wheat pasture is a unique and economically important renewable resource in northeast New Mexico and the southern Great Plains. Production risk concerning the rate of live weight gain of growing cattle grazing wheat pasture decreases the value of cattle. NMSU research increased cattle performance by optimizing metabolizable protein (microbial protein synthesis and bypass protein). Weight gain increased by 0.20 lb/day which represents an increase in profit of about $30 per grazing period for each head. This research is accomplished by measuring the flow of nutrients through the GI tract of cattle with cannulas at the rumen and the duodenum.

Sergio Soto-Navarro - ANRS

High Value Winter Spinach Production In High Tunnels

Research has provided planting date and harvesting schedule recommendations for winter spinach in high tunnels. By enhancing the ability of local growers to have products year-round through the use of high tunnels, they can pursue additional markets, including school lunches, restaurants, and year-round farmers’ markets. Prices received for local winter greens can be much greater than for local summer-grown greens. Research has demonstrated that winter temperatures inside the high tunnels under row cover are at least 20-30 degrees F higher than outside.

Steven Guldan - PES

Assessment Of Environmental Stress On Onion Growth And Quality

Over 7,000 acres of onions are harvested in New Mexico. Abiotic and biotic stressors like water deficiency, thrip feeding, and Iris Yellow Spot virus infections can reduce harvest by affecting photosynthesis, therefore, diminishing onion quality. Five New Mexico cultivars were grown under these stressors and select cultivars demonstrated reduced photosynthetic activity, an indicator of poor onion health. The findings aid in understanding photosynthetic processes during onion growth to improve their production under environmental conditions common to New Mexico.

Ivette Guzmán - PES

Forage Crops In New Mexico

Forage crops' vital role in New Mexico’s agricultural economy is increasing due to greater demand for high-quality forage by growing livestock industries. Research at Las Cruces and Tucumcari ASCs discovered that sufficient genetic diversity exists among new varieties of native tepary bean for improvement in forage nutritive value. Statewide alfalfa testing indicates a potential increase of over $46 million for growers due to variety selection alone.

Leonard Lauriault - PES

Southwestern Heirloom Corn Varieties

There has been an increased demand for locally-grown heritage foods, in particular, that are gluten-free. Researchers with the NMSU Corn Breeding Program at identifying southwestern heirloom or "landrace" corn varieties that are at risk of being lost and improving upon these varieties for the specialty food market. Producers can learn about sustainable farming practices and receive premium prices for the grain. Additional research has shown that the required cooking time for alkali-processing (nixtamalization) is less for most landraces because they have soft kernels; they also make great tasting tortillas!

Richard Pratt - PES

New Mexico Peanut Industry

New Mexico is known for producing specialty peanuts, i.e., Valencia type (3-4 seeded pods, red skin, sweet taste, and good flavor). New Mexico's peanut industry exists largely due to research at the Agricultural Science Center at Clovis. Valencia A and Valencia C peanuts, which were developed there, account for 70 percent of the peanuts grown in New Mexico. A new high oleic peanut cultivar NuMex-01 released in 2014 is gaining popularity among growers due to high yield and extended shelf life. New Mexico's peanut production is valued over $8 million annually. The research contributes to continued improvements in peanut production through investigations of fertility, inoculants, disease resistance and water management practices. In 2019, advanced cultivars released by the NMSU peanut breeding program accounts for 20% of the total acreage that was cultivated in New Mexico and West Texas regions.

Naveen Puppala - PES

Alfalfa Breeding And Genetics Research Impacts Water Use And Conservation, As Well As, Food And Fiber Production

NMSU uses conventional and molecular breeding approaches to improve alfalfa drought resilience for farmers to conserve water while meeting the livestock industry’s feed demands. Our drought-resilient alfalfa cultivar, NuMex Bill Melton, was commercially marketed in NM in 2015 with estimated hay sales valued at $500,000 in 2019. We also increased the seed of nine new populations for state-wide yield evaluations to determine their commercial potential. Many additional populations (4500 plots) were evaluated in field trials for forage productivity and nutritive value under deficit irrigation management. DNA markers associated with these traits have been identified to enhance breeding program efficiency.

Ian Ray - PES

Increasing Commercially Available Jujube Cultivars

There are currently only 5-6 jujube cultivars commercially available in the United States with, Li as the dominant one. The NMSU Sustainable Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde jujube program has been evaluating more than 50 cultivars in the past ten years and has recommended 8-10 fresh eating cultivars. Those cultivars will give growers nationwide more choices with better fruit quality and extended maturation dates and achieve $1-2 more premium per pound. This study predicts that jujube acreage nationwide will increase significantly.

Shengrui Yao - PES

Shaping The Future Of Chile

Research at NMSU, in conjunction with Curry Chile Genetics Company (the US leader in the development of commercial chile lines and the largest supplier of seed to domestic chile producers), is evaluating biocontrol agents in chile that can enhance phytonutrient profiles. The development of chile lines with high lutein, a phytonutrient shown to slow macular degeneration and Alzheimer’s and this value-added chile can help keep domestic chile production viable.

Stephen Hanson - EPPWS

Roundup Resistant Red Root Pigweed

Roundup-resistant redroot pigweed is becoming a troublesome weed in corn-producing areas and growers are having a hard time controlling it in their fields. Several studies are being conducted at the Agricultural Science Center in Clovis, NM to evaluate redroot pigweed control and corn response to several herbicides other than glyphosate. Results showed excellent pigweed control using pre-plant followed by post-emergence herbicides applied early in the season. In addition, corn yield losses due to pigweed competition were reduced by 90 %. Corn growers in our area are using this information to increase their income and reduce pigweed infestation in their fields.

Abdel Mesbah - EPPWS

Weed Control In Chile Crops

Current strategies for controlling weeds in chile pepper are not sufficient, especially for chile farmers who want to reduce reliance on herbicides. To develop a non-pesticidal approach for controlling weeds in chile pepper, NMSU researchers collaborated with farmers to evaluate mustard cover crops. They found that mustard cover crops have the potential to suppress weeds in chile; however, the weed suppressive potential might not be fully realized because of a lack of knowledge on best management practices for this cover crop. Pending additional research, mustard cover crops may provide chile farmers with new opportunities to reduce reliance on herbicides and hand hoeing.

Brian Schutte - EPPWS

Research Indicates That Tank-Mixes Of A New Herbicide Option Can Help In The Management Of Difficult-To-Control Weeds In Alfalfa

Alfalfa remains the most valuable cash crop in New Mexico with an annual gross of approximately $197 million (2018). Alfalfa growers have indicated that there are limited options for herbicide management of late-season weeds (plantain) with minimal crop injury. NMSU research indicated that Sharpen, newly labeled for broadleaf weed control in dormant-season alfalfa, tank-mixed with other broadleaf herbicide options, provided increased injury of plantain with no negative impacts to alfalfa yield. Additionally, research indicated that Sharpen tank-mixes provided late-season control of annual weeds (prickly lettuce). The research will continue through 2020 to improve application timings and rates of herbicide tank-mixes.

Leslie Beck - EPS

Variety Trials Yield

NMSU research at the Agriculture Science Center at Los Lunas as found that variety trials yield an average of 25% higher with improved varieties, which translates into as much as $115 million additional annual earnings statewide if superior varieties are selected over the trial mean.

ASC Los Lunas

Jujubes: A New Fruit Crop For New Mexico

The Sustainable Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde is evaluating jujube (Chinese date) as a new fruit crop for New Mexico. Jujubes are a high-value crop that can be relied on to produce fruit every year due to its late flowering cycle. Jujubes contain several antioxidants and have a vitamin C content several times high than oranges. SASC imported 30+ cultivars from China and have collected cultivars across the U.S. for testing. Research is being shared with farmers on growing, flowering, and fruiting habits, along with pruning and other care techniques. Newer jujube cultivars will increase yield and revenue by $1-2 per pound.

ASC Alcalde

New Mexico Agriculture Transition and Legacy Planning Initiative

New Mexico has the second-highest average age of producers in the U.S. at 59.8. As the next generation of producers takes ownership of farms and ranches they must be equipped with the business and financial tools to grow the industry’s $3.4 billion contribution to the state’s economy. The needs of retiring and aging producers must be considered. NMSU’s Extension Economics Department, in conjunction with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture is developing an Agriculture Transition Planning Initiative to support farm transition, protecting the industry’s economic viability and increases the number of young producers in the State.

Paul Gutierrez - AEAB