Identifying new and novel pests in southeastern New Mexico, as well as learning how to combat them, is one of the research goals of New Mexico State University's Agricultural Science Center in Artesia. The center's scientists will focus on that research, as well as cattle feeding and other topics, at this year's field day.
The event will take place from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the science center, located at 67 East Four Dinkus Road in Artesia, New Mexico. The event is free and open to the public. Dinner will be provided, and a children's activity will be offered.
Dave Lowry, interim research director of the center, said he hopes the field day will give attendees insight into how center faculty work to address issues currently plaguing farmers in eastern New Mexico and west Texas.
"Cotton and alfalfa are mainstays of production in the region; thus, much of our attention is directed toward those crops, but the implications from the research we are conducting have wider ranging impacts when it comes to integrated pest management, soil health and irrigation practices," Lowry said. "This center makes an extra effort to provide time-sensitive information for stakeholders, but also provides many fun and informative activities for youth who attend. In the end, they are the next generation that will be movers and shakers in the ag industry, so I am always pleased when we can provide a way for them to connect with the science center that will hopefully have a lasting impression."
New Mexico Youth Beef Feeder contestants Kendi Burnett and Koy Burnett will give presentations, and the following field tours will be offered:
• Phillip Lujan: Integrated pest management of soilborne cotton disease.
• Ivan Tellez, Jane Pierce and Tricia Monk: Cotton bollworm management in okra-leaf cotton.
• Luis Cadena and Ricardo Ramirez: Integrated pest management in alfalfa: Protecting your crop and their natural defenders.
• Evangelina Carabotta and Ricardo Ramirez: A quick guide to your local alfalfa predators.
• Jane Pierce and Tricia Monk: Insect safari.
There will also be tabletop demonstrations on fruit DNA extractions, CarbN and its effects on cotton, constructing a mason bee house and more, as well as graduate student research posters.
Researchers at the center have been looking into maximizing biological control of insect pests, which can save New Mexico growers money from reduced insecticide applications, reduce environmental impacts and enhance worker safety. A research project by Pierce and Tellez found that good biological control of alfalfa weevil will save New Mexico growers $1.2 million a year in reduced insecticide applications and reduced yield losses. Biological control of pecan nut casebearer could save growers up to $1.6 million a year.
For more information about this year's field day, contact Luiza Cardone at 575-646-3586. To register to attend, visit https://rsvp.nmsu.edu/rsvp/artesia.
The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-artesia-field-day-to-focus-on-pest-management--crop-research/s/65ea04a2-4b04-42e7-890c-7f662b356e63
