Forage growers’ workshop Dec. 2

LOS LUNAS — New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service will present its annual forage growers workshop on Dec. 2 at the UNM-Valencia Campus, 280 La Entrada Rd., in Tomé.

The workshop, hosted by NMSU Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service, NMSU Extension Plant Sciences Department, and the NMSU Small Farm and Ranch Task Force, will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte will be the keynote speaker to open the workshop at 8 a.m.

Registration fee is $20, which includes program materials, door prizes and lunch.

Topics will range from building healthy soil and optimizing fertilization to controlling pests and weeds, including bindweed. Presenters will also discuss efficient irrigation and U.S. Department of Agriculture programs summaries.

“The workshop will focus on the small- to medium-- sized hay and pasture farms in the Middle Rio Grande Valley, but there will be useful information for forage producers of all sizes of operations in New Mexico,” said Mark Marsalis, NMSU Extension forage specialist and superintendent of NMSU’s Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas.

“The program is diverse and is a great value for the information gained at this workshop. Plus, those needing pesticide applicator CEUs late in the year can obtain five credits at the event,” Marsalis said.

For more information about the workshop, phone 505-565-3002. Register online at valenciaextension.nmsu.edu/foragegrowers. html.