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from NMS Dec 2020
<< continued from page 88 efficiency,” said John Heckendorn. “I’ve learned a lot about genetic selection and performance, which has helped make herd improvements.”
Heckendorn has also learned a lot from the science center about farming different grasses for permanent pasture.
He regularly attends Rancher Round Table meetings at the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center at Corona.
“I’ve learned a lot of useful industry practices, including nutrition, mineral and protein supplementation and vaccination protocol,” he said.
Each science center consists of numerous faculty, staff, academic students, and season assistants who dedicate their research and educational efforts to the mission of the center.
Grassroots advisory committees of agricultural industry members and residents provide input to each center regarding the issues the producers are facing.
“What I like most about the science centers is being a part of the Alcalde advisory group,” Bustos said. “They really listen to what the people doing the work think and say.”
Information from these conversations drives the science centers’ missions.
“During strategic planning for the center, the committee’s comments help guide the specific research aimed at improving agricultural productivity and its economic value-chain in their area,” Edgar said.
While the research projects are a major part of the centers’ activities, the faculty and staff also conduct outreach activities through field days, workshops and other information-sharing such as research and Cooperative Extension Service publications.
“The mission of a land-grant university is to provide a path for ordinary citizens to gain information to advance their work, their community and the economy,” Edgar said. “These activities provide opportunities for people of all ages and skill sets to learn from the research.”
One area that NMSU and the College of ACES is very aware of is the aging agriculture producer population.
“With 59.8 as the average age of agriculture producers in our state, the centers’ staff also focus on engaging youth in farming and ranching career opportunities that range from actual farming or ranching to natural resource management,” Edgar said.
Examples are the U.S. Beef Academy at the Corona Ranch and the U.S. Dairy Education and Training Consortium in Clovis.
NMSU AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE CENTERS
All of the 12 centers in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences system do research on the agricultural and natural resources needs for the area.Each one also has some project or features unique to that center, including:
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