Monica Torres Chancellor of NMSU System Community Colleges | nmsu.edu
Monica Torres Chancellor of NMSU System Community Colleges | nmsu.edu
Forage growers in the Southwest are set to gather at the 2025 Southwest Hay and Forage Conference, organized by New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences along with the New Mexico Hay Association. The event aims to address various challenges faced by growers, such as drought, pests, and weeds.
Scheduled for January 22-24 at the Ruidoso Convention Center in Ruidoso, New Mexico, the conference will cover a range of topics. These include “Alfalfa and Drought: Mitigating Profit Losses,” “Alfalfa IPM and Pesticide Loss,” “Late Season Decline: A New Disease in Corn,” “Sorghum Grass Herbicides and Other Technologies,” “Stem Nematode in New Mexico,” and “Economics of Good Soil Health: What it Costs Your Operation NOT to Test.” Additional discussions will focus on "Regenerative Agriculture: Separating Fact from Fiction," and "Alfalfa-Corn Interseeding: Can it Work?" Attendees will also have opportunities to engage directly with consultants, industry representatives, researchers, and specialists.
Mark Marsalis, an NMSU Extension forage specialist, highlighted the financial impact of pests on hay growers in New Mexico. He stated that "pests in the form of insects, weeds and vertebrate pests cost New Mexico hay growers millions of dollars each year." Marsalis added that "this year’s conference will address some of those issues and provide updates on other problems growers are facing."
The conference has been approved for five Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for New Mexico Pesticide Applicators. Requests for CEUs from Texas, Arizona, and Certified Crop Advisers are underway.
In addition to educational sessions, attendees can participate in a trade show. Social events include the Ace-in-the-Hole Casino Party fundraiser after dinner on January 23rd and a Paint Party with Peggy Krantz earlier that day.
Pre-registration costs $150 per person until December 31st; late registration or at-the-door registration is $175. Membership dues for the New Mexico Hay Association are $55 annually.
Further details about the agenda can be found at http://www.nmhay.com or https://forages.nmsu.edu. Registration information is available online at http://www.nmhay.com.
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