NMSU hosting annual Field Day on Aug. 8

Agriculture is a big part of the Northeastern New Mexico way of life. But it can be hard to keep up with the latest developments, whether that be the new laws and restrictions regarding hemp farming or how to best use guar as an alternative crop.

To help keep growers and the public informed, the New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center in Clovis will be hosting its annual Field Day on Aug. 8.

The ag center is located 13 miles north of Clovis on Highway 288.

“We bring together researchers, farmers and growers to chat and visit with each other and to tour the research plots we have around the station,” said Clovis Science Center Superintendent Abdel Mesbah. “In other words, we are sharing the research we are doing with our growers and other researchers who might be visiting from Texas or other states.”

The event will open with registration and refreshments at 8 a.m. before attendees board a trolley at 9 a.m. to tour the Science Center’s fields. During the tour, researchers, experts and regulators will discuss a variety of topics regarding local agriculture.

Discussion topics this year include:

• Industrial hemp production

• Soil and water conservation in corn production

• Weed management in sorghum

• Peanuts for forage productions

• Guar as an alternative crop

• Dairy compost for soil health

• Regulations and fees regarding hemp production

After the trolley tour, there will be a catered lunch before individuals and small groups will have a reserved time to tour specific plots or trials.

“Its important because we have a lot of growers and such around and they come to see the work we are doing and to learn the new techniques or just see what’s going on,” Mesbah said. “Not everything we do might work for each guy, but everyone will have something they might take away from this field day.”

Mesbah encourages not only growers, but any member of the public who might have an interest in agriculture to come and learn from the annual field day.