The Ogallala aquifer in Eastern New Mexico is in dramatic decline with only a few years of groundwater left by some estimates. This field day and hands-on learning session will showcase strategies and tools to respond to this acute water crisis by prioritizing soil health.

The day starts at the Clayton Livestock Research Center with highlights of current ongoing research at the Center. A presentation by the USDA Southwest Climate Hub will introduce online tools to develop grazing plans: TOBI, Grass-Cast and Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP).

After lunch, you’re invited to see several center pivot fields operated by our host Glenn Duff about 17 miles South of Clayton. Glenn uses cover crops in annual grain rotations and has been experimenting with planting different forages and perennial pasture in order to conserve water. Instead of harvesting alfalfa which removes biomass, he grazes it with his small herd of cattle, feeding the soil at the same time.

Rajan Ghimere (NMSU’s Cropping Systems and Soil Management Research Laboratory) will present the associated research his team is carrying out at Glenn’s fields.

In-field Demonstrations:

Transitioning from thirsty commodity crops to adaptive management grazing;
Creating an adaptive grazing plan;
Establishing pastures and cover cropping in center pivots;
Measuring soil greenhouse gas emissions.

Hands-on Learning:

Assessing available forage;
In-field assessments of soil health.