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31st Ag Day explores landowners & wildlife
By Carol Broeder/Arizona Range News
A rural landowner is a wildlife manager.
That's a concept Ag Day organizers want area residents to consider as the 31st annual program approaches next week.
Along with the informative offerings farmers and ranchers have come to expect, a new workshop, "Living with Wildlife: A Workshop for Land Owners" is geared toward the small acreage owners - anywhere from one acre to 40.
"If you are a landowner, you are a wildlife manager," says Jim Knight, with the Montana State University Cooperative Extension.
"You can influence how healthy the wildlife populations are on your land, where they congregate and how their habitat and populations are managed."
Extension Agent Kim McReynolds, with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, quotes Knight when describing this new Ag Day workshop, to be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3 in the Dining Room at the Willcox Community Center, 312 West Stewart St.
"Many people who live on large and small acreages in Arizona consider wildlife one of the most important assets to their property," she said.
"The growing number of small-acreage properties presents a number of challenges," said McReynolds, including "living with wildlife."
"Small-acreage owners soon discover that their ability to manage their properties is affected by a number of legal and environmental issues," she said.
"As we increasingly share their habitat with our homes, there are sure to be many more human-animal encounters," McReynolds said.
"In most situations, people and wildlife can coexist. The key to coexistence is usually respecting the 'wild' in wildlife and understanding the needs that cause wildlife behavior," she said.
Presented by wildlife biologists from the Arizona Game and Fish Department in Tucson, this workshop will address "many of the challenges and opportunities facing landowners and the wildlife that lives on the same land," said McReynolds.
Habitat Program Manager John Windes will present," Wildlife Habitat and Small Acreage," discussing "what are the components of habitat and how to manage your small acreage for wildlife."
Urban Wildlife Specialist Locana de Souza offers the program, "Coexisting with Wildlife in the Rural Environment," describing "what to expect from your wild neighbors and how to live in harmony with them."
After the 15-minute break, Habitat Specialist Mike Demlong will present, "Small Ponds and Waters," discussing the "design and construction of waters to benefit wildlife, while avoiding common mistakes that won't."
A final presentation by Landowner Relations Coordinator Matt Walton, "Wildlife as a Public Resource," will talk about "positive interactions with hunters, birdwatchers, and recreationists seeking access to wildlife."
The "Living with Wildlife" workshop will conclude with a 20-minute panel discussion where the experts will answer wildlife related questions from the audience.
For more information, contact Kim McReynolds at (520) 384-3594 or imm@cals.arizona.edu.
Since its beginnings 31 years ago, Ag Day has been organized "to try to get a lot of information out in one day - timely and pertinent information," that is.
Chairman Claire Owen explained that times have changed and the program changes with it -- if people want it to.
"Last year it was noxious weeds," he told the Range News. "This year it's wildlife."
"We want to provide information on what people are asking about at the moment - what they want to know today," Owen said.
That's why this year Ag Day is featuring a program about a "growing" interest in grapes in the Willcox area. (See article on page A9.) Four viniculture seminars will be offered from 1 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. in the Dining Room in the community center.
Those with an interest in grapes can learn things like "how to establish a vineyard and what irrigation to use," said Owen.
They will also have an opportunity to "meet people involved in the grape business" at the exhibit booth staffed by the Arizona Wine Growers Association (AWGA).
Other Ag Day topics
In the morning, Ag Day's main farm seminars will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Fireplace Room at the community center.
Topics organized by the Ag Day Planning Committee also help gather continuing education credits.
They include: strip till fertilizer placement; insecticide resistance; developing a healthy farm workforce; and a bankers' panel.
Strip till do's and don'ts: "Strip till is basis minimum tillage," said Owen, adding that this presentation of trials and testing is by "a panel of people who have done it. They've tried everything at least once."
They are Ray Zuck, Ted Haas, Doug Dunlap, and Russell French.
Strip till fertilizer placement: "Fertilizer placement is crucial - where, how, and how much do you put on?" Owen said.
Russell French from Pioneer Seed Company will present that information.
Developing a healthy farm workforce: Gail Emerick and Dr. William Neubauer are scheduled to make a 15-minute presentation on "doing preventative maintenance on workers - checking on their people," said Owen, adding, "That might be something they want to try."
Bankers panel: The three big lenders in the area -- Mel Faroni of Wells Fargo, President Mike Martin of Western Bank of Lordsburg, N.M., and Vice President Crag Tyler of Craig Tyler of Farm Credit Corporation in Safford will present, "Credit Crunch - Is Your Bank Solvent?"
"The bankers are back again," Owen told the Range News. "The people enjoyed it and the bankers enjoyed it."
Insecticide resistance will be presented by Economic Entomologist Brad Lewis with New Mexico State University.
"Farmers have to constantly monitor insecticide and herbicide resistance," Owen said.
Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In the afternoon, the main farm seminars will be from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Fireplace Room.
Pest research and trials update: In the "Pest Research and Trails Update," Dr. Randy Norton, director of U of A's Safford Experimental Station, will give the yield data results of tests from varieties (such as cotton, corn, and sorghum) from an experimental farm in Safford.
"They are doing trials constantly," Owen said.
Cuto viruses: Dr. Judy Brown, U of A Plant Virologist, Plant Sciences, will speak on this threat to crops.
"We are seeing it in beans this year, but other crops are susceptible," Owen said.
"It's got to be monitored."
Arizona Dept. of Ag pesticides rules: Jack Peterson, known to many as the "boots and gloves man" will speak on pesticide safety and the new rules and regulations from the Department of Agriculture."
Northern Cochise Community Hospital will be offering cholesterol, glucose, and triglyceride tests for $5 each from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at its exhibit booth.
You must come in fasting since 12 a.m.
Registration for Ag Day begins at 7:45 a.m., and the event continues until 3:15 p.m. at the Willcox Community Center, 312 West Stewart Street.
This year's program is dedicated to County (extension) Agent Larry Sullivan, who died from cancer Jan. 5 at his home in Arivaca.
Sullivan was a founding member of Ag Day along with Owen and current member Alan Seitz.
His family had arrived in Tucson in 1953 when their car broke down while en route to California, according to his obituary. "Eventually, the whole family went to work on the Buster Bailey Ranch, which was situated in what is now the entrance to Catalina State Park."
After taking a year off to work as a cowboy, Sullivan graduated from Amphi High School.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and then went to earn a B.S. degree in animal science and an M.S. in biochemistry from the U of A.
He worked for the U of A Cooperative Extension Service for 30 years, with 10 of those in Cochise County as an agricultural agent and county director.
"Larry was with us when we started Ag Day," in 1979 when about 35 people showed up to learn how to grow corn in the Sulphur Springs Valley, Owen said.
Those first three years "Corn Day," as it was known then, was sponsored by Cal Agro and Pioneer Seed.
The event moved from the community center to "Grandma's" in Kansas Settlement, with speakers brought in to talk about wheat farming and the general farming situation.
"Larry was with us for about five of the first ones - the small ones at the community center. He worked with Alan Seitz and me," said Owen, who had invited Sullivan to attend this Ag Day.
"He told me he'd be there," if his cancer treatment schedule would allow it.
Sadly, Sullivan passed away earlier this month.
"He will be there," said Owen about next Wednesday's event, which is dedicated to Sullivan's memory.
Ag Day Planning Committee members are Owen, chair; Jack Robison, vice chair; Denzil Farbo, secretary; Roy Ard, treasurer; and members Seitz, Rob Call, and Jim Graham.
For further information, contact Claire Owen at (520) 384-2012.
(Managing Editor Ainslee S. Wittig contributed to this report.)
That's a concept Ag Day organizers want area residents to consider as the 31st annual program approaches next week.
Along with the informative offerings farmers and ranchers have come to expect, a new workshop, "Living with Wildlife: A Workshop for Land Owners" is geared toward the small acreage owners - anywhere from one acre to 40.
"If you are a landowner, you are a wildlife manager," says Jim Knight, with the Montana State University Cooperative Extension.
"You can influence how healthy the wildlife populations are on your land, where they congregate and how their habitat and populations are managed."
Extension Agent Kim McReynolds, with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, quotes Knight when describing this new Ag Day workshop, to be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3 in the Dining Room at the Willcox Community Center, 312 West Stewart St.
"Many people who live on large and small acreages in Arizona consider wildlife one of the most important assets to their property," she said.
"The growing number of small-acreage properties presents a number of challenges," said McReynolds, including "living with wildlife."
"Small-acreage owners soon discover that their ability to manage their properties is affected by a number of legal and environmental issues," she said.
"As we increasingly share their habitat with our homes, there are sure to be many more human-animal encounters," McReynolds said.
"In most situations, people and wildlife can coexist. The key to coexistence is usually respecting the 'wild' in wildlife and understanding the needs that cause wildlife behavior," she said.
Presented by wildlife biologists from the Arizona Game and Fish Department in Tucson, this workshop will address "many of the challenges and opportunities facing landowners and the wildlife that lives on the same land," said McReynolds.
Habitat Program Manager John Windes will present," Wildlife Habitat and Small Acreage," discussing "what are the components of habitat and how to manage your small acreage for wildlife."
Urban Wildlife Specialist Locana de Souza offers the program, "Coexisting with Wildlife in the Rural Environment," describing "what to expect from your wild neighbors and how to live in harmony with them."
After the 15-minute break, Habitat Specialist Mike Demlong will present, "Small Ponds and Waters," discussing the "design and construction of waters to benefit wildlife, while avoiding common mistakes that won't."
A final presentation by Landowner Relations Coordinator Matt Walton, "Wildlife as a Public Resource," will talk about "positive interactions with hunters, birdwatchers, and recreationists seeking access to wildlife."
The "Living with Wildlife" workshop will conclude with a 20-minute panel discussion where the experts will answer wildlife related questions from the audience.
For more information, contact Kim McReynolds at (520) 384-3594 or imm@cals.arizona.edu.
Since its beginnings 31 years ago, Ag Day has been organized "to try to get a lot of information out in one day - timely and pertinent information," that is.
Chairman Claire Owen explained that times have changed and the program changes with it -- if people want it to.
"Last year it was noxious weeds," he told the Range News. "This year it's wildlife."
"We want to provide information on what people are asking about at the moment - what they want to know today," Owen said.
That's why this year Ag Day is featuring a program about a "growing" interest in grapes in the Willcox area. (See article on page A9.) Four viniculture seminars will be offered from 1 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. in the Dining Room in the community center.
Those with an interest in grapes can learn things like "how to establish a vineyard and what irrigation to use," said Owen.
They will also have an opportunity to "meet people involved in the grape business" at the exhibit booth staffed by the Arizona Wine Growers Association (AWGA).
Other Ag Day topics
In the morning, Ag Day's main farm seminars will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Fireplace Room at the community center.
Topics organized by the Ag Day Planning Committee also help gather continuing education credits.
They include: strip till fertilizer placement; insecticide resistance; developing a healthy farm workforce; and a bankers' panel.
They are Ray Zuck, Ted Haas, Doug Dunlap, and Russell French.
Russell French from Pioneer Seed Company will present that information.
"The bankers are back again," Owen told the Range News. "The people enjoyed it and the bankers enjoyed it."
"Farmers have to constantly monitor insecticide and herbicide resistance," Owen said.
Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In the afternoon, the main farm seminars will be from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Fireplace Room.
"They are doing trials constantly," Owen said.
"We are seeing it in beans this year, but other crops are susceptible," Owen said.
"It's got to be monitored."
Northern Cochise Community Hospital will be offering cholesterol, glucose, and triglyceride tests for $5 each from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at its exhibit booth.
You must come in fasting since 12 a.m.
Registration for Ag Day begins at 7:45 a.m., and the event continues until 3:15 p.m. at the Willcox Community Center, 312 West Stewart Street.
This year's program is dedicated to County (extension) Agent Larry Sullivan, who died from cancer Jan. 5 at his home in Arivaca.
Sullivan was a founding member of Ag Day along with Owen and current member Alan Seitz.
His family had arrived in Tucson in 1953 when their car broke down while en route to California, according to his obituary. "Eventually, the whole family went to work on the Buster Bailey Ranch, which was situated in what is now the entrance to Catalina State Park."
After taking a year off to work as a cowboy, Sullivan graduated from Amphi High School.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and then went to earn a B.S. degree in animal science and an M.S. in biochemistry from the U of A.
He worked for the U of A Cooperative Extension Service for 30 years, with 10 of those in Cochise County as an agricultural agent and county director.
"Larry was with us when we started Ag Day," in 1979 when about 35 people showed up to learn how to grow corn in the Sulphur Springs Valley, Owen said.
Those first three years "Corn Day," as it was known then, was sponsored by Cal Agro and Pioneer Seed.
The event moved from the community center to "Grandma's" in Kansas Settlement, with speakers brought in to talk about wheat farming and the general farming situation.
"Larry was with us for about five of the first ones - the small ones at the community center. He worked with Alan Seitz and me," said Owen, who had invited Sullivan to attend this Ag Day.
"He told me he'd be there," if his cancer treatment schedule would allow it.
Sadly, Sullivan passed away earlier this month.
"He will be there," said Owen about next Wednesday's event, which is dedicated to Sullivan's memory.
Ag Day Planning Committee members are Owen, chair; Jack Robison, vice chair; Denzil Farbo, secretary; Roy Ard, treasurer; and members Seitz, Rob Call, and Jim Graham.
For further information, contact Claire Owen at (520) 384-2012.
(Managing Editor Ainslee S. Wittig contributed to this report.)
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