Recipient Organization
NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY
1620 STANDLEY DR ACADEMIC RESH A RM 110
LAS CRUCES,NM 88003-1239
Performing Department
Agri Economics & Agribusiness
Non Technical Summary
New Mexico is dealing with increased population growth in some of the most agriculturally productive areas of the state. Irrigated agricultural lands are being split into smaller and smaller parcels due to growing numbers of rural/residential farms on the rapidly urbanizing fringe. The face of public land ranching also is changing dramatically, with growing numbers of new entrants who do not have a long, traditional history in southwestern livestock production. The firm or household socio-economic objectives of farm and ranch owner/operators in New Mexico are not well described (if they ever were) by traditional economic paradigms. Most critically, there is little knowledge available as to the relationships between socio-economic characteristics of the broad range of crop and livestock producers and the economic and ecological impacts or outcomes of their use of the natural resource base. For example, how does on-farm irrigation efficiency and water productivity vary across the spectrum of irrigated farms? How do uncertainty and impermanence perceptions vary across the spectrum of ranches and local ecological conditions? How do ownership dynamics affect land and water resources used in New Mexico agriculture? How are global markets and international trade affecting the region's agriculture and agribusiness? How do crop and livestock management practices differ across the spectrum of producers? And, what relationships may (or may not) exist between crop and livestock pathogens or pest problems and the structure of production?Considerable research has been conducted over the last several decades on structural change in U.S. agriculture; however, this project links physical, technical, and ecological data and conditions to socio-economic variables and conditions. Improved knowledge of the short- and long-term impacts of structure and structural changes in New Mexico's irrigated and rangeland agricultural systems and the impacts of both external and internal drivers on these systems is essential if the state is to plan for and accommodate a future with both traditional and modern agricultural activities. New Mexico crop and livestock producers' claims on land and water will face increased scrutiny and challenges in the coming years. The assumption that these producers have standard homogenous objectives for their operations, and thus achieve homogenous economic and ecological outcomes is less reliable than it ever has been. Thus, the primary objective of this project is to analyze, document, and explain the behaviors and conditions across the spectrum of New Mexico farms and ranches. The results of this research will assist in formulating policy for the state's food and agricultural sector and natural resources, as well as contribute data and information for a variety of end users (e.g., communities, economic development professionals, commodity groups, Extension personnel).
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
1. Describe and document relationships between agricultural structure, water resource management, livestock and rangeland management practices, regulatory responses, crop cultural practices, disease and pest management. 2. Evaluate the current and future impacts of selected state and federal agricultural policies and regulations on the US food and agricultural sector, with special emphasis on New Mexico. Selected policies and regulations to be evaluated include those related to the following topic areas: crop and livestock pest and disease management and control or eradication initiatives, water management, conservation, water adjudication, and public rangeland policy issues.3. Evaluate the potential impacts of existing and emerging trends, policies, and regulations on New Mexico (and the nation's) farms and ranches. Obstacles or impediments to regulatory effectiveness, and incentives or disincentives for compliance (including technology adoption) will be evaluated. Economic and ecological impacts of the current and future structure and character of crop and livestock production will be evaluated.
Project Methods
The research will be conducted using secondary and primary data. A variety of analytical techniques will be applied and may include econometric methods (including multiple regression, spatial econometrics, qualitative choice modeling) and geographic information systems techniques.This project will be the umbrella for research currently underway and for research to be initiated during the 5-year life of the project. Existing collaborations with faculty in NMSU's Departments of Civil Engineering and Geography, the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, the National Science Foundation-funded Jornada Basin Long-Term Ecological Research Project, WERA-1018 (The Social-Ecological Resilience of Rangelands in Working Landscapes), and Colegio de Postgraduados (Mexico) will continue under this umbrella project.