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Irrigation Concerns

By scheduling the water this year, the Irrigation district was able to bank about 94,000 acre-feet of water at El Vado Reservoir in northern New Mexico. That will help supplement next season's supplies.

The problem is the district is concerned its ability to store water in the future could be compromised by how the federal government manages the Rio Grande. The district is weighing in on a lawsuit New Mexico Attorney General Gary King filed earlier this year against the Bureau of Reclamation. 

November Prices

Weekly New Mexico Hay Summary
Week ending Nov 5, 2011

Compared to last week, Alfalfa hay prices firm. Trade active,
demand very good. The growing season has ended most areas have
had temeratures dip below the freezing mark. This will be the
last hay report of the season, we will resume in early May.

Baled Alfala: Large square bales; Premium and Supreme 325.00-350.00
per ton delivered from out of state. Good quality delivered from out
of state 300.00-320.00 per ton.

Feedlot Alfala ground and delivered 300.00-315.00 per ton.  

Casa Colorada

This year a portion of the Casa Colorada ranch was converted to crop production rather than pasture grazing.  Several years were spent removing invasive plant material and leveling the newly created farm.  The farm was planted in Buckwheat as a test crop.  The water table began to rise as the area was cleared of Salt Cedar and Russian Olive.  Buckwheat was recommended as a salt tolerant crop as well as tolerant to the high water table.