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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR

Sharer

DATE TYPED 2/5/05

HB

SHORT TITLE Farmington Agricultural Science Center

SB 294

ANALYST Woods

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$25.0

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to the appropriation for New Mexico State University in the General Appropriations Act.

Duplicates HB417

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Response Received From

New Mexico State University (NMSU), College of Agriculture and Home Economics (CAHE)

No Response Received From

New Mexico Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 294 – Making an Appropriation for a Feasibility Study and Strategic Plan for Future

Research Programs at the Agricultural Research Center in Farmington – appropriates $25,000

from the general fund for expenditure in FY06 to the Board of Regents of New Mexico State

University for development of a feasibility study and strategic plan, including infrastructure re-

quirements for the Agricultural Science Center at New Mexico State University’s Farmington

campus. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 shall revert to

the general fund.

Significant Issues

Serving the agricultural needs of the culturally diverse client groups found in the San Juan River

basin of northwest New Mexico and the Four Corners region, NMSU-CAHE indicates the

NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Farmington supports crop improvement, weed control,

Senate Bill 294 -- Page 2

and irrigation/water management research. Located southwest of Farmington, the center is the

only agricultural research facility in the state of New Mexico on the western side of the Conti-

nental Divide. Water resources research is a cornerstone of the center’s activities, as 60 percent

of the total surface water that flows downstream through New Mexico passes through the San

Juan basin into the Colorado River system. Working closely with the Navajo Agricultural Prod-

ucts Industry, small-scale Native Americans, long-time area farmers, and recently arrived urban

immigrants, the center has identified horticultural research and development as the agricultural

discipline capable of most benefiting these groups. A collaborative program between the center

and San Juan College will provide a mechanism for addressing both teaching and research needs

of the community.

However, NMSU-CAHE additionally notes that forty years after the establishment of the NMSU

Agricultural Science Center in Farmington, realities of agricultural research in an arid environ-

ment have changed. Infrastructure at the center is degrading as buildings and equipment are ex-

ceeding their designed usable lifespan. The lack of appropriate shade protection puts additional

strain on equipment exposed to the elements. Developing priority programs for the future and

identifying items needing improvements, upgrading, or refurbishing are critical elements of any

enhancement program. The funds appropriated in this bill will be applied to a comprehensive

feasibility study to prioritize areas of research and identify future capital improvement require-

ments.

This project was not included in the CHE’s 2005-2006 Higher Education Funding Recommenda-

tion.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $25,000 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 shall revert to the gen-

eral fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

NMSU-CAHE would retain oversight of the program.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

Relates to the appropriation for New Mexico State University in the General Appropriations Act.

Duplicates HB417 in that HB417 also appropriates $25,000 from the general fund for expendi-

ture in FY06 to the Board of Regents of New Mexico State University for development of a fea-

sibility study and strategic plan, including infrastructure requirements for the Agricultural Sci-

ence Center at New Mexico State University’s Farmington campus.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

As general background as to the center and it impact on the industry, NMSU-CAHE notes the

following:

Senate Bill 294 -- Page 3

•

Scientists from the Agricultural Science Center at Farmington have made significant im-

pact on the lives of citizens from the Four Corners region for nearly 40 years. They have

contributed to the economic vitality of northwestern New Mexico and the bordering re-

gions through applied research, development, and extension.

•

More than 1,000 varieties of different agronomic and horticultural crops have been tested,

including: winter wheat, spring wheat, winter barley, spring barley, oats, corn, alfalfa,

crambe, dry beans, potatoes, chile pepper, lettuce, tomato, green bean, onion, apple, pear,

peach, nectarine, cherry, grape, cucumber, pea, pumpkin, and winter and summer squash.

Other research has tested potential pasture species, poplar trees, Christmas trees, and such

turfgrass species as blue grass, rye grass, wheat grass, fescue, buffalo grass, blue grama,

Bermuda grass, and zoysia grass for suitability in the Four Corners region.

•

Researchers developed water production functions (relationships between yield and crop

water-use) and crop coefficients (for irrigation scheduling) for many crops including: po-

tatoes, corn, alfalfa, winter wheat, barley, pinto beans, canola, pasture grass, onions, chile

peppers, tomatoes, and various turfgrass species. These functions can be used to assist in

efficient irrigation management and in making important economic decisions related to

water and crop production.

•

Current research on micro and drip irrigation may contribute to substantial water savings

for residents of the Four Corners region.

•

Since 1980, many producers of field and horticultural crops have adopted herbicides for

weed control based on our research. This includes control of Canada thistle and Russian

knapweed, commonly referred to as the weed of the Four Corners.

•

Registration of the herbicide Pursuit, for use in pinto beans, was based on research car-

ried out at the Agricultural Science Center at Farmington.

•

Results of research on the rehabilitation of disturbed lands with native and non-native

grasses could potentially improve more than 50,000 acres of well sites and pipeline

rights-of-way in the San Juan oil/gas production basin.

•

Agricultural Science Center staff have designed and taught courses at San Juan College

and the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry (NAPI). Training seminars, agricultural

classes, on-farm demonstrations, and workshops have been presented to thousands of

farmers and others responsible for agricultural and horticultural production on urban lots

and farms ranging in size from several acres to more than 65,000 acres.

•

Between 1970 and 2000, San Juan County yields of potatoes, corn, wheat, and alfalfa

have increased 350 percent, 170 percent, 139 percent, and 69 percent, respectively. Much

of the increased productivity can be traced to practices derived from research at the Agri-

cultural Science Center at Farmington. The value of just these four crops in San Juan

County was more than $33 million in the year 2000.

BFW/yr