Shad Cox, superintendent at New Mexico State University's Corona Range and Livestock Research Center, demonstrates how to deliver a calf using the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences new cow/calf mannequin. Extension beef cattle specialist Craig Gifford will be use the "cow dummy" at the Acoma Resource Day while talking about cow pregnancy and calf delivery. (NMSU photo by Jane Moorman)WRITER: Jane Moorman, 505-249-0527, jmoorman@nmsu.edu

ACOMA – Quality beef production will be the focus of the ninth-annual Acoma Resource Day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2.

Prior to the resource day, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1, there will be a Beef Quality Assurance training presented by Craig Gifford, New Mexico State University Extension beef cattle specialist.

Both free events will be at the Acoma Pueblo Tribal Auditorium at 33 Pinsbaari Drive, also known as Indian Service Route 32, in Skyline-Ganipa on the Acoma Reservation.

NMSU's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences joins the Pueblo of Acoma, Acoma Cattle Growers Association and the Acoma Livestock Growers Organization in hosting the free conference.

"The organizing committee has brought together agricultural professionals and NMSU Cooperative Extension Service specialists to provide producers the latest information to benefit their operation," said Joseph Garcia, agricultural agent with NMSU's New Mexico Pueblo Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program. "The presentations will help producers learn good management practices to successfully raise cattle with the highest possible quality."

The agenda includes information about pasture and alfalfa production by Mark Marsalis, NMSU Extension forage specialist; horse care by Jason Turner, NMSU Extension horse specialist; cattle pregnancy checking and calf delivery demonstration by Gifford; and personal stress management and diabetes by Raquel Garzon, NMSU Extension nutrition and wellness specialist.

Representatives from U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies including the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and National Agricultural Statistics Service, as well as the Intertribal Agriculture Council, will give updates on their programs.

Acoma Cattle Growers Association will present updates on their organizations. There will also be information about the forestry program's tree thinning project.

Various vendors will be present to share information about their services and products.

Dinner will be provided for the Beef Quality Assurance participants on Wednesday. Lunch will be provided during the resource day on Thursday.