The 2026 Southwest Hay and Forage Conference, hosted by New Mexico State University's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and the New Mexico Hay Association, will feature two special guest speakers who will discuss successful farm transitions and water issues in the west.
The conference will take place Jan. 21-23 at the Ruidoso Convention Center, 111 Sierra Blanca Drive, in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Among the topics to be presented at the conference include "Corn Leafhopper: An Emerging Pest in Corn," "Drones for Spraying: Custom Application and Producer Perspective," and "Small Grain Forage Quality." There will also be industry and regulation updates provided by researchers and experts. Also this year, a special highlight will be the showcasing of the new Hesston double small square baler recently on the market.
NMSU Extension forage specialist Mark Marsalis said this year's topics are unique and should appeal to farmers of all interests.
"We've tried to combine our typical forage production topics with those that impact the agricultural community as a whole and that reach broader audiences," he said.
Guest speaker Mike Downey, manager of succession planning at UnCommon Farms, will discuss the common traits of highly successful farm transitions. Downey is a partner in Next Gen Ag Advocates, which offers a program with non-family transitions, and matching young and aspiring farmers to retiring farmers or operations who don't have a successor. He has worked with more than 500 family farms, and provides a unique perspective to help guide other farms through their own succession planning journeys. Free one-on-one consultations will be provided to those interested.
Sam Barncastle, executive director of the Family Farm Alliance, will speak about water issues in the West and policy impacts. She is a New Mexico attorney with more than 17 years of experience in litigation and policy-making regarding water and natural resources on both the state and federal level. She is a 2007 graduate of NMSU, and her family farms in the Mesilla Valley.
Additional topics include a look at the current state of the dairy industry in New Mexico, as well as intercropping alfalfa into young nut tree orchards, both of which apply to other major industries in the state.
Five New Mexico Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education Units, or CEUs, have been approved for the conference. Texas, Arizona and Certified Crop Adviser CEUs will be requested.
The conference will also feature a trade show and its popular Ace-in-the-Hole Casino Party and fundraiser following dinner Jan. 22, as well as the Paint Party with Peggy Krantz that afternoon.
Pre-registration is $150 per person before Dec. 31. Attendees may register after Dec. 31 or at the door for $175. Annual membership dues to the New Mexico Hay Association are $65.
For more information, including a full agenda, visit https://nmhay.com/ or https://forages.nmsu.edu. Registration, payment, sponsorship and vendor information is available at http://nmhay.com.
The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu--nm-hay-association-to-host-2026-southwest-hay-and-forage-conference/s/c739553b-12dc-4ed9-8871-bc4cec296eb4
