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Stewardship is Way of Life
Gary Ross inspects his crop of milo |
Gary Ross, along with New Mexico’s other
Conservation Security Program
recipients, was honored at a recent contract signing ceremony in Fort Sumner for
his soil conservation efforts while raising top quality milo.
When Gary Ross chose to focus on production of milo seed, he took steps to build
one of New Mexico’s finest farms and ranches. His operation in Roosevelt, Curry
and DeBaca counties includes milo and wheat rotation, alfalfa and wheat
rotation, cattle, and some Conservation Reserve Program land. His main focus is
the milo seed production. He alternates rows of male and female plants, planting
male plants two rows at a time 10 days apart for the best pollination of the
crop. He applies two tons of compost in the spring before planting the milo,
takes samples of the compost to determine nutrient value, and finishes off the
nutrient recommendations with commercial fertilizers.
By sampling wells, he monitors salts and nutrients in the water. It is extremely
important to note that Ross takes multiple soil samples on each field each year
to get a nutrient recommendation. Sumner Farm’s soil and water quality are
significant resource issues Ross heeds as he identifies and addresses potential
risks with ongoing stewardship. Ross takes actions that provide long-term
environmental benefits to his land, and maintains and enhances his natural
resources.
After his milo is harvested, there is no cultivation of any kind until the next
fall when he runs a sweep plow twice with pickers and harrows. He then
broadcasts wheat seed and fertilizer together and harrows. During the winter he
lightly grazes the wheat and milo stubble, in the spring terminates the wheat,
and coming around full circle, plants directly into the standing wheat stubble
with milo again.
Your contact is Barbara Garrett,
NRCS public affairs specialist, at 505-761-4406.
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