Ag Expo dedicated to King

The late Frankye King dedicated 20 years to the New Mexico Ag Expo to ensure that it continued to deliver quality information to producers and farmers to better their operations.

In its 21st year, Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce Director Karl Terry, one of the organizers of the expo, found it appropriate to dedicate this year's expo to someone who gave so much to it.

"She was there when they formed the Ag Expo 21 years ago," said Terry of the long-time committee member. "She was the type of person who was assigned a job and got it done right. That's the kind of leadership that's made the Ag Expo last for 21 years."

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce Director Karl Terry hangs an Ag Expo sign up Friday at the Roosevelt County Fairgrounds adding the finishing touch to a day of preparation for the two-day event.

King will be honored at the expo's annual pork chop luncheon sponsored by the Portales Rotary Club. Her daughter, Portales Mayor Sharon King, will be speaking in memorial of her mother.

"She was involved with it from day one," Sharon King said. "She grew up in a farming family so she knew the business, she knew how hard it was."

She added her mother had such a love for Portales that she enjoyed being an ambassador for the city as well as boosting the local economy through hosting the event here.

Patrick Kircher, Roosevelt County agricultural extension agent, said this year's seminars focus on the impacts of a four-year drought the area has been plagued with and how those in the agricultural community can receive resources to keep their operations going.

"We always strive to provide timely useful information and I feel this information is relevant," Kircher said. "When things are hard, it's always important to evaluate every option. I think that's what most of these seminars are going to do, evaluate where they fit in this year's drought."

In addition to a round table discussion about the beef industry, which will feature experts in that field, Kircher encourages people to attend the seminar on water harvesting.

"Hopefully they can take this stuff and apply it in their own operations," Kircher said. "I think that's one that folks can utilize especially because of how dry we have been."

"It will have strategies for systems of water reuse," Terry added.

In addition to the seminars, Terry predicts about 100 vendors to attend, at least half from the local area.

Here are some other happening at this year's expo that Terry highlighted:

• Local Extension Home Economist Connie Moyers will host the seminar "Simply Supper," which will feature simple recipes and tips that make dinner easier. The seminar will feature slow cooker, one-dish, make-ahead, batch cooking and limited ingredient recipes. Moyers will tout the benefits of eating at home such as saving money as well as healthy living.
• Horse trainer Scott Daily from Arkansas City, Kan., who Terry hails as the "horse whisperer" will host two workshops on colt starting.
• The Tumbleweed Classic Winter Stock Dog Trial will also return this year, which Terry sees as a fun event for the whole family.

New Mexico Ag Expo schedule

Tuesday

9 a.m.: Expo and exhibits open.

Tumbleweed Classic Winter Stock Dog Trial (event will run all day long). Outdoor Arena.

9:30 a.m.: "Update on Sorghum Herbicides" with Mark Marsalis, NMSU extension agronomist. McAlister Room, JLCC.

10 a.m.: "Colt Starting - Putting on the First Ride" with Scott Daily of Arkansas City, Kan. Idsinga Pavilion

10:30 a.m.: "IPM Updates For Row Crop Production" with Monti Vandiver of Texas Agri-Life, IPM specialist. McAlister Room, JLCC.

11 a.m.: Antique Tractor Parade. Midway.

11 a.m.: to 2 p.m.: Chuck Wagon Lunch, Portales Rotary Club.

1 p.m.: "Insect Pest Management in Hay" with Jane Breen Pierce, NMSU Extension Entomologist. McAlister Room, JLCC.

1:30 p.m.: Antique Tractor Games.

2 p.m.: "Stock Dog Management." McAlister Room, JLCC.

"Colt Starting - Progressing the Young Horse" with Scott Daily of Arkansas City, Kan. Idsinga Pavilion.

Antique Tractor Parade.

3 p.m.: "Water Harvesting" with Blair Stringham, NMSU Extension Water Specialist. McAlister Room, JLCC.

5 p.m.: Expo closes.

Wednesday

9 a.m.: Expo and exhibits open.

9:30 a.m.: Tumbleweed Classic Winter Stock Dog Trial (event will run all day long). Outdoor Arena.

10 a.m.: "Where do we go from Here?" Panel discussion for the beef industry featuring: Texas Agri-Life beef specialist Ted McCollum, NMSU Beef Specialist Manny Encinias, Hi-Pro Nutritionist Kent Mills and rancher Pat Boone. McAlister Room, JLCC.

"Simply Supper" with Connie Moyers, Roosevelt County extension home economist. Cacahuate Room, JLCC.

Antique Tractor Parade. Midway.

Noon: DFA Dairymen's Lunch (open to all dairymen). Jake Lopez Building.

12:30 p.m.: "DFA Producer Update Market Specialist with DFA." Jake Lopez Building.

1 p.m.: Dog Trial (continued all day). Outdoor Arena.

1:30 p.m.: "Prairie Dog Control and the New Rules on Rozal" with Sam Smallidge, NMSU wildlife specialist. McAlister Room, JLCC

2 p.m.: Antique Tractor Parade.

3 p.m.: Expo closes.