Who is the New Extension Specialist? | The Triple A Livestock Report

by Dr. Kert Young,
Extension Rangeland Brush & Weed Specialist

I started in mid-January as the Extension Rangeland Brush & Weed Specialist for New Mexico State University (NMSU). My experience with invasive plants began on our farm in western Idaho where we raised beef and dairy cows. Later, college and work experience would continue my relationship with invasive plants. I studied rangeland related coursework at Treasure Valley Community College, Eastern Oregon University, Oregon State University, and Brigham Young University. My research work during graduate school focused on brush and weed ecology and management. I had the opportunity to work with several plant species especially juniper, piñon, cheatgrass, medusahead, bluebunch wheatgrass, and squirreltail. I practiced my training as a licensed professional pesticide applicator for Washington County in Idaho where thistles were a common target among other noxious weeds.

My natural resource work continued as a rangeland management specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in southern Idaho. I served the public by working with private landowners to develop resource management plans and apply best management practices to conserve natural resources. Some of the improvement projects I worked on included revegetation, livestock water development, fencing, confined animal feeding operations, rotational grazing plans, irrigation systems, wetland restoration, wildlife habitat, and biological weed control. I listened to local landowner concerns and engaged the public at soil and water conservation district meetings and cattleman association meetings.

Most recently, I worked as an NMSU Assistant Research Professor (postdoctoral) under direction of the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Jornada Experimental Range. I led development of the Chihuahuan Desert Rapid Ecoregional Assessment funded by the Bureau of Land Management. In these landscape assessments, we synthesized current scientific understanding of the ecological structure and function of the ecoregion and the effect of ecological drivers (e.g., invasive plants, climate change, grazing, human use, urban and industrial growth, fire, and restoration practices) on the condition of several ecosystems and wildlife species. We used conceptual models, structured decision making, geospatial layers, and narratives to discuss the ecology and management of the ecoregion and address land management questions.

I look forward to working with you on rangeland brush and weed management related issues. Please let me know how I can assist you. My email address is kry@nmsu.edu and my extension number is 575/646-4948. ▫

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tucumcari Bull Test Sale
Tucumcari, NM – March 12, 2016

Horse Expo & Sale
NMSU Horse Center
Las Cruces, NM
Joby Priest, Horse Manager
April 16, 2016

NMSU Bull Sale
NMSU Horse Center
Las Cruces, NM
Neil Burcham
April 30, 2016

US Dairy Education & Training Consortium
Clovis, NM
May 16 – June 24, 2016
Information at usdetc@tamu.edu

NM Youth Ranch
Management Camp
Valles Caldera, NM
June 5 – 10, 2016

Animal Health Black Ink Book Reviews Caren Cowan Cowboy Heroes Estrays Farm Bureau Minute Global Economy In Memoriam Jingle Jangle Lee Pitts N.M. Federal Lands News N.M. Livestock Board NMCGA Presidents Letter Obituaries Old Times & Old Timers On the Edge of Common Sense Riding Herd Scatterin' the Drive To The Point View From the Backside/td>	Who is the New Extension Specialist? by Dr. Kert Young, Extension Rangeland Brush & Weed Specialist I started in mid-January as the Extension Rangeland Brush & Weed Specialist for New Mexico State University (NMSU). My experience with invasive plants began on our farm in western Idaho where we raised beef and dairy cows. Later, college and work experience would continue my relationship with invasive plants. I studied rangeland related coursework at Treasure Valley Community College, Eastern Oregon University, Oregon State University, and Brigham Young University. My research work during graduate school focused on brush and weed ecology and management. I had the opportunity to work with several plant species especially juniper, piñon, cheatgrass, medusahead, bluebunch wheatgrass, and squirreltail. I practiced my training as a licensed professional pesticide applicator for Washington County in Idaho where thistles were a common target among other noxious weeds. My natural resource work continued as a rangeland management specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in southern Idaho. I served the public by working with private landowners to develop resource management plans and apply best management practices to conserve natural resources. Some of the improvement projects I worked on included revegetation, livestock water development, fencing, confined animal feeding operations, rotational grazing plans, irrigation systems, wetland restoration, wildlife habitat, and biological weed control. I listened to local landowner concerns and engaged the public at soil and water conservation district meetings and cattleman association meetings. Most recently, I worked as an NMSU Assistant Research Professor (postdoctoral) under direction of the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Jornada Experimental Range. I led development of the Chihuahuan Desert Rapid Ecoregional Assessment funded by the Bureau of Land Management. In these landscape assessments, we synthesized current scientific understanding of the ecological structure and function of the ecoregion and the effect of ecological drivers (e.g., invasive plants, climate change, grazing, human use, urban and industrial growth, fire, and restoration practices) on the condition of several ecosystems and wildlife species. We used conceptual models, structured decision making, geospatial layers, and narratives to discuss the ecology and management of the ecoregion and address land management questions. I look forward to working with you on rangeland brush and weed management related issues. Please let me know how I can assist you. My email address is kry@nmsu.edu and my extension number is 575/646-4948. ▫ UPCOMING EVENTS Tucumcari Bull Test Sale Tucumcari, NM – March 12, 2016 Horse Expo & Sale NMSU Horse Center Las Cruces, NM Joby Priest, Horse Manager April 16, 2016 NMSU Bull Sale NMSU Horse Center Las Cruces, NM Neil Burcham April 30, 2016 US Dairy Education & Training Consortium Clovis, NM May 16 – June 24, 2016 Information at usdetc@tamu.edu NM Youth Ranch Management Camp Valles Caldera, NM June 5 – 10, 2016	Categories Aggie Notes Beef Checkoff Black Ink Book Reviews Climate Change COOL Cowboy Heroes Cuts From the Edit Room Floor Endangered Species Environment Estrays Factory Farming Farm Bureau Minute General Global Economy In Memoriam Jingle Jangle Lee Pitts Letters to the Editor Marketing Our Products Merger Nat'l Animal ID System NM Federal Lands News NM Livestock Board NMCGA President's Letter Obituaries Old Times & Old Timers On the Edge of Common Sense People Press Release Press Releases Price Reporting Property Rights Riding Herd Scatterin' the Drive Strategic Alliance To The Point View From the Backside
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