Agriculture and Ranching
Agriculture
is the world's largest economic sector. On a worldwide basis, more people
are involved in agriculture than in all the other occupations combined.
In 2008 agriculture (cash receipts for all farm commodities) was $44
million in Sierra County; second only to retail sales. Agriculture is
very highly valued and regarded by our community.
Statewide Beef Industry Initiative (BII-NM) Ranching, and its supporting
industries, is an economic cornerstone in New Mexico’s rural communities.
Over 10,000 New Mexican families raise cattle, contributing over $951
million to New Mexico’s economy. In 2007, the statewide Beef Industry
Initiative (BII-NM) began to develop a strategic planning process that
would identify new opportunities to increase the health of the New Mexico
beef industry. The BII-NM identified many areas of focus including the
development of a branded beef program, working with NMSU Cooperative
Extension to facilitate regional supply chain co-operations, educating
producers on best practices for cattle health and bringing together
policymakers, regulators, producers, processors and experts to address
key regulatory issues.
source NMEDD 2009 annual
report (1.3mb download)
The last Agriculture Census was done in 2007.
Sierra County is home to 265 farms, a 19% increase over the previous
census which was done in 2002.
The average farm is 5,073 acres.
Market value of products sold in 2007 was $23,556,000 a + 22% increase
Crop Sales accounted for $6,210,000 (26%); Livestock Sales $17,346,000
(74%)
Average Per Farm $88,891 + 2%
Sierra County was the 9th largest producer of peppers (other than bell)
in the entire United States.
Read the entire census profile here
Incentives
A few states offer income tax credits for conservation easements, and in New Mexico these credits are transferable. A landowner (e.g., a rancher or farmer) who donates all or a portion of a conservation easement valued in excess of the landowner's income can transfer (sell) any unused portion of the tax credit to another taxpayer. This helps a "land rich, cash poor" landowner to realize the development value of the land without developing the land. The New Mexico tax credit, effective January 1, 2008, applies retroactively to conservation easements effected from January 1, 2004.
Agricultural Business Tax Deductions and Exemptions Gross receipts
tax deductions are available for: 1) feed for livestock, including the
baling wire or twine used to contain the feed, fish raised for human
consumption, poultry or animals raised for hides or pelts and seeds,
roots, bulbs, plants, soil conditioners, fertilizers, insecticides,
germicides, insects, fungicides, weedicides and water for irrigation
and 2) Warehousing, threshing, cleaning, harvesting, growing, cultivating
or processing agricultural products including ginning cotton, and testing
and transporting milk. Gross receipts tax exemptions are permitted for
feeding, pasturing, penning, handling or training livestock and, for
agribusinesses, selling livestock, live poultry and unprocessed agricultural
products, hides and pelts.
source NM
Partnership
Contact SCEDO for more information on available incentives.
Contact Us
John Mulcahy, Executive Director
400 West 4th St.
Truth or Consequences, NM 87901
Phone: 575.894.9061 Fax: 575.894.3194
Email: john.mulcahy@scedo.org
