Overview

The Center was originally part of the USDA Dryland Field Station network and has been in continuous operation since 1912. Operation of the Center was transferred to NMSU in 1949 and research on irrigated agriculture was initiated in 1952 when surface water for irrigation became available from the Arch Hurley Conservancy District.

An advisory committee of farmers, ranchers, and business people meets with center personnel on an annual basis to review ongoing projects and to provide direction for future research. Irrigated pasture grazing trials are a large portion of the center's research effort. A variety of small plot studies are used to evaluate annual and perennial forages (grasses and legumes) for local adaptation and performance. Cultivar performance evaluations are conducted on alfalfa, corn, sorghums, cotton, and other crops. The center is actively involved in monitoring cotton boll weevil populations in the local area. Center personnel are involved in the local introduction of microscopic mites for biological control of field bindweed. Research projects are showcased at an Annual Field Day that is held in early August.

The Tucumcari Bull Test, which encourages beef herd improvement by the use of performance tested bulls, has been an integral part of the center's activities since 1961. Since its inception, this annual testing program, has evaluated approximately 5,000 bulls for gainability and other measures of production efficiency. A Performance Tested Bull Sale is held annually on the third Friday in March.

The Center is located three miles northeast of Tucumcari on US Highway 54.