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Gary McCuin

Director of GBREC, County Educator

Office: (775) 237-6134
Fax: (775) 237-6135
Email: gmccuin@unr.edu
Address: 461 South Main Street, Eureka, Nevada 89316
Representing: Eureka County
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Summary

Agriculture in Nevada has been a major part of my life. I am entering a new phase in the development of the University of Nevada's Great Basin Research & Extension Center in Eureka County’s Diamond Valley. We are currently researching crop production with reduced water and improving soils utilizing the five soil health principles. We also have purchased a premier line of Merino and Merino x Rambouillet sheep to provide seed stock to producers to improve wool quality and range hardiness.

As the director of the Great Basin Research & Extension Center, I plan on also addressing issues of sustainable grazing management of rangelands, livestock, crop production under water-limited environments, alternative water and irrigation strategies for crop production, and other issues of local interest.

Programs

Coffee Shop email helps ranchers make money

Extension’s coffee shop is a national subscription email designed to provide a two-way communication network for livestock producers. The question-and-answer service provides answers to livestock production and marketing questions.

Resource Stewardship improves rangeland management cb

Collaborative Resource Stewardship improves rangeland management

Extension has helped lead Collaborative Resource Stewardship efforts in northeastern Nevada over the past seven years, resulting in a model for other states and areas.

Eureka County 4-H Youth Development

4-H programming in Eureka County includes programs in a variety of curriculum and content areas and delivery methods.

ladybug larva eating aphids on a pepper plant

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management program is a long-term management strategy that uses a combination of tactics to reduce pests to tolerable levels with potentially lower costs for the pest manager and minimal effect on the environment.

Nevada Economic Assessment Project (NEAP) - Eureka County

NEAP aims to provide county, state and federal agencies, with quantitative and qualitative baseline data for Lincoln County

Nevada Youth Range Camp Program

Most of Nevada’s youth live in large urban environments, with little exposure to rangelands, forests or agricultural environments, and the products and services rangelands provide. This program teaches students ages 14-18 how to read maps; identify and the importance of rangeland plants; evaluate sagebrush, woodland and stream ecosystems; wildlife habitat; and many other topics related to rangelands.

Sustainable Agricultural Practices Program

Extension conducts several sustainable agriculture programs including researching alternative crops, introducing sustainable biodiversity/multiple use of rangelands, and increasing the number of pest control materials labeled in and increasing the knowledge and implementation rate of Integrated Pest Management practices in Nevada.

News & Journal Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...

Fact Sheets
*Sorghum Production in Nevada* This fact sheet aims to educate it's readers on sorghum as an alternative crop for Nevada, varieties of sorghum, and key considerations for the production of sorghum crops. Walia, M., Yerka, M., Washington-Allen, R., Andrade-Rodriguez, M., and McCuin, G. 2021, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-09
*Land Use and Fiscal Characteristics for Eureka County, Nevada* The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. Borden, B., Lednicky, J., McCuin, G. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
*Social Characteristics for Eureka County, Nevada* The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. Borden, B., Lednicky, J., McCuin, G. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
*Demographic Characteristics for Eureka County, Nevada* The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. Borden, F., Lednicky, J., McCuin, G. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
*Economic Characteristics for Eureka County, Nevada* The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. Borden, F., Lednicky, J., McCuin, G. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
*NAICS Top Performers for Eureka County, Nevada* The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. Borden, F., Lednicky, J., McCuin, G. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
*Soil Properties, Part 1 of 3: Physical Characteristics* A brief overview of the physical, biological and chemical characteristics of soils. The information is provided for agronomic producers to help them understand soil properties and characteristics. Foster, S., Schultz, B., McCuin, G., Neibling, H., and Shewmaker, G. 2013, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
*Soil Properties, Part 2 of 3: Biological Characteristics* Since the introduction of synthetic fertilizers during the industrial revolution, most of the research has been focused on maintaining the nutrient balance in the soil. However, more researchers and agricultural producers are realizing that not only are the nutrients in the soil important, but also, biological health. Foster, S., McCuin, G., Schultz, B., Neibling, H., and Shewmaker, G. 2012, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
*Nevada Open Range Law* This fact sheet provides an overview of the Nevada Open Range Law and its evolution in the U.S. and Nevada. Also, this law is the subject of increasing conflict between open range public land grazers and non-agricultural residents in or adjacent to public lands. McCuin, G. and Foster, S. 2010, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
*Alfalfa for Beef Cows* Optimizing a ranch’s feed resources often requires strategic supplementation of standing forage with a processed protein, energy or mineral product. However, protein and energy supplements do not necessarily have to come out of a sack. Foster, S. McCuin, G., Nelson, D., Schultz, B., and Torell, R. 2009, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
*Plant Season Extension in the Desert* Desert regions, especially the high deserts, have wide-ranging temperatures that can greatly stress plants and reduce production. Using a combination of strategies to moderate environmental extremes and protect plants from frost can greatly improve growth and production. Gatzke, H., McCuin, G., and Nelson, D. 2009, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
*Eureka County Needs Assessment: Top Ten Identified Issues* This fact sheet report results for the top 10 issues identified county wide. Learn about Eureka County's top 10 priorities and community expert panel through several detailed tables that rank from 4 to 5. McCuin, G., Smith, M., and Schultz, B. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-09-42
Informational Publications
*Nevada Youth Range Camp (History)* Nevada Youth Range Camp focuses on relationships between people and rangeland. Campers learn that land managers need information about plants, wildlife, water and soil to make good decisions about rangeland management and use. The camp challenges youth to explore resource problems and create logical solutions. Foster, S., McCuin, G., and Schultz, B. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, IP-09-05
Journals
*Viewpoint: An alternative Management Paradigm for Plant Communities Affected by Invasive Annual Grasses in the Intermountain West* Today’s landscapes are not those described in 1860. With over 400,000 km2 colonized by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and other annual grasses, we believe it is time to declare: The pristine-management-paradigm has failed. Continued, wholesale application of this concept is misguided. Perryman, B. L., Schultz, B. W., Mcadoo, J. K., Alverts, B., Cervantes, J. C., Foster, S., McCuin, G., Swanson, S. R. 2018, Rangelands. 40:77-82
*Forum: A Framework for Resetting Wild Horse & Burro Management.* Perryman, B.L., McCuin, G., and Schultz, B.W. 2018, Rangelands. 40:160-165.
*Case Study: Reducing cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) fuel loads using fall cattle grazing.* Wildfire is a major concern in the Intermountain West. Fuels management can lower the potential for negative wildfire effects. Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), an exotic annual grass, invasion has resulted in a buildup of highly flammable fine fuels that promote frequent wildfire. Removal of cheatgrass standing crop... Schmelzer, L., B. Perryman, B. Bruce, B. Schultz, K. McAdoo, G. McCuin, S. Swanson, J. Wilker, and K. Conley. 2014, The Professional Animal Scientist, 30:270-278.
*Reducing cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) fuel loads using full cattle grazing.* Schmelzer, L., Perryman, B., Bruce, B., Schultz, B., McAdoo, K., McCuin, G., Swanson, S., and Wilker, J. 2014, Professional Animal Scientist. 30:270-278.
Lay or Popular Publications
*The Case for Active Wyoming Big Sagebrush Management.* Swanson, J., Swanson, S. R., Schultz, B. W., Mcadoo, J. K., McCuin, G. 2012, Progressive Rancher, 2012(Oct/Nov), 23
Special Publications
*Nevada Rangeland Monitoring Handbook (3rd) - Introduction* This report was designed to provide a clear overview of the complex and often confusing world of rangeland monitoring. Included are a suite of short- and long-term monitoring methods. Swanson, S., Schultz, B., Novak-Echenique, P., Dyer, K., McCuin, G., Linebaugh, J., Perryman, P., Tueller, P., Jenkins, R., Scherrer, B., Vogel, T., Voth, D., Freese, M., Shane, R., McGowan, K. 2018, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, SP-18-03
*Know NEPA: Important Points for Public Participation Part One of a Two-Part Series* Part One of this series provides the reader a condensed description of NEPA and the analytical and comment process. McCuin, G. Schultz, B., and Orr, R. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-09-14
*NEPA Response: A Guide for Reading and Responding to NEPA Documents Part Two of a Two Part Series* Part Two offers a strategy for dissecting a voluminous NEPA document into manageable bites in order to quickly determine the effect of its proposed action on the reader and to provide suggestions for writing effective responses to the proposing agency. McCuin, G., Schultz, B. and Orr, R. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-09-15