PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Randell Major NMCGA President
Randell Major President Magdalena Loren Patterson, President-Elect Corona Dustin Johnson NW Vice President Farmington Cliff Copeland NE Vice President Nara Visa Jeff Decker SE Vice President Lovington Roy Farr SW Vice President Datil Joe Culbertson Vice President at Large Amistad Shacey Sullivan Secretary/Treasurer Peralta Tom Sidwell Immediate Past President Quay Pat Boone Past President Elida
Dear Cattle Producers, and All,
O
n December 3, 2020, the NM State Game Commission engaged in a discussion regarding Senator Heinrich’s letter urging the Commission and Department to end the E-PLUS system and redistribute landowner allocations to resident hunters. The state of New Mexico consists of 52 percent private property. The E-PLUS system was created to recognize private landowners for providing essential resources to elk. While the E-PLUS system is not perfect, to do away with it, would be detrimental to New Mexico as a state and its landowners, outfitters, guides, hunters, and rural communities. NMCGA Wildlife Committee chairman Dave Kenneke gave comments during the January 15 meeting and Jonas had sent written comments in early in opposition to that plan. Then during the meeting, the chair of the NM State Game Commission, Sharon Salazar Hickey announced that they have no plans on changing the current E-PLUS system. This shows what we can do when ranchers, landowners, outfitters, hunters, and rural businesses all work together. The Importation Rule was also on the agenda. NMCGA opposes the Importation Rule because we are concerned with all the power going back to a single individual rather than permits being reviewed by the full commission and the public’s ability to comment. After the commission voted down the importation rule, further discussion occurred, resulting in a reconsideration of the vote. A revote took place that resulted in the Importation Rule passing. This voting process was questionable to say the least. On another subject, Cattle producers are America’s original conservationists, and we work hard every day to ensure that we can pass our operations on to the next generation. We know that grazing benefits the environment. Grazing naturally sequesters carbon, a benefit compounded by ruminant grazing. Grazing builds deep root systems in prairie grasses, which improves soil health. Healthy soils retain more water, sequester more carbon, and increase the resiliency of our ranches. Dr Frank Mitloehner, who is a professor at the University of California, Davis, has commented extensively on climate issues in favor of the animal agriculture sector. He states, “Methane emissions from cattle are part of the natural methane cycle. Within 10 years, more than 90 percent of that methane combines with oxygen in the atmosphere and converts to CO2. Methane has no long-term impact on climate when emissions and oxidation are in balance. And this balance has been maintained for centuries.” Climate policies can unfairly target cattle producers and fail to recognize the positive role of cattle and beef. Some of our lawmakers attempt to adopt misguided policies that threaten the viability of agriculture. The conversation should be shifted to the fact that American beef production and consumption is a climate change solution not an environmental problem many would have us believe. The on-going drought issue continues and is disheartening as many of our producers are having to cut deep into their herd due to limited amount of available grass. We as ranchers deal with this every year and know how to survive. We pray for moisture and health for everyone.
My best to all of you,
Randell Major
10
FEBRUARY 2021
