New Mexico Ranchers Defend Family’s Heritage Against Unwanted Trespassers by Rafa Oliveira, Pacific Legal Foundation
37 Governor Appoints Elizabeth Anderson as State Engineer
38 ‘Ten Thousand Commandments’ Report on Federal Regulation Exposes Washington’s Big Costs, Little Accountability by Clyde Wayne Crews, Competitive Enterprise Institute
41 Heinrich Ignores USFS Scientists and Experts, Continues to Push SB 776
44 Increasing the Resilience of the Beef Cattle Supply: 2. Impact of Drought on Reproductive Performance by Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Nutrition Specialist
46 NMCGA Announces Jeanette Rowland Membership Director Administrative Assistant
46 NMCGA Allied Industry Committee to Host College Interns at 2024 Joint Stockmen’s Convention
47 NMCGA Scholarship Applications Open for Fall 2024
47 Nominations Open for New Mexico Livestock Inspector of the Year
49 Caviness Inducted into Meat Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2023 by Sammy Bredar
72 Gestation Length: Calves Arrive Sooner Than They Used To Source by Justin Rhinehart, University of Tennessee Extension
76 2024 New Mexico Heritage Buckle Contest
78 New Mexico Youth Beef Feeder Contest 2024
82 The Founding Fathers Win Again by Karen Budd-Falen
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
by Bronson Corn NMCGA President
Bronson Corn President Roswell
Tom Paterson President-Elect Luna
Dave Kenneke
NW Vice President Cimarron
Jeff Decker SE Vice President Lovington Roy Farr SW Vice President Datil
Cliff Copeland NE Vice President Nara Visa
Becky King-Spindle Vice President at Large Moriarty
Shacey Sullivan Secretary/Treasurer Peralta
Loren Patterson
Immediate Past President Corona
Randell Major Past President
What Does the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association Do?
That’s the question that is sometimes asked. Here is our response that covers just the past twelve months.
Ї NMCGA hosted four regional and two state-wide meetings to educate our membership on current issues, opportunities and developments they need to know about to protect and enhance their operations.
Ї NMCGA continues to coordinate and host Cattlemen’s College for a day-long program to educate our members on current ranch issues.
Ї Developed and delivered multiple programs to promote education and youth. These include the Linda Davis Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Academy, NMCGA Heritage Buckle Program, $10,000 worth of scholarships given annually, and a variety internships.
Ї Coordinated disaster relief for livestock producers from catastrophic events, we proud to say that with the help of our membership that we have provided over $20,000 for wildfire relief so far this year.
Ї Worked with the USFS to assign vacant allotments to permittees. Each month, we have the hard conversations with them about their management decisions of the Forest’s that our permit owners care for and make their living on.
Ї Continue to work to protect our private property rights, and we work diligently to help protect our producers that operate on federally allocated lands. We fight issues such as Stream access, Mimbres Peak national monument designation, Muleshoe Wildlife Refuge expansion, transmission line corridors, and the 30x30 Land Grab.
Ї We’ve worked with the USFS and Congress to keep permittees around the Valles Caldera from having the obligation to fence the Valles Caldera.
Ї Sued or continued our litigation against the USFS over killing cattle in the Gila Wilderness; we sued the Fish and Wildlife Service over the listing of the lesser prairie chicken and we are appealing a decision over the FWS listing of the SW Willow Flycatcher.
Ї Represented you in the state legislature to help successfully get State Meat Inspection, to help obtain an appropriation to cover Mexican wolf damages, to help defeat paid family medical leave, to help defeat firearms legislation, to help defeat the green amendment, to help pass a dyed diesel tax credit, and to help get funds for windmill repair training.
Ї We were active participants in monitoring Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza to protect the beef industry.
Ї Testified before the NM Game Commission on multiple occasions concerning Mexican wolves and elk. We met with NM Department of Game and Fish officials on multiple species, especially on EPLUS and Mexican wolves as well as on the agency budget and mission.
Ї Represented you in Congress on the Farm Bill to get Mexican wolf damages included for confirmed and probable depredations and to raise the amount paid for each.
Ї Represented you before federal agencies over management of our operations given the status of the lesser prairie chicken and Mexican wolves. We met monthly with the USFS over multiple matters that relate to grazing on forest allotments.
If rural New Mexico wants a voice that politicians and the public will listen to, support the organization that is working hard to represent you on the issues that affect your livestock operation and the rural communities in which you live. That’s NMCGA. NMCGA. We speak. People listen. Encourage your friends and neighbors to join up.
Bronson Corn, NMCGA President
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JUST THE FACTS ... & THEN SOME
by Caren Cowan, Publisher New Mexico Stockman
So You
Think You
are Registered to Vote.
Better double check. In the primary election there were at least a few folks who showed up to vote. They had been registered to vote for years.
Or so they thought. There was no sign of them ever having been registered. They were allowed to vote, but with provisional ballots. They don’t know if their vote counted or not.
Better to double check your registration sooner rather than later. While you are at it, make sure everyone you know is registered to vote. In-person early voting starts on October 17 and ends on October 31. For other early voting options please check with your county clerk or the Secretary of State’s office.
Then get out and bank your vote early. There are too many variables that can happen by waiting until November 5 to cast your ballot.
Over the past few elections we have said
this could be the most important election in your life… this time it is the most important election in your life. From local elections to the presidency our values, our economy and our future is at stake.
I learned a new term today…
Bidenomics has been suspended. Now we have the Opportunity Economy. That is the new banner for the Democratic candidate for the president. Apparently this is the vehicle she will use to start imposing price controls to stop price gouging (or gauging as one speech mentioned).
There is no doubt that the cost of living is well above the means of many and it seems to be getting worse. By and large this is not a result of price gouging. These prices are a reflection of the cost of energy and interest rates among other things. (I am not an economist, so this may be too simplistic, but as a journalist I have license… not as much license as corporate news casters, but enough to get by.)
Most products require transportation multiple times before they reach our homes. Simply telling producers that they can only charge a certain amount for their products could result in those products becoming unavailable.
In agriculture, we are already price takers who must largely take the going price on the
day our products are ready for market. A pre-set price could eliminate the ability to produce.
Utah Files Landmark Lawsuit Challenging Federal Control Over Most BLM Land
Utah has filed a landmark public lands lawsuit asking the U.S. Supreme Court to address whether the federal government can simply hold unappropriated lands within a state indefinitely. Unappropriated lands are those that the federal government simply holds without a congressionally defined purpose. The “unappropriated” land in question is approximately 18.5 million acres in Utah controlled by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA).
This lawsuit will NOT impact the millions of “appropriated” acres already designated as national parks, national monuments, wilderness areas, national forests, Tribal lands, or military properties.
The federal government currently controls nearly 70 percent of the land in Utah.
Utah is committed to keeping public lands in public hands and locally controlled.
BLM Conservation Rule
The Bureau of Land Management has begun implementation of its Conservation
Rule. Given that there are seven fairly lengthy documents that were just released it will be at least a little while before we can understand what the plan is.
There is still litigation pending and more likely to be filed, but that never gets in the way of the government. Stay tuned for more information.
Boundary Line Draws Armed USFS Agent
A couple in South Dakota are reeling from a visit on their ranch house steps in late June from a US Forest Service (USFS) agent armed with tactical gear to serve them indictments over a 75-year-old fence line. The government claim is that the fence is on USFS property.
The Cowboy State Daily in Cheyenne, Wyoming, citing Rachel Gabel, assistant editor of The Fence Post, a national agriculture paper, said the incident has sparked national outrage and drawn the attention of the US Congress. New Mexicans know Rachel as a member of two ranching families in the state.
The USFS can’t talk about the case because it is an ongoing legal matter. The couple, Heather and Charles Maude, also cannot talk about the case—even to each other—because they were served separately by the federal agent.
With little information, this case needs to be watched. ▫
RIDING HERD
by Lee Pitts
Hard of Earring
Ialways wondered which would be worse, losing one’s eyesight or losing one’s hearing? I can now answer that question definitely because I’m gradually doing both and I can say that losing one’s eyesight is far worse as there can actually be some advantages to losing one’s hearing.
Suffice it to say, I’m NOT aging gracefully and I am not like the African heart-nosed bat that can hear the footsteps of a beetle walking in sand six feet away! While other species of animals can hear a rabbit sleeping I can’t even hear my wife’s snoring three feet away and believe me, that’s just one of the many advantages of being deaf as a dump truck.
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being the voice for Western Video Market and announcing video auctions every month that sometimes lasted four days, I was hardly ever further than twenty feet away from a speaker and 90 percent of the auctioneers I worked with had the volume turned up too high for the comfort of the crowd.
I know why the auctioneers do it and after auctioning a few charity sales myself I understand their reasoning. First of all, they want to be able to hear themselves and secondly, they don’t have to expel as much energy with their chant which always sounds better when the volume is higher.
I’m not making fun of deaf people and the difficulties they endure on a daily basis or belittling them as our society once did. I can remember in my childhood that deaf people used to be referred to as “deaf and dumb” because it was thought that deaf people were stupid. At one time they were even denied citizenship as a result of their handicap. On the contrary, I have found that deaf people are quite intelligent as shown by their ability to read lips and use sign language. Try it sometime and you’ll see what I mean.
I can pinpoint exactly when and why I’m losing my hearing and can barely speak above a whisper and I lay the blame at the feet of auctioneers. For nearly 50 years I worked ring at auctions of everything from A to Z, from automobiles to a zebra. My problem was that during those five decades of working ring and
Interestingly, when we lived in Australia 50 years ago at all the cattle sales I attended from the weekly town auctions to high dollar purebred sales the auctioneers didn’t use a microphone and it was so tiring for them they worked in teams which allowed them to take long breaks to rest up.
Not only did all the auctions damage my hearing but it also silenced my voice because for every animal, every car or every doo-dad I turned in the bids by yelling at the top of my lungs so the auctioneer could hear me above the din of the speakers. It finally caught up with me. I know there are things I could use to better my hearing but I think my voice is shot for good. I don’t want to buy a hearing aid because that makes people think you’re interested in what they have to say. I could also wear a big gold ring in one ear like NBA basketball players and pirates of old did who thought the gold ring improved their hearing and especially their eyesight.
At first my wife liked the fact that I couldn’t talk but she very much doesn’t like the fact I can’t hear as every time she tries to talk to me my response is always the same: “Huh?”
I’m considering getting a bunch of my road agent buddies together and filing a class action lawsuit against all auctioneers for damages and to buy hearing aids for all us poor ring men as auctioneers have the deepest pockets. Believe me, with what they are making now to sell a bull sale, real estate auction or exotic car sale the auctioneers can afford it.
If you don’t think us road agents have suffered damages just listen to this conversation I had about the potential for such a lawsuit with two of my ring man buddies: Me: “Should we file a lawsuit against our windy friends?”
Second Road Agent: “No, it’s not Wednesday, it’s Thursday.”
Third Road Agent: “Yea, I’m thirsty too. Bartender, another round please.” ▫
JINGLE
Greetings!
Fair season is upon us! County Fairs fire up in New Mexico at the end of July and will run until the first of October. For many of us with 4-H and FFA age kids, it’s the culmination of a whole spring and summer’s worth of work with our show stock and indoor projects. Long hours in the barn or kitchen, or both.
Or for some, it’s all the sewing, photos and various crafts completed, and even the informational posters that go with the projects that our kids work so hard on. But for our CowBelles, it’s a time to advocate, educate, and even raise some scholarship money for the next generation.
For as long as I can remember, our local CowBelle groups have had a booth at the fair. Some even have a float in the parade. We are visible to a wider public that are the fair goers who come to see what all the fuss is about.
The indoor exhibits with prize winning veggies, jams, and crafts; all the different animals in the barns; the carnivals, rodeos, and dances. In that mix- our ladies are out there sharing the good news about beef and agriculture on a grassroots level. We’re connecting with folks we don’t normally get a chance to talk to, and it’s a fun (albeit exhausting) time.
I am so proud of our local CowBelles and their efforts! Every local does things a little differently, but the message is the same — beef and agriculture are good for you and the environment, not to mention the local economy.
There are by-products a plenty that people use every single day. The raffles for beef or handmade quilts help fund our locals so they can continue providing programs and scholarships. But enough from me — I am going to let these photos from a few of our locals do the talking. Cactus, Yucca, and Silver Spurs CowBelles have had their fairs already as I’m writing this, and they are just a small example of what our ladies are out there doing.
In the meantime get out to the fairgrounds, stop by the CowBelle booths, learn
something new, buy some raffle tickets, and enjoy the exhibits. And remember: these ladies give a lot of their time to make it all happen, so a thank you is definitely in order.
See you at the fair,
– Michelle Greeman
NMCB President
The Chamiza CowBelles met August 1 with 10 members present and President Sharon Luna presiding. Minutes from the previous meeting and Treasurer report presented, approved and filed. Nancy gave a recap of her trip to the San Diego Beef Council. It was an informative trip with good topics and current studies to be reported on in the months ahead. The group decided that the new t-shirt designs will be emailed out to members and voted on remotely. Fundraiser Ranch Rumble was postponed to a future time. The group will have a float during the fiesta’s parade. Cathy will man the booth at the community center. Watch
Clockwise from top:
Silver Spur CowBelles at the 2024 Colfax County Fair Livestock Sale
Yucca CowBelles with their Best Educational Booth at Eddy County Fair
Cactus CowBelles Fair Booth at the Lea County Fair
Cactus CowBelles quilt for raffle at the Lea County Fair
Silver Spurs CowBelles Booth at the Colfax County Fair
for Sip-n-Paint for the future. Need assistance recruiting and gathering information for the calendar fundraiser. Concern over cost, timing, type of calendar, profitability, etc. discussed. August 22, 2024, is the CLLA meeting again. The next meeting of the Chamiza CowBelles is September 5, 2024, 12 p.m. at Johnny B’s Restaurant. Remember to bring the Bullock receipts and a friend! Meeting adjourned. Submitted by Destiny Sanders
Mesilla Valley CowBelles met virtually to SAVE the Dates for the Ag Day at NMSU Football November 9, 2024, Ag Explorer Career Days November 7, 2024, and Ag Explorer at the SNMSF. Next meeting will be August 27, 2024 at Chilitos on Foothills Rd to discuss these events and more. Submitted by Janet Witte
New Mexico CowBelles: Thank you to all who have submitted their news to Jingle Jangle. As a reminder, please send minutes and/or newsletters to Jingle Jangle, Janet Witte, 1860 Foxboro Ct., Las Cruces, NM 88007 or email: janetwitte@msn.com by the 14th of every month. Have a great year! ▫
White Hides Bring a Genetic Advantage to Commercial Herds
by Chris Clayton, DTN Ag Policy Editor
Brett DeBruycker’s father, Lloyd, bought his first Charolais bull in 1957. Within about five years, he had decided to develop a purebred Charolais operation. It was the start of DeBruycker Charolais, based near Great Falls, Montana.
“He loved it and started to grow the cattle operation from there,” Brett recalled, overlooking a pasture of Charolais cows and calves.
In an industry dominated by black hides and Angus premium programs, those white Charolais bulls and cows would seem to be at a market disadvantage. But the Charolais has been the backbone of the DeBruyckers’ production with roughly 2,300 purebred cows. According to the family’s website, that makes DeBruycker the largest purebred Charolais herd in the world.
What’s appealing about the Charolais?
The breed is basically a larger, higher-yielding animal with gains in weight that help overcome some of those lost Angus-based premiums out there in the market.
“The Charolais blood lines, Charolais cattle, have a lot of initial growth,” said Brett. “They are a meat- making animal, more of a performance animal. I’m biased I know, but they are the single-best feeding calf in the world, the Charolais-Angus cross.”
In addition to growth, these cattle bring uniformity, feedlot efficiency, carcass merit and proven calving ability to an operation. Getting those Charolais genetics into commercial herds is at the heart of the business here.
“I think we’re adding value,” Brett said. “The commercial cattle producers who use our bulls on their Angus, or Red Angus or Hereford-based cows, they will easily get 50
pounds more of weaning weight. I’ve talked to guys who get as much as 120 pounds more weaning weight. It’s just adding huge value to those guys.”
Charolais Choice
Brett said Charolais genetics mean it takes less feed to put on a pound of gain. In addition, quality grades are strong, with a high percentage of fed cattle grading Choice, with limited back-fat waste.
“The packers love them because they grade out well. I believe we’re adding value for ranchers, feeders and packers,” he said of those in the industry raising Charolais or Charolais-cross cattle.
The operation takes advantage of those traits with an 8,500-head feedyard, marketing on average 15,000 to 20,000 head of fat cattle each year.
Bring On The Bull
The centerpiece of the marketing year for DeBruycker Charolais is its spring bull sale. The family will sell on average 600 bulls at its annual offering in early April. Another 350 bulls go through individual treaty sales. Last year’s sales resulted in bulls going to 22
continued on page 20 >>
BETTER BECAUSE THEIR SIRES & GRANDSIRES ARE GRAU RANCH BRED
GRAU GRAU RANCH RANCH
Grau Ranch bull sired the Grand Champion Carcass steer in San Antonio in the production division with 87 head entered. The calf was a purebred Charolais steer.
STATISTICS ARE:
Quality Grade: Prime plus Yield Grade: 2.3
Ribeye: 16.5
Fat thickness: .4
Dressing %: 62%
The Calf was fed and entered by Andrew Louis Jones from Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch.
These kinds of calves weigh more and bring more money than the others.
states and Canada.
Prices for DeBruycker Charolais bulls last spring averaged $5,843 per head over 581 animals. Bulls in the sale were mainly spring yearlings (13 to 14 months old) with about 75 fall-calved head between 18 and 20 months old.
“I’ve had the good fortune of being at the last two of their last three bull sales,” said Dave Hobbs, manager of the Charolais Journal, based in Kansas City, Mo. The publication is through the American International Charolais Association.
“They do a remarkable job. They are very conscious, they pay attention to soundness, they pay attention to performance and their customer service is excellent. The DeBruyckers are really good cattle people. I see their genetics all over the country,” added Hobbs.
Those genetics are based purely on actual data for things like birthweight and growth. Brett DeBruycker doesn’t provide an EPD (Expected Progeny Difference) on his bulls, unless customers request it.
That same straightforward approach goes to breeding the cow herd. Brett believes in letting the bulls do their job. The operation doesn’t use artificial insemination for gender
selection, even though they are looking for bulls. Instead they let nature take its course, with cows just as likely to produce heifers as bulls.
“It’s my opinion you get more cows bred, and if you are using good bulls as your herd sires they should be as good or better than AI sires,” Brett added of the approach.
To maximize production of their genetics, they do however implant embryos. Every year Brett said they implant Charolais donor embryos to 25 to 50 Angus recip cows. Generally, he said, cows produce 20 to 30 eggs per flush.
They have been doing the embryo transfer off and on for more than a decade. When it’s time to move a recip cow out, they often breed her to a Charolais bull so they can sell the bred Angus cow, carrying a Charolais- Angus cross calf. They also market semen and embryos.
Planning Ahead
Keeping cows in good condition over those long, cold Montana winters can be a challenge. Grazing here is a mix of bluebunch wheatgrass, Junegrass and Idaho fescue that dwindles the farther it gets into fall. Fall-calving cows start getting hay around Thanksgiving. Generally it takes 2.5 to 3 tons of hay per cow to make it through
the winter. They hay a mix of alfalfa and native grasses from irrigated meadows.
“We put up a lot of hay. We try to graze as long as we can. The spring-calving herd, we hope to make it to the middle of December,” Brett says. “That’s about the time normally every year we have to start feeding.”
During the summer, cattle on the ranch are rotated to fresh grass on an as needed basis. Grass quality often peaks in early July, quickly declining into dormancy over the next six weeks.
“We have a pretty short growing season, so when the grass is growing and when you have moisture you want to graze it and get off so it will come back.
“Lack of rain is our biggest problem. If we can get our average of 11 to 12 inches a year, we’re pretty happy,” he said. “You can do a lot of good with 11 or 12 inches of rain, but it just seems like every year we’re at six or seven inches.”
We call them COPPERHEADS. Generally light “tanish” color for hot summers, slick haired, thick, moderate framed, high marbling & growth.
COPPERHEADS are created by using Fink Charolais females, noted in the breed for moderate birthweight, growth, ribeye, & marbling. Red Angus sires (all A.I.) used are low birthweight, high growth & higher marbling.
COPPERHEADS are working in the mountains of Colorado - to ranches bordering the Everglades. The reports are all the same - they hold together!
Angus Bulls
Charolais Bulls
Charolais
Notice of Availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
For Utility-Scale Solar Energy Development and Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendments
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendments for Utility-scale Solar Energy Development and by this notice is announcing the start of a 30-day protest period.
The period will not start until this
notice is published in the Federal Register which could be early the first week in September.
This notice announces the beginning of a 30-day protest period to the BLM on the Proposed RMP Amendments. Protests must be postmarked or electronically submitted on the BLM’s ePlanning site within 30 days of the date that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes its Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register . The EPA usually publishes its NOAs on Fridays.
The Final Programmatic EIS, Proposed RMP Amendments, and associated documents are available for review on the BLM ePlanning project website at eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ project/2022371/510
Instructions for filing a protest with the BLM can be found at: blm.gov/programs/planningand-nepa/public-participation/ filing-a-plan-protest and at 43 CFR 1610.5-2
All protests must be submitted in writing through one of the following two methods:
Regular Mail and Overnight Delivery: BLM Director,
Attention: Protest Coordinator (HQ210), Denver Federal Center, Building 40 (Door W-4), Lakewood, CO 80215.
Emailed protests will not be accepted as valid protests unless the protesting party also provides the original letter by either regular mail or overnight delivery postmarked by the close of the protest period. Under these conditions, the BLM will consider an emailed protest as an advance copy, and it will receive full consideration. If you wish to provide the BLM with such advance notifications, please direct emails to protest@blm.gov.
For further info contact: Jeremy Bluma, Senior Advisor, National Renewable Energy Coordination Office, BLM Headquarters, email: solar@blm.gov or (208) 789-6014. ▫
Bradley 3 Ranch Ltd.
200 Angus Bulls 90+ Charolais Bulls
Annual Bull Sale
Frank DuBois 1947 – 2024
A Legend in His Own Time
M.L. Bradley, Cell: 940/585-1062
CHAROLAIS
More pounds, more profit.
Charolais genetics deliver more pounds at weaning, with added red-meat yield and conversion. Contact your AICA fieldman for assistance in finding Charolais bulls, females, and to learn about CharAdvantage feeder calf marketing premiums. Visit www.charolaisusa.com to learn more.
February 8, 2025 at the Ranch NE of Estelline, TX www.bradley3ranch.com SLATON, TEXAS
Charolais &BullsAngus
TREY WOOD
806/789-7312
CLARK WOOD
806/828-6249 • 806/786-2078
The August issue of the Stockman has a hole in it. This issue has one as well. That hole will be there from now on.
For nearly 15 years Frank DuBois wrote a column for the New Mexico Federal Lands Council. We may come up with another columnist, but there will never be another Frank.
We got off to a bit of a rocky start with his first column. He had a curse word in the first sentence. That wouldn’t do. We had a friendly debate about it and I finally told him that my Grandmother wouldn’t be very proud of me if I started my publishing career that way. He relented.
But relenting wasn’t often Frank’s way. He was steadfast in his values, his beliefs and his boundless knowledge. We were blessed to have had him.
I didn’t know the Mad Dog Frank, but those stories will live on forever, however unrepeatable. Apparently his mischievous nature got the best of him regularly.
For years I believed a story about Frank removing half of Jon Swapp’s ear in a bar fight. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I was told that wasn’t the case. It was still a good story.
But Sharon was no slouch either. My favorite of her stories that I learned was about dogs. She worked in Senator Pete Domenici’s office in Las Cruces for many years. A constituent kept calling her office requesting that something be done about stray dogs in their area. Clearly that isn’t something a U.S. Senator can handle.
Finally one day Sharon asked the caller if the dogs were federal dogs or state dogs. That stumped the caller and they never called back.
Frank A. DuBois, 77, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, passed away at home August 10, 2024, which just happened to be his late wife Sharon’s birthday. Frank was born in Long Beach, California to Frank and Wanda Dubois on May 29, 1947.
He grew up the oldest of three and attended Highland High School in Albuquerque where he played football and basketball. He graduated from New Mexico State University (NMSU) in 1973.
The majority of his public service career
was spent as the Director of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA). Frank served as cabinet secretary for four governors. Throughout his time with NMDA he was a Field Inspector, Ag Policy Specialist, Assistant Director and Director.
Frank also worked as a legislative assistant for Senator Pete Domenici. He then served as the Deputy Secretary for Land and Water Resources with the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Frank was an avid team roper. Winning four trophy saddles, seven buckles, and a hay barn before Multiple Sclerosis took his favorite hobby from him. He decided to focus on supporting rodeo athletes.
He was the driving force behind the first rodeo coaching position at NMSU and helped raise money for rodeo scholarships. His heritage will carry on through the NMSU rodeo program and his cherished DuBois Award winners.
Frank adored and greatly missed his wife Sharon, who lost her battle with cancer in 2020. She was always his biggest supporter. Sharon devoted her love and time to stand by Frank through his toughest hours. They loved to dance and couldn’t resist a good waltz. Frank, the true romantic he was, decided to join his wife on her birthday.
He is survived by his brother John DuBois, sister Fara Green, son Frank DuBois, daughter Sevon Villarreal (Israel), grandchildren Jayce, Cora, Israel Jr., Romia, Ruby and great-grandchildren Mia, Emma, Karder, and Lucas, niece Kara Linn and nephew Paul.
He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Wanda, wife Sharon, grandchildren Jenna and Danny. ▫
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Brangus Association Announces Executive Transition
The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) has announced that Rick Cozzitorto has been hired as the new Executive Vice President. Cozzitorto replaces Dr. Darrell Wilkes, who is retiring following a five-year stint as the Brangus executive.
Shiloh Hall, a Brangus breeder from Oklahoma and the current President of IBBA, said “Our association is in a very strong position and we are excited to be bringing Rick on board to continue our upward trends. His extensive background in the cattle industry and his deep experience in marketing will help us get the word out about our breed. We believe we have a very compelling value proposition for commercial cattle producers in the heat zones of this country, and internationally, and Rick’s skill set is a great fit for our next steps forward.”
Hall continued, “we were gratified with the very competitive field of candidates that applied for this position. That’s a reflection on our breed’s growth and the realization that Brangus has a huge role to play in the beef industry.”
Joe Fuller, chairman of the IBBA Long Term Planning Committee, noted that the association’s long term plan included an objective of having a smooth transition from one executive to the next. Fuller added, “we can now put a check mark on that objective because Dr. Wilkes’ planned retirement includes him staying on board for a period of time to achieve a smooth hand-off to Rick Cozzitorto.”
Cozzitorto brings 35 years of experience to IBBA. He served as a regional manager for the American Angus Association early in his career, and he parlayed that into a very successful career in livestock publishing and agribusiness, mostly in the animal health industry.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to further advance Brangus in the U.S. and international markets. The stage has been set for significant growth, and I look forward to being part of it,” Cozzitorto said.
“It has been a highlight of my career to work with Brangus breeders in advancing the breed to the place it is now. It is very rewarding to hand the reins over to a person of Rick’s ability”, Wilkes said, adding, “I expect to see more great things happen for Brangus breeders and the savvy commercial producers who recognize the value of Brangus genetics.”
Brangus Association Celebrates 75th Anniversary with Historic Gathering in Fort Worth
The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) marked its 75th anniversary with a grand event in Fort Worth, Texas, August attracting 420 participants from 21 states and seven countries. This historic gathering provided a significant opportunity for members to reflect on the association’s rich history, connect with fellow breeders, and focus on the future of the industry.
The anniversary celebration featured a series of commemorative events, including a Celebration Gala, an industry-level panel discussion with leading seedstock breeders, and a forward-looking session on the next 25 years of the cattle industry, as well as the sharing of cherished memories.
A committee of over 35 members, led by chairman Joy Reznicek Sundbeck, spent 13 months planning the weekend commemoration. The festivities kicked off with a reception featuring mariachis and country music.
The Celebration Gala, emceed by Bruce Maloch, Chris Hardee, and Wade Fisher, took the audience on a journey through 75
years of Brangus history with words and a pictorial display. The evening highlighted important milestones and recognized breeders who made significant contributions to the association.
Notable attendees included past presidents, breeders of the year, the first scholarship winner, the first queen, a sale manager from northeast Oklahoma who was a teenager when the breed was founded, and past staff members. The Pennington family from South Texas was also in attendance.
Alfred Pennington, charter member #16, was in attendance at the founding meeting in 1949 and three generations of his family, who continue to raise Brangus under that registration number, were present at the gala.
The 75th Program Committee presented “A Look into the Saturday, Future of the Cattle Industry,” an educational session that drew a standing-room-only crowd eager to hear insights from industry leaders.
Randy Blach, CattleFax CEO, urged attendees to learn from the past, emphasizing that while the industry is experiencing record-high beef prices, consumers are also paying unprecedented prices. He noted that only four percent of the world’s population resides in the U.S., highlighting the importance of strong export markets.
He also pointed out that current herd expansion is progressing slowly, which should keep markets high, and reminded the audience that the consumer is the ultimate source of new income in the beef business.
Wade Fisher, one of three emcees for the Brangus 75th Gala led the toast to the breed. The crowd included 420 registrants from 21 states and seven countries.Lee Leachman addressed the crowd on what things we can expect in the next 25 years in the beef industry. A panel featuring ranchers from iconic programs was held as part of the 75th Anniversary of Brangus. Panel members included (l to r) Mark Gardiner, Gabriel Connealy, Jack Holden, Donnell Brown and program moderators, Tracy Holbert and Joe Fuller
ROSWELL LIVESTOCK AUCTION SALES, INC. & ROSWELL LIVESTOCK AUCTION TRUCKING, INC.
900 North Garden · P.O. Box 2041
Roswell, New Mexico 88201
575-622-5580 www.roswelllivestockauction.com
CATTLE SALES: MONDAYS • HORSE SALES
BENNY WOOTON CELL 575-626-4754
SMILEY WOOTON CELL 575-626-6253
Producers hauling cattle to Roswell Livestock New Mexico Receiving Stations need to call our toll-free number for a Transportation Permit number before leaving home. The Hauling Permit number 1-800-748-1541 is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Trucks are available 7 days a week / 24 hours a day
Roswell livestock Auction Receiving stAtions
ATTENTION RECEIVNG STATION CUSTOMERS,
To be able to schedule trucking, all cattle need to be permitted by 1:00 p.m.
LORDSBURG, NM
20 Bar Livestock Highway #90 at NM #3 – East side of highway. Receiving cattle for transport 2nd & 4th Sunday of each month. Smiley Wooton, 575-622-5580 office, 575-626-6253 cell.
PECOS, TX
Jason Heritage is now receiving cattle every Sunday. For information to unload contact Jason Heritage 575-840-9544 or Smiley Wooton 575-626-6253. Receiving cattle every Sunday.
VAN HORN, TX
800 West 2nd, 5 blocks west of Courthouse. Bob Kinford, 432-284-1553. Receiving cattle 1st & 3rd Sundays.
MORIARTY, NM
Two blocks east and one block south of Tillery Chevrolet. Smiley Wooton 575-622-5580 office, 575-626-6253 mobile. Receiving cattle every Sunday
SAN ANTONIO, NM
River Cattle Co. Nine miles east of San Antonio on U.S. 380. Receiving cattle for transport 2nd & 4th Sunday of each month. Smiley Wooton 575-626-6253.
ANTHONY, NM
108 W. Afton Road, La Mesa, NM 88044. Receiving Cattle 2nd & 4th Sunday of each month. Call in advance for details & consignments. Smiley Wooton 575-626-6253 or Genea Caldwell 575-543-5736
A panel discussion followed, featuring Donnell Brown, R.A. Brown Ranch, Throckmorton, Texas; Jack Holden, Holden Herefords, Valier, Montana, Gabriel Connealy of Connealy Angus Ranch in Whitman, Nebraska; and Mark Gardiner, Gardiner Angus, Ashland, Kansas. Each panelist shared an overview of their operation, strategies, and challenges before engaging in a lively Q&A session, where they freely shared their knowledge.
Lee Leachman, Leachman Cattle Co., Fort Collins, Colorado, concluded the program with a presentation on the next 25 years in the cattle industry. He discussed upcoming megatrends, including the doubling of the global economy to over $220 trillion, an aging population, and the need for beef to be customized to provide increased nutritional value and longevity benefits.
Leachman predicted that consumers would demand more information about their food, including where and how it was raised, and that local and specialized products would gain popularity. He also highlighted the growing role of machinery and technology in the beef industry, in areas such as heat detection, feeding, and pinpointing sick animals in herds or feedlots.
He forecasted that biosecurity would become increasingly important with tighter restrictions on who and what enters operations. Additionally, he stressed the increased pressure on resources, predicting that consumers could consume 60 percent more resources by 2060, and the growing need for data to be utilized through artificial intelligence.
In addition to these activities, IBBA standing committees, regional associations, and the International Brangus Auxiliary held meetings.
Decline in Beef Cow Numbers May Not Recover For Years
by Chris Scott, meatingplace.com
The outlook for a recovery in the number of beef cows after five years of declining numbers will not be anytime soon, according to a report from CoBank.
Beef cow populations fell to 28.2 million head so far in 2024, a decline of 2.5 percent compared with 2023 and the lowest since 1961, according to USDA data. Some of the factors in the most recent inventory decline included persistent drought conditions in 2021 and 2022, though some relief arrived in states with the highest beef cow populations in 2024, the CoBank report noted. Higher hay prices over the last few years appear to be evening out, allowing cow-calf operators to rebuild their winter feed supplies, according to the report. Current prices, however, remain considerably higher than costs during the previous herd rebuilding cycle between 2014 and 2019, the report said.
The report from the agricultural lender cited grim forecasts for when beef cow inventories are expected to return to levels reported in 2023. Some top unidentified industry analysts told CoBank that they do not expect the beef-cow sector to return to last year’s levels for three to four years, while other unidentified analysts are suggesting that contraction could continue two more years to 2030. ▫
CBD Files 3rd Lawsuit
The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) has sued the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) again for allegedly for failing to protect riparian areas and meadows from cattle in New Mexico’s Sacramento Mountains. The areas are critical habitat for endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mice that live in upper-elevation streams and meadows.
The lawsuit is the third filed in the past five years regarding this mouse. The CBD previously took legal actions to protect these areas in 2019 and 2021.
In 2014 New Mexico meadow jumping mice were listed as endangered, and in 2016 the FWS protected nearly 14,000 acres of critical habitat for the animals in the Lincoln, Santa Fe and Apache-Sitgreaves national forests..
The mice hibernate for up to nine months a year, leaving a narrow window each
summer to mate, reproduce, and gain enough weight to survive their long hibernation. Their habitat needs include tall, dense grasses and forbs found only along streams that flow year-round.
To Protect Jaguar, Enviros Sue to Block New Chiracahuas Roads
by Howard Fischer, Tucson.com
Environmental groups are going to court to block the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) from constructing new roads in Chiricahua National Forest, citing danger to endangered jaguars.
The lawsuit filed in federal court in Tucson against the USFS and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), contends the agencies failed to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) in approving construction of 2.6 miles of new segments in the Environmental Management Area of the forest southeast of Tucson.
The issue is about more than that segment, however. It would open or reopen 20 miles of roads within the area to “disruptive motorized access,” said attorney Adriane
Hofmeyr.
That was not properly considered when the agency gave its go-ahead last year, she contends. Hofmeyr represents five environmental groups that are suing, including the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity (CBD).
According to the lawsuit, the USFS stated that the project’s purpose is to provide “permanent, legal, motorized access’’ to John Long Canyon, the North Fork of Pinery Canyon and Horseshoe Canyon. Hofmeyr said that is unnecessary.
Hofmeyr paid particular attention to John Long Canyon, which she said has been protected from intrusive motorized activity for approximately 37 years. She claimed the USFS itself has said that area “currently provides high quality habitat for jaguars because it is remote with rugged terrain, has permanent water and dense canopy cover, and is not frequently accessed by people.’’
Jaguar prey is abundant due to the current lack of hunting pressure, she said.
“This canyon is home to one of two known jaguars inhabiting the United States,’’ Hofmeyr said, including the one male who has been cited repeatedly within the Chiricahua and Dos Cabezas Mountains areas from November 2016 through at least August 2021. ▫
The New Mexico Agricultural Leadership Program: Where Your Vision Takes Root and Grows
by Tina Wilson, Coordinator, New Mexico Agricultural Leadership Program: New Mexico State University
Armed with passports, phones, and credit cards, Class 16 of the New Mexico Agricultural Leadership (NMAL) Program set off for Italy in May 2024. New Mexico Agricultural Leadership Program and the New Mexico Department of Agriculture team together for Trade and Innovation Mission Trips. These mission trips examine agricultural policy and practices outside of the United States. Past destinations have included Brazil, The Netherlands, England, and Scotland.
The purpose of this trip is not only to experience agriculture in another country but also to open trade relationships with countries. Trip participants include Class 16
participants, producers, and New Mexico Department of Agriculture staff.
The NMAL Program is a hands-on, 18-month program designed for working professionals over 25. It develops multicultural, knowledgeable leaders for New Mexico and beyond by exploring agriculture, state and national-level agricultural policy, and New Mexico’s sociocultural issues. The highlight of the program is an International Trade and Innovation Mission Trip.
Julie Hughes, the Cooperative Extension Service program operations manager at New Mexico State University and Class 16 member, said, “NMAL has been a wonderful opportunity for me to gain a broader understanding of agriculture in New Mexico. I have enjoyed working with my classmates and meeting leaders in multiple industries in New Mexico.”
For the agricultural industry to remain dynamic, well-informed leaders must emerge. This program improves leadership skills, enhances professional networks, and broadens industry awareness. The NMAL Program began in 2001 and is housed in the Department of Agricultural Extension and Education at New Mexico State University. It fills a gap in professional development opportunities in the agricultural, food, and
natural resources industries.
“The 18-month program provides an excellent foundation for a lifetime leadership journey,” said Justin Salcido, director of Chattel for American Ag Credit, Class 14 (2022) member and current member of the New Mexico Agricultural Leadership Program Board of Directors.
“I still reflect on these experiences and recall what I learned in these seminars as I navigate new challenges,” Salcido notes. Apply today and grow your skills, expand your network, and cultivate your leadership. Individuals interested in applying for Class 17 can visit the New Mexico Agricultural Leadership Program at https://aces-nmal. nmsu.edu/. Class 17 will begin in January 2025 and conclude in June 2026. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2024. ▫
New Mexico Ranchers Defend Family’s Heritage Against Unwanted Trespassers
by Rafa Oliveira, Pacific Legal Foundation
Imagine lush, rolling hills and green pine trees beneath a clear, blue sky, with a wide river running through it. You can see animals grazing as you stroll, and the best part of this magnificent sanctuary is it’s yours. Having been in your family for generations, this land is more than just a scenic backdrop; it’s a family heirloom.
The sentimental value the property holds makes it all the more disheartening when trespassers barge onto your land and haul fish out of the river.
And the worst part—these trespassers have the law on their side, making it seem nearly impossible to safeguard your land against unwanted visitors.
This is what has been happening to Lucía and Miguel Sánchez, who fear that the Mexico Department of Game and Fish has
turned their 80-acre ranch into a public fish pond, thanks to a court ruling that strips the Sánchezes of their right to exclude.
A part of the family
Lucía and Miguel’s great-grandparents bought the lush land in 1942, and it has stayed in the Sánchez family ever since. The Sánchez siblings have used it to cultivate cattle and, on a deeper level, connect with their heritage.
“A lot of the grazing techniques and land management techniques that we use on the land are tied to our language,” Lucía said. “My brother and I are both fluent in Spanish, and so there are words and terms that we use when we’re irrigating or cutting wood that we wouldn’t use in any other context. And to take us away from the land would take us away from that big part of our culture, and what we call our herencia, our inheritance.”
“It’s a systems approach to how we’ve maintained our culture and our identity,” she added.
In 2022, the New Mexico Supreme Court upended years of property rights law in Adobe Whitewater Club of N.M. v. N.M. State Game Comm’n, ruling that the state constitution protects the public’s right to walk or wade on private streambeds.
The court said that the New Mexico Constitution’s public trust doctrine guarantees a public right for recreation in public waters but extends that right so that the public can use anyone’s stream for fishing. This runs contrary to the previous, longstanding law that said property owners can own the non-navigable water on their land and as such, have the right to exclude whomever they see fit—a right that was affirmed in a 2021 U.S. Supreme Court case.
In Pacific Legal Foundation’s case Cedar Point Nursery v. Hassid, the Supreme Court affirmed that the government cannot force private property owners to grant public access to their land without just compensation, in accordance with the Fifth Amendment’s Taking Clause.
Yet, since the Court’s decision, the New Mexico Attorney General and other state agencies have continued to prosecute property owners for exercising their right to exclude people from their property. And Lucía and Miguel fear the repercussions they might face if they try to protect their own land from intruders.
New Mexico’s law violates the Supreme Court’s ruling. The law denies Lucía and Miguel their right to prevent strangers from fishing in their creek, and they can’t kick
anybody out if they feel unsafe.
“People feel like they have an entitlement.”
Lucía says. “I’ve had people come up to me, and say, ‘We were fishing in your place.’ And that’s like me saying, ‘I camped in your backyard last weekend, and you didn’t even know,’” she said.
“These trespassers, when they come on to fish, they’re doing a lot of other things, and they’re actually not respecting even the boundary between the stream beds and then the rest of the property, which is private,” she added.
The court’s decision has also had drastic implications for the property on a conservation level, with trespassers leaving behind garbage, which has infected the animals and polluted the land.
“All these people that talk about economic development and conservation, they don’t help ranchers and farmers fix fences; they don’t help them move cattle back into their areas,” Lucia said.
They leave their trash and barrels or trash cans where they can find them, and then they go home. A lot of them don’t know the native herbs, rock material, wood materials. They don’t know a lot of those things that we do, having been here. We’re the ones facing all these issues because we have a beautiful
habitat and clean water.
The right to exclude
Lucía and Miguel are not the only New Mexicans that are fed up with this rule. They have joined with three others to challenge the state’s illegal taking of their right to exclude trespassers from their private, non-navigable waters. And they won’t have to do it alone. Pacific Legal Foundation will be fighting by their side.
Roland Rivera, Erik Briones, and Richard Jenkins all own property that includes portions of the non-navigable Pecos Rivr. Because of the state court’s decision in 2022, they have no say in who can use the river on their property either.
Whether it’s the government or individuals, nobody is allowed to trespass on another person’s property without the owner’s permission or, in the government’s case, just compensation.
Fortunately, other states, like South Dakota, have taken a stand. The South Dakota legislature passed the No Government Trespassing Act to address this issue three years ago after a state game warden stepped onto the property of James and Richard Meyer and demanded to see their hunting licenses.
The principle is that no one is above the law, and that includes the government. Property owners have the constitutional right to exclude trespassers from their land, and the government has a duty to protect that right.
Lucía, Miguel, and their fellow New Mexican plaintiffs are adamant about not allowing the government get away with revoking their property rights without some payback.
“Everybody has an opportunity in this free world to acquire almost anything on earth that you want, if you work hard enough and you go for it,” Lucía said.
“There’s plenty of properties for sale with streams in New Mexico. If people want a piece of the stream life, go buy it, earn it. Have something to pass on to your children, teach your kids something, but don’t impose yourself on mine.”
RANCH FOOD & FODDER
by Deanna Dickinson McCall
New Mexico Fall Harvest
Ilove Fall, and not just because it means the annual paycheck for selling livestock for many of us. Or even because there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel concerning much of the heavy late Summer/early Fall work. September is when you can usually first feel and smell the changes in the air. Crispness in the morning and cooler evenings, the smell of the roasted green chiles we all love, and the final stages of the family garden and fruit trees always come to mind for me. The gold of both the Rio Grande cottonwoods along waterways and of the quivering aspens on the mountains are beautiful sights to come in a month or two. The red ristras hanging on pretty porches and posts; all of this makes New Mexico the most enchanting to me, in Autumn.
Since the mornings and evenings have started to become cooler our food tastes usually change. We begin to want warmer, seasonal dishes. I hope many of you don’t have my metabolism. As soon as the temperature starts cooling down my appetite and body believes it is time to kick into survival mode and sends out red alerts instructing me eat more to get fat so I will survive winter. That might have been a good thing many years ago, but believe me, it is no longer an issue. I can probably survive any remaining winters I have left with the fat I have managed to accumulate!
The recipe I am sharing tastes rich and filling and like Fall, using some of the state’s most well-known ingredients. I love making soup. You can often use ingredients you have on hand to make a meal. I once had old Basque neighbors who often referred to leftovers as scraps and they would make wonderful meals, like soups out of those scraps. You don’t need to tell folks it has squash and apples and wait to watch their face. You can simply tell them it is a Fall New Mexico Style chicken soup. That’s what I did the first time I made it and they loved it. I’ve also made this after Thanksgiving, it is a good way to use up some of that leftover turkey.
Squash and Apple Soup with Chile Croutons
Red Chile Croutons
Cut 3 slices of white bread into cubes and let dry out a couple of hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Melt 3 TBS butter in a frying pan, add 1 tsp granulated garlic, 2 tsp Red New Mexican Chile and ½ tsp ground cumin, mix well. Quickly add the bread cubes, stirring and tossing to coat
Place the coated croutons on a cookie sheet and bake about 10 minutes, until golden brown.
Soup Ingredients
2 TBS butter
1 medium onion diced
1 ½ lbs Hubbard or butternut squash cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tart green apples, cored, peeled and chopped
¼ cup or more of chopped green chile
4 cups of chicken broth
1 tsp lime juice
2 cups of diced cooked chicken or turkey
2 TBS of hard cider or apple brandy
2 tsp cider vinegar if needed
Directions
Sauté the onion in the butter until soft. Add the apples and squash and cook for a few more minutes.
Add the green chile and stock and cover and simmer until squash and apples are very tender, around 30 to 40 minutes.
Add the lime juice, meat, cider or brandy, and simmer 15 minutes longer. Add vinegar if it is too sweet.
Pour the soup into bowls and top with the croutons. Serve with a fresh green salad and some crusty bread. ▫
Governor Appoints Elizabeth Anderson as State Engineer
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has appointed Elizabeth Anderson as State Engineer.
Anderson, a highly respected water resources expert with over 25 years of experience in civil and environmental engineering, will assume the role immediately, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a strong commitment to advancing the state’s water security initiatives.
“I am pleased to appoint the first female, Elizabeth Anderson as New Mexico’s State Engineer,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “Her extensive experience and dedication to water resource management make her the ideal leader to address the challenges posed by climate change and to implement our 50-Year Water Action Plan. Elizabeth’s proactive approach will ensure that New Mexico remains a leader in water stewardship and sustainability.”
Anderson has a distinguished career in
water resources management, having held key leadership positions, including Chief Planning Officer for the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority and New Mexico Water Operations Manager for CH2M HILL Engineers. Most recently, she served as Senior Advisor to the State Engineer, where she played a crucial role in supporting water planning, outreach, and strategic initiatives within the Office of the State Engineer (OSE) and the Interstate Stream Commission (ISC).
As State Engineer, Anderson will be
responsible for overseeing the administration of New Mexico’s water resources, ensuring the sustainable use of water, and working closely with stakeholders across the state. Her leadership will be instrumental in advancing the Governor’s water security vision and implementing internal changes to modernize the agency and improve customer service.
“It is a privilege to be appointed as State Engineer, and I look forward to working with the dedicated team at OSE and ISC to protect and manage our state’s precious water resources,” said Anderson. “Together, we will continue to build on the strong foundation established by the Governor’s 50-Year Water Action Plan and ensure that New Mexico is well-prepared to face the challenges ahead.”
Anderson holds a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of New Mexico. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in New Mexico and holds multiple certifications, including Water Supply Level 4 Operator and Wastewater Level 3 Operator. Her appointment has garnered widespread support from water experts, government officials, and stakeholders across New Mexico
Elizabeth Anderson New State Engineer
‘Ten Thousand Commandments’ Report on Federal Regulation Exposes Washington’s Big Costs, Little Accountability
The Competitive Enterprise Institute has released its annual report on the federal regulatory state, Ten Thousand Commandments
by Clyde Wayne Crews
Federal regulatory burdens cost the average household more than $15,000 per year – more than food, clothing, education, or any other household expense except for housing. In total, regulation imposed a $2.1 trillion total cost, rivaling the $2.3 trillion income tax cost.
“Regulatory compliance costs and man-
dates borne by businesses result in higher prices, lost jobs, and lower output,” said Crews. “Regulations undermine the economic success of American businesses and households and drag down the economy. Congress should intervene and fix this problem.”
The report identifies the main problems with a regulatory system grown more expensive, extensive, and politicized — and less transparent and accountable — under the Biden administration.
One of the biggest problems is a 2023 Biden executive order that undermined the crucial watchdog mission of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Executive Order 14094 1) downplays the cost of regulation by changing the threshold that triggers more intense OMB review and 2) switches the focus of regulatory review from cost/benefit assessment to a pursuit of “net benefits” as envisioned by progressives. “The federal government’s sole watchdog, OMB, has been transformed into a cheerleader for regulation,” Crews explained.
Other problems include:
Ї COST – There were 97 “economically significant” rules (defined as $100
animal & range sCienCes
ANIMAL & RANGE SCIENCES
The Department of Animal & Range Sciences is part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences
The Department of Animal & Range Sciences is part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences
Four on-campus animal facilities house: beeF CaTTle/horses/swine/sheep
million cost or higher) completed over the past six months, far exceeding the previous 10 years.
Ї COST – Despite the fact the Biden executive order changed the costthreshold of economically significant rules from $100 million per year to $200 million, so many bigger rules are coming out that the economically significant numbers are still going up.
Ї TALLY – The tally of final rules for 2023 is the second lowest count since 1976, but the number of pages in the Federal Register detailing those rules is the second-highest tally on record. Fewer official rules but broader in scope!
Ї UNCONSTITUTIONALITY INDEX
– Federal regulatory agencies issued 3,018 final rules, compared with Congress passing 68 bills — 44 rules issued for every law passed in 2023.
Ї TRANSPARENCY – A Biden Executive Order in 2021 ended a requirement that agencies disclose “dark matter” (such as guidance documents) on their websites, so there’s no accurate way of measuring it anymore.
Ї SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT – Final rules affecting small business appear to be mounting. Biden’s three years have averaged 870 rules annually affecting small business, compared with 694 and 701 for Obama and Trump, respectively.
To fix these many problems, the report identifies reforms aimed at increasing transparency, rigorous review, and accountability to Congress, such as:
• The Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center (The College Ranch) –64,000 acre ranch just outside of Las Cruces
Students can major in Animal or Rangeland Resources and are provided with the very best of “hands on” academic instruction by our faculty. Fully equipped labs allow students access to cutting-edge research in: LIVESTOCKNUTRITION / GENETICS / PHYSIOLOGY / ENDOCRINOLOGY / MEATSCIENCE / WOOL / TOXICOLOGY / WATERSHED & RANGELANDECOLOGY / WEED & BRUSHCONTROL / PLANTSYSTEMATICS / GRAZINGMANAGEMENT
The Department also offers pre-veterinary studies –our graduates have a high acceptance rate into veterinary medicine programs. We offer graduate degrees at the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy levels. The M.S. or Ph.D. in Animal Science can emphasize nutrition or physiology, and offers a Ph.D. in Range Science to study range management, range ecology and watershed management.
• The Corona Range & Livestock Research Center – 28,000 acre ranch & facilities in Corona, NM
• Student organizations, including a Block & Bridle Club, Pre-Vet Club, Range Club, Horsemen’s Association, Therapeutic Riding Club, & Judging Teams
• Clayton Research Center hosts research on shipping protocols, particularly evaluating the health and performance of newly received cattle, and nutrition and management from feedlot to slaughter
Dr. John Campbell –575/646-6180 / Dr. Dennis hallford –575-646-2515 http://aces.nmsu.edu/academics/anrs/
Ї Regulatory budgeting;
Ї Creating a regulatory reduction commission;
Ї Mandating congressional approval for costly or controversial agency rules; and
Ї Passing an “Abuse of Crisis Prevention Act”.
■ Homes, Mobile Homes
■ Scheduled Equipment, Hay, Cattle, Horses
■ Autos, Pickups, RVs, Motorcycles, Boats, Jet Skis, Four Wheelers
■ Personal/Commercial Liability, Umbrellas, Bonds
■ Corporate & Personal Ranches, and more!
by Barry Denton
Actions Are Louder Than Words
(The views expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association or this publication)
On March 4, 2024, Governor Kristi Noem signed HB 1231 which puts restrictions on the ownership of agricultural land. Its purpose is to stop evil foreign governments such as China from buying up South Dakota’s ag land.
Roughly a year earlier Governor Ron DeSantis signed a similar law in Florida preventing the Chinese from buying large tracts of land there. I sincerely doubt that the governors of Arizona, New Mexico, and
California even know the definition of “ag land”.
The thing that astounds me is that there are Americans that want to sell land to our enemy, the Communist Chinese. There must be many Americans willing to sell, if it requires a legislative bill to stop it.
I realize that we do lots of business with the Chinese such as manufacturing and the fact that they own a few of our ports as well.
The port ownership is puzzling too, but that is for another day. The fact is mega corporations are running America and there is very little emphasis on preserving the middle-class agricultural community.
In my book, there is a massive war on independent agriculture. It won’t be much longer, and many other people will be controlling your life even more than they already are.
It’s very easy to chip away at individual freedom without a hard-working rancher or farmer even noticing it. Stop and think of the vast array of regulatory agencies within the US government that you do not get to vote for or have any recourse against.
When was the last time you ever saw a regulatory agency do anything good for you or your business? Step away from the government for a minute and look at the
FIBERGLASS TANKS
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Checkoff Program.
I am not a member of that socialist organization, and I don’t want my cattle dollars sent to someone else’s kid to be further indoctrinated by the left. Furthermore, if I consign my cattle to a public sale, I cannot even check a box that gives me a choice in the matter.
Of course, that is an even more reason to sell your cattle privately. In principle the Beef Checkoff is no different than a forced tax that is collected by your government.
Then the government gives away your tax dollars to corrupt Ukraine to fight a war that will do you no earthly good. In my book each time they create a new tax you wake up more enslaved.
If we don’t start standing up, your slavery will be complete sooner than you think. Did you ever consider the amount of freedom that you have lost just since the 1970s?
That’s why what Governors Noem and DeSantis did is so important. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get some governors here in the southwest that thought agriculture came before abortion and transgenderism?
Remember, the government was created to maintain an army and do the business of the country. Social programs were left to citizens and their churches.
Remember that any government that gives you anything will take even more from you to make up for it. There are very few in government that are not owned by these massive left corporations.
Thankfully, there are a handful still willing to stand up for the individual. Think before you vote this year as it does matter, unless they start stealing every election from now on.
I suspect that will be the case, but the pending election looks more like a war between good and evil than just a difference of opinion.
Choose wisely, it may be your last chance to live in a semi-free America.
Heinrich Ignores USFS Scientists and Experts,
Continues to Push
SB 776
The United States Forest Service (USFS) has recently released their updated Forest Plan Revision for the Gila National Forest, recommending 224 miles of new Wild and Scenic River designations.
This recommend ation stands in stark contrast to the 450 miles proposed by Senator Martin Heinrich in the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act (SB 776).
The Heritage Waters Coalition (HWC) firmly opposes SB 776, asserting that Heinrich’s disproportionate proposal caters to out-of-state environmental lobbies and donor classes, ignoring local voices and community concerns.
This bill threatens to cause severe economic hardship for local communities reliant on these areas, with the senator’s claims of tourism offsets being both baseless and misleading.
The financial burden of managing these newly designated areas would fall on the regional USFS, which currently lacks the budget to do so. Moreover, Heinrich’s bill would create an unmanageable regulatory burden by establishing a patchwork of checkerboard river segments that the USFS will never be able to properly manage.
HWC emphasizes that by disregarding the recommendations of the Biden-Harris Administration’s own scientists and experts, Senator Heinrich’s bill imposes undue hardship on both the regional USFS and local communities.
HWC highlights that many of the areas proposed for designation are not free-flowing, as claimed, and are essential for local agricultural and economic activities, including farming, ranching, and mining.
HWC calls for a balanced resolution that respects both community needs and ecological integrity, urging the U.S. House Natural Resource and U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committees to reject the passage of SB 776 as currently proposed. ▫
We Know Agriculture...
Best of
WE’RE HONORED
Please call Colten Grau to arrange a visit. He’s working hard for our ag community and he’s eager to go to work for you!
Give us a chance to compete for your land and operating loans!
NOVEMBER — Cattleman of the Year; Angus; Brangus; Red Angus: Joint Stockmen’s Convention Preview DECEMBER — Bull Buyers
Mac Langford, President/CCO
Gordon Morris, Chairman of the Board/EVP
Colten Grau, Vice President
Union County Deputy Killed by Horse Thieves
Among those who care about such things, there has long been a debate concerning the date upon which the “Old” West stopped being wild and woolly. Some argue that the introduction of barbed wire in the middle to late 1870s effectively closed the open ranges and the frontier days ended. Others maintain that the last fight in the so-called Indian Wars, the Battle at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, in December 1890, marked the end and there are those who set the date at the close of the 19th century 1901. The following story illustrates that there were still wild goings-on some years after that date.
A band of horse thieves plied their trade
in northwestern Union County, New Mexico, in the spring of 1909. In one case alone, they stole twenty-eight head from the ranch of John King near Folsom, but many other ranchers also suffered losses of riding stock. In early June, Union County Sheriff D. W. Snyder learned that some of the stolen horses had been sold to farmers around Richland in southwestern Kansas, and he immediately sent his deputy, Jim Kent, to Kansas to see what he could learn. Kent located and recovered many of the horses and found that others had been traded for mules and other horses. He picked up a trail in Richland that took him to Trinidad, Colorado. Kent heard there of a man named Clarence Hamilton had sold some of the mules and horses to a Colorado farmer.
When Hamilton went to a Trinidad bank with the farmer to close the deal and collect his ill-gotten money, he found Deputy Kent waiting for him. It did not take long for Hamilton to tell Kent that the Jamison brothers actually stole the animals. The Jamisons, he said, maintained a camp in eastern Colfax County, near the Union County line, about five miles from John King’s ranch.
Sheriff Snyder dispatched Deputies Kent, H. M. Williams, and Gay Melon to arrest the Jamison brothers. The posse reached the
Cattlemens Livestock
King ranch on the evening of July 1 and spent the night there. It was still dark the next morning when the posse took the trail to the Jamison place, and the officers took positions of concealment outside the small adobe before daylight. Shortly, one of the Jamisons exited the house to gather kindling and firewood for use in preparing breakfast. Deputy Kent followed him back inside and at gunpoint ordered, “Throw up your hands!” Kent’s demand was immediately answered by a gunshot from an adjacent room. Shot in the neck, Kent fell to the floor, mortally wounded. Deputy Williams then approached the door, and he too was shot and severely wounded. Deputy Melon hurried away from the scene and back to the King ranch for help. Williams, in great agony from a stomach wound, was able to reach his horse and mount, and he too started for the King ranch. His strength failed him, however, and he collapsed along the road where a second posse from Folson found him, unconscious from loss of blood.
News accounts of the time reported that the Jamisons stepped over and around Kent’s body as the brothers finished preparing and eating breakfast. Then they mounted up rode west, toward Raton, but apparently not in great haste.
Meantime, Melon reached the King ranch and John King rode to Folsom where he sent a telegram to Sheriff Snyder:
July 2, 9:00 a.m.
Sheriff:
J. I. Kent killed at Jamison ranch. Take along posse from there overland at once.
Sheriff Snyder and a three-man posse set out from Clayton immediately and by riding hard overtook the killers about midnight at the George ranch, only twenty miles from the scene of the killing. One story is that the Jamisons surrendered themselves to Mr. George, who was a Justice of the Peace. Other accounts are less clear as to what the outlaws were doing at the George place.
The officers and their prisoners began the trip back to Clayton at once and arrived there at noon the next day. The Sheriff and his posse had covered more than two hundred miles in about 29 hours.1 The Jamisons were locked in jail, and when another brother, and their father, arrived from Raton to visit them, they were arrested, too.
Deputy Williams survived a long wagon ride in the hot sun to Folsom where a local doctor dressed his wound. The morning train then took him to Trinidad, Colorado, where the bullet could be removed.
Local newspapers reported that James I. Kent was born in Bartols County, Texas in 1875. Maps contemporary to the times, as well as modern references, do not show any such county in Texas.
Kent’s obituary said this: “He was a highly esteemed citizen, doing right by his fellow man for the sake of doing right, a friend to those for whom he professed friendship. His untimely death we greatly deplore and realize that one has been called from our midst whose place in our community will be hard to fill.”
Complete details regarding the prosecutions of the Jamison brothers are not known. It is known that George Jamison was convicted of manslaughter for killing Deputy Kent and sentenced to five years in the penitentiary. The time he actually spent in prison is not known.
1 Simple arithmetic reveals that the posse averaged nearly seven miles per hour which was pretty speedy traveling in those days. Thirty to forty miles per day on horseback is generally considered a good day’s ride, but much longer distances have been recorded. Your correspondent once, in the distant past, packed supplies into the Pecos Wilderness by use of a riding horse and a pack horse. The trek was about twentyseven miles, round trip, in one day. He considered it a day’s work. ▫
It’s Coal to the Rescue as Wind & Solar Fail to Keep German Lights On
In Germany they call it the “Energiewende,” meaning energy transition, and it doesn’t work.
Germans have been forced to come to grips with sober energy reality after binging on more than half a trillion Euros of so-called “alternative” energy, such as wind turbines and solar panels. This dramatically increased the price of electricity and created a serious risk of blackouts.
Germany actually just announced plans to reactivate coal plants to provide reserve power and lower the risk of blackouts during the coming winter and years to come.
Bloomberg reports that:
Germany’s coal phase-out plans face a potential setback after the energy regulator predicted the country will need a lot more fossil-fuel power plants on standby to help keep the lights on in the coming years.
The need for so-called reserve capacity to cover shortfalls in wind and solar generation
during the 2026/27 winter period is set to reach 9.2 gigawatts, double the amount put aside for the last heating season, the regulator said. That’s even more than the 8.3 gigawatts of mainly coal-fired backup deployed in 2022, when Russia curbed pipelined natural gas supplies to Europe.
The solution the German government is pursuing is no solution at all – offsets!
Reuters reports that German “coal-fired power plans will be reactivated and the government will make proposals by summer next year on how to offset increased carbon dioxide these plants will generate this winter.”
Germany will purchase some kind of offset certificates that will have no meaningful impact on the fact that German coal plants burn brown lignite, which is the dirtiest and least efficient variety of coal. It is far inferior to the cleaner-burning hard black anthracite mined in America.
The German energy economy has fallen victim to conflicting Green ideologies.
As Germany invested a fortune in wind and solar which are unable to meet its energy needs, it simultaneously shut down clean, safe, functioning nuclear plants that were already paid for.
Germany provides a powerful energy lesson in what not to do. ▫
Increasing the Resilience of the Beef Cattle Supply
2. Impact of Drought on Reproductive Performance
by Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Nutrition Specialist
Last month I covered some of the impacts of drought on cow numbers and the feeder cattle supply based on comments I made at a symposium at the American Society of Animal Science meeting held in
Calgary “Increasing the Resilience of the Beef Cattle Feeder Supply”. This month I will cover some additional impacts of drought and changing weather patterns on cattle reproductive performance.
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Increased culling of cows and earlier marketing of calves has triggered the decreased cattle numbers we are currently experiencing, but the drought and climatic conditions have other impacts on cattle supplies as well. Drought and climate extremes are related to reductions in forage growth and quality, and heat stress of livestock. Cows under nutrient restrictions due to the lack of available forage or forage of low nutritive quality lose body weight and body condition resulting in reduced fertility and rebreeding rates, further exacerbating the already reduced cattle numbers. Cows under heat stress and undernutrition have reduced production and quality of colostrum, impacting immune function and lifetime health and wellbeing of their progeny.
Above and on facing page is data from Dr. Richard Prather and Ellis County Animal Hospital showing artificial insemination pregnancy (PAI) rates from 3 herds in 2022 and 2023. Cows in herd 4 were maintained in adequate body condition (BCS) in both
years with excellent fertility and reproduction rates. Cows in herd 6 lost condition from breeding to pregnancy check in 2022 and had lower breeding rates, but increasing condition in 2023 improved cow fertility. While cows in herd 2 were thinner in 2023 and continued to lose condition, resulting in reduced fertility in 2023.
Drought and climate extremes result in disruptions in cattle supply and reduced fertility of thin cows. Along with reduced cow rebreeding rates, heat stress or nutrient restriction of gestating cows will result in long-term reductions in productivity of their offspring. The heifer offspring of undernourished cows have lower fertility and steer calves have lower performance and carcass quality at slaughter later in life. Below is the heifer artificial insemination results from Dr. Prather’s cowherd analytics along with the rainfall from April through July of each year.
Average AI success in heifers from these herds declined in 2021, the year after the start of the drought in 2020 and continued to be low in 2023 even with the higher rainfall that year. This
indicates that the scarcity conditions the cows were in during the drought impacted the future fertility of their offspring they were carrying. The impacts of poor nutrition can be generational.
Next month I will discuss the impacts
drought and changing weather patterns have on health and performance of feeder calves. ▫
Jeanette is a Moriarty, New Mexico native and currently lives in Stanley, where her husband has been serving as a ranch hand for the past nine years.
They have six children who are active members in FFA and 4-H, show livestock and compete in judging competitions. Jeanette comes to us from several years in the vet med field where she worked as lead administrative staff.
She has a passion for agriculture and looks forward to using her fresh perspective and administrative skills to make a positive impact.
NMCGA Allied Industry Committee to Host College Interns at 2024 Joint Stockmen’s Convention
The New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (NMCGA) Allied Industry Committee is excited to announce its upcoming 2024 Joint Stockmen’s Convention in Albuquerque, NM. The committee will welcome college interns at this convention through its Allied Industry Mentorship (AIM) program.
NMCGA President Bronson Corn of Roswell emphasizes, “Our AIM program is designed to help students build valuable connections with industry professionals and cattlemen across New Mexico. We understand that finding the right career path can be challenging for young people, and this internship offers them a unique chance to explore various sectors within agriculture through a single, comprehensive experience.”
Interns will shadow NMCGA leadership and Allied Industry Partners, gaining firsthand insight into their chosen fields while engaging directly with peers and industry leaders. Reflecting on her internship experience, 2023 AIM intern Rayleigh Carter shared, “Serving as an AIM intern has been incredibly valuable for both my academic and professional development. I’m grateful for the chance to interact with industry leaders and tackle important issues.”
The AIM program also allows businesses to infuse new ideas and energy into their operations, identify emerging talent, and potentially create a pipeline for future fulltime employees. The convention will feature over 15 agriculture-related sectors at the trade show.
Kristin Drake, Chair of the NMCGA Allied Industry Committee, adds, “The AIM internship not only offers exceptional opportunities for college students but also allows industry leaders to engage with and influence the next generation of agriculturists.”
Applications for the AIM program are due by October 15, 2024. For more information, please get in touch with the NMCGA office at (505) 247-0584. ▫
NMCGA Scholarship Applications
Open for Fall 2024
The New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (NMCGA), in partnership with Purina Mills and Depot Farm and Ranch Agency, is thrilled to announce the fall scholarship applications are open with a goal to support the educational pursuits of young individuals from agricultural backgrounds. These scholarships aim to nurture leadership and academic excellence within New Mexico’s vibrant cattle industry.
During the upcoming 2024 Joint Stockmen’s Convention, set to take place from December 11-14 at Hotel Albuquerque in Albuquerque, NM, NMCGA, Depot Farm and Ranch Agency, and Purina Mills will award the following scholarships:
Ї Two $2,500 and one $500 Depot Farm and Ranch Agency Heritage Scholarships: These scholarships are open to students who are members of NMCGA, the New Mexico Junior Cattle Growers’ Association, or their children. Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors, first-year college students, sophomores, and juniors in good academic standing.
Ї Two $1,000 Purina Mills Scholarships: Open to New Mexico
students who are members of NMCGA, the New Mexico Junior Cattle Growers’ Association, or children of NMCGA members. Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors, first-year college students, sophomores, and juniors in good academic standing.
Ї Two $500 YCLC/Allied Industry Committee Scholarships: Presented by the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Committee and the Allied Industries Committee. One scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior and one to a continuing college student.
Bronson Corn, President of NMCGA, highlighted the broader significance of these scholarships, stating, “These scholarships go beyond financial support. They represent a crucial opportunity for young individuals to advance their education in fields that deepen their understanding of production agriculture and related disciplines.”
Applications for these scholarships can be found on the NMCGA website at www. nmagriculture.org. The application deadline is October 15, 2024.
“We are dedicated to supporting NMCGA members and their families in pursuing higher education, and we are grateful for the generosity of the Depot Farm and Ranch Agency, Purina, and our YCLC/Allied Industry committee members,” remarked Corn, underscoring the association’s commitment to investing in the future of agriculture.
For more info about scholarships and application process, please visit nmagriculture.org. ▫
Nominations Open for New Mexico Livestock Inspector of the Year
by Michelle Frost-Maynard, NMCGA
The New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (NMCGA), is seeking nominations for its annual New Mexico Livestock Inspector of the Year Award. The award will be presented during the 2024 Annual Joint Stockmen’s Convention, December 11th through 14th, in Albuquerque. The deadline for submitting nominations is October 1, 2024.
“New Mexico Livestock Inspectors work hard to protect our industry and honoring them is one of the highlights during our Joint Stockmen’s Convention” said Bronson Corn, NMCGA President.
The NMLB mission is to protect the integrity of New Mexico’s livestock industry. The inspectors continuously patrol and perform inspections around the state to help keep livestock free from disease and safe from theft.
Nominations should include name and address of the inspector, as well as a brief narrative on why the nominee is deserving of the award. Nominations must be received in the NMCGA office by October 1, 2024.
They should be sent to: New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, P.O. Box 850, Moriarty, NM 87035; via fax – 505.842.1766; or via email to nmcga20@gmail.com.
For further information, please contact the NMCGA office at (505) 247-0584. ▫
AgTrust Farm Credit is a customer-owned cooperative lender. The board of directors serve as representatives of the customer-owners that are responsible for protecting and advocating their interests while supporting the growth of the association.
The following candidates were elected to the AgTrust Farm Credit board of directors as part of the 2024 director election:
• Region 1 TX – Cody Hughes, Roscoe, TX
• Region 4 TX – Stacey Schumacher, Era, TX
• Region 6 TX – Asa Langford, Lampasas, TX
• Region 9 NM – TJ Runyan, Las Cruces, NM
• Regions 9 & 10 NM – F.T. “Ted” McCollum III, Amarillo, TX
“Input from a customer-elected board is invaluable” said Joe Hayman, AgTrust Farm Credit chief executive officer. “The election process allows the customers to have a voice in selecting leadership.”
The current Board is composed of 15 Stockholder-Elected Directors, and 2 Outside Directors. The Stockholder-Elected Directors provide representation for each of the nominating regions across the Association’s territory.
Members of the board include:
Ї Chairman, Brent Neuhaus, Waco, TX
Ї Matt Carter, Fort Worth, TX
Ї Kendal Wilson, Carrizozo, NM
Ї John Sisk, Corona, NM
Ї Billy Rucker, Clovis, NM
Ї Linda Brown, San Antonio, NM
Ї David Conrad, Round Rock, TX
Ї Chad Lee, Fort Worth, TX
Ї Tina Murphy, Dekalb, TX
Ї Jeff Nelson, Corsicana, TX
Ї Josh Drews, Marlin, TX
Ї David Harris, Cleburne, TX
Caviness Inducted into Meat Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2023
by Sammy Bredar
After a few years of virtual induction ceremonies, the Meat Industry Hall of Fame is proud to return to an annual in-person honors ceremony. At the 85th American Convention of Meat Processors & Suppliers’ Exhibition in Omaha, Neb., meat and poultry industry stakeholders gathered at the CHI Health Center to welcome the Meat Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2023.
This year’s honorees included:
Ї Terry Caviness – CEO, Caviness Beef Packers Ltd.
Ї Oscar G. Mayer (posthumous) –chairman and president, Oscar Mayer
Ї John A. Stadler –retired meat industry executive
Ї Kevin Western – CEO, Western’s Smokehouse
Ї Mindy Brashears – professor-food microbiology and food safety, Texas Tech University
Ї Tommy Wheeler – distinguished senior research scientist, USDA-ARS
Ї Phil Hinderaker – retired, president, Alkar
Terry Caviness, CEO of Caviness Beef Packers Ltd., runs his family’s beef processing business in Hereford and Amarillo, Texas. The business, founded in 1962, is now in its third generation of family leadership – Terry, along with his sons Trevor and Regan, are currently at the helm of Caviness Beef Packers.
After graduating from Texas Tech Uni-
versity, Terry Caviness returned to his home to work in the family business. In addition to running Caviness Beef Packers, Caviness works as a director and operating partner of CS Beef Packers in Kuna, Idaho, a partnership between his own family and the J.R. Simplot family in Boise.
There are around 2,200 employees between both Caviness Beef Packers and CS Beef Packers. The two companies process around 1.3 million cattle each year, selling and distributing beef on a national and international scale. One of Caviness’s most notable career moments was building a new beef processing complex in 2005.
Mindy Brashears, director of the International Center for Food Industry Excellence at Texas Tech University, formerly served as the under secretary for food safety. From 2019-2021, Brashears led the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service. She was instrumental in managing the food supply chain during the pandemic, and she is credited for multiple events, such as the Swine Inspection Modernization and Egg Inspection Modernization, during her time at FSIS. While leading the organization, she created a graduate fellowship for students in food safety, which supports FSIS priority research.
Now at Texas Tech, Brashears also works as a Paul Whitfield Horn Distinguished Professor, holding the Roth and Letch Family Endowed Chair for Food Safety. At Texas Tech, Brashears focuses on food safety and public health for pre-harvest and post-harvest production. In addition to her roles at
Texas Tech, Brashears serves on the Board of Directors for the International Stockman’s Education Foundation, as a Fellow in the National Academy of Inventors, on the Development Council for the American Meat Science Association and on the Academic Advisory panel for the Protein Pact.
A career highlight for Brashears goes back to her first day on the job at FSIS, where she faced the largest E. coli O157:H7 recall in history at that time. The recall and its aftermath set the path for her food safety research moving forward.
Brashears is an active advocate for women in the meat industry, creating and moderating the “Pink Ribbon Food Safety Task Force,” a Facebook page focused on women in food safety.
Looking back on her career, Brashears is most proud of her students. She is proud of seeing the knowledge passed down through them, and believes that to be her greatest accomplishment.
Welcoming the Class of 2023
Though many producers have great products, relationships make all the difference. The Meat Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2023 are experts not only in meat, but in cultivating and building strong relationships with each farmer, supplier, vendor, customer and employee. ▫
Meat Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2023
Courtesy of Caviness Beef Packers
Thomas Leon Musick, 90, Dora, passed peacefully from this life on July 2, 2024. Known to everyone as “Leon,” was born September 6, 1933 in the Rogers community to the home of Nellie “Nell” (Mullins) and Bill Musick. The family home was in the Rogers community until the late 1930s when they moved to the Dora area. Leon attended the Dora schools his entire school career.
He enlisted in the US Air Force following graduation, and served as a tail gunner on B29’s during the Korean conflict. In August 1953 in Portales, Leon was married to Verdine Page. Following his discharge from the service they returned to the Dora area where he ranched and farmed for the rest of his life. He and his family moved to his current home in 1956.
Leon started out with virtually nothing and built his ranching operation into a successful business. He proudly bred and raised Black Angus cattle, and at one time was the number two breeder in the state of New Mexico. For 40 years he sold registered
Angus Bulls in Tucumcari. Leon was a true cattleman and horseman. Taking care of his livestock and operating his farm and ranch were his hobbies. He loved his John Deere tractors. His wife Verdine passed away in November 1999. In January 2006 he was married to Denise “Dee” May.
Leon is survived by his wife; his son, Danny Musick, Clovis; a daughter, Vicki Musick, Portales; his honorary son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Julie Neece and their daughter “Miss Bailey;” four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Thomas Dale “Tommy” Drummond, 82, passed away July 24, 2024 at his home in Buckhorn, after a battle with cancer. He was born in Silver City, on September 10, 1941, to Frank and Mildred (Brown) Drummond.
He graduated from Cliff High School and Western New Mexico University. While attending WNMU, he worked at the Grant County Sheriff’s office as a radio operator
and jailer where he made many lifelong friends. Upon graduation from college, he moved to Tucson, Arizona where he worked as a life insurance salesman until he was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam era but ended up serving most of his time in Italy. While living in Tucson, he met a lifelong friend, Larry Gannon, with whom he spent lots of his free time, hunting and fishing, and who would follow him to Buckhorn upon his retirement.
Shortly after his Army discharge, Tommy moved back to Buckhorn where he met and married Connie in 1974 and they made their home along Duck Creek. He spent several years working for Hollimon Construction building houses in the Silver City area and finished his career by retiring from the New Mexico State Highway Dept. at Cliff. They raised one son, Tracy Drummond.
Tommy is survived by his wife Connie, son Tracy (Kayla), granddaughter Kacy Drummond, grandson Ky Drummond (Katelyn) and one great-granddaughter
Tyree. Tommy is also survived by his sister Becky Hollimon (Richard) and brothers-inlaw Terry Jones and Jimmy Jones (Sherry). He enjoyed meeting with his many friends each morning at the Last Chance coffee club where he was affectionately known as the unofficial “Mayor” of Buckhorn. He never met a stranger and enjoyed his many friends and fellow story tellers. He loved to hunt and fish and explore the mountains and in his later years he enjoyed his casino trips. Thank you to all the visitors who came and helped him pass the time these past few weeks.
Martin Leslie Mead, 63, Tucumcari, passed away on July 13, 2024, in Clovis New Mexico. Martin was born on January 8, 1961, in Santa Fe, New Mexico to Leslie H. (Bob), and Joanne Mead. Martin grew up on the home place in Taos, New Mexico.
He enjoyed working around cattle and horses. He enjoyed being a part of several organizations that were linked to the agricultural lifestyle– 4-H, FFA, New Mexico Junior Angus Association, New Mexico Junior Cattle Growers’ Association to name a few. Martin also enjoyed showing his cattle at the County and State levels, and had several winning bulls, steers and heifers.
Martin played several sports in school, but really enjoyed skiing the most and was able to ski a lot growing up, surrounded by several ski resorts in Northern New Mexico. He also enjoyed rodeo, which was a family tradition and he leaned towards riding bulls and did that until around age 30.
Martin moved to Tucumcari after graduating high school and worked for several area farmers and ranchers, while living and working on the family place there.
Martin had a great gift from God, in art. He liked painting, drawing and bronze sculpting. Most of his artwork had a western theme. One of his biggest accomplishments was a life size bronze of a couple looking out onto the new frontier. It stands in front of Mesalands Community College, in Tucumcari.
Martin is survived by his parents Leslie H. (Bob) and Joanne Mead, Tucumcari; his sister Lynn and her husband Chris Boelke and niece, Katelyn Boelke, Grand Junction, Colorado; brother Regan C. Mead and wife Melissa, Hartley Texas; nephew, Preston Mead and wife Breanna and children, Channing Texas; Wesley Mead and wife McCall and children, Canyon, Texas; and Sara Perkins and husband Kenton, Tucumcari.
Martin was laid to rest on July 18, 2024, at the Tucumcari Memorial Park, Tucum-
cari New Mexico.
Christian Robert Pettigrew, 33 a lifelong resident and rancher in Fort Sumner passed away August 22, 2024 in an accident. He was born March 29, 1991 in Albuquerque to the home of Mike and Laurie (Biglow) Pettigrew. He grew up on the family ranch north of Fort Sumner. He graduated from Fort Sumner High School in 2009 where he was active in football, basketball, 4-H, FFA, and Rodeo. He attended ENMU and graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree.
Christian married Taylor Renee Niemeier on June 1, 2019 and they made their home at Sumner Lake. Christian worked at the Pettigrew Family Ranch, which was the place that he loved the most. He was a member of the Fellowship Methodist Church of Fort Sumner. Christian loved to work, hunt, hang out with his dogs, grill and cook, and he loved football and the Dallas Cowboys. He truly loved to spend time working alongside his family and friends.
Christian is survived by his wife
Taylor Pettigrew, Fort Sumner; his parents Mike and Laurie Pettigrew, Fort Sumner, his sister Dixie Michelle (Anthony Hoshino) Pettigrew, Pflugerville, Texas, brothers: Brandon Loska, Coeur d’Alena, Idaho; and Kit Pettigrew, Fort Sumner; his nieces Addley Gonzales and Henley Hoshino; his mother and father-in-law Gina and Jason Neimeier and sister-in-law Caitlyn Dixon all of McGregor, Texas. Also surviving are
numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family members.
Marion Denise (Meme) Bean was born on May 4, 1966, in Las Cruces, New Mexico to David and Joan Kincaid. She passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 9, 2024, after a brave and lengthy battle with cancer.
Meme was a 1984 graduate of Carlsbad High School. After high school, she furthered her education and obtained a diploma from Southwest Institute of Fashion Merchandising and Design, in El Paso, Texas.
Meme and Bullet Bean met on July 29, 1990, and married that same year on September 22, 1990. At 24 years old she met and married the love of her life, and they would soon be celebrating 34 years together. Meme and Bullet were blessed to blend their families to include Bullet’s son and daughter, Bucky and Lori, along with Meme’s son, Josh. They went on to have one son together, JT, to complete their beautiful family. Meme loved supporting her boys as an avid Bulldog Baseball Mom along with her granddaughters, Bristol and Blayke, in all their activities.
Her passions were flowers, horses, people and smiles and her favorite colors were red and black. Meme had a favorite saying, Be yourself, everyone else is already taken!.
Meme was a member of West Main Baptist Church. Honoring her ranching her-
itage, Meme was a dedicated member of the New Mexico Cowbelles, Yucca Cowbelles, and Wool Growers’ Association where she was an advocate for New Mexico agriculture.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Bullet Bean of the family home; son JT Bean and wife Kendra and granddaughters, Bristol and Blayke Bean; son Bucky, grandchildren Desiray, Nathan and Matthew; daughter, Lori Ingram and husband Mike Ingram and grandchildren Brianna Robinson, Zach Hinojos, Kamryn Zwemstra, Cadence Neumann and Carl Neuman; her parents David and Joan Kincaid; brother Mark and wife Tamela Kincaid, nephews Cole and Clay Kincaid; Aunts Tina Kincaid and Joyce Laumbach; and brother in laws Robert and Kenneth Bean.
Memorial donation in Meme’s honor may be sent to the following: Grammys House P.O. Box 654 Artesia, NM 88211 Or Written in Red Foundation P.O. Box 1501 Artesia, NM 88211 Our family would like to extend a special thank-you to Enhabit Hospice for the exceptional care they’ve provided Meme throughout this time. We’d also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to Linda Taylor for her tireless efforts in caring for Meme and giving her so much love and attention. Meme has been blessed with a host of friends and family who have gone above
and beyond to provide meals, run errands, help with arrangements and just sit at her side exemplifying the true meaning of friendship and family. May God richly bless you all!
Dennis Dwayne Parker, 72, Elephant Butte, passed away quietly and peacefully from a heart attack in his sleep on August 8, 2024. Originally from Petaluma, California, he was born on September 18, 1951.
Dennis loved the outdoors and lived his life to be in nature. As a little kid growing up, he played little league baseball, fished for his favorite trout, rode his bike to the Cal Coast to go clamming, treasure hunted in old town sites, went bottle digging (which he then collected), went birding and had fun with his friends and family who he loved and was loved by them.
He had lifelong friendships with many of the people he grew up with and treasured, including his large extended family. He is survived by his younger brother, Dick Parker and his wife, Ann and their daughter Jessica, all of Rohnert Park, California.
After graduating as a biologist from Sonoma State University in Northern California, Dennis moved to Patagonia, Arizona by way of Tucson, and for the next 40 plus years, he shared his life and adventures with old and new friends, creating too many good memories to mention.
He met and married his forever wife there, named Yarra Cache (YC) AKA Laura Madrid Porter Parker. He was a thoughtful, trustworthy, loyal husband and my best friend, I was blessed by being with him.
Dennis was a great father to his stepson, Damien Porter, who he helped raise from a young teenager into a strong young man. A man he called, “Son”. Dennis was very, very proud of the man Damien had become. He adored Damien’s wife, Jocelyn, and his four wonderful grandchildren, and was looking forward to seeing his very young great-granddaughter grow up.
While living in Patagonia, Dennis worked at the Museum of the Horse for over 15 years, restoring horse drawn vehicles. He guided bird watchers, hunters and did some day work on local ranches during round-up. He learned silversmithing from his good friend, Juan Sisneros, and made beautiful hand stamped silver belts, buckles, bolos and earrings. He was multi-talented and never stopped being a surprise!
As a professional biologist, his work on endangered species and natural resources was well known throughout the Southwest. The work he did over 30 years benefited all those he worked for and the many of his
clients who would also become his very good friends right until what would become his last day.
To complete his career, late in life, Dennis went back to school at Southwestern School of Law in Southern California. He graduated and then became an Attorney at Law in Arizona. Dennis combined his biology background and his legal training to become proficient in his new field of Environmental Law and proceeded to accomplish everything he set out to do, standing up for everyone and everything he believed in.
Eventually, he and his wife retired to Elephant Butte, New Mexico by way of Ojai, California and they loved it and found it to be the perfect place to live. Most nights he loved to cook out over a mesquite fire, telling tales of playing college baseball, sometimes he just enjoyed a quiet evening under the beautiful New Mexico stars or enjoying an evening playing his mandolin and remembering good stories and good times with old friends.
Susan Loretta “Sissie” Jones (née Proctor), 82, passed away on August 18, 2024, in El Paso, Texas. She was born October 19, 1941 at the family home, near Corona, New Mexico. Sissie was well loved by her family and stayed active in the Corona com-
munity all her life.
Sissie graduated from Corona Schools in 1959 and married Sonny Jones. They lived in Bloomfield, New Mexico, where she became a school bus driver, a career she had for over 40 years, retiring from Tatum Schools in Tatum, New Mexico. She loved her job and drove millions of miles. After retirement, she moved to Hope, New Mexico and began her life with Sam Teel, eventually moving to Sonora Texas.
Sissie loved to dance, she and Sam went dancing every chance they got. She loved going camping with her family and teaching the kids how to find “Indian stuff” around the ranch. She was always willing to help, and whatever you were doing, she would make a hand. She was the best Mom and Granny a person could ask for and we will miss her dearly.
Sissie is survived by her sons, Leonard Greg Jones (Gloria), Wesley Jones (Janie), and Patrick Jones (Beatriz); two grandsons; and two granddaughters; five great-grandsons; a great-granddaughter; a great-great-granddaughter; brother, Bo Proctor; sisters, Radna Proctor and Alma Hobbs; brother-in-law, Dale Jones (Karen); sister-in-law, Mary Mohler (John); her special life and dancing partner, Sam Teel
and his son, Cody and daughter-in-law Tarra Teel, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families.
A memorial service will be held September 28, in Corona. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to an FFA Chapter of your choice. The Getz Funeral Home in Las Cruces, New Mexico, is assisting the family during this time. Sissie’s life was marked by her fearless attitude, her hard working nature and her unwavering love and support for her family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Editor’s Note: Email caren@aaalivestock.com. Memorial donations may be sent to the Cattlegrowers’ Foundation, a 501(c)3, tax deductable charitable foundation serving the rights of ranch families and educating citizens on governmental actions, policies and practices. Cattlegrowers Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 7517, Albuquerque, NM 87194. The New Mexico Stockman runs memorials as a courtesy to its readers. If families & friends would like to see more detail, verbatim pieces must be emailed to us, & may be printed at 10¢ per word. ▫
JANUARY — Wildlife; Gelbvieh; Joint Stockmen’s Convention Results
FEBRUARY — Beefmasters; Texas Longhorns
MARCH — Limousin; Santa Gertrudis
APRIL — Dairy
MAY — News of the Day
JUNE — Sheepman of the Year
JULY — Directory of Agriculture
AUGUST — The Horse Industry
SEPTEMBER — Charolais; Fairs Across the Southwest
OCTOBER — Hereford; New Mexico State Fair Results
NOVEMBER — Cattleman of the Year; Joint Stockmen’s Convention Preview; Angus, Brangus, Red Angus
DECEMBER — Bull Buyers Guide
If you would like to see your breed featured email caren@aaalivestock.com
To Reserve Advertising Space email chris@aaalivestock.com or call Chris at 505.243.9515, ext. 2
COLLECTORS CORNER
by Jim Olson
Collecting the West & Your Top 5 Tips for Acquisitions
by Jim Olson
When people think of the “Old West,” they often visualize Outlaws, Lawmen, Cowboys, and Native Americans — as portrayed by Dime Novels and Hollywood during the first half of the 20th century. However, the true Old West was much more. While the American exploration of the West began in the early 19th century, it wasn’t until after the Civil War that folks ventured out in droves in search of a better life. The Old West, as a historical period, is often considered to span from the end of the Civil War (when people starting going west en mass) to the 1890s (coinciding with the end of the Indian Wars, the fencing of the ranges, and modern firearms). And these are definitely the most romanticized years, but we believe the collectible period associated with the Old West covers from when Mountain Men, Fur Trappers and Explorers came west in the early 1800s — and extended well into the 20th century (after all, Arizona didn’t even become a state until 1912, and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West was
still active at the time).
As one can see, Old West collectibles are a vast subject, covering a century or so of time, and they appeal to a wide range of interests. Whether you are interested in the history of art depicting the era, weaponry, Native American or Western Americana, the Old West offers something for collectors of many interests. It wasn’t all just about “Cowboys and Indians” however; the Old West encompasses many facets of American history, including the Mountain man era, post-Civil War era, mining, railroads, gunfighters, emerging artists, the Wild West shows and beginnings of rodeo, and the list goes on.
Given the wide variety of categories which fall under Old Western memorabilia, it is recommended for collectors to choose a specific area of focus. Some may start with a certain subject which has a personal connection to them, while other’s interests are more general. Potential subjects for a collection are vast, but in the beginning, budding collectors should narrow their attention to a particular subject area before expanding into other interests. Regardless of the chosen subject, thoroughly learning about it is a critical step. Among other things, it helps the collector identify the authentic pieces and avoid spending good money on bad items, helping to ensure their collection is both historically correct and valuable.
In no particular order, here are a few of the more popular subjects one might consider:
FAMOUS FIGURES
Known outlaws, lawmen, warriors, ranchers or any other figure to have made a
significant impact on the history of the Old West would be considered the “crème de la crème” of collecting. Of course items directly associated with these figures also fetch high prices and coincidentally are the most faked. So this subject is not for the novice collector.
COWBOYS
An American cowboy is probably the most iconic imagery associated with the Old West. To this day folks still emulate them. Items like saddles, spurs, chaps, hats and boots from the 19th and early 20th centuries are highly sought after by Western collectors.
NATIVE AMERICANS
Native Americans are right up there with Cowboys when images of the Old West are imagined. Native American artifacts are popular among collectors. Items such as baskets, rugs, bead work, pottery and weapons are particularly sought after.
MILITARY
Militaria from the Old West era can cover numerous subjects starting with the Mexican - American War, Civil War, Indian Wars and Pancho Villa even raided Columbus, New Mexico as late as 1916, which sent the American Army into Mexico for several months afterwards looking for retribution. Militaria is a special area of interest to many collectors.
WEAPONS
Weaponry of all kinds, whether it be rifles, pistols, knives or bows and arrows — from any of the categories mentioned above — are highly collectible and sought after by collectors. However, antique firearms, being one of the most sought after collectibles from the Old West period, do require a special area of knowledge in order to avoid buying “a pig in a poke.”
MINING
Gold and silver discoveries of the 19th century had a huge impact on the development of the Old West. Mining tools and equipment, old photos, stock certificates, and maps associated with mining have become popular collectibles.
WILD WEST SHOWS
Wild West shows, popular from the 1880s through the 1920s, not only played a significant role in romanticizing the West, for the most part, they used real life Western Characters. While Buffalo Bill’s Wild West was
the most famous, others such as Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show, Texas Jack’s Wild West and the 101 Ranch Wild West Show were well-known. Collectibles such as posters, programs, and costumes associated with the shows are highly prized collectibles.
WESTERN ART
Just like the Wild West Shows, towards the later part of the Old West era, works by artists such as Remington, Russell, and Maynard Dixon portrayed images and characters of the West in a way that has been hard to successfully recreate. Significant works of art from the period are another example of high-end Western memorabilia. Just like items associated with historical figures however, this subject is not for the novice. Reproductions are numerous and the entry fee is usually high, so one can loose a small fortune if one does not know what they are doing.
Top 5 Tips for Collecting Western Memorabilia
1) Choose a Focus: Start by selecting a specific subject area within Old West memorabilia to guide your collection. Focus will help you build a cohesive and meaningful collection.
2) Research Thoroughly: Invest time in researching the items you are interested in collecting. Knowledge is key to identifying authentic pieces and avoiding fakes.
3) Condition and Provenance: The condition of an item and its provenance significantly impacts value. Be cautious of items that look old but lack proper provenance, as they may have been made for the tourist trade in the 20th century.
4) Buy from Reputable Dealers: The value of Western memorabilia can be great, so it’s essential to purchase items from trusted sources who stand behind what they sell. This can help ensure authenticity.
5) Start Small, Think Big: Begin with smaller, more affordable items as you build your collection. Over time, you can expand your collection to include more valuable pieces as your knowledge and budget grow. These tips can help collectors successfully navigate the world of Western memorabilia and build a collection of historical significance and value. By collecting items associated with the passing of the American frontier, YOU can help preserve and perpetuate our rich Western History and Heritage for future generations. ▫
Frozen Pork, Beef Supplies Dwindle While Poultry Stocks Grew in July
by Frank Fuhrig, meatingplace.com
Supplies of frozen pork declined five percent in July, according to monthly cold storage data from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Pork in freezers on July 31 totaled 450.7 million pounds, four percent lower than the same date a year earlier. The July pork belly supply of 42.7 million pounds represented a drop of 30 percent from June and 17 percent from a year ago.
Frozen beef was 407,127 in July, down about 0.2 percent from June and one percent lower than a year ago.
Total frozen poultry in freezers was about 1.22 billion pounds, up two percent from June but five percent lower than July 2023.
SKAARER BRANGUS
Willcox, Arizona
Chicken in freezers rose two percent in July to 757 million pounds, led by double-digit expansion of stocks of legs, leg quarters and hens/mature chickens. Compared to July 2023, total chicken in cold storage was down ten percent. Frozen turkey rose three percent month–on-month to 460 million pounds, a jump of five percent year-on-year. ▫ Plan advertisingyourfor the coming year!
JANUARY — Wildlife; Gelbvieh; Joint Stockmen’s Convention Results
FEBRUARY — Beefmasters; Texas Longhorns
MARCH — Limousin; Santa Gertrudis
APRIL — Dairy
MAY — News of the Day
JUNE — Sheepman of the Year
JULY — Directory of Agriculture
AUGUST — The Horse Industry
SEPTEMBER — Fairs Across the SW; Charolais
OCTOBER — Hereford; NM State Fair Results
NOVEMBER — Cattleman of the Year; Angus; Brangus; Red Angus: Joint Stockmen’s Convention Preview
DECEMBER — Bull Buyers Guide
CONNIFF CATTLE CO., LLC
McPHERSON HEIFER BULLS
½ Corriente, ½ Angus bulls. All Solid Black Virgins
½ Corriente, ½ Angus Bred Heifers & Young Pairs Solid Black
Matt • 806/292-1035
Steve • 806/292-1039
Lockney, Texas • Claude, Texas Columbus, New Mexico
— 2nd Oldest Beefmaster Herd — — Highest IMF Herd in the Breed — — Most Fertile Herd in the Breed — — Closed Herd Since 1967 —
CaseyBeefmasters.com Watt, Jr. 325/668-1373
Functional Cattle Sold PVT Treaty Muscled Virgin Bulls-CSS Semen
New Mexico Ranch Items and Service Specialist Since 1976 New Mexico Distributor for Aermotor Windmills
We need listings on all types of ag properties large or small!
■ UNION CO., NM – divided into three tracts for rotational grazing of 1,822 ac. +/- enrolled in the new Grasslands Conservation Reserve Program & 120 ac. +/- of the property in the standard CRP program. GCRP can be grazed year-round each year. Excellent fencing, one mile of hwy. frontage together with all-weather roads on the remainder, equipped with almost new set of steel working pens with scale, a second set of almost new working pens, watered by subs on electricity with pipelines furnishing water for drinkers in each pasture. Gramma & buffalo grasses.
■ 2,720 ACRE IRR. FARM located in the eastern part of north eastern New Mexico w/pivot sprinklers, irrigation wells, a virtually new 5 strand barb wire fence w/swinging gates, w/part of the property being on pvmt.. Lays in two tracts of 1,120 ac. +/- in one at $1,600/ac. and 1,600 ac. +/- in the other at $1,000.00/ac. which can be purchased together or separately.
■ U NION CO., NM – Just out of Clayton, NM, 2 sections +/- located on pvmt. complete with two large circles containing 398.4 ac. +/- & 452.94 ac. +/- irrigated by pivot sprinklers w/five irrigation wells & accompanying irr. equipment, on pvmt. together w/a lease of 800 ac. +/- of Kiowa National Grassland.
■ UNION CO., NM – Just out of Clayton, a large feedyard w/four circles irrigated by ¼ mile sprinklers, six irr. wells and accompanying irr. equipment just across the hwy. from the two sections w/the grass lease. The two sections w/the grass lease & the feedyard w/ four adjoining quarters can be purchased together or separately.
■ PRICE REDUCED! COLFAX COUNTY NM GETAWAY – 1,482.90 ac.+/- grassland (1,193.59 ac. +/- Deeded, 289.31 ac. State Lease), great location near all types of mountain recreation.
■ PRICE REDUCED! CHOICE 320 ac.+/-, irrigated farm, w/pivot sprinklers, irrigation wells & an older home which would be liveable or could be moved. Located on pvmt. in prime farming area of Castro Co., TX.
■ KB RANCH - Kenney Co., TX – KB Ranch is a low fenced 802 +/- acre property that is surrounded by large ranches. The ranch has abundant whitetail and is also populated with turkey, dove, quail, hogs and varmint species. Axis are in the area and have been occasionally seen. The ranch lies approximately 9 miles south of Bracketville on TX 131 and is accessed by all weather Standart Road.
■ CLAYTON, NM – 9 ac. +/- located on pvmt. behind a large convenience store on which has been partially begun infrastructure for an RV park. This property will also lend itself well as a large development such as new or existing businesses expanding their company.
■ CASTRO CO., TX – 3 farms with good water, owner will sell and cash lease back: 1,319 ac. +/-, 2 half mile pivots; 1,715 ac. +/-, drip irrigated; 1,440 ac. +/-, drip irrigated.
■ ANGUS, NM – 250 +/- acres with over a 1/2 mile of NM 48 frontage. Elevations from 6,800 to 7,200 feet. Two springs along a creek. Ideal for future development or build your own getaway home.
■ CLAYTON, NM – 44 acres located approx.. 2 miles south of Clayton, NM on Hwy 87 on the East side of the highway. This property has about ½ mile of highway frontage and would be great for residential housing, commercial development or addtl. RV development (adjoins the 16.75 ac. RV park). www.scottlandcompany.com
REDUCED!!DOUBLE U RANCH IN TOMBSTONE, ARIZONA – The historic Double U Ranch located at the foothills of the scenic Dragoon Mountains near Tombstone, Arizona in Cochise County. The Double U Ranch consists of 6,315 contiguous acres of deeded land and a 2,320 acre Arizona State Land grazing lease. With beautiful views and vistas, this working cattle ranch has excellent feed, plentiful water and gentle terrain with good fences, roads and range improvements. The Double U is easy to manage resulting in a profitable operation on one of the largest contiguous deeded land parcels in the state of Arizona. Exterior fences are locked, limiting access and protecting the livestock operation while creating excellent mule deer and white tail deer habitat. $9,200,000
UNDER CONTRACT! BUCKHORN RANCH IN WICKENBURG, ARIZONA – The Buckhorn Ranch located 15 miles East of Wickenburg, Arizona is a 251 cow, plus 5 horse permit. With 359 deeded acres plus State and BLM leases totals 20,500 +/- of prime Sonoran Desert grazing. Abundant water, workable facilities and diverse feed make this ranch a cattleman’s paradise. $2,000,000
RK RANCH IN PRESCOTT, ARIZONA – The RK Ranch is a smaller working cattle ranch located approximately 25 miles north of Prescott, Arizona. The RK Ranch encompasses approximately +/-6,736 total grazing acres supporting up to 45 CYL. With 110 deeded acres surrounded by USFS this little ranch is truly a gem of a gentleman’s ranch. Equipment and cattle included. $2,200,000
COMING SOON! 255 Head Desert Ranch. State, BLM, Adverse. Ranch house with power and water. 242 cows, 13 bulls included. $1,800,000
!RANDALL RANCH IN ASH FORK, ARIZONA –
!This well-watered, working cattle ranch includes 85.88 deeded, non-contiguous acres, 5,749 leased acres from the State of Arizona and 12,000 acres of adverse grazing. The current owner operates a cow-calf operation. The ranch historically runs 250 mother cows producing high quality Angus calves with weaning weights between 500 to 550 pounds. $1,250,000
BROKEN HORN D RANCH IN PRESCOTT, ARIZONA – The Broken Horn D Ranch provides a unique turn-key opportunity to own a remarkable cattle ranch/beef business property nestled in the picturesque Williamson Valley, Arizona. This distinctive offering is the perfect balance between seclusion and accessibility. With 77 acres of deeded land including 50 acres irrigated pasture, state and private leases this ranch runs 130-180 cattle. Equipment and cattle included. $3,389,000
TRIANGLE C RANCH IN RESERVE, NEW MEXICO
– This working cattle ranch is located east of Reserve, New Mexico in prime grazing lands. Carrying 625 CYL the ranch is located in gentle, rolling grasslands consisting of 2,320 +/- deeded acres, a private lease and a 25,055 acre BLM grazing allotment. Many improvements including two homes, bunk house, hanger, air strip, large shops and working facilities.
$4,895,000
SOLD! – FX RANCH IN DEWEY, ARIZONA
– With a carrying capacity of 250 CYL, the FX offers an opportunity to raise quality cattle close to all amenities and near the desirable communities of Prescott and Sedona. The headquarters parcel consists of over 12 acres with a beautiful log home, a manager’s house, a barn and corrals. Cattle and brand included.
$2,690,000
SOLD! COTTONWOOD SPRINGS RANCH IN RED ROCK, NEW MEXICO
– The Cottonwood Springs is a beautiful, high desert working cattle ranch located approximately 28 miles north of Lordsburg, New Mexico in Grant County. With a carrying capacity of +/-250 CYL, the ranch is well improved with two homes, shop, corrals, interior and exterior fences, working cattle facilities and exceptional water improvements. $2,550,000 Check out our website! www.aglandssw.com
RANCHES/FARMS
*SOLD* 472+/- Acre Organic Apple Orchard offered in 5 Tracts
Tract 1 – 158+/- Acre with approximately 131 ac of trees, 24,075+/- s.f. of apple processing facilities, cold storage, retail center, two homes, & wells.
*NEW* Farm - Apache Grove, AZ – 335+/- total acres along the scenic Gila River. 120+/acres of decreed water rights. Pivot and pastures planted in Bermuda. Owner runs 150 head. One bedroom apartment over garage/ office, 30’ x 150’steel barn, plus smaller steel barn, shop/ feed room/tack room, excellent corrals, with squeeze chute, calf table and scale. Must see! $2.5M
*SOLD* 1883.45+/- Acres, McNeal, AZ – Frontier Roads. Good access, 2 registered wells, dirt tanks, fully fenced. Current owner runs 80+/- head seasonally $941,725 Reduced to $847,552 Call Paul Ramirez 520-241-3333.
*PENDING* 150+/- Acre Farm, Willcox, AZ – 120 Acre full circle pivot with two wells. Ideal location for hay, pecans, pistachios, wine grape cultivation or other crops. Good water, productive soil. Convenient access to I-10.
$525,000
*SOLD* 305+/- Acres of Land on Ash Creek Pearce, AZ –Excellent potential for agricultural development, qualifies for organic farming, cleared of Mesquites in 2010, good prospect for pecans, wine grapes, corn, cotton, hay. FAA approved landing strip, two domestic wells, fenced and cross fenced. Ask about the solar options available with this property.
$457,000
*SOLD* 98+/- Deeded Acre Farm, Bonita, AZ – Great farm in a picture-perfect setting! Two small pivots with 35 acres of water rights. 3 BR, 2 BA Shultz mfg home; 3-sided hay/machine shed, 1,560+/- s.f. shop, hay shed, Connex box, nice set of guardrail and steel corrals with crowding tub, squeeze and scale. 250 gpm irrigation well with 20 HP motor and 13,500+/- gallons of storage. Runs about 40 head of cattle. $750,000
*SOLD* 200-300 Head Cattle Ranch, Marana, AZ – 112.8 +/- Deeded ac; 150+/- ac of pasture, 3,700+/- ac of sublease, 14 +/- ac of farm fields, HQ on State Land. 2nd mfg home on deeded. 2 sets of good steel pipe corrals
$1.9M
HORSE PROPERTIES/LAND
Tranquil Desert Retreat with Home and Horse Facilities on 22+/- Acres, SW of Tucson, AZ–This 1,560+/- s.f. authentically western home on 22 +/- acres comes complete with landscaped gardens, horse arena and pens,
Brad DeSpain
520-429-2806
Paul Ramirez 520-241-3333
chicken coop, workshop and equipment shed and is the perfect get away for those wanting the convenience of services nearby but the privacy of being in rural AZ. $550,000
*SOLD* Auction 10+/- Acre Country Estate in Scenic Sonoita, AZ – This country estate comes complete with a hilltop home, stunning mountain and grassland views, horse stable, large shop, orchard, chicken coop and water features and is the perfect sustainable property. This property sold as a result of our accelerated marketing program. Ask Paul Ramirez about that program today.
*SOLD * ONLIN E AUCTION , Pearce, AZ - Four offerings located in the grasslands at the foot of the beautiful Dragoon Mountains. Sold prior to Auction Lot 1 featured stunning, custom 3 BD, 2 BA territorial style home on 5.5 +/-. Sold Prior to Auction Lots 3, and 4 included 3 vacant, 1+ acre land parcels for a total of 3+/- acres each. Sold at Auction Lot 2 – 3- 1+/- acre lots for a total of 3+/- acres.
0.14+/- Acre Building Lot, Maricopa, AZ – A great opportunity to own a corner lot in the desirable community of Tortosa. Ideal for a small builder or buyer wishing to build their dream custom home. One of only two lots available in the area, the other lot is adjoining this one. Utilities to the lot, back block wall in place. $110,000
SCOTT MCNALLY www ranchesnm com
575/622-5867
575/420-1237
Ranch Sales & Appraisals
DOUBLE BAR R RANCH, NOGALES, AZ — 110 deeded, w/12,224 NF Grazing land, runs 380 yearlong, Great improvements, high rain area. Priced at $3,500,000
TYLER RANCH/FARM — York Az, 544 deeded with 173 irrigated, along with 14,000 state and Blm lease land. 300 head mother cows yearlong. Priced @$2,300,000
I have many qualified Buyers looking for Ranches. Give me a call
THE SAND CAMP RANCH
(PRICE REDUCED) The Sand Camp Ranch is a quality desert ranch with an excellent grass cover and above average improvements. Located in southern Chaves County east of the productive Pecos River Valley. The ranch is comprised of 2,380 +/- deeded acres, 6,074 NM State Lease Acres, 23,653 Federal BLM Lease Acres and 480 acres Uncontrolled, 32,107 +/- total acres (50.17 Sections). Grazing Capacity set by a Section 3 BLM grazing permit at 405 Animal Units Yearlong. The ranch is watered by five primary wells and an extensive pipeline system. This ranch is ready to go, no deferred maintenance. Price: $3,672,000. This one of the better ranches in the area. It is nicely improved and well-watered. You won’t find anything comparable for the price. Call or email for a brochure and an appointment to come take a look.
EIGHT MILE DRAW LAND
740 ± Acres of unimproved native grassland located four miles west of Roswell in the Six Mile Hill area with frontage along U.S. Highway 70/380. This parcel is fenced on three sides and adjoins 120 acres of additional land that may be purchased. Great investment. $600 per acre.
Large-scale cattle ranch located in southeast New Mexico, 380 deeded acres and 72,300 acres of Lincoln National Forest grazing permit area plus a permitted carrying capacity of 806 Animal Unit equivalents year-round. Characterized by grama grass and pinion trees at an elevation of 5800 feet. The year-round grass ranch provides economy of scale and a year-round grazing permit affording excellent economics. $5,950,000 Shiloh Wittler, Broker Associate shiloh@ranchland.com 719-529-1414 Robb Van Pelt, Broker Associate robb@ranchland.com 970-948-0423 www.RanchLand.com
■ PECAN TREE ORCHARD ON McCAN RD — DEMING, NM — 322 total acres, two irrigation wells 212± acres of water rights, barn. 168 acres of mature pecan trees 25 years and older, harvest and farm equipment negotiated. List price of $3,200,000
■ COTTON CITY RANCH — ANIMAS, NM — 253.617 acres of deeded land, 400± acres of BLM, carrying capacity of 84 AUM, 2700± sq.ft. site built home, brand new refrigerated-air, metal roof, three bedroom, two and a half bath, metal shop 40’x60’ plus a shed row and hay barn, pipe corrals, three pastures, one trap, two wells, lighted arena area. Priced at $675,000
■ BERRENDA CREEK RANCH — ARREY, NM — 51± section cattle ranch carrying capacity 231 AYL, consisting of 32,870± total acres with 120± deeded acres, 23,646± acres BLM, 9104± acres NM state land, plus 640± acres +/- of adverse state land, twelve wells, nine dirt tanks, one spring, 180,000 gallons of water storage, three pastures. Priced at $1,432,200
■ 1361 HWY 27 — HILLSBORO, NM — 116± total acres of which 64.65± acres planted in mature Pecan Trees, 3± acres of BLM, orchard eighteen years old, turnkey operation drip irrigation 291 acre feet of adjudicated water rights, priority date 1960 located at the foot of the Black Range Mountains with a historic adobe home, large barn, shop and studio. Annual revenues of $150- $200K, Gbps fiber optic internet. Priced at $1,995,000
■ SMITH RANCH — ROAD FORKS, NM CATTLE RANCH and FARM — 336± acres of farmland w/three irrigation wells. Ranch has corrals, adequate water storage, hdqtrs includes homes, barns, cattle working facilities, Seller retains “Life Estate”. Ranch has been in the family since 1905.. Priced at $2,300,000
SOLD SOLD SOLD ESCROW
■ CAPROCK — VAN METER RANCHES — LORDSBURG, NM — 546 AYL, 75± sections, 48,178± total acres, two separate headquarters with barns and corrals, facilities included, silencer cattle chute, scales, 40’x60’ barn, commodity barn, nine wells, one spring, twelve dirt tanks, 100,000 gallons of water storage 26 miles of pipeline that connects to each well — twelve pastures and five traps, five sets of working corrals, cattle and equipment negotiated. Sale Price Undisclosed
JE Harris & Sons Ranch
The JE Harris & Sons Ranch is a histrocial ranch located in premier wildlife habitat. The ranch lies in the Colorado Plateau, which encompasses rugged tableland topography. The ranch has grass, shrub, and woodland-covered benches rising from the La Plata River valley to the Ute Mountain Reservations.
Laura Riley (505) 330-3984 www.verderealtors.com
Keli Cox • 575-937-4616
Nick Cortese • 575-760-3818 Kelly Sparks • 575-760-9214 Rye Richardson • 575-430-0777
COLFAX COUNTY VIEW, 83.22 +/- deeded acres 5 bedroom 3.25 bathroom 3,174 sq ft heated and cooled modern home built 2002 and remodeled since, on hill located 3 miles east of the Colfax Tavern and Diner. Huge barn and many other features. 910 HWY 505 Maxwell NM 87728.
$850,000
UTE PARK DREAM, 3 bedroom 2 bathroom 2,321 sq ft home built 2009 with amazing back covered porch and attached garage. 29665 HWY 64 Ute Park, NM 87729
$599,000
MIAMI 80+/- ACRES, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home with water shares, roping arena, steel barn with shop. Other historic barns, Pipe corrals. Far enough off road to be private. Includes 80 shares of irrigation 2350 SHW 21, Miami NM 87729. $565,000
MIAMI DREAM, 14.70 +/deeded acres. Approx 1,583 sq ft 2 bedroom 1 bath home. Real country living with barn wood siding, porches, recent remodel for remote workspace. Irrigation and horse facilities, 57 Wampler St., Miami, NM $370,000 $339,000
BAR LAZY 7 RANCH, Colfax County, Moreno Valley 594.38 +/- deeded acres, accessed off blacktop between Eagle Nest and Angel Fire. Historic headquarters. Currently used as summer grazing, pond and trees accessed off county road on rear of property as well. Presented “ASIS” New Survey, $4,000,000 $3,800,000 SPRINGER VIEW, 29.70 +/deeded acres. Large house being remodeled, shop, trees, old irrigation pond. All back off highway with great southern aspect. 311 Hwy 56, Colfax County. $209,000 $205,000
Getting to Know Carollann Romo
NM Beef Council, Executive Director
Growing up a cowgirl in Los Angeles County sounds like an oxymoron but, for me, it was a wonderful childhood. I was a generation removed from the family farm because my dad moved to town to be a cowboy in the movies. We lived in a rural community in the mountains outside of the big city and raised and showed livestock in 4-H and competed in way too many junior and high school rodeo events. I now live in Albuquerque with my husband Elliott and our daughter Rietta. On the weekend you may find us at a team roping jackpot chasing down a win, and we also love to travel and hunt in our free time. My husband is a dentist in Albuquerque in a family practice if you ever want to come visit the “cowboy dentist.”
My interest in the Executive Director role stemmed from my love for our state, my love for agriculture and my desire to continue building relationships and furthering the beef industry. With valuable boots to fill, I think the keys to success for me as the new Executive Director will be humility, openness to learning and the work ethic it takes to get the job done.
With ten years marketing experience behind me, I have a willingness to learn and an appetite to grow as a person and a professional. I want to be the kind of leader that gives the council and New Mexico producers the results and impact that they expect. My last role was with Rabo AgriFinance and when I think about my career highlights and professional successes, beef is at the center from hosting Australian Beef Producers for a tour of the U.S., a tour of U.S. producers to Australia, leading the bank’s presence at NCBA’s Cattle Convention and even a recent event hosted with the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.
While I may not be a born and raised New Mexican, I don’t think you’ll find a more enthusiastic advocate for our great state. I like to refer to our home state as “America’s Best Kept Secret” with our low population, beautiful scenery and diverse agriculture. Becoming the Executive Director of the New Mexico Beef Council has been tremendously exciting for me and my family. I look forward to meeting many of you in my travels and serving you all in beef promotion and education.
We deeply appreciate your years of dedicated service and wish you all the best.
NM Beef Council Directors & Staff
Serving Up the Beef Ribeye
NM Livestock Board Annual Meeting
NM 4-H Youth Shine in Las Cruces
This summer, the New Mexico Beef Council turned up the heat and sponsored the State 4-H Conference and Meats Judging Contest hosted at NMSU. The Meats Judging Contest continues to gain momentum, showcasing its growing popularity. At NMSU’s main
campus, 335 participants gathered for an action-packed annual NM State 4-H Conference, where 260 youth participated in contests, workshops, and leadership sessions. The event culminated with an awards ceremony, celebrating the talents of young participants across 24 contests.
2024 Meats Judging Contest Winners
1st Place: Curry County Team
2nd Place: Dona Ana County Team 1
3rd Place: Santa Fe County Team 1
4th Place: Roosevelt County 5th Place: Eddy County
Chairperson
Eastern Navajo Fair Celebrates 46 Years
The fair festivities kicked off with a lively golf tournament on Monday, July 22nd, at the UNM Championship Golf Course. With 100 participants swinging for success, each golfer received a special goodie bag courtesy of the New Mexico Beef Council (NMBC). Marjorie Lantana from
NMBC shared, “Mr. Mark Freeland, Golf Tournament Coordinator, and all the tournament participants were thrilled with the generous donations from NMBC.”
Sarah Fitzgerald Feeder 830-739-3450
Vice Chairperson
Kimberly Stone
Producer 202-812-0219
Secretary
Nancy Phelps Producer 575-740-0957
NMBC DIRECTORS
Joe Chavez Feeder
505-486-3228
Cole Gardner
Producer 575-910-8952
Justin Knight Producer 505-490-3455
Marjorie didn’t stop there— she also coordinated the Junior Livestock Show and Archery Contest held in Crownpoint on July 25 and 26th. Over thirty enthusiastic 4-H participants were delighted to receive beef resource bags and promotional items from NMBC. The festivities culminated with a delicious beef hamburger cookout during the Awards Presentation on July 26th, where 4-H families savored the flavors of their hard work and achievements.
Marjorie Lantana
Producer 505-860-5859
Belinda Lavender
Purebred Producer 505-714-3094
Joel Van Dam Dairy Representative 575-714-3244
www.NMBEEF.com
BEEF BOARD DIRECTOR
Boe Lopez Feeder
505-469-9055
FEDERATION DIRECTOR
Kimberly Stone
USMEF DIRECTOR
Justin Knight
Curry County Meats Judging Team
(L to R) Greeley Goodson, Kyle Wood, Shalee Priest accepting on behalf of Jayda Goodson, and Reece Robb
NM State 4-H Ambassador, Kasi Montoya, presents Sponsorship Recognition to NMBC Executive Director, Dina Reitzel.
ActivistDriven Shareholder Resolutions on the Rise But Failing to Gain Approval
by Hannah Thompson-Weeman, is president and CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance / meatingplac.com
(The views and opinions expressed in this blog are strictly those of the author.)
Animal rights extremist organizations are known for pressuring restaurant and retail brands from different angles. In recent years, groups such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
and The Accountability Board are increasingly taking their plight to public-facing companies through purchasing stock and proposing shareholder resolutions.
The Accountability Board, an organization launched in 2022 and led by two former HSUS leaders, has been responsible for the bulk of the efforts, reportedly filing approximately 30 proposals in 2024 targeting national restaurant chains. HSUS has been responsible for another 10 proposals. These 40 shareholders proposals are reported to be double what was filed in 2023 against similar public companies because of what a Bloomberg article called “growing concern for animal treatment.”
Looking at shareholder meeting reports from major restaurant/retail/foodservice and CPG brands for the first half of the year, it looks like resolutions are failing to take hold. According to these reports, 16 resolutions related to animal welfare, antibiotic use, and alternative proteins were voted on at shareholder annual meetings between January and June 2024. An additional resolution was noted in one company filing as being withdrawn before the vote. All of these resolutions failed, with an average passing rate of 15 percent.
Most companies (8) out of the 13 targeted
with resolutions were restaurant brands, four were retailers and one was a CPG. Two restaurant chains dealt with multiple resolutions.
The most frequent topics addressed in resolutions were sow housing (5 resolutions), antibiotic use (4 resolutions) and cage-free eggs (3 resolutions). Other topics covered included poultry/broiler welfare, plant-based milk alternative pricing, general animal welfare, and pain management.
The proposal with the highest passing rate at 36 percent was requesting additional disclosure regarding poultry welfare from a restaurant chain. Others that were over 25 percent included two resolutions to different restaurant brands regarding sow housing which had passing rates of 30 percent and 27 percent.
While these resolutions as a whole are failing to gain the approval of investors, they are adding another challenge for publicly-traded brands to navigate, and offer activists an additional lever of pressure to push for additional animal welfare and sustainability policies. Anecdotally, the Alliance heard of at least two additional resolutions that were withdrawn after “negotiations” with activist groups. The activist groups pushing for these resolutions likely know they will probably fail, but are hopeful that they will be able to force a response or “negotiate” to withdraw resolutions if companies take certain actions.
Gestation Length: Calves
Arrive Sooner Than They Used To
Source Justin Rhinehart, University of Tennessee Extension
What is the gestation length of a cow?
This question usually gets the answer of “it averages 283 days.” A better answer is “it can range from about 265 to as much as 295 days.” For breeds that have
focused on low birthweight genetics for several generations, the average gestation length has shortened. But, there are several other factors that can shorten or lengthen gestation notwithstanding genetics.
Before considering those factors, it is important to learn what actually triggers the calving process. Since the calf has to be fully developed and ready to thrive as soon as it is borne, a mechanism is built in to make sure the cow does not give birth too soon. One of the last systems to fully develop in a calf is the system that produces stress hormones (cortisol is one of those). It is believed that the fetus starts to run out of room in the cow’s uterus toward the end of the pregnancy. So, once the stress response system is fully developed, it releases those stress hormones that lead to many other changes that culmi-
nate in birth of the calf.
There are several factors known to affect the length of gestation in cattle. One of those is sex of the calf. On average, bull calves arrive later than heifer calves for cows bred on the same day. Calving season can also affect the length of pregnancies. Calves born in a conventional fall calving season (late August – October) generally arrive sooner than the same genetics would in a conventional spring (January – March) calving season. Some breeds and breed types are also known to have shorter or longer pregnancies than the overall average of 283 days.
With those (and several other) factors being the same, genetics of the sire and dam also influence the length of gestation. Cattlemen have selected for low birthweight genetics for many generations now. With
that, has come an associated selection for shorter gestation. If a bull sires pregnancies that are calved just a few days shorter, it can dramatically reduce the birthweight and improve calving ease. Fetal calves are gaining between 1 to 1.5 pounds per day at the end of a pregnancy. So, shortening that process to 276 days can result in as much as 10 pounds less birthweight compared to 283 days.
Bulls were actually selected for siring shorter pregnancies before calving ease was the focus. In an interesting article written by Heather Smith Thomas and published in the January 2014 edition of “Hereford World”, Buddy Westphal describes his search for bulls that sire shorter pregnancies. In that case, he was interested in shorter gestation so his cows would have longer to breed back and have a calf the same time the next year. He noted that when he was able to find bulls – from a Canadian research trial – that shortened gestation length, it also took care of most of his calving difficulties.
What is the moral of this story? Don’t let the start of calving season catch you off guard. For herds that have selected for low birthweight for several breeding seasons and retained replacement heifers with those genetics, it is not uncommon for calves to drop as early as two weeks before the calculated due dates. Using “curvebender” bulls (low birthweight but aggressive growth to weaning and yearling) through artificial insemination can result in calves being born three weeks earlier than the calculated due date from AI. In fact, many cattlemen report having all their calves from timed AI on the ground before the 283 day mark.
These early calves are usually fully developed and thrive even at an extremely low birthweight. But, make sure to account for this on the calendar so someone will be ready to tag, weigh and process calves that get here sooner than expected; especially during cold and damp weather. More than that, think about whether low birthweight genetics are a primary selection criteria for your goals. Certainly, having a live calf unassisted is extremely important. But, balancing that with other criteria like growth, reproductive performance and value to the feeder and packer is also important for optimizing economic efficiency. ▫
Custom Slaughtering & Custom Processing
USDA to Require More Proof for Animal-Raising & Environmental Claims
by Chris Moore & Frank Fuhrig, meatingplace.com
Companies that tout certain animal-raising and environmental claims on meat and poultry labels will need more documentation, according to updated guidelines from the USDA.
The agency said the move aligns with efforts to protect consumers from misleading labels and supports President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized that these updates promote transparency and fairness, ensuring that consumers can trust the labels on meat products. The guidelines “strongly encourage” third-party certification to validate claims such as “Raised Without Antibiotics,” “Grass-Fed,” “Free-Range,” and “Climate-Friendly.”
In response to concerns over “Raised Without Antibiotics” claims, the USDA said it conducted a study revealing that 20 percent of tested samples contained antibiotic residues. The new guidelines address these findings by recommending routine testing and emphasizing stronger documentation for such claims.
FSIS will enforce the updated standards and may consider additional actions, including random testing, to ensure compliance. The USDA said it plans to publish a peer-reviewed paper on the study’s results soon.
Environmental groups and animal welfare activists were quick to state that updated USDA meat labeling guidelines promoting third-party certification should have made outside confirmation mandatory for product claims such as “grass-fed” or “free-range.”
In the first update to the guidelines on such labels — including terms like “raised without antibiotics” or “climate-friendly” — the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) states that it “strongly encourages the use of third-party certification to substantiate animal-raising or environment-related claims.”
A further 60-day comment period on the guidelines is now open. ▫
2024 New Mexico Heritage Buckle Contest
To be eligible for the Heritage Buckle award, youth ages 9-15 were asked to write a 200-500-word essay on what new tradition they would like to implement in today’s agriculture.
Alex Lopez, winner of the Colfax County Heritage Buckle. In his essay Lopez stated his new tradition would be that “Every year, a rancher or farmer adopts a legislator, and
throughout the year, the legislature gets calls, letters, and maybe invited to visit the farm or ranch to see what we do.”
Reed Trujillo won the Rio Arriba County Heritage Buckle. “The use of new technology to provide smarter, safer, and more productive farming, ranching, and animal husbandry,” Reed wrote in his essay. Reed is the 13-year-old son of Cody and Rhonda Trujillo, Abiquiu.
Kaycee Younker won the Dona Ana County Heritage Buckle. “Implementing agriculture education into the public school curriculum would be great, as it would allow more kids to learn more about where their food comes from,” Kaycee said in her essay. Kaycee is 11 years old and is in the sixth grade. She enjoys riding horses and playing with her brother. She participates in horse shows in both 4-H and the American Quarter Horse Association. Kaycee is the daughter of JD and Shasta Younker, Las Cruces.
Martin Herrera won the Sandoval County Heritage Buckle. “A conservation and rehabilitation approach to farming systems,” Martin’s essay stated. Martin has been involved in 4-H for six years. He shows pigs, steers and heifers. He is currently in high school rodeo. Martin is very involved in taking care of his Grandpa Johnny’s cattle ranch.
(l to r) Winner Kaycee Younker & NMCGA Member Joe Delk
Buckle sponsored by Nolberto and Carlene Hernandez, and Nolberto (r) presented the buckle to Martin (l).
Buckle sponsored by Tye Terrell. Bruce Davis (l) made the buckle presentation to Alex Lopez (r)
Buckle sponsored by Kenneke Enterprises. NMCGA NW Vice President Dave Kenneke (l) made the presentation to Reed (r).
Madelynn Alamanzar won the Santa Fe County Heritage Buckle. Madelynn wrote in her essay, “Networking with other ranchers and farmers to tie in with the youth of today’s generation to better expose and gain attention to our way of life.” Madelynn is from Pecos, New Mexico.
Alison Ackland, won the Eddy County Heritage Buckle. Her essay stated, “The widespread adoption and integration of precision agriculture techniques on a global scale.” Alison is the daughter of Brandy and Levi Ackland from Carlsbad. She shows market swine and goats.
Buckle sponsor Waypath Employees Benefit.
Hannah Kinsolving won the Lea County Heritage Buckle. “My generation needs to take a more active role in the planning and execution of ranch activities to truly know what it takes to keep the ranching tradition alive,” Hannah wrote in her essay. Hannah is 13-year-old daughter of CJ and Kaitlin Kinsolving, Crossroads, New Mexico.
Buckle sponsor AgTrust Farm Credit. Marissa Diles (r) presented the
Harli Windham won the Curry County Heritage Buckle. Harli’s essay stated, “The widespread adoption of regenerative practices that restore and enhance the health of the soil.” Harli is the daughter of Patrick and April Windham, Melrose, New Mexico. She shows market steers.
Kelly Tucker, winner of the Mora County Heritage Buckle. “Involving the younger generation in marketing agriculture products through technology and social media.”
Kelly is the daughter of Keith and Natalia Tucker from Watrous, New Mexico.
Buckle sponsor Alisa Ogden. NMCGA Intern Shawn Agar (r) presented the buckle to Dixon Mortimer (l).
Dixon Mortimer won the Bernalillo County Heritage Buckle. Her essay said, “Legal and cultural support for small farmers and ranchers combined with policies that prevent giant agribusiness from affecting small farm and ranch activities.” Dixon joined 4-H last year and shows chickens and horses. He competes in speech competitions discussing various agricultural challenges.
Trevor Saulsberry, Winner of the Catron County Heritage Buckle. “New technology can change the world of cattle ranching. From GPS tracking and drones to genetic testing and sustainable grazing. These innovations can help ranchers work smarter, not harder.” He is the son of Lee and Shelby Saulsberry, a 5th generation rancher from Datil, New Mexico. He show’s cattle and sheep.
Josey Dunavan won the Union County Heritage Buckle. “Starting a new tradition of a harvest or weaning party,” Josey’s essay stated. Josey is the 13-year-old daughter of Will & Katie Dunavan, Clayton, NM.
Kathryn Gibson Winner of the Valencia County Heritage Buckle. “Making self-care a priority among agriculturalists. This can improve the overall health and well-being for those that provide what we eat and wear.” Kathryn is the daughter of Todd and Callie Gibson from Belen, New Mexico. ▫
Buckle sponsor Copeland and Sons, LLC. Cliff Copeland (r) presented to Josey (l).
Buckle sponsor Waypath Employees Benefit. Rowdy Green (l) presented the buckle to Hannah.
buckle to Harli (l).
Alison Ackland, Eddy County
Amanda Culbertson (l), NMCGA Promotion and Marketing Chairman and Kelly Tucker (r) winner.
Ron Burnett (l), sponsor and Trevor Saulsberry (r), winner.
Representative Gail Armstrong, (l) sponsor, and Kathryn Gibson (r), winner.
Buckle sponsored by Bill King Ranch. Bill King (r) presented the buckle to Madelynn (l).
New Mexico Youth Beef Feeder Contest 2024
If you were in attendance at the Joint Stockmen’s Conference last winter, you probably noticed a group of very young ranchers presenting their posters in the lobby. These youngsters were competing in the New Mexico Youth Feeder Beef Contest.
This contest was originally developed by Halee Prather for her Masters of Agribusiness project at NMSU. It continues to be operated by Drs. Marcy Ward (Extension Livestock Specialist, Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources) and Frannie Miller (Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business).
According to Miller, “We wanted to develop a contest to emphasize the New Mexico beef industry, and we wanted to keep it as affordable as possible.” To do this, kids take a calf off of a New Mexico ranch and go through a backgrounding phase, then through the feedlot, and then through slaughter.
They learn to use Excel to keep financial records, they do a speech and a poster to learn to advocate for the beef industry, they learn about carcass quality, and they end up having a lot of fun. Miller said, “This contest is a lot of work on our end, but it’s totally worth it to see how much the kids learn.” She added that both her and Ward appreciate the feedback from parents to help make adjustments and improvements in the contest design.
One important adjustment came last year when Ward merged the contest with a Ranch to Rails contest, which is designed to align with the New Mexico Youth Feeder Beef Contest (NMYFBC). The program follows the same premise and schedule as the NMYFBC. Families can be involved in both programs, and both allow ranchers the chance to see how well their cattle perform when they leave the ranch.
With this change, youth without a ranch of their own are encouraged to partner with one of the Ranch to Rails producers. This removes facility or financial constraints, and
they still benefit from all that can be learned about US beef production. The entire industry benefits by keeping these future ranchers engaged and interested in beef production. To date, over $10,000 in scholarships has been awarded through the contest, which has been supported by New Mexico Beef Council, WhiteBarn Cattle and Hay, and Singleton Ranches.
If you are interested in either the New Mexico Youth Feeder Beef Contest, or the Ranch to Rail portion, entry information is available at the NMSU youth beef website https://nmbeef.nmsu.edu/ or the Ranch to Rail program website https://nmbeef.nmsu. edu/ Or you can email Frannie Miller at franniem@nmsu.edu or Marcy Ward at maward@nmsu.edu
Deadline for entry is September 15, 2024.
REAL ESTATE GUIDE
National High School Rodeo Association Finals Results for Team New Mexico
Placings compiled by Julie Carter
Photos thanks to Jennings Rodeo Photography
Rock Springs was all about rodeo for a hot week in July and New Mexico competitors went with their A-game. Congratulations to all the competitors and their families! Thanks to Mission Control, Ms. Julie Carter, for supporting these kids across the miles, you will see in the results list below that she spent a full week alongside each competitor.
Several NM kids went from Rock Springs to Oklahoma for the WCRA Youth Finals. Lots of opportunities out there for rodeo kids, and what fun it is to witness. As summer winds down and fall junior and high school season amps up, we share the following advice: Strive for self-improvement at every opportunity. Be a better rider than you were yesterday and enjoy the friendships you make along the way. Take the pictures, make the memories and remember to push yourself to be the best version of you!
See you in the Arena!
RESULTS
ROUND 1
7.14.24 Sunday Night Perf #1
6. Kassidy Lightfoot, Breakaway Roping
4.15
3. Brock Boutwell, Laramie Martinez, Team Roping., 7.44
6. Monte Faulkner, Saddle Bronc Riding, 65
7.15.24 MONDAY
AM Perf #2
4. Justin Anaya, Boys Cutting 142
Perf #4
5. (NM) Noah Gonzales, Edgewood, NM, 66
7.16.24 Tuesday PM Perf #5
2. Tydon Tsosie, Steer Wrestling, 4.99
6. Ellie Powell, Reined Cow Horse, 289.5
7. Danli Valdez, Girls Cutting, 139
3. Tate White, Boys Cutting, 142
2/3. Dax Sullivan, Irvin Varela, Team Roping, 7.41
7.17.24 Wednesday AM Perf #6
5. Ike Cline, Boys Cutting, 143
3. Lyvan Gonzalez, Cason Hatley, Team Roping, 6.86
4. Addison Kinser, Breakaway Roping, 2.96
5. Ellie Powell, Reined Cow Horse, 286.5
ROUND 1 RESULTS – TOP 20
18. Addison Kinser, Breakaway Roping, 2.96
9. Wacey Trujillo, Goat Tying, 7.56
16/19. Ellie Powell, Reined Cow Horse, 289.5
8. Tydon Tsosie, Steer Wrestling, 4.99
3.43
4. Lyvan Gonzalez, Cason Hatley, Team Roping, 11.51
11. Walker Dennis, Treyden Gonzales, Team Roping, 6.7
13. Lyvan Gonzalez, Cason Hatley, Team Roping, 6.86
16/17 16. Dax Sullivan, Irvin Varela, Team Roping 7.41
18. Brock Boutwell, Laramie Martinez, Team Roping 7.44
ROUND 2
7.17.24 Wednesday PM Perf #7
8. Ike Cline, Boys Cutting, 132
4. Addison Kinser, Breakaway Roping,
6. Jorianne Mirabal, Pole Bending, 20.663
7. Baye Boutwell, Goat Tying, 8.69
6. Walker Dennis, Treyden Gonzales, Team Roping, 22.31
2. Justin Anaya, Boys Cutting, 144
7.20.24 Saturday AM Perf #12
3. Monte Faulkner, Saddle Bronc, 73
7. Braxton McKinley, Tie-Down Roping, 12.49
4. Brock Boutwell, Laramie Martinez, Team Roping, 7.97
REINED COW HORSE -SHORT GO
18. (NM) Ellie Powell, Mesilla Park, NM, 576
10. Lyvan Gonzales, Cason Hatley, Team Roping 29.02
14. Noah Gonzales, Bull Riding 124
15. Wacey Trujillo, Goat Tying 14.45
17. Monte Faulkner, Saddlebronc 138 ▫
Addison Kinser
Wacey Trujillo
Brock Boutwell, Laramie Martinez
Tate White
Monte Faulkner
Justin Anaya
Lyvan Gonzales, Cason Hatley
Wacey Trujillo
Tate White
Noah Gonzales
The Founding Fathers Win Again
by Karen Budd-Falen
When you look at the Founding Fathers, I would say that I am more of a James Madison/Thomas Jefferson kind of person. Madison and Jefferson conceded that an executive branch was necessary in the American experiment, but they were extremely concerned that without a strong legislative branch, it was critical to hold a check on a strong executive branch.
Alexander Hamilton saw it the other way. Hamilton valued order more than liberty so supported the idea of a strong executive branch.
George Washington, to a lesser extent, leaned more toward Hamilton’s view, having just survived as head of the Continental Army and saw first-hand how chaotic the government had been at the time.
That discussion played out in spades in the recent Supreme Court decision Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, which overturned the long time precedent of Chevron v. Natural Resources Council. Under the new Court decision you had the majority of the Supreme Court opine that only the Congress should be making law and that the law from Congress should be clear (Madison and Jefferson) over the minority view (Hamilton and Washington) that wanted to give the executive branch a much larger role in “interpreting” Congressional Acts.
Chevron, decided in 1984 by the United States Supreme, consisted of a two-part test which resulted in deference and expansive power put in the hands of administrative agencies. The now overruled test created in Chevron required the court to determine whether Congress was silent or ambiguous about the precise issue at hand.
If silence or ambiguity were displayed, the court then deferred to an agency’s interpretation of the law, if its interpretation could meet the low standard of permissibility and “reasonability.” Commonly the “reasonability” of an agency was far from reasonable.
Under this precedent, agencies possessed broad discretion and a broad ability to interpret the laws in their favor. Chevron heavily weighed the scales toward the agencies, at the expense of the people’s right to be fairly heard.
Chevron has had real-life detrimental implications on industries and landowners, who have challenged agencies such as the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Environmental Protec-
tion Agency. Commonly industries and landowners were faced with a losing battle at the hands of Chevron deference. In cases such as these, those affected by these acts have had to put in overtime to show that the agency and the challenger should be put on an equal playing field, only to be told the agency always wins.
Chief Justice Roberts provided that giving power back to the courts in how they viewed an agency regulation and taking it away from agencies is founded in the Administrative Procedures Act. Importantly, this does not mean that courts make laws; they do not.
Rather, the Administrative Procedures Act, put in place in 1946, is the overarching legal structure which governs agency action and procedure. Section 706 of the APA cited by the court provides, “the reviewing court shall decide all relevant questions of law, interpret constitutional and statutory provisions, and determine the meaning or applicability of the terms of an agency action.”
The Constitutional role of courts as the judiciary branch of the government are tasked with the job of interpreting our laws. In the Court’s opinion, Roberts cites the courts’ role to interpret the laws, meaning the best reading of a statute is “‘the reading the court would have reached’ if no agency were involved.”
In other words, no longer does the court have to “assume” the federal agency is right. Forcing courts to make that assumption under Chevron prevented judges from “judging.”
Under the Court’s groundbreaking decision in Loper Bright Enterprises, courts may no longer defer to an agencies’ interpretation of the law simply because a statute is ambiguous or silent.
Loper Bright Enterprises, has leveled the playing field for petitioners challenging an agency’s interpretation of the law and has given power back to the courts and the people.
After 20 years of agency power, the power has been returned to its rightful place. Given that the Madison/Jefferson view won the day during the founding of this Nation, I think the founders would be proud. ▫
