Challenging Traditions

Pictured above from Left to Right: Tripp & Jennifer Corn; Craig, Conner, Courtney, Jessica & Creed Cowden; Jennifer & Mike Corn; Barbara, Madison, Garrett and Bronson Corn.

CHALLENGING TRADITIONS,

A SHEEP RANCHER’S HERITAGE

BY HEIDI CRNKOVIC

“Do you know what is the greatest threat to the sheep industry?” Mike Corn asks from a seat in the building that houses Roswell Wool, the largest wool marketing firm in the United States. “Tradition.” Although keeping New Mexico’s sheep heritage alive has been one of Mike Corn’s passions, what has kept the Corn family at the forefront of the sheep and wool industry is a willingness to consistently challenge traditions with a combination of innovative business practices and classic techniques.

The family began their Westward trek in 1841, finally settling in the area that is now Roswell in 1878. Surviving Comanche, Kiowa and Apache raids and the Civil War, the family eventually settled in the greater Roswell area, establishing irrigation systems, raising alfalfa and apple trees as well as sheep and cattle. While the Roswell area has seen a 90% decline in sheep populations, the Corn family now owns 40% of the sheep in the area. An unwavering dedication to the sheep business for nearly 140 years sees the 6th generation still working the original ranch headquarters. Mike and his wife Jennifer’s have three children and their son Bronson and his wife Barbara live and work on the family ranch with their son Garrett and daughter, Madison.

Los Cordovas (vicinity), west of Taos, Taos County, New Mexico. Sheep on a Spanish-American ranch. ©John Collier, 02/1943

As ranch numbers declined, sheep predation significantly impacted sheep numbers during the 20th century. In order to combat predation, many ranchers turned to guardian dogs. Mike has drastically decreased sheep predation through the use of a number of Akbash cross dogs that he now raises to protect his sheep. He has found that in order to effectively guard his flock, a greater number of dogs than the industry standard has been necessary to diminish coyote predation. Another integral factor in their success has been the use of a higher intensity grazing programs similar to the Savory method that allows larger numbers of sheep to graze in fenced areas for shorter periods of time. The Corn family also utilizes a herdsman to bed down ewes at night, yet another strategy that protects their livestock, but doesn’t require a full-time shepherd. Mike’s personal herd consists of Merino wool sheep, while the majority of sheep in New Mexico are a Merino composite of Delaine and Rambouillet named a Debouillet which was developed by Amos Dee Jones of Roswell and Tatum, NM.

Mike Corn was the 2018 New Mexico Wool Growers’ Inc. Sheepman of the Year, a past president of the New Mexico association and also the 2017-19 American Sheep Industry (ASI) President. One of his favorite projects has been the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP). The program is utilizing science-based measurements of heritable traits to develop and utilize Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs), which are similar to the Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) that the beef industry has been using for a while. The goal is to see producers using this information to produce more productive sheep with the use of more precise genetic data. Improvement programs that encourage pregnancy testing and the tracking of individual animal performance have been integral in maintaining sheep numbers and success in the industry. Programs such as the Leading Edge program are providing groundbreaking information through the utilization of NSIP rams with EBVs alongside industry rams on ewes and tracking the performance of lambs through the feedlot. The Wool Warehouse Company was originally purchased in 1992 and their second warehouse was purchased a few years later in 1994. Now, the two are combined as Roswell Wool, LLC with a second facility in Long Beach, California. Mike stresses the importance of a wool producer’s reputation and auctions wool in a similar fashion to the Australian auctions. The warehouse grades, sells and stores wool from all over the Western United States. A grab sample is taken out of the bales, which provides a visual presentation of length and color as well as a core sampling of every bale.The choicer wools tend to stay in the UnitedStates, but Roswell Wool attracts buyers fromall over the world.

The longevity of the Corn family in thesheep industry, and the forward-movingprogress being made within that industryspeak volumes of the dedication and hardwork of those who continue to raise sheepin the arid Southwest. Despite changes inmarkets, landscape, and the need for nimblemanagement, Mike Corn remains optimisticabout the industry’s future. With a rifle focuson innovative and progressive managementstrategies, we can trust that the Corn familyname will remain a pivotal part of the sheep business and theRoswell area’s historyfor generations tocome.