YOUTH: MESCALERO STEER PROGRAM
The Mescalero steer program is in its second year. A testament to the program’s success is that it has not only grown in size, but doubled in its second year. ARTICLE BY HEIDI CRNKOVIC
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ven after all of the trailers have returned empty, tack boxes unpacked and grooming supplies used up and put away, the youth remain. The youth who have put in the time. The youth who have grown. The youth who have accomplished, won and lost. Fair season has wrapped up across the country, and 4-H and FFA youth have had the opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments and trials that come coupled with raising, exhibiting and selling livestock projects. Anyone who has ever had the opportunity to show livestock understands what a fun, rewarding experience this project is for the entire family. The cattle project in particular, some argue is “king.” 4-H and FFA members pick out their projects
after they are weaned in the fall and spend the year halter breaking, handling, washing, blow-drying and feeding their charges with aspirations aimed at fair wins while also learning responsibility, dedication and record-keeping skills. Even more importantly, they experience these things alongside family and friends. We all know that it takes a village to raise a child and in the case of the Mescalero’s steer program, it also takes the partnership of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, Mescalero Apache Cattle Growers’, Division of Resource Management Protection, the Youth Development Program and 4-H leaders, families and members. The Mescalero Apache Tribe is located in South Central New Mexico and Otero County near the popular destination of
Dallas Shendo ©MMR PG. 20 :: FALL 2019
Ruidoso. Named for the Mescal plant that at one time was a diet staple, the Mescalero Apache Tribe now raises a high-quality herd of commercial cattle through the Mescalero Apache Cattle Growers’. Historically, the herd was comprised of Hereford cattle and now consists of a composite of black Angus and Hereford genetics. Ranch manager and Arizona native, Dusty Wold manages the tribe’s ranch with his wife, Ruth and their four sons, Rafe, Cal, Grant and Cord. Ruth is the organizational leader for the Mescalero 4-H Club and together, they have worked closely over the last two years to reinstate a steer program that allowed 4-H youth in Mescalero to raise and exhibit steers off of the tribe’s ranch. The Mescalero steer program is in its second year. A testament to the program’s success is that it has not only grown in size, but doubled in its second year. This program provides the opportunity for youth in the Mescalero 4-H Club to not only exhibit animals, but grow in confidence and experience the opportunity to care for an animal that is entirely dependent on them for nearly a year. After calves are weaned, Ruth and Dusty select prospects for the youth and work on beginning the halter-breaking process before 4-H members choose their project for the year. 4-H members learn to select animals and often find out through trial and error, along with leader’s guidance, what traits make a good calf. Each individual will spend the rest of their year handling and feeding their calves in preparation for the Otero County Fair in September. Amidst the bustle of blowers, clippers and fans at the Otero County Fair, a line of neat, homemade, 4-H green panels housed the Mescalero 4-H Club’s steers. Beyond the tidy setup, you wouldn’t find just parents working hair or clipping alone, but entire families including friends, siblings, moms and dads of 4-H members caring for their animals and working as a team
