NMCGA Journal - January 2025

JANUARY 2025

MEMBER HIGHLIGHT: CHARLIE ROGERS WINTER WEATHER FORECAST CATTLEFAX REPORT 2025 CATTLEMAN OF THE YEAR

Contents January 2025

NMCGA CORNER

FEATURED ARTICLES

LEADERSHIP MESSAGE

02

NMCGA UPDATE

03

FORAGE DIGESTION: THE HEART OF PERFORMANCE

07

2025 CATTLEMAN OF THE YEAR

10

WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND THE STATE 04 JOINT STOCKMEN’S CONVENTION

19

AFFILIATE ORGANIZATION UPDATES

WEATHER WINTER WEATHER FORECAST

08

NM BEEF COUNCIL BULLHORN

12

PLC UPDATE

17

COWBELLES’ CORNER

18

NCBA UPDATE

18

MEMBER HIGHLIGHT CHARLIE ROGERS

Back Cover

INDUSTRY UPDATES CATTLEFAX REPORT

16

INSURANCE REPORTS

21

On the Cover: Photographer: Emma Sherwood 2024 Photo Contest “Kids in Ag” Winner

The NMCGA Journal is published quarterly and dedicated to reporting facts relevant to the NM cattle industry. Content of this journal is reviewed rigorously; however, the opinions of articles do not reflect the opinion of the publisher. Price is $35 a year or it is included in NMCGA dues. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO Box 850 Moriarty, NM 87035.

MESSAGE FROM THE

Bronson Corn President 575-420-1375 Tom Paterson President - Elect 832-640-1152 Dave Kenneke NW Vice President 575-447-2366 Cliff Copeland NE Vice President 575-403-8123 Jeff Decker SE Vice President 575-399-4464 Roy Farr SW Vice President 575-838-6325 Becky Spindle Vice President at Large 505-252-0228 Shacey Sullivan Secretary Treasurer 505-239-5288 Loren Patterson Immediate Past President 575-937-5458 Randell Major Past President 575-838-3016

President

What a year! 2024 had some low points for us all. Considering the losses that our ranching community has endured over this last year, to the bills passed during the last legislative session, to the excessive drought and the historic floods. Let’s not forget the crippling snowstorm that brought the northeastern part of our state to a crawl! This year has been a tough one for ranchers in NM. BUT... 2024 was also filled with high points, too!

Look at all of the future ranchers who were born this year, the legislative wins that we had that actually bolster our ranching families, the lower feed prices (unless you are selling feed, then sorry), finding success in banding together to fight government overreach from taking our lands, and those record calf prices we are currently experiencing! We have so much to be thankful for in our lives. I heard a powerful statement today. “We don’t live in a fair world, but we do serve a fair God!” We have to remember that when we feel like we have the weight of the world on our shoulders and when everything that we touch seems to fall apart, it is so easy to misplace the blame! We are given the responsibility of free will to make our own decisions on how we choose to deal with life’s challenges.

I want to thank you for coming to the Joint Stockmen’s Convention in December. I have rarely felt the support and comradery in the love of our organization and industry than what I felt at the convention! I am humbled beyond words and know that your NMCGA team strives daily to stand up for what’s right. Ya’ll make this job fun, so thank you for that! I pray that 2025 is full of Good Health, Fun, Family, Friends, Lots of Green Grass, Low Feed Prices, Fat Cattle, and High Calf Prices!

John 14:6 “Ya’ll have a Good’en”

MESSAGE FROM THE President-Elect

Ganadores y Amigos de Ganadores, Hopefulness.

That was my take-away from being with many of you during the 2024 Joint Stockmen’s Convention.

Hopefulness that’s not just based on good cattle prices but rather hopefulness that we’ve turned a corner in Washington. Instead of banging our heads against the political establishment and getting no response or broken promises, we might actually start being heard. You gave us a set of directives that we’ll pursue aggressively: Re-visiting the BLM rule, de-listing and defunding species that threaten our livelihoods and even our families, amending the Endangered Species Act, reforming the Antiquities Act and the Equal Access to Justice Act, and turning back national monument and wildlife refuge designations.

Hopefulness that we have leadership in New Mexico who will listen to us and act on behalf of New Mexico livestock producers to protect us and the rural communities in which we live: Expanding access to large, food animal veterinary services in under-served areas of rural NM, grants to facilitate agricultural water conservation, actions to facilitate processing NM cattle, promote rural health care, rural education and rural fire departments.

Hopefulness that working together we can make things happen. You saw one example of this during Joint Stockmen’s when we asked the Livestock Board to start charging the NM Beef Checkoff on all cattle entering at Santa Teresa from Mexico. If this goes through, the Beef Council will be positioned to use those funds to do even more meaningful work on things that affect us at the ranch level, things such as enhanced biosecurity at our border.

NMCGA was established in 1914 to do what we do today: Represent you on what matters. As we go into 2025, we take your hopefulness with us.

Sinceramente,

Tom Paterson

January 2025

NMCGA Journal

02

NMCGA UPDATE

Happy New Year! Thank you to everyone who attended the 2024 Joint Stockmen’s Convention. It was great to see you! Thank you to all of our sponsors and trade show vendors. Our convention was a HUGE success because of YOU! NMCGA is kicking off 2025 with a full agenda! Leadership and staff will represent you every day of the 60-day 2025 Legislative Session. There are several new legislators this year whom we look forward to working with. We anticipate around 1,500 bills and resolutions to be filed in the 2025 session. If you are interested in attending the session or reading bills, please contact the office. Please watch your email for “Calls To Action”. Hearing from their

Thank you,

constituents on important issues carries A LOT of weight.

We are excited that the first class of Linda Davis Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Academy will be in attendance at the session. The class will learn about legislative issues and the importance of being involved in government matters, while bridging the gap between rural and urban communities with our younger generation.

We are excited to be hosting regional meetings again this year. Watch our website and your emails for the meeting notice in your area! Invite your neighbors and friends to join us and learn about all the issues, events, programs and actives that NMCGA is working on.

Thank you for your membership. Please feel free to contact the NMCGA Office if you have any questions or better yet drop by and see us in Moriarty!

MICHELLE FROST-MAYNARD NMCGA DEPUTY DIRECTOR

L L ee g g aa cc yy S Sp p oo n n ss oo rr ss !!

ROUNDUP CLUB A NMCGA MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM The Roundup Club is the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association member recruitment program that recognizes the work of members that show diligence and commitment to building a stronger organization.

How do you become a member?

By recruiting a new NMCGA Member by December 1, 2025. New Member must mention your name when paying dues.

Grand Prizes Grand prize drawing will be held once a year at the Joint Stockmen’s Convention. For every new member you recruit, an additional entry will be put into the drawing.

NMCGA Store Discounts ACCESS ALL YOUR MEMBER BENEFITS IN YOUR MEMBER PORTAL

1-5 members recruited = 10% Discount on NMCGA store 5 or more members recruited = 20% Discount on NMCGA store

2025 Roundup Club Members None yet

03

NMCGA Journal

January 2025

WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND THE STATE BECKY SPINDLE - VICE PRESIDENT AT LARGE Happy New Year! We hope that everyone enjoyed the convention, and congratulations to all of the scholarship winners and the first class of the Linda Davis Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Academy. The summer meeting is already being planned, and if you have any ideas for topics or speakers, please let us know. The legislative session will be beginning soon, and we will be needing help with bill reading and people speaking with their legislators. We are excited this year to host the first annual steer and heifer jackpot in Stanley,

February 1st. It was planned before the FFA judging season starts so there would be no conflict for youth between exhibiting their cattle and excelling at their SAE contests.

The idea is to try and bridge the gap between young cattlemen and women who are excited about their projects and how our association works for them every day and what opportunities they can take advantage of within the organization. Exhibitors must sign up to be a member of NM Cattle Growers’ Association to be able to exhibit their beef projects. We hope to grow our membership and hopefully retain them as young leaders and voices for our industry in the future.

CLIFF COPELAND - NORTHEAST VICE PRESIDENT The biggest news from the northeast is the incredible snow and rain event that hit in November.

Rain totals of 2.5 inches were common and the snow was measured in feet for a lot of folks. As I write this, a lot of country is still snow covered and could be that way for a long time.

Finishing up fall cattle work has been a challenge for some.

The moisture, even though a bit untimely, is always welcome and a blessing.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and a tremendous Christmas season.

Until next time, Adios.

JEFF DECKER - SOUTHEAST VICE PRESIDENT Dear Friends & Neighbors, Here in the Southeast most of the area has seen some amount of fall moisture.

The city of Roswell definitely received more than its share in town. There is an abundance of wheat pasture in eastern New Mexico and the western panhandle. If anyone happens to have some light weight weaned calves they are worth a lot to the guys with wheat.

It was great to see everyone at the Joint Stockmen’s Convention. We had some wonderful speakers who brought a wealth of knowledge to us all. I hope you all took the opportunity to bid on the great items in the Silent Auction, which helps fund our efforts to keep boots in the Roundhouse.

Adios, Jeff Decker.

DAVE KENNEKE - NORTHWEST VICE PRESIDENT Blessings for the Holiday Season and the beginning of a New Year from the Northwest Region. Some parts of the Region have received some of the late (or early depending on perspective) moisture that blew across the state. Fall works are a memory for the most part, and we all remain optimistic that cattle

prices will continue to stay strong. We will be looking to membership for a location for our Spring meeting probably in March. We met in Rio Arriba County in ’23. Gallup in ’24, and hope for a new venue in 2025---we request your help to reach out to all our members and bring your neighbors!

January 2025

NMCGA Journal

04

ROY FARR - SOUTHWEST VICE PRESIDENT Happy New Year! Hope that all of you are getting some moisture. 2024 kept me busier than ever on the ranch with very little time left for me to do much for the association. Wes Hudson alerted me to the Wes Hudson alerted me to the proposed Organ Mt. land swap that may involve lands as far west as Deming.

Nothing is confirmed yet, but there are supposed to be public meetings about this in February and/or March of next year. We will need all hands on deck to attend these meetings, so please watch your email for the meeting

notice. We will need help in contacting our elected officials at the local, state and national levels. Standing and fighting together we will keep production agriculture and our heritage on the landscape.

I appreciate our NMCGA leadership and staff who are representing us at the 2025 Legislative Session. Please contact your state senator and state representative when the “Call To Actions” are posted.

We are already planning the Southwest Regional Meeting for April 10, 2025, in Reserve, NM and look forward to seeing all of you in 2025.

LOREN PATTERSON - IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT I was excited to see the number of attendees and sponsors that we had for Joint Stockmen’s Convention. We have surpassed expectations. Once again, I would like to thank each and every sponsor. Your sponsorship not only helps the organization, but every member who questions if the JSC Convention is in this years’ budget. We are able to keep JSC registration costs as low as possible for New Members, Family Operations and Seasoned Producers, alike. This ensures that our membership and industry are strong, informed, and prepared for the storm clouds on the horizon. If there was a Cow that Stole Christmas, we might now have a worm

that brought it back! The market has jumped and the closing of the Border with Mexico due to New World Screw-worm is the cause. It makes me wonder if Country of Origin Labeling might be a bigger market factor than previously denied? Maybe it should be brought back into the conversation as food and food origin are in the public spotlight post COVID. I spent a few hours researching the original Screw-worm programs from the APHIS archives. Having been born to a generation that never had to experience it, I found the information fascinating; a real reminder of how far the industry has come in the last 50 years!

RANDELL MAJOR - PAST PRESIDENT There have always been battles for the land. Nothing has changed as the population has continued to grow. Now that I’m getting older, I see things much clearer.

We must stay informed and get involved to continue our way of life. Here are a few guidelines that I follow to protect my property rights: Make sure you have clear title to deeded land and that leases are up to date.

Declare water rights. They are coming after this.

Good fences: Help disease prevention (Trich) and herd management.

Do not overgraze. Always reserve some forage for drought.

05

NMCGA Journal

January 2025

Keep your herd healthy and productive. Vaccinate, consistent nutrition, gentle handling, and cull older, weak, sick and open cattle.

Keep informed on current issues. Get involved and use legislators and NMCGA to help identify current issues: Specific bills including endangered species, conservation language, water takings, land restriction (State, BLM, USFS), etc.

Diversify: Alternate forms of income help manage through drought, fluctuating markets, and interest rates that are out of our control.

Together we can continue this way of life, but you cannot sit by and hope someone else will protect you. Get involved and make sure you know your rights so you can protect ranching for future generations.

SHACEY SULLIVAN- SECRETARY/TREASURER Membership Your membership provides stability for the Association, ensuring our long-term viability. Without members’ dues fighting for producers would not be possible.

NMCGA membership benefits boots on the ground to protect the cattle industry, training, networking, NMCGA Journal, exceptional hotel pricing at several New Mexico hotels, both health and property insurance programs, and so much more. We ask that you reach out to your neighbors and see if they are members. Thank you for being a member.

Revenue Streams Leadership and Staff are working to bring in new sources

YCLA

NMCGA FINANCIAL FORCAST MEMBERSHIP

REVENUE

NET INCOME

COSTS

TOTAL ASSETS

of revenue and making sure we are providing value for those who support us financially.

Bottom Line Our balance sheet is strong. Our current assets and total equity are rising year over year. Our Staff does an amazing job managing costs. Leadership and Staff are aligned in making sure we serve you well in the most efficient manner possible.

2025

NEW MEXICO CATTLE GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION

LINDA DAVIS YOUNG CATTLEMEN’S

Opportunity to enhance industry knowledge, network with professionals, and develop the skills needed to succeed in the cattle industry. The program includes seminars to cover marketing, finance, production, policy, and more.

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

LDYCLA Class I (L to R): Colten Grau, Lucas Long, Ryan Bone, Mason Grau, Bailey Tom, Marissa Diles

January 2025

NMCGA Journal

06

Forage Digestion: The Heart of Performance Lyssy and Eckel Feeds

Winter weather is here and it’s time to assess your nutritional strategy. Determine what your next steps should be by assessing forage quality and herd body condition.

During the cold winter months pasture quality is not at peak performance, in fact in many cases across New Mexico that nutritional peak won’t show itself for another six months or so. Whether you are facing a complete lack of forage or a healthy stash of matured forages, utilizing your pasture is critical to your bottom line. Herd condition may also drop off during this time as energy demands are high, especially in the lactating beef cow. Any decision made in the direction of improved digestion not only stretches your pasture’s carrying capacity but greatly improves animal performance.

What type of herd are you running? If they are cows or heifers, are they dry or lactating? What demands of the herd’s environment are showing through in their manure piles and overall cover and body condition? Comparing fiber and manure benefits decision making when it comes to shopping for percentage protein cube, calculating daily feeding rates and cost per head. When planning out a nutritional strategy you want to ensure that every bite counts!

The following chart was developed by Lyssy & Eckel research in partnership with Texas A&M Kingsville.

Determine body score:

Determine manure score: In a generational herd, your goal should be to enhance the health of the nearly one quadrillion microbes found in the rumen.

For perspective, if these rumen microbes represented drops of water that would be enough water to fill 20,000 Olympic sized swimming pools.

Choosing a grain by-product higher in carbohydrates with a greater percentage of degradable protein like cottonseed meal, wheat middlings, corn germ meal and alfalfa will maintain a balanced pH in the rumen and pairs well with forage. Degradable protein is a fraction of the crude protein in a ration that is broken down by microbes in the rumen and provides the animal with 50-80% of their daily protein requirements.

Comparing the cost of degradable protein to crude protein in a ration can help you save.

If you’re searching for a higher fat content to supplement energy when temperatures drop, consider the role microbes also play in generating volatile fatty acids. When healthy rumen microbes break down forages, absorption through the rumen wall and into the bloodstream is greater and accounts for 50-70% of the energy needs of a ruminant.

In summary, the health of the gut is based around what type of feed you are feeding while the type of protein you feed the rumen microbes has a greater impact than what you feed the rest of the animal.

Winter Weather Forecast By: Brian Bledsoe, Meteorologist

Hey folks, it’s time to take another look at what lies ahead in the coming months. I hope you have been blessed with some rain this fall, because it has been a very wet one for some of us. The map below shows the precipitation anomalies that have occurred from October 8th through December 8th.

The La Niña forecast graphics below show individual models, their forecast for January, February, and March, how strong they believe the event will be, and how long it will last.

Impressive totals for sure, but there were still some areas that weren’t as lucky. And some areas are still in drought…see below

The “legacy drought” over the far southern parts of the state is still hanging around and likely not going to get better this winter. Why? Well, we’ve got a weak La Niña in place and that is rarely good for New Mexico and the surrounding region. The graphic below shows that this is not a strong event and you can see how it has waxed and waned since earlier this fall.

Continued on page 09...

January 2025

NMCGA Journal

08

...Winter Weather continued from page 08

First, NOAA has been the most inaccurate with the La Niña forecast. It has been consistently too strong with the forecast. The BOM (Bureau of Meteorology from Australia) and the ECMWF (European Model) have been much better with the forecast, and I see no reason to believe that they won’t be going forward. So, this weak event should max out in January, and then gradually go away late winter and early spring. So, what does that mean for winter precipitation? Let’s look at the models and see…

The tan/brown shading indicates drier than average conditions being the most likely. This fits well with history.

The maps below show the weak La Niña events since 2000 and the average precipitation anomalies / temperature anomalies that occurred.

EURO Seasonal Model Precipitation Anomaly Forecast January - March

NMME Model Precipitation Anomaly Forecast January March

09

NMCGA Journal

January 2025

Historically, you can see that there is a tip toward drier than average and warmer than average conditions for New Mexico and the surrounding area. Weak La Niña episodes do offer more weather pattern variability than the stronger events. Thus, I do think there will be chances for moisture. However, the chances for the more frequent and better storms seem to be less this winter. Here’s hoping we can turn that corner this spring…

NMCGA 2025 Cattleman of the Year Pat Woods is the 4th generation on NM agricultural dirt By: Julie Carter

(L to R): Loralee Hunt, Remington Hunt, Senator Pat Woods, Eva Woods, Monet Hunt, Mack Hunt, Rigby Hunt, NMCGA President Bronson Corn

He’s a die-hard state senator, a “damn politician” he’ll say with a laugh, but first he’s a rancher, farmer and a dedicated family man of the land with strong Christian morals, integrity and a commitment to others. That is who and what he wants to be remembered for first.

The original Woods family homestead is near Grady, N. Mex. The story of its origins explains the grit and determination Pat has while he fights to stay on the land and for New Mexico people agriculture in every way.

“My great granddad was a tenant farmer from Illinois,” Pat related. “At the turn of the century, he decided he was going leave and work his way across the country to find his fortune. So he loaded up his wife and four sons in a wagon and headed west. A renowned horseman, he always had a good team of horses to do work. He would find a piece of ground and share crop it. At some point, he got a contract to build railroad right-of-way around Oklahoma City. It was then he saw the pamphlet saying they were giving away free land in New Mexico. He got on a train, told his wife and kids to wait until he got things going and he would send for them. When he got to Texaco, N. Mex., the end of the line for train, he got in a wagon and rode 30 miles to the closest homestead sites he could “pile on” and stake his claim. That was in 1908.

The piece of ground he chose, is still part of what we have

today.”

That same pioneer determination for survival went on to the next generation when Pat’s grandfather, Charlie was sent away from NM farm to Kansas at the age of 14 with a brother who was 16 to work and send money home. They worked for two different farmers. Charlie would get up at 4:30 in the morning, milk a dozen cows, and then start his day of work on the farm. Charlie was not in line to inherit the homestead farm so he stayed on in Kansas.

Pat’s family tree is full of tough branches reaching out in many directions, but his dad Jim Woods was the one that stayed there on the Grady farm and made sure Pat and his brother Mike got the opportunity to buy some property, beginning when they were still in high school.

“Ultimately, my brother didn’t end up staying on the farm,” Pat said. “But went on to do some really great things and now lives in Georgia.”

Pat recalls his education, landing at New Mexico State University after graduating from Grady High School in 1967 where there were around a 100 kids in the entire school. “It was a culture shock when I got to NMSU,” he said. He graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor’s in Ag Economics with an agricultural business emphasis.

Also in 1971, he married a “beautiful girl from Espanola” he said. “A real beauty queen, having won several contests.

Continued on page 11...

January 2025

NMCGA Journal

10

...continued from page 10

Eva was also a rodeo queen, was NM State Fair Queen runner up twice, a barrel racer, goat tyer, and breakaway roper. We got married and then we went back to the farm.” Pat will quickly tell you Eva has always been his biggest supporter and cheerleader through the years.

They share three children and four grandchildren and are blessed to have all four generations living on the ranch, that includes his mother, who turned 96 this year.

There was eight-year period where Pat left the farm and worked as a pipe fitter/welder. “I bring this up because during that time, I learned something about people,” he said. “I learned that people are, no matter where you’re from, what your background is, that everybody brings something to the game. And everybody is not going to be just like you. Growing up in a small universe like Grady, I had a pretty narrow view on the world.” Pat said the lessons he learned in that time were invaluable, and when he got back to the farm, he and his dad were even able to work together better. “He was more willing to listen to me and consider new ideas,” Pat said. “I had somehow proved myself able to survive in the outside world. That’s hard for dads and sons sometimes.”

“By profession and lifestyle, I’m a farmer and rancher from Broadview,” Pat states. “And when there came an opportunity and need for representation from this huge agricultural district, I decided to run for the State Senate seat for District 7. For three months I left the ranch and knocked on door and met people. I won, but only by 250 votes.” Pat has served since 2012 and starts a new term in January 2025, running unopposed in this last election. He has survived red/blue changes in his county as well as redistricting. “What I’ve learned is, you speak up for your power. You make your power. People don’t give you power,” he said.

Meanwhile, back at the homestead, “We run a couple hundred head of mama cows and about a thousand calves on wheat, depending how the scenario works out. This year we just didn’t get rain in time for pasture. We’ve got a lot of wheat planted but we don’t have anything grazing it.”

“We retain our calves until they're long yearlings and then sell them at that. This year we bought Mexican cattle out of Mexico because the price got up. My son-in-law just showed me a picture of Oklahoma City this week, six weight cattle would bring in over $2,000 a head. It's pretty hard for the in-between guy, the guy that's buying the calf 11

NMCGA Journal

January 2025

Right: Senator Woods checking his cows

Below: Senator Woods on his farming operation

off the cow and putting the weight on him before he goes into the feedlot.”

Pat envisions a New Mexico where every citizen can take pride in their work, feel the satisfaction of a job well done and have the opportunity to contribute to society. He continues to advocate for policies that support economic growth, promote job creation and ensure that the state’s resources are managed wisely and fairly.

His home goals are simple. To keep his family and future generations living on working the land that generations before sacrificed to get and keep. “It’s what drives my continued love of the farming and agricultural business. It is also in-part a big reason I continue to work hard in our state Senate. I take my job very seriously.”

Being named NMCGA’s 2025 Cattleman of the Year was an emotional gut-punch to Pat. “There is no way I'm deserving of that,” he said with his voice breaking emotionally even days later. “I mean, these guys, you know, that award is given to their group that is putting in their time for the organization. The group that spend all their time lobbying for that organization. It's just beyond what I could comprehend that that could happen. That's just not the way it happens. You've got to remember, I’m a damn politician. I don't care what happens when people say, it's not ‘you're a politician,’ it’s ‘you're a damn politician.’ For them to consider me like that is just, as one of them, is just unbelievable.”

This ”damn politician” is also long time solid member of the agriculture community with a century of agriculture running in his veins, and even better, he wears that hat to Santa Fe and takes it off to fight for New Mexico agriculture and its people. And that is how that happens.

MAY 2024

2024 Heritage Buckle Contest State Winner Join us in Santa Fe during the 2025 legislative session! We encourage all members to be active in the legislative process. Keep an eye out for “Call to Actions” to support NMCGA efforts by contacting your legislators.

Jamie Munoz, Guadalupe County Receiving a $1,000 scholarship

2024 Heritage Buckle Contest Sponsors Bernalillo - Alisa Ogden Dona Ana - Senator Crystal Diamond Brantley Eddy - Rowdy Green Grant - Callie and Tom Paterson Guadalupe - Jim Thorpe Lea - Rowdy Green Los Alamos - AgTrust Farm Credit McKinley - AgTrust Farm Credit Mora - AgTrust Farm Credit Rio Arriba - Kenneke Enterprises Sandoval - Dennise Bridgers Santa Fe - Bill King Sierra - TLC Plumbing Toas - AgTrust Farm Credit Union - Cliff and Pat Copeland Valencia - Representative Gail Armstrong 15

NMCGA Journal

January 2025

NEW MEXICO CATTLE GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION

February 1, 2025 | Cyclone Center, Stanley, NM

ADDED‌ MONEY‌ $25 NMCGA Junior membership fee (if not already a member) $35 entry fee per head per ring $5 cleaning fee per head 2 Rings, 2 Judges Judges: TBA Tom Spindle: 505-321-8808

NMCGA Office: 505-247-0584

THIS CATTLEFAX REPORT SPONSORED BY:

CATTLE SUPPLIES

The cattle-on-feed on November 1, 2024, was 11.986 million head and that is up .3% from the year prior.

Placements during the September to November period were right even with a year ago. The late start of winter wheat grazing resulted in more light weight cattle being placed in the fall. ·Fed cattle slaughter during the September to November period was 6.350 million head, and that is up 150,000 head from the year prior. The November fed cattle slaughter, led by the strong demand for the “holiday rib”, was incredible as the week before Thanksgiving the fed slaughter was the largest weekly fed slaughter in two years. ·Non-fed cattle slaughter was down 300,000 head compared to the year prior for the September to November period. Looking forward to the first quarter of 2025, the projection is for non-fed slaughter to be down 150,000 to 200,000 head. Improved margins for the dairy industry will be a big influence on the number of cows harvested in the winter of 2025. ·Ration costs at the feedyard have dropped in the fall compared to the summer as corn basis seasonally declined. Look for ration costs to be flat into the winterfeeding period. ·Steer carcass weights, on average, have been roughly 26 pounds above year ago levels for the fall. Seasonally, weights will decrease from the peak in the fourth quarter all the way into the lows in the spring of 2025.

CATTLE PRICES

··The Kansas/Panhandle fed cattle price from September to November has averaged $186/cwt. a couple of dollars better than expected. The market is expected to trade with an average in the upper $180’s into the end of the year and the winter of 2025. ·The CME feeder index has pushed to the top end of the forecast of $255/cwt. in November. The first quarter prices will find resistance between $258/cwt. to $263/cwt. with strong support between $245/cwt. to $250/cwt.

·The calf market strengthened during the fall, as prices were at the lows in September and their highs were in December. Producers who have carried calves from the fall past the New Year will be rewarded with prices that are projected to increase, on average, each week through the first quarter. Prices for a 550-pound steer could easily trade to $350/cwt. for highs in the early spring.

·The cull cow market experienced a seasonal correction from summer to fall and it was almost $20/cwt. price decline. The market will now move higher into spring and the forecast is for the market to add $30 to $35/cwt., for a utility cow price. ·The improved drought conditions and strong calf prices equate to higher bred female prices. That market will trade between $2900 to $3200 into the winter.

FACTORS TO WATCH

·President Trump Tariffs – How quickly will Mexico, Canda, and China come to the negotiating table, or will there be retaliatory tariffs from those trade partners.

The uncertainty can result in volatility in the marketplace. ·La Nina – A weak La Nina is the likely weather pattern into the winter and spring. Heifer retention has started, but mother nature will dictate how big it is in 2025.

Election Results - Positive to tax policy and a smaller federal government.

January 2025

NMCGA Journal

16

By: Kaitlynn Glover, PLC Executive Director Another year is upon us! Each new year holds the promise of new opportunities and renewed vigor for the good things to come. This holds true for the Public Lands Council too, particularly when the beginning of a new year coincides with the seating of a new Congress and the inauguration of a new president.

This month, almost 80 new Members of Congress will take the oath of office to represent diverse constituencies who weighed in last November. This process kicks off a formal education campaign, during which PLC will be working with these new members and their staffs to build relationships, and educate on the value of grazing and the need for sound land management. It is crucial to develop, or continue to build, these relationships early in the Congress to make the most of the next two years.

At the same time, PLC continues to deploy our transition priorities with the incoming Trump Administration. As a result of the November election, we are operating in an environment where both chambers of Congress and the White House are all controlled by a Republican or Republican majority, which provides a unique opportunity to advance priorities. It’s important to remember, however, that the midterm elections will almost certainly change the Congressional dynamics, so the next two years are crucial in achieving some of the biggest legislative and regulatory priorities.

These priorities exist in three primary spaces: regulations from the Biden administration that need to be stopped, rescinded, or revised; regulatory priorities on which the Trump administration should take proactive steps to pursue; and key legislative needs to provide regulatory certainty and protections for livestock producers.

In the first days of the Trump administration, PLC is focused on mitigating the harm caused by the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) pursuit of expanding solar installations across the West through the Western Solar Plan, rolling back the illegal BLM Public Lands rule, and bringing some common sense to the countless Endangered Species Act actions from the past four years. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) should never have expanded critical habitat for the Mexican gray wolf. The Service’s changes to the ESA make it easier to designate prospective, future habitat as current critical habitat in a way that harms livestock producers and land management goals. Let’s also not forget the Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health (BIDEH) rule that the Service has effectively paused – this should also be discontinued under the incoming administration. While this isn’t an exhaustive list,

17

NMCGA Journal

January 2025

there are countless proposals that need to go in the “bad idea” pile while the Trump administration focuses on proactive policy for the future.

The livestock industry and public lands grazing permittees have a unique opportunity over the next few years to make meaningful changes to wild horse and burro management, how the Forest Service manages forests (and the inevitable fires that result from their mismanagement), and even the way the Forest Service and BLM manage their grazing regulations. PLC has urged the agency to resume work on amending BLM grazing regulations and will continue investing resources in working with USDA Wildlife Services to ensure producers who experience depredation from USFWS’s continued efforts to expand predator populations across the West.

Congress’ role in the next two years is crucial. The 118th Congress was the most grazing-friendly Congress we have seen in years but we need that momentum to continue.

Representative Vasquez’s work on the Ranching Without Red Tape Act has been a huge step forward in making federal lands grazing more straight forward and less burdensome to carry out.

With bipartisan support, PLC will continue securing legislative wins that protect grazing and make lasting progress for future grazing administration.

It goes without saying that even this year, we will continue to spend a great deal of time litigating some of our key priorities.

While rolling back the BLM’s Public Lands rule will likely need to be done through regulation, PLC continues to lead the coalition challenging the legality of the rule in court. We believe a Trump administration will be more likely to defend themselves against the likes of Western Watersheds, but we will continue to defend BLM’s grazing and land health data in the DC Circuit Court, as well. Our litigation strategy on gray wolves in the lower-48 continues too, which could have positive implications for the future of the Mexican gray wolf.

I hope you all feel well-rested after the holidays, because the real work begins in earnest now. While many of PLC’s priorities tend to be viewed more positively during a Republican administration, getting it right and getting it done quickly are perennial challenges within a federal bureaucracy. It will take our time, attention, and investment to ensure we emerge from this next administration with lasting progress. I am confident we can do it – we will do it – and I am looking forward to doing it together.

Wishing you, your families, and your operations a happy, healthy, and profitable new year. I look forward to working with you in 2025!

Update from Washington The 2024 election cycle was one of the most exciting and consequential election seasons in the 21st century with numerous historic benchmarks. President Donald Trump became the second U.S. President since Grover Cleveland to win two non-consecutive terms, Republicans won the popular vote for the first time in 20 years and established a conservative trifecta by winning back the White House, Senate, while successfully holding the House. NCBA released a statement shortly after the presidential race was called, congratulating President Trump on his historic victory and for running such a hard-fought campaign. NCBA is excited to work with the President Trump to undo the harm which cattle producers have endured under four years of the Biden Administration and restore the free-market principles which have made U.S. cattle and beef the finest and safest in the world.

Republicans flipped Senate seats in West Virginia, Ohio, Montana, and Pennsylvania to take a 53-47 majority. This is the first time since 2020 that Republicans have held the Senate and with Leader Mitch McConnell stepping down from leadership, the new Senate Majority Leader is Sen. John Thune (SD) and Sen. John Barrasso is now Majority Whip. Sen. John Boozman (AR) will ascend from ranking member of the Senate Agriculture committee to Chairman. This will be especially helpful as Congress works to pass a new Farm Bill because Sen. Boozman has already released a framework that NCBA supports and understands all the issues important to cattle producers.

The House saw the least amount of change in this election with Republicans holding onto their tight majority and House leadership will remain in place as the 119th Congress starts in January. NCBA was glad to see members of Congress, who are strong allies to cattle producers, survive close races including Reps. Don Bacon (NE),

Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA), and Dan Newhouse (WA). House Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson will remain at the top of his committee and NCBA will continue to strongly push for his version of the Farm Bill.

In Late November, President Trump announced his plans to nominate Gov. Doug Burgum as the Secretary-designate for the Department of the Interior and Brooke Rollins as USDA Secretary. NCBA supports Gov. Burgum’s nomination because with his experience navigating natural resources issues in North Dakota, coupled with his business acumen and extensive agriculture background, he is uniquely qualified to be Interior Secretary. NCBA also supports Secretary-Designate Brooke Rollins, due to her long history of fighting for Main Street and rural America. America’s cattle producers need a USDA Secretary who will protect family farms and ranches, roll back crushing regulations, and stand up for rural values and NCBA look forward to working with Secretary-Designate Rollins to make it happen.

NCBA has worked closely with all of these leaders before, and they are great friends to the U.S. cattle industry. A change in power in Washington is nothing new for NCBA’s Government Affairs team, who have successfully navigated divided governments as well as Republican and Democrat trifectas.

Looking ahead to the start of the new Congress, NCBA will be focused on renewing the expiring tax provisions, like the expanded Death Tax exemption, which President Trump passed into law during his first term. This also means it will be easier to roll back the misguided Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations that seek to replace beef on the plate with beans, peas, and lentils and get regulatory relief for producers from the burdensome Corporate Transparency Act set to take effect in 2025.

CowBelles’ Corner

2024 has been an incredible year for New Mexico Cowbelles.

With hosting the Region VI ANCW meeting at the top of the greatest accomplishments. Our team did an incredible job hosting women from across the district.

We had a well-attended Past Presidents Reception and End of Year Meeting. Ruth Coffey, ANCW President attended our meeting and did our officer installation. We appreciate her so much. A big thank you to State Representative Harlan Vincent for sponsoring our meeting. We couldn’t do what we do without our great sponsors believing in our goal and vision.

We are looking forward to attending Ag Fest in February. We are also planning two District Workshops for this year.

Be looking for that information soon.

Our new officer team is excited to go forward with the incredible goals and vision set by last year's team.

We are also looking forward to new ideas and plans for 2024.

Blessings on your New Year, Corrina Casler, NMCB President

January 2025

NMCGA Journal

18

2024 Joint Stockmen’s Convention Award Winners Green from the Ground Up

Dave Kenneke, Cimarron, NM

Bill Williams, Roswell, NM

King Service Award

Roundup Club

Livestock Inspector of the Year

Ranch Family of the Year

Howard Hutchinson, Glenwood, NM

Stephen Howard, Regional Supervisor

19

Ayudando Siempre Alli

NMCGA Journal

January 2025

Troy and Kimberley Stone, Capitan, NM

Major Family, Magdalena, NM

Depot Farm and Ranch Agency Heritage Scholarship

Natalie Smith; Mills, NM $2,500

Purina Mills Scholarship

Ayden Clavel; Roy, NM $1,000 Not Pictured: Purina Mills - $1,000 - Chantzee Elliot, YCLC Scholarship - $500 - Libby Modisette, Allied Industry Committee Scholarship - $500 - Elia Encinias

Ayden Clavel; Roy, NM $2,500 Caysie Wood; Roswell, NM $500

2024 Photo Contest Winners Livestock 1st Place – Jackie Freeman 2nd Place – Makani Nakasone 3rd Place – Emma Sherwood

2024 Joint Stockmen’s Convention AIM Interns Makani Nakasone

Kids in Ag 1st Place – Emma Sherwood 2nd Place – Brittany Nickels 3rd Place Lizzy McDonald Landscape 1st Place – Emma Sherwood 2nd Place – Jackie Freeman 3rd Place Lizzy McDonald

Emma Sherwood

L to R: Kalani Arias, Kristin Drake (Allied Industries Committee Chair), Eva Cortes-Monroy

Ag People 1st Place – Emma Sherwood 2nd place – Jackie Freeman 3rd Place – Carolann Romo January 2025

NMCGA Journal

20

Severe Weather Strikes Roswell, NM: We experienced unusual weather in Roswell, NM, which caused significant flooding. Vehicles and buildings were heavily damaged. So, what is flood coverage, and are you protected?

If a large amount of rainfall results in water entering through the front door and exiting through the back, or if your vehicle is swept away, that’s considered a flood event. Flood coverage is determined by FEMA, which designates specific flood zones. If you're in a designated flood zone, it’s worth considering flood insurance from FEMA, which covers both dwelling structures and contents. The southern part of Roswell, stretching from west to east toward the Pecos River, is classified as a flood zone. This recent weather event caused substantial property damage, so it’s essential to check if your property is in a flood zone: FEMA Flood Map. Important for Semi-Truck Owners: If you operate semi-tractor trucks, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires you to carry a U.S. DOT number, either "for hire" or "exempt for hire." Given the different operational classifications for businesses, it's wise to consult with a trucking compliance office for proper filings. We can insure your semi-trucks on your ranch insurance policy,

whether you're "for hire" or not. Semi-trailers over 2,000 lbs must be listed on your policy for auto liability. Additionally, all licensed power units are required to carry auto liability insurance.

Been Non-Renewed Due to Claims?

If you’ve faced multiple insurance claims and are at risk of being non-renewed, we can help. We have access to insurance markets and will work diligently to ensure you have the right coverage to keep your business running smoothly.

Recent Property Renovations?

If you've recently remodeled your home or barns, give us a call. We'll update your dwelling limit to reflect today’s building market values by conducting a cost estimator. Don’t just assume your current insurance limits are sufficient—let us help make sure you're fully covered.

About Us: Since 1980, Insurance Services of New Mexico has been proudly serving New Mexico's ranching and farming community. Our experienced staff, combined with a commitment to providing top-tier insurance coverage, has earned the trust of our customers and the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association. We work for you. Call us today and let us show you the difference.

-Jim Lyssy, President, Insurance Services of NM

Waypath Employee Benefits is a full-service insurance February 1, 2025. Any enrollments following January brokerage firm assisting New Mexico Cattle Growers’ 15, 2025, need to have a qualifying life event.

Association members with their insurance needs.

Medicare There is not a lot happening in the Spring for health January 1 to March 31: Medicare beneficiaries enrolled insurance, most of the year is done in Quarter Four. in a Medicare Advantage plan have a one-time use window to change Medicare Advantage plans or return Please be aware of the following important dates to Traditional Medicare. regarding deadlines for health insurance and Medicare.

If you need help with understanding changes to your Under 65 individual/family plans Medicare RX coverage and costs, please contact our January 15: Last day to submit plan selections or office for free assistance. 575-291-3689. changes through BeWellNM for coverage effective 21

NMCGA Journal

January 2025

Sales Digest

MEMBER SEEDSTOCK PRODUCERS

Bradley 3 Ranch Annual Bull and Female Sale Feb. 8, 2025 - Estelline, Texas 34th Annual Roswell Brangus Sale - Feb. 22, 2025 - Roswell, NM Perez Cattle Company Spring Bull & Female Sale - Feb. 25, 2025 - Nara Visa, NM

4G Mountain Angus

Las Vegas, NM

915-490-1817

A Lazy 6 Ranch

Ribera, NM

575-421-1809

B&H Herefords Bar J Bar Hereford Ranch

Mesilla, NM

575-644-6925

El Paso, TX

915-549-2534

Bill King Ranch

Moriarty, NM

505-220-9909

Bradley 3 Ranch

Memphis, TX

806-888-1062

Brennand Ranch

Pinon, NM

575-687-2185

Clavel Ranch LLC

Roy, NM

505-485-2591

Copeland & Sons

Nara Visa, NM

575-403-8123

Dexter Livestock Commission Breeders Select Bull Sale - March 1, 2025 - Dexter, NM

Corn Herefords

Roswell, NM

575-420-3630

Cornerstone Ranch

Fort Sumner, NM 575-355-2803

21st Annual NM Angus Assoc. Bull and Heifer Sale - March 3, 2025 - Roswell, NM

Cox Ranch Herefords

Winston, NM

575-743-6904

Grau Charolais

Grady, NM

575-760-6336

Manzano Angus Bull Sale - March 4, 2025 Estancia, NM

Henard Partnership

J-C Angus Ranch 40th Annual Production Sale March 15, 2025 - Moriarty, NM Copeland and Sons Herefords Annual Spring Bull Sale - March 31, 2025 - Clayton, NM DO YOU HAVE A SALE COMING UP? Send in your sale dates to be included in the sale calendar by March 1 to abby@nmagriculture.org NMCGA will only include sales made known to them by the first of the month prior to the issue submitted by members of the association.

CATTLE GROWERS’ CALENDAR

Tatum, NM Hubbell Livestock Co. Quemado, NM Int. Brangus Breeders Assn. Adkin, TX

575-649-5268 505-469-1215 210-696-8231

Hartzog Angus Cattle

Farwell, TX

806-825-2711

J-C Angus Ranch

Moriarty, NM

505-379-8212

Lack Morrison Brangus

Clovis, NM

575-482-3254

Lavender Brangus

Melrose, NM

575-714-3094

Manzano Angus

Estancia, NM

505-705-2856

McKenzie Angus

Ft. Stockton, TX 915-637-3845

Miller Angus

Floyd, NM

575-478-2398

Perez Cattle Co.

Nara Visa, NM

575-633-2222

Red Doc Farm

Belen, NM

505-980-5093

Slash 3C Ranch

Las Cruces, NM 575-649-5268

T-4 Cattle Co.

Tucumcari, NM

575-868-2475

Tequesquite Ranch

Albert, NM

575-673-2208

Townsend Brangus

Milburn, OK

505-347-2550

USA Ranch

Albq, NM

575-638-5435

Westall Ranches

Carlsbad, NM

575-316-2071

LEGISLATIVE SESSION JAN. 21- MAR. 22, 2025 NMCGA STEER JACKPOT SANTA FE BOARD MEETING SW REGIONAL MEETING MID-YEAR MEETING

FEB 1, 2025 FEB. 24-25, 2025 APR. 10, 2025 JUNE 1-3, 2025

NEW MEXICO SALE BARNS Roswell Livestock Auction Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction Valley Livestock Auction

Roswell, NM 575-622-5580 Belen, NM 505-864-7451 Albuquerque, NM 505-877-0723

Santa Teresa Livestock Auction Santa Teresa, NM 915-843-0132 Clovis, NM 575-762-4422 Clovis Livestock Auction Five States Livestock

Clayton, NM 575-374-2505

Cow House Auction

Kirkland, NM 505-801-8393

Dexter Livestock Commission

Dexter, NM 575-624-2697

Landmark Livestock Auction

Mesquite, NM 575-635-4173 January 2025

NMCGA Journal

22

Member Highlight: Charlie Rogers My Name is Charlie Rogers, The first thing I want to do is thank all the people in my I am a long-time member of the NM Cattle Growers’ life for your support. My family first and all the people that Association, serving on the board since 2010.

I have met along the way; friends, customers and Other organizations and positions held; employees. I have been very blessed by good people in Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) member, my life and I cannot thank them enough.

LMA Membership Board & Services Committee 2008-2009 I grew up on the Family Farm/Ranch & Dairy combination LMA Board Member 2009-2014 in Elida, NM. A Livestock Auction was added to the LMA Chairman of Government Industry & Affairs family business when I was 16 years old. I worked in all 2010-2011 phases of the family business.

Secretary of Agriculture Animal Health Committee 2011-2014 I graduated from Elida High School in 1974, and it was NM Amigos 2002-present on to Eastern New Mexico University where I received an Agricultural/Business Administration Degree. I continued The time I spent on the Secretary of Agriculture Animal to work in the family business while attending college Health Committee from 2011-2014 was mostly and after until I became a partner in Clovis Livestock convincing the committee that the livestock industry was Auction in 1988. not ready for electronic ID at that time.

From 1988 to present, I have been an owner of Clovis Livestock Auction. At present, Rustin Rowley, Ryan Figg and I are equal partners. Rustin and Ryan are two of the best cattle marketing individuals and some of the best people you will find in this industry.

Steve Friskup and I have Clovis Horse Sales. Steve is the horse sale manager and accomplished auctioneer and an amazing preacher with a church in Muleshoe, TX. There are many others in this organization that are very special people as well. Once again, thank you for everything you do.

Clovis Livestock Auction has been a major part of my life since I was 32 years old. I have seen some interesting things in the last 36 years! At one large sale, a gentleman called and told me he was 12 head short selling. I searched the yards and paperwork and did not sleep that night only to have him call the next day and say never mind-they are still in the pasture! Once during a horse sale, a gentleman was showing his horse in the sale ring. He told the crowd this is a gentle horse that my grandson rides. The horse starts bucking and the man lands on the auctioneer block in front of Steve and Steve says, "Who's your grandson, Larry Mahan!"

I would not trade my life, my experiences, the people I have met for any time or place in this world.

ONCE AGAIN, THANKS TO ALL YOU GREAT FOLKS! Sincerely, Charlie Rogers