NM Stockman | 02-2026

The Magazine for Western Life FEBRUARY 2026

1 FEBRUARY 2026

FEBRUARY 2026

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35th Annual

Roswell Brangus Sale Saturday February 28, 2026

Females sell at 11am — Bulls sell at 1pm

Roswell Livestock Auction 900 N. Garden St. Roswell, NM Link to Online Bidding https://live-ag.com

50 Registered Brangus and Ultrablack Bulls 200 + Bred and Open Commercial Females

For a sale catalog or more information please contact: Bill Morrison at 575-760-7263

Floyd Brangus

2 FEBRUARY 2026

Lack-Morrison Brangus

Accommodations: Candlewood Suites

575-623-4300 4 Military Heights Drive Roswell, NM 88201 Mention the Roswell Brangus Sale for special rates!!

UBAR Brangus

Townsend Brangus

Brown Brothers Ranch

FEBRUARY 2026

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February 24, 2026 | 1 PM (MT) Nara Visa, NM

195 Registered Hereford & Angus Bulls Yearling & 18-Month-Old Bulls Bid online! Bid.Live-Ag.com

Horned Reg: 44667727

Horned Reg: 44669161

Polled Reg: 44669165

PCC 9367 0183 MAVERICK 4384 DOB: 9/28/24

PCC 457Y 8G BENTON 4355 ET DOB: 9/25/24

PCC 9356 0183 MAVERICK 4401 ET DOB: 9/24/24

BW 3.9

BW 2.1

BW 4.2

WW 69

YW 121

MM 19

TEAT 1.3

REA 1.11

MARB 0.08

CHB 174

WW 70

YW 109

MM 27

TEAT 1.3

Polled Reg: 44667708

REA 0.91

MARB 0.03

CHB 150

WW 68

YW 108

MM 19

TEAT 1.1

REA 1.30

MARB 0.05

Polled Reg: 44667697

CHB 159

Scurred Reg: 44669151

PCC 1383 0183 MAVERICK 4353 DOB: 9/23/24

PCC 7028 0183 MAVERICK 4342 DOB: 9/24/24

PCC 9311 8G BENTON 4329 ET DOB: 9/22/24

BW 2.4

BW 3.8

BW 1.5

WW 61

YW 98

MM 32

TEAT 1.3

REA 1.09

MARB 0.03

CHB 147

WW 75

YW 124

MM 32

TEAT 1.1

REA 1.12

MARB 0.13

CHB 205

WW 62

YW 105

MM 34

TEAT 1.3

REA 1.01

MARB 0.40

CHB 189

Reg: 21448615

Reg: 21448601

PCC 8836 HIGH ROAD 4829 ET DOB: 09/20/24

PCC 8836 9961 HIGH ROAD 4878 DOB: 09/04/24

PCC 9506 739L ETERNITY 5541 DOB: 02/17/25

BW 1.5

BW 0.6

BW 2.6

WW 76

YW 128

HP 12.9

Milk 16

MARB 0.29

REA 0.98

$M 88

$C 275

WW 68

YW 114

HP 12.5

Milk 24

MARB 0.26

REA 0.6

$M 99

$C 247

Reg: 21451906 WW 77

YW 134

HP 11.5

Milk 37

MARB 0.65

REA 0.99

$M 76

$C 259

Scan, call or text for a catalog!

Kyle Pérez 575-403-7971 Michael Pérez 575-403-7970

PerezCattleCo.com 3 FEBRUARY 2026

FEBRUARY 2026

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NEW MEXICO STOCKMAN P.O. Box 7127, Albuquerque, NM 87194 505-243-9515 Fax: 505-349-3060 E-mail: caren­@aaalivestock.com

Official publication of ... n New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association nmcga20@gmail.com P.O. Box 850, Moriarty NM 87035 Office: 505.247.0584 , Fax: 505.842.1766 Physical Location: 809 First Street, Moriarty NM 87035 Pres­i­dent, Bronson Corn n New Mexico Wool Growers, Inc. nmwgi@nmagriculture.org P.O. Box 850, Moriarty NM 87035 Office: 505.247.0584 , Fax: 505.842.1766 Physical Location 809 First Street, Moriarty NM 87035 President, Antonio Manzanares n New Mexico Federal Lands Council newmexicofederallandscouncil@gmail.com 3417 Avenida Charada NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107 President, Ty Bays

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING Publisher: Caren Cowan Publisher Emeritus: Chuck Stocks Advertising Representatives: Chris Martinez Melinda Martinez Contributing Editors: Carol Wilson Callie Gnatkowski-Gibson Howard Hutchinson Lee Pitts

PRODUCTION Production Coordinator: Carol Pendleton Editorial & Advertising Design: Kristy Hinds

DEPARTMENTS 10 NMCGA President’s Message

by Tom Paterson, NMCGA President

12 Just the Facts ... & Then Some

by Caren Cowan, Publisher, New Mexico Stockman

16 New Mexico CowBelles Jingle Jangle 42 View from the Backside

by Barry Denton

52 News Update: 9th Circuit Ruling on FLMPA, Beefmaster Intern, New NMSU AXED Staff 57 In Memoriam 61 Riding Herd

by Lee Pitts

63 Food & Fodder

by Deanna Dickinson McCall

64 New Mexico Federal Lands News

by Jerry Schickedanz

66 New Mexico’s Old Times & Old Timers

by Don Bullis

71 Collector’s Corner

by Jim Olson

75 Sandhill Sheriffs and Shotgun Diplomacy 76 Marketplace 77 Seedstock Guide 81 Real Estate Guide 106 From The Arena

by Julie Carter and Sage Faulkner

ADVERTISING SALES Chris Martinez at 505-243-9515 or chris@aaalivestock.com New Mexico Stockman

(USPS 381-580) is published monthly by Caren Cowan, P.O. Box 7127 Albuquerque, NM 87194 Subscription price: 1 year hard copy and digital access $50, Digital access $30 Single issue price $10, Directory price $30 Subscriptions are non-refundable and may be purchased at www.aaalivestock.com POSTMASTER: Send address changes to New Mexico Stockman, P.O. Box 7127, Albuquer­que, NM 87194. Periodicals Postage paid at Albuquerque, New Mexico, and additional mailing offices. Copyright© 2015 by New Mexico Stockman. Material may not be used without permission of the publisher. Deadline for editorial and advertising copy, changes and cancellations is the 10th of the month preceding publication. Advertising rates on request.

110 For the Love of Beef

by Patty Waid

112 Advertisers’ Index

FEATURES 18 What is a Good Bull Worth in 2026?

by Mark Johnson, Cow Calf Corner, Oklahoma State University

20 West Star Herefords Honored as Golden Breeder 20 Robust Beef Cattle Commerce Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist

22 U.S. Dethroned as World’s Top Beef Producer

by Chris Moore, meatingplace.com

30 NMDA Accepting Healthy Soil Program Grant Applications 35 2025 North American Limousin Foundation Promoter of the Year 36 Limousin & LimFlex® Cattle Excel on NALRF/SDSU Research Project Source: North American Limousin Foundation

38 Robert L. Frost 44 Grazing Leases & Allotments in New Mexico: Explained by Travis Driscoll, Beaverhead Ranch Group Blog

54 Produced Water Reuse in New Mexico – What it is, What it isn’t, and Why it Matters

by Matthias Sayer Co-Director at the WATR Alliance

62 James M. Sachse 65 Don Kimble 68 USDA Shifts Sterile Fly Dispersal Efforts to Defend U.S. Border 70 Federal Court Hears Case Challenging StateSanctioned Trespassing in New Mexico

by Rachel Culver, Pacific Legal Foundation

74 Stronger Together: Agriculture’s Unified Voice at the Roundhouse Source: New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts

86 Any Herd Expansion from Heifers?

by David Anderson, Professor & Extension Economist, Texas AgriLife Extension

87 USDA Forest Service Issues Revised Oil & Gas Leasing Rule 92 Dairy Poised to Help Meet Consumers Growing Demand for Protein Source: CoBank

94 Filtering The Future: Hemoperfusion Brings New Hope for Septic Horses Source: Texas A & M University

94 Cull Cow Prices Poised to Hold Record Highs

by Tony St. James, RFD TV

96 U.S. Farmland Values Enter New Phase Shaped by Localized Market Signals Source: Farmers National Company

98 USDA Announces New Presidential Appointee to Serve Rural New Mexico

24 Garcia Appointed State Media Ambassador 26 High Altitude Disease (HAD) in Beef Cattle

by Marcy Ward and Donald Martinez, NMSU College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University

FEBRUARY 2026

VOL 92, No.2 USPS 381-580

4 FEBRUARY 2026

18 Hereford

on the cover “Go To Your Momma” another great one

by Tim Cox, is a scene across the West this time of year. For this and other works by Tim Cox please contact Tim Cox Fine Art, Phone: 505.632.8080 Fax 505.632.5850, 891 Road 4990, Bloomfield NM 87410. timcoxfineart@timcox.com

5 FEBRUARY 2026

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DEMAND THE BRAND COPE LA ND & S ONS HEREFORDS

ANNUAL BULL SALE MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2026

1 p.m. MDT at the Five States Livestock Auction, Clayton, New Mexico

50 HEREFORD BULLS SELL Horned & Polled

Also selling 25 Open Commercial Heifers Sired by Copeland Hereford bulls and out of Angus cows

Celebrating 83 years of Ranching & Raising Quality Herefords!

Sons of these Copeland & Sons herd sires sell Monday, March 30th:

RPC JCS 7119 007 RUBBLE 210

AHA 44376473 • Horned BR ER Big Country 007 ET x NJW 73S 980 Hutton 109Z ET CED +3.9, BW +5.5, WW +71, YW +118, SC +1.0, MILK +31,

JCS HONDO 9612

AHA 44036276 • Horned JCS 88X 5847 ET x Bar S LHF 028 240

CED +8.6, BW +1.7, WW +46, YW +79, SC +1.0, MILK +34,

CW +90, REA +1.06, MRB +.31, BMI +438, BII +535, CHB +176

CW +76, REA +.77, MRB +.16, BMI +332, BII +393, CHB +135

JCS CHISUM 9536

SR DOMINATOR 170H

AHA 44036181 • Horned JCS 88X 5847 ET x UPS Domino 5216

CED +8.3, BW +2.2, WW +54, YW +83, SC +1.4, MILK +26,

CW +57, REA +.29, MRB +.30, BMI +365, BII +449, CHB +119

Established 1943

Cliff & Pat Copeland 575.403.8123 c3copeland@plateautel.net

AHA 44147494 • Horned BCC Dominator 619D x UU Turning Point

CED +5.2, BW +2.6, WW +57, YW +90, SC +1.6, MILK +30,

CW +75, REA +.37, MRB +.33, BMI +390, BII +481, CHB +134

Sale catalogs mailed on request. Ranch visitors always welcome!

859 Romero Road, Nara Visa, NM 88430

Matt, Alyssa, Cally & Kinley Copeland

M 580.336.8284 • A 731.499.3356 office@copelandherefords.com

Barbara Copeland

“THE QUALITY GOES IN BEFORE THE BRAND GOES ON!”

copelandherefords.com

Krebs Cattle, guest consignor

Ty, Kaleigh, Kynsleigh, and Kashlyn Krebs Gordon, NE • Ty 308.360.1972

6 FEBRUARY 2026

Dustin N. Layton 405.464.2455 laytond@yahoo.com Chisolm Kinder 405.747.4683 laytonauction.com Online bidding: https://bid.live-ag.com FEBRUARY 2026

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7 FEBRUARY 2026

FEBRUARY 2026

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Since 1925 GENETICS THAT MATTER

Bar T Bar Ranches ANNUAL BULL SALE Saturday, April 11 1:00 p.m. PDT Winslow, Arizona

Selling 200 Bulls BALANCED TRAIT SELECTION Temperment • Soundness Life Cycle Efficiency • Moderate Size Post Weaning Growth • Carcass Merit Low PAP • Focus on $RANCH Selection

ADDED VALUE Free delivery • Ultrasound IMF, REA, BF Select bulls PAP tested upon request Every bull feed efficiency tested since 2010

$RANCH COWHERD BUILDERS All sale bulls’ averages rank in top 13%.

Mothers calve every year in 45 days or they are gone.

All sale bulls’ averages rank in top 13% for Fertility.

All sale bulls’ averages rank in in 10% for Teat and Udder.

Bulls out of the most proven range cow herd in the Southwest.

OWNERS Bob & Judy Prosser (928) 380-5149 SEEDSTOCK HERD MANAGER Kristin Hovey (970) 485-0974 8 FEBRUARY 2026

100 Balancer 40 Balancer x SimAngus 40 Southern Balancer 25 Angus & High% Angus 70 Calving Ease Specialists 150 Blacks • 50 Reds Utilize the most proven database in the industry for traits that go directly to your bottom line and give you a marketing advantage.

Now is the time to invest in bulls that excel at maternal traits and will improve your fertility, longevity and profitability .

Bar T Bar Ranches info@bartbar.com • www.bartbar.com

FEBRUARY 2026

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9 FEBRUARY 2026

FEBRUARY 2026

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

by Tom Paterson NMCGA President

Tom Paterson President Luna Dan Estrada President Elect Trementina Marshal Wilson Vice President at Large Mesilla Park Tracy Drummond SW Vice President Reserve Dave Kenneke NE Vice President Cimarron Jeff Decker SW Vice President Lovington Marjorie Lantana NE Vice President Tamara Hurt Secretary/Treasurer Deming Bronson Corn Immediate Past President Roswell Loren Patterson Past President Corona

Dear Cattle Growers,

B

y the time you receive this, Christmas and New Year’s may be distant memories, spring calving has begun or is imminent and you’re well into the new year. Rest assured, your Cattle Growers’ team has been at work on your behalf.

NMCGA Committee Leadership Is Set: Many of our committees are already at work on the issues within their respective wheelhouses. For example, our Membership Development and Retention Committee, which my wife, Callie, will help me lead, has been at work developing a master strategy. We plan to roll it out by mid-March. What we already know from experience and consultants is that the most effective way to develop membership is with a one-on-one recommendation from our members. That, of course, means keeping you informed so you can explain to your neighbors what we do, that we’re effective at it and why they should belong. To help you with doing that, here’s an update from mid-December through mid-January: Update on Joint Stockmen’s: We broke prior registration records for our meeting in December. Plans are underway for JS 2026. If you have ideas, please share them. Cattlemen’s College was an unprecedented success. Jim Thorpe and the Research Improvement Committee are at work developing a topic for 2026.

Public Comments: Since December, we’ve submitted public comments on proposed amendments to Endangered Species Act regulations. We filed comments on the proposed definition for Waters of the United States. Nelson Shirley, Federal Lands Committee, and Tracy Drummond, Wildlife Committee, have met with the Range Improvement Task Force and the Linebery Policy Center and are developing comments on Secretary Rollins’ October Plan to Fortify the Beef Industry. The focus is on assigning vacant grazing allotments and setting stocking rates.

On-going Issues Monitoring: We are working with the Northern New Mexico Stockmen’s Association on who has responsibility for fencing around the Valles Caldera. Stay tuned. We are monitoring grey wolf movements into New Mexico. We are advocating to change the jurisdiction of the County Livestock Loss Authority from compensating for only Mexican wolf livestock depredations to compensating for grey wolf livestock depredations as well.

On the Mexican wolf front, we are closely monitoring HR 4255, Representative Gosar’s bill to delist the Mexican wolf and to de-link recovery in the US from recovery in Mexico. We continue to advocate to change the depredation evidence rules to those we had in place for the 20 years before the last administration. Those rules considered but didn’t require evidence of subcutaneous hemorrhaging to confirm a wolf livestock depredation. Requiring such evidence makes the new rules underinclusive of actual wolf depredations.

We also continue to advocate for location data for ranchers and local law enforcement so we may protect our livestock and the public.

Jeff Decker and Cliff Copeland, Energy Committee, are keeping a keen eye on NIETC developments. Anita Hand and Dave Kenneke, Water Committee, are monitoring data center demands on water. Marshal Wilson and Shawn Davis, Theft and Health Committee, are actively monitoring NWS and NMLB payments on slick cattle.

The Legislature: We’ve been working since the 2025 session ended on seven specific proactive requests from the legislature during the 30-day session. President-Elect Dan Estrada will be keeping you informed on developments.

Meetings: Since the New Year, you’ve had Cattle Grower representation at a monthly meeting with the USFS regional range staff (they won’t help us with elk numbers or management). We were at the January 9 Game Commission meeting in Santa Fe again urging the Commission to hold its meetings in the rural areas where New Mexicans live daily with the consequences of the Commission’s actions. Thanks to Commissioner Lopez, one meeting will now be in Deming in May. We urged adoption of a shed gathering season like other states have (not adopted), asked the Commission to develop its 4-year rules using science (not Google Earth); asked the Commission for its game plan on grey wolves entering New Mexico (not sure there is one), asked the Commission what progress it had made on developing a management plan for Mexican wolves over the past five months (none to our knowledge), and urged the Commission to have a plan for NWS entering our state through wildlife, especially as temperatures warm. Dan Estrada and I attended the Northern New Mexico Stockmen’s Association meeting on January 10 in Abiquiú and offered comments on the Valles Caldera fencing, on Game and Fish management of elk, on the impact of grey wolves coming from Colorado and on our legislative priorities.

Preparations: In addition to our work for the legislature, we’ve been preparing for our Santa Fe Board meeting on February 9 and 10. Before the meeting starts, Alisa Ogden and I will host a committee chair and vice-chair session to make sure our committees have the direction and resources they need to be successful. We are working with our regional vice presidents on plans for regional meetings (NW Regional meeting on May 22 in conjunction with the NCBA Stockmanship & Stewardship event and Indian Livestock Days in Farmington on May 21 aand 22). Plans are shaping up for our mid-year meeting in Ruidoso from June 7-9.

Congratulations: If you haven’t done so yet please extend your congratulations to Rex Wilson, newly appointed Senator from District 33. Senator Wilson is a former NMCGA President and Cattleman of the Year. We are proud that rural New Mexico is able to send such a capable leader to Santa Fe. So, why should your friends and neighbors join our NMCGA Team? See above.

Adelante juntos, mis amigos.

Tom Paterson, President

10 FEBRUARY 2026

FF EE BB .. 11 44 || SS TT AA NN LL EE YY CC YY CC LL OO NN EE CC EE NN TT EE RR

$2,500 IN ADDED MONEY $25 NMCGA JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP FEE

$35 PREENTRY FEE $40 SAME DAY ENTRY FEE

$5 CLEANING FEE PER HEAD

(IF NOT ALREADY A MEMBER)

2 RINGS, 2 JUDGES

Danny Davis RING A

Mason Allan

RING B

HEIFER SHOW STARTS AT 10AM STEERS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PRE-ENTRIES CLOSE FEB. 10 SAME DAY ENTRIES FROM 7-8AM CIDER FIBER ONLY! BRING GENERATORS! Pre entries: https://www.nmagriculture.org/nmcga-steer-and-heifer-jackpot

ROOM BLOCKS BLOCKS CLOSE CLOSE JAN. JAN. 31ST: 31ST: ROOM COMFORT INN - EDGEWOOD,

BEST WESTERN - MORIARTY

NEW MEXICO CATTLE GROWERS’ ASSN PO BOX 850 MORIARTY, NM 87035 11 505-247-0584 FEBRUARY 2026

FEBRUARY 2026

11

JUST THE FACTS ... & THEN SOME

by Caren Cowan, Publisher New Mexico Stockman

Getting Their Stories Straight…

I

n August 1998, the late Congresswoman Helen Chenoweth held a field hearing in Espanola, New Mexico on management of national forests in Northern New Mexico.

Former WildEarth Guardians director John Horning was a witness. I will never forget

the look on Helen’s face when she asked Horning what a map of the forests told him.

His response was “that they were just lines on a map.”

The radical environmental community has come full circle on lines on a map since then, sort of. A Mexican wolf dubbed Taylor by that community was found dead along I-40 near Grants after being hit by an automobile in January. This wolf had successfully crossed I-40 at least three times in the past.

Now one story is that highways like I-40 are not just lines on a map, they are lethal barriers for wildlife according to Claire Musser, executive director of the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project. However, the Western Watersheds Project calls the highway “lines drawn on a map by humans.”

The environmental goal is to abolish I-40 as a boundary in the Mexican wolf recovery program. Musser seems to claim that if I-40 weren’t a boundary, a wolf wouldn’t be hit in traffic. The wolf was only crossing the freeway because it was a boundary?

It gets worse. The press release indicates that if a female wolf that has spent a lot of time north of I-40 in several areas had not been repeatedly returned to the experimental non-essential area that maybe she would have mated with the male and they both

OWAISSA’S

100

YEARS! Sunday, February 15, 2026 2–4pm CST Methodist Fellowship Hall 301 E. Walnut Texline, Texas Cards may be sent to Owaissa at: P.O. Box 458, Clayton, New Mexico 88415 For More Information, call Kodie at 575.207.7879

12 FEBRUARY 2026

would be living happily ever after near Mount Taylor.

Filled with quotes from many radical environmental groups making the wolf seem human, the press release appears to be an obituary complete with surviving family members.

And how many hungry and abused children reside in New Mexico?

People Fleeing New Mexico U-Haul tracks one-way moves between states, showing where people are moving from and where they are relocating to, according to the New Mexico Business Coalition. The states attracting the most movers tend to share a few things in common: lower tax burdens, stronger job climates, and more worker freedom. Meanwhile, states that pile on regulation and forced-union policies consistently land at the bottom.

That lines up with what many New Mexico families and employers are already seeing on the ground: 1) High crime that makes it harder to keep workers and customers safe; 2) Poor education outcomes that shrink the talent pipeline; and 3) An increasingly unfriendly policy environment that discourages growth, expansion, and new investment Where New Mexicans are going: Neighboring states are pulling New Mexicans away, and the IRS migration data shows they are not leaving empty-handed: Texas (2012–2022): Net domestic migration of 21,658 people, taking an estimated $803,629,000 in adjusted gross income (AGI) Arizona (2012–2022): Net domestic migration of 16,335 people, taking an estimated $599,689,000 in AGI Colorado (2012–2022): Net domestic migration of 5,904 people, taking an estimated $237,587,000 in AGI These statistics were the latest data available. These departures do not include the exodus from New Mexico during and after the pandemic.

A late January 2026 population report indicates that the population has continued to decline in 2024 and 2025 slightly. One reason is that births and deaths in New Mexico continue to decline.

Since 2020, New Mexico has seen a trend of the number of deaths surpassing the number of births. From July 2024 to July 2025, 22,120 residents died, and 20,235 babies were born in New Mexico.

continued on page 14 >>

E D A M N A C AMERI

U A GR CH N RA NC

READY FOR SELECTION! 1. Payweight 2. Calving ease 3. Gentle — RANCHING SINCE 1907 — WESLEY GRAU • 575-760-7304 • WWW.GRAURANCH.COM

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<< cont from page 12

A missed opportunity for beef?

Americans are expected to eat 1.48 billion chicken wings at Super Bowl LX gatherings this year, according to projections by the National Chicken Council (NCC) said a meatingplace.com story by Peter Voskamp.

The number amounts to approximately 10 million more wings than the previous year’s championship game. According to the NCC, during this year’s four-week NFL playoff stretch, chicken wing sales soared nationally 19.8 percent year-over-year and revenue was up 11.4 percent versus the prior period.

The Super Bowl wing surge is boosted by retail wing prices being down 2.8 percent year-over-year, with a four-week moving average of $3.47 per pound, according to Wells Fargo’s Super Bowl Food Report. U.S. broiler producers increased domestic production by 2.2 percent in 2025, aided by lower feed costs.

According to USDA figures, cold storage inventory numbers at the end of November were at their lowest in more than a decade

(outside of 2020 COVID). NCC interpreted that data to mean that restaurants, bars, and supermarkets started stocking up well in advance of the Big Game.

For those having a hard time envisioning what 1.48 billion chicken wings might look like, NCC was good enough to cook up some scale comparisons: ЇЇ

Laid end to end, 1.48 billion chicken wings would stretch roughly twentyseven times from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, to Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington

ЇЇ

They would circle the planet almost three times.

ЇЇ

More than 3,400 fully loaded semitrucks would be required to haul them all – enough trucks to make a 40-milelong convoy of nothing but wings.

Just imagine if all those snacks were beef… and wouldn’t it be nice if the rodeo clown in Fort Worth were able to advertise beef instead of chicken?

­ Plan your JANUARY­—­Wildlife;­Gelbvieh;­­ advertisinginfog r Joint­Stockmen’s­Convention­Results the com year! FEBRUARY­—­Hereford;­Beefmasters;­Texas­ Longhorns MARCH­—­Limousin;­Santa­Gertrudis APRIL­—­Dairy MAY­—­News­of­the­Day JUNE­—­Sheepman­of­the­Year JULY­—­Directory­of­Agriculture

Editorial Calendar

FACTS

AUGUST­—­The­Horse­Industry SEPTEMBER­—­Charolais;­­ Fairs­Across­the­Southwest OCTOBER­—­Angus;­­Brangus;­Red­Angus;­­ NM­State­Fair­Results NOVEMBER­—­Cattleman­of­the­Year;­Joint­ Stockmen’s­Convention­Preview DECEMBER­—­Bull­Buyers­Guide

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. 28

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D V E RT I S E PLACE YOU

2026

Live & Online Auction · February 20 & 23

Friday, February 20 Live & Online Starting @ 9:00 AM Heavy Equipment, Farm, Trucks, Trailers Monday, February 23 Online Only @ 6:00 PM Attachments

in the New Mexico Stockman.

Call: 505/243-9515.

l appear This issue wilrnet for on the inte s after 12 full monthon. publicati

One of the Largest Heavy Equipment Sales in the Southwest!

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Salazar_ranches@yahoo.com

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H A N S E N A U C T I O N G R O U P. C O M

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Terms: 10% Buyers Fee. Hansen Auction Group, LLC. Registered WI Company #512-53

Northern New Mexico High Altitude Bull Sale March 21, 2026

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Call z: Chris Martine 5, 1 505/243-95 erve s ext. 28 to re e! your spac

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Call 575-800-4648 for more information

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OPEN HOUSE WED., FEB. 18 FROM 8:00AM-4:00PM

10990 Bataan Memorial E, Las Cruces, NM 88011

E

R AD IN TH

Las Cruces Denco Yard Contractor Auction

www.aaalivestock.com

FEBRUARY 2026

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you.

From left to right: Past President: Corina Casler, President: Misti Orr, President-Elect: Shelly Frost, Vice President: Shonda Welty, Treasurer: Terri Knight, Secretary: Amalia Montoya

JINGLE JANGLE

I am grateful for this dedicated group of women and look forward to serving alongside them this year.

Happy New Year Everyone!

I

Wishing you all a healthy, productive, and successful New Year.

Warm regards, – Misti Orr President, New Mexico CowBelles

C

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hope this message finds you well and that opper CowBelles 01-19-26 – As the you’re receiving some much-needed moisCopper CowBelles prepare for first ture in your part of the state. meeting of 2026, they look back on I’m getting ready to head to Nashville, TN things accomplished during the past year. for ANCW and CattleCon 2026. From there, Hosted the Western District NMCB WorkI’ll be returning to New Mexico and heading shop in April, followed by assisting Margie straight to Santa Fe to attend several days of McKeen and her crew with Ranch Days. legislative sessions. I truly encourage each of What a joy to see nearly 700 children learn you to get involved and stay engaged—your why agriculture is important to them, having voice matters, and it’s important that agri- fun and enjoying their real beef hamburger culture is represented. lunch! The kids all went home knowing In my last letter, I forgot to formally intro- where butter comes from and that they duce my leadership team. I’ve attached a should thank a cowboy for their hamburger photo and wanted to share their names with and so much more! Many of the members

were able to attend the WALC Conference and the Mid-year Meeting in Ruidoso. All hands were on deck for the Cliff-Gila Grant County Fair in September, manning our booth and the Extension Office booth as well as participating in demonstrations on Brands and Beef By-Products. The group raffled off some lovely quilts, donated to benefit the Scholarship Fund. Copper CowBelles were able to bless several students as they pursue their Agriculture or Skilled Trade goals. It’s been a great year, despite drought, and see the hard working members have woven their talents and skills into a web of support for agriculture and the western way of life. In the process, had fun and supported each other. It doesn’t get better than that! (But rain would help.) God bless all in 2026! Submitted by Carol Crosley Hello New Mexico CowBelles! I am your Jingle Jangle editor. I received no other news from local CowBelles this month other than Copper. Hopefully several of you other locals will begin submitting news. They do not always have to be in the form of minutes or formal newsletters. Please send via snail mail or email your happenings! Thank you again! janetwitte@msn.com

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2026 New Mexico CowBelle Executive Officer Team L to R: Past President Corrina Casler; President Misti Orr; President Elect Shelly Frost; Vice President Shonda Welty; Treasurer Terri Knight; Secretary Amalia Montoya; ANCW President Nikki Weston

16 FEBRUARY 2026

With over 100 years in business, we know the industry! Our cattle will work in any pasture and still pass the eye test for any judge.

Skip the pressure of an auction! Call to schedule a visit to look through registered Herefords, angus, and charolais bulls today!

C 8086 SANCHO 1084 ET

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Bill: 505-220-9909 | Tom: 505-321-8808 | billkingranch.com | Moriarty, NM

17 FEBRUARY 2026

FEBRUARY 2026

17

What is a Good Bull Worth in 2026?

by Mark Johnson, Cow Calf Corner, Oklahoma State University

B

ull buying season has officially started and will continue into the spring months across the nation with progressive seedstock operations offering yearling bulls. Accordingly, it’s time to revisit the age-old question.

What is a Good Bull Worth in 2026?

The Answer As a student at Oklahoma State University in the mid-1980s, I was taught “A good bull is worth the value of five calves he sires.” It is a good answer and a good rule of thumb to follow, the problem is it doesn’t exactly narrow down the range. As always, we need to define “a good bull,” check current market reports, answer some questions about how

we intend to market future calf crops, and do some “cowboy math” to arrive at a more precise answer.

What is considered a “Good Bull”?

For this discussion, qualifications to meet “Good Bull” status are: A bull that sells with a registration paper which includes pedigree information and a complete set of genetic values (including EPDs and Bio-economic indices) to be considered in the selection process. ЇЇ A bull that has passed a Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE) and sells with a breeding soundness warranty (terms will vary). ЇЇ A bull that will add value to calves sired because he fits your breeding objectives, production system and marketing plans. ЇЇ When are we marketing our Calves?

What is their Value?

Using the end of year market prices for 2025 from Dr. Derrell Peel’s article in the December 29th, 2025 issue of the Cow-Calf Corner newsletter: 500 lb. weaned steer calves were worth about $4.80/lb. for a value of approximately $2,400 per head. Therefore, if my future marketing plan is to sell weaned steers,

$2,400 x 5 = $12,000 is the answer.

800 lb. yearling steers were worth about $3.50/lb. for a value of $2,800 per head.

Therefore, if my future marketing plan is to sell yearling steers, $2,800 x 5 = $14,000 is the answer.

1,500 lb. finished beef steers were worth $2.29/lb. live for a value of $3,435 each.

Therefore, if my future marketing plan is to retain ownership through finishing and sell fed cattle on a live weight basis, $3,435 x 5 = $17,175 is the answer.

So, in the current market, a good bull is worth somewhere between $12,000 – $17,175 to a commercial cow-calf operation. Where exactly in that range depends on your marketing plan and the market conditions at that time. Not an exact number because there are many variables in play.

One key point illustrated here is that the longer you own the offspring before marketing, the greater the value of the bull to your operation. Retained ownership gives you more time and opportunity to capture the value of your investment in genetics.

It is noteworthy that we haven’t considered the value added to replacement females a bull will sire. Bulls used to sire the next

continued on page 20 >>

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Blair Clavel – 575/643-7517 18 FEBRUARY 2026

19 FEBRUARY 2026

FEBRUARY 2026

19

West Star Herefords generation of cows have an even greater longterm economic impact on the profit potential Honored as Golden of your operation and should be valued Breeder accordingly.

BULL

<< cont from page 18

I encourage cow-calf operations to consider their breeding goals, production system and marketing plan. Doing so should dictate where to apply selection pressure. Genetic values pay when you purchase bulls capable of improving genetic potential for the specific traits that will translate to added value at your intended ma rket ing endpoint.

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D V E RT I S E

in the New Mexico Stockman.

Call: 505/243-9515.

E

ach year the American Hereford Association honors 50-year and 100-year breeders. In 2025 New Mexico’s West Star Herefords owned by Sheldon Wilson, Folsom, was one of nine 50-year operations honored.

Wilson runs cattle in Colorado and northeast New Mexico. The operation sells bulls and females private treaty.

West Star Herefords purchased a large group of cows from Camco Herefords of New Mexico in the winter of 1987. These cows added stacked pedigrees with eye-appeal and maternal look with an emphasis on milk, meat, muscle, pigment, small teats, performance and predictable genetics. Through the operation’s embryo transplant program, they have utilized only the top individuals that possess these most important traits.

West Star believes in the importance of uniformity and predictability and has built their program around high-performing cow families.

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Leadership in Quality Herefords

Bulls Available February 2026 Private Treaty

20 FEBRUARY 2026

Robust Beef Cattle Commerce

by Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist

T

he sale and price of beef cattle (both purebred seedstock and commercial), of all classes and age has been healthy, resilient and vigorous to kick of the new year.

Consider the following: The National Angus Bull sale held during the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City included 28 registered Angus bulls that sold at an average value of $22,276. Furthermore, EACH sale held during the Congress saw increased sale averages and/or total gross.

Sales held during the Cattlemen’s Congress generated over $14 million in revenue.

Included in that Congress total is the commercial female sale which included two year old pairs selling at an average of $5,350.

Three year old cows, due to calve this spring averaging $4,500 and spring calving bred heifers averaging $4,261 per head. Seventy two head of open replacement heifers averaged $3,241/head.

Recently, Northern Video livestock Auction included a group of 200 head of commercial Angus replacement heifers, weighing 810 pounds, with genetic merit scorecard information which sold for $411/ cwt for an average of $3,329 per head.

The Oklahoma weekly market reports for the first two weeks of 2026 indicates steady to increasing prices of calves and feeder cattle.

Prices of Boxed Beef and Fed Cattle are firm as supplies remain tight even relative to the reduction in packing plant capacity.

Consumer demand for beef remains strong and beef carcass quality remains at an all-time high with beef consistently delivering a satisfying eating experience to consumers. In regard to the price of retail beef, (specifically, if there is a price point at which we meet consumer resistance), consider the following: ЇЇ Since 1980, the price of beef has increased 355 percent ЇЇ In comparison, during that same time, the price of Diesel fuel has increased 391 percent. Coca-Cola has increased 536 percent; Doritos 500 percent and the price of coffee has increased 775 percent. The price of a John Deere tractor has increased almost 1,200 percent since 1980.

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B&H Herefords BH SA 0137 Bravo 307

CHURCHILL DOMINO 2160K

H MARK DOMINO 0655 ET

44499491 • Calved: 2/20/23

44378038 • Calved: 2/7/22

44234608 • Calved: 9/1/20

{CHB}{DLF,HYF,IEF,MSUDF}

{DLF,HYF,IEF,MSUDF}

CE

YW

DMI

MCW UDDR TEAT CW

FAT

5.2

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2.2 55

93

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SC

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MM M&G MCE

1.1 16.3 34

61

3.7

REA MARB BMI$ BII$ CHB$

79 1.00 1.10 67 0.064 0.10 0.29 347 433 124

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21.8 39

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REA MARB BMI$ BII$ CHB$

58 1.40 1.60 89 0.064 0.54 0.29 452 547 148

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REA MARB BMI$ BII$ CHB$

53 1.40 1.60 86 0.004 0.93 0.30 278 347 165

Bulls and Heifers For Sale at Private Treaty

CALL or MESSAGE US FOR BEST SELECTION!

Functional-Efficient-Great Uddered Cows producing Stout-Muscular-Long-Bodied Bulls in Tough, Rocky Country!

Assisted by: CL 1 Domino 443M, BH Bravo 0137 and H5 6128 Domino 8165 Bulls, Females and Semen for Sale Phil Harvey Jr.

P.O. Box 40 • Mesilla, NM 88046 Cell 575-644-6925 philharveyjr@comcast.net www.bhherefords.com

21 FEBRUARY 2026

Cow herd located in Piñon, N.M. Jim Bob Burnett

205 E. Cottonwood Rd. Lake Arthur, NM 88253 Cell: 575-365-8291 burnettjimbob@gmail.com

FEBRUARY 2026

21

RANCH RAISED

Coyote Ridge Ranch

MOUNTAIN RAISED

Herefords WINSTON, NEW MEXICO Russell Freeman • Kelly Waide & Ryan Waide

575-743-6904

Total Performance Based on a Strong Foundation of Working Mothers

18300 Weld County Rd. 43, LaSalle, CO 80645 Jane Evans Cornelius • 970/371-0500 Hampton & Kay Cornelius • 970/396-2935 www.coyoteridgeherefords.com

HEREFORD BULLS FOR SALE VISITORS ALWAYS WELCOME! KEN & SUZANNE COLEMAN 1271 County Rd. 115 Visitors Always Welcome Westcliffe, CO 81252-9611 Home 719/783-9324 www.colemanherefords.com

HENARD RANCH

Texas Hereford Association

OSCAR · 575/398-6155 • 575/760-0814 BOX 975, TATUM, NEW MEXICO 88267 RUSTY · 575/760-0816

D V E RT I S E

A S OUR CE O F QU AL ITY HE RE FO RD S S INC E 1 89 9

4609 Airport Freeway • Ft. Worth, Texas 76117 817/831-3161 • www.texashereford.org texashereford@sbcglobal.net

Clark anvil ranCh Reg. Herefords, Salers & Optimizers BULL SALE - APRIL 8, 2026 La Junta Livestock – La Junta, CO

in the New Mexico Stockman.

Call: 505/243-9515.

Tom Robb & Sons T

R

S

Registered & Commercial

CLINTON CLARK 32190 Co. Rd. S., Karval, CO 80823 719-446-5223 • 719-892-0160 Cell cathikclark@gmail.com www.ClarkAnvilRanch.com

22 FEBRUARY 2026

POLLED HEREFORDS Tom: 719-688-2334 719/456 -1149 Keith: 575-693-5329 34125 Rd. 20, McClave, CO robbherefords@gmail.com

US Dethroned as World’s Top Beef Producer

by Chris Moore, meatingplace.com

B

razil overtook the United States as the world’s largest beef producer in 2025, according to market estimates, after output surged well above earlier forecasts and helped ease tight global supplies that had pushed meat prices higher.

Brazil was already the world’s top beef exporter, shipping nearly $17 billion worth of beef in 2025, based on government trade data. While official production figures are not due until February, analysts have steadily raised their estimates as Brazilian producers sent more cattle to slaughter to capitalize on strong export demand from markets including China and the United States, where domestic beef supplies have been constrained, according to a Reuters report.

Higher slaughter typically sets the stage for a subsequent production downturn as producers retain cattle to rebuild herds.

Industry analysts, however, said Brazil’s productivity gains are reshaping that cycle.

Faster breeding, improved genetics and greater use of feedlots have allowed cattle to be finished and harvested at younger ages without sharply reducing herd size.

Rabobank, which had previously expected Brazil’s beef production to fall in 2025, now projects modest growth to about 12.5 million metric tons on a carcass-weight basis. The U.S. Department of Agriculture in December raised its estimate for Brazilian beef production by 450,000 tons to 12.35 million tons.

If those estimates are confirmed, 2025 would mark the first year Brazil surpassed U.S. beef production. USDA data show U.S. output fell 3.9 percent in 2025 to about 11.8 million tons following years of drought and herd liquidation, with another 0.9 percent decline projected for 2026.

While both USDA and Rabobank expect Brazilian production to soften in 2026, Nogueira said continued efficiency gains could instead lift output by another 300,000 tons.

Brazil’s expanding corn ethanol industry has also contributed, supplying protein-rich distillers grains that accelerate weight gain.

Combined with improved artificial insemination practices that increase conception rates, analysts said the changes are allowing Brazil to grow beef production even as global supplies remain tight.

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Members

Abercrombie Ranch B&H Herefords Cox Ranch Herefords TE Mitchell and Son nc Kenneke Enterprises Chase Ranch Foundation T4 Cattle Company Henard Ranches 07 Ranch Clavel Ranch Van Cleve Ranch Stacy Kin Corn Ranches B&H Herefords Cornerstone Ranch Bill Kin Ranch Copeland & Sons LLC Perez Cattle Co Mason Cattle Co Randy White Spindle Land and Cattle 23 FEBRUARY 2026

Tucumcari Mesilla Winston Albert Cimarron Cimarron Tucumcari Tatum Plains, T Roy Pinon Stanley Ros ell Lark Arthur Fort Sumner Moriarty Nara Visa Nara Visa Aretsia Albu uer ue Moriarty

575) 403-8888 (575)644-6925 (575)743-6904 (575)673-2208 (575)447-2366 (575)376-2598 (575)868-2475 (575)760-0814 (575) 398-6137 (575)485-2591 (

505)220-7125 575)420-3630 (575)365-8291 (575)914-5579 (505)220-9909 (575)403-8123 (575) 403-7970 (575)746-2542 (505)856-0056 (505)252-0228

(

(

Become a member today!

505-903-9145

FEBRUARY 2026

23

Garcia Appointed State Media Ambassador

E

rica Yvette Garcia of Belen, New Mexico, has been appointed State Media Ambassador for New Mexico with The Foundation for Western Professionals, a national organization with a mission to invest in the next generation of leaders within the agricultural and Western professional communities. It awards scholarships and provides development opportunities to young people who demonstrate commitment to these fields, helping sustain the values and skills that define Western heritage.

In her role as State Media Ambassador,

Erica Yvette Garcia State Media Ambassador – New Mexico Foundation for Western Professionals

LA PLATA, NM • 505-330-8089 See Us On Facebook — www.facebook.com/DeckerHerefords www.deckerherefordranch.com

1873

CS

2026

153 Years of Raising Quality Cattle and Horses CS Cattle Co. • 575-376-2827 Cimarron, New Mexico “Out in God’s country”

Garcia will serve as a liaison between New Mexico communities and the Foundation, contributing written features, media content, and outreach efforts that highlight Western heritage, agriculture, leadership, and the professionals who embody these values across the state. Her work will focus on elevating rural voices, sharing stories of service and stewardship, and strengthening the connection between Western traditions and modern professional leadership.

Garcia brings a strong background in agricultural advocacy and public representation to the position. She was named National Runner-Up for Miss Agriculture USA in 2023, previously held the title of New Mexico Miss Agriculture USA, and currently serves as the 2026 Bosque Farms Rodeo Queen. She was also the 2018 New Mexico CowBelles Beef Ambassador and currently serves on the 2023 Linda Davis Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Academy. Through these roles, she has represented agriculture and Western industries at the local, state, and national levels.

In addition to her ambassador and pageant experience, Garcia is actively involved in agriculture, livestock production, and leadership development. Her work spans youth mentorship, agricultural economics, Western heritage promotion, and community engagement, reflecting the values of responsibility, integrity, and service central to the Western way of life.

As New Mexico’s State Media Ambassador, Garcia will work to spotlight the strength, resilience, and innovation found throughout the state’s Western and agricultural communities while representing New Mexico on a national platform.

For media inquiries, interview requests, or to schedule a public speaking engagement, please contact e.garcia@tffwp.org. Additional information about the Foundation for Western Professionals can be found at www. tffwp.org.

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Rancho de Santa Barbara When in Colfax County visit Cimarron and the Aztec Mill Museum

24 FEBRUARY 2026

“Crossing the Rayado”

575/587-2486 575/587-2211 PEÑASCO, NEW MEXICO

HIGH ALTITUDE H E R E F O R D S

Texas’ Only Hereford Operation West of the Rio Grande

Jim, Sue, Jeep, Meghan & Jake Darnell

The Darnells Continue 133-Year-Old a Family Tradition of Raising Good-Doin’ Hereford Cattle

TEXAS/NEW MEXICO RANCH 5 Paseo De Paz Lane, El Paso, TX 79932

HIGH QUALITY 2-YEAR-OLD BULLS AVAILABLE

Jim 915-479-5299 Sue 915-549-2534 Email: barjbarherefords@aol.com OKLAHOMA RANCH Woods County, Oklahoma

Hereford Ranch Since 1893

Bulls & Heifers For Sale at Private Treaty

25 FEBRUARY 2026

Se Habla Español FEBRUARY 2026

25

High Altitude Disease (HAD) in Beef Cattle

by Marcy Ward and Donald Martinez, NMSU College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University

A

pproximately one-third of the beef cattle produced in New Mexico come from elevations of 5000 ft or greater.

A common ailment of cattle raised at these elevations is commonly known as Brisket disease, specifically bovine high-altitude pulmonary edema (BHPE) or high-altitude disease (HAD). Affected cattle have trouble coping with lower oxygen levels, causing the heart to work harder and resulting in fluid

accumulating within the pericardial sac, which may eventually lead to edemas (fluid accumulation) around the lungs and brisket region (Figure 1). The inefficiency of oxygen transfer increases their susceptibility to other respiratory infections as well.

Symptoms of HAD may include: 1. Diff icult y breathing or rapid breathing 2. Coughing 3. Increased respiratory rate 4. Decreased exercise tolerance 5. Bluish discoloration of the mucous membranes (cyanosis) 6. Swelling in the brisket area High altitude disease can be fatal if not promptly diagnosed and treated. Treatment typically involves moving affected cattle to lower altitudes, where oxygen levels are

higher, and supportive care such as administration of oxygen and diuretics that can reduce fluid accumulation in the tissue. If moving cattle to lower ground does not alleviate symptoms, consult your veterinarian for more medical care.

Monitoring Herd Susceptibility to HAD It’s important for cattle producers and veterinarians in high-altitude regions to be aware of frequency of HAD and take appropriate measures to mitigate its effects, especially during times of increased stress or rapid changes in altitude.

The method used to monitor your cattle and their propensity to develop HAD is through pulmonary arterial pressure testing.

This test can be used for selection criteria for

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BULLS AVAILABLE Tucumcari Bull Test – March 14, 2026 Private Treaty at the Ranch Built for Big Country Testing Bulls Since 1996 Maximize Hybrid Vigor with this uniform1/2set Date: of Bulls

Robert and Billie Abercrombie Abercrombie Ranch P.O. Box 803 Tucumcari, NM 88401

Hereford ID

TEST ID 2404 2487 2409 2403 2406 2499

12-1 12-2 12-3 12-4 12-5 12-6

PEN

A A B A A A

SIRE PCC 7125 49C MIGHTY 9305 PCC 7125 49C MIGHTY 9305 PCC 7125 49C MIGHTY 9305 PCC 7125 49C MIGHTY 9305 PCC 7125 49C MIGHTY 9305 PCC 7125 49C MIGHTY 9305

3.16 Breed ADG Ratio WDA

Breed 27-Oct 729 817 740 833 795 740

2-Jan 937 970 948 987.5 984 928

3.10 2.28 3.10 2.31 2.82 2.81

98.14 72.19 98.14 72.90 89.17 88.70

3.15 2.89 3.29 3.23 3.34 3.00

2.91 Ratio

105.66 96.68 110.24 108.08 111.71 100.58

Pen FE

FE

5.95 8.44 6.15 7.29 6.54 6.77

6.25 Pen DMI Ratio DMI

105.07 74.05 101.59 85.64 95.51 92.29

18.46 19.26 19.09 16.82 18.45 18.99

22.91

RFI

-1.72 -1.08 -0.79 -3.89 -2.51 -0.81

Can Deliver – Robert 575-403-8888 – Howard, Juanita, Robert, Billie, Richard & Jake 26 FEBRUARY 2026

replacement heifers and/or bull purchase, as well as determining animal susceptibility.

This test measures pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and refers to the pressure within the pulmonary artery, which is the blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.

Elevated PAP can indicate various health issues in beef cattle, such as: 1. Pulmonary Hypertension: This condition involves increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which can lead to heart failure and reduces ability to oxygenate lung fields.

2. Respiratory Diseases: Respiratory conditions such as pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can lead to increased PAP due to inflammation or obstruction in the lungs.

3. Heart Diseases: Certain heart conditions, such as congenital defects or valvular disorders, can cause increased pressure in the pulmonary artery.

4. High-Altitude Disease: In regions with high altitudes, cattle can develop high-altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH), a condition where decreased oxygen availability leads to increased PAP. Testing for PAP requires specialized equipment, including catheters, transducers, and an EKG monitoring device. This procedure can be performed at the ranch location by a certified PAP veterinarian. In some cases, the animal may be referred to a specialty hospital if cardiovascular or respiratory disease is detected.

What constitutes a “good” PAP score can vary depending on the altitude and the specific breeding goals of the operation.

Generally, a PAP score below a certain threshold is considered desirable for cattle that will be raised or used for breeding at high altitudes (Table 1). The exact threshold may vary, but in some cases, a PAP score of 40 mmHg or lower is considered acceptable for high-altitude adaptation.

It’s important to note that PAP scores

should be interpreted in the context of the altitude at which the cattle will be living or working. What might be considered a good PAP score at one altitude may not be suitable for another. Additionally, other factors such as breed, age, and overall health should also be taken into consideration when evaluating PAP scores. Cattle should be managed at elevations greater than 6400 feet for a minimum of 45 days before being tested for PAP. Waiting 45 days before testing will yield

results that will better demonstrate how the animal is re s p ond i ng to lower atmospheric oxygen. Testing above 6400 feet in elevation has proven to produce more accurate PAP readings as well.

Unfortunately, cattle that carry a high propensity for HAD cannot be “cured”. Cattle with high PAP scores may have permanent changes to the heart and lungs and will continue to have a risk of developing pulmonary issues, regardless of elevation.

A key prevention strategy of HAD is through selection. When cattle are managed above 6000 feet, for example, PAP monitoring in bulls and replacement heifers is recommended. Culling high risk animals (PAP greater than 45mmHg) can also help

Selling 7 GREAT 2-year-old bulls at Dexter Livestock Corn Beef Bulls Commission’s Breeder Select Bull Sale. March 7 Consigning 7 Head to the Tucumcari Feed Efficiency Bull Test & Sale in March

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And a great selection at the Ranch!

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25 miles NW of Roswell At mile marker 55 on Hwy 246

FEBRUARY 2026

27

to reduce overall economic loss due to HAD.

Genetics and HAD Research has shown that there is a genetic link of susceptibility to HAD. Heritability is estimated to be approximately 30 percent.

When Angus bulls, heifers, and steers were evaluated, bulls demonstrated higher PAP scores compared to heifers and steers, with heifers having consistently lower PAP scores than bulls or steers. This indicates females tend to be slightly more resistant to HAD. Therefore, having bulls and replacement heifers tested for PAP is recommended at higher altitudes.

Cattle breeders and producers often use actual PAP scores as part of their selection criteria when choosing breeding stock or purchasing animals for high-altitude environments. High altitude diseases’ genetic component is complex, with a strong environmental influence on this disease trait

being expressed. More research is needed to better clarify the genetic impact on HAD. Nevertheless, what data is available has compelled the American Angus Association to develop a “PAP” EPD. Producers can then make selection decisions to reduce the risk of HAD development. A lower PAP EPD value is more desirable in Angus cattle raised at higher altitudes. Expected progeny values for PAP range from -4.76 to 10.3 (https:// www.angusonline.org/Nce/SireSummary).

Nutrition and HAD Balanced nutrition is a good way to reduce HAD onset in beef cattle. In grazing beef cattle, this can be difficult, as forage quality continually changes over the course of the year. Here are some considerations when managing HAD with proper nutrition.

1. Copper (Cu): Deficiencies have been shown to contribute to the onset of HAD

LT CATTLE COMPANY SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO

BR ENDURE J042 ET BD 3/23/2021 BW:3.2 WW:65

YW:111

MILK: 34 SC:2.2 REA: 0.57

BR SOONER 8075 BD 4/24/2018 BW:4.3 WW:64

YW:111

MILK: 28 SC:0.7 REA: 0.7

Thank you so very much for your support through the years! The yearling Hereford horned and polled bulls will be ready to go on a first-come, first-serve basis after the first of the year. They were weaned in early December and are big and stout. They are priced for the commercial man.

Feel free to call us if we can help with your bull needs.

Thank you, Jimmy McCauley JIMMY MCCAULEY (575)574-2283

DAVID MCCAULEY(575)538-1828

RYAN MCCAULEY (575)654-4030

WE WOULD BE HONORED TO HEAR FROM YOU.

28 FEBRUARY 2026

symptoms in susceptible cattle.

2. Salt: Cattle suffering from HAD seek hydration. Salt will promote water intake.

Offering salt near good water sources is recommended. However, excessive salt, could contribute to hypertension, which could lead to HAD onset. Feeding mineral packages low in sodium will still help promote water intake, without overconsuming salt. Salt blocks could help regulate overall sodium consumption.

3. Iron (Fe): Though Fe is needed in hemoglobin formation (oxygen transport), too much Fe can have a negative effect. Elevated Fe in the diet can cause oxidative stress and reduce the absorption of copper along with other key minerals, increasing the risk of HAD. In forested areas, it is not uncommon to have excessively high Fe levels in the forage and water sources.

Feeding a loose mineral that is higher in copper can help offset the negative effects of elevated dietary Fe, potentially reducing the risk of HAD in beef cattle grazing in higher altitudes.

Water and forage quality are challenging to control. Testing forage and water for minerals regularly is a good way to know what may need to be supplemented to optimize nutrition.

High altitude disease can result in significant economic loss to cattle producers who ranch in higher elevations. Through indirect culling and selection, some herds are better suited to mountainous regions. However, when new cattle are introduced to these conditions, steps should be taken to determine how well these animals will handle higher altitudes.

A PAP evaluation by a trained veterinarian will provide a key piece of information on how suited the animal is to higher elevations. Considering the level of heritability of this disease, culling animals based on PAP scores or removing those who develop HAD symptoms will improve the genetic base of the herd. Proper selection criteria and good nutrition can all be used to reduce the risk of HAD in your herd.

NMSU Guide B-134, Marcy Ward and Donald Martinez, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University Authors: Respectively, Extension Livestock Specialist, Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources; and Rio Arriba County Agricultural Agent, Rio Arriba County Extension Office.

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29 FEBRUARY 2026

FEBRUARY 2026

29

NMDA Accepting Healthy Soil Program Grant Applications

T

he New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) is accepting online grant applications for its Healthy Soil Program from Friday, January 16, through noon Friday, March 20, Mountain Time.

Eligible Entities include the state’s tribal governments; acequias; land grants; soil and water conservation districts; New Mexico

Evans

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“Farmers, ranchers and other land managers who invest in their soil are investing in the long-term resilience of their operations,” said New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte. “NMDA’s Healthy Soil Program incentivizes the adoption of soil health practices on managed lands throughout the state.”

All Healthy Soil Program grant applications must be submitted online by noon State University—Cooperative Extension Friday, March 20. Late, incomplete and paper Service; and other local governmental enti- applications will not be accepted or reviewed. ties with proven land management capacity Visit the NMDA YouTube channel to to support healthy soil. Individual Appli- watch several videos about how the NMDA cants include individuals, businesses, and Healthy Soil Program has helped various nonprofits that are actively engaged in grantees improve their soil health. On the farming, ranching, or managing land for Healthy Soil Program webpage, you can other purposes. explore the interactive map of past grantHealthy Soil Program grants support funded projects, subscribe for program on-the-ground projects in New Mexico that updates and check out resources to prepare use one or more of the five soil health prin- to apply for a grant. ciples to improve soil health: keeping the soil The Healthy Soil Program was created in covered; minimizing soil disturbance and the 2019 Healthy Soil Act. The act’s purpose external inputs; maximizing biodiversity; is to promote and support farming and maintaining a living root; and integrating ranching systems and other forms of land animals into land management. Project management that increase soil organic activities often include cover cropping, matter, aggregate stability, microbiology and compost application, bale grazing and more. water retention to improve the state’s soil Projects funded during this cycle may health, yield and profitability. begin as early as July 15, and may end as late as September 30, 2027.

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evansbeefmasters.com

MAJOR

Casey

Raising Beefmaster Cattle Since 1982 Excellent Quality – Lasater Breeding

A Division of Major Cattle Co., LLC

The Lineup! Look for their Yearling Bull Calves in the Spring of 2026.

LBAR 6107 an Enfuego son.

His genetics are engrained in our females.

seventy-seven years !

— 2nd Oldest Beefmaster Herd — — Highest IMF Herd in the Breed — — Most Fertile Herd in the Breed — — Closed Herd Since 1967 —

BEEFMASTERS FMC 9428 (Big Iron) A Frenzel bred sire. His genetics go back to the Foundation Herd.

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LBAR 0501 (Wolfman) His offspring are becoming some of the best in our herd.

CaseyBeefmasters.com Watt, Jr. 325/668-1373

Functional Cattle Sold PVT Treaty Muscled Virgin Bulls-CSS Semen

Elbrock Ranch FIRE POWER 265 RH C1022363 FIVE V BEEFMASTERS LL MR FIRE POWER 513 513 LT C1053959 DNA 429162 Sire LAIRMORE LL MISS COLORADO 026 026 LT C997051 LAIRMORE 313 LH C881591 DNA 812A FRENZEL U BLD 9069A Dam 8323 LH C967479 F BAR FAITH 1223-6 LH C706683 *FRENZEL

L BAR 6165 6165 LH C935662 L BAR 1/2 11/12 L BAR EN FUEGO 9560 LE C 988569 DNA 549782A PV Sire L BAR U 1/1 10/11 L BAR 5456 5456 LH C928492 L BAR L BAR 8307 8307 LE C960603 L BAR U9/09 Dam L BAR 3453 3453 LH C1038015 DNA 123015104942 GLD30K L BAR L BAR 3440 3440 LH C889925 L BAR

Danny Major 928/925-3710

30 FEBRUARY 2026

404 RH C903452 DWIGHT RAMPLEY SCHNEIDER 0481 0481 LH C994584 US900009112 Sire SCHNEIDER & SONS U 1/1 5/14 4115 LH C900477 FRENZEL L BAR 6105 6105 LH C1078603 L BAR Dam L BAR 6440 6440 LH C1107066 DNA NE00863399 PV L BAR L BAR 3456 LH C1038007 L BAR

P.O. Box 5128, Chino Valley, AZ 86323

Quality Commercial Beefmasters Bulls For Sale Tricia Elbrock Animas, N.M. 88020 C: 575/574-8057 • O: 575/548-2429 elbrock@vtc.net

31 FEBRUARY 2026

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No bull, just better cattle.

SEE FOR YOURSELF

Scan the QR code to learn more about the Cowman’s Choice.

32 FEBRUARY 2026

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BRANGUS ANGUS RED ANGUS

33 FEBRUARY 2026

Tate Pruett , Manager 575-365-6356 Ray Karen Westall , Owner 575-361-2071

L o w B i r t h We i g h t Mo d e r a t e F r a me R a i s e d i n R o u g h Co u n t r y R e a d y t o Wo r

Ranch Location 1818 Arabela Road Arabela , NM FEBRUARY 2026

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2025 North American Limousin Foundation Promoter of the Year South Dakota State University – Dr. Zachary Smith, Dr. Warren Rusche, Grace Olinger, and the SDSU research team.

S

ix years ago, the NALF Board began discussions with the team at SDSU about conducting a study that was more reflective of the commercial cattle feeding industry trend of feeding cattle to larger out weights and its impact on feed performance and carcass composition.

Those initial discussions led to the NALRF/SDSU research study that was conducted on two Montana commercial Angus cow ranches breeding cows to three different sire groups utilizing Angus, Limousin, and Lim-Flex® sires. Progeny were then shipped to the research facility at SDSU and fed to three different harvest groups with extended days on feed and larger out weights, more reflective of what is currently happening in the commercial cattle feeding industry.

This enabled SDSU to produce and analyze the results of “Effect of Extended Days on Feed on Growth Performance, Efficiency, and Carcass Characteristics of Steers and Heifers of Different Proportions of Angus and Limousin Genetics”.

Dr. Warren Rusche and Grace Olinger were then able to conduct an economic analysis using the actual individual cost of gain, feed conversion, and actual carcass composition results reflected in actual harvest data.

The resulting premiums and discounts applied were on a standardized grid after the cattle were harvested in the fall of 2024. This enabled the team at SDSU to do a full economic analysis.

These results were presented at the Beef Improvement Federation meeting in Amarillo, TX, in June of 2025 by Dr. Warren Rusche and Grace Olinger, along with various other meetings around the country.

They will also present this information at the

2026 NCBA Cattle Con in the Cattlemen’s College Sessions in Nashville, Tennessee.

The level of work, financial commitment, and dedication the team at South Dakota State University put into this project was outstanding, timely, and critical at a time when cattle are being fed to much larger out weights in today’s beef industry nationwide.

The NALF board, membership, and staff are greatly appreciative of the efforts made by the team at SDSU and their commitment to the beef industry.

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Dr. Warren Rusche and Grace Olinger,

th A

nnual

Reynolds Land & Cattle 44

BULL SALE FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2026

RODZ LOKI 196L: 2024 high selling bull. Sons and daughters will sell.

SANFORD, COLORADO AT THE RANCH — 1pm Sale in conjunction with Reynolds Farm & Ranch

Bulls out of top A.I Sires in the Country We have semen available on a select group of our Herd Bulls.

Contact us for semen pricing.

Members of our 2025 National Western Stock Show Reserve Champion Pen of Three Limflex Bulls Will Sell.

SELLING

100 HEAD Including:

Registered Performance Tested, High Altitude, PAP Tested Bulls

TwoYear-Olds

60

YEARS of AI. Our Limousin have a Brown Swiss background that results in greater maternal ability, growth and good dispositions. Our mother cows are selected for their ability to work at high altitude and to wean a growthy calf under range conditions.

+YEARS OF PRODUCING

REGISTERED HIGH ALTITUDE LIMOUSIN, LIMFLEX, ANGUS, & SIMCROSS

30

40+

Yearlings

AND 10 REGISTERED YEARLING REPLACEMENT HEIFERS

50

HIGH QUALITY BULLS

Lunch will be served at the Ranch.

Sale Catalogs available on request.

Airport only 14 miles from Ranch.

Sale will be available on DVAUCTION if you cannot attend

SALE LOCATION: 17463 County Road 19, Sanford, CO 81151 Rod Reynolds (719) 588-1230 • Troy Reynolds (719) 580-1308 FACEBOOK.COM/REYNOLDS.SHOWCATTLE reynolds_showcattle@yahoo.com

FEBRUARY 2026

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Limousin & LimFlex® Cattle Excel on NALRF/SDSU Research Project

T

he North American Limousin Research Foundation (NALRF) and South Dakota State University (SDSU) research project comparing three different sire groups consisting of Angus, Lim-Flex® and Limousin sires bred to commercial Angus cows is evaluated in the SDSU study and economic analysis that is detailed in the link at the bottom.

The study examined extended days on feed to three different harvest end points on growth performance, feed efficiency and carcass composition differences of both steers and heifers with different proportions of Angus and Limousin genetics. A.I. sires utilized were independently selected by Dr. Robert Weaber, Kansas State University (KSU) for relative EPD equivalency also utilizing USMARC breed adjustments to better measure breed comparisons.

Commenting on the research project, Dr. Robert Weaber stated, “As the beef industry continues to drive for increased production through feeding cattle to heavier end weights, selection for animals with the genetic potential for improved muscularity and retail yield is essential.

Physiological maturity of beef cattle results in carcass tissue deposition shifts from lean to fat. As this occurs, feed conversion worsens, decreasing the efficiency of body weight gain and ultimately, profitability. At the end of the feeding period, dressing percentage increases, but primarily due to increased fatness. Increased body fat decreases retail yield.

Decreasing the production of waste fat in our industry will be key to improving our sustainability metrics. One simple way to improve retail yield is selection of animals (and breeds like Limousin) with improved carcass muscularity. Recent beef x dairy carcass work has demonstrated the importance of muscle shape in the chuck and round to improve fabrication yields. As our industry considers new technology to predict red meat yield, we’ll need to expand our utilization of breeds and tools that add end meat carcass muscularity.

The utilization of crossbreeding systems to leverage heterosis and breed complementarity is a key tactic to improving beef production efficiency. This research reaf-

36 FEBRUARY 2026

firms the value to crossbreeding systems that presentation by Dr. Warren Rouche and leverage breed strengths and improve profit Grace Olinger, SDSU. opportunities through optimization of 6.

Cost assumptions in value estabcarcass quality and yield attributes at heavy lished using January 2024 starting weights out weights. In the current study, cattle with and South Dakota USDA report (Steers & increased days on feed had more profit Heifers). Ration cost =$200.00/ton, yardage opportunities as did cattle with increasing at $0.50 per day along with trucking, vet, etc. percentage of Limousin genetics demonstrat- = $85.00/head. Interest @ 8.5% on feeder ing the value of managing both carcass cattle and feed. Ending values were calcucomposition and feedlot performance traits lated from Cargill settlement. to maximize profit.

Takeaways: Profit in the feeding sector is driven by 1. All breed groups reflected an increase managing both input costs and the value of in value and profit with added days on feed. the beef carcass. Injecting genetics into the 2. The added value in revenue & margin breeding program that reduces the cost of for all 3 breed groups increased to offset gain during extended feeding through increasing costs at all 3 harvest dates for all improved carcass conversion and feed effi- cattle combined. This is very reflective of ciency adds substantial profit potential and today’s increasing outweight trends in fed market flexibility at heavy out weights.” cattle production and subsequent hot carcass Mark Anderson, Executive Director at weights. the at the North American Limousin Foun3. Profit for “all” cattle by DOF - $/hd dation commented “The SDSU study details increased at each DOF harvest endpoint as that value of crossbreeding for the commer- DOF increased: cial cattleman when utilizing two breeds that 200 DOF = $284.61/head 235 DOF = are very complimentary of each other like $347.17/head 270 DOF = $417.03/head Angus and Limousin in today’s cattle feeding 4. Overall profit by sire breed and DOF industry, where cattle are fed to much larger was led by Limousin and Lim-Flex® sired outweights. calves when combining cost of gain and The ability to achieve profitable feed con- carcass results: version rates, while achieving industry Limousin = $357.47/head Lim-Flex® = demanded quality grade levels and reducing $353.43/head Angus = $330.99/head yield grade 4 & 5’s with increased red meat Note- Increased Limousin inf luence yield for all sectors of the beef industry is a improved dry matter conversion and resulting direction the industry will be headed”. lower cost of gains to enhance their profitabilAssumptions, questions and economic ity. Although Limousin cattle had no prime value analysis: carcasses, they also had no select carcasses 1. What is the effect of adding days on and increased Limousin influence resulted in feed and resulting impact on revenue, cost superior yield grade resulting in fewer yield and return on all cattle and differences grade 4 & 5 cattle and resulting yield grade between the sire groups? discounts when fed to larger outweights. A 2. Constant grid values are used for all ration cost increase from $200/ton to $275/ton 3 harvest dates spread 30 days apart. Breeds also increased profitability for Limousin and are analyzed by groups at 200, 235, & 270 Lim-Flex® sired calves given improved feed days on feed after an initial warmup period conversion rates. of 78 days.

5. Limousin & Lim-Flex® sired cattle 3. Cattle feeders have extended days on excelled in Profit by Sire breed and DOF at feed resulting in hot carcass weights exceed- each of the 3 harvest dates when combining ing the upper bounds of existing slaughter feed cost of gain and carcass results: datasets. Consequently, there is a need for 200 DOF: Limousin = $320.16/hd new research to evaluate cattle growth, effiLim-Flex®= $274.97/hd ciency and carcass outcomes as cattle are fed Angus = $261.52/hd to heavier HCW(>1000 lbs for steers).

235 DOF: Limousin = $350.83/hd 4. Cattle were fed to larger outweights Lim-Flex®= $356.01/hd to be more reflective of the larger outweights Angus = $334.28/hd being seen in the current fed cattle industry 270 DOF: Limousin = $399.59/hd today and the increasing trend in larger Lim-Flex®=$443.91/hd carcass weights.

Angus= $410.07/hd 5. Grid values were based on a Cargill Note-Lim-Flex® sired progeny had an grid, base price = $310.00/cwt., reference equivalent number of prime grading carcasses quality, yield grade and carcass weight premiums and discounts in attached slide

continued on page 38 >>

PROFIT FROM OUR PROGRESS

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS FOR FEEDING PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS GRID RESULTS • 216 HEAD OF CATTLE RAISED ON TWO MONTANA RANCHES THEN FED AND HARVESTED ON RESEARCH AT SDSU • CALVES SIRED BY PROVEN LIMOUSIN, LIMFLEX, AND ANGUS A.I. SIRES (1/3 EACH) ON COMMERCIAL ANGUS COWS. • CALVES SPLIT EQUALLY INTO 3 HARVEST GROUPS (200, 235, 270 DAYS ON FEED)

$353.43 PROFIT BY SIRE BREED

• RESULTS REFLECT FEEDING PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS GRID PERFORMANCE

$357.47

• LIM-FLEX SIRED CALVES GENERATED $23 MORE PROFIT PER HEAD; LIMOUSIN SIRED CALVES GENERATED $27 MORE PROFIT PER HEAD THAN THEIR STRAIGHTBRED ANGUS COUNTERPARTS DUE TO THEIR ABILITY TO ACHIEVE SIMILAR QUALITY GRADE WHILE IMPROVING FEED EFFICIENCY AND YIELD GRADE.

$330.99

NALRF/SDSU RESEARCH COMPLETED 2025

ANGUS 37 FEBRUARY 2026

LIM-FLEX®

LIMOUSIN FEBRUARY 2026

37

LIMO

<< cont from page 36

Robert L. Frost

is just starting.” as compared to Angus while achieving supeThey moved to Endee where they rior yield grade and dry matter conversions managed the family ranch. In 1969 Bob and within the final 70 days on feed window.

Janie purchased their current ranch in San 6.

Breed difference effects in overall obert L. “Bob” Jon, where they began raising their family. research trial– Breed did not affect ADG, Frost, 83, of They welcomed two daughters, Robin and final BW, or HCW. Increased Limousin San Jon, New Michelle. Ranching is a fickle lifestyle, and Mexico, passed away with that in mind—and in response to the influence reduced DMI and improved F:G. on January 13, 2026 drought of 2003—they started Caprock Increased Limousin inf luence increased REA and reduced rib fat and yield grade. surrounded by his Creek Ranch Adventures to help diversify.

Angus influence increased marbling score. loving family.

Bob ranched his entire life and was deeply Lim-Flex sired calves had similar proportion Bob was born on January 4, 1943, in Ama- involved in his community and industry. He of premium carcass grades compared to rillo, Texas, to Jack and Ruby Sackett Frost. served on the Quay County Fair Board, and Angus for CAB and Prime carcasses in addi- His parents owned ranch land in eastern the San Jon School Board. He was a director tion to improved yield grade.

New Mexico and farmland near Happy, for the National Beef Cattlemen’s AssociaEXTENDED DAYS ON FEED: INFLU- Texas. Bob attended school in Endee, New tion, served as Swine Superintendent for the ENCES ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, Mexico, through the middle of fifth grade. New Mexico State Fair, and was a dedicated EFFICIENCY, AND CARCASS CHARAC- When schools consolidated, the family 4-H leader. Bob served as President of the TERISTICS OF STEERS AND HEIFERS OF moved back to Texas. Bob graduated from New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS OF ANGUS Happy High School in 1961 and later from 1997 to 1999. Bob served on the New AND LIMOUSIN GENETICS. attended South Plains College, where he ran Mexico Livestock Board and New Mexico track.

State Fair Commission for many years. His Grace Olinger1, Zachary Smith1 , Forest Francis2, Bob married Jane “Janie” Dorris on impact on New Mexico agriculture is truly Becca Grimes Francis1, Riley Leeson1, Michael August 28, 1963, in Shallowater, Texas. On remarkable and the legacy he leaves behind Gonda1, Robert L. Weaber 3, and Warren Rusche1 their way to the wedding, they were pulled will continue to shape and strengthen our 1 Department of Animal Science, South Dakota over for running a red light. When the officer communities for years to come. His lifelong State University, Brookings, SD 57007, 2 Department of Animal Science and Veterinary Technology, asked why Bob was in such a hurry, Bob care for strengthening and protecting agriTexas A&M University, Kingsville, TX 78363, 3 replied that they were on their way to get culture. He was also a New Mexico Activities Eastern Kansas Research and Extension Centers, married. The officer laughed and said, “I’m Association basketball official for 15 years Kansas State University, Haysville, KS 67060 letting you go this time, because your trouble and volunteered as a basketball coach for his Link to full study and economic analysis by SDSU Research: joom.ag/t3wd daughters whenever needed.

A man of strong Christian faith, Bob was a devoted member of the San Jon United Methodist Church and served on its Board of Trustees. He believed in service, hard work, and helping others, especially children, always taking time to guide and encourage those in need. Family was always Bob’s top priority. He never turned away a child who needed help, guidance, or encouragement.

Those remaining to cherish Bob’s memory include his wife, Jane Frost; daughters Robin Slutz, husband James; and Michelle Frost-Maynard, husband Jerry; LIMOUSIN & LIM-FLEX CATTLE brothers Len Frost and Zeke Frost and their families, granddaughters Shasta Younker, Look for our Bulls at the Upcoming 2026 Sales husband JD, JaTawn Wright, husband Mark, and Brittany Nickels, husband Carl; and Tucumcari Bull Test great-grandchildren Kaycee, Cooper, and Sat., March 14, 2026 – Tucumcari, NM Riley Younker; Wyatt, Georgia, and Brayden Wright; Robert Stringfellow; Natalie, Avery, Northern New Mexico High Altitude Bull Sale Madison, Kaydance, and Chris Nickels.

March 21, 2026 – Abiquiu, NM Bob was preceded in death by his father, For more info and updates check out our Facebook page at Jack Frost; his mother, Ruby Sackett Frost; Facebook.com/Walking-Spear-Land-Cattle-61573072153503 and his brother, Bill Frost.

R

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Walking Spear Land & Cattle

Cory, Pam & Chad DiPeso Roswell, NM Chad: 520-678-9178 Cory: 520-508-6757

38 FEBRUARY 2026

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association and San Jon School in memory of Bob. New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association Attn: Young Cattlemen’s Leadership — Committee Scholarship, P.O. Box 850, Moriarty, NM 87035 San Jon School, Attn: Student Council, P.O. Box 5, San Jon, NM 88434

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39 FEBRUARY 2026

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41 FEBRUARY 2026

FEBRUARY 2026

41

VIEW FROM THE BACKSIDE

by Barry Denton

Ice is Hot! (The views expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association or this publication)

D

o you realize that until the last few years you rarely ever heard of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)? Those were the guys that primarily worked behind the scenes to keep

our country safe from evil foreigners that wanted to disrupt American life.

Now that our alleged former President Biden opened the border and let in thousands of criminals, ICE has become the center of our news every day. What a terrible job being an ICE agent would be at this point.

Can you just imagine going out to feed your cattle in the morning and having an angry mob trying to stop you? Just think what it would be like going to leave the feed store with a pickup full of oats with looney people jumping all over your vehicle and wanting you to run over them. The incredible part of this is that crazy people are getting

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day money to do that.

Just imagine getting up in the morning with your wife cooking your eggs and you ask her to knock you upside the head with a hammer right after you finish your toast.

Then you get on a bus, take some mean drugs, and go to your next riot. The rioters certainly are not normal folks.

I have been watching the video footage including elected officials trying to disrupt ICE operations. I have yet to see one farmer or cowboy acting crazy at an ICE riot.

How did they turn some disgruntled middle aged white women into warriors with their minivans? Can you imagine going to take a hit and run course with your automobile? On the other hand, you have ICE agents going out and having to deal with these nuts.

My hat is off to these ICE agents that keep doing their jobs day in and day out. How hard is it to come to the realization that ICE is for our protection?

We all owe them a debt of gratitude, there is certainly an unofficial civil war going on in this country, only because the democrat party could not find enough American citizens that would vote for their insanity. What happened to uniting for the common good?

MORE ICE! When President Trump first started talking about buying Greenland my first thought was, I wonder how many horses they have there? It turns out that they have about 160 at last count.

Most are Icelandic ponies are owned by sheep herders and are well suited to the cold.

That makes sense and I’ll bet they shoe with ice nails and borium. One thing about it is you would only need one horseshoer for the entire country. The other bit of gossip I heard is that there are less than 100 cows. I bet they are at a premium as the hides are probably scarce. You darn sure can’t make a reata out of a sheep hide.

I know President Trump’s envoy was talking about buying that place for about $500 to 700 billion. I thought he was overpaying considering the lack of livestock, but after he explained the strategic importance, I now understand.

I truly like the idea of buying other countries. For instance, if we end up buying Venezuela, we could just throw the people out and run a bunch of cattle down there. A few cowboys and a few oilmen could take care of the entire outfit.

However, if we buy Greenland and I hope we do, maybe we can mine it? Right now, Americans are not allowed to buy land in Greenland. You are allowed to buy a building with a long-term lease on the land. That’s why President Trump is just buying the whole country.

Phone: 806-655-3033 • 325-554-7434 Phone: 806-655-3033 • 325-554-7434 Cell:Cell: 806-683-4613 • steve@expressscale.com 806-683-4613 • steve@expressscale.com Phone: 806-655-3033 • 325-554-7434 www.expressscale.com www.expressscale.com

Cell: 806-683-4613 • steve@expressscale.com www.expressscale.com 42 FEBRUARY 2026

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THE NEW MEXICO ANGUS ASSOCIATION

< 23rd Bull and >

Heifer Sale

Monday March 9 2026 ’ ’ 61 REGISTERED ANGUS BULLS Bulls & Heifers available for preview, Sunday, March 8, 2026 All Bulls & Registered Heifers will have 50K Genetic Testing

*NEW SALE LOCATION* DEXTER LIVESTOCK COMMISSION, 274 E. DARBY ROAD, DEXTER, NEW MEXICO

Sale time 1 p.m.

Bulls will be tested for Fertility & Trich • Meal will be served for buyers & guests

CONSIGNORS

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Greg Carrasco Slash 3C Ranch Las Cruces, NM

John Conniff Conniff Cattle Company Las Cruces, NM

Mitzi Miller Miller Angus Floyd, NM

Jason & Justin Reyes Reyes Cattle Company El Paso, TX

Blain & Lauren Wheeler Wheeler Angus Cattle Tatum, NM

Michael Savage Savage Cattle Company Seminole, TX

Larry & Sadie Wheeler Wheeler Angus Ranch Lovington, NM

Dale & Debra Mitchell Mitchell Angus Tucumcari, NM

Regan & Melissa Mead Mead Angus Hartley,TX & San Jon, NM FEBRUARY 2026

for information call

Candy Trujillo 480-208-1410 Larry Wheeler 575-988-5566

Online Sale is available through CattleUSA — pre-registration required —

Thank you for your past business and we look forward to seeing you at our 2026 Angus Bull & Heifer Sale!

FEBRUARY 2026

43

BULLS FOR SALE

Private Treaty Sales

g dlin Pe d

Me in New Bulls

xico

Grazing Leases & Allotments in New Mexico: Explained

by Travis Driscoll, Beaverhead Ranch Group Blog BLM, State Trust Land, and National Forest—How They Work (and Why They’re an Asset)

Replacement Quality Heifer Calves For Sale

Villanueva •

Call Bob, Kay or Mike Anderson A Lazy 6 Angus at Blanco Canyon — 1995 State Hwy 3, Ribera, NM 87560 Headquarters: 575/421-1809 Cells: 505/690-1191 • 505-690-2024 Email alazy6ranch@yahoo.com for catalog

I

f you own (or are shopping for) a New Mexico ranch, odds are you’ll run into one or more of these: a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) grazing lease, a New Mexico State Land Office (State Trust Land) grazing lease, and/or a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) grazing permit. To ranchers and recreational landowners, these arrangements can look like “extra paperwork.” In reality, they’re often the difference between an average place and a truly scalable, resilient operation.

Done right, grazing leases and allotments are a force multiplier: more forage base, better seasonal flexibility, and long-term range stewardship—often at a cost structure you simply can’t replicate on deeded acreage alone.

Here is a practical, New Mexico-specific guide to how they work, what they cost, how public recreation fits in, best practices, and what to verify when buying a ranch that includes them.

Key terms (plain English)

EVERY WEDNESDAY @ 10:30 575-635-4173

MORE INFO

12000 STERN DR. MESQUITE, NM 88048

“We strive to market your livestock to their fullest potential”

CATTLE

SHEEP

GOATS

Allotment: A defined area of public land where grazing is authorized under a permit/ lease, with set seasons of use and animal numbers.

AUM (Animal Unit Month): The standard billing unit—roughly the forage needed for one cow with calf for one month (exact definitions vary by agency and class of livestock).

Base property: Deeded (or sometimes other qualifying) land and water infrastructure tied to an allotment. Most federal grazing authorizations require you to control a base property. New Mexico is one of few states that recognize water as base property.

Why these systems exist (and when they started) Federal lands (BLM) – Taylor Grazing Act era Before regulation, western public rangelands were frequently overgrazed. The Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 was passed to curb damage, stabilize the livestock industry, and

continued on page 46 >>

44 FEBRUARY 2026

SELLING OVER 100 HEAD REGISTERED ANGUS BULLS & FEMALES

SINCE 2014

Visit us on the web at www.olsoncattle.com or scan the code!

For information or a sale book, contact:

STEVE OLSON

(806) 676-3556 | olsoncattle.com

45 FEBRUARY 2026

SCOTT POHLMAN

(806) 346-3323 | pohlmancattle.com FEBRUARY 2026

45

LEASES

<< cont from page 44

grazing fee is $1.35 per AUM on BLM lands.

Why it’s valuable ЇЇ Access to large, often contiguous grazing landscapes. ЇЇ A framework (AMPs, monitoring, utilization standards) that encourages long-term range condition—important for carrying capacity and drought planning.

2) New Mexico State Land Office grazing leases (State Trust Land) How it works – The State Land Office issues grazing leases across millions of acres of state trust land.

Fees are set annually using a formula administered by the State Land Office and verified (per the agency) with involvement from New Mexico State University.

What it costs – The exact AUM rate changes year to year under the state formula.

The three big systems in New Mexico As a reference point, the State Land Office 1) BLM grazing leases (U.S. Department announced an average rate of $4.85 per AUM of the Interior) in 2021.

How it works – BLM authorizes grazing When evaluating a purchase, ask for the through permits/leases on defined allot- current-year fee letter/invoice history so your ments, with terms, seasons, and AUMs. projections match today’s number (not last In New Mexico, BLM grazing is managed decade’s). in line with New Mexico Standards for Why it’s valuable Public Land Health and Guidelines for Live- ЇЇ State parcels often “checkerboard” with stock Grazing Management. deeded ranches—when tied to a strong What it costs – For the 2025 fee year base property, they can add (March 1, 2025–Feb 28, 2026), the federal meaningful grazing capacity. create regulated grazing districts and permits.

Federal fee framework – PRIA and the modern fee formula The modern federal grazing fee formula is tied to statute and policy history (including the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 and later administrative actions) and is set annually.

New Mexico State Trust Lands – revenue for beneficiaries (not “public land” in the same way) New Mexico’s State Trust Lands are held in trust (primarily benefiting public schools and other institutions). Grazing is one of the major revenue-producing uses, managed by the State Land Office under state statutes and rules.

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Because these lands are managed for revenue, the leasing system is designed to be durable and businesslike.

3) U.S. Forest Service grazing permits (USFS) How it works – The USFS authorizes grazing on National Forest System lands through permits tied to allotment management and annual operating instructions (AOIs). Federal regulations for Forest Service grazing live in 36 CFR Part 222.

What it costs – The USFS uses the same federal grazing fee structure as BLM for eligible fee year billing; the 2025 federal fee is $1.35 per head month/AUM equivalent (as announced alongside BLM).

Why it’s valuable – Forest allotments can be a huge seasonal advantage—especially where summer range, elevation, and water distribution complement deeded “home ranch” country. ЇЇ

Best practices: rules of thumb that keep you out of trouble (and keep the grass underneath you) These apply across agencies, with differences in detail: 1. Know your numbers better than anyone Match actual use to authorized AUMs, season dates, and pasture rotations.

Avoid “cow math optimism.” Agencies take unauthorized/excess use seriously.

2. Treat monitoring as an asset, not a chore Keep a simple annual file: turnout dates, pasture moves, photos at key areas, precipitation notes, and any wildlife/livestock conflicts.

If a drought year hits, your records help support modifications and show good-faith stewardship.

3. Ma inta in relationships a nd communication BLM range staff, USFS range staff, and State Land Office field contacts are not just regulators—they’re often your best path to clarity when conditions change.

4. Infrastructure matters more than people admit Fences, waters, and access routes are what make permitted AUMs usable.

Confirm which improvements are: yours, the agency’s, “range improvements,” or shared—because that affects maintenance obligations and permissions.

5. Plan for f lexibility (especially drought) A successful public-lands ranch usually has a drought plan that includes:

continued on page 48 >>

46 FEBRUARY 2026

e l t t a C s Traits s s a u c r g a C An l, &

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LEASES ЇЇ ЇЇ ЇЇ ЇЇ

<< cont from page 46

destocking triggers, alternative pastures, a strategy for weaning/early shipping, and a clear understanding of how each agency handles non-use or temporary changes.

Public access: hunting and recreation on leased lands This is where confusion (and conflict) often shows up—so it’s worth being crystal clear.

BLM lands BLM lands are generally managed for multiple use, including recreation, and hunting is typically allowed unless a specific closure or rule applies. (Local closures, seasonal restrictions, and special designations can change what’s allowed—always check the field office or current maps for the unit.)

National Forest National Forest lands are also generally open to public recreation and hunting under state wildlife rules and federal travel/area restrictions. Grazing permits typically do not grant the permittee the right to exclude lawful public access.

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New Mexico State Trust Lands (State Land Office) State trust lands are not automatically open like federal lands: ЇЇ General recreation access requires a State Land Office recreational access permit (commonly marketed as “Open for Adventure,” currently $35/year per the SLO’s recreation page). ЇЇ For hunting specifically, New Mexico has an agreement that allows licensed hunters access to hunt on many state trust lands during valid seasons (with important conditions).

Practical takeaway: If your ranch includes state trust leases, expect more “rules of the road” for public users than on BLM/ Forest, and keep the relevant access guidance handy for guests and neighbors.

Can you run a successful ranch when some of your grazing base is public land?

Yes—many of New Mexico’s most functional outfits are built exactly that way.

The winning formula usually looks like this: ЇЇ Deeded “home ranch” for headquarters, handling, water control, and shoulder seasons ЇЇ Public land allotments (BLM / USFS / State) for scale and seasonal distribution ЇЇ A management approach that treats permits like a renewable operating asset: compliant, well-documented, and stewarded Public-land ranching tends to reward operators who are: ЇЇ proactive with planning, ЇЇ disciplined about numbers, ЇЇ and good at range improvement and relationship management.

Buying a New Mexico ranch with grazing leases/allotments: what to verify (and why it matters) When a listing says “includes BLM/State/ Forest grazing,” don’t treat that as a throwaway bullet. It can be a major value driver—but only if it transfers cleanly and pencils out.

1) Confirm what actually conveys Grazing permits/leases are generally authorizations, not deeded property rights, and transfers typically require agency processes and approval. The Taylor Grazing Act language is explicit that permits don’t create property rights in the land itself.

continued on page 51 >>

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LEASES

<< cont from page 48

Ask for: Current permit/lease documents ЇЇ Allotment map(s), pasture map(s) ЇЇ Authorized AUMs, season of use, class of livestock ЇЇ Any AMP/AOI documents and monitoring requirements 2) Check compliance history ЇЇ Any non-use, trespass/unauthorized use, or unresolved issues? ЇЇ Any pending range improvements, NEPA processes (federal), or boundary disputes?

3) Understand operational integration ЇЇ Are the public-land pastures accessible without crossing someone else? ЇЇ Does the ranch have the water and fence distribution to actually use the authorized forage? ЇЇ Do roads/trails allow gathering and pasture moves efficiently?

4) Run the real economics ЇЇ Federal fees are easy to model (e.g., $1.35/AUM for 2025 fee year). ЇЇ State trust fees vary year to year— obtain current rates and recent invoices. ЇЇ Add: salt/mineral, rider time, hauling, improvements, and drought contingencies.

5) Recreation and neighbor dynamics If your operation overlaps with popular hunting/recreation areas: ЇЇ Plan signage (lawful and accurate), ЇЇ coordinate gates and travel routes, ЇЇ and communicate early—most conflicts come from misunderstanding, not malice. ЇЇ

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The positive case: why these leases deserve respect (and why buyers should want them) Well-managed public-land grazing is one of the most “New Mexico” things there is: it ties together stewardship, working landscapes, wildlife habitat, and rural economies.

Agencies exist to balance multiple uses, and ranchers who operate professionally inside that system often end up with: ЇЇ more resilient forage options ЇЇ lower per-unit feed cost ЇЇ better seasonal flexibility ЇЇ a deeper bench of land management tools (monitoring, improvement plans, range projects) In short: grazing leases and allotments aren’t a liability—they’re often a strategic advantage that makes a ranch operation bigger, steadier, and more drought-adaptable than deeded land alone.

▫

Reg. Bulls & Heifers Private Treaty

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FEBRUARY 2026

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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

NEWS UPDATE

Beefmaster Breeders United Welcome New Intern

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rica Patterson, has joined Beefmaster Breeders United as the newest Media Intern.

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She’s working on a Bachelor of Business Administration from Tiffin University and brings hands-on experience from working with the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, as well as running her own ag-focused media business. With years of Erica Patterson involvement in livestock production, youth programs, and brand-driven communication, Erica brings both industry knowledge and creative skill to the BBU marketing team.

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20 Bar Livestock Highway #90 at NM #3 – East side of highway. Receiving cattle for transport 2nd & 4th Sunday of each month. Smiley Wooton, 575622-5580 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 575-6266253. 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.

52 FEBRUARY 2026

JANUARY — Wildlife; Gelbvieh; Joint Stockmen’s Convention Results FEBRUARY — Hereford; 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 — Angus; Brangus; Red Angus; NM State Fair Results NOVEMBER — Cattleman of the Year; Joint Stockmen’s Convention Preview DECEMBER — Bull Buyers Guide If you would like to see your breed featured, let us know – caren@aaalivestock.com To Reserve Your Advertising Space, Contact Chris — chris@aaalivestock. com 505.243.9515 ext. 28 For Real Estate Advertising – caren@aaalivestock.com

Editorial Calendar

Plan your advertising for the coming year!

that impact policies, regulations, and users, and anyone who relies on exploration New ANR public perceptions. Further, a significant of federal land. In a case called Shoshoaspect of her work will focus on the experi- ne-Bannock Tribes v. Bureau of Land to ences of indigenous tribal members in higher Management, the court addressed how a NMSU education and the agricultural sector, with specific federal statute—the Federal Land the goal of establishing pathways for their Policy and Management Act, or FLPMA— AXED success and representation within ANR and interacts with tribal rights and treaties. In

the broader scientific community. ending This will primarily be achieved through the com- the establishment of partnerships with pletion of NMSU’s Tribal Extension Service and the her doctorate state’s three 1994 land-grant institutions, Kyleigh Hilburn in Agricultural which serve the Navajo Nation, the Jicarilla Education and Apache Nation, and various Pueblo Communication at the University of Florida, communities.

Ms. Kyleigh Hilburn will begin as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Agricultural Communications in August 2026 at New Mexico State University (NMSU).

Ms. Hilburn possesses a passion for facilitating connections between individuals and the narratives that underpin agriculture and natural resources (ANR), particularly those originating from indigenous communities.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and subsequently a Master of Science by Ivan London, Senior Attorney, Mountain States Legal in Agricultural Education and Leadership Foundation. from Oklahoma State University. ecently, the Ninth Circuit issued a deciAt NMSU, Ms. Hilburn will seek to sion t hat cou ld have g r ave address communication disparities within consequences for farmers, energy

P

▫

New Ninth Decision Raises the Question, Does FLPMA Matter?

short, the tribe won a victory, for now, holding that an early 20th Century treaty constrains BLM from allowing a company to explore federal land for minerals.

Put simply, the decision is alarming, particularly for anyone who cares about energy independence, food security, and the prosperity of the American West. Ordinarily, FLPMA (pronounced “Flip-mah”) resolves uncertainties when it comes to how federal land can be used. When it comes to major projects like the one at issue in the case, predictability is the key. And while respect for treaty rights is a core principle of federal law, federal courts must also give effect to FLPMA’s mandate. The two should be reconciled, not placed in conflict.

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R

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FEBRUARY 2026

53

duced water, municipal effluent, and brackish How Much Produced Water Are We Produced Water water, as well as conservation strategies, regu- Talking About?

Reuse in New Mexico – latory developments, and what these issues Produced water is water that comes to the mean specifically for agriculture and surface during oil and gas production. In What it is, What it landowners. southeastern New Mexico—particularly the Our goal is not to advocate for predeter- Permian Basin—oil production brings up isn’t, and Why it mined outcomes, but to provide a clear very large volumes of water, on average four background, New Mexico–specific context, and to five barrels of water for every barrel of oil.

Matters a forum for agricultural perspectives in discusNew Mexico now generates billions of

by Matthias Sayer Co-Director at the WATR Alliance Editor’s Note: A Series on Water and New Mexico’s Future Water has always defined life and livelihoods in New Mexico. For ranchers and farmers, it is not an abstract policy issue—it is the foundation of land stewardship, production, and rural communities.

As drought persists, surface water supplies grow less reliable, and competition for water intensifies, New Mexico is being forced to confront difficult questions about how water is managed, protected, and supplemented. These questions affect every corner of the state and every sector that depends on water.

Over the coming issues, New Mexico Stockman will publish a series examining water-related challenges and opportunities facing New Mexico, including water reuse— both its potential and its limits—by exploring non-traditional water resources such as pro-

sions that will shape the state’s water future.

Water decisions made today will have lasting consequences. We encourage our readers to engage with this series, consider the tradeoffs involved, and think about how agriculture can help define responsible, workable solutions for managing New Mexico’s most critical resource.

W

barrels of produced water each year. At today’s production levels, annual produced water volumes in New Mexico are on the order of several hundred thousand acrefeet per year. While produced water is not currently usable for irrigation, the magnitude alone explains why it has become part of New Mex ico’s long-term water discussion.

ater scarcity has always shaped agriculture in New Mexico. Drought, declining surface supplies, and Produced Water in New Mexico’s stressed aquifers are no longer episodic prob- Water Strategy lems—they are structural realities. As the Produced water reuse is not a fringe idea. state looks decades ahead, one resource is It is explicitly referenced in Governor drawing increasing attention in water plan- Michelle Lujan Grisham’s 50-Year Water ning discussions: produced water.

Action Plan as part of New Mexico’s strategic Produced water reuse is often misunder- water supply portfolio, alongside conservastood and sometimes controversial. For tion, watershed restoration, desalination, ranchers and farmers, understanding what and reuse of municipal wastewater. this issue is—and what it is not—is The plan does not call for immediate or essential. widespread use. Instead, it recognizes produced water as:

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a potential long-term supply option, contingent on science, safeguards, and public trust, and ЇЇ one piece of a broader response to chronic water scarcity.

For agriculture, the significance is not that produced water would replace traditional water sources, but that it could help reduce pressure on freshwater systems—if it can be done safely and responsibly. ЇЇ ЇЇ

What the Research Shows Since 2019, New Mexico has invested heavily in research through the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium, a collaboration among universities, industry, national laboratories, and state agencies.

The consortium’s work has examined: ЇЇ produced water chemistry across regions,

treatment technologies, impacts on aquatic species, soils and plants, and human health, and ЇЇ potential reuse pathways and their limits.

A consistent finding is that produced water can be treated to levels that are protective of aquatic life, soils, plants, and humans, depending on treatment level and site conditions. Safety is not theoretical—it is measurable.

At the same time, the research makes clear that produced water quality varies widely, treatment is complex and costly, and reuse must be carefully regulated and monitored. This is why New Mexico has emphasized research before regulation.

overnight. In 2018, New Mexico released a produced water white paper framing the issue as a long-term water management challenge and emphasizing science before policy.

In 2019, the Legislature passed the Produced Water Act, clarifying regulatory authority and making protection of public health, land, and water resources the guiding principle. That same year, the state helped establish the Produced Water Research Consortium, which has since built one of the most comprehensive bodies of produced water research in the country.

For nearly a decade, New Mexico has chosen a cautious, research-driven approach.

The question now is whether the state is prepared to act on what it has learned.

How New Mexico Got Here

What Texas Is Doing—and Why It Matters

ЇЇ ЇЇ

Produced water reuse did not appear

FEBRUARY 2026

55

While New Mexico has focused on research, Texas is now on the verge of permitting the discharge of treated produced water into surface waters in Texas, like Bluff Reservoir, with the goal of leveraging that water supply for Texans.

This marks a clear policy divergence.

Texas is moving forward; New Mexico, for now, is largely standing still—despite having invested heavily in research.

For New Mexico agriculture, this raises a practical question: If our neighbor is putting treated water to work, what does it mean for our long-term water security if we do nothing?

What’s Happening Now in New Mexico A petition is currently before the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) proposing a regulatory framework under which produced water reuse could be evaluated and permitted. The petition would not mandate reuse, but would establish rules and safeguards for reuse projects.

That petition is being vigorously opposed by special-interest groups in Santa Fe, many of which argue that no regulatory framework should exist at all.

Without a framework, research cannot move forward, protections cannot be tested or refined, and New Mexico will lose more

water to Texas.

Why This Matters to Agriculture Ranchers and farmers are right to ask questions: ЇЇ How are soils protected? ЇЇ What does the research show regarding agricultural applications? ЇЇ Who bears liability? ЇЇ How are water rights respected?

These are not obstacles, they are conditions and if we cannot answer these questions for a particular use, then that use should not proceed until we can.

But in a water-scarce future, doing nothing has consequences.

Bottom Line Produced water reuse is not about rushing water onto fields. It is about whether New Mexico builds a science-based, agriculture-informed framework to govern if and where reuse makes sense.

New Mexico has done the research. It has identified produced water as part of its longterm water strategy. The next decision is whether to create the tools to act—or watch others do so with our water.

U BAR RANCH

Producing southwestern Angus cattle that “Fit the Bill” • Performance in the feedlot and on the range.

• Raising quality Registered Angus cattle since 1991.

• Bulls available private treaty or at the annual Black Angus “Ready for Work” Bull Sale – March 9, 2026 - Belen, NM

Produced Water by the Numbers • Annual produced water in NM: on the order of hundreds of thousands of acre-feet • One acre-foot: enough water to cover one acre one foot deep • Context: comparable in scale to major regional agricultural water demands

Questions Ranchers Are Asking • Is produced water allowed for agriculture today?

No. That use is not permitted under current New Mexico law.

• Could it ever be required on my land?

No. Any future reuse would require regulatory approval and landowner consent.

• Does research really show it can be treated safely?

Yes—research shows it can be treated to protective standards, depending on treatment level and site conditions.

• Why should agriculture stay involved?

Because the decisions made now will shape New Mexico’s water future—and agriculture must help define the guardrails.

▫

CAMPBELL SIMMENTALS BLACK SIMMENTALS & SIMANGUS

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David L. Taylor, 85, Flora Vista, passed away on December 27, 2025, at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, New Mexico.

He was born in Clovis, New Mexico in 1940 to Joseph Etheridge Taylor and Zelma Davis Taylor. He is preceded in death by his father, Joe and mother, Zelma, as well as his sister Jo Beth (Taylor) Gamett and brother, Richard Taylor.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jacque Taylor; daughter, Tamara Taylor; and sons Jeff (DeLea) and Dean (Diane); grandchildren Tara Edgmon (Rylan), Clay Dalen Taylor, Jake Taylor and Zack Taylor (Reagan); great-grandchildren Jolie, Sadie and Gunner Edgmon and Luke, Codi and Dylan Taylor; and his youngest brother, Kerney Taylor and brother-in-law Donnie Holmes (Debbie).

Dave grew up in Elida, NM where his grandparents Ess and Mag Taylor homesteaded and Dave’s father remained to raise his family. He learned hard work at a very

young age in his father’s dairy which molded his work ethic throughout his life. Dave met Jacque Holmes in 1961 while attending Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, NM. They instantly fell in love and married on August 3, 1962, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Farmington. They moved to Farmington to make their home in 1962 where Dave worked for Burt Explosives for a short time as a truck driver hauling explosives, which was a risky adventure for sure.

Later, he went to work for Capital Fence doing construction and accounting, all the while he built homes for close friends, many barns and renovations and became a seasoned real estate developer throughout the years.

He worked at Kysar Insurance Agency prior to opening his own Allstate Insurance office in October 1970 and retired in August 2000. During his time with Allstate, he and Jacque were able to travel to places like Singapore and Hawaii. We cannot forget that he shared a common love for horses with Jacque

during their many years together where they rode, roped and fostered the love of horses and rodeo with their kids. They loved taking their kids to rodeos and trips skiing with good friends. He was a founding member of the Aztec Roping Club and President of the Four Corners Horsemen’s Association during the late 70s.

Dave and Jacque went on during his retirement to follow in her parents’ footsteps in owning broodmares, breeding and racing quarter horses, which many of showed much success on the track throughout the years.

He and Jacque were snowbirds for several years and loved their home in New River, AZ where they were able to ride their horses in the saguaro covered wilderness. He loved to participate in extracurricular activities such as Odyssey of the Minds with his granddaughter Tara and her school friends, and travel and watch all his grandkids’ school and sporting activities.

He was a wonderful man, father, husband, and grandfather, who will be deeply missed and whose legacy will live on through all he impacted throughout his life and particularly through the family he so deeply cared for and loved.

Dennis Rhae Howe, known to virtually everyone as Rhae, was born June 25, 1942 in

FEBRUARY 2026

57

Las Vegas to the home of Juanita Jewel (Hammond) and Marion “Seale” Howe, and died on January 3, 2026 in Farwell, Texas.

Mr. Howe’s early years were spent in Wagon Mound, and later Rogers, before moving to Moriarty where he graduated from high school in 1962. Rhea attended Eastern New Mexico University for a year, and it was during that time that he met Clara Lou Cain.

They were married in Clayton on February 29, 1964.

For the first few months of their marriage, he drove a meat truck in Albuquerque before moving to Truth or Consequences to work on a family ranch. He remained as a rancher for the remainder of his lifetime. In 1966, he relocated to a ranch near Nara Visa, and two years later he moved to a ranch near Santa Fe. A year later, he moved his family back to Truth or Consequences to help his wife’s newly widowed grandmother. During the time he was there, he took whatever work he could find. In 1970, he moved to a ranch at Engle where he remained until 1989. At that time, he moved to a ranch at Corona, and from there he moved to Crossroads in 1993.

In 1996, he moved to a ranch in Lovington where he remained until retiring and moving to Portales in 2022.

Mr. Howe was an outgoing and very friendly man who loved people. He enjoyed dancing, roping and playing cards. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Truth or Consequences. During his lifetime he had served as a County Commissioner, and as Treasurer for the Soil Conservation Board.

At the time of his death, he was a member of the Central Christian Church in Portales.

He is survived by Clara, his wife of almost 62 years of the home; a son and daughter-inlaw, Travis and Kristi Howe, Crossroads; a daughter and son-in-law, Rheanel and Kevin Breshears, Portales; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and a tenth great-grandchild expected shortly; and a sister, Roxanne Plant, Lovington.

Glen R Franklin, 89, a lifelong resident of House, passed away on January 2, 2026 at his home following an illness. He was born March 18, 1936 in Roswell. Glen grew up in House and attended House Schools, graduating with the HHS class of 1955. He was an excellent basketball player for the House Cowboys.

He received a full ride scholarship to play basketball for the Eastern New Mexico University Greyhounds. A few weeks into college practices, Glen’s basketball coach informed him he had to choose between roping and

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58 FEBRUARY 2026

basketball. Glen replied “ I better go get my horse.”

Glen would become a professional calf roper in September of 1955. He competed in the RCA circuit and won three World Championship titles in 1965, 1967, and 1968.

Glen married Jimmie Gayle Davis on December 7, 1969 at the House Baptist Church in House, NM. Together the two would raise their family in House. Glen saved up his rodeo earnings to buy a ranch in House, New Mexico, and later a second ranch in Logan, New Mexico.

He loved to be horseback checking the cattle. When Glen wasn’t working he enjoyed watching NBA basketball and the National Finals Rodeo every year.

Glen was a member of the House Baptist Church. He loved his church family.

Glen is survived by his wife of 56 years Jimmie Gayle Franklin of the family home; his children Jerry Glen Franklin, Farwell Texas; Tamara Franklin, New York City; Shelley Horton (husband Chris) Argyle, Texas, and Shawn Rhea Franklin, House; and one sister Doris Lee and (husband Bob), House. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to: Bethel

Orphanage, c/o First Baptist Church, House, NM 88121 Cowboys for Christ, PO Box 7557, Ft. Worth, Texas 76111 Western World Missions, PO Box 5200, San Angelo, TX 76902 Gary B Donart, 85, Las Cruces, passed away on January 17, 2026. Gary, son of Harry J. Donart and Iris Bartlett Donart, was born on September 6, 1940, in Howard, Kansas.

Gary grew up in western Kansas, where, influenced by his parents, he developed a lifelong love of the outdoors.

He especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping, interests that naturally led him to Scouting. Through his involvement in Scouting, Gary honed his leadership skills and experienced many memorable adventures, including trips to Philmont Scout Ranch and the National Jamboree in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

He graduated from Johnson High School in 1958 in Johnson City, KS. His passion for the natural world led him to pursue higher education at Fort Hays State University, where he earned both a Bachelor of Science in Botany and Chemistry and a Master’s degree in Range Science. Driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to teach, Gary continued his education at Utah State University, earning a Doctor of Philosophy in Range Science.

Gary began his academic career as an assistant professor at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, where he helped establish the range science program. He later joined Texas A&M University as an associate professor, building many lasting professional relationships within the field. Seeking opportunities for expanded research, he moved to New Mexico State University, where he conducted extensive research at Corona, Fort Stanton, and Tucumcari for more than 30 years.

Upon his retirement in 2001, he was granted emeritus status and continued to teach occasional classes for several years. In addition to his teaching and research, Gary served as Chairman of the Faculty Senate, Chairman of the Advisory Council on Academic Policy, and on numerous other committees and special interest groups.

Throughout his career, Gary influenced the lives of countless students as a teacher, mentor, and advisor to undergraduate, graduate, and international students. He once said, “A major enjoyment for me is watching students integrate knowledge and information. I always get a lift when I see the kids put it together.”

A true Aggie through and through, Gary was an ardent supporter of New Mexico State

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University, regularly attending men’s and faith, and community were central to Gary’s women’s athletic events as well as numerous life. student activities across campus. His comHe was an active member of University mitment to the stewardship of land and United Methodist Church, where he served rangeland resources led to a lifetime of on numerous committees and participated involvement with the Society for Range in outreach missions such as the Ramp Rats.

Management. Beginning with his participa- He was a lifelong supporter of youth protion on a 1962 plant judging team at Fort grams that foster character and leadership, Hays State University and continuing including Scouting America and the Boys & through his years at Humboldt State, Texas Girls Clubs, and was well known for enthuA&M, and NMSU, Gary remained deeply siastically supporting neighborhood youth engaged with the organization. In 1993, he by purchasing plenty of cookies and candy. served as President of the Society for Range He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Management, where he worked to increase Glenda; his sons, Dana (wife Jane), Austin, public understanding of rangeland resources Texas; and Shane (wife Stace), Phoenix, and foster partnerships among conservation Arizona; and his daughter, Michele (husband organizations.

Mark) Usrey of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

On December 23, 1961, Gary married the He is also survived by nine grandchildren; love of his life, Glenda Avis Stites, at Prairie three great-grandchildren; his sisters, Home UMC in Happy Township, Kansas. Marilyn Dugan (John) and Jolene Ryan; and Together, they shared a spirit of adventure numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. and a love of travel, exploring much of the Gary will always be remembered for his United States, visiting national parks, his- calm, caring, and gentle spirit; his devotion toric sites, and enjoying countless camping to God; his love of nature and the outdoors; trips. After retirement, Gary and Glenda his willingness to help others; his acceptance continued traveling in their fifth-wheel of everyone; his warm, unforgettable hugs; camper, journeying along the Alaska and his remarkable ability to make friends Highway, exploring Canada, and taking wherever he went. Though his life on earth extended trips through the northeastern has ended, his journey has just begun.

United States to enjoy the fall foliage. Family, A Celebration of Life service will be held

60 FEBRUARY 2026

on February 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at University United Methodist Church, 2000 S. Locust St, Las Cruces, NM. His cremated remains will be interred at a later date at the family cemetery in Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the University United Methodist Church Ramp Rats mission.

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.

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RIDING HERD

by Lee Pitts

Let’s Celebrate

M

a and Pa Hosegarden were on their way back home in their International pickup after selling their entire calf crop at the sale barn.

“Can you believe it Ma?” said Pa Hosegarden, grinning like he just won the three-legged race at the family reunion. “We sold those calves for $2,200 apiece! I feel like we robbed a bank, inherited a fortune from a long lost uncle, won the lottery or struck oil. You got the check don’t you Ma?” “I sure do,” said Ma as she clutched her purse to her bosom in a death grip. “I wasn’t about to leave the auction barn without the money. I was afraid they’d say the clerk or the auctioneer made a mistake and they’d want their money back.”

“What do you think we should do with all that money, Ma? I was thinking it’s about time to buy a new pickup?”

“Are you outta your mind? This truck is a 1975 International pickup which is the last year they made ‘em. It’s a classic. By the way, slow down you’re scaring me.”

“I’m only going 35 miles per hour which just so happens to be this relic’s top speed.”

“How much does a new truck cost these days anyway,” asked Ma. “Well, the one I want would cost about $65,000.”

Ma Hosegarden nearly fainted. “Now I know you have the brains of a windshield defroster. That’s more than we paid for the ranch back in ‘73! I’m telling you right now you aren’t getting a new pickup so get such crazy thoughts outta your head.”

They drove along in an awkward state of silence before Pa said, “Well, if I can’t have a new truck how about a new cow pony. I’m tired of being the laughing stock at every branding we go to just because I have a psychotic stud horse your brother pawned off on me. It’s downright embarrisin’.”

“How much would this new horse cost?”

Ma asked.

“To get a good one these days, I mean one

you can rope off of that doesn’t try to breed all the other horses while their owners are still riding them, it would cost around $25,000.”

Again Ma clutched her purse to her chest even more tightly and said, “TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND FOR A HORSE? You can stand a lot of embarrassment for that much money!

Now I know you’re dumber than a brandin’ iron. What other impossible dreams are you havin’?”

“Well, if I can’t have a new truck or a new cow pony how about a new hydraulic squeeze chute with lead up alley and a tub?”

“Listen buster, the only new tub we’re gettin’ is a hot tub for my aching back I got from flanking calves and lifting heavy bales for 50 years.”

“Then how about we up our budget at bull sales?” asked Pa. “Have you already forgotten how much we just got for our calves? I think we’re doing just fine breeding our cows to our own home-raised bull calves and buying our bulls out of the slaughter run.”

“But didn’t you see how much more money the better calves brought at the sale. Just once before I die I’d like to get our name in the weekly market report for having calves amongst the top sellers. Can’t we do any-

thing to celebrate our good fortune today?

How about we stop at that new steakhouse everyone is raving about and celebrate. I haven’t had a great steak that wasn’t out of one of our own cancer-eyed cows in forever.”

“You really think they’re going to let us in the door? Look at us. We look like we live under a bridge. Besides, you know we aren’t going to get out of that steakhouse without dropping a hundred bucks and you’re going to feel like a bad hangover tomorrow when you realize what you’ve done. No, instead we’ll celebrate like we always do. You need to pull over and get fuel anyway so I’ll treat you to a gas station sandwich, a bag of pork rinds and you can go next door to the 99 Cent Store and buy yourself a jug of tea.”

“Gee whiz. Thanks a lot. And tomorrow I think I’ll buy you a new padlock for your purse. I think the one you have is rusted shut.”

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James M. Sachse

J

ames M Sachse, 87, Las Cruces, passed away on January 9, 2026. Jim grew up on a ranch at Gladstone. He attended grammar school in nearby Farley, where he made many good friends and many childhood memories.

He used to love horseback riding on the weekends with his friends and his brother, often searching for projectile points along the creek. He received a B.S. Degree in animal science at New Mexico State University in 1961. While attending NMSU, he met and married the love of his life, Sydney Thompson.

Upon graduation from NMSU he attended Colorado State University and received a M.S. Degree in Animal breeding in 1963. He worked as an Extension Area Livestock Specialist in Colorado for five years, for which Colorado Wool Growers recognized him for his outstanding contributions to their industry in awarding him

the “Outstanding Extension resulted in premium prices and national Award” in 1966. recognition for New Mexico wool and lambs.

In 1968, Jim accepted a He developed specialized Extension training position with New Mexico programs for Native American sheep proState University (NMSU) as ducers in New Mexico. Jim’s outstanding Extension Sheep Specialist. Extension efforts in sheep earned him the Jim maintained close ties NMSU College of Agriculture and Home with various youth pro- Economics “Distinguished Extension Award” g r a m s t h r o u g h h i s in 1975, “Sheepman of the Year” in 1982 (first involvement with 4-H recipient) by New Mexico Wool Growers, the Clubs, FFA and intercolle- American Sheep Producers Council’s “1986 giate activities and was Silver Ram Award’: and the Western Section actively sought as an American Society of Animal Science “Extenauthority for judging state sion Award” in 1987 (first recipient). and national sheep and wool shows throughUpon retirement, Jim continued to raise out the United States. club lambs for many people throughout the Jim and Sydney built a sheep breeding Southwest. He enjoyed the life-long relationprogram, helping countless 4-H and FFA ships he established with many people who participants secure market lambs for shows. exhibited his lambs far and wide, and other He has 23 publications which include breeders as well. He also enjoyed raising Red research papers and Extension circulars and Angus cattle at the ranch he was raised on in widely used video tapes. Jim served on Gladstone. several regional and national committees for He is survived by son Dee, son Elliott the American Sheep Producers Council and (wife Vonnie), son Justin (wife Lisa), son National Wool Growers Association, and he Bryan (wife Katie) and thirteen grandchilserved on the editorial board of the Research dren and two great-grandchildren. In lieu of Digest for the Sheep Industry Development flowers donations may be made to Cowboys Program. for Cancer Research.

His Extension programs dealing with sheep selection and improvement have

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RANCH FOOD & FODDER

by Deanna Dickinson McCall

Sweetheart Meal

V

alentine’s Day is coming. For most of us, it isn’t about diamonds and high heels and men in sleek suits dining in a $100 a plate restaurant. Most of us have seen our sweethearts in about the worst unattractive situations possible. Life on ranches and farms isn’t real pretty at times.

But, we do love and appreciate that spouse that works so hard, often at our sides. The one who isn’t afraid to get dirty, muddy and bloody in all kinds of weather. That’s your true Valentine. I’m not saying it isn’t nice to get dressed up and have a romantic dinner date. But whoever chose to have Valentine’s Day in February wasn’t a rancher or farmer, or anyone who makes their living working outdoors. February is a fickle month, often cold, windy, and if we’re lucky, wet! Calving and lambing have often begun, and many of us are feeding every day. Not a great time for the little black dress and heels.

I’ve probably mentioned having our own Valentine’s dinner at home. Sometimes it is just the two of us and other times we have other folks over to join us. Sometimes we get to clean up, sometimes we don’t. If time allows, I set a pretty table. I try to make this recipe the day before if things are hectic. My husband cooks steaks and I fix the other stuff. This month’s recipe goes so well with beef! You’ll have a surf and turf, upscale dinner at home that no one else is having, even in a fancy restaurant. Serve this with a good steak, prime rib, or lambchop. Add a green salad and good bread and you have a wonderful meal. Happy Valentine’s Day! Scalloped Seafood Makes 4 servings Ingredients: 2 TBS butter, plus another 2 TBS and 1 TBS butter, keep them separate 1 TBS minced garlic 4 oz. sliced mushrooms 1 TBS finely chopped chives or scallions Salt and pepper ½ lbs sea scallops, try not to get small bay scallops

½ lbs raw, de-veined, peeled, tail removed shrimp ½ c dry white wine ½ c clam nectar or clam juice Small amount AP flour ½ c heavy cream Tabasco Pinch of red pepper (cayenne, etc) 1 TBS chopped parsley ½ c Panko or bread crumbs

2 TBS grated Parmesan Directions: Rinse and pat dry both the scallops and the shrimp Melt the first 2 TBS of butter in a sk i l let, add t he mushrooms.

Sauté for 4 or 5 minutes, then add the garlic and chives.

Add salt and pepper, cook a minute or two.

Add the dried scallops, cook about 2 minutes on each side. Then add the shrimp. Stir and cook for about five minutes, shrimp should be pink and scallops just cooked.

Pour in wine and nectar/juice. Push seafood to the side of the pan and whisk in the second 2 TBS of butter and sprinkle with a little flour to

make a sauce or gravy. Once smooth, add cream and 2 shakes of Tabasco.

Stir together and place in ramekins or one larger casserole dish.

You can stop here a nd cover w it h plastic wrap and refrigerate for a day.

If you stop here, the next day take the dish out and let stand to get close to room temperature O r y ou c a n proceed by melting 1 TBS butter in a small bowl, then add the parsley, pinch of red p e p p e r, P a n k o crumbs and the parmesan cheese. Toss and mix well.

S pr i n k le t he crumb mixture over the top of the dish and broil for 4 to 5 minutes, until crispy and golden. Serve hot.

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NEW MEXICO FEDERAL LANDS NEWS

by Jerry Schickedanz

HEADS UP

The views and opinions expressed do not represent those of the Regents of New Mexico State University

I

t’s that time of the year to think about the upcoming year and to throw out the old calendar and put up the new one. We have made another successful trip around the sun, and we got up this morning to new challenges. The trip around the sun is monumental in terms of miles traveled-584 million miles at an unbelievable speed and we are a year older.

We will celebrate the 250-year birthday for America since the Declaration of Independence from the English rule in 1776. We have come a long way since then with the settlement of America by the Europeans,

from 13 colonies to 50 independent states. cessed eating. This will have major New Mexico was the 47th state with state- ramifications for public health, federal food hood on January 6, 1912. programs, the food industry, and the This is just one milestone in the fabric of environment. the United States with settlements occurring The new chart has flipped the old, recomfor many thousands of years before by Indig- mended food pyramid and now protein enous people. It is estimated that by 1776 (including red meat), dairy and healthy fats there were 25,000 t9 30,000 settlers and are on top alongside fruits and vegetables. pueblo people in what is known as New This will hopefully help keep farm and ranch Mexico. The first census in 1850 reveals that products stable or increase in value. It will there were 61,547 individuals that were certainly impact what is served in school counted to currently around 2.1 million in meals, WIC, SNAP-Ed nutrition and other the last census. federal feeding programs so that more meat The number seems to be a lot of people and full-fat dairy products will be utilized. scattered over 77million acres, 36 cities, 20 The USDA’s new plan to fortify the Amertowns and 49 villages. However, everyone is ican beef industry is built around three main somebody’s cousin in this relatively low pop- priorities, with the major emphasis on ulation state. strengthening the business of ranching while For some, this is also a time for new year stabilizing supply and demand for U.S. beef. resolutions and a few even take a polar A simple idea and statement, but it may be plunge into some icy river or lake. I will stick harder to accomplish. However, the Adminto a resolution that I may or may not keep. A istration’s heart is in the right place. resolution will make us look into the future The central focus is protecting and for some aspects of life that we want to improving the business of ranching by change or to improve. expanding grazing access, improving disasYou may have heard or read about the new ter and predator-loss programs and making food pyramid that will have an impact on risk-management tools more affordable for agriculture food production. The new food producers. One thing we will see come out pyramid shifts the U.S. guidance toward of this is new Bureau of Land Management high-protein, high-dairy, low-ultra pro- Grazing Regulations, which are long overdue.

Hopefully, there will be some type of common-sense rules on Gray Wolf management and protection. There is work being done on getting vacant allotments back into productive ranch units. Water and water rights need to be on everyone’s radar. This prolonged drought across the southwest mountains and deserts just brings water into focus for many who don’t understand that western water law is different than eastern water law with “prior appropriation and first in time and use” is the basis for western water law.

Until next time, keep your eyes on the horizon for what lies ahead may be bumpy or smooth.

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D

on K i m ble , 75, Douglas, Arizona passed away November 14, 2025, at the Canyon Vista Medical Center in Sierra Vista, Arizona due to multiple injuries suffered in a horse w reck whi le working cattle. Kimble was born at the Kimble Ranch at Apache on October 18, 1950, the son of the late June Rhodes Kimble and Ralph Kimble.

Don grew up on the family ranch east of Douglas. He attended Apache Elementary school until his family moved to Douglas.

He continued his education in Douglas and graduated from Douglas High School in 1968. He was in FFA and a dedicated professional roper. He went on to Cochise College and the University of Arizona graduating with a degree in Agriculture Education.

Don came home when his dad Ralph got sick and Don had to manage the ranch.

He was the West Coast Regional Team Roping Champion for four years. He logged 100,000 miles traveling to 60 rodeos around the country.

Don came home and taught at Apache Elementary. He went on and taught Ag courses and was the college rodeo coach for 11 years at Cochise College with his mentor and friend the late Frank Adams. He always said he liked working with kids, tuning up t hei r s k i l l s a nd t e a c h i ng t hem horsemanship.

Don served on the Apache Elementary School Board for 18 plus years. He also was a board member of the Malpai Borderlands Group whose mission is to support local ranching families and maintain open spaces, wildlife, water and natural resources.

On February 14, 2006, he married the love of his life Lynn Ann Lawerance Brashears, and they continued to share their love of ranching and roping. Lynn passed away March 29, 2024, from Parkinson’s. Don valiantly took care of her, never leaving her side.

Kimble continued to live at their Silver Creek Ranch northeast of Douglas. He raised cattle and roped. His lifestyle was hard on him. He had his knees replaced, a hip replaced, a broken neck, broken leg and

several other issues.

Don is survived by his brother Larry When he healed up, Kimble, Sulfur Draw; a nephew of Tim he went back to Kimble, Tucson; nieces Debra Sue Meadows roping.

Myers and husband Clay, Muleshoe, Texas, Don was a proud and Stephanie L. Meadows, Fresno, Califormember of the Pro- nia. Kent and Cinda Winterton and family. fe s siona l Rode o He will be missed by his Kimble and Smith Cowboys Associa- families and countless friends across the tion (PRCA) and country. qualified for the Please join family and friends in celebratFinals in 1979 and ing and remembering the life of Don Kimble, 1980. He was looking Saturday, March 14 at 10 a.m. at the Cochise forward to going to County Fairgrounds in Douglas, Arizona. the World Series of Following the service, we invite you to Team Roping and stay for food, drinks and fellowship from 11 the PRCA Finals this to 1 pm. past December.

At 2 p.m. we invite you to join the family In an interview at the Apache Cemetery for a final graveside for t he Arizona service.

Farm & Ranch Hall Please text an RSVP to Debbie Meadows of Fame in 2020, he said he would like to be Myers, Don’s niece, how many in your party remembered as a person who treated other will be attending, 575-760-8236. people just like he would like to be treated.

Memorials may be made in Don’s memory His word and a handshake were binding to The Frank and Barbara Adams Scholarcontracts. ship, Cochise College Foundation, 4190 Preceding him in death were his wife AZ-80, Douglas, AZ 86607.

Lynn, his parents June and Ralph Kimble, his sister Virginia “Ginny” Richards; sister-inlaw Trudy Kimble, nephew Danny Kimble, and grandparents Gus and Irene Kimble.

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animal ANIMAL & & range RANGE sS CC iI eE nN CC eE sS The TheDepartment DepartmentofofAnimal Animal&&Range RangeSciences Sciencesisispart partofofthe the College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental College of Agricultural, Consumer & EnvironmentalSciences Sciences

Four on-campus animal facilities house: beeF CaTTle/horses/swine/sheep 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: LIVESTOCK NUTRITION / GENETICS / PHYSIOLOGY / ENDOCRINOLOGY / MEAT SCIENCE / WOOL / TOXICOLOGY / WATERSHED & RANGELAND ECOLOGY / WEED & BRUSH CONTROL / PLANT SYSTEMATICS / GRAZING MANAGEMENT

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 DEPARTMENT ALSO OPERATES

Don Kimble

• The Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center (The College Ranch) – 64,000 acre ranch just outside of Las Cruces • 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 hallford––575-646-6180 575-646-2515 Dr. Shanna Ivey––575/646-6180 575-646-2515 /• Dr. Dr. Dennis John Campbell http://aces.nmsu.edu/academics/anrs/ http://aces.nmsu.edu/academics/anrs

FEBRUARY 2026

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hard-working and soon learned to speak nized in 1901, Mossman was named the first Spanish fluently. captain and from there he joined the list of Mossman is reported to have been early peace officers who became noteworthy quick-tempered and fast with his fists and to as effective and successful lawmen.

by Don Bullis, have survived an assassination attempt at an Early on, Mossman spent most of his time New Mexico Author donbullis@msn.com early age. He moved on to Arizona and by working on administrative matters necesthe time he was in his early 20’s, he was sary to get the Rangers into operation. He foreman on a ranch running 8,000, or so, must have been good at it; history records head of cattle. He became manager of the that the Rangers—fifteen strong—captured vast Hash Knife ranch near Holbrook, 125 outlaws in their first year of existence.

Arizona in 1897.

Mossman became famous for arresting As Arizona historian Marshall Trimble convicted murderer Augustino “El Peludo” wrote, from here on, “…Mossman’s life story Chacón (1861-1902). reads like a Louis L’Amour western.”

A word about Chacón is necessary. Peludo Over the years, the Hash Knife had means “hairy”, by the way. Born in Sonora, become unprofitable primarily because of he worked as a cowboy as a young man and haves County, New Mexico, rancher rampant cattle rustling in the region. As even worked briefly as a lawman. In 1890, he Burton C. “Burt” or “Cap” Mossman ranch manager, Mossman’s primary task was fell into dispute with a rancher for whom he (1867-1956) led an interesting life in to bring that to a halt. He came to believe worked. Chacón claimed the rancher owed New Mexico, but his early years in Arizona that the rustlers were friendly with his ranch him several months of back pay, and the make his story important to the outlaw cowboys, or that the cowboys themselves rancher denied it. The cowboy then went history of the American Southwest. were cattle thieves. He took drastic action after his money with a gun, and when the Most sources agree that Burton C. “Burt” and fired more than fifty of the ranch’s shooting was over, according to legend, the or “Cap” Mossman was born in Illinois eighty-five ranch hands, including the rancher and four of his cowboys were dead. although one source believed that he was a foreman. That solved the problem.

A posse, organized to capture El Peludo, native of Minnesota. He and his family Even so, the owners of the Hash Knife took up the chase, and in a furious gun battle reached New Mexico by the early 1880s and sold out by the end of the century and Chacón killed four more men. Some believe young Burt found work as a cowboy, working Mossman became a partner in a slaughter- that he killed what remained of the rancher’s near Monticello in the south-central part of house at Bisbee, Arizona. family before he returned to Mexico. No the territory. He was honest, intelligent, When the Arizona Rangers were orga- proof of that was found and Chacón denied NEW MEXICO’S OLD TIMES & OLD TIMERS

“Adventures of Cap Mossman”

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it.

were fifteen Americans and thirty-seven help him lure Chacón to the international For about five years, Chacón and his gang Mexicans, but acknowledges that they are border where he could be taken into custody. were involved in robberies, cattle rustling probably exaggerated; another puts the tally The plan worked, and that time, Chacón and murder, but a gunfight in Morenci, at a total of thirty; another at fifty-two did not escape. Recall that he had already Arizona, in December of 1895 didn’t go his without identifying them by nativity and yet been convicted of murder, so all that way, and when the smoke cleared, some of another places the number at more than remained was to set a date for his hanging, the gang members were dead, and El Peludo seventy. and that was accomplished on November 23, was in custody.

Whatever the number, Burt Mossman 1902, at Solomoville, Arizona. One source Chacon was jailed at Clifton, Arizona, but decided that the killer had been free for far avers that Mexican authorities were angry at was later sent to Solomonville where he was too long, and he personally set out to correct the way in which Chacón was captured. tried for the murder of Pablo Salcido, a that. He knew of a couple Anglo outlaws, Others, though, reported that the Mexicans deputy sheriff. Convicted, he was sentenced who had earlier been lawmen, Burt Alvord breathed sign of relief. He had killed far more to hang on July 24, 1896. That date was and Billy Stiles, who were by 1901 riding with Mexicans than he did Americans. vacated while the case was appealed. Chacon Chacón. Mossman went into Mexico alone, By that time, Burt Mossman had left the claimed he would never have killed Salcido, and unarmed according to legend, found Arizona Rangers to begin the next chapter in who, he claimed, was a friend he had worked Alvord and Stiles, and convinced them to his12:15 longPMlife. One source reported that he Isa_beefmasters_1x2ad.pdf 1 1/24/26 with years before as a cowboy. The Supreme operated a ranch in South Dakota for a time Court, though, affirmed the verdict Chacón before he settled permanently at the sent back to Solomonville to be hanged on Daimond A Ranch near Roswell in 1916. He Performance Beefmasters from the Founding Family June 18, 1897. died there in 1956.

That didn’t happen, either. On June 9 of that year, Chacón escaped once again, this time with the help of a young woman who lured his jailer away in the night, after he had BEEFMASTERS dug his way through a wall of pine boards 65th Bull Sale—October 3, 2026 and adobe. He is said to have ridden with the Private Treaty Females Mexican Rurales for some time after that.

Semen & Embryos The total number of killings in which Chacón was involved varies widely, dependLorenzo Lasater • San Angelo, TX ing on the source: one claims the numbers 844.BEEFBULL • isabeefmasters.com

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FOR SALE Commercial & SAMM Cross Rams Low Birth Weight Angus Bulls Richard Dunlap 575-649-8545 ridunlap@nmsu.edu www.corona.nmsu.edu

Animal & Range Sciences www.anrs.nmsu.edu | 575-646-2514 New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator.

NMSU and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

NETHERTON CHAROLAIS & SIM ANGUS Selling Bulls Private Treaty since 1969 Over 100 Bulls to choose from BIRTHWEIGHTS: 60-80LBS WEANING WEIGHTS: 600-800LBS Focus on Docility • Delivery Available 719-980-0365 CELL • 719-456-0185 HOME Corky Netherton FEBRUARY 2026

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USDA Shifts Sterile Fly Dispersal Efforts to Defend U.S. Border

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he United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing a shift in its 100 million per week sterile fly dispersal efforts to stop the northern spread of New World screwworm (NWS). USDA will reallocate aircraft and sterile insects to reinforce coverage along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The new dispersal area, or polygon, will include operations about 50 miles into Texas, along the U.S. border with the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Mass production and targeted dispersal of sterile insects are critical components of an effective strategy to fight NWS. Other tools including import protocols and surveillance continue to support these robust efforts to keep NWS out of the United States.

Sterile Fly Dispersal Sterile insect technique, when paired with surveillance, movement restrictions, education and outreach, is an effective tool for controlling and eradicating New World screwworm. Female New World screwworm flies only mate once in their lives, so if they mate with a sterile male, they lay unfertilized eggs that don’t hatch. Releasing sterile flies just outside of affected areas helps ensure flies traveling to new areas will only encounter sterile mates and will not be able to reproduce. In this instance, USDA will release sterile flies north of the current active NWS cases in Mexico in a proactive effort to create a sterile reproduction buffer zone if the fly moves north from Mexico.

Because it is important to continue ongoing surveillance efforts while releasing sterile insects, it is possible that sterile NWS flies could be caught and/or reported within Texas. To ensure officials can tell the difference between sterile and wild NWS flies, USDA will dye the sterile pupae, and the dye will transfer to the sterile flies when they

68 FEBRUARY 2026

hatch. The f luorescent dye will glow under UV light and may also be visible to the naked eye. If a sterile fly is captured in a trap, this dye will allow animal health officials to quickly rule the fly out as a threat.

USDA will continue to deploy its i ntensive N WS re s p on s e e f for t s including implementing import protocols, ongoing surveillance and trapping efforts along the border, investing in NWS innovation, and supporting robust response activities in Mexico and Central America.

Import Requirements and Protocols Sterile insects are an important tool, but USDA’s import requirements and protocols add another line of defense for NWS and other foreign animal diseases that threaten U.S. livestock. Recently, the importance of those protocols was highlighted when a horse from Argentina was presented for routine importation at an equine import quarantine facility in Florida.

Upon examination, APHIS identified an open wound with larvae on the animal and promptly collected and shipped samples to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Iowa. The horse was immediately treated with medication to kill any larvae in accordance with standard, long-standing import protocols. This NVSL confirmed that the larvae were New World screwworm larvae. Accordingly, the animal will remain in quarantine until it has been reexamined and determined to be free of NWS. This is an example of these long-standing import protocols working as designed.

While this situation does not appear to be associated with the NWS outbreak in Mexico that USDA is currently fighting, it underscores the need for vigilance in all of USDA’s coordinated efforts to fight NWS.

Surveillance, Monitoring, and Reporting USDA continues to lead intensive surveillance and monitoring systems along the U.S. border. Teams continue to check 121 NWS-specific traps across high-risk areas of border states and leverage thousands of fruit fly/insect traps aligned all along the Southern border. To date, more than 42,000 flies

from traps in all locations have been submitted to APHIS NVSL for identification, with no NWS detections to date. APHIS Wildlife Services is also leading a coordinated effort to inspect wildlife for signs of NWS infestation. To date, they’ve inspected more than 9,300 wild animals across 39 different species and 131 U.S. counties and found no signs of NWS infestations.

Even though there has been no detection of NWS inside the U.S. and the northernmost active case of NWS is still about 200 miles away from the border, USDA is asking U.S. animal owners to continue to remain vigilant by checking their pets and livestock for signs of NWS and immediately reporting anything suspicious to their state animal health officials or USDA area veterinarian in charge. Signs of NWS infestation include draining or enlarging wounds and signs of discomfort. Also look for screwworm larvae (maggots) and eggs in or around body openings, such as the nose, ears, and genitalia or the navel of newborn animals.

Adult screwworm flies are about the size of a common housefly or slightly larger, with a metallic green or blue body, orange eyes, and three dark stripes down its back. NWS maggots can infest livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including people.

They most often enter an animal through an open wound and feed on the animal’s living flesh.

While NWS is not common in people, if you notice a suspicious lesion on your body or suspect you may have contracted screwworm, seek immediate medical attention.

For more information on NWS and USDA’s efforts, visit Screwworm.gov.

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Federal Court Hears Case Challenging State-Sanctioned Trespassing in New Mexico

by Rachel Culver, Pacific Legal Foundation istorically, New Mexico protected property owners’ right to restrict public access to their private land, including streambeds. But a 2022 New Mexico Supreme Court opinion gutted that right, allowing the New Mexico Game Commission and Department of Game and Fish to instead penalize landowners for posting anti-trespassing signage and fences—private rights that were previously protected.

To vindicate their constitutional rights, several New Mexico landowners sued in federal court with the help of Pacific Legal Foundation. Their claims were dismissed by the district court, so they appealed to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in late Janaury, addressing whether trespassing on private property constitutes a taking.

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New Mexico ranchers Since 1942, Lucía Sanchez’s family has owned land in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. Their lush property includes several acres of forest and a non-navigable, kneedeep creek. Although the river is public, the

streambeds along the creek are private and off limits to the public—and members of the community cannot walk or wade across private land to access it.

Several other New Mexico landowners have non-navigable, knee-deep creeks on their property, too. These landowners, including Lucía, want to protect the natural beauty of their land and preserve the fish that swim in the nearby streams.

Prior to the 2022 New Mexico Supreme Court opinion, all three branches of state government affirmed the private right to exclude the public from accessing private streambeds. The legislature passed a law protecting the right to exclude, meaning private property owners could restrict access to their land. The Commission issued a guidance order allowing landowners to post signage declaring that private right.

But the New Mexico Supreme Court held that the right to exclude the public from private land never existed in the state’s constitutional history, making it illegal for landowners to post signage or build fences around their property and allowing state-sanctioned trespassing.

The Department immediately changed course, issuing and enforcing a new regulation that makes it illegal for landowners to post anti-trespassing signage and build fences around their land. Landowners are now forced to allow state-sanctioned trespassers to walk and wade on their private streambeds.

Coverage and service you can count on.

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By punishing landowners for displaying anti-trespassing laws and requiring them to allow the public to walk and wade on their private land, New Mexico state officials violated t he Ta k i ngs Clause of t he Constitution.

But there’s another point at issue, too.

Because Sanchez v. Torrez was brought before a federal court, New Mexico state officials have sovereign immunity, meaning that they are protected from suits involving just compensation. On behalf of Lucía and other New Mexico property owners, Pacific Legal Foundation argued that the state actions constitute a taking of private property and that the Department’s regulation should be enjoined, protecting landowners’ ability to exclude the public from their land.

Because the Department violated federal property rights, it cannot escape responsibility for its unconstitutional actions.

The right to exclude During oral argument, Pacific Legal Foundation Senior Attorney Christopher Kieser argued that New Mexico’s state officials cannot enforce regulations that violate constitutional rights, such as private property protections.

“Asserting public rights over private rights constitutes a taking when just compensation is denied,” Christopher Kieser said. “New Mexico state officials cannot weasel their way out of accountability, especially when they are enforcing a law that violates the historical property right to exclude the public from access to private property.”

Despite overwhelming evidence, the prior New Mexico Supreme Court opinion said that there is no constitutional right to exclude under state law. Although that ruling is now state precedent, the court’s decision does not negate federal protection of private property, nor can it require the landowners to pursue every conceivable state remedy.

Private property rights are rooted in common law. The Court has long held that states cannot remove those longstanding rights unless they offer just compensation— regardless of which branch of government is involved.

The right to exclude is not a new right.

Because the streambeds are private, no person can fish in public water accessible by trespassing on private property; there is a clear distinction between public water and private land.

The Department cannot target people who prohibit the public from trespassing on their land. “Landowners should be able to assert their right to exclude without fear of

penalties and enforcement actions,” Christopher Kieser emphasized in his closing statements.

“On behalf of our clients, we are asking the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals to permanently enjoin the Department’s regulation and allow private landowners to post anti-trespassing signage and build fences to protect their streambeds,” Christopher Kieser added.

The court is anticipated to issue an opinion in several months. In the meantime, Pacific Legal Foundation will continue to litigate these issues, ensuring that landowners have the right to enjoy their land and exclude trespassers.

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ave you ever been watching a movie or television show and asked yourself, “How’d they do that?” I know I have.

More specifically, when watching a western— my favorite kind—I find myself focused on little things like: ЇЇ Who trained that horse to fall on cue? ЇЇ How did they get it to rear, sit down, act drunk, or count? ЇЇ Where did that herd of cattle come from?

COLLECTORS CORNER

by Jim Olson

Cowboy Heroes

The Man Behind the Scenes Who owns that wagon, or old pickup truck?

Those questions always stuck with me, so years ago I decided to do a little digging. That search led me to a man who not only had the answers—but had quietly shaped some of the most memorable scenes in film history. That man was Pat Larkin.

Pat was born in Kansas in 1936, ЇЇ

and from the time he was just a kid, he knew exactly what he wanted to be—a cowboy.

Around the age of ten, Pat went to live with his grandfather on a ranch in rural Kansas.

His parents lived in town and ran a saloon, but Pat’s heart was out in the country. He came to town now and then to visit, but his parents understood ranch life fit him better.

On the ranch, Pat learned to drive teams of horses hooked to plows and/or wagons.

This was a time when much of rural America still relied on horse and mule power instead of machinery. He learned old-school stockmanship, developing a deep respect for animals—especially horses. As he came of age, that connection turned into a passion for rodeo.

Like many cowboys of that era, Pat competed in just about every event he could.

When he wasn’t rodeoing, working, or in school, he was riding the countryside a-horseback, Pat Larkin

continued on page 72 >>

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European Capital Becomes First to Ban Meat Advertising

by Peter Voskamp, meatingplace.com

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he Dutch capital city of Amsterdam lands is especially susceptible to sea level has banned public advertising of rise, as reported by the World Bank. meat products, various news “We know that most of the carbon sources have reported. emissions in the food system comes The new measure, passed by 27 of the from meat production so it makes sense 45 members of the Amsterdam Munici- for Amsterdam to restrict the advertispal Council, will take effect on May 1. It ing of meat as part of its strategy to was proposed by the Party For Animals promote food system change,” Joey (Partij voor de Dieren), which holds Cramer, Director of ProVeg Netherlands, three seats on the council, in tandem said in a press release. with the GreenLeft (GroenLinks) party, The effort has encountered pushback which holds 8 seats. in recent years. In 2022, a government Amsterdam joins other Dutch cities proposal to buy up to 3,000 Dutch farms such as Haarlem and Utrecht in enacting in order to curtail nitrogen run off was a censure on meat advertising. met by stiff opposition, with farmers The move is part of a larger nation- blocking grocery centers with tractors. wide effort to cut down on fossil fuel The BoerBurgerBeweging party, or emissions to ward off the effects of “Farmer-Citizen Movement” formed in climate change. The Amsterdam vote reaction to the farming communities’ also banned advertising for gas-powered concerns. It holds seats in both houses vehicles, air travel and cruise vacations. of parliament and is part of Holland’s A low lying country known for its current coalition government. canals and dyke systems, the Nether-

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COLLECTORS << cont from pg 71 always looking for a new adventure. That connection with horses never left him— and it became the foundation of his eventual career.

One day, while Pat was still a teenager, he was working in his father’s saloon when a chance encounter changed the trajectory of his life. A movie crew happened to be in the area filming a Western movie, and a couple of crew members were in the bar discussing a problematic scene. They needed a horse to jump off a cliff into a river below— he had to be at a full gallop to the edge, bail off, then swim to the far bank.

A relative overheard the conversation and pointed them toward Pat, telling the crew he did things like that just for fun. Pat agreed to meet them on location the next morning.

The stunt went perfectly. The crew got their shot. Then Pat realized he had just been paid to do something he would’ve gladly done for free. Thus was his introduction to the movie business.

Although rodeo had been his first love, the film industry kept luring him in, again and again. Over time, it was clear where he was meant to be. Pat worked behind the scenes in nearly every capacity imaginable— stuntman, stunt coordinator, transportation, props, wagons, and most famously, he provided animals. There were times he had five different jobs going on across different sets.

Needless to say, he was busy in the film industry.

In time, Pat became well-known for his stunt horses. Legendary horses such as Ace and Spiffy were among the best in the business, but they were not the only ones. Over the years, Pat trained horses to rear (with and without riders), fall, kneel, count, nod yes and no, pull saddle blankets off, and perform countless other tricks on cue. He even trained cattle to do tricks. Odds are, if you’ve watched a Western movie made since color tv became a thing, you’ve seen Pat Larkin’s animals at work without ever knowing it.

One example is the movie Braveheart starring Mel Gibson. While most people know the film was shot in Ireland and Scotland, few realize that some of the most dramatic horse action scenes were filmed outside of Benson, Arizona. The horses rearing directly over the cameras during the battle scenes, guess who owned them? Pat said he received a call from the stunt coordinator asking him to be in Benson on such and such date with as many rearing horses as he could bring. Pat arrived with a trailer full of horses, and the crew arrived by heli-

copter. Then out steps, Mel Gibson, who and how he mostly passed the time sitting Western reenactments up until fairly recent explained they were having a hard time inside a warm Cadillac Escalade with Jada times. getting the shots they wanted overseas. The Pinkett Smith, eating chocolate chip cookies Pat was married for 64 years to the love Arizona location worked closely for the back- and drinking coffee while Will and the of his life, Dorothy (Searight) Larkin and ground—and they needed real rearing camera man froze their butts off to get the they raised three kids together. Through it horses and horsemen to get the shot they shot they wanted. all, Pat remained the same down-to-earth wanted. If you have ever watched those “Both Will and Jada were very nice people,” cowboy he’d always been—a man who scenes where the horses rear right over the Pat said of the famous couple. “Easy to be quietly represented the Western way of life cameras, those are Pat’s horses. He used to around.” while working behind the scenes to promote laugh about the camera operators abandonAfter decades in the business, being it. ing their posts as the horses came down all around big-time celebrities did not faze Pat Pat Larkin passed away on December 30, around them. at all. Over the years, he worked on hundreds 2025 at the age of 89. He leaves behind a “There were tracks all around those of movie sets and commercials, including legacy that stretches far beyond the screen— cameras,” Pat would say, “but not a single How the West Was Won, Cat Ballou, True one built on family values, grit, generosity, one had a scratch on them.”

Grit, Tombstone, and many more—by his and a lifelong bond with horses. For those of Another familiar image is Will Smith on estimate, around 200 films and over 200 us who love Westerns and the authentic the cover of Vanity Fair promoting the movie commercials. Even as he aged, Pat never cowboy spirit, his work will live on.

Wild Wild West. The horse he’s riding? That really slowed down. Through his company, He will be deeply missed. was Pat’s horse, Ace. Pat laughingly told a Arizona Stunt Specialists, he continued story of how cold it was during the shoot— working in film, with live stunts, and Jim Olson © Originally written January, 2010. Revised and updated in remembrance, January, 2026

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33rd A N N U A L N M S U

43rdAnnual NMSU Cattle Sale & Horse Expo & Sale BULL SALE: April 11, 2026 • We will be offering yearling Angus bulls that boast some of the lowest birth weight EPDs in the industry along with some of the highest $EN • Cattle are available to view in the pens next to the Bull barn off Knox Street and Stewart Street • See Department website for animal data and pictures as they become available • Sale will be held at the Landmark Mercantile Livestock Auction, 12000 Stern Dr., Mesquite, NM

HORSE SALE and OPEN HOUSE: Tentatively May 9, 2026 • Open house starts at 9:00 a.m. NMSU Horse Center, 400 W. Union Mesilla Park, NM ~ Opportunity to visit with Equine program faculty and students and check out educational facilities, stallions, and learn more about our horse program • Horse Sale preview 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m • Horse Sale will start at 1:00 p.m.

• Check out NMSU Horse Farm Facebook for updates FOR CATTLE INFO CONTACT Cattle viewing: ejs@nmsu.edu Angus: Eric Scholljegerdes 575-646-1750 ejs@nmsu.edu

FOR UPDATES aces.nmsu.edu/academics/anrs

FOR HORSE INFO CONTACT Joby Priest 575/202-3646 priest@nmsu.edu FEBRUARY 2026

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Stronger Together:

working together with a shared mission.

The New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts (NMACD) works hand in hand with the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, CowBelles, New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau, and many other key agricultural organizations to ensure that agriculture has a strong, informed, and unified voice at the Roundhouse.

While each organization represents a Source: New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts different segment of agriculture, our misach legislative session in Santa Fe brings sions overlap where it matters most: both opportunity and risk for New protecting working lands, sustaining natural Mexico agriculture. Dozens of bills are resources, and ensuring agriculture remains introduced that can affect water, land use, viable for future generations. That diversity private property rights, conservation prac- of representation strengthens our collective tices, taxation, and the ability of producers impact. Conservation districts bring local, to continue operating across our rural com- boots-on-the-ground knowledge of soil, munities. What makes the difference is not water, and land stewardship. Livestock and one organization standing alone, but many farm organizations bring producer experi-

Agriculture’s Unified Voice at the Roundhouse

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ence, economic insight, and the realities of operating in New Mexico’s challenging environment.

During the legislative session, leaders and policy teams from these organizations meet weekly—sometimes more often—to identify legislation that impacts agriculture. Together, we determine which bills to support, which need amendment, and which must be opposed. This coordinated approach prevents mixed messaging, ma ximizes credibility with lawmakers, and ensures agriculture speaks with clarity and purpose.

Teamwork matters in Santa Fe. Legislators listen when agriculture is organized, consistent, and informed. They pay attention when multiple organizations—representing conservation, livestock, farming, and rural communities—are aligned and engaged.

That influence is built long before a bill

2026 Horse Sale and Open House Standing at NMSU

Spanky D Cat

AQHA Stallion sired

by Palo Duro Cat (full brother to Sophisticated Cat), out of an own daughter of Docs Oak.

May 9, 2026 Open House 9am - 10:30am Sale Preview 10:30am - 12pm Sale at 1pm Catalog and Pictures will be posted to NMSU Horse Farm on Facebook and on Animal and Range Sciences Website

Offering includes: • 5 - 2-year-old geldings • 6 - 2-year-old fillies • 2 - broodmares • Lots of Color and Exceptional Bloodlines Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NMSUHorseFarm

For more info on breeding fees or sale, contact Joby Priest / priest@nmsu.edu / 575-202-3646

Animal & Range Sciences www.anrs.nmsu.edu| 575-646-2514 aces.nmsu.edu/academics/anrs New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

74 FEBRUARY 2026

reaches the House or Senate floor, and it is sustained by the commitment of members who support their associations year-round.

For readers of the New Mexican Stockman, your membership in industry associations truly matters. Membership dollars support policy analysis, on-the-ground advocacy, and the relationships that protect agriculture when critical decisions are made. Engagement strengthens not just one organization, but the entire agricultural community.

To learn more about supporting the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts and its work at the Legislature and across the state, contact Debbie Hughes at (575) 361-1413 or email conserve@nmacd. org.

In Santa Fe, the true stewards of New Mexico’s land are strongest when we stand together.

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SANDHILL SHERIFFS AND SHOTGUN DIPLOMACY

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he stall at We talked a lot. About his wife, his little got work to do.” the end? boy, how he was doing. I warned him And so, for a week, I picked him up T h a t often—if he got in trouble, it’d fall on both each morning and dropped him at the jail b elonge d to of us. each night. by a Sandhills Vet in the Abel—a massive Then one night, around 2 a.m., my For another seven, maybe eight months, Tradition of Baxter Black black thorough- phone rang. The Hartley County sheriff. Jimmy was a changed man. A good one. bred stallion “Doc,” he said, “your boy’s holed up at his Sheriff said he’d never seen anything like descended from Nasrullah. Seventeen place. We got it surrounded. Thought it. Jimmy told him, “I’ll die before I go hands tall and bad-tempered as a wasp in maybe you could talk him down.” back to prison.” a bottle. Only I handled him. The younger I got there fast. Place looked like a TV Then one evening as we were locking vets wouldn’t go near him. raid—lights everywhere, cops crouched up, Jimmy walked up without his usual But Jimmy shaped up quick. Cut his with rifles. grin. “Doc,” he said quietly, “I won’t be hair, cleaned up, even started dressing like “What happened?” I asked. back. Got in some trouble. Don’t want it a ranch hand.

“He chased his wife down the street to reflect on you. You’re the only person The clients liked him. He was polite, with a butcher knife—too drunk or high who ever gave me a chance.” He handed respectful. Both sheriffs came back, saw to catch her. Now he’s inside. Says every- me back the keys. him working, and didn’t know what to thing’s fine, but he won’t come out.”

I never saw him again. make of it.

I turned to the sheriff. “Tell your boys Months later, the sheriff dropped by.

One quiet summer afternoon, I to put those rifles down. I’m going in.”

“Doc, I thought you’d want to know. Your couldn’t find Jimmy. He was supposed to “You can’t go in—he’ll shoot you!” boy got caught in an FBI sting in San Franbe around sharpening knives—one of his “Jimmy!” I yelled. “Don’t be stupid—I’m cisco. Tried to run. Dragged an agent with talents. I finally wandered out to the horse coming in!” his truck. Guess the guy’s sleeve got caught. barn. No sign of him, until I heard a soft “No! I’ll shoot!”

Doesn’t look like he’ll be coming back.” voice singing. Followed it down to Abel’s “Like hell you will!”

I just nodded. “Well, Sheriff, I thought stall. And there was Jimmy—standing on I walked right in. Took the shotgun I’d turned him around.” a step stool, brushing Abel like they were from him, unloaded it, and said, “You “Yeah,” the sheriff said. “Me too.” old friends. moron—they’re looking for an excuse to Abel didn’t take to anyone after that.

“Jimmy!” I barked. “Get outta there shoot you. And you&#39;re handing it to Just stood in his stall, ears flicking toward before he hurts you.” them.” the barn door—waiting.

He just smiled. “No, he won’t. I brush “Hold your fire!” I yelled. “We’re coming him every day after chores. He likes it.” out.” I laid the gun on the porch and And by God, that killer stallion loved walked Jimmy out. Sheriff looked at me. him. Jimmy could do anything with that “Now what?” horse. Two outlaws, one four-legged and “I’ll pick him up at 6 a.m. for work.” one two-legged, somehow found a kind of “You’re serious?” peace in each other.

“If he runs, I’ll shoot him myself. We’ve

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marketplace ▫

Kaddatz Auctioneering & Farm Equipment Sales

New & Used parts, Tractor & Farm Equipment.

Salvage yard: Tractors, Combines, Hay & Farm Equipment Online auctions: We can sell your farm, ranch & construction equipment anywhere in the U.S. Order parts online at farmstore.online – 15% rebate www.kaddatzequipment.com

A Monfette Construction Co.

Lazy J&G Sales

Drinking Water Storage Tanks

575-447-2508

100 -11,000 Gallons In Stock NRCS Approved

Veteran Owned Not Just a Little Better – A LOT High Specific Gravity, Heavy Weight Long Warranty Black NRCS Tanks Lifting Eyes — 24 Inch Manhole Please call for the BEST SERVICE & VALUE.

Cloudcroft, NM • 1-800-603-8272 nmwatertanks.com

Containers For Sale / Rent New or Used. All sizes are available.

Please call for a price quote

SALES AND SERVICE, INC.

Mixing / Feeding Systems Trucks / Trailers / Stationary Units WES O’BRIEN • Cell 806/231-1102 800/525-7470 • 806/364-7470 www.bjmsales.com 3925 U.S. HWY 60, Hereford, TX 79045

omenici

law firm. p.c.

Oil and Gas Development Issues Water Rights/Water Quality/Water Disposal OCD Hearings Title/Boundary Disputes Easements/ Access issues Right-of-Way/Condemnation Permitting/ Leasing BLM, Forest Service, State Lands Mineral Development Business Dissolution/ Probate Ranch Sales/ Leases/ Purchases Wind & Solar Leases/ Pollution/ Environmental Gas

Weanlings & Yearlings

FOR SALE ——————

Pete V. Domenici, Jr., Esq. 320 Gold Avenue SW – Suite 1000 Albuquerque, NM 87102 505/883-6250 • 505/884-3424 Fax

TYLER RIVETTE O: 281/342-4703 • C: 832/494-8871 harrisonquarterhorses@yahoo.com

www.DomeniciLaw.com

www.harrisonquarterhorseranch.com

Verification Premium Opportunities Age and Source NHTC TT-AN3 TT-Grass Raised

Complete Compliant Compatible

MARKETPLACE processedverified.usda.gov

www.technitrack.com

John Sparks 602-989-8817 Agents Wanted

TO LIST YOUR AD HERE CONTACT CHRIS@AAALIVESTOCK.COM OR 505-243-9515, x.28

76 FEBRUARY 2026

254-582-3000

WE ARE A LOCAL COMPANY IN BUSINESS IN NEW MEXICO SINCE 2005. OUR INVENTORY IS LOCATED IN NEW MEXICO. DELIVERY IS AVAILABLE.

Sci-Agra, Inc. Gary Wilson Arizona & New Mexico

BULLS FOR SALE At Private Treaty

602-319-2538 • gwilsoncattle@gmail.com

Sheldon Wilson • 575/451-7469

cell: 580-651-6000 – leave message

MAJOR

BEEFMASTERS A Division of Major Cattle Co., LLC

Raising Beefmaster Cattle Since 1982 Excellent Quality – Lasater Breeding Danny Major 928/925-3710 P.O. Box 5128, Chino Valley, AZ 86323

▫ seedstock guide

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gus Cattle Registered An Rick & Maggie Hubbell Mark Hubbell

Bulls & Heifers

505-469-1215

Quemado, NM • rick@hubbellranch.net

www.olsoncattle.com

14th Annual Production Sale March 26, 2026

RED ANGUS

Bulls & Replacement Heifers 575-659-9202 2022 N. Turner, Hobbs, NM 88240

www.lazy-d-redangus.com

GrauPerformance Charolais ranCh Tested Since 1965

SINCE 1900 REGISTERED ANGUS BULLS AND FEMALES

ANNUAL SALE March 7, 2026

The Oldest Angus Herd in the Country R.D. LAFLIN 14075 Carnaham Creek Rd., Olsburg, KS 66520 Cell. 785-587-5852 • 785-468-3571

Rancher to Rancher Bulls Ready to Work

Reg. Bulls &

ate Treaty Heifers Priv ngus.net

4gmountaina

Patrick Gomez • patrick_4g@yahoo.com • 915-801-9597 • 915-490-1817

T. Lane Grau – 575.760.6336 – tlgrau@hotmail.com Colten Grau – 575.760.4510 – colten_g@hotmail.com 1680 CR 37 Grady, New Mexico 88120

Bradley 3 Ranch Ltd. 200 Angus Bulls Fancy Angus Females

Annual Bull Sale February 14, 2026 at the Ranch NE of Estelline, TX M.L. Bradley, Cell: 940-585-6471

CANDY TRUJILLO Capitan, NM 575-354-2682 480-208-1410 Semen Sales AI Supplies AI Service

www.bradley3ranch.com FEBRUARY 2026

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Bar J Bar HEREFORD RANCH

RANCH RAISED

MOUNTAIN RAISED

Since 1893 • Se Hable Español

BULLS & HEIFERS – PRIVATE TREATY TEXAS / N.M. RANCH: 5 Paseo de Paz Ln., El Paso, TX 79932 Jim: 915-479-5299 • Sue: 915-549-2534 OKLA. RANCH: Woods County, OK • barjbarherefords@aol.com

GRAU RANCH

WINSTON, NEW MEXICO Russell Freeman • Kelly Waide & Ryan Waide

BOB & KAY ANDERSON • 575-421-1809 1995 STATE HWY 3, RIBERA, NM 87560

575-743-6904

McPHERSON HEIFER BULLS  ½ Corriente, ½ Angus bulls.

All Solid Black Virgins

CHAROLAIS HEIFERS & BULLS FOR SALE 575-760-7304

½ Corriente, ½ Angus Bred Heifers & Young Pairs Solid Black WESLEY GRAU www.grauranch.com

Matt • 806/292-1035 Steve • 806/292-1039 Lockney, Texas • Claude, Texas Columbus, New Mexico

30th Annual Angus Bull Sale March 6, 2026 Maternal, Moderate Thick & Easy Fleshing Reliable Calving Ease

THE GARDNER FAMILY Bill Gardner 505-705-2856

www.manzanoangus.com

CONNIFF CATTLE CO

.,

LLC

ANGUS Bulls - Cows - Heifers for Sale John & Laura Conniff 1500 Snow Road, Las Cruces, NM 88005 575/644-2900 • john@conniffcattle.com www.conniffcattle.com

Black angus - Private Treaty

Y RANCH BULLS C Bar R A N C H SLATON, TEXAS

*Good Bulls *Good Pricing * DNA Tested Heifer Bulls, Herd Bulls Bobby Salvo — 575.642.0962 bbs.yranch@gmail.com

78 FEBRUARY 2026

Charolais & Angus Bulls

TREY WOOD 806/789-7312 CLARK WOOD 806/828-6249 • 806/786-2078

Casey

BEEFMASTERS seventy-seven years !

— 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

Here The power of payweight starts with a registered Charolais bull. Superior weaning weight matters in your operation, and every pound translates to profit.

Rely on the Payweight Specialist to deliver more dollars per head per calf weaned.

Phil Harvey Jr. Cell 575-644-6925

Jim Bob Burnett Cell 575-365-8291

philharveyjr@comcast.com

jbb@pvtnetworks.net

www.bhherefords.com

Tom Robb & Sons T

HEREFORD BULLS FOR SALE

34125 Rd. 20, McClave, CO robbherefords@gmail.com

RANCH

- Selling over 250+ head annually

Running Creek Ranch

S

POLLED HEREFORDS Tom: 719-688-2334 719/456 -1149 Keith: 575-693-5329

HENARD 2-Year Old Reg. Limousin Bulls Proven Genetics, range ready!

R

Registered & Commercial

VISITORS ALWAYS WELCOME!

OSCAR · 575/398-6155 • 575/760-0814 BOX 975, TATUM, NEW MEXICO 88267 RUSTY · 575/760-0816

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THOMPSON RANCH Clark anvil ranCh

ANGUS BULLS AND HEIFERS REGISTERED & COMMERCIAL RANGE ACCLIMATED

Reg. Herefords, Salers & Optimizers BULL SALE - APRIL 8, 2026 La Junta Livestock – La Junta, CO

CLINTON CLARK 32190 Co. Rd. S., Karval, CO 80823 719-446-5223 • 719-892-0160 Cell cathikclark@gmail.com www.ClarkAnvilRanch.com

WWW.THOMPSONRANCH.NET MOUNTAINAIR, NEW MEXICO RANCH: 575-423-3313 • CELL: 505-818-7284

JOE FREUND 303-341-9311 JOEY FREUND 303-475-6062 PAT KELLEY 303-840-1848

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PARKER BRANGUS Private Treaty Sales at the Ranch Registered & Commercial

“Brangus Raised the Commercial Way”

DIANE PARKER

Private Treaty Bulls out of Carefully Selected Genetics in the Brangus Breed!

P.O. Box 146, 1700 N. Parker Rd., San Simon, AZ 85632 Diane’s Cell: 520-403-1967 • Bus: 520-845-2411 Email: jddiane@vtc.net Jacob Brown - Cell: 520-780-7937

Attend the 35th Annual Roswell Brangus Bull & Female Sale Saturday, February 28, 2026

Bill Morrison

Joe Paul & Rosie Lack

411 CR 10, Clovis, NM 88101 575-482-3254 575-760-7263 Cell

P.O. Box 274 Hatch, NM 87937 575-267-1016

www.lackmorrisonbrangus.com

bvmorrison@yucca.net

WIDNER ANGUS FARM

Melrose, NM

Selling Registered Black Angus Bulls & Heifers Low Birth Weight • Moderate Framed • Thick Made Jamie Widner • 575-799-3348

SEEDSTOCK GUIDE

TO LIST YOUR HERD HERE CONTACT CHRIS@AAALIVESTOCK.COM OR 505-243-9515, x.28

80 FEBRUARY 2026

REAL ESTATE

Terrell land & livesTock company 575/447-6041 Tye C. Terrell, Jr.

We Know New Mexico Selling NM ranches for close to 50 Years

SIERRA MADRE RANCH PATAGONIA, AZ — Consisting of 50 deeded acres and 21,607 acres of Coronado Nat. Forest grazing acres. 350 head yearlong, beautiful owners home, and Improvements. High Rainfall area. Live water, Many improved springs.

Priced at $4,950,000

D L SO

I have many qualified Buyers looking for Ranches. Give me a call If you are looking to Buy or Sell a Ranch or Farm in Southwestern NM or Southern AZ give us a call ...

Sam Hubbell, Qualifying Broker 520-609-2546

O

U R A D V E RT I S E R S make this magazine possible. Please patronize them, and mention that you saw their ad in ...

505/243-9515

REAL ESTATE GUIDE

GUIDE

T O A D V E R T I S E C O N T A C T C H R I S @ A A A L I V E S T O C K . C O M O R 5 0 5 - 2 4 3 - 9 5 1 5 , x . 28

ANTELOPE RUN RANCH, ROSWELL, NM Discover the perfect blend of ranch life, recreation, and investment opportunity with this 737 acre property nestled in the heart of New Mexico ranch country. With 2,800 feet of Hwy 70 road frontage, rolling terrain, and breathtaking views of Capitan Mountain, this property is an ideal candidate for your dream retreat and outdoor living. Excellent new water well producing approximately 40 gallons per minute. New electric line ready for home build and development. Antelope Creek runs through the property enhancing both wildlife habitat and scenic value. Rolling hills and native grasses, perfect for grazing and outdoor recreation.

Prime wildlife area, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.

Contact Cherri Michelet Snyder – 575-626-1913 or Jan “JJ’’ Graham – 806-782-1986

For More Information, Michelet Homestead Realty, Roswell, NM

Check Our Website For Our Listings — michelethomesteadrealty.net Cherri Michelet Snyder Qualifying Broker 920 East 2nd, Roswell, NM 88201 • 575-623-8440 FARMS, RANCHES, DAIRIES, HORSE & COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES — Satisfied Customers Are My Best Advertisement FEBRUARY 2026

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Bar M Real Estate

SCOTT MCNALLY www.ranchesnm.com 575/622-5867 575/420-1237

James Sammons III Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma & Missouri Broker

214.701.1970 jamessammons.com jsammons@briggsfreeman.com 3131 Turtle Creek Blvd. | 4th Floor Dallas, Texas 75219 Ranch and Land Division

Ranch Sales & Appraisals

SERVING THE RANCHING INDUSTRY SINCE 1920 www.chassmiddleton.com 5016 122nd STREET LUBBOCK, TEXAS 79424 • 806-763-5331

REAL ESTATE GUIDE

Sam Middleton 817-304-0504 • Charlie Middleton 806-786-0313 Jim Welles 505-967-6562 • Dwain Nunez 505-263-7868

D!

ST. JOHNS OFFICE P.O. Box 1980, St. Johns, Arizona 85936 Ph. 602-228-3494

ESCROW - Buggy Wheel Ranch – Coconino County, Arizona: 446 deeded acres located between Flagstaff and Williams, north of I-40 in the Pittman Valley. Surrounded by tall ponderosa pine the property has access to electrical service and includes paved access along Buggy Wheel Ranch Road. Tremendous privacy being surround by National Forest land on three sides, yet only minutes to I-40 access. Price: $9,500,000 Contact Traegen Knight.

W O R C ES

Milky Ranch – Apache County, Arizona: 450 AU including 37,518 deeded acres with an additional 7,680 acres of Arizona State grazing lease located between Holbrook and Saint Johns, Arizona. The ranch is located directly off of US Highway 180 including seven miles of highway frontage. All access to the ranch is via private property and is contained behind locked gates and provides one-of-a-kind privacy with vast views of the National Park. Also included is an additional 7,270 deeded acres located outside the ranch fence. Price: $14,000,000 — Contact Traegen Knight.

Hay Hollow Property – Navajo County, Arizona: 19,458 deeded acres located between Holbrook and Snowflake, Arizona along the Little Colorado River. Stunning views of painted desert scenery accessible by County roads yet great privacy and the feeling of seclusion. This could be a great investment or development property for solar, wind or residential use. Price: $6,500,000 Contact Traegen Knight.

SOLD – Burro Springs Ranch – Grant County, New Mexico: 423 AU with 1,073 deeded acres, state and blm leases located north of Lordsburg. Abundant old feed as ranch has been rested for two years. Livestock water supplied by four wells serving over twelve miles of pipeline. Nice set of shipping corrals located just off the improved county road with great access. Price $3,100,000 Contact Traegen Knight

SOLD

CONTACT: ST. JOHNS OFFICE: TRAEGEN KNIGHT www.headquarterswest.com email: info@headquarterswest.com

82 FEBRUARY 2026

■ BLACKTOP RANCH — Columbus, NM — This ranch lies in the Tres Hermanas Mountain Range, south of the three main peaks. 7.8+/- sections 1,287+/- acres of deeded land, 640+/- acres of state, 3,080+/- acres of BLM. The deeded land is contiguous and is located in the mountain country of this ranch, great for off grid living, two wells, two pastures and a horse trap 70 AYL plus 5 horses.

Priced at $1,200,000 ■ SAN JUAN RANCH, Deming, NM 46+/sections, 29,562+/- total acres. Consists of 3,176+/acres of deeded land, 3,201+/- acres of state land, and 23,185+/- acres of BLM land, including 5,100+/- acres of WSA. 185 AYL, 4 wells. Priced at $2,500,000 ■ MOUNTAIN TOP RANCH — Piñon, NM This ranch is 100% deeded land, allowing for a sportsman’s hunting ranch with endless possibilities.

This ranch consists of 5,366+/- acres of deeded land. 3 homes, 4 barns, spotting blinds, airplane runway, dog kennels, hennery, two wells 60,000 gallons of water storage, 8 miles of pipeline, troughs with storage tanks & dirt tanks. Exclusively listed w/ Keith Brownfield Priced at $5,600,000 ■ AKELA RANCH is located along I-10 between Las Cruces & Deming, NM 18,467 total acres spread across 28 sections +/- deeded 66+/- acres, blm land 7,646+/- acres, state land 5,190+/- acres, city of Deming 1,260 acres+/-, adverse land 4,305+/- acres. The ranch is equipped with two sets of corrals and 4 wells w/adequate storage. Priced at $1,150,000

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SPECIALIZING IN FARMS, RANCHES AND LUXURY HOMES

PRICED REDUCED! Pecos Valley Ranch: 8,530 total acres.

Beautiful adobe duplex+ Impressive 5400 SF adobe hacienda owner’s home. Adobe foreman house. River, fishing, retreat, grow-yard/feedlot, irrigated land, good grazing and hunting.

Guadalupe County $12,500,000 PRICED REDUCED! Puerto Creek Ranch: 8,248 total acres.

Turnkey, scenic, river, fishing, retreat, numerous improvements, natural spring, good grazing and hunting. Guadalupe County $9,750,000 PRICE REDUCED! Pecos Valley Farm: 282 total acres. 61 acres irrigated land. River, fishing, houses, barns, grow-yard/feedlot, and hunting. Guadalupe County $2,750,000

REAL ESTATE GUIDE

M OR E H U S TLE, LES S H A S S L E

NEW! Rim Rock Ranch: 5,291 total acres. Scenic mesas and sandstone bluffs, Trophy Elk tags, 1900 sf cabin home, ponderosa pine, pinon and oak trees. Springs, 4 wells and 2 sets of pipe corrals. Cibola/Catron County $2,500,000

RUIDOSO — 575-258-8656 • FT. SUMNER — 575-355-2855

Copper Canyon: 40 acres of patented land, wells, springs, and a creek. Socorro County $1,170,000

OUR BROKERS:

Magdalena Mountain Top: 65 acres of patented scenic land in pine trees. Socorro County $877,500

Keli Cox • 575-937-4616 Nick Cortese • 575-760-3818 Kelly Sparks • 575-760-9214 Rye Richardson • 575-430-0777

84 FEBRUARY 2026

Jymmy Kay Cox • 512-921-8877 Donda Richardson • 575-937-1056 Jackie Higgins • 806-787-5814 Jenna Lawrence• 575-937-8849 Dixie Brown • 575-937-1049

Wheeler Place: 313 acres of vacant land. San Augustine Plains $250,000 Randell Major, Qualifying Broker 575-838-3016 • rmajor@majorranches.com For videos and other information go to:

www.majorranches.com

O’NEILL LAND, llc P.O. Box 145, Cimarron, NM 87714 • 575/376-2341 • Fax: 575/376-2347 land@swranches.com • www.swranches.com

MIAMI 80+/- ACRES, 3 BAR LAZY 7 RANCH, Colfax bedroom, 2 bathroom home County, Moreno Valley 594.38 with water shares, roping +/- deeded acres, accessed off arena, steel barn with shop. blacktop between Eagle Nest Other historic barns, Pipe cor- and Angel Fire. Historic headrals. Far enough off road to quarters. Currently used as be private. Includes 80 shares summer grazing, pond and of irrigation 2350 SHW 21, trees accessed off county road Miami NM 87729. $569,999 on rear of property as well.

MIAMI PRIVATE 80, Presented “ASIS” New Survey, Located ¼ mile off blacktop $3,800,000 $3,629,000 with dedicated easement, 80 +/- deeded acres, large barn, small sleep out, buried utili- MAXWELL FARM, 320 ties, domestic water meter, 80 +/- Deeded acres, 180.80 shares of irrigation and septic Irrigable acres, center pivot, able to handle a 3 bedroom mid 2000’s modular home, home. Some of the best views two water meters, two barns in Miami. 2050 HWY 21, and one large insulated shop Miami NM 87729.$559,000 on concrete slab. $848,000

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www.scottlandcompany.com

Ben G. Scott – Broker Krystal M. Nelson – NM QB 800-933-9698 5:00 a.m./10:00 p.m.

RANCH & FARM REAL ESTATE We need listings on all types of ag properties large or small!

■ UNION COUNTY, NM — divided into three tracts for rotational grazing

REDUCED 160 +/- Acre, San Simon Pistachio Orchard 50 Acres of third leaf Pistachio trees and 110 acres of second leaf trees. Planted and developed with best farming practices. USDA compliant. Irrigation well capable of producing 1,000+ gpm. Well currently equipped with an 8” submersible producing 625 gpm from 350’. $2,295,000. Call Harry Owens.

Prime 39.81+/- Acre Parcel In the rolling grasslands of Elgin, AZ, a celebrated winegrowing region. Mild year-round climate at an elevation of 4,800’ ideal for homesteading, winery, equestrian pursuits or the peace and quiet of country living. Just 30 minutes from major services. $378,195.00 8+/- Ac, Equestrian Estate, Sonoita, AZ 3,472+/- s.f. home, 5-BR, 3-BA, vaulted ceilings, 3 fireplaces, private office with custom cabinetry, 6-stall horse stable with tack and feed rooms, round pen, outdoor pens, turnout area, fully fenced, 2 pastures, arena panels ready to go, shop 36’ x 36’; totally solar powered, grid tied as backup. $1.25M. Owner/Broker.

RECENTLY SOLD Ranches/Farms Horse Properties/Land Hale Ranch, Patagonia, AZ 10± Acre Country Estate – Sonoita, AZ 218+/- Acres and 60 Head USFS Grazing Allotment. Sold prior to Hilltop home with mountain auction. views, stable, shop, orchard, water features. Sold at 472± Acre Organic Apple Orchard (5 auction.

Tracts) Includes processing facilities, retail Pearce, AZ – Four Offerings at the Foot of Dragoon Mountains center, two homes, wells, and apple trees. Sold at auction.

Lot 1: 3BR/2BA custom territorial-style home on 305± Acres – Ash Creek, Pearce, AZ Organic potential, cleared of 5.5± acres. Lots 3 & 4: Three mesquites, FAA landing strip, two vacant 1± acre land parcels. wells, fenced/cross-fenced.

Sold prior to auction.

REAL ESTATE GUIDE

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. Broker owned.

■ UNION COUNTY, NM — Just out of Clayton, a large feedyard w/four circles irrigated by ¼ mile sprinklers, five irr. wells, one domestic well for office & feedyard & just across the hwy. an 800 ac. grass lease.

■ GUADALUPE CO., NM — Escape to wide-open freedom on the Old Route 66 Ranch — 1,540 acres of rolling hills, native pastures, and rugged beauty nestled halfway between Santa Rosa and Tucumcari, New Mexico. Just minutes off I-40 near Newkirk, perfect for ranchers, hunters, and outdoor lovers alike, this Guadalupe County gem offers room to run cattle, space to roam, and unforgettable views in every direction.

Sheltering terrain draws in wildlife, making this property the real deal for those who crave privacy, purpose and the outdoors. Privacy, potential, and panoramic skies — give us a call to walk the land and make it yours.

■ QUAY COUNTY ALFALFA AND LIVESTOCK — 255.474 ± acres a few miles southeast of Tucumcari, NM in Quay County. A total of 112.3 ± acres irrigated, 107 ± acres of native grassland, and 40 ± acres of dry farmland is combined with a 20’ x 80’ shop with concrete flooring and electricity.

■ REEVES CO., TX — Organic alfalfa farm, producing mineral, feedlot, rock quarry, 2,777 acres +/-.

■ TELL TX HALF SECTION — 320 ± acres just a few miles south of Tell, TX on the northern end of Cottle County. With the majority of the ranch being native pasture, it lends itself to grazing opportunities, hunting or recreational use. Along with perimeter and interior fencing, a 60 ± acre portion of the property is tilled ground.

■ MULESHOE HOME AND FARM — Irrigated farm of 160 ± acres with a 2017 built home in Bailey County 4.5 miles west of Muleshoe on FM 1760.

The home has 3 br, 2 ba and an office. Other improvements on the property include a 4,032 sq.ft. pole barn with attached shed housing horse pens and cattle working pens. A 5 tower Zimmatic center pivot irrigates approximately 70 acres with three irrigation wells equipped with submersible pumps producing a total of approximately 150 GPM. ■ MCLEAN HWY. 273 RANCH — Gray Co., Tx. – Multi-purpose ranch, 595 +/- acres, good perimeter fencing, 1 mile hwy. frontage, located 1 ½ miles north of McLean.

■ 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. ■ PRICE REDUCED! DALLAM CO, TX — 1,216.63 ac. +/- of CRP/ ranchland w/irrigation, re-development potential, wells & pipelines already in place.

■ COCHRAN CO., TX. — 160 ac. +/- native grass, existing oil production.

The tract is located roughly 21 miles north of Plains, Texas and 32 miles southwest of Whiteface, Texas. Mule deer in the area. Good small hunting, grazing ranch.

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85

Any Herd Expansion from Heifers?

by David Anderson, Professor & Extension Economist, Texas AgriLife Extension

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SDA’s Cattle on Feed Report, released on Friday, January 23rd, contained the estimated number of heifers on feed.

The breakout of steers and heifers on feed is released quarterly. Many have been looking closely at this statistic for evidence of a sig-

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nificant herd expansion starting.

Heifers on feed totaled 4.435 million head, down 140,000 head, or 3.1 percent, from last January 1. The number of steers on feed also declined by 3.2 percent. Heifers represented 38.73 percent of the total cattle on feed, hardly different from last year’s 38.70 percent. It was the fewest January 1 heifers on feed since 2019. Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas had fewer heifers on feed, with Colorado having the largest decline of 85,000 head, followed by Texas, down 55,000 head.

The decline in the heifers on feed in those states is interesting in that those states would have been most impacted by the border closu re w it h Mexico. Other states either reported no change or, in the case of Nebraska, 10,000 more heifers on feed.

Spayed heifers imported from Mexico contribute to the total number of heifers on feed. The January Cattle on Feed report is the first full month of comparison to a year ago, with no cattle imports in December 2025 and 2024. Approximately 145,000 fewer spayed heifers were imported from Mexico in the months leading up to January 1, 2026, compared to January 1, 2025. So, the decline in heifers on feed could largely reflect fewer imports rather than a significant decline in domestic heifer feeders being placed.

While the decline in heifers on feed suggests some heifers held for herd rebuilding, the reduction in supplies from Mexico and heifers as a percent of all cattle on feed indicates little herd rebuilding from additional domestic heifer retention, yet. It is likely that the inventory report released on the 30th should indicate more heifers held for beef cow replacement.

The rest of the cattle on feed largely lined up with expectations. Marketings were up about 2 percent, with one more slaughter day during December, daily average marketings were below a year ago. Placements were 5.4 percent below a year ago. The total number of cattle on feed was down 3.2 percent a year ago. Supplies should continue to tighten this year and into next year, as well.

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USDA Forest Service Issues Revised Oil & Gas Leasing Rule

The final rule (36 CFR 228 Subpart E), now published in the Federal Register, updates and simplifies federal oil and gas leasing procedures, allowing the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to seamlessly coordinate when issuing permits. By establishing a single, clearly defined leasing decision point and reducing duplicative analysis, the rule improves response times to industry requests, helps reduce longstanding backlogs, accelerates lease issuance, and supports the timely processing of applications for permits to drill.

Under federal law, the Forest Service manages the surface estate of National Forest System lands, while the BLM manages the subsurface mineral estate. The two agencies work together to develop permitting conditions under their respective authorities.

Currently, 5,154 federal oil and gas leases cover approximately 3.8 million acres (about two percent) of National Forest System lands.

Of these, roughly 2,850 leases spanning 1.8 million acres across 39 national forests and grasslands contain producing federal oil or gas wells.

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he U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service finalized revisions to its regulation governing federal oil and gas resources on National Forest System lands.

The revision modernizes and streamlines the process for managing energy development across millions of acres.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the updated rule emphasizing the Trump Administration’s joint commitment to eliminating outdated and burdensome processes and advancing President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Orders on Declaring a National Energy Emergency and Unleashing American Energy.

“President Trump has made it clear that unleashing American energy requires a government that works at the speed of the American people, not one slowed by bureaucratic red tape,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “This rule gives energy producers the certainty they need to expand supply to make energy more affordable, create jobs, and ensure America remains the dominant force in global energy markets – all while safeguarding forests and communities.

Energy security is national security. These revisions create clarity and alignment across federal agencies, allowing our teams to move swiftly on leasing and permitting so American families and businesses can rely on affordable, dependable energy, while continuing to be good stewards of our public lands.”

“We are replacing the Biden administration’s bureaucratic delays with American innovation and efficiency,” said Secretary Doug Burgum. “These new rules provide the certainty needed to boost production, slash energy costs, and guarantee our global leadership. By streamlining permitting and cutting bureaucracy, we are lowering costs for families, creating jobs, and securing our nation all while protecting our public lands.”

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Trump Administration Stands Up Consolidated Federal Firefighting Agency

by Eric Katz, Senior Correspondent, www.govexec.com/

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he Trump administration has taken the first steps in standing up its new, consolidated federal firefighting agency, despite Congress declining to fund it and voicing bipartisan reservations about the plan.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service (WFS) will, for now, consolidate wildfire response away from individual bureaus within the Interior Department—such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Office of Wildland Fires and others—and into the new, central office. The administration is looking to further merge firefighting operations currently within the Agriculture Departments’ U.S. Forest Service in the consolidated agency, but has not yet announced its time-

line for doing so.

The announcement follows an executive order President Trump issued last year to create WFS by merging firefighting activities within USDA and Interior. The two departments announced in September that they would stand up the agency within Interior in January 2026.

Since then, however, Congress has put forward bicameral, bipartisan legislation to fund Interior and the Forest Service, which the House overwhelmingly approved. The measure is set to deny any funding for WFS, despite the administration requesting a total of $6.5 billion for the agency. Additionally, in a joint statement accompanying the bill, lawmakers specif ically blocked the USDA-Interior firefighting merger. Congress instead required a study into the

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feasibility of Trump’s proposal, including how it would differ from the current leadership provided by the National Interagency Fire Center.

A Senate version of the bill contained even firmer language definitively blocking any transfer of functions, personnel or resources from USDA to Interior, but that provision was not included in the final compromise legislation. The measure has cleared initial procedural hurdles in the Senate but has not yet completed final passage.

Interior’s announcement did not mention USDA, but suggested this was an initial step with more work ahead. The internal consolidation would streamline operations that had been siloed across its separate organizations, Interior said.

Elizabeth Peace, an Interior spokesperson, said the department “fully complies with all applicable laws and appropriations requirements” and the announcement amounted only to planning and coordination internal to the department without creating any new, independently funded agency. The appropriations language pertains to unification with the Forest Service, she noted, which is not part of this recent announcement—though it did link back to Interior’s press release with USDA a n nou nci ng t hei r pla n ned unification.

“Interior is well within its authority to evaluate how its internal programs are organized and to take steps to improve coordination, efficiency, and operational effectiveness,” Peace said. “No new funding is being obligated, and no structural changes requiring congressional authorization are being implemented at this stage.”

Brian Fennessy, who has decades of firefighting experience, including in federal government and most recently as chief of the Orange County Fire Authority in California, will serve as the first USWFS chief.

“Wildfire response depends on coordination, clarity and speed,” Fennessy said. “This initial planning effort is about bringing programs together, strengthening cooperation across the department and building a framework that better supports firefighters and the communities they serve.”

In an email to staff, Fennessy said he would be issuing a “blueprint for our phased unification” in the coming weeks and noted the steps within Interior were “only the start of our journey.” He vowed to listen to the workforce, particularly as he encounters hurdles.

“Mistakes may occur along the way, but I

continued on page 90 >>

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FIRE FIGHTING<< cont from pg 88 assure you that we will address them openly, learn from them, and move forward together,” Fennessy said. “I ask for your patience and willingness to share any blind spots you observe—your insights are essential to our progress.”

He promised to maintain open commun ic at ion to avoid “r u mor s a nd misinformation” and noted front-line personnel often have “the clearest understanding of what works, what doesn’t and what solutions may exist.”

In his recent order formally establishing the Wildland Fire Service, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the department manages 500 million acres and 4,000 permanent employees as part of its wildfire management mission. The change would streamline the chain of command and decision making, simplify budgeting, standardize pay policies, improve interagency coordination, enable more efficient use of resources and uphold the department’s responsibilities to tribal governments, he said.

While Interior maintained no new funding was being obligated and no structural changes requiring congressional authorization were part of the announcement, Burgum provided USWFS with programmatic authority, positioned it within the Office of the Secretary and tasked his team with “taking appropriate steps to provide funding for USWFS.” He directed all bureau heads to take all necessary actions to transition their resources and workforces to USWFS, as appropriate.

He added, however, that all current bureau fire directors would maintain all their current authorities and delegations.

“The department will continue to work with Congress and respect congressional direction as this internal planning effort moves forward,” said Peace, the Interior spokesperson.

Burgum is also overseeing another consolidation into his office: Interior is in the midst of moving thousands of back-end employee—such as those in human resources, contracting and IT—away from their bureaus and into the Office of the Secretary. In the appropriations bill, lawmakers are set to instruct the department that any shift of more than 10 employees required Interior to go through the formal reprogramming process.

Natalie Alms contributed to this report.

90 FEBRUARY 2026

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Dairy Poised to Help Meet Consumers Growing Demand for Protein

ingredients are increasingly being used to centage is expected to climb even higher as boost protein content in a wide variety of less expensive pill forms of the weight-loss products including baked goods, protein medication are set to debut this year. bars, ready-to-drink protein shakes and A study by Cornell University found that whey powders.

GLP-1 users are increasing their spending in Consumers of virtually all ages associate a handful of categories, including yogurt, protein with an expanding array of health fresh fruits and vegetables, meat snacks and benefits, and the momentum behind protein protein bars. Echoing those findings, has been building in recent years. In 2022, Danone, maker of Oikos Greek yogurt, has 59 percent of American consumers reported reported double-digit growth in its high-protrying to consume more protein in their diet, tein offerings, a trend it says has accelerated according to the International Food Infor- with the adoption of GLP-1 medications. mation Council. By 2023, the percentage had Beyond meeting consumer demand, food grown to 67 percent and in 2025, seven in 10 and beverage makers have an added incenAmerican consumers wanted their diets to tive for offering more high protein products include more protein content.

– price. According to estimates from Circana Source: CoBank “Protein is top of mind for consumers in and other market research firms, food and onsumer demand for foods and bever- making a better-for-you purchase,” said Billy beverage products with a high-protein label ages with high protein levels continues Roberts, senior food and beverage analyst claim can command a price premium of as to surge as a growing percentage of with CoBank. “And dairy products’ inherent much as 12 percent.

Americans focus on increasing their dietary benefits position them well to resonate with protein. The sharp rise in demand is shifting consumers, particularly those adjusting their Snacks, nutritional drinks among key buying habits and could ultimately trans- diets for weight loss or to abide by the growth opportunities for dairy form the retail grocery space. Food and recently announced Dietary Guidelines.”

While the snacking category has been beverage manufacturers representing a host growing for decades, protein claims remain of product categories are moving quickly to Opportunities abound as tailwinds somewhat of an afterthought. Only 17 respond with new product offerings and fuel momentum percent of consumers indicate they prioritize position themselves for success with proThe new U.S. Dietary Guidelines for protein when selecting a snack, according to tein-hungry consumers.

Americans announced on Jan. 7 increases IFIC. That creates an opportunity for snack According to a new report from CoBank’s the recommended daily allowance of dietary makers to leverage protein as a product attriKnowledge Exchange, this strong consumer protein for adults from 0.8 grams to 1.2 to bute and protein-rich dairy products could demand for protein bodes well for the U.S. 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight. play a role in shifting consumers’ criteria for dairy industry, given the high protein levels Increased usage of GLP-1 medications for snacks. Building on that opportunity, the and nutritional qualities in traditional dairy weight loss is also sparking more widespread role of a healthier, more satiating snack with products like milk, cheese, yogurt and consumer interest in dietary protein. high protein content could solve multiple cottage cheese. But for dairy processors, the According to KFF, at least 12 percent of consumer demands, including health and opportunity extends well beyond staple adults indicated they were taking GLP-1 convenience. products in the retail dairy case. Dairy-based medications in November 2025. That perReady-to-drink protein shakes also represent a key growth opportunity for the dairy industry. While traditional fluid milk sales have been sluggish, data from Circana indicates sales in the protein shake category climbed 71 percent over the last four years.

That represents a jump from $4.7 billion to $8.1 billion in dollar sales, with continued growth expected in the category.

“The amino acids in dairy products will create even more opportunities for dairy as stand-alone products and ingredients as food manufacturers look to boost protein content, reduce sugar levels and create more streamlined, clean-labeled products,” said Geiger.

“Ultimately, this transformation in the retail space represents a significant, long-term opportunity for dairy processors and food manufacturers alike.”

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93

Filtering the Future:

Hemoperfusion Brings New Hope for Septic Horses

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epsis, a condition in which the immune system spirals out of control in response to an infection, is one of the most life-threatening health concerns a horse can face.

Managing it requires medications, fluids, and other supportive care, which quickly add up to long hospital stays and overwhelmingly expensive bills. Even then, survival is far from guaranteed — only 30-40 percent of horses survive and those that do are often left with severe complications.

However, a new technology called hemoperfusion is offering hope for septic horses; it may be able to stop the condition from becoming life-threatening, while also lowering both the time and cost of treatment.

Dr. Kallie Hobbs, an assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences who has been at the forefront of hemoperfusion research, shares how the technology works and the difference it could make for septic horses.

Filtering out the danger

the size of the animal, a session can be anywhere from four to 12 hours,” Hobbs said.

“For the sepsis cases we’ve treated in horses, it’s always taken about four to six hours. And most horses just stand and eat hay while we run the treatment.”

A game-changer in critical care Polymer-based hemoperfusion — which gained renewed interest during the COVID19 pandemic — is still new in the veterinary world, but it has already shown encouraging results and may become a breakthrough for treating horses with sepsis. One of the most promising aspects is how fast horses improve after filtering.

“I’ve filtered blood in several horses with sepsis that have otherwise failed traditional treatment, and I have noted a rapid improvement in their clinical signs,” Hobbs said.

“One patient, for example, was able to substantially decrease the medications they were on within 24 hours after we did the treatment.”

Beyond speed, this technology can also ease the financial and emotional toll of a sepsis diagnosis.

“It has the potential not just to save lives but to save time and costs as well,” Hobbs said. “Sepsis can lead to horses being in the hospital for a long time, and each day can cost several thousands of dollars to keep the patient stable. Reducing treatment time also reduces stress on the animal and allows veterinarians to help more patients.”

A hope-filtered future

While sepsis has been Hobbs’ primary Normally, when bacteria or other micro- focus, hemoperfusion has also proven useful organisms invade a horse’s bloodstream, the in other emergencies, successfully treating immune system releases cytokines — toxicity cases such as rat bait ingestion and inflammatory signals or messengers that venomous snake bites — instances where help the body fight off infection. dangerous substances can be physically “In a septic horse, however, there’s an over- removed from the blood. production of cytokines, a ‘cytokine storm,’ “We know it pulls out Western Diamondthat overwhelms the immune system and back snake venom,” Hobbs said. “With prevents it from fighting the infection,” continued research, we hope to figure out Hobbs said. exactly what conditions respond best to In cases of sepsis, hemoperfusion may hemoperfusion.” help the immune system “reset” by physically Because hemoperfusion is still new in removing those excess cytokines, restoring veterinary medicine, it’s not widely available the body’s natural ability to fight infection. — yet.

“A hemoperfusion machine uses a car“Currently, Texas A&M is one of the only tridge filled with beads — called a column three teaching hospitals that can perform — to filter out the cytokines, very similar to hemoperfusion on animals,” Hobbs said. a water filter,” Hobbs said. “A catheter draws “We have been publishing data showing not blood from the horse, the blood passes only that polymer-based hemoperfusion through the hemoperfusion column for fil- works but also how it works, which will tering, and then the cleaned blood is hopefully expand its acceptance and availreturned to the horse. ability as a treatment.”

“Depending on what the problem is and For Hobbs, the goal is to see hemoperfu-

94 FEBRUARY 2026

sion become an established part of sepsis care.

“Right now, hemoperfusion is the last resort to save a horse that’s not responding to anything else,” Hobbs said. “My hope is that it will become a management strategy we can use early, instead of waiting until everything else has failed.”

Pasture Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed. tamu.edu/news/tag/pasture-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to vmbs-editor@tamu. edu.

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Cull Cow Prices Poised to Hold Record Highs

by Tony St. James, RFD TV

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ull cow prices are entering 2026 at historically high levels, and while seasonal patterns suggest a midyear rally is still possible, gains may be more modest than usual. That outlook comes from Dr. David Anderson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension livestock economist, who says tight supplies remain the dominant factor supporting the market.

Cull cow prices typically soften in the fall as slaughter rises, but that pattern largely failed in late 2025. Southern Plains auction prices for 85–90 percent lean cows held near $163 per hundredweight from June through year-end.

Nationally, cutter cow prices dipped seasonally but recovered most of those losses by December, even as cow beef cutout values declined more than 9 percent.

Slaughter trends help explain the resilience. Beef cow culling stayed exceptionally low in 2025, down more than 17 percent year over year, reflecting herd rebuilding efforts and a smaller cow inventory. Dairy cow slaughter increased modestly in the second half of the year as the U.S. dairy herd expanded to its largest size since the early 1990s.

Looking ahead, Anderson expects lean beef grinding supplies to remain tight, supporting prices into mid-year.

While dairy cow culling could increase if milk prices weaken further, beef cow slaughter is likely to stay limited.

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U.S. Farmland Values Enter New Phase Shaped by Localized Market Signals

“After years of steady growth, we’re seeing the farmland market stabilize,” said Colton Lacina, senior vice president of real estate operations at Farmers National Company.

“This isn’t a sign of collapse but a recalibration that reflects current commodity prices, input costs and regional production conditions.’

Farmland demand now varies widely by location. Areas with high crop yields, diversified farms, and dependable groundwater continue to attract buyers and maintain steady values. Regions facing commodity price pressure, lower yields, or limited alternative income sources are seeing lower demand.

“Farmland values are increasingly determined locally, sometimes down to the township,” Lacina said. “Buyers are carefully assessing soil quality, the percentage of tillable acres, water access, and how a parcel fits into their current operations. Those details Source: Farmers National Company matter more than ever.” he U.S. agricultural land market is Despite mixed signals, market conditions shifting after years of steady growth. remain favorable for many sellers. Farmland Although land values are still high his- remains a resilient, long-term asset, and welltorically, current signs indicate a more priced properties are attracting strong complex situation driven by local and interest. regional factors rather than nationwide “This is still a workable window for sellers,” trends.

Lacina noted. “The key is understanding

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current local demand and choosing the right approach to bring land to market. Sellers who partner with experienced local land professionals often see better results because they’re aligned with how buyers think today.”

The makeup of buyers remains steady, but their strategies are changing. Active farmers remain the largest group of buyers, yet many are more cautious, weighing profitability concerns against long-term ownership goals.

They focus on high-quality land within their established areas.

Investor interest from both local and institutional buyers remains steady. Many view the moderation in land values as an opportunity to enter the market at more disciplined prices.

“Investor buyers are focused on fundamentals,” Lacina said. “They’re targeting land with strong lease potential and reliable income that can support long-term returns.”

Farmers National Company anticipates stable U.S. farmland values overall, with ongoing divergence driven by local conditions. Opportunities may emerge in regions with weaker demand, and sellers’ success will depend on accurate market insights and timing.

“The farmland market isn’t weakening; it’s becoming more selective,” Lacina added.

“Whether buying or selling, the advantage will go to those who understand their local market and work with professionals who live and breathe those nuances daily.

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USDA Announces New Presidential Appointee to Serve Rural New Mexico

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.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Travis L. Day is appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as the USDA Rural Development State Director for the state of New Mexico. Director Day will implement President Trump’s America First agenda at USDA Rural Development, ensuring the needs of America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers remain a top priority.

“When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of USDA appointees will ensure President Trump’s America First agenda is a reality in rural areas across the country. I am grateful for the leadership of these new state directors and look forward to their work reorienting the agency to put Farmers First again,” said Secretary Rollins.

“I am honored to serve as State Director for USDA RD in New Mexico. Rural communities are vital to the state’s economy and

opportunities for businesses and local governments. His leadership is grounded in a deep understanding of the unique challenges and strengths of rural New Mexico. He previously served as chairman of the Sierra County Commission, where he championed community-driven growth initiatives.

State Directors serve as the Chief Executive Officer of USDA Rural Development in the states and territories and are tasked with leading teams to carry out the mission of Rural Development to the benefit of all rural Americans. In conjunction with the guidance and support of the National Office, State Directors are responsible for advancing the key priorities and initiatives of the Presidential Administration, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Deputy Under Secretary Travis Day for Rural Development. State Directors also culture, and I look forward to working with provide key leadership to foster a mislocal leaders, farmers, and businesses to s i o n - d r i v e n , a c c o u n t a b l e , a n d expand opportunity, strengthen infrastruc- high-performing workforce focused on operture, and ensure that federal programs and ational excellence, public trust, and resources reach the communities that need responsible stewardship of taxpayer them the most,”said Director Day. resources.

Travis Day serves as State Director for Rural Development (RD) in New Mexico. A native of New Mexico, Travis brings experience from the private, nonprofit, and government sectors, with a focus on creating

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98 FEBRUARY 2026

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Where’s the Beef?

Well Avery, it is quite simple, when you feed our liquid feed you get more Beef!

Hey Preston, Where is the Beef?

Bryan Shoemaker 575-763-9191

Fandsrail@yahoo.com

P.O. Box 418, Clovis, NM 88102

Preston & Avery Shoemaker (pictured)

P EED RO CTS DU

Alan Flores 575-693-0325

MESA F

bryan@mesafeed products.com

575 693-0325 LIQUID FEED SUPPLEMENTS Proven Results

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Trump Successfully Turns Off Crazy Biden Era Regulations on Your Home Appliances Source: Fox News,

by Ben Lieberman Competitive Enterprise Institute

P

resident Donald Trump has sharply diverged from his predecessor on nearly every issue, perhaps most of all concerning federal home appliance regulations. The Biden administration loved regulating appliances, imposing new requirements for stoves, dishwashers, furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, light bulbs, refrigerators, washing machines and more. Trump wasted no time targeting such meddling with an Inauguration Day executive order reconsidering these regulations, and his administration is making progress on this priority. Here is an overview of what the administration achieved in year one on home appliance regulations — and what remains undone.

1. Dishwashers and washing machines — These are arguably the two most overregulated home appliances. Washing machines have faced six rounds of successively tighter energy and water use limits over the decades while dishwashers have had four, and the results have been downright painful for consumers. There is evidence that washing machines now require additional maintenance and don’t clean as well or last as long.

And dishwashers take two hours or more to complete a load of dishes, twice the amount of time that it took before the feds started tinkering with them. Nonetheless, the Biden Department of Energy (DOE) tacked on yet another round of restrictions for both appliances that will take effect over the next few years.

Thankfully, the current DOE has proposed repealing the most troublesome parts of these regulations, so washing machines and dishwashers might actually start getting better rather than worse.

2. Central air conditioners — All of these appliance regulations raise prices, but the biggest increase by far was for residential air conditioning systems. A homeowner replacing a 15-year-old system that probably cost around $5,000 when new is likely to face more than twice that amount today. While several factors play a role in this unfortunate trend, the single largest reason is a Biden Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

continued on page 110 >>

100 FEBRUARY 2026

-L LUST ANGUS Spring 2026 Bull Sales 10 Two-Year Old Bulls Wildorado, Texas Friday, March 6, 2026

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Orders may be emailed to cattlegrowersfoundationinc@gmail.com Orders and credit card payments may be made at www.cattlegrowersfoundation.org or mail to: Cattlegrowers Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 7035, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87194

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IT’S MORE THAN

A BREAKTHROUGH. A first-of-its-kind FDA conditionally approved pour-on for New World screwworm and cattle fever tick— EXZOLT ™ CATTLE-CA1 begins a new era of ectoparasite control in cattle.

Learn more at EXZOLTCATTLE-CA1.com IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Not for use in humans. Keep out of reach of children. Accidental exposure may cause skin and eye irritation.

Highly flammable. Keep away from heat, sparks, open flame or other sources of ignition. Use only for the prevention and treatment of infestations caused by New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae (myiasis) and treatment and control of cattle fever tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) in beef cattle 2 months of age and older and replacement dairy heifers less than 20 months of age. Not for use in bulls intended for breeding 1 year of age and older, dairy calves, and veal calves. Cattle must not be slaughtered for human consumption within 98 days of treatment. For complete safety information and product dosing instructions, refer to the product label.

MAHCattle.com • 800-521-5767 Copyright ©2026 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. US-EXZ-250800022 1/27/26 FEBRUARY 2026

104

Antiparasitic 50 mg of fluralaner/mL CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Conditionally approved by FDA pending a full demonstration of effectiveness under application number 141-617.

It is a violation of Federal law to use this product other than as directed in the labeling.

DESCRIPTION: Exzolt Cattle-CA1 (fluralaner topical solution) contains fluralaner, an antiparasitic of the isoxazoline class. Each mL of Exzolt Cattle-CA1 contains 50 mg of fluralaner.

The chemical name of fluralaner is (±)-4-[5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-[2-oxo-2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethylamino)ethyl]benzamide.

Inactive Ingredients: pyrrolidone, isopropyl alcohol, l-menthol, propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, FD&C blue No. 1, FD&C yellow No. 5.

INDICATIONS FOR USE: Exzolt Cattle-CA1 is indicated for the prevention and treatment of infestations caused by New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae (myiasis) and treatment and control of cattle fever tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) in beef cattle 2 months of age and older and replacement dairy heifers less than 20 months of age. Not for use in bulls intended for breeding 1 year of age and older, dairy calves, and veal calves.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: Exzolt Cattle-CA1 is a ready-to-use topical formulation intended for direct application to the hair and skin in a narrow strip extending along the dorsal midline from the withers to the base of the tail (see Figure 1). The recommended rate of administration is 1 mL/44.1 lbs. (1 mL/20 kg) body weight, which is equivalent to 1.13 mg of fluralaner for each pound (2.5 mg/kg) body weight. Effectiveness has not been evaluated in cattle with wet hides.

Recommended site of administration:

Figure 1: Recommended location for the topical application in a narrow strip along the dorsal midline from the withers to the base of the tail.

Administration of the product with 250 mL and 1L bottles with built-in dosing chamber: To ensure administration of a correct dose, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible, and accuracy of the dosing volume should be checked before administration. Round the dose up to the nearest volume increment on the dosing chamber, which goes up in 2.5 mL increments.

The table below can be consulted to assist in the calculation of the appropriate volume which must be applied based on the weight of animal being treated.

Body Weight (Pounds)

Dose Volume (mL)

220

5

330

7.5

440

10

550

12.5

660

15

770

17.5

880

20

990

22.5

1100

25

1320*

30

* Add 2.5 mL for each 110 pounds above 1320 pounds of body weight.

Practice the Administration and Overfill Reduction Instructions a few times to become familiar with operating the package before dosing animals.

Step 1 On first use remove cap and Do not remove cap from the bottle. peelable seal from the dosing chamber.

Step 2 Dosing chamber

Step 3

Hold the bottle upright and at eye level while slowly and gently squeezing the bottle to fill the dosing chamber to the selected mark.

Pour the measured volume on the dorsal midline from withers to the base of the tail. Application to a small area should be avoided.

A small amount of liquid will remain on the walls of the chamber, but the chamber is calibrated to account for this.

Avoid squeezing the container section while the solution is poured from the dosing chamber.

If the dosing chamber is overfilled follow the Overfill Reduction Instructions below: Step 1 Re-apply Confirm the cap is tight. cap to dosing chamber and tighten.

Administration of the product with 5L bottle with an applicator device: These bottles are designed for use with the Simcro Breaze™ Applicator Device (30 mL). This applicator device and delivery tubing (sold separately by Simcro as a kit) should be used with the 5L bottle. The 5L bottle is supplied with spigot cap attached to dip tube for its use with the applicator device. A strap is also included for use of the 5L bottle as a backpack.

To ensure administration of a correct dose, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible, and accuracy of the dosing volume should be checked before administration. Round the dose up to the nearest volume increment on the applicator device, which goes up in 1 mL increments.

The table below can be consulted to assist in the calculation of the appropriate volume which must be applied based on the weight of animal being treated.

Body Weight (Pounds)

Dose Volume (mL)

220

5

440

10

660

15

880

20

1100

25

1320*

30

* Add1 mL for each 44 pounds above 1320 pounds of body weight.

Assembly, Disassembly and Cleaning Instructions for the 5L bottle with applicator device: Step 1 Follow the applicator device manufacturer’s assembly directions. Connect one end of the delivery tubing to the connection point on the dosing applicator.

Step 2 Remove the transit cap and protection seal from the 5L bottle and replace with spigot cap attached to dip tube. Tighten spigot cap to bottle and attach other end of delivery tubing to the spigot cap.

Do not discard the transit cap until the contents of the 5L bottle are completely used. Please refer to Figure 2 for the assembled 5L bottle with applicator device.

Step 3 Keeping the 5L bottle in an upright position, gently prime the applicator device per the included manufacturer’s instructions, checking for leaks. With the applicator device in an upward position, expel all visible air from the barrel and confirm that product is visibly expressed from the tip of the applicator device so that it is free of any residual air.

Step 4 Follow the applicator device manufacturer’s directions for adjusting the dose.

Step 5 When the interval between uses of the applicator device is expected to exceed 1 week, take off the entire spigot assembly (delivery tubing connected to the spigot cap with attached dip tube while still connected to the applicator device), from the 5L bottle. Return any unused product remaining in the applicator device and in the delivery tubing back into the 5L bottle. Raise the spigot cap with dip tube attached and place the tip of the applicator device into the 5L bottle. Discharge the remaining product from the spigot assembly into the bottle. Place the transit cap onto the 5L bottle to close it. Submerge the dip tube in warm, soapy water. Flush warm soapy water through the delivery tubing and through the applicator device, followed by flushing them with clean water and allowing them to dry. Once dry, store the entire dosing assembly (applicator device, delivery tubing, spigot cap with attached dip tube) in a Figure 2. 5L bottle and applicator safe, clean place until next use. Refer to the manufacturer’s device with tubing directions for maintenance of the applicator.

WARNINGS: WITHDRAWAL PERIODS AND RESIDUE WARNINGS: Cattle must not be slaughtered for human consumption within 98 days of treatment. Not for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows; use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or calves born to these cows or heifers. Not for use in beef calves less than 2 months of age, dairy calves, and veal calves. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves.

USER SAFETY WARNINGS: Not for use in humans. Keep out of reach of children.

This drug product is a skin and eye irritant; special care should be taken to avoid contact. Personal protective equipment should be worn, such as gloves, long sleeve shirt and pants, as well as glasses or goggles to prevent skin, eye and mucous membrane contact and/or drug absorption, while handling the product. In case of skin contact, wash with soap and water. If contact with eyes occurs, immediately rinse thoroughly with water. In case of accidental spill, immediately remove affected clothing and wash contacted skin with soap and water. In case of accidental ingestion, immediately rinse the mouth with plenty of water and seek medical advice.

Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling the product. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after use of the product.

The product is highly flammable. Keep away from heat, sparks, open flame or other sources of ignition.

To obtain a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or for technical assistance, call Merck Animal Health at 1-800-211-3573.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Contact Merck Animal Health at 1-800-211-3573 or https://www. merck-animal-health-usa.com. To report suspected adverse drug experiences, contact Livestock Technical Service at 1-800-211-3573. For additional information about reporting adverse drug experiences for animal drugs, contact FDA at 1-888-FDA-VETS or https://www.fda.gov/ reportanimalae.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Mechanism of Action: Fluralaner belongs to the class of isoxazoline-substituted benzamide derivatives. Fluralaner is an inhibitor of the arthropod nervous system. The mode of action of fluralaner is the antagonism of the ligand-gated chloride channels (gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-receptor and glutamate-receptor).

Pharmacokinetics: The pharmacokinetic properties of a single 2.5 mg/kg dose of Exzolt CattleCA1 administered topically along the dorsal midline from the withers to the base of the tail to cattle that were not restricted from grooming are presented in Table 1 (n = 12).

Table 1. Mean (± standard deviation) plasma pharmacokinetic parameters of total fluralanera after a single topical administration of Exzolt Cattle-CA1 in male and female cattle in warm conditions (54 – 98°F).

Parameter (units) Cmax (ng/mL)

Step 2 Transfer Tube Air Pocket

Tmaxb (day)

Estimate 127 ± 82.2 5 (4 – 12)

AUC(0–56) (day*ng/mL)

1570 ± 1220

AUCinf (day*ng/mL)

1590 ± 1230

t½ (day)

8.48 ± 1.84

Tilt the bottle to allow an air pocket to form at the beginning of the transfer tube inside the bottle.

Although total fluralaner (R+S) is reported, the S enantiomer is more abundant and active than the R Median and range Cmax = maximum plasma concentration Tmax = time to maximum plasma concentration AUC(0–56) represents the AUC from day 0 to day 56 AUCinf = area under the curve from the time of dosing extrapolated to infinity t½ = half-life

a

Step 3

Transfer Tube

Hold the bottle horizontally to allow product to cover the end of the transfer tube inside the dosing chamber.

Step 4

b

Squeeze and release the bottle repeatedly.

Product will return to the bottle through the transfer tube.

MAHCattle.com • 800-521-5767 Copyright © 2026 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. US-EXZ-250800022 1/27/26

TARGET ANIMAL SAFETY Margin of Safety: In a margin of safety study, Exzolt Cattle-CA1 was well tolerated in 32 six to seven month old healthy beef cattle (16 males and 16 females). Study animals were administered 3.7, 11.1, or 18.5 mg/kg body weight (1X, 3X, and 5X the maximum anticipated labeled dose) of Exzolt Cattle-CA1 by topical application three times 42 days apart (Days 0, 42, and 84). Cattle in the control group (0X) were treated with green dyed sterile saline at a dose volume similar to the 5X treated group. General health observations were conducted twice daily from acclimation to the end of the 98-day study. Variables measured periodically throughout the study for each animal were body weight; physical examinations; neurological examinations; analysis of blood for hematology, clinical chemistry, coagulation, and toxicokinetics; fecal and urine analysis; and feed and water consumption. All animals were necropsied at the end of the study for gross and histopathological examination and select organs were weighed.

Test article-related application site reactions, including skin flaking/scurfing and scabbing were observed. These findings were dose-dependent in both incidence and severity. Reactions in the 1X animals appeared after the second administration. These reactions in the 1X group were cosmetic in nature and did not require treatment.

Female Reproductive Safety: In a reproductive safety study, Exzolt Cattle-CA1 was well tolerated in 200 healthy beef cows between the ages of 3 to 11 years old. Study animals were administered 11.1 mg fluralaner/kg body weight (3X the maximum labeled dose) of Exzolt Cattle-CA1 by a single topical application once during breeding (estrus; before timed-artificial insemination), early in the 1st trimester of pregnancy, during the mid-1st trimester of pregnancy, or in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Cattle in the control group (0X) were treated with green dyed sterile saline at a dose volume similar to the treated groups (3X). General health observations were conducted twice daily from acclimation to the end of the study at 30±2 days postpartum. Variables measured at start of acclimation and at the end of the study for each animal were body weight (including prior to each dosing) and physical examinations (including at parturition for offspring). Reproductive safety parameters included conception rate, abortion rate, calving rate, live births, stillborn calves, perinatal death, premature deliveries, neonatal death, dystocia, ability of calf to stand, walk and suckle, and abnormalities. Three stillbirths and one premature delivery were observed in animals in the control group. One stillbirth associated with dystocia and one premature delivery were documented in cows treated with Exzolt Cattle-CA1. Six abortions occurred across three of the Exzolt Cattle-CA1 treated groups (2 out of 31 cows in the estrus-treated group; 2 out of 34 cows in the early first trimester-treated group; 2 out of 27 cows in the mid first trimester-treated group). One calf was found dead within 24 hours of birth in an Exzolt Cattle-CA1 treated cow. These events were considered to occur at rates typical for the source herd and unlikely to be test article related. Not for use in bulls intended for breeding over 1 year of age, as reproductive safety has not been evaluated.

Reasonable Expectation of Effectiveness: A reasonable expectation of effectiveness may be demonstrated based on evidence such as, but not limited to, pilot data in the target species or studies from published literature.

Exzolt Cattle-CA1 is conditionally approved pending a full demonstration of effectiveness. Additional information for Conditional Approvals can be found at www.fda.gov/animalca.

A reasonable expectation of effectiveness for Exzolt Cattle-CA1 for the prevention and treatment of infestations caused by New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae (myiasis) and treatment and control of cattle fever tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) in beef cattle 2 months of age and older and replacement dairy heifers less than 20 months of age is based on results from the following foreign studies conducted in Australia, Brazil, and South Africa.

A. New World Screwworm (NWS) (Cochliomyia hominivorax) Three effectiveness studies utilizing natural NWS infestations conducted in Brazil in 2018 are described below: 1. Support for a prevention indication: This study evaluated prevention of New World Screwworm (NWS) myiasis in a surgical wound created seven days after treatment administration.

Animals received either a placebo (n=6) or Exzolt Cattle-CA1 (n=6) on Day -7. Seven days later, two surgical incisions were made on each side of the body at the shoulder. Animals were housed outside to facilitate natural infestation of the wounds with NWS. Cattle were monitored twice daily for 10 days post-incision to assess the presence of eggs and larvae. A single topical application of Exzolt Cattle-CA1 at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg provided 100% prevention against myiasis for the length of the study.

2. Support for a prevention indication: This study evaluated prevention of NWS myiasis in a castration wound created on the day of treatment with either a placebo (n=15) or Exzolt Cattle-CA1 (n=15). Animals were housed outside to facilitate natural infestation of the wounds with NWS. Cattle were monitored daily for 14 days post-surgery to assess the presence of eggs, larvae, and the progress of wound healing. A single topical administration of Exzolt Cattle-CA1 at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg provided 100% prevention against myiasis for up to 14 days following castration.

3. Support for a therapeutic indication: This study evaluated the effectiveness of the product to treat a wound already infested with NWS. A surgical wound was created and left exposed to facilitate natural infestation with NWS. Three days later, after confirming the presence of live larvae, animals were treated topically once with either a placebo (n=12) or Exzolt Cattle-CA1 (n=12). A single topical administration of Exzolt Cattle-CA1 at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg achieved 90.9% effectiveness by the second day post-treatment and reached 100% effectiveness by the third day. No myiasis in treated animals was observed up to day 5.

B. Cattle Fever Tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) Three dose confirmation studies conducted in Brazil and South Africa and a rain exposure study conducted in Brazil utilizing induced infestations of R. microplus were evaluated. These studies were conducted between 2018 and 2021. In each study, animals were individually housed and randomly assigned to control and Exzolt Cattle-CA1-treated groups. Exzolt Cattle-CA1-treated groups received a single administration at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg. A total of thirty animals were treated with Exzolt Cattle-CA1 across these four studies. The product demonstrated 100% effectiveness within the first week after Exzolt Cattle-CA1 administration. Length of consistent 100% persistent effectiveness ranged from 39 days to approximately 110 days post-treatment.

Thirteen field effectiveness studies conducted in Brazil and Australia utilizing natural infestations of R. microplus were evaluated. These studies were conducted between 2017 and 2023.

In each study, animals were grouped housed and randomly assigned to control and Exzolt Cattle-CA1-treated groups. Exzolt Cattle-CA1-treated groups received a single administration at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg. Approximately 220 animals were treated with Exzolt Cattle-CA1 across these thirteen studies. The product demonstrated 100% effectiveness within the first week after Exzolt Cattle-CA1 administration. Length of consistent 100% persistent effectiveness ranged from 28 days to 70 days post-treatment.

C. Rain exposure study One study was conducted to evaluate the impact of simulated rainfall post-treatment on the effectiveness of Exzolt Cattle-CA1 with cattle artificially infested with R. microplus. A total of 30 cattle (cross-bred beef bulls) were randomized to one of five groups with six animals each: Groups A, B, C, and D were treated with Exzolt Cattle-CA1 (2.5 mg/kg) and Group E with saline (equivalent volume). Groups A, B, and C were exposed to simulated rainfall at the following post-treatment timepoints: 6 hr, 12 hr, and 24 hr, respectively. Groups D and E had no exposure to rain. Percent effectiveness of Exzolt Cattle-CA1 was 100% in Groups A, B, C, and D up to 77 days. Rain exposure as early as 6 hr post-treatment did not affect the therapeutic or persistent effectiveness of Exzolt Cattle-CA1 in beef cattle.

HOW SUPPLIED: Exzolt Cattle-CA1 is available in 250 mL, 1L, and 5L bottles.

STORAGE AND HANDLING: Store at or below 30°C (86°F), with excursions to 40°C (104°F). Use within 6 months after first opening. Store the dosing applicator when loaded with product at or below 30°C (86°F) and use within 1 week.

Distributed by: Intervet Inc. d/b/a Merck Animal Health, Rahway, NJ 07065 Formulated in New Zealand Copyright © 2026 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved.

Revision Date 01/2026 246425 R1

Ro de o Ro un dup FROM THE ARENA

by Julie Carter

New Mexico High School Rodeo Association Seniors photos by Julie Carter

Rodeo College Shopping

R

eality has rolled into the room looking very much like a calendar with pages flipping much too fast, especially for parents of first-time college bound rodeo seniors. While the kids themselves may be feeling a little intrepid, they are standing with excitement on the edge of the nest ready to take flight. Parents feel deep pride at seeing their child on the cusp of independence, mixed with quiet fear and anxiety about the unknown—will they thrive away from home? Will they be safe, happy, and make good choices?

Rodeo high school seniors possibly have a slight advantage for mastering emancipation as they’ve already been across the cattle guard many times all the while being respon-

sible for their livestock, gear and time in the arena. There are some places where a parent is totally locked out of “helping too much” and that’s during those seconds of competition in the arena.

A random poll taken from seasoned college-bound rodeo senior parents might help shed some light for moms and dads navigating their inaugural launch. While not a complete comprehensive suggestion list, these are a few things they learned through experience. ЇЇ Start early (last summer wasn’t too early) and in those months of prepping, make sure they can haul by themselves, change a tire, deal with a mechanic, the veterinarian and keep themselves eligible, practiced and responsible to deadlines. ЇЇ Shop around and visit colleges and coaches. Arm your applications with resume/portfolio/videos if you are seeking a rodeo scholarship or team position.

Understand about the rodeo team ЇЇ concept. Who gets put on the team for points and what is needed to earn and keep that spot. Be aware of what the college is not offering. The offer may look good until you realize the list of expenses that are not covered. ЇЇ Academics will always be important.

Choose the rodeo coach wisely as you are selecting guidance as well as a role model. Look to them for leadership

▫

Ace Whitson

106 FEBRUARY 2026

and support, but they are not the babysitter. Keep lines of communication open, both directions. ЇЇ Pick a college team that is competitive, as you are only as good as your competition. Check out the different regions and the contestant and rodeo pool size. Small universities and junior colleges are a great fit for many at first.

While you’re at it, it’s important that you check out the availability of practice stock. ЇЇ Establish the importance of distance to home if that’s an individual factor.

Don’t be an overbearing parent when the college kid comes home. The daily family routine changes when each goes off to college. The student has learned to live independently, and you have learned to live without his or her presence. Have a lot of grace for each other. ЇЇ Dorms: Boy-moms just send them with a sleeping bag, toiletries, laundry bag, clothes, snacks and drinks. They could care less for dorm décor, give them money for food instead. Girl-moms, buy them all the dorm décor and cool gadgets and rent a U-haul for all their stuff. Give them lots of money. (One girl mom said she wished they’d waited to see what she actually needed. Would have saved a lot of money.) ЇЇ And the best thing from beginning to end is to pray. “You will pray for them now more than you have ever prayed before,” declared one mom. “Cover them in prayer.”

Addison Tixier

R od eo R ou nd up

Lane Helmer Avery Henard

Cash Chavez

Neveah Pacheco

Reno Scribner

Tate White >>>

R ode o R o u n d up

New Mexico Junior High Rodeo Association Jace Wild Green

by Julie Carter

Jace Bull Riding

108 FEBRUARY 2026

Photos by Julie Carter

H

e’s a wiry 5’10”, 110 pounds of cowboy that has spent his short 15 years of life perfecting “cowboy” on both ends of the arena and at the ranch. Jace Wild Green is the smiling, always friendly son of Jared and Stacy Merritt Green, a combo that stacked an abundance of natural ability into this rodeoing 8th grader.

Homeschooling since the 3rd grade freed up time for him and his mom to take care of the livestock, ride the horses, practice some roping and make the trips from Dexter to the ranch near Corona to help Stacy’s parents out.

Jace started his career at the bucking chutes

when he was three in his first mutton busting event. “I was just a tiny little human,” he says with a laugh. Stacy said his first pair of chaps were little “woolies” about a foot long. From there he moved on to calves, steers and then finally junior bulls.

Jared makes all Jace’s chaps. “I tell him the colors, and he puts it all together.” Jace has saved all those chaps and all of his first roughie riding ropes. He also collects knives.

Stacy says he’s a hoarder, he says he’s a collector.

Jace had a short three-year career as a pony trainer, where he’d buy, ride and then sell ponies. “I was turning about 90 ponies a year,” he said. He liked the challenge and said it taught him patience. “It was special when I’d get one that was spoiled and then with some time and patience, I could send it home with a happy little kid.” When his legs got too long to ride really short horses, he retired.

Tie down roping and bull riding are his favorite events, but if he had to pick only one end of the arena right now, he says, “It’d be the bucking chute end, because that’s where I’m winning the most.” Spoken like a businessman.

Jace Tie Down Roping

Jace says his dad has always coached his bull riding and rightfully so, as Jared is a former National High School Bull Riding Champion as well as holding state titles in bulls, bareback and saddle bronc. His grandfather Jimmy Green was also a bull rider.

Jimmy and Grandmother Sid attend every rodeo to cheer for him along with Jace’s maternal grandparents Ron and Sandra Merritt. Ron is in the roping box as his mentor and coach. Last year, Jace attended a Jerrad Hofstetter Tie-Down school and “he taught me so many things I can’t even start to list them all,” he said Jace says of all the things he’s done so far, qualifying and making the trip to ride bulls in Australia and winning it is a standout for him. But he also had an impressive run this past fall both in and out of the Junior High Association. He won the All Around in Reserve, Socorro, Grants, Fort Sumner and Clovis along with a bunch of average wins in both rough stock and roping. He was also the Champion Bull Rider in Lubbock. This racked up 15 buckles, a pair of chaps and a pocket full of cash.

Overall, Jace exhibits discipline and

determination to always do more to get better. “If he has a bad rodeo,” Stacy said, “we don’t have to say anything to him. He’s hard on himself and gets home and gets back to work to fix whatever it is.”

Jace doesn’t spend much time worrying or being nervous in competition and with six events to get covered, he says. “The less you think about it the better it is.”

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R odeo R o u n d up

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APPLIANCE << cont from page 100 rule mandating that all cooling systems manufactured after January 1, 2025, meet new climate change requirements. Industry sources report price hikes of up to $3,000 last summer — the first one under the Biden regulatory regime — and that comes on top of other EPA and DOE measures that had already increased prices in the preceding years.

The Trump EPA is attempting to turn the tide with a proposed rule providing more compliance flexibility for these systems. If successful, it could help moderate any further air conditioning cost increases.

3. Water heaters — It’s the appliance homeowners rarely ever think about until the moment it stops working, but Biden’s regulators gave water heaters plenty of attention. One December 2024 DOE regulation would have effectively banned tankless gas water heaters — the kind that heat the water as needed and don’t require a storage tank — by imposing prohibitively expensive new requirements.

Fortunately, last April, Congress and President Trump enacted a law repealing this regulation and thus preserving the tankless option for homeowners who prefer it. However, the deregulatory news on conventional tank storage water heaters is not so good, with a separate Biden-era regulation still on the books that is estimated to raise costs by as much as $953 when it takes effect in 2029.

4. Furnaces — Biden’s 2023 furnace regulation may be the worst one that has not yet been revisited by the Trump administration. It effectively outlaws gasfired non-condensing furnaces, which is the best option for millions of older homes. Even the DOE estimates its rule will result in cost increases of up to $853 when it takes effect in 2028. Industry sources fear a larger price boost, which will fall disproportionately on lower-income homeowners.

5. Showers — Trump complains a lot about federal water use restrictions for showers, but he alone can’t repeal them since they come straight out of a 1992 law that can only be undone with the help of Congress. But modest improvements are possible, and the president did issue an executive order and a DOE rule adding a bit more wiggle room to the way the agency interprets the law. Hence, the water use limits now apply to each nozzle rather than the overall unit, so showers with two or more nozzles are legal. A recently-passed House bill would codify this modification, but there is yet no Senate version.

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For Valentine month I am sharing a tried and true beef recipe I have cooked up for my family, “with love”, for many years. It is beefy, cheesy and includes some roasted vegetables. Hope it will be one of your favorites and in years to come will be “dog-eared” from using so many times.

INGREDIENTS • 1 lb. Ground Beef • 2 fresh tomatoes, sliced • 2 medium zucchini, sliced • 3/4 cup chopped onions • 2 garlic cloves minced • 1 large egg yolk, uncooked

• 1 cup canned tomato sauce • 2 cups cottage cheese • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese—

1/2 cup for recipe and 1 cup for topping • 1 Tbs each: parsley, oregano & rosemary 1/2 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp pepper

PREPARATION 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Preheat oven to 500. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and spread sliced tomatoes and zucchini over the sheet. Roast for 10-12 minutes.

While vegetables are baking, brown beef in a large skillet, adding onion and garlic until beef is browned. Drain and then add tomato sauce.

Spread beef mixture into a large, shallow 9”x13” baking dish.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and top the beef mixture with the roasted vegetables. Reduce the heat to 350.

Combine cottage cheese, beaten egg yolk, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, herbs, salt & pepper in a large bowl. Drop spoonfuls over the roasted vegetables and then gently spread them across the entire mixture. Tap down lightly by using a rubber spatula.

Top casserole with remaining cup of cheese, spreading evenly.

Bake about 35 minutes or until it is bubbling around the edges and cheese is turning a golden brown.

Remove and let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes...yummy, hot goodness!

Patty’s Pointers

For more information: Patty Waid, 505-250-4952, patty@pattywaid.com.

Happy cooking! See you all next month.

Patty • Nearly 250 million

roses are grown in preparation for Valentine's Day every year.

• Americans send 145 million Valentine's Day cards each year.

Image credit: Billy Alexander – via freeimages.com

Great Selection of High Q

Now testing 280 bulls and heifers!

Only the very best will be sold

Great Selection of High Quality Bulls and Heifers that Will F Date: Saturday, March 14th, 2026

Time: 1 pm MT Place: Tucumcari Bull Test Great Selection of High Quality Bulls and Heifers that Will Fit Your Program 6502 Quay Road Am.5 Tucumcari, NMand heifers!

Now testing 280 bulls

Only thethat very best willBraunvieh, be sold Great Selection of High Quality Bulls and Heifers Will FitHereford, Your Program Angus, SimAngus, Simmental, Salers, Red Angus, Charolais, and Limflex breeds represented.

Now testing 280 bulls and heifers!

Now testing 280 bulls and heifers!

Only the very best will be sold Only the very best will be sold

th, 2026 Date: Saturday, March 14th14 , 2026 Date: March Now testing 280Saturday, bulls and heifers!

Time: 1pm pm MT Only the very 1 best will be sold Time: MT Place: Tucumcari Bull Test Place: Tucumcari Bull Test 6502 Quay Road Am.5 th , 2026 Date: Saturday, 6502 March 14 Quay Road Am.5 Tucumcari, NM Time: 1 pm MT NM Place: TucumcariTucumcari, Bull Test Angus, SimAngus, Simmental, Hereford, Braunvieh, Salers, 6502Red Quay Angus,Road Charolais,Am.5 and Limflex breeds represented.

Tucumcari, NMSimmental, Hereford, Braunvieh, Salers, Angus, SimAngus,

For more information contact:th Date: Saturday, March 14 , 2026 Marcy Ward 575-644-3379 or maward@nmsu.edu.

Time: 1 Orpm MT visit: https://tucbulltest.nmsu.edu/ Place: Tucumcari Bull Test Can't make Quay the sale?Road Also Available on…

6502 Am.5 Tucumcari, NM

uality Bulls and Heifers that Will Fit Your Program

For more information contact: Red Angus, Charolais, and Limflex breeds represented.

Marcy Ward 575-644-3379 or maward@nmsu.edu.

Angus, SimAngus, Simmental, Hereford, Braunvieh, Salers, OrFor visit: https://tucbulltest.nmsu.edu/ Red Angus, Charolais, and Limflex breeds represented. contact: more information

Marcy Ward For more information contact: Can't make the sale?

Also Available on…

575-644-3379 or maward@nmsu.edu.

Marcy Ward visit: https://tucbulltest.nmsu.edu/ 575-644-3379Or or maward@nmsu.edu.

Or visit: https://tucbulltest.nmsu.edu/

Angus, SimAngus, Simmental, Hereford, Braunvieh, Salers, Red Angus, Charolais, and Limflex breeds represented.

Efficiency Tested Performance Proven!

For more information contact: Heritability to stretch Marcy your forage and grow your profits!

Ward

575-644-3379 or maward@nmsu.edu.

Or visit: https://tucbulltest.nmsu.edu/

Can't make the sale? Also Available on…

Efficiency Tested Performance Prove

Efficiency Tested Efficiency Tested Performance Proven!Perfo

Can't make sale?on…

Also Available on…

Can't make the sale?

Alsothe Available

111 FEBRUARY 2026

FEBRUARY 2026

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ad index ▫

A-C

A Lazy 6 Angus Ranch . . . . 44, 78 Abercrombie Ranch Herefords . 26 American Angus Association . . 89 American Heritage Bank / Colten Grau . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 American International Charolais. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 B & H Herefords. . . . . . . . . 21, 79 Bar A Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Bar G Feedyard . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Bar J Bar Herefords. . . . . . . 25, 78 Bar M Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . 82 Bar T Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Beaverhead Outdoors . . . . . . 83 Beefmaster Breeders United . . 32 Bill King Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . 17 BJM Sales & Service Inc. . . . . . 76 Black Angus “Ready for Work” Bull Sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Border Tank Resources . . . . . . 63 Bradley 3 Ranch, Ltd. . . . . . . . 77 Breeders Select Bull Sale / Dexter Livestock Comm . . . 29 Brinks Brangus / Westall Ranch, . . . . . . . . 33, 79 Brownfield Ranch & Farm Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 C Bar Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Campbell Simmentals . . . . . . 56 Carter Brangus . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Carter’s Custom Cuts . . . . . . . 92 Casey Beefmasters. . . . . . . 30, 78 Cattlegrowers Foundation. . . 102 Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction . 63 Chas S. Middleton & Son. . . . . 82 Clark Anvil Ranch . . . . . . . 22, 79 Clavel Herefords . . . . . . . . . . 18 Clovis Livestock Auction . . . . . 55 Coleman Herefords . . . . . . . . 22

Conniff Cattle Co., LLC . . . . 78, 86 Copeland & Sons Herefords, LLC 6 Corn Ranches . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Cornerstone Ranch . . . . . . . . 19 Cox Ranch Herefords . . . . . 22, 78 Coyote Ridge Ranch. . . . . . . . 22 CS Cattle Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Hutchison Western . . . . . . . . 50

I-N

D-H

Isa Beefmasters . . . . . . . . . 31, 67 J & J Auctioneers . . . . . . . . . . 98 J-C Angus Ranch . . . . . . . . . . 39 James Sammons III . . . . . . . . 82 Kaddatz Auctioneering & Farm Equipment. . . . . . . . . 76 L & H Manufacturing . . . . . . . 76 Lack-Morrison Brangus. . . . . . 80 Laflin Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 97 Landmark Mercantile LS . . . . . 44 Lavender Brangus . . . . . . . . . 80 Lazy D Ranch Red Angus . . . . 77 Lazy J&G Sales . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Lonestar Stockyards, LLC. . . . . 64 LT Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Lust Angus. . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Lyssy & Eckel Feeds . . . . . . . . 50 Major Cattle Co., LLC . . . . . 30, 77 Major Ranch Realty . . . . . . . . 84 Manzano Angus . . . . . . . . 41, 78 McKenzie Land & Livestock . . . 34 McPherson Heifer Bulls. . . . . . 78 Mesa Feed Products. . . . . . . . 99 Mesa Tractor, Inc.. . . . . . . . 57, 76 Michael Perry For Land Commissioner . . . . . . . . . . 62 Michelet Homestead Realty. . . 81 Monfette Construction Co. . . . 76 National Animal Interest Alliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Netherton Charolais and Sim Angus. . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 New Mexico Angus Bull & Heifer Sale . . . . . . . . 43

Decker Herefords . . . . . . . . . 24 Denton Photography . . . . . . . 72 Diamond K Angus Ranch . . . . 93 Diamond Seven Angus. . . . . . 77 Domenici Law Firm, PC. . . . . . 76 Elbrock Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Evans Beefmasters. . . . . . . . . 30 Express Scales Services. . . . . . 42 Farmway Feed Mill. . . . . . . . . 54 FBFS / Larry Marshall . . . . . . . 70 Five States Livestock Auction, . 60 Ft. Sumner Processing . . . . . . 62 4 Rivers Equipment . . . . . . . . . 9 4G Mountain Angus. . . . . . 51, 77 Garnett Insurance Agency. . . . 95 Genex / Candy Trujillo . . . . . . 77 Grau Charolais . . . . . . . . 77, 113 Grau Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 78 Hansen Auction Group . . . . . . 14 Harrison Quarter Horses . . . 76, 78 Hartzog Angus Ranch . . . . . 103 Headquarters West / Traegen Knight. . . . . . . . . . 82 Headquarters West Ltd. / Sam Hubbell . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Henard Ranch. . . . . . . . . . 22, 79 Hi-Pro Feeds / Sendero . . . . . . . 7 Hubbell Ranch . . . . . . . . . 47, 77 Hudson Livestock Supplements 58

ting s i l e e r f / m o ock.c t re! s e v i l a est Agricultu a a o ot ry of Southw

G

o e 2023 Direct

e in th Get Your Nam

DEADLINE —

6

JUNE 15, 202

If you’d like to advertise in the Directory, please contact chris@aaalivestock.com

112 FEBRUARY 2026

New Mexico Hereford Association . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 NM Federal Lands Council. . . 100 NM Purina Dealers. . . . . . . . 116 NMCGA Jackpot . . . . . . . . . . 11 NMSU Animal & Range Sciences . . 65, 67, 73, 74 North American Limousin Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

O-R

O’Neill Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Olson Land and Cattle . . . . 45, 77 Owaissa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Parker Brangus . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Perez Cattle Company . . . . . 3, 77 Pot of Gold Gelbvieh Association . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Pratt Farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Rafter G Ranch Supply . . . . 51, 59 Rafter JL Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Rancho De Santa Barbara . . . . 24 Red Doc Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Republic Ranches, LLC . . . . . . 81 Reynolds Land & Cattle. . . . . . 35 Rio Grande Scales & Equipment . . . . . . . . . . 46, 76 Riverside Angus . . . . . . . . . . 88 Roswell Brangus Breeders Co-Op . . . . . . . . 115 Roswell Brangus Bull & Female Sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Roswell Livestock Auction Co. . 52 Running Creek Ranch. . . . . . . 79 Rusty’s Weigh Scales & Service . 90

S-Z

Salazar Ranches . . . . . . . . . . 14 Santa Rita Ranch . . . . . . . . . . 78 Sci-Agra Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Scott Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Select Sires Member Cooperative. . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Stockmen’s Realty . . . . . . . . . 85 TechniTrack, LLC . . . . . . . . . . 76 Terrell Land & Livestock Co. . . . 81 Texas Alliance Sale . . . . . . . . 87 Texas Hereford Association . . . 22 The Ranches. . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Thompson Ranch . . . . . . . 49, 79 Tom Robb & Sons . . . . . . . 22, 79 Tucumcari Bull Test . . . . . . . 111 2 Bar Angus . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 U Bar Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 United Fiberglass, Inc.. . . . . . . 61 USA Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . 27, 80 Verde Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . 84 W&W Fiberglass Tank Co. . . . . 96 Walking Spear Land & Cattle . . 38 Weaver Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . 48 West Star Herefords . . . . . . 20, 77 Widner Angus Farm . . . . . . . . 80 Willcox Livestock Auction . . . . 15 Y Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Zia Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . 84

GRAU

CHAROLAIS RANCH Grady, New Mexico

Don’t Gamble with Lighter Payweights On Next Fall’s Calf Crop!

Get Proven Performance & Hybrid Vigor from GRAU CHAROLAIS RANCH BULLS! GCR Bulls = more pounds per calf weaned = more total Dollars per calf sold = more TOTAL PROFIT!

Bulls and Females like these for sale private treaty, year-round.

T. Lane Grau 575-760-6336 tlgrau@hotmail.com

113 FEBRUARY 2026

Cheryl D. Grau 575-799-7171 www.GrauCharolaisRanch.com

FEBRUARY 2026

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35th ANNUAL

100 GELBVIEH, BALANCER, SIMMENTAL & SIM-ANGUS BULLS 20 SELECT HEIFERS

PAP TESTED - HIGH ALTITUDE CATTLE

Februar y 27, 2026 12:00 NOON

Montrose, Colorado

“Providing dependable genetics to commercial and purebred cattlemen for over 35 years.”

Mark Covington (970) 209-1956 Dave Bowman (970) 323-6833 Justin Covington (970) 275-4189

114 FEBRUARY 2026

For online catalog and videos visit:

www.gelbviehbulls.net

FEBRUARY 2026

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35 th Annual

ROSWELL BRANGUS SALE Feb 28, 2026 Roswell Livestock Auction Roswell, NM Females – 11:00 am Lunch for Buyers – 12 noon Bulls — 1:00 pm Cattle available for viewing Friday, February 27

SELLING:

- 50 Brangus & Ultrablack Bulls - Over 200 Open & Bred Commercial Females

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

RANGUS BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

If you could use thick, user friendly, rock footed, beef bulls check out our pens at the Roswell Brangus Sale.

Online Bidding at LiveAg.tv

Last 3-5 years longer 20-25% WW boost 93% grade choice than other breeds with Brangus cross or higher

Call Bill Morrison for Sale Catalog — 575-760-7263

lackmorrisonbrangus.com Joe Paul & Rosie Lack • P.O. Box 274 • Hatch, NM 87937 • Ph. 575-635-0274 Bill Morrison • 411 Curry Road 10, Clovis, NM 88101 • 575-760-7263 • bvmorrison@yucca.net CONTACT ROSWELL BRANGUS BREEDERS CO-OP FOR BRANGUS BULLS & FEMALES

Brown Brothers Ranch JAY, CARRIE, & SARAH HOLLIFIELD 3930 S. Brown Road Roswell, NM 88203 bbr.slf@gmail.com Jay: 575-626-1776 Carrie: 575-626-1777 Sarah: 575-840-9128

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Lack-Morrison Brangus JOE PAUL & ROSIE LACK P.O. Box 274, Hatch, NM 87937 Phone: 575-267-1016 • Fax: 575-267-1234 BILL MORRISON 411 Curry Road 10, Clovis, NM 88101 Phone: 575-760-7263 Email: bvmorrison@yucca.net lackmorrisonbrangus.com

UBAR Brangus RYAN & LORI SCOTT 3208 Lilac Road, Clovis, NM 88101 Phone: 575-491-6922 ryscott6922@gmail.com

Townsend Brangus PATTI TOWNSEND P.O. Box 278 Milburn, Oklahoma 73450 Home: 580-443-5777

CHRIS & TRACI SCOTT 874 Sixteen Springs Canyon Road Cloudcroft, NM 88317 Phone: 575-430-4198

STEVEN & TYLER TOWNSEND 580-380-1968 PHILIP TOWNSEND 580-465-7487 FEBRUARY 2026

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FEED NOW FOR A BETTER SPRING Now’s the time to build herd health and control flies before the season begins. Purina® Wind & Rain® Fly Control, mineral tubs, and protein tubs deliver consistent nutrition and protection when it counts most.

COWBOY’S CORNER Lovington, NM Wayne Banks, 575-396-5663

DOUBLE D ANIMAL NUTRITION Artesia, NM Don Spearman, 575-302-9280

CREIGHTON’S TOWN & COUNTRY Portales, NM Garland Creighton, 575-356-3665

ONE STOP FEED, INC. Clovis, NM Austin Hale, 575-762-3997

CREIGHTON’S AT THE FORT Fort Sumner, NM Garland Creighton, 575-760-6149

ROSWELL LIVESTOCK & FARM SUPPLY Roswell, NM Matt Rogers, 575-622-9164

PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION Eastern NM Steve Swift, 575-760-3112 PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION Western NM Joram Robbs, 520-576-8011

CASE & CO. Tucumcari, NM Luke Haller, 575-403-8566

LINCOLN COUNTY MERCANTILE Capitan, NM Greg McVey, 575-208-9566

BUNKS FEED Hobbs, NM Jim Selman, 575-397-1228

HE BAR HAY LLC Deming, NM Megan Albrecht, 575-993-2998

DICKINSON IMPLEMENT CO. Tucumcari, NM Dwight Haller, 575-461-2740

STOCKMEN’S FEED BUNK, INC. Dalhart, TX Mark Schumacher, 806-249-5602

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL PURINA® DEALER TO GET STARTED purinamills.com/cattle-feed 116 FEBRUARY 2026

FEBRUARY 2026

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