by Rex Wilson
New Mexico Cattle Grower’s Association President’s Message
Dear Fellow Cattlemen,
While our ranching families and their cow herds are not out of the woods yet in terms of the health of the landscape, it sure does the heart good to drive almost anywhere in New Mexico these days. The green may be short, but it is green and is the emotional boost that we all need to charge forward.
We will continue to pray for moisture this winter and next spring. We also pray for the folks who have suffered the floods in some places that has brought the green up. Unfortunately, catastrophic flooding was inevitable given the catastrophic fires we have suffered over the past several years. We will continue to fight for better federal land management in the hopes of mitigating all of these tragedies in the future.
I am also struck by the positive outlook the media has developed regarding ranching and ranch families. I hope you have noticed the several positive stories that have been run, especially on television, about us. Those stories are well deserved because they are portraying who and what we are as well as our care for the land. Having the public acknowledgement of us lends truth to the theory that we have not historically told our own story.
It is easy to feel unappreciated when we are facing excessive, if not oppressive, regulations at the federal level forcing predators on us and seeing private property move into government hands or control. But as we have always known, standing up for what is right is the right thing to do and people find us credible.
These and many other issues will be thoroughly discussed at the region meetings this fall and at the Joint Stockmen’s Convention December 5 though 8 at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North. The reservation block is now open. Tentative schedules will be available in the next few weeks. Please plan on attending and making your voice heard.
There was a good turnout for the first New Mexico State University (NMSU) Ag Degree Days in early September. I enjoyed the classes I participated in and learned some new things as well. Our business is so dynamic and the new information from research is exciting. Look at the efficiencies we have obtained in the last couple of decades yet the best is yet to come. Most professionals are required to have continuing education credits. We are really fortunate to have NMSU for our education opportunities. Hats off to New Mexico Department of Agriculture Director / Secretary Jeff Witte and his crew as well as all of the ag organizations for the great Ag Day at the Aggie Football game. We look forward to these events in the years to come.
If you are not already a member of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, now is the time to join. We are just a few short of meeting our membership goal — YOU could be the one that pushes us over the top. Please contact the office at 505/247-0584 or visit the website atwww.nmagriculture.org.
Safe travels and I hope to see you in December if not before.
Sincerely, Rex Wilson