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Impact Report

For plan Profitable Livestock Production (Catron County)
Date October 31, 2010, 5:45 pm
For Objective Long-term Show long-term objectives
Impact Report Beef cattle production is the most significant contributor to Catron County’s tax base. Prices received for cattle are much better this year. However, production costs continue to increase at alarming rates. Most ranchers have little control over the price they receive for their annual production. They must focus on reducing their production cost to maximize profitability. The area of production cost that the Catron County extension programming has focused on is Cow efficiency. The identification and implementation of efficient cow genetics into Catron County cow herds can reduce production costs. These genetics can be added to the cow herd in several ways. Artificial insemination (AI) is one way these genetics are infused into existing herds. By focusing an AI program on heifers, ranchers can achieve many management goals some of which include reduced calving difficulties, higher quality offspring, and more efficient cow herds over time. For ranchers were AI is not an option assistance is provided in selecting high quality sires for natural service. This ongoing program has helped more than 25 ranches make genetic changes in their cow herds. In addition some ranches are selling bulls produced through AI which is increasing the impact of these AI programs throughout Catron and surrounding counties. Many of these ranchers indicate that their per cow production costs are decreasing while their pounds of production per cow are increasing. Overall l ranch business planning has also been done with three ranches this year. Ranchers look at their current business plan and try to identify ways to make them more profitable. Some examples include advantages and disadvantages of forming a corporation. The ranchers involved have identified several areas to focus on to become more efficient.