Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.

Profitable Livestock Production (San Juan County)

Plan Goal

Improve the profitability of livestock production by enhancing decision-making skills of livestock owners and managers.

Situation Statement

Livestock Production in San Juan County is an 18 million dollar industry with over 700 producers owning livestock. The majority of these operations are small family livestock enterprises located on the Navajo reservation. A recent survey of Navajo producers shows the average cattle producer owns only nine head of cows and the average sheep producer owns 25 head of ewes. These producers have herds that are marginally managed and are in need of management techniques to help improve their profitability. A 1997 survey showed that Navajo producers received only 63 percent of the market value for their livestock. Annual lamb and calf crops averaged 62% and 70% respectfully far below the national average and average for off reservation producers in this area. Producers in other areas of the county are searching for ways to enhance their management and marketing techniques to maximize their dollar return.

Target Audience and Actions

The target audience is composed of approximately 700 beef and sheep producing operations among all geographical and cultural sectors of San Juan County. In order to service the educational needs of these communities of livestock producers, county, statewide, and regional educational efforts will be conducted. Statewide and regional programs will include the Four Corners Beef Symposium, Shiprock Agriculture Days, Fall Livestock Symposiium, Cattle Grower’s Short Course, Southwest Beef Symposium, Cattlemen’s College, and Cow-calf Standardized Performance Analysis program. Additionally, management recommendations will be incorporated into Extension publications, event proceedings, and popular press.

Short-Term Objectives

Increase awareness of novel management practices and knowledge of current issues by 20% for county livestock producers through educational programs and direct communications. Increase the number of producers using technology by 5 to evaluate production and financial aspects of cow-calf enterprises through participation in SPA workshops.

Medium-Term Objectives

Improve decision-making skills of 100 livestock producers through educational programs and seminars such that they are more confident in livestock management. County cow-calf operations (10) will improve profitability by following management recommendations.

Long-Term Objectives

Improve profitability of cattle and sheep enterprises by lowering production costs and/or increasing gross revenue.

Evaluation Plan

Maintaining a communication log to document producer acknowledgement of improved management practices.
Measure the increase in the number of producers using modern technology during this plan of work.