DIAMOND BAR CATTLE COMPANY

Concert benefits rancher's defense fund

Singer Michael Martin Murphey has helped raise money for two New Mexico ranchers who are involved in a grazing dispute with the federal government.

Supporters of Kit Laney and his ex-wife Sherry Farr cheered Murphey on during a benefit concert in Truth or Consequences yesterday.

Murphey initiated the concert after contacting Paragon Foundation of Alamogordo, which is devoted to defending private property rights.

Murphey says he wanted to help Laney and Farr.

The US Forest Service says the two ranchers were illegally grazing their cattle in the Gila National Forest without a permit.

The couple contends they had grazing rights based on historical use of the land.

Laney and Farr's cattle were rounded up in March and sold at auction after a court ruled against the couple.