Reopened Deming stockyards to benefit local ranchers

The trail ends, again, in Deming for the region's cattle and dairy ranchers. Southwestern Regional Stockyards opens today, off Tapia Road SE, at 10 a.m., today. Bill Matney is auctioneer. "The last year and a half," said Kevin Wilbeck, who operates the stockyard, ranchers here have "faced going to Roswell, Belen or Wilcox (Ariz.)." Moving a herd that far cuts profits. Deming Cattle Sales/Stockyard closed about 18 months ago, says Wilbeck, and ranchers had to move herds to other yards for sales. Crossing the state line to Wilcox with livestock presented other issues. "There's good quality here," Wilbeck says of available stock. "The numbers are down, because of the drought, but there is still adequate numbers to run a business here. I've visited with Gary Shiflett, in Nutt Valley. He indicated he's going to give it a try." Other dairy farmers and cattle ranchers are also on the trailhead to Deming...TMCNews