Ranching and dairy industries are driving New Mexico's economy. "If you cannot feed your people you simply lose your country," said state representative Janice Arnold-Jones. The two industries are major players in the state's economy making up roughly one third of the tax revenue. At the Clovis livestock auction, more than 125,000 head of cattle are auctioned off each year amounting to almost $55 million in sales. The auction is one of the largest in the state and brings people from miles away that generate tax revenue on more than just the auctions. Many ranchers said that the profit margins are shrinking and several dairy farms in New Mexico have packed up and moved to other states or shut-down completely due to frequently changing environmental guidelines brought on by the state. Arnold-Jones said the loss of the cattle and dairy industry would be nothing short of devastating to the New Mexico economy and that the state needs to stick to an old rancher's saying "You take care of the land and the animals and they'll take care of you."...more
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1 comment:
The feed lots are full of Holsteins, both steers and heifers. I have never seen so many in a feed lot. Is it the price of the milk support or the price of cattle that is causing this to happen?
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