Where's the beef: NM herd sizes down 40 percent

These days, being a rancher isn’t easy. It’s hard work and often doesn’t pay off, which is why more and more young adults are leaving the industry. In New Mexico, those ranchers are getting older and retiring, forced to close their gates for good when their kids don’t want to keep family farms alive. Kids who went to a Ranch Camp at the Valles Caldera all grew up on ranches and were raised by ranchers. They’re at the camp to learn about the industry and decide whether to carry on the torch. Ranchers say if the industry continues on the path it's on, the supply of meat is going to go way down, and that could mean a high price of meat for consumers nationwide. Those ranchers also said agriculture overall is a large economic player in New Mexico, which benefits everybody. The New Mexico Beef Council said the recent drought means there isn’t enough grass to feed the cattle, and herd sizes are down 40 percent.

The video report at KOAT-TV has more details, including interviews.