New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association
2231 RIO GRANDE BLVD. N.W. • ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87104
Mailing Address: PO Box 7517 • Albuquerque, NM 87194
PHONE (505)247-0584 • FAX (505) 842-1766
EMAIL: nmcga20@gmail.com
WEBSITE: www.nmagriculture.org
Dear Producers and All,
Another
challenge has presented itself to the ranching community of New Mexico.
As President of our great association, I feel this matter and NMCGA
stance should be shared
with our membership. There has been potential legislation, meetings and
media coverage concerning “feral” cattle running loose in the Gila
Wilderness. There have also been talks of implementing a plan allowing
Federal Wildlife Services to use helicopters to
shoot “feral” cattle. In the proposed plan, hundreds of “feral” bulls,
cows, and calves would be shot from low flying helicopters and the
carcasses will be left to rot on the wilderness floor. APHIS uses
similar practices to manage predators such as mountain
lions, coyotes, and bears. Cattle are not predators. The Wilderness
Ranger District has submitted a Minimum Requirement Decision Guide to
the regional forester for approval of this action.
250 livestock carcasses being shot and left where they fall will draw the Mexican wolf and other predators to that area. This will make the hardship even more difficult for Gila ranchers, not to mention training the wolves to eat livestock.
The
Center for Biological Diversity claims that “feral” cattle damage the
river’s riparian corridors in the Wilderness District. It makes you
wonder why elk are not put
in the same category due to their wallows and tree damage from bull elk
rubs?
The
“feral” cattle issue is a direct result of Wilderness designation.
These designations have caused ranchers economic hardship and prohibit
access. This has made it difficult
for ranchers to effectively manage the waters, fences, roads, and other
management practices which contributes to their viability.
NMCGA
is not in favor of this extermination plan and believes there are
better options available. Cowboys could be contracted to remove the
cattle. Contracts were used before
but that was several years ago. This could be done again but in a more
vigorous manner. “Feral” cow trigger traps could be baited and set up in
key locations. Once the cattle are trapped, they could be tranquilized
and transported by helicopter to an area
where the New Mexico Livestock Board could determine whether the cattle
are estrays or are branded.
For
the Wilderness Ranger District to request approval of shooting hundreds
of cattle shows the direct attack that our government has on its
ranchers and people. Creating
wilderness and introducing endangered species such as Mexican wolves,
the jumping mouse, and reducing landowner elk authorizations are just a
continuation of the attack on ranchers and their livelihood.
On
behalf of our membership and New Mexico’s producers, NMCGA has
requested a letter be drafted by Budd-Falen Law Offices, LLC to begin
the process of halting the plan proposed
by the US Forest Service.
My best to you all,
Randell Major
Randell Major
President
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