July 2012®

™

Volume 69, No. 6

“I want the wilderness to stay cow-free forever,” says a Sierra Club member. “Cows are not wild. They don’t belong in a wilderness. They are a weedy species — exotic, invasive and destructive.” This single quote, found in an article about wilderness in California, seems to sum up the over-arching goal of most environmentalists groups. By hook or by crook, groups such as the Sierra Club, Earth First! and the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance (NMWA) want to eliminate all ranching in the west.

Their latest successes come from having federal lands, currently used for grazing, declared as wilderness areas. The Wilderness Act of 1964 defines wilderness as “an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. An area of wilderness is further defined to mean in this Act an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions and which generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable.”

Despite the words of the 1964 Wilderness Act which states that wilderness in and of itself cannot be used as a reason to reduce or eliminate livestock from a designated area, ranchers know that with wilderness designation comes a host of regulations that make ranching nearly impossible. For instance wilderness areas are protected from motorized access and the use of mechanized equipment. This means that atv’s can’t be used to reach fences that must be repaired, bulldozers can’t be used to maintain stock tanks and the use of a truck and trailer to haul cattle in and out is forbidden.

Not only are practical ranch functions made impossible, but the

use of the land by ranchers may be eliminated all-together. Federal land managers have been known to “rest” allotments for as many as ten years in an effort to “heal” the land. If they feel that grazing is too destructive, they can go as far as cancelling permits for an indefinite amount of time.

This is the reality ranchers are facing in Southern New Mexico as the NMWA attempts yet again to declare large swaths of the county as wilderness. This effort has been underway for over a decade and there are currently three plans being proposed. Senator Bingaman’s Proposal, S.1024 Organ Mountains-Dona Ana County Conservation and Protection Act would set aside 316,000 acres, roughly 13% of the county. Introduced in 2011 this bill is still in committee. The proposal supported by the Wilderness Alliance, the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, sequesters over 600,000 acres, totals over 25% of the county and encompasses 39 ranches. Whereas Congressman Pearce’s Proposal, H.R. 4334 the Organ Mountains National Monument Establishment Act, reserves only 2% of the county as it protects just the 58,512 acres of the Organ Mountains, while maintaining current grazing permits.

Pushback against the first two proposals and support for the third is being provided by the New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau, the Dona Ana County Farm & Livestock Bureau and People for Preserving Our Western Heritage, a group representing over 750 businesses,

organizations and individuals. The volunteers are led by Chairman Jerry Schickedanz, former Dean of NMSU’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, Frank Dubois, former Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, Joe Delk, and ranchers Tom Cooper, Tom Mobley, Dudley Williams and Steve Wilmeth.

In addition to the inevitable negative impacts on ranching, NMF&LB, DACF&LB and PPWH are concerned about border security. It has been noted that if Bingaman’s bill is passed the Border Patrol will no longer be able to conduct routine motorized patrols and all communication towers must be removed as soon as possible. The resultant breakdown of security can already be witnessed in Arizona where drug and people smugglers utilize the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument as a criminal freeway since mechanized patrols by the Border Patrol are prohibited. Hundreds of miles of illegal roads have been carved through the wilderness by drug runners and illegal immigrants have left tons of refuse as they trek north.

continued on pg 2, see Wilderness

Wilderness: An Effort to Eliminate Public Lands Ranchingby Dalene Hodnett, Director of Communications

NMF&LB’s Matt Rush testifies in favor of HR4334, Congressman Pearce’s Organ Mountains National Monument bill. Jerry Schickedanz is at his right.

Farm & Ranch Page 2 July 2012

IDEAS AND ELBOW GREASEThe President’s Column

By Michael S. White, President

THE AG AGENDABy Bob Stallman, President

American Farm Bureau Federation-------------------------------------------

A Defense ofPrivate Property Rights

When I attend national AFBF meet-ings I always feel a bit conspicuous as they call role: Nevada Farm Bureau, New Hampshire Farm Bureau, New Jersey Farm Bureau, New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau…We’re the only state Farm Bureau that chose to formally recognize our ranching col-leagues by including their industry in our organizational name. Ranching has always been an integral part of New Mexico’s economy, history and our heritage. Ranchers have always made up a significant portion of our mem-bership. That’s why we so vehemently oppose efforts to declare additional wilderness areas in the state, because it would negatively impact the live-stock industry. This is an example of an issue that seemingly affects just one aspect of agriculture, but in real-ity threatens one of the core missions of NMF&LB – protection of private property rights.

Dating back to the Civil War era, grazing rights have been recognized as private property. This custom was codified in 1934 with the pass-ing of the Taylor Grazing Act which recognized grazing rights as legally transferable whereby ranchers pay the government in order to utilize their legal right to graze. Radical environ-mentalists, who desire to eliminate ranching in the West, know that the federal government cannot stop ranch-ers from grazing. To do so would commit a ``taking`` of private property and the government would be forced to compensate them under the 5th Amendment.

Thus, environmentalists have attempted an end-around through wilderness designations, endangered species habitat designations and ESA listings. Knowing full well that most cattle have been regulated out of spe-cially designated areas, groups such as

the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance have started to push for the designa-tion of more land as National Monu-ments in order to force the cattle off of increasing acres of productive land.

This is one of those times where membership in NMF&LB becomes more valuable than ever. The state of-fice has been very proactive recently, with Matt flying to D.C. to offer tes-timony, Benjie attending a multitude of meetings to voice our stance on the local level, and ads placed in the local newspaper to bring awareness to the issue. To quote George Bernard Shaw “You don’t learn to hold your own in the world by standing on guard, but by attacking and getting well hammered yourself.” United we can make a dif-ference, and our defense of private property rights will benefit agriculture and the nation as a whole.

The Great Rural America Paradox

A wise man once said that rural America has become viewed by a grow-ing number of Americans as having a higher quality of life, not because of what it has, but rather because of what it does not have, like traffic, crime and crowds. This sentiment can be seen in the growing number of urban transplants that have made their way toward greener and more spacious pastures.

But, while many Americans equate living in the country with a simpler way of life, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that poverty in rural America is increasing, while opportunity continues to decline because of limited education, healthcare and broadband ser-vices. So, rural America being defined by what it does not have can also be a negative.

It’s the great rural America paradox.

Connecting Kids

The lack of technology, infrastructure and even basic services present major challenges for rural citizens. This is evi-dent in rural classrooms, where nearly one in four U.S. kids attends school. Struggling rural school districts are grap-pling with teacher retention and lack of education technology that their urban counterparts take for granted, while see-ing enrollment that is growing at a faster rate than anywhere else in America.

Top this off with increasing rural pov-erty that 41 percent of rural students live in daily, as well as an increasing number of students with special needs. There’s a misconception that rural America and schools are stable and financially secure. But, they face every challenge that urban schools do, and more.

That’s why Farm Bureau is supporting the Secure Rural Schools and Commu-

(Wilderness cont. from page 1)Matt Rush, Executive Vice-President

of the NMF&LB, gave congressional testimony on June 28th, in favor of Pearce’s bill. Rush expressed support for the bill because the proposal “has one thing everyone agrees on, from Democrats to Republicans to wilderness groups to farmers to ranchers. They all agree on the one thing that is at the heart of every proposal or piece of legislation introduced, that is protecting the Organ Mountains.”

Expressing support for local ranchers who have long been stewards of the land, Rush reminded the committee that Pearce’s bill clearly defines the rights of ranchers to graze their cattle, protects water rights, and preserves the culture and historical use of the land.

Unfortunately, the concentrated efforts of those against the wilderness designation could be for naught as the Las Cruces City council, in a unanimous vote, has recently petitioned President Obama to side with the Wilderness Alliance and use their proposal for national monument designation. This bypassing of Congressional procedures would be achieved through the use of the 1906 Antiquities Act and there would be no recourse.

DACF&LB President Bud Deerman, in a statement to the Las Cruces City Council, noted that “this proposal has a much broader impact than just the ranching community. Farm Bureau is concerned about watershed management, public safety, border security, ranching viability and farmland attrition.” NMF&LB stands strong in order to defend both private property rights and our state’s ranching heritage.

Farm & Ranch Page 3July 2012

nity Self-Determination Act which is up for reauthorization. This law helps rural schools and communities that are af-fected by declining revenue from timber harvests. This year alone, rural commu-nities stand to lose more than $346 mil-lion for improvements to public schools and other valuable infrastructure and stewardship projects. Failing to reautho-rize this bill jeopardizes the economies and education systems of more than 780 already-struggling rural counties and school districts in 41 states.

Connected Nation

Teachers aren’t going to remain in rural areas without access to basic technology and services and neither will healthcare professionals and small business owners. Access to broadband plays a huge role in whether rural com-munities survive and flourish or wither and die.

As the number of rural doctors con-tinues to decline, so do rural businesses. According to Inc. Magazine, 70 percent of business owners in rural America will need to transition their businesses to new owners by 2020. That is a staggering figure. And, by all counts, it appears that broadband access is a major component of the economic engine.

Many states across the nation are addressing rural technology challenges. One program in particular that is being utilized by many states is Connected Nation, a broadband adoption project to create connected communities. This program trains regional leaders how to work with their communities to secure more internet access and connect more people. They make up community plan-ning teams that help groups engage in teaching computer classes, mentor older adults and help with online job searches.

It is Connected Nation’s philosophy that rural communities benefit through assessment, planning and self help, while citizens benefit through expanded access to relevant technology. Impor-tantly, the private sector benefits from a more investment-friendly environment and increasingly tech-savvy consumers.

So, while rural America remains for many an idyllic land of open spaces and simpler ways of life, those who live there know the real deal. Access to basic services continues to be essential for ru-ral communities and the competitiveness of our nation. Rural residents and their children shouldn’t be kept at a disadvan-tage by inadequate education, healthcare and business opportunities. It’s time to get past the paradox.

C A L L 1 - 8 0 0 - 4 5 1 - 5 9 9 7 o r v i s i t W W W. FA R M C R E D I T N M . C O M

A L B U Q U E R Q U E • R O S W E L L • L A S C R U C E S • T U C U M C A R I • C L O V I S

� ese days, knowing who you do business with is more important than ever.

At Farm Credit of New Mexico, we’re more than bankers. We’re farmers

and ranchers, too. We have a unique understanding of the � nancial tools

and services you need to succeed – with none of the big bank attitude.

FNM 1581 NMFR-5x10-All-BW.indd 1 12/17/09 4:44 PM

Farm & Ranch Page 4 July 2012

NMF&LB Summer Meeting

John York, Grant County FB President, and his wife Josie enjoy a meal followed by dancing.

Traci and Ashley conducted an Ag in the Classroom training for the WLC and for CowBelles that had gathered for their summer meeting. They taught participants how to use a Dr. Seuss book to teach agri-culture.

Landa Floyd shops the Silent Auction-proceeds of over $3,000 were split between NMF&LB’s YF&R Committee and the CowBelles.

Members of the YF&R Committee met to discuss future fundraisers and their 2013 Annual Meeting.

For the first time, the New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau joined with the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, the New Mexico CowBelles, the New Mexico Wool Growers and New Mexico State University’s Short Course to have a combined Summer Meeting. With over 500 participants it was declared a success. “It was a great way for us to all come together to address issues facing our industry. It also made an impact on the politi-cians present at the Candidate Reception, they realized we’re a unified block,” said Mike White, NMF&LB President. Sessions varied from a discussion on “Public Land Doctrine” by private property lawyer Karen Budd-Falen to a tutorial on “How to Lob-by Effectively” presented by Linda Johnson, AFBF’s Director of Policy Implementation. Matt Rush, NMF&LB’s Executive Vice-President said “We are looking forward to an even bigger meet-ing next year, bringing more of the ag community together.”

Farm & Ranch Page 5July 2012

Special Thanks to our Summer Conference Sponsors

Primary Sponsor Southwest Food Border Safety & Defense Center

and Agro GuardRegistration Sponsors

Biotechnology Industry OrganizationDu Pont Pioneer

Audio Sponsor Socorro County Farm and Livestock Bureau &

Dennis Harris Farms, Fite Ranch, Richard T. Ritter CPA, Snake Ranch/Sichler Farms Produce and T & C Farms

Awards Dinner Sponsor1st American Bank

Coffee Break SponsorsMajor Ranch Realty ~ Jerry & Fita Witte ~ White Herefords

Hennighausen & Olsen, L.L.P ~ JP Stone Community Bank ~ Wilson RanchSierra Alta Ranch LLC ~ Grau Charolias Ranch ~ Carrizozo Valley RanchMather’s Realty, Inc. ~ Bill King Ranch ~ Roswell Livestock & Farm Supply

Robert L. Homer & Association, LLC ~ Clavel Ranch Conniff Cattle Co, LLC ~ Farm Credit of New Mexico ~ Hat Ranch

New Mexico State University ~ Hope Animal Clinic ~ Ty & Sherri Bays New Mexico Forest Industry Association ~ Craig & Teresa OgdenDinwiddie Cattle Company ~ Double D Animal Nutrition SupplyClayton Ranch Market ~ T & T Trailer Sales ~ B & H Herefords

Clovis Livestock Auction ~ Horse N Hound Feed Supply ~ Wake Field Oil J.P. Stone Community Bank ~ Circle S Feed Store LLC ~ ADM Alliance

Nutrition ~Brad Houston ~ Quay County Farm & Livestock Bureau David T. & Lauralea McCrea ~ Bart Spencer Solar System

Susan Sumrall—Farm Bureau Financial Services ~New Mexico Society for Range Management ~ New Mexico Stockman

Grant County Farm & Livestock Bureau ~ Livestock Market Digest

Monday Lunch SponsorAC Nutrition & Farm Credit of New Mexico &

Roswell Livestock & Farm Supply

Tuesday Lunch SponsorsChaves County Farm & Livestock Bureau

Roswell Wool ~ DTMC Limited

Ladies Lunch SponsorT4 Cattle Company

Titanium SponsorHi-Pro Feeds ~ Roswell Wool Warehouse

SouthWestern Association

Platinum Sponsor Purina Animal Nutrition

Beasley, Mitchell & Co. LLP-CPA

Youth Tour SponsorNew Mexico Agriculture Leadership

Gold Circle SponsorsCS Ranch ~ Hermanas Ranch ~ Dow AgroSciences

Citizens Bank of Clovis ~ Borhringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.

Silver Circle SponsorsRegeneration Energy Corporation ~ Hooser Ranch New Mexico Livestock Board ~ Farmway Feed Mills

New Mexico CowBelles ~ Lee Cattle Company Paul’s Veterinary Supply / Roswell & Albuquerque

New Mexico Hereford Association ~ Roswell Livestock AuctionRoadrunner Ranches, Inc. ~ Longinaker Photography Larry G. Marshall -Farm Bureau Financial Services

American Agriculture Insurance Company Superior Livestock Auction

~ Thank You ~ New Mexico State University For Their Continued Support & Short Course Presentations

Golf Sponsors Farmway Feed Mills ~ Hi-Pro Feeds ~ Insurance

Services of New Mexico ~ Robert L. Homer & New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Insurance Administrator

New Mexico Farm and Livestock BureauFarm Bureau Financial Services

Farm & Ranch Page 6 July 2012Farm & Ranc

News from the New Mexico Farm & Livestock BureauThe New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau is honored to announce the win-ner of this year’s Erik L. Ness Agri-cultural Communications Scholarship. Joli O’Byrne won the $500 scholarship offered to honor Erik’s legacy of advo-cating for agriculture. “With this schol-arship I plan on purchasing books and putting the rest of the money towards my education. I currently am working on getting a degree in Agricultural Commu-nications with a minor in Journalism. I greatly appreciate the generosity of New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau.”

New Mexico Junior Livestock Foundation Grows Future YF&R MembersThe New Mexico Junior Livestock Foundation was established in 1989 to support members of 4-H and FFA through purchasing animals at the State Fair. As the foundation grew they began to purchase animals at both the Eastern and Southern State Fairs as well. This all-volunteer organization also provides scholar-ships for graduating New Mexico 4-H and FFA seniors throughout the state, purchases jackets for State 4-H & FFA officers and is a sponsor at the New Mexico State Fair Calf Scramble. Fundraisers include an annual team-roping, a golf tournament and a cash party where participants can enjoy dinner and dancing while bid-ding on silent auction items. According to the NMJLF “Our Mission is to support members of 4-H and FFA who have chosen to prepare themselves to become active, responsible participants in New Mexico com-munities. There are clear indications of leadership po-tential and self-motivation when a young person joins 4-H or FFA. These young leaders deserve the support and encouragement of the entire community.” The NMJLF deserves our support for financially assisting the students who become YF&R members.

The 2012 4-H Leadership Team with Shacey Sullivan of Farm Credit and NMF&LB Regional Representative Joel Alderete.

Women’s Leadership Committee Quilt

Red or green? It’s the state question in New Mexico, referring to the kind of chile you want on your enchiladas. It’s also the central question used to tie stu-dents to agriculture education in Melinda Jackson’s history classes at Dexter Middle and High School in Dexter, NM. Melinda was one of five educators nation-wide honored as a National Agriculture in the Classroom Award Winning Teacher during the AITC conference in Loveland, CO this past June. Jackson’s family still ranches in New Mexico and she brings her real life experiences to her middle and high school students every day.

“Cotton Fields Back Home” is this year’s WLC fundraiser quilt. It harkens back to traditional, 1950’s styled-quilts. It is hand stitched and dyed. Cotton used as batting was donated by Bud and Sue Deerman (pictured) of La Mesa. They grow cotton, hay, pecans and alfalfa on a third generation farm along the Rio Grande. This cotton came from an experimental crop grown for New Mexico State University. Bud is the Dona Ana County Farm & Livestock Bureau Presi-dent. Tickets are $10 each or 5 tickets for $20. First ticket drawn can choose the quilt or a Remington “Varmint” 223 rifle with Leupold Scope and hard carrying case. The drawing will be held on February 19, 2013 at Ag Fest in Santa Fe.

Chaves County FB Member is National Award Winner

Farm & Ranch Page 7July 2012

The lifeblood of America.

FB02-ML (3-12)

They’re the humble heroes who rise before dawn and battle

the elements. They put clothes on our backs and food on

our tables. Their genuine values and tireless work ethic are

an inspiration to us all. We appreciate all that America’s

farmers do and invite you to join us in saying thanks at

www.fbfs.com/SayThanksToAFarmer.

NM-Tribute(3-12).indd 1 4/11/12 4:27 PM

ISSN 0028-61922220 N. TELSHOR BLVD. • LAS CRUCES,

NM 88011575.532.4700 • FAX: 575.532.4710

PUBLISHER:New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau

New Mexico Farm & Ranch is published monthly. Yearly subscription is $24.00. New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau

members receive a complimentarysubscription with yearly dues.

U.S. Postage PAID, bulk rate, PERMIT #31, Las Cruces, NM 88001. FORWARDING/RE-TURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED, ADDRESS

CORRECTION REQUESTED.

OFFICERSMichael White

President, Dexter

Dennis Harris1st Vice President, San Antonio

Craig Ogden2nd Vice President, Loving

Matt RushExecutive Vice President

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Burl Brown, Clayton

Greg Daviet, Las CrucesChad Davis, Portales

Jim Ellett, HopeDuane Frost, Claunch

Leon Hemann, McDonaldBrad Houston, RoswellJanet Jarratt, Los Lunas

Dustin Johnson, FarmingtonBoe Lopez, Springer

Donald Martinez, El RitoSteve Myrick, Clovis

Larry Reagan, Ft. SumnerTroy Sauble, Maxwell

Paula Sichler, San AntonioAnna Sanchez-Glenn, Albuquerque

John Sweetser, DemingJim Taylor, Albuquerque

Pat Woods, ClovisJohn York, Mimbres

REGIONAL DIRECTORS

Joel Alderete, RoswellBenjie Segovia, Las CrucesChad Smith, Albuquerque

Dennis Garcia, Santa Fe

Theresa WidnerDirector of Membership Services

Carmen MaciasAdministrative Assistant

Dalene HodnettDirector of Communications

and Media Relations

Traci WilliamsDirector, Ag in the Classroom

Ashley WhiteAg in the Classroom Coordinator

Anna Sanchez-Glenn, ChairWomen’s Leadership Committee

Dustin Johnson, Chair Young Farmer & Rancher Committee

Non-profit OrganizationU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDAlbuquerque, N.M.

Permit No.42

P.O. Box 20004Las Cruces, NM 88004-9004

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NEW MEXICO FARM & LIVESTOCK BUREAUSince 1917 . . . a Leader in New Mexico