Cattlemen
want to beef up sales
by Pamela G. Dempsey
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — Mooove over Texas, there may be
new competition in the beef market on the horizon.
To help Navajo ranchers increase the grade of their beef cows and market
their product livestock or beef better, the Southwest Indian Agriculture
Association
is hosting a "Rez to Rail" Native American Beef Workshop for all
grazing officials, Eastern Land Board members, and interested ranchers.
"We're hoping it will raise some sort of interest in the Navajo livestock
owners who want to increase the quality of cattle they currently own," said
Tena Antonia of the Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture.
The workshop starts March 14 with a tour of two ranches: the Bar T Bar Ranch
in Winslow and the V Bar V Ranch in Payson. Presenters at the ranches will
speak on range cow and heifer development, facilities, bull selection, and
cow herd
health management. The workshop continues Monday and Tuesday at the University
of Arizona Feedlot and Meats Lab for a hands-on presentation in carcass evaluation
as well as bull fertility and the economic future of Native American beef.
"The ranch to rail program in Arizona and New Mexico is structured to ranchers
across the state," said Ray Castillo, an extension agent with the Navajo
Nation Department of Agriculture. "(The Rez to Rail) is very specific
to Indian Tribes ... basically to promote Native American beef."
The Southwest Indian Agricultural Association works closely with the tribe's
Agriculture department . Traditions, said Castillo, such as ranching, were
usually done on an individual basis.
"What you were handed down is what you did," he said. "Now people
are grouping together and establish associations. They are coming to a common
consensus and a common goal and objection."
These associations could benefit the future of the Native American beef industry
by increasing quality and promotion as well as assisting ranchers to overcome
certain challenges like less than fair market value on livestock bearing a
Native American ranch brand.
"There's some areas working towards uniformity," Castillo said.
The cost of the workshop is $40 and while the Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture
will provide a transit bus, participants are responsible for meals and lodging.
|
Weekend
March 6 , 2004
Selected Stories:
Suit
alleges school official is a racist
HRI
president defends uranium mining process
Chinle
students ROC steady!
A
chicken in every pot?
Psst...Need a ride?
Richardson
signs several education bills
Cattlemen want to beef up sales
Deaths |
