Forest fires, drought result in reduced grazing for ranchers in New Mexico, Arizona
5/26/2022 12:15:58 AM
CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
Fire
Plants & Wildlife
Relief, Response & Restrictions
AFFECTED AREAS:
Arizona
New Mexico
Mora County, NM
Taos County, NM
Start Date: 5/24/2022
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New Mexico cattle ranchers are trying to find food for their cattle since the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire has resulted in the closure of the Carson National Forest where the cattle typically graze in the summer. Without the grazing space, a cattle owner sold half of his herd, losing tens of thousands of dollars. Arranging to lease pasture can be very costly, but the alternative is to feed hay meant to be fed next winter.
Forest allotments were not producing much forage due to drought in Arizona and New Mexico, so some ranchers cannot graze as many cattle as usual.
KRQE (Albuquerque, N.M.), May 24, 2022
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