11/29/2023
CATTLE ON THE RANGE. Folks, if you can take a moment of your busy day and read on, I'll try and explain a few things. In preface, there seem to be a lot of people on the subdivision who are currently experiencing one difficulty or another with range cattle. The most common complaint is:
"The cattle are eating/destroying my stuff. The rancher needs to come get them".
This is a really unfortunate scenario, and I regret that people are upset. Thanks to the drought conditions we are once again experiencing in this region the cattle seem hungry for plastics - extension cords, grocery and trash bags, construction materials, and so on. Our veterinarian believes this is due to some sort of mineral deficiency, so even though we keep trace mineral block available to the cattle always, we are working to find a solution that will hopefully keep the cattle more healthy and less interested in plastics and trash.
The tragic side effect that this appetite is having on the cattle is that once they ingest plastic it is often deadly for them. We have found multiple dead cows and calves with trash bags, grocery sacks, hay string, and other fatal plastic impactions. Even if it doesn't immediately kill the animal the trash in its system can sabotage its ability to process food. Many of the skinny cattle you see on the range are slowly dying from a trash-impacted system. So please, folks, please clean up any trash you see. Plastic bags are a huge and sinister threat to the health of our cattle, and likely to the local deer herd as well.
Residents wish we (the ranchers) would "come get the cows". And in a few cases we are able to do so. But here's the thing; the cattle are already where they belong. They are within our Federally designated allotment boundary. They need to remain there. Folks, there is only one really good way to keep cattle out of your business, and that's a really good fence. You don't need to fence your whole property, just the area around your home and outbuildings. Fencing is expensive, yes, but if done right will last a lifetime.
Again, folks, I regret any inconvenience the cattle may cause to you. Our inconvenience is massive as well - dying cattle, compromised travel routes for the cattle, domestic dogs harassing cattle and killing calves, and more. Just remember, it was your choice to move here - the desert and it's resident cattle and wildlife were already here.
I truly wish realtors would make prospective residents aware of the ramifications, as well as the delights, of living on the range.
A second complaint that seems prevalent lately is dead, smelly cows on the side of the road. Folks, we try when we can to drag them away, but legally it's not our responsibility and it's not always possible. And as one observant soul mentioned, it serves as a sobering reminder to slow down. People drive way, way too fast on these roads, especially when it's dark and very difficult to see a black cow. Please just slow down. It'll only take you a few minutes more to reach your destination.
There seem to be some misconceptions about what happens after you hit a cow in Arizona. The best thing for you is to call the rancher and provide your vehicle insurance information. By state law you are required to reimburse the rancher for his loss, and your liability insurance will usually take care of that for you. Most times it won't need to come out of your pocket, and we as ranchers will appreciate it - and your honesty - immensely.
Now I have a request for you, as my neighbors. Please do not let your dogs run. There are some dogs in the area - someone's pets - who have been chasing cows, singling out the calves, and pulling them down and killing them for sport. We are already walking a tightrope financially, and these losses are really hard. And it's a completely unnecessary tragedy. The law requires you to maintain control of your dogs. Please do so.
Folks, this desert is a lovely place, and I would like to live here in harmony with you. We must all simply put in the effort required to subsist peacefully. I'm in if you are.
La Cienega Ranch.
