Mel, Cheryl & Krys Gnatkowski
Photo Courtesy of James Spawn
|
My family has been ranching in and around Lincoln County since my great-grandfather Mell came to New Mexico in 1880. In 1936, my family began putting a ranch together east of Ancho, New Mexico. And in 1976, they began buying the ranch north of Ancho where we live now. We moved to that ranch in 1992. At first we raised commercial Angus cattle. But droughty years and low beef prices convinced us that Corrientes were the answer for ranching in this dry climate.
- Corriente cattle cost less to run. In a normal year they require no supplemental feeding.
- There is zero calving trouble. The first calf heifers calve with the cows.
- Corriente cows are productive 20 plus years and the bulls are fertile and active to 12 years of age.
- Corriente cattle utilize the country better. Their grazing pattern resembles an elk herd in the wild. There is less animal impact because of their small frame.
- The market for Corrientes is not affected by the boom or bust cycle of the beef market. Roping steer prices have been in a steady upward trend for decades.
- The growth of the roping/rodeo industry has created a need for roping stock that shows no sign of weakening.
In 1994 we started our herd with fullblood NACA registered Corrientes from reputable breeders. On that foundation we have built a herd with the goals of conformation, performance and fertility in mind.
- For a bull or heifer to enter our herd, not only do they have to have correct confirmation, they must rope well.
- Bulls must have enough horn growth for to be roped at 12 months of age and heifers at 14 months of age.
- We select for bulls and heifers that stay small so they can be roped for two years. And we rope our herd sires for two years
- Our heifers calve as two year olds and every year thereafter. If a cow misses a year, she leaves our herd.
|
|
|
Email us at:
melgnatkowski@tularosa.net
|
|
