Cattlemen’s Association says industry needs active support to remain strong

Water issues, property taxes and wolves are just a few of things that have cattlemen concerned about the future of their industry.

Wayne Semler, president of the regional cattlemen’s association, said it will take unity to persevere through hard times in agriculture.

The La Plata-Archuleta Cattlemen’s Association honored Cattleman of the Year Duane Cugnini of Hi Country Auction. The La Plata-Archuleta Cattlemen’s Association celebrated its 72nd year at the Ute Sky Casino’s Event Center on Saturday. It’s the 154th year for the state’s Cattlemen’s Association.

Erin Karney, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association industry advancement director, said increasing membership is vital to making sure the beef and cattle industry remains viable in La Plata and Archuleta counties.

Karney, who will replace Terry Fankhauser in the role of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association executive vice president in August, said there are two ways to ensure cattle and beef thrive in the region.

No. 1, become a member and support the local industry. No. 2, be engaged and active with the Legislature about bills that stand to benefit or harm beef and cattle industries.

Semler shared Karney’s sentiments in an interview Saturday with The Durango Herald.

He said the cattle industry, and agriculture as a whole, is suffering from multiple pain points.

Urban and commercial development, water issues heightened by drought, rising property taxes and the prospect of the reintroduction of wolves are all issues that concern members of the cattle industry in the region, Semler said.

“From the farmer’s side of it, grain prices are up, but will they stay?” he said. “ ... And that’s a double-edged sword. What are grain prices going to do to the cattle industry?”

Semler said alternatives to beef are still based in agriculture and so they face the same challenges.

He said people moving to the area don’t understand agriculture and don’t understand their impacts on agriculture.

“Everybody has to eat,” he said. “You may need a banker or a lawyer or a doctor once in your lifetime. But we need a farmer every day.”

On wolves, Semler said looks can be deceiving.

“The wolf deal looked good to people in Boulder,” he said. “But it’s not real good when the wolf’s eating your cows or decimating your cow herd.”

He said the reintroduction of wolves could impact people’s livelihoods.

“Today, it might be somebody’s cows or heifers but tomorrow it might be your kids,” he said. “Or somebody’s dogs or cats. It’s not just about, ‘Oh, they’re so beautiful.’”

He said wolf reintroduction won’t just affect agriculture. It will hit hunting and other areas as well.

But Semler said he is optimistic about the “amazing” strength of cattlemen, ranchers and farmers.

“They’re tough people,” he said. “They’ve gotta be to survive what they’re up against.”

He said “everybody needs to be involved,” from the grassroots level and up in order to support agriculture and the beef and cattle industries. He said he’s thankful for all the support the cattlemen’s association receives and he is glad for the banquet’s strong turnout.

The Cattlemen’s Association held two auctions, one being a silent auction, and several raffles throughout the evening, during which about 300 guests mingled and dined on a prime rib buffet.

Nate Wright, who was also the auctioneer for the evening, won the quilts.

Public figures who attended the event included Colorado Sen. Don Coram, Rep. Barbara McLachlan, La Plata County Commissioners Marsha Porter-Norton and Clyde Church and Matt Salka, as well as candidates for La Plata County commission Brad Blake, Jack Turner and House District 59 candidate Shelly Shaw.

The scholarship recipients must have a parent or grandparent who is a member of the cattlemen’s association, although one extra scholarship is up for grabs for anyone without a membership. They must retain a high grade-point average as well as volunteer with the cattlemen’s association.

Six young men and women were acknowledged for scholarships, including three from the cattlemen’s association and three from the closely affiliated cowbelles association.

They were:

Cattlemen’s Scholarship recipients:

La Plata County Cowbelles scholarship recipients:

cburney@durangoherald.com

An earlier version of this story included a photo caption that misidentified Duane Cugnini’s daughters and granddaughters.