College of Agriculture, University of Arizona,
Arizona Land and People, Vol. 47, Number 2
Preconditioning Test for Hopi CattleRanchers who want to join the modern ranching world have to concentrate on finding better markets and making sure their cattle will qualify for top prices. A preconditioning project with cattle from eight Hopi herds had a very noticeable effect, says Arnold Taylor, Sr., director of the Hopi Department of Natural Resources. "Matt Livingston has done a very good job of assisting ranchers who want to improve cattle marketability." Taylor says that Hopi beef cattle are known throughout the country as animals that can put on weight. "We want to build on that reputation." Livingston, the UA Cooperative Extension agent for The Hopi Tribe, set up a preconditioning trial with 76 steers from this year's calf crop. They were fed 21 days on grass, hay, alfalfa, and cottonseed meal, at three percent of their body weight. The steers' average weight was 428 pounds at the trial's beginning and 484 pounds at the end, for an average gain of better than two pounds/day. Thirteen of the animals had a 90-pound gain; these ranchers made a much better profit, Matt says. Other ranchers didn't fare as well. The range conditions varied greatly, influencing steer weights coming into the project. Also, several ranchers hadn't castrated or dehorned their animals; their weight gain slowed after the procedures. Ranchers tried to reduce cattle stress, a major problem when young animals are shipped from ranch to market and feedlots. "We got the cattle mellowed out, used to people, not worried about noise," Matt says. The preconditioning project had help from Adrienne Ruby, tribal veterinarian, and many UA specialists, including Edward Martin, extension biosystems engineering specialist; Richard Rice, extension livestock specialist; and James Sprinkle, Gila County Extension animal scientist. "I'm very glad we carried out our decision to do the preconditioning project," says a Hopi rancher who took part. "It's brought us together; I hope we do it again." Document part of 1999 Native American Programs in the College of Agriculture |