Ranchers are struggling land stewards in the eyes of
New Mexicans, a new poll has found. A University of New Mexico
telephone poll found that only 33 percent of the respondents
thought cows damage the environment, although 49 percent said
environmental preservation should be the top priority of
public-land management. Eighty percent contended that maintaining
ranching traditions is important, 50 percent thought typical New
Mexico ranchers are struggling to survive, and 73 percent mildly or
strongly supported giving family ranchers breaks on grazing fees
and regulations. Al Schneberger, director of the New Mexico Cattle
Growers Association, said the survey reflects diminishing public
trust in environmentalists and their message. Silver City grazing
activist Susan Schock said the survey tells her that people can see
land bashed by cows but not understand how it got that way. – Tony
Davis
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Ranchers backed.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
