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A 73-Year-Old Man Mauled to Death by Two Dogs in Santa Rosa. Dog Owner Now Facing Third-Degree Felony, State Police Reports.

Gregg Morgan
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A 73-Year-Old Man Mauled to Death by Two Dogs in Santa Rosa. Dog Owner Now Facing Third-Degree Felony, State Police Reports.

Two dogs with a reported history of attacks violently attacked a 73-year-old man outside his home, resulting in his death, according to investigators.

New Mexico State Police said its Investigations Bureau took over the fatal dog attack case. The Santa Rosa police and the state police first responded Friday to a home near Tapia Road.

Agents identified as Randy Wade were outside his home when two dogs attacked him near a shed. The dogs belonged to 52-year-old James Campbell. 

Authorities said Campbell and a woman were staying at Wade’s home. The woman witnessed the attack from outside and called Campbell for help. 

Campbell, who was inside the home, went outside and secured the dogs in an enclosure. He then moved Wade to the front porch, where he found him dead. The woman called 911.

During an interview with investigators, Campbell acknowledged that he knew authorities had previously deemed his dogs vicious. Investigators also learned that both dogs were pit bull mixes and had reportedly been involved in an earlier attack. The dogs had recently left an animal shelter.

Police charged Campbell with a third-degree felony for a dangerous dog attack that resulted in a person’s death.

NMSP continues to investigate the case. 

The source said this is not the first fatal dog attack reported in New Mexico in recent years. In Tucumcari, less than an hour away, two people pleaded guilty in 2024 to charges stemming from a 2023 dog attack. A court sentenced them to roughly six years in prison.

Brant.One will continue updating this article as more information becomes available, helping readers stay informed about the latest developments. 

New Mexico Judge Strikes Down Seven-Day Gun Waiting Period, But Ruling Applies Only to the Two People Who Challenged It

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico Judge Strikes Down Seven-Day Gun Waiting Period, But Ruling Applies Only to the Two People Who Challenged It

In a highly unusual ruling, a federal judge has struck down New Mexico’s controversial seven-day waiting period for firearm purchases, but the decision applies only to the two people who sued the state.

U.S. District Judge James Browning ruled on Thursday that New Mexico cannot enforce the Waiting Period Act against Samuel Ortega and Rebecca Scott. The duo challenged the law after they were not allowed to take immediate possession of firearms they had attempted to purchase in 2024.

But the ruling stopped well short of the sweeping decision gun-rights advocates had expected. The waiting period remains in effect for some 2.12 million residents of New Mexico, leaving gun owners, firearms dealers, and lawyers wondering what will happen next.

Michael McCoy, director of the Mountain States Legal Foundation’s Center to Keep and Bear Arms, said the ruling essentially means that the state is holding the next move. “The court, in essence, just said, ‘I still think the law is constitutional, but I’m going to issue a permanent injunction as it pertains to the two named plaintiffs in the case,’” McCoy said.

“Unfortunately, Judge Browning decided to take King Solomon up on his ‘great’ idea to split the baby. Big mistake,” McCoy, in a statement posted on social media, wrote. “The decision prevents the state from enforcing the waiting period law against our two named plaintiffs, but leaves open the ability of the state to enforce the law against the other 2.12 million people who live in New Mexico.”

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration, meanwhile, said it does not believe the law should be scrapped. Lauren Rodriguez, speaking for the New Mexico Department of Justice, said the state is reviewing the ruling and deciding how to proceed. “The State defended this case, and we firmly stand by our position that the waiting period was lawful and that New Mexico has a legitimate and important interest in protecting the public,” Rodriguez said.

Michael Coleman, a spokesperson for Lujan Grisham, said the law remains in effect for everyone except Ortega and Scott. He added that the state will almost certainly appeal.

The governor’s office believes the waiting period is a public-safety measure, arguing that the seven-day delay gives law enforcement ample time for a thorough background check and creates a cooling-off period between the decision to purchase a gun and taking it home.

Coleman said such a pause is particularly important in preventing suicides and other deaths involving firearms. “This is a targeted fix for a specific problem: checks that don’t finish in time and purchases made in a moment of crisis,” he said.

It has changed everything

After the New Mexico lawmakers passed the Waiting Period Act in 2024, it took effect in May of that year. And on the same day the law took effect, Ortega and Scott attempted to purchase firearms, but they were told to wait for seven days.

The two joined the National Rifle Association in challenging the law, naming Lujan Grisham and Attorney General Raúl Torrez as defendants.

Initially, a federal judge rejected their request to halt the law. But the case took a dramatic turn when they brought their case to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.

The Court of Appeals reversed the lower court’s decision, concluding that the waiting period was “likely an unconstitutional burden” on the Second Amendment rights of New Mexicans.

New Mexico asked the appeals court to reconsider. That request was denied.

Then, the case returned to Browning’s courtroom. That is where Thursday’s ruling produced its unusual result.

The federal judge made clear that he personally disagreed with the appeals court’s conclusion. Nevertheless, he was bound by the higher court’s decision. “The Court is bound by the Tenth Circuit’s decision and the law of the case,” Browning wrote.

Instead of declaring the waiting-period law unconstitutional for every New Mexican, Browning issued a permanent injunction preventing the state from enforcing it against the two plaintiffs.

Caught in the middle

The ruling is a new headache for firearms dealers who have spent more than two years trying to deal with the law. Gun-store owners had expected that the court would finally provide a clear answer on whether they could stop enforcing the seven-day delay. They have been left waiting again, instead.

McCoy said gun dealers are effectively “treading water” as they wait to see what the state does next. Gun store owners could face legal risks for not complying if the state continues to enforce the law. 

But if they continue enforcing a law that a federal appeals court has already found likely unconstitutional, they could face possible lawsuits.

Erik Rasmussen, a board member and former president of the New Mexico Firearms Industry Association, said his organization has advised firearms dealers to continue following the waiting-period law until the state announces its position.

He said the law has already taken a financial toll on firearms businesses. Rasmussen owns Right to Bear Arms in Albuquerque. Some customers from outside New Mexico are no longer willing to make a second trip to the state to collect their firearms after the seven-day wait. Others have simply abandoned their purchases after learning they have to wait for another seven days.

Dealers have to bear the burden of dedicating additional space to storing firearms while customers wait. “It has certainly had a financial impact on all of our businesses,” Rasmussen said.

What will happen?

The legal battle is not yet over, with gun rights advocates asking why the state enforces the seven-day waiting period against anyone else if the appeals court found the Second Amendment had violated the rights of Ortega and Scott.

Further lawsuits could follow if the state attempts to enforce the waiting period against other residents, McCoy said.

John Commerford, executive director of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, also said the organization intends to keep fighting. “We have a clear decision from the 10th Circuit that this law is unconstitutional,” Commerford said.

The state, however, maintains that the Waiting Period Act is lawful and says it is now weighing its options.

Inside Dime Time School Store Helping Teenage Parents Balance Diapers With Their Education

Ruben Reyes
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It is expensive raising a baby, and the strain can feel almost impossible to bear for teen parents who are trying to balance diapers with their education

Now, a high school program offers young mothers and fathers the opportunity to complete their education while supporting their new families by providing crucial on-site childcare so they can attend classes at New Futures High School without dropping out. 

The campus also maintains Dime Time, a unique on-site shop that has been quietly transforming lives for three decades. 

Bargains and budgeting 

Community donations help keep the store open, offering virtually everything a newborn or toddler could need, such as clothes, shoes, strollers, and toys.

However, the store operates under a unique rule: almost every item is priced at just 10 cents, instead of simply handing out handouts.

A dedicated teacher, who wanted to ensure students received the help they needed while learning valuable lessons about budgeting and personal responsibility, launched the concept 30 years ago.

“Dime Time” allows young parents to stretch limited budgets into essential wardrobes:

Catherine Reihing, a sophomore mother, said she regularly visits the shop with only $2. She leaves the store with five outfits for her baby.

Another sophomore, Saile Almanzar, confessed she had no baby supplies during her pregnancy. The store helped her meet her needs.

Young father Joshua Hillard continues her high school education while raising two infants. He described the combination of daily education and affordable baby supplies as a life-changing blessing.

A school principal who walks in their shoes 

The concept to keep young parents in school comes straight from the head of the school, Principal Desiree Sprinher. She understands the pressures her students face better than most because she was once a teenage mother herself.

Sprinher shows her students that having a child does not mean giving up on their ambitions. Her mission is to get young parents back on track. She keeps them focused on earning their diplomas before transitioning into college, trade programs, or rewarding careers.

According to sophomore Demetrius Reese, the program provides the emotional strength needed to move forward in life, noting that the joy of raising a child ultimately outweighs every hardship along the way.

Relying on the generosity of the community, New Futures High School accepts donations of gently used baby gear and essentials.

Albuquerque Teen Athlete To Represent USA in International Jiu-Jitsu World Championship

Ruben Reyes
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A 12-year-old athlete from Albuquerque is set to represent the country in jiu-jitsu at the International Combat Organization World Championship in France from October 14 to 18. 

Jayla Perkins’ journey began when her family moved from California to Albuquerque, betting on her potential and training opportunities at Jackson Wink MMA Academy, a renowned training ground for professional fighters. 

Her dream of becoming a fighter began at age 5 as she watched matches on TV with her father. 

Tiana Perkins, Jayla’s mom, says it’s crazy to think that sometimes, when a 5-year-old tells you something, they could know what they are talking about. 

Jayla is the oldest of six children, and over the years, she has competed in 12 states, earning more than 200 wins, including more than 190 submissions. 

Tiana remembers pretty much every medal she has earned over the years. 

The Journey Was Not Easy

It took her several different tournaments and tries before she got a single medal, or third place, even. And she kept sticking with it. 

And just like any other teen, Jayla has life outside the mat. She is the only girl in her school’s football team, the Albuquerque Bulldogs. 

Her grit and toughness stem from her early life experiences, according to her mother. 

During Jayla’s early stages of her life, they were homeless, living in a car. 

To her mom, it was where Jayla found her same flexibility in life–her initial foundation in her life has allowed her to have flexibility even in the face of uncertainty during competition. 

Jason Howells, the head jiu-jitsu instructor at Next Move, says the innate toughness she has is easy to spot when she’s competing. He said Jayla looked the 

Her Competition In France

However, they are facing a challenge. Jayla, her five siblings, and her parents need to get to France in October for the competition. 

But, they’ve already got some help lined up from none other than UFC legend Jon Jones. 

Jones and Jayla recently appeared in a viral Instagram post, where Jones promised to try to match the total amount raised in a GoFundMe campaign to help at least Jaylas secure passport, flights, lodging, and meals for the international tournament.

Jayla will compete on October 14 in France, where she will face top athletes from around the world. 

New Mexico’s 58,000-Home Shortage: 5 Bold Fixes That Could Finally End the Crisis

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico’s 58,000-Home Shortage: 5 Bold Fixes That Could Finally End the Crisis

A new report says the complex permitting rules, inconsistent local regulations, and lengthy approval processes have contributed to the 58,000-home shortage in New Mexico. 

A recent report from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University argues that New Mexico should streamline the approval process for housing projects and bring greater consistency to housing regulations to address the shortage

Median rents in New Mexico, according to a 2025 analysis by the Pew Charitable Trusts, increased by 60 percent between October 2017 and October 2024, way above the national increase of 27 percent.

Housing prices soared by 70 percent during the same period, pushing the cost of typical New Mexico housing above $300,000, leaving would-be buyers and renters with fewer choices and higher prices.

Housing permit requirements vary across the state, with some local governments running relatively efficient systems, the Mercatus report says. Others, however, are bogged down by layers of approvals and regulations, leaving housing projects stuck in bureaucratic limbo.

Discretionary approvals are one of the biggest problems, as proposed housing developments must go through case-by-case reviews and public hearings.

The report warns that although public participation is important, these hearings can give disproportionate influence to a small group of residents with the time and ability to attend.

That can lead to inconsistent interpretations of zoning rules and, ultimately, to projects being delayed or blocked, resulting in fewer homes being built and increased competition for existing homes. And those who cannot afford the rising costs are pushed further to the margins.

Housing command center

The report also called on New Mexico to create a dedicated state Division of Housing. Such an agency could coordinate what is now a fragmented effort involving local governments and multiple state agencies.

Salim Furth, senior research fellow and director of the Urbanity Project at the Mercatus Center, said the state lacks a central entity to coordinate a comprehensive housing strategy.

States such as Colorado and Washington have already created agencies to perform this role. New Mexico, according to Furth, needs to create one, too, if it wants to get out of the 58,000-housing hole.

Five-way solutions

The Mercatus Center outlines five solutions to close the 58,000-home deficit.

1. Communities should establish their preferences when comprehensive plans and zoning rules are being written or updated, rather than asking residents to fight over individual housing projects.

That would give residents a meaningful voice while providing developers with clearer rules before they invest millions of dollars in a project.

2. Projects that meet the standards established by communities should generally receive by-right approval rather than be subjected to another discretionary political process.

Albuquerque, Farmington, and Las Cruces have adopted expanded versions of this approach. This means a project should be approved if it complies with the rules.

3. Local governments should regularly monitor how long permits take, identify bottlenecks where applications are held up, and pinpoint which requirements cause unnecessary delays.

It is difficult to fix it without measuring the problem.

Setting clear timelines and reviewing bottlenecks could expose bureaucratic roadblocks that quietly add months and costs to housing projects.

4. Permitting should be made simpler wherever possible. That could mean allowing different agencies to review plans simultaneously, rather than forcing developers to complete one stage before the next can begin.

It could also mean eliminating unnecessary approvals and reducing duplicative requirements.

Every extra delay adds to construction costs. And homeowners and renters eventually pay those costs.

5. The report also recommends direct funding for housing development and waiving impact fees for affordable housing units.

The idea is simply to make it possible to build the homes New Mexico desperately needs.

Nearly 3 in 10 Albuquerque Students Are Chronically Absent as Schools Battle Post-Pandemic Attendance Crisis

Gregg Morgan
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Nearly 3 in 10 Albuquerque Students Are Chronically Absent as Schools Battle Post-Pandemic Attendance Crisis

Is your child missing too much school? Even the best teachers, curriculum, and schools can’t help students if they aren’t there. Regular attendance gives children the opportunity to learn, participate, and keep up with their classmates.

Albuquerque Public Schools marks September as Attendance Awareness Month. The designation began over a decade ago to highlight attendance’s role in academic achievement and future success.

“The simple fact is that we can’t teach students if they’re not in school,” APS Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey said.

She said students who miss a lot of school frequently fall behind. Reading, math and other subjects build on lessons from previous days. Good attendance builds habits students need for success in college, careers, and life, where consistent participation matters, she said. 

“Chronic absenteeism is a problem that school districts across the country have been grappling with, particularly since the pandemic. Our district hasn’t escaped that trend,” Durán Blakey said.

The year before the pandemic hit, 24.1% of APS students were chronically absent. These learners missed 10% or more of the school year. That figure jumped to 34.2% in the 2022-2023 school year. The district has made modest progress since then, but the rate remains too high. Last school year, 29.8% of the students were chronically absent.

Five Schools With the Biggest Drops in Chronic Absenteeism 

Durán Blakey said 59 APS schools reduced their chronic absenteeism rates from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026. In her weekly message, she recognized the five with the largest year-to-year reductions. 

  • Freedom High School cut its chronic absenteeism rate by 33 percentage points last year, from 91% to 58%.
  • Wilson Middle School cut its rate 17 percentage points.
  • New Futures High School saw a 15 percentage point decrease.
  • E. G. Ross Elementary School drops by 10 percentage points.
  • A. Montoya Elementary School posted a 9 percentage improvement. 

“Congratulations to the leaders, staff and families from these five schools who made tremendous gains last year, and congratulations to the other 54 schools who improved!’ the APS chief said. 

How APS Is Addressing Chronic Absenteeism 

Durán Blakey said the district has a team that helps schools use data to identify attendance problems early. The team also connects students and families with resources address underlying issues. 

Called the Attendance Support Unit, it falls under the Coordinated School Health Department umbrella. The group recently held its Fall Attendance Conference for principals, counselors, teaching and learning coaches and others who support students.

“We recognize that’s only part of the solution,” Durán Blakey said. 

She said she believes APS can boost attendance by fostering a culture of belonging in every school.

Building Belonging Through School Redesign

She added she is particularly excited about the attendance gains observed at Wilson Middle School. The district launched a middle school redesign initiative to create a more student-centered learning environment. The initiative encourages teacher collaboration and groups students based on individual needs and interests. 

Wilson was an early adopter of the program and has used the teaming model for two years. The approach has helped the school create a strong sense of belonging.

“Students who feel like they belong are more likely to show up every day,” Durán Blakey said. 

She said she wants every student to have a trusted adult at school and know they will be missed when absent. She also wants every student to join a club, team, or activity that builds connections with peers.

“We have the power to foster this sense of belonging within our schools, and we can begin by greeting every student with a smile,” the APS chief said. 

Multi-State Manhunt Ends With Fugitive Found Hiding in a Closet After Investigators Track Her to New Mexico

Juan Oliveros
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Multi-State Manhunt Ends With Fugitive Found Hiding in a Closet After Investigators Track Her to New Mexico

A multi-state manhunt ended with the arrest of a fugitive in New Mexico, who was also sought as a key witness in a Denver homicide investigation.  

Twenty-year-old Jayde Guerrero had been moving across different states, leaving investigators to piece together her trail through Oklahoma and New Mexico before the arrest came.

On August 25, agents with the New Mexico State Police Crime Suppression Bureau were contacted by special agents from the Denver District Attorney’s Office, who were seeking help in locating and arresting Guerrero.

She had multiple warrants in Texas involving parole, sex offender, and human trafficking violations. But Guerrero had also been identified as a key witness in connection with a recent homicide in Denver, Colorado.

Investigators learned she had recently been in Albuquerque and had traveled through both Oklahoma and New Mexico. The operation involving NMSP Fugitive Apprehension Unit agents and narcotics agents to arrest her came after the agents received information placing her in the Carlsbad area.

Upon arriving on North 2nd Street, the investigators found the vehicle linked to Guerrero parked outside a residence. The homeowner confirmed to the agents that Guerrero was inside and gave them permission to enter, at which point they found her hiding in a closet.

The arrest allowed the Denver investigators to proceed with their own case. After the special agents from Denver were notified, they traveled to Carlsbad, where they interviewed Guerrero about her potential role as a material witness in the Denver homicide investigation.

Guerrero’s arrest underscores the value of persistence, surveillance, and cooperation between law enforcement agencies. Her arrest is an example of a suspect who had managed to stay on the move but was eventually found just where investigators believed she would be.

Winter is Coming: New Mexico’s First Freezing Temperatures Are Just Days Away as Summer’s Grip Begins to Loosen

Juan Oliveros
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Winter is Coming: New Mexico’s First Freezing Temperatures Are Just Days Away as Summer’s Grip Begins to Loosen

Winter is coming in some parts of New Mexico, while much of the state is still experiencing scorching heat under late-August sunshine.  Some of the state’s elevated communities are edging toward the time of year when temperatures can plunge below freezing, with the first 32°F nights typically arriving as early as the first week of September.

According to the National Weather Service, the Red River will have its average first freeze around September 7, based on climate averages for 1991–2020. That puts the high mountain community only days away from its typical annual freeze.

Eagle Nest follows around September 14, while Chama normally sees its first freeze around September 18.

The countdown continues across New Mexico as the state moves from its high peaks and mountain valleys toward the warmer lowlands.

But these are climate averages, not a forecast for 2026. A particular location can freeze substantially earlier or later depending on the weather pattern that year.

The cold arrives first in the mountains

The first to experience the earliest average freezes are the mountains of northern New Mexico. After Red River, Eagle Nest, and Chama, Dulce typically reaches 32°F around September 22.

In the south and east, Taos and Pecos will have their first freeze around October 3, followed by Las Vegas on October 7 and Raton on October 9.

Los Alamos reaches its first freeze around October 12, while the Santa Fe Airport averages its first 32°F reading around October 15.

That means there can be a difference of more than a month between the first freezes in New Mexico’s coldest mountain communities and the lower elevations around Albuquerque.

When will Albuquerque freeze?

The first freeze generally arrives much later for Albuquerque and the central valleys. Corrales averages its first 32°F freeze around October 17. And Los Lunas follows on October 21, with the Albuquerque Foothills around October 23, while the South Valley is around October 24.

Socorro averages its first freeze around October 25. But residents around Albuquerque’s Sunport typically have to wait much longer, with the average first freeze not arriving until November 3.

The difference becomes striking in the farther south. Elephant Butte averages its first freeze around November 15.

Not the only early-freeze zone

The Northwest also begins cooling as autumn starts. Chaco Canyon will see its first freeze around September 27. It will be followed by Gallup on September 28, and Zuni on October 2. Aztec averages October 6, while Farmington’s first freeze will arrive around October 15.

Cloudcroft and Estancia in the Central Mountains both average their first freeze around October 1. Moriarty follows on October 4, Ruidoso on October 5, and Clines Corners on October 7. And Sandia Park and Mountainair average their first freeze around October 9.

Eastern Plains have more time

Freezing temperatures generally arrive later across eastern New Mexico. Clayton will have its first freeze around October 11. Santa Rosa follows on October 23, with Clovis around October 24, Tucumcari on October 25, and Portales on October 26.

In southeastern New Mexico, Artesia typically reaches freezing around October 29, and Roswell around October 30.

Carlsbad and Hobbs will experience the late freeze on November 12 and 13, respectively.

Southern New Mexico could stay frost-free into November

It usually takes even longer for winter to arrive in southern New Mexico.

Lordsburg averages its first freeze around October 25. Deming follows on November 3, while Truth or Consequences averages November 5.

Las Cruces and New Mexico State University will not reach 32°F until around November 13. And Alamogordo has one of the latest average first freezes in the state, around November 18.

That will be a statewide spread from a typical first freeze in Red River in early September to one in Alamogordo more than two months later.

But the mountains can freeze at almost any time

Given New Mexico’s dramatic elevation changes. Some mountain and elevated plateau areas can experience freezing temperatures outside their typical autumn window.

The National Weather Service notes that parts of northern and western New Mexico can freeze at virtually any time of year. So while September 7 is the climate-average date of the first freeze for Red River, it does not mean the thermometer is destined to hit 32°F on that exact date this year.

Meanwhile, there is no statewide 2026 freeze deadline looming on the calendar. But the numbers offer a reminder of what will come.

In the state’s elevated communities, the transition from summer to winter can happen with astonishing speed, and the first real taste of frost may be closer than expected.

Michelin Guide Lands in New Mexico for the First Time and 12 Restaurants Make the Cut Without a Single Star

Ruben Reyes
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For the first time in Southwest America, the famous Michelin Guide is recognizing 12 New Mexico restaurants as part of its new Southwest series, which honors locations in our state, as well as Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. 

Two Albuquerque restaurants and 10 Santa Fe restaurants celebrated this week in an event in Las Vegas. 

While Michelin didn’t hand out any of its highly coveted stars to restaurants in New Mexico, it named some as “Recommended Restaurants,” and others received the special “Bib Gourmand” distinction for providing high-quality food at an affordable price. 

The Michelin Guide honored Campo at Los Poblanos and Frontier in Albuquerque, and Paper Dosa, La Choza, Jambo Cafe, and Tia Sophia’s in Santa as Bib Gourmand Selections. Meanwhile, it honored Restaurant Martin, Market Steer, Paloma, Arroyo Vino, and Izanami as “Recommended Restaurants.”

Michelin recognition makes Los Poblanos Executive Director Matthew Rembe feel wonderful, along with Frontier. He also mentioned peeling back the layers of the city to explore Albuquerque. 

While some may have been surprised by Frontier, many of its fans say it deserves the recognition.

A frequent Frontier-goer says their food is fairly priced, with large portions, and that people are friendly in the restaurant. 

Campo has also received individual honors for Chef Christopher Bethony and Spirits Manager Joseph Simonson. 

A Total Shift In How Michelin Operates

The first Michelin recognition in the Southwest represents a shift in how Michelin operates, according to Rembe. 

To him, he loves that Michelin is now rating different regions around cities, not just big cities anymore. He was also pleased that Albuquerque received recognition alongside Santa Fe because he considers the people behind Santa Fe eateries ‘heroes’ who have shaped the culinary arts of the state.

He says there is no doubt that the state should be nationally and internationally recognized because of how unique its cuisine is. 

This recognition will boost the number of visitors to the state and the food industry in the state. 

New Mexico Cattle Growers Warn Trump’s Beef Gamble to Flood America With Cheaper Imports Sends ‘Wrong Signal at the Wrong Time’

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico Cattle Growers Warn Trump’s Beef Gamble to Flood America With Cheaper Imports Sends ‘Wrong Signal at the Wrong Time’

President Donald Trump has been casting himself as a champion of American farmers. Now, one of the country’s conservative ranching industries is warning that the president’s latest beef policy could leave cattle producers feeling betrayed.

The New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association says Trump’s decision to open the door to more beef imports sends the “wrong signal at the wrong time.” It comes at a moment when American ranchers are being forced to make some of their biggest financial decisions as they enter the crucial culling season, when unwanted bulls and calves are sold as cattle reach peak weight, and also when producers are preparing for the expensive winter feeding months ahead.

More imported beef, particularly cheaper ground beef, could put pressure on the prices ranchers receive for their cattle just as they are trying to protect cash flow.

Trump’s August 26 executive order makes clear that his administration hopes to have cheaper beef for American consumers. The president expects the order could bring in ground beef that can be sold at a discount to current prices, making it affordable for hard-working Americans.

The order may look like a welcome relief at the supermarket checkout, but cheaper beef could mean cheaper cattle. “A smaller check tightens cash flow at the exact moment producers are weighing whether, even assuming drought conditions break, they can afford to retain heifers,” the New Mexico association lamented.

The president’s decision matters far beyond a single sale, as keeping heifers means rebuilding and expanding herds. That is something ranchers may desperately want to do after years of drought and difficult conditions.

But if cattle prices fall, ranchers could decide they simply cannot afford to keep those animals. It could lead ranchers to sell more cattle today to stay afloat financially, making it harder to rebuild the nation’s domestic herd tomorrow.

That is why the association says the administration’s message troubles them. The ranchers said they do not need policies that can significantly alter the market from one order to the next, saying they need confidence to make decisions that stretch years into the future.

As they criticized the new beef import order, however, New Mexico’s cattle growers praised the administration for reopening some cattle imports from Mexico after it closed the border amid fears over New World screwworm.

Authorities have detected the flesh-eating parasite, which preys on cattle and other animals, across Mexico and Central America, prompting U.S. officials to develop testing and other safeguards before allowing cattle movements to resume.

Protecting the health of America’s cattle herd must remain a priority, the association says. It also says the ranchers who raise those cattle need protection because they are crucial to the survival of rural communities. “New Mexico Cattle Growers will keep saying it plainly to the Administration and to the Congress: we must protect the health of the US cattle herd, and we must keep the ranchers who produce those cattle, and who are critical to our rural communities, on the landscape,” the group said.

The New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association particpates to the NMSU Ag Science Field Day in Los Lunas on August 14. (Image courtesy of NMCGA)

Their bigger concern is about consistency. Ranchers cannot plan their businesses around the next presidential announcement, underscoring that raising cattle requires long-term investments. “Lasting relief depends on thoughtful policy that lets ranchers plan five years out, instead of policy built around the next 90-day announcement,” the association said.

That is the uncomfortable truth facing Trump’s beef strategy. The administration wants to make meat more affordable for everybody. But the quickest way to lower prices at the checkout counters could put significant pressure on the very ranchers America needs to maintain a strong domestic cattle supply.

New Mexico’s cattle growers stressed that helping consumers today should not come at the expense of destroying the confidence American ranchers need to do business tomorrow.

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