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Linkages Between acequia Farming and Rangeland Grazing in Traditional Agropastoral Communities of the Southwestern USA

Author

Listed:
  • Stephanie C. López

    (Formerly Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA)

  • Andrés F. Cibils

    (Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA)

  • Ursula R. Smedly

    (Formerly Sustainable Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde, New Mexico State University, Alcalde, NM 87511, USA)

  • Steven J. Guldan

    (Sustainable Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde, New Mexico State University, Alcalde, NM 87511, USA)

  • Alexander G. Fernald

    (Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA)

  • Carlos G. Ochoa

    (Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA)

  • Kenneth G. Boykin

    (Center for Applied Spatial Ecology, NM Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA)

  • Lilian Cibils

    (Department of Curriculum & Instruction, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA)

Abstract

Many agropastoral systems worldwide are supported by important linkages between crop production and rangeland grazing. We explored the connections between smallholder farming and public rangeland grazing in northern New Mexico, USA. We retrieved historical data of livestock inventories, drought, and hay production which we analyzed using either ordinary least squares models, generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity models (GARCH), or exponential GARCH models. We also conducted a survey of farmers and ranchers ( n = 74) of traditional communities in our study area using a mixed methods design. County hay production was the only predictor that explained year-to-year variation in allotment livestock numbers. Allotments that increased livestock numbers tended to have larger base properties (mostly irrigated cropland). Most survey respondents (95%) raised livestock and slightly more than half agreed that livestock provided better financial security than crops. Availability of summer grazing lands and ability to grow or purchase hay to feed livestock during winter were the factors cited least (6% of responses) and most (42%), respectively, as limiting farmers’ ability to increase their herd size. Livestock-raising apparently continues to be critical to the acequia agropastoral economy. Ability to acquire winter feed (hay) appears to regulate the demand for summer grazing on public forested rangelands.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephanie C. López & Andrés F. Cibils & Ursula R. Smedly & Steven J. Guldan & Alexander G. Fernald & Carlos G. Ochoa & Kenneth G. Boykin & Lilian Cibils, 2018. "Linkages Between acequia Farming and Rangeland Grazing in Traditional Agropastoral Communities of the Southwestern USA," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:6:p:2021-:d:152590
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alexander Fernald & Vincent Tidwell & José Rivera & Sylvia Rodríguez & Steven Guldan & Caitriana Steele & Carlos Ochoa & Brian Hurd & Marquita Ortiz & Kenneth Boykin & Andres Cibils, 2012. "Modeling Sustainability of Water, Environment, Livelihood, and Culture in Traditional Irrigation Communities and Their Linked Watersheds," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(11), pages 1-25, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ashraf J. Zaied & Hatim M. E. Geli & Andres F. Cibils & Mohammed N. Sawalhah & Jerry L. Holechek & Charlotte C. Gard & Saleh A. Idhirij & Melakeneh G. Gedefaw & Greg L. Torell, 2021. "Beef Cattle Price and Production Patterns in Relation to Drought in New Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-20, September.
    2. Ashraf J. Zaied & Hatim M.E. Geli & Jerry L. Holechek & Andres F. Cibils & Mohammed N. Sawalhah & Charlotte C. Gard, 2019. "An Evaluation of Historical Trends in New Mexico Beef Cattle Production in Relation to Climate and Energy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-17, December.
    3. Ashraf J. Zaied & Hatim M. E. Geli & Mohammed N. Sawalhah & Jerry L. Holechek & Andres F. Cibils & Charlotte C. Gard, 2020. "Historical Trends in New Mexico Forage Crop Production in Relation to Climate, Energy, and Rangelands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-22, March.

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