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CIMARRON, NM – MAY 29, 2024: Leslie and Brandon Blakney teach their daughter how to herd cattle on the family ranch, which covers 130,000 acres of plains, foothills and mountain country in northeastern New Mexico, at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. CS Cattle Company is a multigenerational working cattle ranch that has been family owned and operated since 1873, with its origin stretching as far back as the Maxwell Land Grant, and it represents how even large and storied ranches are focusing on diversified models to stay afloat.
Despite CS Cattle Company's thriving cattle operation, only a fraction of the ranch's annual revenue comes from cattle. The ranch's popular hunting operation has picked up most of the slack, accounting for nearly half of the businesses annual profit in 2023.
Out of concern for the long term viability of their ranch, and their way of life, many within the Davis family are doing whatever they can to attract young people to the farm and ranch lifestyle. So every summer, CS Ranch hosts the New Mexico Youth Ranch Management Camp, where young ranchers learn principles of agriculture and business, while developing a ranch management plan similar to their host ranch. Extension specialists, County Extension agents and members of the ranching industry all collaborate with these students to provide an opportunity for youth to learn about the many aspects of ranching. “Ranching is the economic and social backbone of these childrens’ rural communities. The age of the average rancher across America is increasing, so it’s important to train a new generation dedicated to keeping ranching alive.”
Despite CS Cattle Company's thriving cattle operation, only a fraction of the ranch's annual revenue comes from cattle. The ranch's popular hunting operation has picked up most of the slack, accounting for nearly half of the businesses annual profit in 2023.
Out of concern for the long term viability of their ranch, and their way of life, many within the Davis family are doing whatever they can to attract young people to the farm and ranch lifestyle. So every summer, CS Ranch hosts the New Mexico Youth Ranch Management Camp, where young ranchers learn principles of agriculture and business, while developing a ranch management plan similar to their host ranch. Extension specialists, County Extension agents and members of the ranching industry all collaborate with these students to provide an opportunity for youth to learn about the many aspects of ranching. “Ranching is the economic and social backbone of these childrens’ rural communities. The age of the average rancher across America is increasing, so it’s important to train a new generation dedicated to keeping ranching alive.”
