Cattle Growers Honor Ray Keller at Convention

Here’s The Moos…. For Immediate Release / February 26, 2018 From the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association P.O. Box 7517 / Albuquerque, New Mexico 87194 For further information, contact: Caren Cowan 505.247.0584 phone / nmcga@nmagriculture.org email Ray Keller, Carlsbad, received the 2017 Ayudando Siempre Alli Award from the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association (NMCGA) at the Joint Stockmen’s Convention, recently held in Albuquerque. “We truly appreciate the work that Ray has put into improving landscapes in southeastern New Mexico,” said Tom Sidwell, NMCGA President, Quay. “He helped bring together landowners, local businesses and industry, land management agencies, private organizations and state and local officials work cooperatively on invasive species control, and much has been accomplished. Ray’s ability to lead by example has inspired industry, agencies as well as landowners to improve stewardship of the lands that we all depend upon.” Keller, who will soon retire from the Carlsbad office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), spearheaded the Restore New Mexico program that put funds from the National Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) EQIP program together with private dollars to change the face of the landscape of southeastern New Mexico. Over the years, he has worked with more than 300 partners including Soil & Water Conservation Districts in several counties in New Mexico and groups including the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts (NMACD), CEHMM (Center of Excellence), the Wild Turkey Federation, New Mexico State University, Dow Chemical, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, NRCS, Watershed Alliance, Bureau of Reclamation, Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, and the New Mexico Highway Department. Through his efforts, over 3 million acres have been treated with programs ranging from invasive species control – mesquite, cat-claw/creosote, and shin-oak; noxious weed treatment – African Rue, Malta Star-thistle, salt cedar; and restoration and reclamation – including abandoned well pads, caliche pits and oil field roads. Keller worked cooperatively with the Carlsbad Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) as well as other State and Federal agencies to treat and eradicate salt cedar and Russian olive infestations along the Pecos River, the Delaware River, and the Black River. His efforts and multiple year work with an in-house crew resulted in the Delaware River receiving a National Riparian award from the American Fisheries Society. In addition, he laid the ground work for all the Federal lands in Eddy County along the Pecos River to be aerially sprayed in the fall of 2003. “Nearly every day one or more of our members are interacting with US Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management staff on a wide variety of challenges and opportunities from regulations to restoration and enhancement of these lands,” Sidwell noted. “The results of Ray Keller’s hard work, and willingness to work with anyone who was interested in helping are visible and ongoing today. It’s a great example of how relationships between land management agencies and others should work, and we’re glad to have the opportunity to say thank you.” The Ayudando Siempre Alli Award (Always There Helping) is given by the Association each year to an individual who has given of their time and talents on behalf of the industry, but is not necessarily actively involved in cattle production. Some years, the winner is a NMCGA member, but often they are not. Past winners include bankers, elected officials, an attorney, an artist, a publisher, state legislators and other agricultural organizations. The award is sponsored by Farmway Feed Mills, Las Vegas, NM. “There are countless people behind - and sometimes in front - of the scenes who support and make the work of the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association possible,” Boone pointed out. “These people come from all walks of life and all sorts of careers but they all care about ranchers and our families. Some of them we have known forever, others are newer friends, but they all give of themselves for our benefit --- they are always there.” The NMCGA has represented the beef industry in New Mexico and the West since 1914 and has members in all 33 of the state’s counties as well as some 14 other states. The Association participates in venues necessary to protect beef producers and private property rights including litigation, state and federal legislation and regulatory affairs. You can visit or join the NMCGA online at www.nmagriculture.org. -30-