22 BULLETIN 588, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Most of these were run throughout the year on Pasture 1 (fig. 2), 

 containing 74,714 acres, mainly of the black-brush and creosote-bush 

 type, and rolling mesquite and sandhill range, with a small propor- 

 tion of tobosa-grass flats. During the summer of 1915, 325 low- 

 grade, off-color, and otherwise undesirable cows were cut out and 

 sold in one bunch, and a number of others were butchered for the 

 local market. In the fall of 1916 a lot of 101 head were cut. out 

 and sold as "canners." The culling of nearly 500 head and their 

 replacement by heifers of good Hereford grade has improved vastly 

 the appearance as well as the average grade and value of the 

 breeding herd. Similar culling has been done among the bulls and 

 will be continued each year. Sales will be made primarily from the 

 culls and from the less desirable heifers produced, reserving selected 

 heifers for the ranch herd. 



The management of this main herd was similar to that of the 

 special herd, but less intensive. About 75 per cent of the bulls and 

 2 per cent of the poorest cows were fed cottonseed cake at the rate 

 of 1J pounds per head each time they came to water, usually every 

 day, during February, March', and April. The stock of this herd 

 were not maintained in as thrifty condition as those of the special 

 herd during the early spring, but were equally as good in late sum- 

 mer and fall. 



From 1,522 cows, 1,053 calves, or 69.2 per cent, were branded in 

 1916, as against 81 per cent for the special herd, making an average 

 of 72 per cent for the Reserve as a whole. 



The known loss from this herd was 8 cows, a little over one- 

 half of 1 per cent, and 11 calves, a little over 1 per cent. The pas- 

 ture is large and rather rough and brushy, making it difficult to 

 determine the loss with absolute accuracy. The whole area was 

 worked thoroughly several times during the year, however, and it is 

 not probable that any appreciable loss was overlooked. 



On a unit as large as the Jornada Range Reserve it is difficult to 

 get accurate records of the calf crop, even when under fence, and 

 next to impossible to secure corresponding data for large herds on 

 adjoining unfenced range. From such data as could be secured it 

 seems doubtful whether the average calf crop on range lands in 

 southern New Mexico in 1916 was as high as 60 per cent. This 

 figure is believed to be rather high for the calf crop over a period of 

 years back. Even taking as an average the 66 per cent calf crop 

 reported by stockmen for New Mexico as a whole, the average calf 

 crop of 72 per cent for Jornada Reserve, with 81 per cent for the 

 special herd, shows marked possibilities. 



The most important single factor influencing the calf crop under 

 conditions such as those on the Jornada Reserve is the condition of 

 the breeding stock. Cows which are barely able to totter to and 



