Old Cattle Breed Offers Modern Solutions
SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN
Associated Press
Ed Fredrickson is watching every move his cattle make by checking GPS units on their collars and using satellite imagery to see what plants they’re eating.
The rangeland scientist wants to know if the herd — a variety of ancient criollo cattle he hand-picked from Mexico — has what it takes to thrive in the harsh, dry conditions of the West.
“It’s going to get harder,” he said. “How do we help these ranchers stay viable?”
Fredrickson hopes criollo cattle, which were first brought to the region by Spanish explorers more than 400 years ago, will make it easier for ranchers to turn a profit on rough rangeland with little water and less than desirable forage.
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