College of Agriculture, University of Arizona,
Arizona Land and People, Vol. 47, Number 2
Teaching Practical InformationThe San Carlos Apache have five cattle associations and two tribal herds, with about 10,000 cattle. To support the tribe in improving their livestock management practices on the reservation, the Gila County Extension has offered field days, workshops and three-day artificial insemination schools. These educational livestock programs are designed to provide a common-sense, practical approach to learning about the cattle industry. Extension hasn't worked alone. The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs have cooperated on many of these programs. People in the cattle industry, buyers and bankers, the American Hereford Association have assisted in record-keeping and cattle marketing seminars. Horse clinics, offered by Peter Cuneo, equine specialist, have been popular. He teaches horse health care, nutrition, vaccination and de-worming. Former UA veterinary specialist Ed Bicknell did cow evaluations that included condition and frame scores, plus blood and fecal sample analysis. Four-H is an important part of the extension program on the reservation. The young people take part in demonstration and judging days along with their regular 4-H work, and participate in county fair competitions. Helpful? The ranchers think so. That's what Evans Rope of the Point of Pines Cattle Association said. Another rancher says, "You have vital information. I wish more of us used it, put it to work." Prunell Charley (Navajo) is the new assistant agent for agriculture and natural resources Cooperative Extension, San Carlos office. Prunell earned his Master Degree in Agricultural Education from the UA in December 1998. Document part of 1999 Native American Programs in the College of Agriculture |