Arizona’s beef industry is deep rooted in Arizona’s history tracing back to the late 1500’s to early 1600’s with over a million cattle eventually occupying the area from their introduction by Spanish colonists. Passing of the Homestead Act in 1862, created new opportunities for the cattle industry in the southwest, with the first permanent ranch established in 1872 when Arizona was still a territory.
As the years passed Arizona, like most of the U.S., experienced great droughts, economic decline, and unforgiving grazing environments, which altered how we graze cattle on rangelands today. Arizona’s cattle industry may not have near the amount of cattle it once started with but is still as important. Today Arizona has over 7,000 farms and ranches with cattle in every county and federally recognized tribal reservation. With 980,000 (Source) head of cattle in the state and cattle sales being over $650,000,000 (Source).
Beef Cattle and Extension
The University of Arizona Beef Extension Program, from the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, consists of a team of extension specialists and agents throughout the state of Arizona. Together they provide a vast wealth of knowledge to assist Arizona Beef Producers. With their combined expertise in a variety of areas, producers can find information and receive answers to their questions regarding beef production. The goal of the program is to improve economic viability of the Arizona beef industry and improve the environmental impact of Arizona beef operations.