Whats the Role of Ranching in Arizona Land Use?
Range livestock production, ranching, is a long established land use in Arizona and remains viable despite major changes in the industry and the urbanization of the state. Livestock grazing is the most widespread use of Arizona rangelands, and livestock production, through the sale of calves, yearlings, stocker cattle, and culled bulls and cows is a major agricultural industry in the state with yearly cash receipts contributing nearly 25% of Arizona’s entire agricultural output, almost twice that of cotton. How Many Ranches Are There in Arizona? Estimates of the number of Arizona cattle ranches depends on how they are defined. Exclusive of Indian lands, over 2500 farms and ranches reported cattle ownership in 1990. Of these, over 1700 could be considered ranches dependent on rangeland grazing. Because large operations (more than 500 cows) account for the majority of cattle, Arizona’s average size cattle ranch has nearly 200 cows and replacement heifers. Most operations, however, have c
