The Arizona Cattleman

FORESTS TO GRAZE
1,500,000 HEAD

The secretary of agriculture has authorized the grazing of 901,550 head of sheep and goats, 541,750 head of cattle and horses and 3,355 head of swine on the Arizona and New Mexico national forests for the grazing year beginning April 1, 1920.

These stocks are: Arizona, 365,500 sheep and goats, 5,200 swine, and 5,200 cattle and horses; New Mexico, 536,050 sheep and goats, 1,500 swine, and 189,550 cattle and horses.

The number of stock actually grazed will be much greater than the number shown in the above figures, as according to the national forest regulations stock under six months of age at the beginning of the grazing season are neither counted nor charged for. The above number of stock are owned by about 3,700 cattlemen and 800 sheepmen.

By the estimate of forest service officials, the owners will derive a gross revenue in beef, mutton and wool next fall, amounting to over $15,000,000.

The bulk of the time of the field force of the forest service in the two states is now engaged in considering grazing qualifications, and issuing grazing permits.

Within the next few days the summer ranges will be open. Counting the stock as it enters the forest, directing the permittees to their allotments, supervising the use of the range so as to cause the least possible damage to the forage crop, directing the movements of stock so as to secure an even utilization of the range and increased carrying capacities through proper distribution of range improvements will be among the major projects of the forest service during the coming summer.