Perez Family Receives
Ranch Family of the Year Award
Perez Family Receives Ranch Family of the Year Award
By: Abby Spindle, NMCGA
Join us in congratulating the 2023 Ranch Family of the Year. The Perez family was honored at the 2023 New Mexico State Fair during the Thursday night rodeo among other agriculture awards presented that night.
Pérez Cattle Company of Nara Visa, NM and Encino, NM is owned and operated by Michael & Connie Pérez and their son and daughter-in-law Kyle and Tonya Pérez and their twins Peyton and Libby.
The Pérez name has deep roots in New Mexico Agriculture with Michael’s grandfather homesteading the ranch at Encino. His late father and mother Ernest & Jewel Pérez grew up on that ranch and they came to be world-class sheepman winning the title of Fleece of the world not once, but twice. The Encino ranch is currently the commercial cow/calf division of Pérez Cattle Company and managed by Michael’s brother and sister-in-law Chris and Leslie Pérez.
In the early 1950’s Connie’s parents, Don and Mary Helen Kuper, sold the farm in Dalhart, TX and purchased a ranch right over the state line in Nara Visa, where they managed a progressive commercial Hereford cow/calf operation. Today, Nara Visa is home to Pérez Cattle Companies’ Registered Hereford and Angus division.
The Pérez family has been working diligently on breeding functional registered seedstock for over 45 years. Over the years their philosophy has never changed; line up as many good cows as you can in one pedigree.
“NMCGA is proud to award the well deserving Perez family as Ranch Family of the Year. Their steadfast commitment to New Mexico agriculture and raising cattle is second to none,” says NMCGA President, Loren Patterson.
By: Abby Spindle, NMCGA
Join us in congratulating the 2023 Ranch Family of the Year. The Perez family was honored at the 2023 New Mexico State Fair during the Thursday night rodeo among other agriculture awards presented that night.
Pérez Cattle Company of Nara Visa, NM and Encino, NM is owned and operated by Michael & Connie Pérez and their son and daughter-in-law Kyle and Tonya Pérez and their twins Peyton and Libby.
The Pérez name has deep roots in New Mexico Agriculture with Michael’s grandfather homesteading the ranch at Encino. His late father and mother Ernest & Jewel Pérez grew up on that ranch and they came to be world-class sheepman winning the title of Fleece of the world not once, but twice. The Encino ranch is currently the commercial cow/calf division of Pérez Cattle Company and managed by Michael’s brother and sister-in-law Chris and Leslie Pérez.
In the early 1950’s Connie’s parents, Don and Mary Helen Kuper, sold the farm in Dalhart, TX and purchased a ranch right over the state line in Nara Visa, where they managed a progressive commercial Hereford cow/calf operation. Today, Nara Visa is home to Pérez Cattle Companies’ Registered Hereford and Angus division.
The Pérez family has been working diligently on breeding functional registered seedstock for over 45 years. Over the years their philosophy has never changed; line up as many good cows as you can in one pedigree.
“NMCGA is proud to award the well deserving Perez family as Ranch Family of the Year. Their steadfast commitment to New Mexico agriculture and raising cattle is second to none,” says NMCGA President, Loren Patterson.
NMCGA and Purina Mills Announces
Scholarship Opportunities
Purina Mills and the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association’s (NMCGA’s) Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Committee (YCLC) is proud to announce they will be awarding two Purina Mills $1,000 scholarships and two YCLC $500 scholarship during the 2023 Joint Stockmen’s Convention in December.
“Awarding these scholarships is a way that we can help young people who come from an agricultural background further their education,” said Loren Patterson, NMCGA President, Corona. “As they embark on their college years we want them to remember where their roots come from and pursue advanced degrees that will enhance their background in production agriculture as well as bring awareness in non-typical agricultural fields.”
The two $1,000 Purina Mills scholarships will be awarded to a New Mexico student who is a member of the NMCGA, the New Mexico Junior Cattle Growers’ Association, or the child of an NMCGA member. Graduating high school seniors, and college freshmen, sophomores and juniors in good academic standing are eligible to apply for the award. In addition, the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Committee and the Allied Industries Committee will also be presenting two $500 scholarships - one to a high school senior and one to a continuing college student.
“Obtaining a higher education can be very expensive for students and their families. We are pleased to be able to offer these scholarships and encourage all eligible students to apply,” Patterson said. “We want to help NMCGA members and their families continue their education and hopefully return to the agriculture business.”
The four scholarships will be presented to the top applicants during the Joint Stockmen’s Convention slated for December 13-16, 2023 in Albuquerque at Hotel Albuquerque. The application for the awards is located on the NMCGA website, www.nmagriculture.org or contact the NMCGA office at 505.247.0584 or via email at nmcga20@gmail.com Deadline for application is November 3, 2023
“Awarding these scholarships is a way that we can help young people who come from an agricultural background further their education,” said Loren Patterson, NMCGA President, Corona. “As they embark on their college years we want them to remember where their roots come from and pursue advanced degrees that will enhance their background in production agriculture as well as bring awareness in non-typical agricultural fields.”
The two $1,000 Purina Mills scholarships will be awarded to a New Mexico student who is a member of the NMCGA, the New Mexico Junior Cattle Growers’ Association, or the child of an NMCGA member. Graduating high school seniors, and college freshmen, sophomores and juniors in good academic standing are eligible to apply for the award. In addition, the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Committee and the Allied Industries Committee will also be presenting two $500 scholarships - one to a high school senior and one to a continuing college student.
“Obtaining a higher education can be very expensive for students and their families. We are pleased to be able to offer these scholarships and encourage all eligible students to apply,” Patterson said. “We want to help NMCGA members and their families continue their education and hopefully return to the agriculture business.”
The four scholarships will be presented to the top applicants during the Joint Stockmen’s Convention slated for December 13-16, 2023 in Albuquerque at Hotel Albuquerque. The application for the awards is located on the NMCGA website, www.nmagriculture.org or contact the NMCGA office at 505.247.0584 or via email at nmcga20@gmail.com Deadline for application is November 3, 2023

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NMCGA Allied Industry Committee Announces AIM Internship
New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (NMCGA) Allied Industry Committee will be hosting college interns at the upcoming 2023 Joint Stockmen’s Convention. “The purpose for the internship is to encourage college student to network with our NMCGA membership and allied industry partners” said President Loren Patterson, Corona. “We know that not all young people will return to the ranch, but there are a variety of off ranch jobs in the industry, and we want our next generation to have the opportunity to explore those options first hand.” Interns will have the opportunity to shadow NMCGA Leadership and Allied Industry Partners. Having an internship gives student an experience in the career field they want to pursue, as well as giving them the face to face time with peers and industry leaders.
NMCGA is working with Allied Industry Partners on this program that will offer businesses the opportunity to bring new ideas and energy into the workplace, discover talent, and potentially build a pipeline for future full-time employees. There are over 15 different agriculture related sectors represented in the trade show that hosts over 50 booths. “We are excited to offer this program that is building the bridge between employers and employees,” stated Patterson.
Applications are now being accepted through October 6, 2023. To apply please complete form below. You may also call 505-247-0584 or email nmcga20@gmail.com to request an application be sent to you. Applications should be returned to: New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, P.O. Box 850, Moriarty, NM 87035 or via email to nmcga20@gmail.com.
For further information, please contact the NMCGA office at (505) 247-0584.
NMCGA is working with Allied Industry Partners on this program that will offer businesses the opportunity to bring new ideas and energy into the workplace, discover talent, and potentially build a pipeline for future full-time employees. There are over 15 different agriculture related sectors represented in the trade show that hosts over 50 booths. “We are excited to offer this program that is building the bridge between employers and employees,” stated Patterson.
Applications are now being accepted through October 6, 2023. To apply please complete form below. You may also call 505-247-0584 or email nmcga20@gmail.com to request an application be sent to you. Applications should be returned to: New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, P.O. Box 850, Moriarty, NM 87035 or via email to nmcga20@gmail.com.
For further information, please contact the NMCGA office at (505) 247-0584.
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The mission of New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association is to advance and protect the cattle industry of New Mexico, work toward solutions of cattle industry problems, promote the well being of the industry, provide an official and united voice on issues of importance to the cattle producers and feeders, and to create and maintain an economic climate that will provide members of the Association the opportunity to obtain optimum return on their investments within the free enterprise system."
2023 NMCGA Legacy Sponsors
“The New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association does not pay add-ons to cover indirect costs on contracts.”