The livestock and livestock product industry is one of the largest in New Mexico producing over $3.0 billion in 2007. The dairy industry brings in the most money annually at $1.3 billion while the beef industry is second at $951 million. There were over 1.5 million head of cattle in the state in 2007 with 340,000 of them being dairy cows. There were over 130,000 sheep as of January 1, 2007. The 2007 calf crop was estimated at 590,000 head with a total beef count of around 1 million. Annual crop and livestock sales exceeded $3.3 billion in 2007. 89% of New Mexico’s 45,787,108 acres of farmland is pasture ground.
The Spaniards imported cattle in the 1500s. By 1850 these cattle interbred with English cattle to produce the Longhorn, which thrived in Texas. Eastern cities needed beef and Texas had a surplus. To move 1000 head of cattle it took 7 mounted cowboys to handle the cattle drives, but economically it was worth it. In 1866 a steer cost $4 in Texas and sold in the East for $40 a head, which reflected inflated pricing, but many took advantage of it to make money.
