New Frontier in Cattle Quality, pg. 2
Backus adds he also takes advantage of premiums such as hormone- and antibiotic-free, and the feedlot owner helps find niche markets for the cattle.
“The advantage I have in the desert is you don’t have as many diseases,” Backus explains. “So that is how I can get by with not using antibiotics.”
Backus’ work as a professor inspires his passion to help other ranchers. He helped organize the Arizona Cattle Industry Research and Education Foundation several decades ago with seminars for western ranchers on herd improvement, the next seminar is scheduled for February 2021.
“I’ve taken on the educational improvement of Arizona ranchers as a personal vendetta,” Backus says. Not the blood feud kind, just to right the wrong of historical assumptions that Arizona cattle must settle for mere survival. “It’s a very harsh environment, but can still produce good cattle.”
While mentoring ranchers, Backus also involves his family. One of his daughters has taken ownership of her mom, Judy’s, real estate business, and their second daughter plans to one day lead the ranching enterprise.
At 82 years old, Backus has sold the northern land parcel, so the family’s future will include hosting weddings as well as other events to generate extra income for the ranch.
Suther says Backus’ legacy is far-reaching, beyond the hours he rides in the saddle.
“He developed one of the highest quality commercial Angus herds not only in the U.S., but I’d say in the whole world,” Suther says when speaking of the legacy Backus has set for the U.S. cattle industry. “In a place where people outside of Arizona would be shocked cattle even live there or do more than just survive.”
Related articles
I'm a Drover: Service-Minded Veterinarian
I'm a Drover: Painting for the Brand
