How A Navajo Family Builds A Black Angus Herd In A Dry Climate with the Lantana Family

Send us Fan Mail The auctioneer hums in the background at Four Corners Stockyards, and it’s the perfect soundtrack for a straight-from-the-source conversation about New Mexico beef. We’re in Kirtland with the Lantana family: Marjorie Lantana, her daughter Trina Lantana-Platero, and granddaughter Kynlie Lantana-Platero, who represent six generations of Navajo ranching rooted near Crownpoint and Farmington. We talk about how their cow-calf operation evolved from a small, mixed herd into Black Angus commercial cattle, and what they learned along the way about genetics, calving season, and making decisions that actually fit their land. You’ll hear why 4-H matters when the project calf comes from your own herd, and how youth involvement turns into real leadership, advocacy, and education for the future of agriculture. Then we get into the daily reality that shapes everything in this state: drought and water scarcity. The Lantanas walk us through practical drought management like cross-fencing, rotational grazing, and building water access to reduce pressure on pastures and cattle. We also cover herd health and prevention, including New World screwworm and why tools like injectable Dectamax and strong producer education can make a huge difference when cattle live on big country. If you care about sustainable ranching, animal wellbeing, rangeland management, and what “local beef” really takes, you’ll leave with a clearer picture and a deeper respect for the work behind every steak. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves beef, and leave us a review. What’s one beef or ranching question you want us to answer next? Thanks for tuning in to *Behind the Burger*! Stay connected with us — follow **@NMBEEF** on TikTok and Instagram, New Mexico Beef Council on Facebook and visit nmbeef.com for recipes, nutrition info, a local beef directory and more.