The Gila County Cattle Growers' Association organized in the depth of the depression, during one of the worst droughts since the first settlers and their cattle arrived in Gila County in the 1870's.  104 ranchers joined this association the first year, 1934, many of them donating a calf to help finance their association.



The chief purpose for organizing was the will to survive.  Most had learned from their pioneer forefathers that cooperation with neighbors is essential for survival in times of adversity and adds to peace of mind in times of prosperity.  At the outset, the GCCGA worked with our Federal Government on the emergency drought relief.  Our other chief objectives were and continue to be:

 

•  Stimulating and improving the marketing of cattle.
•  Improving the security of tenure on our U.S. Forest Service grazing allotments by incorporating better range management practices.
• Working for better and more practical laws and regulations at the state and national levels.
• Supporting our Arizona Cattlemen’s Association and our National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

 

The cooperative activity of our members, directors and officers has developed a very harmonious and effective association.



Many challenges faced the cattlemen of Arizona through the years including forest and public land administration and rules, as well as screwworm eradication, Brucellosis certification, and yes, cattle rustling which still goes on today.

In an article in the Arizona Record, Louie Horrell, Secretary of the GCCGA was quoted, “The industry is faced with many dangers on federal regulations, both those in effect, such as restriction of grazing on public lands and forest reserves, and those proposed, such as an Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA Program) and projected reciprocal treaties, especially with the South American countries, where the foot and mouth disease is prevalent.”

9,000 head of cattle were shipped from Globe toColorado and California.  In addition,1,200 head were sold directly to Daou Packing Company to be slaughtered andsold to residents of the Globe-Miami area.

The Board of Directors voted to build 66 heifer pens at the Burch Sale Yard with a capacity of approximately 1900 head.



GCCGA received a non-profit status by the IRS.

1983

A storage room for the yard and a permanent telephone installed at the yard.  Imagine having one telephone available as we now depend on our cell phones.  The sale continued with success through the 1990s reaching its height at the record 1994 sale. 



Even with the large decrease in grazing number permits, the Association was still able to have a spring sale in May 2000, drawing cattle from throughout the county.

2002

The 2002 sale was held in April because US Forest Service forced the ranchers to pull their cattle off Tonto Forest due to extreme drought conditions.  This action was devastating to the cattle industry in Gila County.  Ranchers were not able to begin recovering until 2006.



No sale was held in 2003, 2004, or 2005.