BLM Hassayampa Field Office Ranches

Ranches that are permitted to use grazing allotments administered by the Bureau of Land Management Hassayampa Field Office and have benefited from government assistance. (Additional ranches are added to this list as information becomes available.)

Visit the Arizona Public Land Ranches Home Page for information about ranches in other regions of the state.

Government Assistance For Ranchers Program Key
ALLBAWPFECPEQIPEWPHPCHeritage FundLCCGPLFPLOFFAPLRPPFWPWHREFWQIG
AALB - Arizona Livestock Loss Board, Arizona Livestock Loss Board (federal/state)
AWPF - Arizona Water Protection Fund, AWPF Commission (state)
ECP - Emergency Conservation Program, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (federal)
EQIP - Environmental Quality Incentives Program, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (federal)
The EQIP program absorbed the NRCS Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) after 2014.
EWP - Emergency Watershed Protection, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (federal)
The Arizona EWP Drought Program was discontinued in 2001 after a critical audit.
HPC - Habitat Partnership Committee, Arizona Game & Fish Commission (state)
Arizona Heritage Fund, Arizona Game & Fish Commission (state)
LCCGP - Livestock & Crop Conservation Program, Arizona Department of Agriculture (state)
Note: Open Space Reserve Grants became LCCGP Grants after 2002.
LFP - Livestock Forage Disaster Program, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (federal)
LOFFAP - Livestock Operator Fire & Flood Assistance Program, Arizona Department of Agriculture (state)
LRP - Landowner Relations Program, Arizona Game & Fish Department (state)
PFWP - Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (federal)
WHREF - Wildlife Habitat Restoration & Enhancement Fund, Arizona Game & Fish Department (state)
This fund was created by a one-time $3.5 million appropriation by the Legislature in 2006.
WQIG - Water Quality Improvement Grant, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (federal/state)
Note: These grants were previously called Section 319 nonpoint source (NPS) water pollution prevention grants.
CO Bar RanchDeGanahl RanchEast Clem RanchForepaugh RanchFrancis Creek RanchFlying 4C RanchHorseshoe RanchJoe Auza Sheep RanchesKelton RanchManterola Sheep RanchesOX & Little Horse RanchesSand Arroyo RanchShiew Winter RanchSycamore Ranch
CO Bar Ranch (Babbitt Ranches LLC) - Slate Mtn. & Wild Bill (Coconino NF), Moqui (Kaibab NF) & CO Bar (BLM) Allotments, State Lease #05-000252
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2005LCCGP #05-26$150,000Grassland Restoration
2007LCCGP #07-02$125,000Grassland Restoration
2007WHIP*$70,124
2009-2017PFWP$199,950
2009LCCGP #09-29$125,000Grassland Restoration
2009HPC #08-203$50,000Grassland Restoration
2010Heritage Fund$50,000 Public Access to CO Bar, Espee, and Cataract Ranches
2011LCCGP #11-02$125,000Cut Down Juniper Trees & Dirt Tank Cleanouts
2013LRP$100,000Remove Pinyon Pine and Juniper Trees
2013HPC #12-202$40,000Remove Pinyon Pine and Juniper Trees
2015Heritage Fund$800,000Public Access for 10 Years to CO Bar & Espee Ranches
2018HPC #17-202$30,000Remove Pinyon Pine and Juniper Trees
2018-2021LFP$382,764
2021Heritage Fund$160,000Remove Pinyon Pine and Juniper Trees
2021HPC #20-207**$50,000Remove Pinyon Pine and Juniper Trees
2022Heritage Fund$20,000Remove Pinyon Pine and Juniper Trees
2023LFP$98,938
$2,576,776TOTAL 2005 - 2023
* WHIP ended in 2013 and was absorbed by the EQIP program.
** This project was shared with Hat grazing allotment on the nearby Kaibab National Forest.
This isn't all of the government assistance that benefited the ranch. According to a 2008 Arizona Game & Fish Department letter, they had previously spent more than $1.3 million on the ranch.

The enormous CO Bar Ranch is located between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, and runs from the Little Colorado River in the east to State Route 64 in the west. It is comprised primarily of private and state land, but includes the Coconino National Forest's Slate Mountain & Wild Bill grazing allotments in the south, and the Kaibab National Forest's Moqui grazing allotment in the north, along with the BLM's small CO Bar allotment, administered by their Hassayampa Field Office. The ranch has used scientifically discredited Holistic Resource Management (HRM) intensive grazing theories. HRM grazing plans are typified by high utilization rates, which can increase competition between cattle and wildlife for forage, and degrade watershed health and wildlife habitat - especially in dry ecosystems and during droughts. (Babbitt Ranches LLC also owns the Espee Ranch, located west of SR 64, which includes private land and state grazing lease #05-000822.)
DeGanahl Ranch (DeGanahl Cattle Co. LLC) - Aguila & Calhoun Allotments, State Lease #05-001321
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2015-2021LFP$217,559
2022LFP$22,663
$240,220TOTAL 2015 - 2022
The Calhoun allotment is administered by the BLM Lake Havasu Field Office.
East Clem Ranch (Timothy S. & Andrea J. Maxwell) - East Clem Allotment, State Lease #05-116993
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2016-2022LFP$28,473
2018-2021EQIP$136,612
$165,085TOTAL 2016 - 2022
Forepaugh Ranch (Forepaugh Cattle Co., Inc.) - CARCO & Forepaugh Allotments, State Lease #05-087759
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2011-2022LFP$494,051
$494,051TOTAL 2011 - 2022
Francis Creek Ranch (Francis Creek Ranch, LLC) - Francis Creek, Big Sandy, Bagdad, Gray Wash, Greenwood Peak Community, Groom Peak, Byner, Cane Springs Wash, Diamond Joe, Los Molinos, Sandy & Loma Linda Allotments, State Lease #05-003387, #05-003173
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2008-2017EQIP$713,235
2011LCCGP #11-57$50,790Windmill & Solar Water Pump
2012Heritage Fund$80,000Public Access for 7 Years
2015HPC #14-301*$56,200Kill Coyotes & Mtn. Lions to Protect Mule Deer Fawns
2015-2021LFP$541,847
2019Heritage Fund$100,000Public Access for 5 Years
2022EQIP$64,210
2022LFP$153,539
2023LFP$82,081
2024AWPF #2401*$229,698Replace Old Livestock Water Tanks
$2,071,600TOTAL 2008 - 2024
* This was shared with neighboring ranches.
All of the grazing allotments are administered by the BLM’s Kingman Field Office, except for the Loma Linda allotment, which is administered by the BLM’s Hassayampa Field Office.
Flying 4C Ranch (The Flying 4 C Ranch LLC) - Bottle (FS) and Chaparral Gulch & Galena Gulch (BLM) Allotments, State Leases #05-001162 & #05-003432
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2018LFP$5,001
2018-2021EQIP$183,021
2023EQIP$259,602
$477,624TOTAL 2018 - 2023
The permittees acquired the permit for the Prescott National Forest's Bottle grazing allotment in 2021.
Horseshoe Ranch (JH Cattle Co., LLC) - Horseshoe (BLM) and Copper Creek (FS) Allotments
YEARSPROGRAM AMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2014HPC #13-601$1,058Brooklyn Well Solar Water Pump
2014HPC #13-602$30,000Copper Creek Allotment Dirt Tank Cleanouts
2015HPC #14-601*$60,000Kill Coyotes to Protect Pronghorn & Mule Deer Fawns
2015-2021LFP$203,167Drought & Wildfire
$294,225TOTAL 2014 - 2021
* This assistance was shared with neighboring ranches.
John T. Holbrook, the owner of JH Cattle Co. LLC, leases the Horseshoe Ranch from the Arizona Game & Fish Department. He sells the beef raised on the ranch through the JH Grass Fed Beef LLC, which is owned by his father John B. Holbrook. The elder Holbrook also holds the grazing permit for the BLM's nearby Antelope Creek grazing allotment, and received $26,738 of LFP assistance for his ranching operation on that allotment from 2015 to 2020.
The Horseshoe allotment is located within the BLM’s Agua Fria National Monument.
Joe & Carmen Auza Sheep Ranches (Joe Auza Sheep Co., Auza Ranches LLC) - Big Springs, Cowboy Tank, Squaw Mtn., Twin Tanks (Kaibab NF), Auza & Cordes (BLM) Allotments, State Lease #05-000862
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
1999EWP$44,004Paid to Take Sheep Off the Land During Drought - Coconino County
1999EWP$69,907Paid to Take Sheep Off the Land During Drought - Maricopa County
2011-2021LFP$892,610
2013EQIP$17,849Coconino County
2017-2019EQIP$96,174Maricopa County
2022LFP$169,274
2023EQIP$115,658
2023LFP$60,090
$1,465,566TOTAL 1999 - 2023
The state grazing lease is located in Maricopa County.
The Cordes allotment is located within the BLM’s Agua Fria National Monument.
Kelton Ranch (Kelton Cattle Co., LLC) - Box Bar (BLM) and Long Gulch Allotments (FS), State Lease #05-000063
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2013HPC #12-603*$25,000Juniper Tree Thinning On Sycamore Mesa
2015HPC #14-601*$60,000Kill Coyotes to Protect Pronghorn & Mule Deer Fawns
2015-2018EQIP$30,540
2015-2021LFP$213,402
2022LFP$48,168
$377,110TOTAL 2013 - 2022
* This assistance was shared with neighboring ranches.
The Box Bar allotment is located within the BLM’s Agua Fria National Monument.
Joe Manterola Sheep Ranches (Manterola Sheep Company Inc.) - Mooney Mtn. & Woody Mtn. (Coconino NF), Garland Prairie & Pomeroy Allotments (Kaibab NF), Cordes (BLM) Allotments, State Lease #05-001225
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
1999EWP$79,108Paid to Take Sheep Off the Land During Drought - Coconino County
1999EWP$11,085Paid to Take Sheep Off the Land During Drought -Pinal County
2004-2007EQIP$7,804Coconino County
2012-2020LFP$12,679Pinal County
2011-2021LFP$999,240Coconino County
2022LFP$49,823Coconino County
2023LFP$13,199
$1,172,938TOTAL 1999 - 2023
The state grazing lease is located in Pinal County. Manterola Sheep Co. also holds grazing leases for other types of public land, including a lease in Coconino County's Rogers Lake Natural Area.
The Cordes allotment is located within the BLM's Agua Fria National Monument.
OX & Little Horse Ranches (Little Horse Ranch LLLP) - Grantham Bros. Lease (BLM) & Casner Park/Kelly Seep (FS) Allotments, State Lease #05-000111
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2005-2017EQIP$485,143
2009LCCGP #09-66$100,000Range Improvement Progam
2011-2020LFP$656,118
2011LCCGP #11-39$125,000Range Improvement Program
2022LFP$66,839
2023LFP$115,563
$1,548,663TOTAL 2005 - 2023
In 2021 the grazing permit for the Coconino National Forest's Casner Park/Kelly Seep allotment, permitted to the Little Horse Ranch, was transferred to the Yavapai-Apache Nation.
Sand Arroyo Ranch (Sand Arroyo Ranch, Inc.) - Arrow Y, Jones, Garcia, R&E Park Lease & Sprouse Allotments, State Leases #05-001455, #05-002652, #05-003563, #05-053124 & #05-001071
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
2019-2020EQIP$15,375
2019-2021LFP$86,218
2022LFP$19,177
2023EQIP$5,125
$125,895TOTAL 2019 - 2023
Sand Arroyo Ranch, Inc., owns Tres Bees LLC, which holds the permit for the BLM Lake Havasu Field Office’s Alamo Crossing grazing allotment. Tres Bees LLC received $20,318 of LFP from 2018 – 2021.
Shiew Winter Ranch (Jim & Duree Shiew) - Christopherson (BLM) Allotment, State Lease #05-001111
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
1999EWP$29,260Paid to Take Cattle Off the Land During Drought - Coconino County
2011-2021LFP$100,912Maricopa County
2011-2022LFP$445,897Coconino County
2015-2019EQIP$271,905Coconino County
$847,974TOTAL 1999 -2022
The Shiews' winter ranch, and the BLM Christopherson allotment, are located in Maricopa County. The Shiews were also the previous permittees for the Coconino National Forest's Youngs Canyon & Deep Lake allotments, which were used in the summer, and are located in Coconino County.
Sycamore Ranch (Bert T. Teskey) - Sycamore & 2Y (BLM) and Todd (FS) Allotments
YEARSPROGRAMAMOUNTPROJECT NAME
1999EWP$4,351Paid to Take Cattle Off the Land During Drought
2009HPC #08-603$25,0002Y Allotment Water Development
2010HPC #09-609$19,8402Y Allotment Water Development
2010-2013EQIP$52,371
2013HPC #12-603*$25,000Juniper Thinning On Sycamore Mesa
2015HPC #14-601*$60,000Kill Coyotes to Protect Pronghorn & Mule Deer Fawns
2015-2020LFP$85,469
2017HPC #16-608*$15,000Use herbicide to kill mesquite trees and acacia shrubs
2022HPC #21-606**$24,000Solar Powered Water System
2022LFP$25,435
$336,466TOTAL 1999 - 2022
* This assistance was shared with neighboring ranches.
** This project was shared with the adjacent Dugas Ranch.

The Sycamore and 2Y allotments are located within the BLM’s Agua Fria National Monument.
Note: Ranch ownership often changes in Arizona, because much of the state is too hot and dry for most operations to be sustainably profitable. The ranch owners shown in the tables above are updated when information about a new owner is acquired, but the amounts of government assistance that benefited the ranch's previous owners are maintained.
Background Information About Government Assistance Programs

Some of this financial assistance was justified as being primarily for the purpose of improving wildlife habitat or watershed health. But those projects also benefited livestock production on the ranches where they were implemented. Whatever improvements to local natural resource conditions that might have resulted were tempered by the increased livestock grazing they facilitated.

The assistance didn’t always go directly to the ranchers, but sometimes to local non-profit organizations that helped them complete application processes and minimize taxable income. This included the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance, Coronado Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc., Gila Watershed Partnership of Arizona, and the Upper Eagle Creek Watershed Association (UECWA).

Some of it also went to the local Natural Resource Conservation District (NRCD). Arizona’s NRCDs are regional subdivisions of the State Land Department, and are comprised only of local landowners, mostly ranchers, that work to obtain funding for agricultural “conservation” projects. They often work to obtain grants that directly benefit their members, including their governing supervisors. The local NRCDs also created the private nonprofit Arizona Association of Conservation Districts so they could apply for more types of assistance.

These aren't the only examples of Arizona ranches that benefited from government assistance. But it takes a lot of work to gather and compile this sort of information, because the agencies don't normally disclose it, so this web page will be updated as additional records are obtained. Also, the information provided about some of these ranches may be incomplete. But that just means those ranches benefited from at least the amounts shown.

Update

On June 21, 2024, Gov. Katie Hobbs signed HB 2865, creating a new state agency called the Natural Resource Conservation District Board, comprised primarily of local NRCD supervisors. It's tasked with providing administrative assistance to the state's regional Natural Resource Conservation Districts, which was formerly the responsibility of the Arizona State Land Department. The initial operating funds for the Board will come from the Legislature's regular annual appropriation of $650,000 to the state's NRCDs. The NRCD Board is also responsible for dispensing "conservation" and "education" grants from a new NRCD Fund to the local NRCDs and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The monies in the fund can include state appropriations, grants and contributions - although the Legislature didn't make an initial appropriation to the fund. Most of the grants dispensed by the Board will likely benefit ranchers, as most NRCD supervisors are ranchers.

This page was last updated on May 19, 2024 @ 9:12 am.

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