J Southard

J Southard, Shorthorn cattle, Portales, NM, in Roosevelt County and eastern New Mexico near Albuquerque, is a family-run operation that focuses on breeding durable beef stock for working ranches. It has been raising Shorthorn cattle for over two decades, maintains membership in the American Shorthorn Association and adheres to rigorous health screening protocols.

Its herds graze on native grass ranges with regular handling from an early age to encourage calm behavior, and animals move into climate-controlled barns during extreme weather. James and Jessica Southard draw on family farm traditions while applying careful record keeping and selective breeding to promote hardiness and steady growth. Buyers in the region note consistent weight gains and appreciate the cattle’s easygoing temperament, a quality that has led to strong word of mouth among local ranchers. The operation uses sustainable grazing rotations to preserve grassland health and support the local ecosystem.