ENTERPRISE — Some Eastern Oregon ranchers say a breed of Spanish cattle known as Corriente can survive tough conditions but are easier on the land than other livestock.

Craig and Liza Jane Nichols, owners of the 6 Ranch near Enterprise, brought in 15 head of Corrientes from New Mexico in 1989 after reading an article about the breed in Western Horseman magazine.

“We were looking for a critter that would graze the steeper side hills and rough country our beef cattle couldn’t use,” Nichols said.

Nichols is now a member of the advisory board of the North American Corriente Association, and his wife is the association’s vice president.

The Corrientes have proven popular, and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association requires the breed for all team roping, steer wrestling and steer roping.

“They’re small, hardy and tough. They’ve got the right horn shapes for team and steer roping and bulldogging,” Craig Nichols said.

But one of the biggest reasons the cowboys went with Corrientes is their disposition, he said.

“They’re easy to work with,” Craig Nichols said.

They are also easy on the landscape.

Studies by Ed Frederickson at New Mexico State University’s Jornada Experimental Range have shown that Spanish cattle tend to graze across larger and more diverse areas, tend to graze fewer hours per day and are more active at higher temperatures than British breeds.

Corrientes, also known as Criollo cattle, are descended from livestock brought to the New World by the Spanish conquistadors. The terms are loosely translated as “common” or “country” cattle.