Farming

Farming has been a part of the ranch for more than 114 years.  Decades ago, previous owners raised corn, potatoes, wheat and a mix of other grain crops for the family’s table, sale and for use as cattle feed.  Today, our farming is limited to dry land farming of just a few acres for winter cattle feed.  These include alfalfa-grass mixes  and rotations of winter wheat, oats, millet and triticale.  By November, hay rolls may still be seen in fields or stacked in the headquarters area.

During the six month period between May and October, a mix of 160 – 200 calves, yearlings and cow-calf pairs are turned out to graze the ranch’s pastures. The exact number, or stocking rate, is set annually in collaboration with cattle owners based on livestock nutrition needs, grass condition and market. In 2024 and going forward, our stocking rate and pasture utilizations will be more systematically managed in collaboration with the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The FSA brings a broad scope of expertise and tools for achieving grass productivity and wildlife conservation goals.

Water and grass are everything to the rancher.  Wells and stock stock tanks ensure that water is never far away from grazing cattle.  Although wind is our main source of power for these tanks, electric pumps and an 11kw generator provide backup when the wind fails, as it often does in August.  In 2022,  we also added a second 10, 500 gallon stock tank to ensure adequate water storage for the herd when grazing in our northern pasture.  When first filled, tank made an amazing pool! (Photo taken by Mike.)

Any visit to the ranch is not complete without observing some kind of wildlife if even a squirrel.  The Pine Ridge is blessed with ecosystems that support a diversity of wildlife from Rocky Mountain Elk to thirteen different species of bats.   And these are just the mammals!  To make the most of your trip out here, we recommend picking up copies of Wildlife Viewing Guides for Nebraska’s Shortgrass Prairie.  Published by Game and Parks, the guides provide a convenient reference for watchable wildlife.  The photo mosaic above presents a few of the birds and mammals you may see on your trip and a few that have only been sighted a few times, but are known to be expanding into our region. All photos taken by Mike!

Stewardship

Nebraska’s mixed grass prairie and Ponderosa Pine woodlands dominate the pine ridge ecoregion, making it an ideal environment for cattle and wildlife.  From the beginning, our goal has been to manage its many natural resources for the next generation.  We made a number of small improvements to fencing and water distribution, and experimented with different stocking rates.

Wildfires occur annually in Western Nebraska and rank among the top concerns of ranchers and city dwelling residents.  In September 2021, a wildfire, driven by dry, 25 mile per hours winds, rapidly burnt more than 5,000 acres of our pine woodlands and came within a half mile of the ranch.  It was stopped by a small army of fire teams and equipment, including aerial tankers.  Although we work annually to clear brush and trees within our headquarters, we knew it was time to make a substantial investment in reducing the risks of a wipeout forest fire.

Working the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Nebraska’s Forest Service we learned how forest health management can not only mitigate wildfire risk, but also enhance timber values, grazing productivity and wildlife utilization.  We also learned how the NRCS’ cost sharing Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) could make it possible for us to afford thinning 355 acres of forest.  We commenced the project in 2022 and completed the thinning project in the fall of 2024.  The treatment phase of the project will be completed in 2025.  The photograph above shows the difference between a thinned forest on the left and an un-thinned forest on the right. The difference in potential fire danger is obvious! (Photo by Mike.)