|
|
|
 |
|
|||||
2003 WinnersThe National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) presented Elaine and George Work, owners of Work Family Ranch of San Miguel, California with it’s 13th National Environmental Stewardship Award. Co-sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program recognizes cattle producers whose stewardship practices are inventive, cost-effective and contribute to environmental conservation. The regional and national recipients of this top U.S. Beef industry environmental award are selected by a committee of representatives from university faculty, federal and state government agencies, and conservation and environmental organizations.
Work Family Ranch - San Miquel, California Llangollen Farms - Middleburg, Virginia Carlton 2x4 Ranch - Arcadia, Florida M&M Cattle Company - Carthage, Missouri Canyon View Farms - Geary, Oklahoma Frasier Farms - Woodrow, Colorado Barenthsen Red Angus Ranch - Powers Lake, North Dakota Previous Winners Work Family Ranch - San Miquel, CaliforniaElaine and George Work, owners of Work Family Ranch, representing Region VI, have been selected as this year's winners of the National Environmental Stewardship Award. The ranch consists of 12,000 owned acres, with 9,000 acres for grazing on native and non-native perennial grasses, 1,000 acres for dryland farming, 1,000 acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, and 1,000 acres rotated between pasture and crops. The ranch is considered a year-round grazing operation with no supplementation to their 200 head of mother cows and 200 head of stockers. The Works have been involved extensively with various conservation groups, including the Natural Resources Conservation service through the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program and the Environmental Quality Incentive Program. These partnerships have helped fund such ranch improvements as ground level troughs that not only provide their livestock with water, but service the needs of birds and other wildlife. Other conservation projects include ground squirrel disease research, conservation/no-till methods, windmills to help distribute water, no-till planting, leaving some grain crops for wildlife, and other habitat improvements. The Work Family Ranch, through their operation and outreach, has shown that cattle are not just a commercial product but also a very valuable tool for the environment. Llangollen Farms - Middleburg, VirginiaRegion I winner Roy Ash began his stewardship practice when he purchased property at an estate auction 14 years ago, saving the property and community from urban development planners who wanted to raze the site and build a multi-home housing complex. Llangollen Farms is located on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 40 miles southwest of Washington, DC. Parts of the farm have existed for more than 200 years, and the current operation consists of three properties. The primary business is a cow-calf operation with backgrounding/stocker and replacement heifer enterprises as complements. The cowherd consists of commercial and purebred Angus units. Farm manager John Wilkins has since made it a priority to create and implement a conservation program that protects the water on the land. He created forest and wildlife habitats to protect the animals that live there, and developed programs for manure management, streams and wetland protection, forage management, and soil preservation through no-till planting practices. Roy and John's dedication to protecting and improving the environment is a worthy example for all cattlemen. Carlton 2x4 Ranch - Arcadia, FloridaDr. Barbara C. Carlton, owner, and Patrick Carlton, managing partner of the Carlton 2x4 Ranch are the Region II winners, continuing the tradition of responsible land stewardship. The Carlton 2x4 Ranch is essentially a commercial cow-calf operation, but also relies on its citrus and timber enterprise. It is split among three ranches located in the Peace River Valley in South Central Florida. The ranch has been in the Carlton family since the mid 1800s, allowing the now eighth generation to continue farming the lands. Spread over three counties, the ranch comprises 7,978 acres, with 1,000 head of commercial Brangus cow/calf stock and a smaller steer backgrounding lot. There are 875 acres of citrus for fresh fruit sales and juice making, and 500 acres of timber. All land under the Carlton 2x4 Ranch has been managed using all known Best Management Practices and Integrated Resource Management. Surrounded by Hardwood Creek swamps, cypress and pine stands, pastures and citrus groves, the Carlton Ranch livestock, wildlife and natural habitats flourish. Water management is a main focus of the ranch. In a sub-tropical climate, proper irrigation amounts and timing are critical. Brady Pfeil, natural resource manager for the ranch, takes his job seriously by utilizing the latest technology and BMPs, not only when it comes to irrigation but fertilizer and pesticide application as well. Energy conservation through the use of solar charged fencing and wildlife habitat development and preservation are also top priorities. Everyone involved with Carlton 2x4 Ranch is committed to making the land better than it was environmentally while keeping the operation financially sound. Renewable resources are to be manged for the highest return in balance with maintaining sustainable ecosystem. Whenever possible, bio-diversity is encouraged allowing for a variety of wildlife. M&M Cattle Company - Carthage, MissouriMatt and Denice Mathews, owners of M&M Cattle Company have been selected as the Region III winner. With children, Niki, Crystal, Victoria, Stephanie and Chad, the Mathews run a cow/calf operation on 1,700 deeded and 2,500 leased acres. They own or manage 900 head of cattle and retain ownership of calves through backgrounding on the ranch and finishing in Kansas feedlots. M&M Cattle Company also generates income from timber, hunting leases, grass seed production, feed production, pasture and hay. The Mathews have developed a strong rotational grazing program. These practices supply cattle with increased forage while also providing a refuge for wildlife. This program required the digging of two additional wells and adding water lines and fencing. Furthermore, the Mathews have built extra fencing to keep cattle out of timber, creeks, springs, and ponds. They also have worked to develop wildlife habitat through fencing and wildlife feeders. Canyon View Farms - Geary, OklahomaRegion III winners Frank and Shirley Austin, owners of Canyon View Farms, recognize the importance of maintaining the soil, and have labored arduously for 50 years to turn the land from farmland to grassland. Their grassland flourishes and has provided the basis for improved grazing for their cattle. Canyon View Farms is located in Central Oklahoma near Geary. The Austins own and rent 1,680 acres, used for the production of grass, hay and wheat. In addition, they run a cow/calf operation with 170 mother cows. Frank and Shirley believe it isn't how much you work, but what you do with the resources you're given that matters. With that in mind, they try to maximize the productivity from the land while managing it in a sustainable manner. They do this by utilizing rotational grazing and no-till methods of soil management, and controlling water runoff from pastures. A system of pipes and ponds help control runoff, conserve water, and prevent soil erosion. Wildlife protection is equally important to the Austins. Two hundred of their acres are in the Conservation Reserve Program and are planted with native grasses and forbes for wildlife. They recently cleared 60 acres of eastern redcedars to benefit the quail population. Frasier Farms - Woodrow, ColoradoMarshall Frasier and his sons Joe, Mark and Chris formed a partnership that makes up Frasier Farms in Woodrow, Colorado, the Region IV winner. Frasier Farms is a family owned and operated ranch founded in 1946. Spilt over two properties in Woodrow and Limon, Colorado - a total of 44,000 acres - the Frasier Ranch generates income from cattle and grass. Both operations fund a spring and fall calving operation with 800 head, a yearling program, hunting access and custom grazing, when allowable. The rolling hills of blue gramma and buffalograss are maintained by what is considered the cornerstone of the ranch, planned grazing. Utilizing more than 190 paddocks, the Frasiers use their livestock to recycle nutrients and organic matter back into the soil. By doing so, the Frasiers have been able to keep the soil covered, which in turn aids moisture retention to promote abundant plant growth. The intensive grazing operation also inspires biological activity, and offers thriving habitats for beneficial insects such as dung beetles and ants, and various birds. This has resulted in a more bio-diverse ranch. Additional improvements to the environmental quality of the ranch include: 4,000 trees to provide shelter and habitat, 50 dams and 65 water points, 55 miles of water pipeline, and water diversion used to help with erosion control. Barenthsen Red Angus Ranch - Powers Lake, North DakotaMark and Kathy Barenthsen, owners of Barenthsen Red Angus Ranch are the Region VII winner. The ranch is in its fourth generation, and consists of 5,480 acres of owned and leased grass and cropland. The Barenthsens run 200 head of Red Angus cattle on 2,300 acres of pastureland, hold an annual production auction and sell cattle private-treaty. In addition, they farm approximately 2,500 acres of durum, barley, oats, flax and peas. The remaining acreage is used to produce feed for the cowherd. Mark and Kathy utilize the land to its maximum capability through a rotational grazing system. In 2000 they began working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop grass and wetlands easements. They have spent a great deal of time replacing the old fence lines in those areas with 18,290 feet of fence, converting what was once two separate pastures into four 160- to 200-acre cells. Also helping wildlife, as well as cattle, are the 30,000 feet of shelter belts. These trees also provide relief from wind and erosion and hold back drifting snow.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
