The grazing method has improved the quantity and quality of the grass, and the ranch has increased its average cattle weaning weights from 500 pounds in 1985 to 722 pounds today. Rotational grazing also provides distribution of manure to all lands. We have worked hard to nurture and develop the renewable natural resources by forming plans that help us to improve range conditions, Cammack said. Always keeping wildlife in mind, when the family harvests hay, it leaves the residue on the ground to provide supplemental feed for wildlife. The family has developed six natural springs on the ranch, and has stocked all with trout for family fishing.
Water is a precious resource in the area.
The state receives an average 14 inches of rain a year. After fencing in the riparian area to prevent livestock from trampling the banks, it became necessary to bury two miles of pipelines and install six stock water tanks away from the watersheds. This practice filters livestock nutrient waste in water runoff areas. The ranch has sponsored a range tour with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Elk Creek Conservation District. The tour was held to demonstrate the benefits of rotational grazing, water pipelines, spring development, windbreak planting, conservation tillage, cross fencing, creating wildlife habitat, isolating riparian areas and delaying grazing and haying of nesting areas.