Ranch soils range from sandy loam to clay overlying caliche hardpan. Annual rainfall is 8.3 inches. Spring is the driest, windiest time of year in the desert. It's common to have no rain for an entire month during that time. Rains normally start in July.
Winters vary from very wet to very dry.
It's warm enough during the winter months for forages to grow and produce feed if there are fall rains. A unique quality in this country is the variety of plants. Something is green all of the time even though it may not be palatable. Natural forages include black grama grasses and mesa drop seed grass. Tobosa grass is best when it's green because is not palatable when dry.