blackfoot-valley

premium price for cattle that are certified under their program. In order to qualify, those ranchers must likewise be certified under the “Free Farmed” guidelines of the American Humane Association that defines humane treat- ment of the animals. The Ranch also encourages its participating ranches to use Meyer genetics (a separate program that markets select semen to ranch- ers) and gives them some preference, but not guarantees, in buying their stock - the ranchers are always free to sell elsewhere if they find a better deal. On-site Ranch Manager Jim Phillips has explained that, “We run the cows in groups of 350 to 400 head, and a set of about 200 heifers, with each group assigned to a grazing cell made up of several pastures. The cattle are rotated through the pastures, with moves coming every three to ten days, depending on the size and range condition of each pasture.” One purpose of this rotation is to keep the pastures in optimum condition by preventing overgrazing of any of them (and, periodic rests help the plants maintain their vigor and regrowth after grazing, especially in dry years). Pasture rotation also insures that the cattle feed on the best and most nutritious growth pos- sible, and that they get a variety of natural nutrients since different pastures provide varying mixes of these on account of differing soils and exposure con- ditions. There is every possibility that a particular nutrient that is compara- tively lacking in one pasture may be found in abundance in another. Whether in humans or animals, science is far from understanding the requirements of the body for every nutrient among the many thousand that exist. It’s best to insure that the animals get as much a variety of natural feed as possible by means of, in this case, letting them graze on a varied mix of pastures. Most of the Ranch’s registered Red Angus calves and almost half of the commercial calves are conceived through artificial insemination, using semen from select bulls of known bloodlines. The calving season is shorter than average, being limited to 45 days, and is carried on later in the season than is usual in the industry. A typical time for breeding on most Amercan cattle ranches is in March and April. At the Ranch, the calving period is scheduled from late May through mid-July. In the Nevada / Blackfoot Valley, close to half the annual precipitation of 12 to 14 inches comes in the form of snow, and temperatures below zero, even as late as March. Consequently, late calv- ing holds a number of advantages. Taking a cue from nature, Jim says, “we calve with the elk and the deer.... We have found that conception and fertility rates are better. Calving this time of year has enabled us to benefit two (other) ways. It saves labor 185