“The seedbank was there,” says Turner, “We just had to bring it back through animal impact. One thing we did was put our entire herd together into one; graze a large herd on a small landscape and you mimic what the bison did for thousands of years. We were able to use forage better, and we got more hoof action. By year 3, we were seeing a lot of the tall prairie grasses come back; by year 5, the growth was exponential.” Turner says the cell-grazing system helps maximize animal impact for short-duration grazing and provides maximum rest periods for the grazing cells. “Ideally, all cows graze for about six days in each cell,” he says, “and we try to graze each cell in one calendar year. That way, at any given time 90 to 95 percent of the ranch is being rested.” McCloy and Turner base cell stocking rates on forage biomass. It’s a delicate balancing act requiring attention to data as well as faith in the weather; while the average annual rainfall may be 16 to 18 inches, recent years produced an average just over 12 inches. The Payoff
Their calculations – and their faith – have paid off. Multi-year forage inventories show forage production going from 1,200 to 1,300 pounds of biomass per acre to 2,500 pounds per acre – and that’s after a three-year drought. Cow-calf stocking rates have increased from about 350 pairs to about 450 pairs, thanks to the high- density, low-frequency grazing system. In wet years, Blue Ranch can also handle 250 or more head of stocker cattle. In addition to improved water flow in the two perennial creeks, air quality is up due to better grass management and increased biomass coverage. But Turner and the McCloys are perhaps most excited about the return of the beloved ice- cream grasses.
“Once we implemented the rotational grazing system and maximum rest periods for the paddocks” says Turner, “we noticed the growth of eastern gama grass, switchgrass, Indian grass and other tall prairie grasses like bluestem.” The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has recognized the emphasis Blue Ranch places on stewardship and sustainability with the Region 4 Environmental Stewardship Award, a program for which Corteva Agriscience is the longest-tenured sponsor. Today, Blue Ranch serves as a model of agricultural sustainability, and a teaching ranch that attracts educators, students, Extension specialists and other ranchers from across the state and around the country. “The McCloy family and Mike Turner have demonstrated the potential for owners and managers to craft and execute a vision for rangeland improvement,” says David Lust, PhD, West Texas A&M University. “Their results are apparent to everyone who visits. The ranch is a trusted resource that shares its success by providing outstanding educational opportunities to the community.” Rex McCloy is a bit more humble. “Above all,” he says, “our mantra is ‘do no harm.’” Photo top, Rex McCloy, center, and his wife, Susan (left), with ranch manager Mike Turner (right) Blue Ranch switched to a high-density, low- frequency grazing system utilizing 62 grazing cells of approximately 320 acres each. “Ideally, all cows graze for about six days in each cell,” says ranch manager Mike Turner, “and we try to graze each cell in one calendar year. That way, at any given time 90 to 95 percent of the ranch is being rested.” Photo left, The transformation of Blue Ranch began with an overhaul of the existing water infrastructure. The McCloys added 120,000 gallons of water storage capacity, along with more than 40 miles of water lines and pumps serving individual 3,000-gallon troughs.
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