Becoming a rancher typically requires a combination of education, experience, and resources. Here are some steps to becoming a rancher:

Education

Although degrees are not required, many professionals complete bachelor’s degree programs in agriculture or similar fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most ranchers and farmers have at least a high school diploma. Additionally, a high school diploma will be required for admission to postsecondary education programs, which are becoming more common in this field. Ranchers need some veterinary skills and have to know how to repair and maintain equipment and structures. To operate a profitable ranch, ranchers follow market changes and efficient business management practices. 

Experience 

You can also gain experience by working on a ranch or farm, or by participating in internships or apprenticeships. An aspiring rancher can become an apprentice to a working rancher to learn the skills required. This generally requires a commitment of one to two years and is an intensive hands-on immersion in ranching. Many ranchers offering apprenticeships practice variations on sustainable ranching and have a desire to pass their knowledge on to the next generation.

Consider a Specialization

If you have decided, after gaining some experience and knowledge, that ranching is for you, it could be wise to consider specializing further in an area within the field of ranching. Cattle ranchers can choose to raise beef cattle or focus on breeding stock. A basic understanding of genetics and knowledge of best practices in breeding management is important for those specializing in stock breeding. Ranchers raising beef cattle to sell to the public must learn and follow government regulations, such as those pertaining to acceptable medications or supplements for food animals.

Obtain Necessary Permits and Licenses

Now that you’re on your way to becoming a rancher, it’s time to think about some of the technicalities. You may need to obtain permits and licenses from your state or local government, depending on the type of operation you plan to run. This can include permits for water use, grazing, and environmental regulations. It is also very important to think about land, there are very few people  who have the sufficient cash in hand to start a ranching operation, which means they must secure financing for a herd and beef cattle farm equipment. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers programs to help new farmers and ranchers get started. 

Build a Network

Networking is important in the ranching industry, so it can be helpful to attend industry events, join organizations, and connect with other ranchers and agricultural professionals in your area. Although it may not be seen as an essential part of becoming a rancher, learning from experienced ranchers and taking onboard the advice of those who are a lot more familiar with the industry than you will be of  great help and may even save you from making some mistakes early on. 

If you have any questions or queries about ranch real estate in Northern California or any of our ranch property listings, do not hesitate to contact us here.

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• Agriculture and ranching supplied $1.053 trillion to the US gross domestic product in 2017, which would make it the 16th largest economy in the world if treated as its own country, sandwiched between Mexico and Indonesia.

• More than 700,000 cattle farms, ranches and feedyards exist in the U.S. Livestock grazing takes up 614 million acres, or 27% of U.S. land. About 93.8 million beef cattle live in the U.S. For comparison, there are about 326 million people in the country.

• While there are more than 2 million farms across the US, farmers and ranchers make up just 1.3% of the labor force.

• While farmland may stretch far and wide, farmers and ranchers themselves make up just 1.3% of the employed US population, totaling around 2.6 million people.

• The local food market in the US is expected to hit $20.2 billion, nearly doubling from 2014 to 2019. In 2017, global market research company Mintel found “widespread mistrust” among consumers in how food is made. This mistrust has helped usher in support for farmers’ markets and growing food at home. It’s also increased the demand for traceability, or the ability to to track every step in the process of food production. People are making a more conscious effort to buy locally from their local butchers and ranches.

• With the population’s growing concern for healthy eating, lean beef is in higher demand, resulting in an estimated 44% reduction in available total fat and a 29% reduction in saturated fat per capita contributed by beef, as calculated from the total beef available in the U.S. on an annual basis.

• There are over three times more beef cows than milk cows living in the United States. Raising cattle is notoriously expensive as land, feed an equipment do not come cheap.

• Most beef produced in and exported from the United States is grain-fed and marketed as high-value cuts. In 2021, the United States was ranked as the second-largest beef exporter behind Brazil, although it often has been a net importer.

• In 2021, the top 5 U.S. beef export markets made up 80% of total beef exports: Japan, South Korea, China, Mexico, and Canada. The United States’ two largest beef markets—Japan and South Korea—accounted for about 47% of U.S. exports. The third largest market was China, accounting for 16% of exports. Mexico and Canada—representing the North American beef trade—accounted for 17% of total exports.

If you have any questions or queries about ranch real estate in Northern California or any of our ranch property listings, do not hesitate to contact us here.

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Calving Pens

If you have not already done so you should begin power washing and disinfecting the calf pens and calf sheds on your ranch.  Make sure calving gates are working properly and make alterations as necessary. Lighting is also important, so replace bulbs and or install new lights if required. Installing a self-filling bowl is a good idea rather than offering buckets that usually end up spilled. Cattle can drink 10-15 gallons after calving so water provison should not be overlooked.

Equipment

Calf rearing can be a time-consuming process, but there is a wide range of calf rearing equipment that can reduce this time, i.e. an automatic calf feeder, which will not only reduce the amount of time feeding calves but will also monitor intakes of each calf. An automatic feeder will not suit every ranch, a milk trolley may be more suitable to some ranches, particularly on farms where calves might be housed in a number of sheds. Although they will not completely reduce the time needed to rear calves, they can create more time during the busy spring-calving season to get other jobs done.

Pre-calving Minerals

Pre-calving minerals should be offered to cows around six to eight weeks before the first calf is due to be born. Cattle feed can be relatively low in trace elements and minerals which is why it is so important to supplement diets in the run-up to calving. Minerals can reduce problems such as cows holding the placenta after calving.

Pre-calving Equipment

• Soft nylon ropes
• Buckets
• Disinfectant and lubricant
• Stomach tubes (one for sick calves and one for colostrum management)
• Feeding bottle
• Iodine
• A thermometer and a warming box
• Calf jacket or infra-red lamp
• A box of arm length gloves and standard rubber gloves
• Access to warm water
• Ensure to order enough calf tags

If you have any questions or queries about ranch real estate in Northern California or any of our ranch property listings, do not hesitate to contact us here.

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In this blog we are going to look at four key trends. When we consider these trend collectively, it becomes pretty clear that we are going through a transformative period in ranching and farming that’s only accelerating.

1. Consolidation

Since the 1930s, the number of farms has declined, the average size has increased, and the amount of farmland in agriculture has remained generally unchanged. Of the 2.1 million farms in the last Census of Agriculture, only about 15 percent are at-scale production farms, and they control 80 percent of the acres. Brett Sciotto of Aimpoint Research has predicted that by by 2040, there will be fewer than 100,000 production farms, and 5 percent of farms will produce more than 75 percent of the agricultural output. He believes that mid-size farms are under the most financial pressure and are declining the quickest as they get bought up by larger operations.

2. Technology

A lot of young people are interested in agriculture and ranching, and when Aimpoint Research asked what excites them most, new technology came up loudest. USDA says nearly 69 percent of young farmers will have college degrees.

Those who are coming back to the farm are going to be more educated than their parents and grandparents before them. They intend to do things differently. They won’t necessarily have the same appreciation for the lifestyle that their parents and grandparents did. They may want to run a very efficient operation and there may be a greater focus on making money. It is becoming more and more evident that ranchers and farmers who are willing and able to adopt new technology are getting further ahead and those unable or unwilling to do so are likely falling behind. 

3. Consumers

Consumers are at the centre of much of this change, and about two-thirds said they are thinking about where their food comes from, according to a recent Aimpoint Research survey. It is no secret that what drives consumer decision-making is price, healthiness and freshness. Consumers have a perception that non-GMO is better than GMO, that organic is better than non-organic and that grassfed is better than not grass fed. They also perceive that local is better even though the definition of local varies from a ‘farm in my community’ to a ‘farm in the U.S.’ Retailers will respond to this perceived value by adjusting prices.

It is likely that more food companies and retailers will continue to cater to what their consumers believe they want – whether it’s founded in good science or insights, or not. 

4. Markets

Commodity prices have been relatively low, but that hasn’t stopped farmers in many parts of the world from increasing production. As the global population continues to grow, analysts estimate that a 70 percent increase in food supply will be needed. South America is likely to become a strong player in the industry and as a result, American farmers will be in a more competitive environment as markets shift and new players emerge stronger to meet global demand.

If you have any questions or queries about ranch real estate in Northern California or any of our ranch property listings, do not hesitate to contact us here.

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Here are 8 things that make Christmas on a ranch so interesting and special.

1. Most kids have an early start on Christmas Day but for children living on a ranch there’ll always be somebody up at the crack of dawn to feed the cattle. In most cases, the cows are fed before anyone can tear into their stocking. 
2. Another important morning job is checking the water pipes and troughs. No one needs the rigmarole of kettles of boiling water and ice bashing if they freeze up. Getting water to the livestock is even more important than getting sherry to grandma.
3. In the country, you get to turn the pasture with the steep slopes into the ultimate sledding experience. Let’s hope for some Christmas flurries so there can be holiday sledding parties this year.
4. While most people dress up in festive knitted numbers, aunts and uncles will turn their noses up because you’re sat at the table stinking of cow muck because you didn’t have time to change. What’s the point anyway? You’ll have to go back outside after.
5. A large proportion of lunch on the big day will be from the farm to fork and it all tastes so much better that way.

1. You are sure to be near a Christmas tree farm when you’re out in the countryside which means you can get together with family and friends to pick out your favourite and cut it down yourself!
2. Another wonderful thing about Christmas and winter on a ranch is the way the world around you forces you to slow down. During those shorter days you are forced to slow down in so many ways; as you drive slowly you notice the world around you, there is no hustle and bustle. You have to take coffee breaks at the shop to warm up.
3. Everyone is in reminiscing mode. Who used to farm those 10 acres on the edge of the village? No, not him, before him. I knew his grandfather. A good shepherd. Had a limp. Stories like this will continue long into the evening.

If you have any questions or queries about ranch real estate in Northern California or any of our ranch property listings, do not hesitate to contact us here.

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Ranch rodeos are held all over the country. The teams of cowboys and cowgirls travel throughout the country to compete for bragging rights. They are usually held on weekends with sometimes two or three occurring on the same day. Some teams will travel to only a few rodeos a year and others try and make it to all of them. The teams prize winnings and ability to continue to get work done back at the ranch are determining factors for the number of rodeos a team can travel to and participate in.

Ranch rodeos vary in size and competitiveness. In some instances, they are local competitions that are help during the county fair and others are state competitions. These state competitions can be open for everyone to compete or by invite only. In order to compete in some of the bigger rodeos, including the World Championship, teams must qualify by competing at sanctioned rodeos. 

Most ranch rodeos consist entirely of timed events, with the goal being to complete the assigned task in the shortest possible time. Let’s take a look at some ranch rodeo events:

• Calf Branding – Teams have to find and rope specific calves (identified by randomly-assigned numbers) out of a larger herd of cattle, bring the calves to the branding area, and “brand” them by marking the calves with chalk.
• Ranch Doctoring – Similar to calf branding, except the cattle are older and larger, and the event simulates bringing a sick animal in from the herd for veterinary care.
• Bronc Riding: The contestant sits in a standard saddle attached to the back of a horse – but with no saddle horn. For leverage, he holds a thick “rein” that is attached to the horse’s halter, which can only be held with one hand.  
• Herd Counting – The objective is to throw a rope with a loop around the head, horns or legs, based on the size and age of the animal, and prevent it from moving.
• Calf Roping – a lasso-wielding cowboy or cowgirl moves from horseback to foot in pursuit of a calf. The contestant chases the calf on horseback, lassoes it, and dismounts to “throw” it down by hand

As you can see many of the events are team-oriented and reflect the cooperative effort needed to perform ranch duties. The nearly 200-year evolution of ranch rodeos has seen the sport evolve from localized roundups to formal associations and events.  One thing remains unchanged: Ranch rodeos are integral in keeping the Western culture alive for generations to come.

If you have any questions or queries about ranch real estate in Northern California or any of our ranch property listings, do not hesitate to contact us here.

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1. Identify and prepare winter grazing field. Cattle can actually graze through almost a foot of snow, however, supplemental feed will also be needed. Ensure that the fences and gates in these fields are in good working order and repaired before the ground freezes. Stockpiling forages is also very helpful and ordering extra loads of feedstuffs to have a good stockpile on hand is a good idea.

2. Test you winter forages and understand the value of them. This is important whether you produce your own or purchase forage from another rancher. Working with an animal nutritionist is a great way to find out exactly what nutrients they might be missing in order to add supplements where needed.

3. Create a water plan. Make sure you have parts and light bulbs for electric waterers and a heater or two could be useful for stock tanks. Cattle prefer to drink warmer water, and will drink less if it is cold. That’s why stock tank heaters are so useful, they help to keep the cattles’ water intake up. 

4. Fuel up. Make sure you have plenty of gasoline, propane and diesel on hand to fuel tractors, generators and trucks. Adding additional power sources is also advisable. Having a generator or two at hand could really save the day if the ranch loses electricity and you need to power waterers, refrigerators, heaters or equipment.

5. Prepare a winter calving location, if necessary. In some cases, calving will take place during the winter. This is normal but the low temperatures can be problematic for young calves. Prepare areas for cattle now by adding feeders, checking shelter, and fixing fences. Ensure you are checking on cattle regularly, and have shelter prepared for pairs to keep warm once calves are born.

6. Add lighting. Adding lighting to key areas of the ranch will help you and your employees to get your work done with less daylight hours. If this is not feasible then invest in additional flashlights and headlamps.

We hope that this blog has given you some helpful guidance. If you have any questions or queries about ranch real estate in Northern California or any of our ranch property listings, do not hesitate to contact us here.

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You may be a little overwhelmed by the amount of information out there on the internet and in books and that’s why we have compiled a short list to help you get started. 

Storey’s Guide to Raising Cattle Beef

There is no doubt that this book us very well known among the cattle ranching industry and has been referenced many times. The book provides expert advice on many of the different aspects of cattle ranching. There are different sections which discuss breed selection, calving, feeding and anything else you would need to know. This book is not just for those beginning their ranch journey but could also be of help to experienced ranchers as well.

Range Management: Principles and practices

Taking care of your land us a major part of running a successful ranch. Range Management is a great introduction into the science of range management. The key principles and best practices of range management are covered in this book. Practical applications and scientific studies and combined to make it very easy to understand.

Humane Livestock Handling

This book outlines how to provide a stress-free environment for your cattle and what it involves. It looks at understanding the natural behavior and temperament of the cattle in order to do so. The author discusses the best ways for moving cattle in the pasture, the paddocks and feedlot pens. The book includes plans and diagrams from constructing the right facilities on your ranch.

The Cattle Health Handbook

One thing that is bound to happen is that eventually one or more of your animals will get sick. You can save yourself a lot of money, that would otherwise be lost in revenue and vet bills, by knowing the signs of illness and how to treat them. 

The information covered in here tells you how to identify and treat any of the common injuries or sickness that you will encounter on the ranch as well as some that may not happen that often. It also covers the causes of certain ailments giving you information on possibly how to prevent them from happening again.

We hope that this blog has given you some helpful guidance. If you have any questions or queries about ranch real estate in Northern California or any of our ranch property listings, do not hesitate to contact us here.

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This myth argues that small farms and ranches really don’t impact the economy or local food supplies. However the reality is that small farms of up to 150 acres make up the vast majority of the agricultural industry. Small farms and ranches sell to larger distributors, as well as directly providing food and resources to their local communities. This allows nearby residents to enjoy the freshest foods, the highest-quality meats, all at the best prices. Supporting local agriculture is one of the best investments a community can make.

Myth 2: Ranchers Mistreat Their Animals

Modern ranching practices place huge importance on raising cattle ethically. Mistreating their animals only results in lower production yield, and animals that are more difficult to work with. It’s in the rancher’s best interest to provide the animals with comfortable and happy lives. The animals are healthier, resulting in higher quality meat products that can be sold for higher prices.

Myth 3: Ranchers have raised cattle the same way for decades

While ranchers do lean on their predecessors for some insight and advice from everything to cattle behavior to calving troubles to genetic decisions, a lot has changed in recent years. Today, science and technology is playing a major role in the raising of cattle. Ranchers often work closely with veterinarian sto manage a herd’s vaccination and animal health protocols. They seek insight from plant and soil biologists to help them manage grass, soil and water and make genetic decisions using genomically enhanced EPDs (think of them as amped up Ancestry.com stats for cows and bulls) so that we can raise cattle efficiently. Nowadays, everything that is done, from farm to fork, is extensively analyzed and recorded so that they can continue to improve their practices, raise more beef and improve their sustainability footprint. 

Myth 4: Most beef farmers and ranchers are men

While the majority of U.S. farmers and ranchers are men, women are gaining traction and market share. In fact, according to the 2017 Ag Census, more than half of farms have at least one female producer. Additionally, in 2017 (which is the most recent available data) the U.S. had 1.2 million female ag producers which accounts for 36% of all ag producers. Women in agriculture continue to increase yearly.

We hope that this blog has laid to rest some of these common myths. If you have any questions or queries about ranch real estate in Northern California or any of our ranch property listings, do not hesitate to contact us here.

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It is wonderful that the cattle get to spend more time outside, but that means more maintenance. Ranchers must ensure that cattle do not get overheated by installing air circulation systems in barns and providing fresh, cool drinking water. Having a misting system, water pool or pond will also help keep livestock cool!

It is also very important for ranchers to provide shade for their cattle. This might seem obvious, but think how many pastures are just fields of grass with not a single tree in sight. Run-in sheds, lean-tos, and shade trees offer quite a bit of relief from the summer glare for grazing animals. 

Vet bills can be very straining on ranchers. Summer pneumonia, pink eye and foot rot can all be significantly reduced with a sound vitamin/mineral program. Further, a healthy calf is a calf that is gaining better, thus impacting weaning weights.

Controlling insects as much as possible during the summer will be a major help to your cattle. Insect strike causes stress, aggravation, stomping and excessive movement, which, in extreme heat, can be detrimental to an animal’s health and well-being. Bug spray, fans, proper manure management and reduction or outright elimination of standing water all go a long way.

It is important for ranchers themselves to stay protected from the sun. Many ranchers are known for their infamous farmers tan, but remember to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water. Implementing proper safety measure when doing chores or working with equipment is also very important to stay safe on the farm.

If you have any questions or queries about ranch real estate in Northern California or any of our ranch property listings, do not hesitate to contact us here.

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