Date:
8/4/2003 12:00:00 AM
Title:
Colorado Ranch is ESAP Region V Honoree
Frasier Farms Ranch Wins NCBA Environmental Stewardship Award
Washington, D.C. (August 5, 2003) – Marshall Frasier and his sons Joe, Mark, and Chris form a partnership that makes up Frasier Farms in Woodrow, Colo., regional winner of the Environmental Stewardship Award, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced today. Frasier Farms is one of seven regional winners nationwide, and represents NCBA’s Region V, which includes six rocky mountain and northwest states.
Sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) recognizes cattle producers whose stewardship practices are inventive, cost-effective and contribute to environmental conservation. The recipients of this top U.S. beef industry environmental award are selected by a committee of representatives from university faculty, federal and state government agencies, and conservation and environmental organizations.
“We’re so proud of our ESAP winners and the philosophies they embody,” says NCBA President Eric Davis. “Ranchers like the Frasiers have an innate love for the land that benefits the environment, their communities, their businesses, and serves as an example for all of us.”
Frasier Farms is a family owned and operated ranch founded in 1946. Split over two properties in Woodrow and Limon, Colo. - a total of 44,000 acres - the Frasier Ranch generates income from cattle and grass. Both operations run a spring and fall calving operation with 800 head, a yearling program, hunting access and custom grazing, when allowable.
“The Frasiers have actively managed their properties for the benefit of wildlife species,” says Kim Burgess, manager of policy for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. “These management practices have been evaluated, and the Frasiers have received the highest possible scores for maintenance of valuable habitat and actions to improve habitat.”.
The rolling hills of Blue Gramma and Buffalo Grass are maintained by what is considered the cornerstone of the ranch, planned grazing. Utilizing more than 190 paddocks, the Frasiers use their livestock to recycle nutrients and organic matter back into the soil. By doing so, the Frasiers have been able to keep the soil covered, which in turn aids in retention of moisture to promote abundant plant growth.
The intense grazing operation also inspires biological activity, and offers thriving habitats for beneficial insects such as dung beetles and ants, and various birds. This has resulted in a more bio-diverse ranch. Additional improvements to the environmental quality of the ranch include: 4,000 trees to provide shelter and habitat, 50 dams and 65 water points, 55 miles of water pipeline, and water diversions used to help with erosion control.
“Learning to manage in concert with the environment has taught us other valuable management lessons, as well,” says Marshall Frasier. “Just as it is imperative to remain observant and flexible when managing within the constantly shifting parameters of nature, we have learned to be responsive to market and business opportunities., Management is much more art than science.”
With cooperation from the Colorado Division of Wildlife, The River Bend Ranch, and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, Frasier Farms is recognized as a viable ranch that has not only its livelihood in mind, but the environment surrounding it as well.
Frasier Farms will be formally recognized for its regional ESAP award at the 2004 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in Phoenix, Ariz., next January, when the national award winner will be announced.
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Editor’s Note: For additional information, news releases and fact sheets on individual winners, contact NCBA’s Washington office at 202-347-0228.
Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is the trade association of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.