Page 210 - The Welfare of Cattle

ranChInG WIth InteGrItY and IntentIonaLItY 187

consideration of the others. However, it is possible to produce a hierarchy that guides the process of
building an integrated approach to stewardship.
The process begins with effective leadership committed to the development of people in
alignment with the core values of the enterprise. To attain a high level of husbandry and steward-
ship on a ranch requires that every individual working in the enterprise is committed to these
principles. Without this fundamental alignment, there will always be actions taken by people that
are counter to the guiding values and the rewards of stewardship will be very difficult to obtain.
Once the team is assembled around the core values, the growth and development of each person
must be addressed. Providing and investing in an environment where people can align around a
great purpose, develop mastery, and have autonomy is the bedrock upon which the principles of
husbandry and stewardship can be successfully applied. No ranch is sustainable without being
people centered. Ultimately the care of all other resources is dependent on human attitudes, talent
and behavior.
Stewardship of the landscape is the second priority as the natural ecosystem provides the nutri-
ents and inputs that nourishes the enterprise over the long term. Healthy soils, watersheds, plant
and wildlife communities are necessary for the extensive ranch to thrive. Grazing livestock depend
on the well-being of the ecosystem and its ability to provide sustenance. Extensive management
systems require that the choice of the type and kind of livestock is carefully matched to the capacity
of the ecosystem. Expecting success from forcing the ecosystem to adapt to the needs of the animal
is unrealistic.
Financial stewardship is the third tier of the pyramid. Ranching is a business enterprise and
the thoughtful management of monetary resources is critical to all other elements of the business.
While some might list financial resources as the first order of business, money is not the core reason
for the ranch’s existence. It is a tool and certainly a critical instrument but the pursuit of annual
profitability does not drive the extensive ranch. Wealth is multifaceted on a ranch—certainly profit-
ability is important but it must be balanced with other elements—staying in harmony with land-
scape conditions and weather’s variability, trading short-term gains for long-term wealth creation,
and decision-making that is focused on accepting short-term sacrifice in exchange for long-term
opportunity.
Applying the lessons of the good shepherd to the production of livestock is the next layer
of stewardship. Some might suggest that the needs of the animal comes first but the reality is
that quality livestock care is only possible when human, landscape and monetary resources are
adequately addressed. The quality of husbandry applied to livestock is directly related to the care
of the aforementioned resources and no ranch can thrive without commitment to the well-being of
livestock.
The final focal point for the application of stewardship is the community. Ranching does not
occur in a vacuum and great ranches have exceptional relationships with neighbors and the larger
community. The value of these relationships cannot be overstated as the community and ranch share
a common future fueled by shared labor, a willingness to share information about stray animals,
predators, downed fences, and a host of other issues related to the ranch, and being vigilant in sup-
porting other ranch families in times of joy and duress.
As important is the relationship with the greater community. Most extensively managed ranches
interact with citizens who log, mine, recreate and utilize the natural resources of the community
in a number of diverse ways. Managing in multiple use environments requires not only the ability
to execute ranch strategies and tactics but to also maintain an effective approach to public relations
with other users on the landscape.
Finally ranchers who invest stewardship into the community volunteer their time and treasure
in youth development, local leadership, service to those in need, and a host of other philanthropic
initiatives. The synergy with a community is critical to the well-being of the people working in the
ranching sector. Healthy ranches need healthy communities to attract and retain talent.