Moriah Ranch Blog

Employee Feature

Mon, 20 May 2024 01:18:36 GMT

Employee Feature : Guillermo Garcia

This month, we want to introduce everyone to our long time employee, Guillermo Garcia. Guillermo started working at Moriah Ranch in 2013, as a seasonal H2A worker. It was soon evident that he possessed many talents for ranching and certainly had a passion for it. After several years of returning in the Spring and leaving in the Fall, we realized he was the perfect candidate for a green card. It was a long slow process , but finally he was approved! We couldn't do what we do without him. He can operate any piece of equipment and is always a friendly helper to our hay customers. He has become a great mechanic and isn't afraid to tackle anything from an engine overhaul to rebuilding a tractor. He's our behind the scenes hero, and an invaluable employee here.

We took the opportunity to ask him a few questions about his life and give everyone insight on who he is.

~ Where were you born? "I was born in Puruandiro, Michoacán Mexico."

~ Why did you want to come to the United States? "I came to the United States for better life opportunities ."

~ What do you like about living here? "I like the cultural diversity here."

~ What do you miss the most from home? " I miss my family."

~ What is your favorite season on the ranch? "I like the Summer & Fall the best."

~ What is your least favorite job on the ranch? "I do NOT like feeding in blizzard conditions! I don't like hay in my face or socks!"

~ What is your favorite food? " Definitely tamales!"

~ What are your hobbies? " I enjoy leather crafting and fly fishing."

Whether you're coming here for a visit or to buy hay, please take the time to meet Guillermo!

Spring Lambing

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 14:47:00 GMT

Spring Lambing

As a custom here at Moriah Ranch, we like to have the lambs born prior to the calves. So we begin lambing the last week of February, with the “goal” to be finished in 3 weeks or less. Let's back up here for a minute…

To have a successful lambing, planning starts months ahead of the actual delivery date goal. We start first by pulling the ewes off of pasture and begin feeding cracked corn 2 weeks prior to the rams going in with the ewes (this is the last week of September). This change in feed increases the energy level of the ewes diet, thus increasing her fertility. After this 2 week period, the rams are introduced to the ewes and nature runs its course.

A ewes cycle is every 16 days, so we leave the rams in with them for 32 days. By doing so, we hope that each ewe has had her cycle at least once. Once we remove the rams, life goes back to normal and the waiting period begins. A sheep's gestation is 5 months minus one week. So we can pretty much guess everyone's due date, by knowing what day she was bred. We start looking for lambs the last week of February….sounds easy enough, right!? It really is if you watch and know your sheep. We do visual checks every 3 hours, if not more, 24 hours a day 7 days a week during this time. *See why we like a 3 week lambing period!!

We have had folks say, “why don’t you just get a barn camera? And save yourself a lot of trouble!” Well, there's nothing like actually being in the barn and corrals and watching each ewes behavior.

They make a certain sound when lambs are coming, a rather soft low baaa, and paw at the ground. We then move them to a “jug” (a small stall) and let them have their lambs. We leave them in the jug until the twins are bonded and momma is healthy and ready to go…this is typically just a couple of days. Here she receives room service 5 times a day….receiving grain, hay and fresh water after each visit. (and fresh straw for a warm comfy bed) For me, this all is a labor of love and I look SO forward to it each and every year. As a side note, we wrapped up lambing this year in just 2 WEEKS! A new record here.

Winter's Cling

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 14:46:59 GMT

Despite what the calendar says, winter is still very much here in North Park.

We woke up to more fresh powder, 6 inches to be exact and a sharp North wind this morning…10 degrees outside. Seems every Spring we are fooled by the arrival of the geese, Robins and meadowlarks..their sounds and shouts “we are back” throw our thoughts into greener days ahead. Nevertheless, with a little extra hay and a good straw bed, the livestock will thrive.

Our lambs are well on their way now, growing by the minute. They are less than a month old, but are independent and curious about everything. Our first calf was born this morning. Soon the others will follow. A lone wolf circling the property, sure makes a weary eye around here….we are more than indebted to our hard working Livestock Guardian dogs. We have 3 Great Pyrenees/Akbash dogs here. Vacillie is 12, Nugget is 2 and Rozy is a year old. They patrol the nights so we can rest.

The willows on the creek bottom provide much needed shelter for the cows and their calves, but also harbor the predators we fear. Our neighbors have LGD’s as well and we attribute our lack of predation to the team work these dogs provide.

Last night I heard foxes calling back and forth to one another.

They are a joy to have around and haven't ever caused a problem. We actually enjoy their little antics of hide and seek. As we grow weary of this white landscape, we know Spring truly is just around the corner. We remember sunny days are just ahead.

“What Does a Rancher do all Winter?” you say…

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 15:47:00 GMT

He begins his day before most arise, trying to plan the financial side. Office work must be done early you know…you never know where the day might go. Then he gets a bite to eat as the sun and wind meet his coat and feet. On the way to the shop, he works a path through the snow and hopes the tractor will start. So many hungry mouths relying on that plan, lets pray there won’t be a delay and the wind claims the land. If all goes well, there’s only 2 hours to plow and blow…and what a sight to see those lovely eyes glow. He carefully gets that wire gate, and spreads out summer's heavenly hay. Grateful mouths devour the nourishment, his heart full of God's grace…another winter's night is behind them all. A lonely howl is not far, another desperate plea for a meal, you see.

The once crystal clear mountain stream, so inviting and dear…is now a ridged ice field, needing his attention. The stock must quench the staggering thirst…created by winter's arid condition. A shovel and pick are all he requires, good thing he has last night's trail to follow. Crags and jags of ice chip away, blue and gray hues drift the neighbors way.

Somewhere in that frozen white ocean, are tubs of vitamins and minerals for the kine. Maybe in time we can find.

Still more mouths to feed, though smaller in size, not in importance. Will the path still be open? Winds favored him today, only 1 hour back that day.

Wait, what's that dripping down the green paint? A tractor hose in desperate shape! Back to the shop he goes, but will the road to town be passable? With one glimpse to the North, the answer is nope. So in mechanic mode he goes. His hands are frozen, the shop feels cozy…if only his animals could be so comfortable. The physical task must prevail, mental toughness is his linchpin. Supplies in hand, he finishes by 1, will she still have dinner done?

Repast and a short rest behind him now, repeat is in front of him now. Twilight's star sparkles bright on this cold and crisp winter night.

Remember this as you enjoy that steak….and ponder what a rancher does the rest of the year….