2012 Focus Update

Focus Updates – 2011 In Review & 2012 Rolling!

Again, a new year has started and the plans for 2012 are rapidly developing. As we look ahead, we also look back to see where we have been. Here are some thoughts about 2011 and projections for 2012.

We started 2011 with an above average snow pack but at the time, we didn’t think this unusual. It became unusual when it persisted into June and had grown to approximately 318% of average. This transcended into the 500th year runoff and the Little Snake River exceeded its banks and carved a new course in some areas. It was spectacular to see but also kept us on flood alert for days. The National Guard was in place to sand bag the main town in the valley, Baggs, WY. More problematic for us were 2 landslides that blocked our driveway and relocating the weaner pigs to higher ground…not an easy task!

Cattle News 2011:

We received 300 head of yearling heifers locally in March. They were fed hay until the snow melted and grass appeared. The cattle from California arrived in May and brought the total to 1300 head. The delay of spring weather and the late snow melt required frequent moving of cattle but as summer evolved, we benefited from an abundance of grass and water. The cattle flourished under these conditions, resulting in good weight gains. We shipped at 3 different times, beginning in August and finishing in September. We were pleased with the outcomes!

Cattle News 2012:

We have 1500 head of cattle on pasture in California and plan to receive most of them in May. Typically, we go on our forest pastures the last week in May….a great time for those who want to ride and move cattle.

Our 36 cows delivered a healthy calf crop in 2011….18 bull calves and 18 heifer calves. I’m not sure what the odds are for having an equal number of both male and female calves but it is a first for us.

We will begin calving in mid-April….34 cows and 11 first calf heifers.

Guest Season 2011:

The highlights of a guest business can be summarized as re-connecting with familiar friends and making new. In 2011, we not only welcomed back many of our regulars but also had two family reunions. It appears that the key to a successful family reunion is neutral ground where meals and activities are provided, kids can roam freely and parents do not hear “there is nothing to do”. It is truly a wonderful experience to see families merging and creating their own magnetic field that strengthens as time is spent together.

Another observation….fly fishing bookings are increasing. We are happy to see this after completing Phase 1 of the river restoration project. Improving the fishing habitat is one of the project’s goals and feedback from the fishermen indicate this is happening. Another indicator supporting this finding is the improved late season fishing. We are seeing more fishermen in September and several have expressed an interest in early October trips. We also learned that the earlier flooding altered holes previously favored by the fish and created new, thus keeping the river dynamic.

Workshops 2012:

Cliff Watts will be offering his fly fishing clinic the week of July 16th….beginners and well seasoned fishermen should check this out. Cliff generates a lot of enthusiasm to tackle the river and is quite knowledgeable about our stretch as well as other local options available for all levels of skill.

Projects 2011:

We all can identify with “to do lists” and the satisfaction that comes with a completed job. This past year we undertook several projects that ranged from critical to routine maintenance. The critical job nominee went to replacing the back wall of the barn, which had shifted due to a structural flaw when this was last done in the 1980’s. It was a big undertaking requiring heavy equipment and skilled professionals but we feel the barn will last another 100 years and if not, someone else will have it on their “to do list”.

Other routine projects: new fence along County Rd. 129 (still in progress); replaced an old fence in the Horse Pasture; painted the garage doors and all access doors in the employee building; season long clean-up from landslides.

On The Horizon….2012:

• April-trail cows and horses home from their winter pasture;
• May- receive & work the cattle from California; begin the guest season; trail yearling cattle to forest pasture;
• June- work cows and new calves; weekly roundups and pasture rotation of cattle;
• July-Cliff Watts’ Fly Fishing Clinic; continue cattle roundups and pasture rotations;
• August-anticipate roundup, sorting and first cattle shipments; Photography and Personal Vision Workshop with Karen Schulman;
• September-roundup and shipping of cattle; guests enjoying the colorful fall changes while fishing, hiking, horseback riding;
• October-Pregnancy testing the cows, selling/shipping the calves, finishing projects before the first snow….buttoning down the hatches
• November- an end to the election year….Thanksgiving
• December- whatever Mother Nature dictates while we enjoy the holidays

Of course our guests are the driving force behind the plans we make and the pleasures to be experienced throughout the year. In the past, we fretted over the uncertainty in the economy as recovery seemed slower than expected. It appears now that we are regaining some lost ground and there is a presence of cautious optimism. The international scene is more uncertain and going through erratic economic swings. This has an impact on the international traveler and so we may see fewer this year. There are many variables to consider when making projections for the 2012 guest season but we are more optimistic this year than last. Those inquiring about a ranch visit indicate that they plan to travel and are looking for adventure travel within the 50 states….we are certain we fit the bill!

We send all of you our best wishes for a fulfilling and prosperous 2012. As always, we enjoy hearing from you and would enjoy even more, seeing you when the snow melts and the ground opens up.