REED LIVESTOCK
SAGEBRUSH BEEF
OUR RANCH STORY
3rd Generation Family-Owned Business
Reed Ranch, started in 1947, is located on the plains of east central Wyoming at the edge of the Thunder Basin National Grasslands. We are now raising up the fourth generation of ranchers. Earl Reed began with 300 head of sheep, a dog, and five pastures of land. Over the years, Earl, added more land and livestock as the opportunity arose. He built dams and spreader ditches, planted trees, and started other conservation projects. Many things have changed over the years, but the current generations still strive with conservation and sustainability in mind, to do the best for our environment while balancing the survival needs of our ranch. We now have cows, sheep, dogs, and more land to manage.
Vesper Sparrow
SAGE GROUSE PELLETS
OUR RANCH STORY cont.
We produce natural (no hormones, no antibiotics) grass-fed beef that graze on our Audubon certified bird friendly ranch. We also raise natural lamb so that with either beef or lamb, the consumers of our meat know where it is raised and what goes into the animal. We graze our livestock to benefit the land: to increase the quantity, quality, and variety of plants and animals that call it home. Usually what is beneficial to our livestock is also beneficial for the wildlife and vegetation. We strive for a healthy range that benefits birds, livestock, wildlife, and people. Management of the land for multiple species is a challenge, and mother nature has her own set of conditions that add further challenges. We work hard to make sure the wildlife and our ranch will continue to be here and thrive for years to come.
Some of our management practices are:
Rotational grazing; so that we can leave structure for nesting and cover of birds. Grazing and then rest periods also allows the plants to regrow roots and that sequesters more carbon in the soil.
Parasite control; we quit using synthetic parasite control longer ago than I can remember, and in 2019 I saw at least 3 different Dung beetles in different areas of the ranch. They say it takes 7 years for them to come back after quitting the insecticide.
Bird/Small wildlife ramps; installed in our water tanks to help birds get a drink safely and also to be able to escape the water if floating/drowning.
Mosquito control; in water tanks, or keeping them full and refreshed which keeps the mosquito controlled and a ready supply of water for wildfire control. This also provides water for wildlife in dry years.
Windmill to solar; conversion of windmill to solar for pumping water from the well. Reduces the non-natural roosts for raptors, which helps the sage grouse with predation from raptors.
OUR RANCH STORY cont.
Reed Ranch is a charter member of the Thunder Basin Grasslands Prairie Ecosystem Association with Jewell (Earl’s widow and awesome partner in this ranch) as a long-time board member. This Association is where conservation and practicality meet to keep us, as ranchers, on the land.
We have improved upon how our livestock grazed twenty years ago, by changing our grazing practices to include rotation and rest where possible. We continue to modify our management style with new information learned and some trial and error. We moved our calving so that our cows give birth in May and June...a similar time frame as most wildlife. This allows the cows to graze year-round with minimal supplementation in the winter, which is apple cider vinegar and sea salt.
Our conservation practices have a dual purpose—to sustain our ranch and protect certain species designated by the Federal Government in our grassland and sagebrush ecosystems as important indicator species. Protecting these species also protects the health of the other birds. We utilize new information from our own observation and information from respected and reliable outside sources. We have moved to a management-intensive grazing system that is better for the land, animals, and soil. This system is harder on the managers, but it is worth the extra work!
Sage Thrasher Nest
AUDUBON CERTIFIED BIRD FRIENDLY, 100% GRASS FED, FREE RANGE BEEF
We became Audubon certified in 2017 and have started to sell some of our high quality beef to local people like you that desire the same; that you know where it was born, how it was raised, what it was fed, and how it gets to your plate. They are raised on our ranch, grazing grass and other vegetation until it's time for them to leave. We feed some alfalfa hay (non GMO) in the winter as added protein. The reason for this is the harsh weather and lack of quality in the grass in the winter. A higher protein percentage is needed for calves to grow during all stages of their life from calves to 2 year old mature cattle. We welcome visitors to come experience where we live, how we raise our livestock, and the ways we manage our land and animals to benefit the diverse species that inhabit our land.
