The Ranch
What Makes Us Special
Holding Ranch is located in Surprise Valley, CA, which parallels the California-Nevada border from Oregon to Lower Alkali Lake, 50 miles to the south. It encompasses three other major seasonal lakes, Upper Alkali Lake, Middle Alkali Lake, and, in the extreme northeastern corner of the state, Cowhead Dry Lake.
These wetlands are filled after wet winters by water draining off the eastern slopes of the Warner Mountains. Agricultural fields (mainly alfalfa) and pastureland cover the valley floor west of the lakes, and most of the bird habitat of Surprise Valley is restricted to private lands.
Holding Ranch is located to the west of Middle Alkali Lake up against the Warner Mountains. Soldier Creek runs out of the Warners through the Ranch year-round in wet years. Irrigation for the pastures on Holding Ranch comes from Soldier Creek, and the Creek also provides excellent groundwater for our hay fields. Surprise Valley has excellent soils thousands of feet deep created by millenia of erosion out of the Warners, and these are the soils on Holding Ranch. Our forage production is also helped by the longer growing season in Surprise Valley compared to the rest of Modoc County west of the Warners.
(courtesy: Audubon Society)
Spring on the Ranch
In April, the pastures begin their rapid growth, and we end winter hay supplementation. Calving begins, and the mother/calf pairs benefit from the lush pastures. In addition to happy cattle, Spring brings a wonderful array of new wildlife to the Ranch. Each year, pairs of Canadian Geese return to hatch and raise their goslings at the Ranch. After that, as if on cue, Sandhill Cranes come to oversee the first calves.
Other Wildlife
We are lucky to live in such a rural area. Bald and golden eagles, and red-tailed hawks, frequently fly over the yard and pastures. Deer and their fawns cohabitate with us as well.
Murray Grey Cattle - Advantages
During our 2010 search for replacement herd bulls, we were introduced to Murray Grey cattle. They were touted as easy gainers on grass with moderate size and docile temperaments. We decided to buy two bulls, and were pleased with the resulting calves.
When we butchered the calves two years later, we were amazed with the product, The meat was well-marbled, tender and had a fantastic flavor. As our Angus cows aged out we replaced them with Murray Grey heifers and our herd is now 100% Murray Grey.
Murray Grey cattle are an Australian breed developed in 1905 when a particular Shorthorn cow was bred to various Angus bulls and produced grey calves. In 1929, Helen Sutherland started a systematic program to produce these grey calves. It soon became apparent these cattle were efficient converters of feed that grew quickly and produced superior carcasses. These traits and their unique appearance resulted in great popularity. In 1962 fifty breeders banded together to form the Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society of Australia. Murray Greys grew to be the second largest breed in Australia and one of the fastest growing beef breeds in the United States.
Murray Greys vary in shades of gray from silver to black and are naturally polled. Because of their Angus heritage, they have dark skin pigmentation, and are not susceptible to skin or eye problems. They have proven to be hardy and adaptable to most climates. Murray Grey progeny are easily calved, nurse quickly, and grow well. A typical Murray Grey cow weans off a calf that is at least 50% of her own body weight at 205 days. The cows are excellent mothers with good udders. Bulls and cows are noted for their early maturity and high fertility.
The gentle nature of Murray Greys makes them easy to handle and adaptable to new environments. (courtesy: Murray Greys - The Natural Choice)
Humane Principles / Animal Handling
Since the inception of the Ranch, we have subscribed to the principles of treating our animals in a humane and mindful manner. We have studied Temple Grandin’s livestock handling methods. We believe that this is not only the right way to do things but that it also translates into a better qualify of meat and happier, healthier cows.
Harvest Practices
Our animals are raised on pasture their entire lives. One cannot rush the finishing of grass-fed animals. We typically harvest in July, when grass nutrition is at its peak. Our beef are processed and inspected at a small family-run, USDA-inspected plant. The plant is “Animal Welfare Approved”. Our beef is dry-aged for approximately 21 days, then cut, wrapped and frozen and cuts are individually labeled.
Sustainable & Organic Practices
Hunter started studying sustainable practices with Allan Savory in the early 1990s. He is an avid student of grass farming and attends as many Holistic and Regenerative Agriculture forums as possible. Our cattle are managed using rotational grazing practices designed to optimize the health of the native grasslands. We supplement with free-choice Redmond Salt (OMRI) to help maintain appropriate selenium levels.
Our Soils
Long ago, this area of the Great Basin was covered by ancient Lake Surprise, leaving it particularly rich in geologic history. Our soil is deep and rich and provides complex nutrients for our grasses and livestock.
Irrigation
We have partnered with the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) to improve our irrigation systems, and a project will be underway this coming fall.