Producer Features

Many areas of the West weren’t settled until the turn of the 20th century, so it’s a big deal when Western producers can track their farms and ranches back five generations.

Last November, one of the deadliest fires in U.S. history screamed through central California. An entire nation watched as the town of Paradise went up in flames.

Alfalfa hay is the bread and butter of Alturas Ranches in northeast California – but what’s made the ranch a stalwart in the California hay industry might be a mindset bent on continual improvement.

Tom Kestell likes to joke his family’s physical stature means they’ll never be selected first when choosing sides for a basketball team.

Sometimes what has worked for years isn’t working anymore. Running a stocker program has worked for Cooper Brothers Farm for decades, but circumstances today have changed, and they’re converting to a cow-calf operation.

You’ve heard of the Texas two-step, a country dance. Let me introduce you to the Texas three-twist – cultivation, diversification and cooperation – involving sprigs, hay and custom work.