Ranchers Series Flip Book

PETER SANTENELLO COWBOYS N' RANCHES

COWBOYS N RANCHERS PAGE | 02 Who What Where BACKGROUND & WHEN Hey guys, here are some points of interest about Cowboy and ranch culture I came across while developing this series: Locations: Locations for cowboy and ranch stories are diverse and include: MT, WY, TX, NE, NM, OK, KS, CA, MO, NV, AZ, and FL....to name but a few. There is a clear difference between Ranchers and Cowboys (as I was told). Ranchers also call themselves Cattlemen/women: Cowboys are more independent and rougher around the edges whereas ranchers and cattlemen are attached to a specific ranch. Vaqueros: In 1519 the Spanish in Mexico started to ranch with imported horses from Spain. By the 1700s they moved up into TX, NM, and AZ. By the 1800s English speakers moved westward and adopted these ranching practices. Vaqueros/Cowboys played a big role in settling the western frontier. Open Range vs Privatized Land. Great Plains were open range in the 1800s and by the 1890s the lands were privatized because of feuds. The winter of 1886 - 1887 killed thousands of cattle and some historians chalk this up to the beginning of the end of cowboys. By the mid-1900s most Cowboys gave up the open trail and were hired by Ranchers. Highly experienced cowboys were called Segundos (2nd in Spanish) and would ride with the trail boss. Statistics: US Bureau of Labor Stats for 2021. There are not that many people working in this field. There are approximately 6,440 animal care & service workers, 1,930 animal trainers, 4,500 animal caretakers & 12,240 farm/ranch workers. Their salaries range from $32k - $40k. Young Farmers & Ranchers: The American Farm Bureau has a program for young agriculturalists, called Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) that provides its members with social and professional opportunities to expand their networks and develop their experiences.

PAGE |03 RANCHING LIFE Family: There are all kinds of ranching families. Generational ranchers that have been on their homestead for 5 or 6 generations and new ranchers who are looking for a lifestyle change. Some hold fast to their traditions while others are excited about innovation. There are those that drive cattle on horseback and others that prefer more modern methods. But the one thread that draws them all together is a love for what they do. It's a tough business. Education: 38% of Ranchers have a bachelor's degree (typically in Agriculture, Animal Sciences, and Agricultural Economics). 62% have a high school diploma and a certificate or associate's degree and 30% have a high school diploma (1% have no education). Mental Health: Farmers (like everyone post covid) are having issues with mental health. \"According to a January 2022 report by the American Farm Bureau Federation, 92% of farmers and farm workers now say they would be open to talking to their friends and family about mental health solutions, which is up 22% from 2019. In addition, the report found a majority of rural adults (52%) and farmers/farm workers (61%) are experiencing more stress and mental health challenges compared with a year ago, and they are seeking methods of care because of increased stress.\" The Number of People Working in Agriculture Worldwide is Diminishing: The global trend of people working in this industry worldwide has dropped from 44% in 1991 to 26% in 2020 - and for many ranchers, this is just a game of survival. The question that faces the American people is what sort of product do you want to consume and what are you willing to pay to keep the industry alive and well. Women: There is a growing female presence of women in ranching. Although I wouldn't say their role was ever insignificant. My guess is it was simply downplayed in times past. Black Cowboys: Many don't know that 1 in 4 cowboys was black. This may surprise people because that's not what we saw in the movies. \"By 1825, slaves accounted for nearly 25% of the Texas settler population. By 1860, fifteen years after it became part of the Union, that number had risen to over 30%—that year’s census reported 182,566 slaves living in Texas.\" Modern Day Vaqueros: It's interesting that many people don't realize the Vaqueros (Spanish Cowboys) were the original cowboys. \"Even the word “buckaroo” comes from the word vaquero. Whenever a cowboy straps on chaps (from “chaparreras,” for leather leggings), or competes in a rodeo (from “rodear”, meaning to surround) you see the true roots of vaquero tradition. As cattle branding migrated north from Mexico, then trail-driving Texans carried the techniques across the West.\" There are vaqueros that are still working on ranches to this day. Cowboy/Rancher LIFE

PAGE | 04 COMMUNITY CHANGES Changes in the Community Modern World: Mexico's Vaqueros struggle to preserve their traditional lifestyles in today's world. Droughts, fire, and changing climate pose external threats, as well as modernization and covid. This isn't just true for Mexico. It's happening throughout the US. Managing Cattle is different from state to state: \"The fertile fields of Iowa may only need an acre or so per cow, but in Wyoming, it might be more like 100 acres or even more and the land may be cut up by deep gorges, forests, and mountains. Some grazing takes place on wilderness land where motors are forbidden. Dividing cows in a herd is another job best done on the back of a good cow horse and this is often required where cattle are grazing over big areas in National Forest or on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land Cattle Drives\" Roundups, Then and Now - Equitours - Horseback Vacations Worldwide Ranchers are stewards of the land: The reality is ranching is a sustainable business. The grass is meant to be grazed and the cows provide a valuable service. Many of these families have been ranching for generations and they are aware of the importance of balance when it comes to overgrazing and caring for the animals. There is a misconception about ranching and cattle. A rancher's whole livelihood depends on both the land and animals staying healthy. Here is a story about ranchers and their efforts to save the bison from extinction. Inside ranchers’ efforts to save the American bison | Watch (msn.com) Drought and Wildfire in vulnerable areas: Liquidation has already put the industry on track to reduce the nation’s cowherd back near 2014 levels, which was the smallest since 1952. I saw this firsthand on the road. It's tough to watch these people struggle to keep their land. Ranchers Now Faced With Difficult Decisions As Drought and Wildfires Wage War on the Plains There is a Large Number of Elderly Farmers & a Resurgence in interest by the Young: We have an aging population of ranchers, but thankfully young people are taking the reins. One of the biggest problems youthful ranchers have is access to capital. This is not a career you pick for any other reason than you love it. It's a lot of hard work and not particularly lucrative unless you are a very successful ranch owner 3 ways young families benefit ranching communities | Beef Magazine Rising Costs: Farmers are paying 49% more for propane, 83% more for farm diesel, and 133% more for natural gas compared to just 1 year ago. This results in higher prices passed on to consumers at the grocery store, with nearly every product costing at least 8% more. According to the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri, farm production expenses, this year are expected to increase by 7% to $420 billion, “largely because of higher feed and fertilizer prices.” Cowboy/Rancher CHANGES

PAGE | 05 COMMUNITY CHANGES Small producers are getting squeezed out by the large producers: Labeling has changed. The term \"Product of the USA\" can now be used regardless of where the meat was raised as long as it was processed in the US. \"That allowed big meatpacking companies to bury smaller entities under an avalanche of cheap, foreign-raised beef while labeling it American-made, said Missouri rancher Darvin Bentlage. People are losing touch with the reality of food production: There was a time when farmers were an important part of our communities. The population was aware of where their meat, eggs, milk, and veggies came from. That is changing. Some truly don't know a thing about the origin of these products other than they bought them at the supermarket. It's important to remember a traditional farm is very different from a large operation. https://www.beefmagazine.com/cow-calf/photo-tour-worlds-largest-vertically-integrated- cattle-operation Supply Chain Disruptions: \"Beef producers need to prioritize input needs and put a plan in place to secure them. Currently, items such as fertilizer, vaccines, and even cattle ear tags may have limited supplies due to supply chain disruptions.\" Meatpackers: Meatpacking dominance has been blamed for ranchers not getting fair prices for their cattle. Some ranchers are circumventing this issue by packing their own meat. Technology is changing the landscape: and cowboys and ranchers that don't change with the times may not be able to survive. They \"talk of the mounting pressure ranchers feel to keep up with all the advancements, like the newest genetic markers being used for herds and the latest computerized equipment to maximize the efficiency of land.\" Modern Cattle ranchers have adopted trucks and even helicopters. Meat Substitutes: are being created and pose a threat to cattle ranching. There is a strong push to decrease our carbon footprint and cattle ranches are in the eye of the hurricane. \"A recent study on the economic impact of the alternative meat industry found that the plant-based food market is expected to reach $74.2 billion by 2027. The financial services company Barclays estimates the market for alternative meat could grow by 1,000% over the next 10 years, reaching $140 billion.\" Cultured Meat: This is another threat to traditional cattle ranchers. Will there be a time when this replaces cattle ranching as a source of meat? Cowboy/Rancher CHANGES

PAGE | 06 COWBOYS Places of Interest TEXAS (West): Ft Davis, Texas: You can grab a bite to eat at the Fort Davis Drug Store and stay at the Hotel Limpia (1912), take a drive on the Davis Mountains Scenic Loop, or check out the Jeff Davis Court House. Pecos, Texas: This is the regional center for ranching and oil & gas production. They also claim to have hosted the first rodeo in 1883. You can visit the Buck Jackson Arena or the Pecos Rodeo in June Rodeo Culture: Click here for Rodeo Dates NEW MEXICO (Southeast/South Central): Roswell: This area is rich in cowboy and Native American history. The Bosque Redondo Memorial is where Navajo and Mescalero Apache people were brought after being forcefully removed from their traditional homelands. The Hondo River flows into the Pecos River at Roswell and there are grasslands that made it a great camping spot for cowboys. Roswell isn't just known for UFOs! Ruidoso: Visit historic Fort Stanton. Tularosa: Visit the historic Saint Francis de Paula Church. White Oaks: Visit an authentic cowboy/frontier-style Ghost Town. Cloudcroft: This is the location of the Sunspot Solar Observatory. COLORADO (Eastern): Boyero: means bullpen in Spanish. It's a real ghost town. There are also a few people still living here. Cripple Creek: An old historic Gold Rush town. La Junta: Tour Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site in southeastern Colorado. Seibert: Land of tornadoes - weather plays a big part in ranching. Fort Morgan: Check out the City of Fort Morgan Museum. Brush: Check out the Cowboy Bible Church. Fowler: Historic Museum. Rocky Ford: Famous for its Melons. Julesburg: Used to be the wickedest city in the west! Cowboy TOWNS

PAGE | 07 COWBOYS Places of Interest NEBRASKA (West): Crawford: This area of Nebraska is hauntingly beautiful. Check out Toadstool Geological Park & High Plains Homestead Ogallala: Is a super cool cowboy town. When you are there visit the Front Street Cowboy Museum, Petrified Wood Gallery & Boot Hill Cemetary Chimney Rock: This is an incredible sight to behold. Alliance: Carhenge? Yep! You'll find a lot of interesting things on the road. Scotts Bluff National Monument: A must-see. It's incredible. MONTANA: McLeod: There are only 139 people that live in this small town with a rich cowboy history. Big Timber: In 1895 this was the biggest wool market in the US. This beautiful area was the backdrop for a River Runs Through It and the Horse Whisperer Ingomar: Don't forget to visit The Jersey Lilly, a restaurant with some serious history. Miles City: Another town steeped in Cowboy culture. It was the biggest horse market in the world. Visit the Range Riders Museum and the Bucking Horse Sale (May 19 - 22) National Bison Range Nile Rodeo IDAHO/WYOMING Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming) & the Teton Valley (Idaho) Oxbow Bend (Wyoming) Jackson Lake (Wyoming) Teton Rodeo (Idaho) Jackson (Idaho) Cowboy TOWNS

PAGE | 07 COWBOYS Cool Cowboy Videos: The Last Cowboy at Pine Creek Ranch: \"Wayne Hage may be the last cowboy in his family, ending a tradition of cattle ranching that started during the Civil War. The Hages have been fighting with the federal government over grazing rights on Nevada public lands.\" Wall Street Journal. This is a must-see for people who want to understand what is happening with ranching in the US Ranching The Endangered West | Modern Cowboy Documentary: \"Get an inside look at the life of the modern cowboy through a multi-generational ranch family and how increasing regulations are impacting their operations.\" American Cowboy | Traditional American Way of Life | Documentary | 1950: A Real blast from the past My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys Documentary w, Waylon Jennings, as seen on TNN: \"The video today for Waylon Wednesday is the documentary My Heroes have Always Been Cowboys narrated by Waylon Jennings as originally broadcast on TNN. Waylon spent 10 days roaming the 250 square miles of the 06 Kokernot Ranch with cowboys to chronicle his experiences. It includes music sung by Jennings and interviews with the cowboys. The Kokernot Ranch is one of the largest privately owned ranches in the United States and one of the few remaining ranches where horses and cowboys still do cattle roundup work just as they did a century ago.\" 500 Miles - The Story of Ranchers and Horses (2017): \"The 500 Miles film communicates the importance of this concept by telling the story of the un-purposed wild mustang and the un-purposed veteran, following both as they learn to face and navigate challenges, with the ultimate goal of discovering what their greater purpose in life is.\" WHEN YOU SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS...THEY SUPPORT US I have my dream job. I get to go to some of the coolest places and meet fantastic people every week. But it takes resources. There's the gas, hotel rooms, and car rental....it all adds up. Thankfully I have some kick-ass sponsors that help me keep the lights on. When you support them, they support me: Please check out Cuts Clothing for premium minimalist sportswear: CutsClothing.com Cowboy VIDEOS