This study supports the concepts of sustainable ranching as practiced at Maytag Mountain Ranch. To read more of this article go to:

http://www.rodale.com/grass-fed-cows-0

RING IN THE NEW YEAR

At Maytag Mountain Ranch we have had a great “old year” and are looking forward to an even better “new year.”  We do hope everyone has enjoyed a very happy Holiday season.   We rang in the New Year at the HARanch with a New Year’s Eve party in the cookhouse.  Maybe next year you will be able to join us at the party! One of the guests created a fabulous vegetable bouquet pictured below.   It almost looked too good to eat.

As we start the 2011 New Year at the Ranch, we begin by reflecting on our accomplishments for 2010. For the first time this year, we ultrasounded our heifers.    Ultrasounding is the best high-technology technique available to determine how well the animal will finish as scores from the ultrasounding can be used to determine the intramuscular fat and potential tenderness of the meat.   As we work to improve the consistency and quality of our beef, we have had an increasing demand for the organic, grass-finished beef.  We had a waiting list last year and are already taking orders for this year’s deliveries.   A major project this year was the installation of more jumpers and switches on the fences.  This greatly improves the ability to maintain power along the fence line where it is needed and makes it easier and quicker to troubleshoot any problems with the electrical fencing.   In the garden we made significant improvements that should reduce the amount of labor required to maintain the garden.  We put in a new overhead sprinkler system that is more durable than the old system.  This sprinkler system also provides better coverage to get water to all the garden plants.   We began the process of putting down weed barrier, gravel and mulch that should greatly decrease the amount of time spent weeding the garden.   On the horseback riding front, we began exploring the mountain trails that are near the Ranch.   Many of you were able to enjoy these outings during your visits at the Ranch.   And in our efforts to keep the Ranch buildings in the best condition possible, we did complete the exterior staining of the barn and the office and shop building.   Additionally, we replaced the gravel around both Price and Mow cabins with weed barrier and rocks.   This has made the landscaping beds very attractive around both cabins and minimizes the costs as we no longer need to replace mulch annually.

As Santa takes his leave of us this year, we look forward to his coming again in December.  Continuing with significant highlights of our 2010 accomplishments, the Ranch joined with 6 other like-minded Ranches in southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico and formed a Cooperative to market the beef from all the Ranches.   This allows us to spend less time marketing our beef and more time on other Ranch activities.   The Co-op allows us to pool our beef resources with those of other Ranchers and get the best prices for our product. Look for us under the name Sweet Grass Cooperative.  The Co-op is incorporated in the State of Colorado.

A local reporter from the Pueblo Chieftain recently visited the Ranch. His news article on the Ranch captures the fun that families have a the Ranch and the desire to promote ecologically sound ranching that is a the heart of the Ranching efforts conducted by the Maytag Mountain Ranch Homeowner’s Association. Read about our Ranch at http://www.chieftain.com/business/local/article_5d130fe2-7b41-11df-87f2-001cc4c002e0.html

Sangres Broadband Listens to Ranch Presentation

  Members of the Sangres Broadband visited Maytag Mountain Ranch on April 3, 2010.   The Sangres Broadband is the Westcliffe, CO chapter of the Great Old Broads.  The Great Old Broads is a national grass-roots effort of volunteers who tend to the wilderness.  The local chapter of the Great Old Broads, the Sangres Broadband, has a very active group of volunteers that work with the BLM and Forest Service to clear trails in the Sangres, pick up trash along the local Custer County highways, plant trees in burned out areas, and clean trash from campsites in the local National Wilderness areas.    This group recently visited Maytag Mountain Ranch and learned about the ranch preservation philosophy.   The Ranch is dedicated to sustainability of the land and improving the grass lands on which the Maytag cattle graze.   The Ranch is organically certified and raises grass-finished beef.  The beef is sold locally directly to consumers.    Following the presentation the group takes a hike across to see the cattle.                                                                                                                                                            

Our Colorado Ranch in the Winter Time

It is often the case that when people here “Colorado” they think of snowy winters and great skiing. Unless you live in Colorado, you may not realize how different the climate is in the “high mountain” ski country and the “high valley” areas of southern Colorado. Our Colorado Ranch is located in the southern 3rd of Colorado, and although we get snow, we don’t get the tremendous snowstorms for which the ski resorts are famous. Here are some pictures of our Colorado Ranch in the wintertime. Maytag Mountain Ranch is located in a “high arid” climate at the base of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains.  Enjoy these pictures of Maytag Mountain Ranch in the winter time.

Bridge across the Stream

The Permaculture Garden will be Blooming Soon!

From Ava our Gardener:

    We have entered a perfect time of year to begin the winter pruning of the various fruit trees. In addition to removing branches broken by snow or wandering herds of deer and elk, selective thinning should channel more of each tree’s resources into the fruit. This should allow the plums, peaches, apricots, apples, cherries, and pears to be larger and sweeter when the fruit ripens this summer and fall. Careful thinning also allows more sunlight to reach the leaves and air to circulate. This movement of air and warmth from the sunlight helps prevent mold and fungus on the leaves and branches.

Changes to the grape arbor are coming along nicely. The grapes should be well supported with the minor improvements we are making to the structure. Similar to the fruit trees, I hope to have larger and sweeter grapes than ever before. We are experimenting with companion planting among the grapes. Clover can be found near the grapes; this gives the grapes more nitrogen from clover. Chives are being planted to help with insect control; chives act as a deterrent to insects that are detrimental to grape vines.

Nature’s choice of first stage ground cover and soil builders have worked very well in our garde. Bindweed and wild grasses have been holding moisture and converting subsoil into richer top-soil. The garden is now ready for more broad-leafed plants, such as comfrey, squash, pumpkins, and even fields of strawberries. The tiny burrowing mammals have been diligently tilling the soil, bringing air and water to the microscopic life forms that turn lifeless rock into a feast for plants of all kinds.

The plants with very deep roots, such as hollyhocks, valerian, and dandelions are doing their work, as well. Everything works together to make the garden a place of beauty and harmony. This is the essence of a Permaculture garden. If you have been to the garden before, you will find it somewhat changed this spring. If you have never visited, you will find it to be a place most enjoyable to wander and relax. I in-vite you to visit and ask me questions about the plants and their uses. If I don’t know the answer, I will find out and let you know. Visitors in the garden, including children, are always welcome.