Cattle is King in Colorado
“Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds.” Proverbs 27:23
Dogs may be man’s best friend, but cattle tend to be a rancher’s best bet. All one has to do is drive along any road in Colorado and see the many cows that pepper the landscape. Some people even say Colorado has more cattle than mountains!
Cultivating Cattle
Some studies have shown that agriculture is the second-largest industry in the state of Colorado. Within that number, beef cattle is Colorado’s number one agricultural commodity–with more than 15,000 active producers in the state. Furthermore, in a recent survey, agriculture has generated more than $40 billion dollars in annual economic activity, and the industry supports more than 170,000 jobs.
The majority of ranch owners opt to raise cattle. The benefit to owning thousands of acres, is that you won’t have to fuss over grazing permits. You see, if you plan to alternate hay and cow operations, you’ll need several acres in both dry grazing land and forested alpine mountain land. The ranch listings of Lone Eagle Land Brokerage have a variety options to support your dream of cattle ranching in Colorado.
Finally, when you buy a heavily-acred ranch on the Western Slope, not only will you be contributing to the legacy of cattle in Colorado, you could receive several tax breaks with your ranch land. This sounds like win-win to us!
The Most Popular Meat Producers
There are a few breeds that have become the favorite of many Rocky Mountain ranchers. The following breeds have been selected due to their ability to produce meat, and their overall hardiness.
No bull–Black Angus is the number cow in Colorado.
Angus
Angus comes in two breeds: Black and Red. Black Angus is the most popular of breeds for producing meat. Originally bred in Scotland, these two breeds are know for their adaptability and their marbled meat. They are naturally hornless, making them one of the more docile cow breeds.
Beautiful and beefy: Hereford cattle are cold hardy.
Hereford
Originally from Herefordshire, England, this breed is used to cold, damp climates of the high country. The Hereford’s popularity has been steadily rising over the last century, and many farmers stay that this breed is more docile, and provides more marbled meat, than the Angus.
Simmental cows are known for their lean meat.
Charolais
The Charolais (pronounced “char-lay) was originally bred in France and is sought after for its lean meat. They are typically white or creamy in color, and they can withstand cold temperatures, making them great for high country cattle. Also, because of their light color, they can tolerate the hot summers of the high deserts.
Simmental cows are known for their lean meat.
Simmental
The Simmental breeds were one of the first breeds introduced in the United States. Originally from Switzerland, this breed is prized for his lean meat and their docile nature. The Simmental breeds come in a variety of colors, but most commonly red and black.
Stewards of the Land
Cattle ranching is about stewardship, as well as agriculture.
More and more people are leaving their careers in the rat-race, and looking for greener pastures (sorry, pun intended) in the life of ranching.
Selecting the right livestock for your ranch depends on how many acres you own, and what type of microclimates you have on your property. When you purchase a ranch from Lone Eagle Land Brokerage, you’re buying some of best cattle ranching land in the Nation. This is simply because you have more variety in landscape, and most properties come with access to water or senior irrigation rights. Getting into the field of agriculture can not only be profitable for you, but it’s also a sustainable lifestyle.
For example, agriculture plays a monumental role in protecting the environment. Not only does your plentiful pastures provide habitat for wildlife, it helps sustain a very important food network. This reminds me of one of my favorite passages, “But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind (Job 12:7-10).”
Let Lone Eagle Landing Brokerage help you find your dream property today!
