Stewardship

Through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Six Shooter Ranch has agreed to rest a rotating 3,600 acres of the available grazing land for five years. Resting the land allows time for plant recovery and creates a refuge for wildlife

Through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), Six Shooter Ranch began work to maintain and protect the land around our streams and rivers. By installing 2.5 miles of fencing and planting 1,500 trees along our waterways, we have worked to implement a plan that will have long-term benefits for our water quality, fish and wildlife. The buffer zones created by fencing intentionally keep our cattle from accessing these areas as water sources. Limiting cattle access reduces water contamination thus creating cleaner water downstream. Planting within these buffers creates essential shade to keep water cooler for fish and wildlife.

Six Shooter has developed 28 springs across the ranch to create water sources for wildlife and our herd. The creation of new springs and troughs gives our herd access to a clean water source. The more springs developed, the more access cattle have water in various grazing areas throughout our acreage. As we develop more springs, we are able to better disburse and move our herd through various pastures, lessening the distance cattle must move between food and water. Ultimately, this allows us to rotate our herd more efficiently and sustainably. This project is ongoing.

Six Shooter recently initiated the process to begin implementing sustainable forestry practices around our timbered ranch land. We are focused on expanding fire breaks for wildfire remediation and selectively thinning our forest for habitat improvement.

Oregon State University conducted research on the use of juniper trees as a biochar soil amendment for alternative fertilization on several plots of pastureland at Six Shooter Ranch. Researchers concluded that biochar production could create an effective link between forest restoration and commercial agriculture.