DENVER (July 20, 1999) — Bob and Terri Blanchard of the Blanchard Ranch, Cayucos, Calif., have won the 9th Annual National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Environmental Stewardship Award in their region of the United States. Sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, the award recognizes cattle producers across the United States for using innovative practices to enhance the environment
Located on the California coast, the Blanchard Ranch was honored during the NCBA summer conference in Denver for Region VI, which includes California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. The Blanchard’s run 300 cow/calf pairs and 300 yearling cattle on 7000 acres of leased land, including the 3500 acre Pecho Ranch in Los Osos, leased land from Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E).
The Pecho Ranch is adjacent to the Montana de Oro State Park which has not been grazed in over 25 years. Ranching next to the state park, the Blanchards have had the opportunity to observe and better understand the importance of grazing and browsing animals in maintaining healthy and diverse grasslands and eco-systems. The negative aspects from the absence of grazing are apparent in the state park and archeological preserve adjacent to the ranch.
Wildlife ranging from rodents to rabbits and bobcats thrive on the ranch along with many birds including hawks and eagles.
"The Blanchard Ranch is an exceptional example of the unique partnership US Cattlemen have with the environment," said NCBA President, George Swan of Rogerson, Idaho. "This is a prime example of U.S. cattlemen working with the rhythms of nature, to increase their bottom line, while improving the earth for future generations."
The Blanchards have implemented grazing practices to improve and protect the environment. They use a rotational grazing system with cattle and goats to make the best use of available forage on the steep coastal mountains. Cattle and goats are both used for grazing in order to best manage a variety of grasses and shrubs. The goats eat the brush, opening the canopy, allowing sunlight to reach the ground and new grass to grow.
"Our over riding goal is to manage the land for which we are responsible in such a way that we are confident that we are not using it at the expense of future generations, said Blanchard.
The ESAP award annually recognizes up to seven cattlemen nationally. Members of the selection committee include representatives from the following organization: Environmental Protection Agency, USDA Agriculture Research Service, American Farmland Trust, US Fish & Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Texas A&M University, Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Society for Range Management, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Land Management, Wildlife Management Institute, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Florida State Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. Several criteria were used in the selection process, including the range of conservation practices that the candidates employ, such as water quality programs, manure management and wildlife habitat development. Candidates’ leadership activities were also important elements in the selection process.
A national winner will be selected from among the seven regional winners and announced during the NCBA Annual Convention in Phoenix, AZ, January 26-29, 2000.