Hollister Ranch Cattle Co-op Report
By John McCarty, Manager

There's no better time to talk about water and Rangeland than at the driest time of the year. With the outrageous wildfires devastating hundreds of thousands of acres in Southern California our concerns here at home include fire safety along with animal husbandry practices and management techniques to ensure healthy Rangeland pastures.

At the 2002 HROA Annual meeting the membership voted very decisively to support the "Watershed & Rangeland Enhancement Program". The cost to each parcel was $14 per month and the total dollars collected was $22,344. The monies were used for the development of off stream water systems. These systems are designed to draw cattle from the popular creek bottoms (which is often the only water available), and get them up on the hillsides where until recently, we haven't had much water.

With a bit of planning, patience, good fortune and cooperation with HROA and Mr. Bev Morgan owner of HR Parcel 10, the Co-op was able to put the funds to good use. Bev Morgan has owned here on the Ranch close to 20 years and was very cooperative when asked to provide water for the Co-op's latest venture. We were able to design the system and trough locations (4 troughs) to water 4 different ridges while pulling cattle from three different drainage's: Cojo, Cementerio and Del Gato.

There wasn't anything easy about the project, tough well location, extremely steep terrain, and no access roads in place except to the tank sites. Jim Goebel Co-op foreman carried out the task wonderfully assisted by John Woodcock and Antonio Vaca, Co-op part time helpers. Greg Alker employed by Mr. Morgan did a great job coordinating HR 10's personal goals with the Co-op's. The system holds 20,000 gallons, which is disturbed to 4 different trough locations as mentioned above. We did go over budget, yes by $3.70. We also purchased additional troughs, which will be placed later this year on existing systems.

Having water higher and well-dispersed allows for the rancher to better graze the Rangeland. By using high-stock densities at critical times of the season giving adequate rest both 3 during the growing and non-growing seasons, we can encourage more native bunch grasses and preferred annuals while knocking down and discouraging the numerous noxious weeds we have prevalent in California.

Grazing down the pastures uniformly not only benefit the cattle and pastures, but also helps with elimination of excessive fuel buildup on ridge tops and steep hillsides. We don't graze just to keep the grasses down, however the benefits for fire safety shouldn't be taking lightly.

The Watershed & Rangeland Enhancement Oversight Committee was able to visit the site October 25 and was pleased with what they saw. This project did take some time but taking into consideration the amount of pastureland and creeks that will benefit from this water system I agree it was money well spent.

And speaking of money, you all have the chance to keep the ball rolling by supporting Proposition 4 on your ballots this December 6 at the HROA Annual Meeting. The Oversight Committee has recommended to the Board to continue on track with the Watershed program. The Board will undoubtedly continue their unanimous support of the program. There would be NO increase, just a continuation of what we started last year. Phil Boise, co-author of the Watershed program will be on hand to give a brief report. The Hollister Ranch Cattle Cooperative certainly encourages you to continue with this program.

Being in the commercial cattle business is a tough business to begin with, place the operation in the midst of a growing community and things can get interesting. There's been much said as to the problems which arise in such a relationship, however this Watershed project and the supporters of the project help fill in the voids. Not only that, but there are plenty of owners which already have let us place troughs on their parcels or possibly inherited them when they purchased. Some owners were part of the pilot program that the Co-op began over 3 years ago. Some provide the water and the location, in some instances the water companies provide the water. All of the water companies have been very supportive of the Co-op's efforts.

Here's a list of Parcels who have troughs on their parcels and should be applauded for the support: 10, 19, 21, 26, 27, 29, 32, 33, 35, 40, 41, 48, 55, 56, 57, 63, 66, 68, 70, 71, 74, 76. 78, 81, 85, 91, 98, 101, 103, 106, 109, 122, 123 & 130.