Sustainable Energy Management

According to ISO (the International Organization for Standardization), energy management should strive for “continual improvement of energy performance, including energy efficiency, energy use and consumption.” Energy management is an important component of a sustainable ranch operation, including practices that help to reduce operational costs by using fewer inputs and producing fewer waste products, adapting to (and taking advantage of) varying climatic and weather conditions (e.g. solar power) and other strategies aimed at reducing ecological footprint. The broad objectives of this management category include energy security, cost savings and resource conservation.

Across North America’s central grasslands, innovative ranchers and grassland users are adopting sustainable energy practices. Whether it is to cut down on the cost of inputs—be they fuel, fertilizer or feed, enhance overall sustainability, adapt to changing weather patterns, or reduce waste, ranchers are making their operations more profitable, efficient and cleaner.

Rancho El Gorguz

Janos, Chihuahua

The purpose of the adoption of sound management practices at Rancho El Gorguz was to strengthen ranch infrastructure to improve the grazing system and grassland conditions, thereby enriching the habitat for fauna.
Rancho Lujo Barato

Ascensión, Chihuahua

The purpose of adopting sound management practices at Rancho Lujo Barato was to strengthen ranch infrastructure to improve the grazing system and grassland conditions, thereby enriching the fauna habitat. After touring the ranch, it was decided to carry out the project at the El Sapo pasture, as it is very visible from the highway and easily accessed.
Rancho San Blas

Ascensión, Chihuahua

The implementation of sound management practices at Rancho San Blas was intended to improve the grazing plan and the grassland conditions to benefit the habitat for area fauna. Prior to the project, the ranch had 10 paddocks, although their size, as well as the lack of water in some of them, made adequate cattle rotation difficult.
Sharing Your Land with Prairie Wildlife

Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, Colorado

The Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO) created this document to educate land managers about grassland management practices to help enhance bird and wildlife habitat in short grass prairies.
Slovek Ranch Philip, South Dakota

Bill and Pennie Slovek

The Slovek Ranch is located near Philip, South Dakota, where Bill – a third generation rancher – his wife Pennie and their youngest son Bo, run approximately 900 cow-calf pairs on over 13,000 acres. They also rent 6,000 to 7,000 acres every year.
Spirit View Ranch Rycroft, Alberta

The Weder Family

In 1996, the Weder’s acquired a quarter section of land and 10 beef cows in Camrose, AB. They then relocated to Peace Country in 2003, and increased their herd to 60 cows, 20 open heifers, and began ranching on 880 acres of deeded land.
Z-BAR RANCH LLC

Barber County, Kansas

This project was designed to improve rangeland health for livestock, manage grazing distribution, control invasive trees, improve wetland management, and enhance habitat for aquatic and grassland-dependent wildlife species.