Cattle are an important part of the ecology...

…of the Kerr Ranch.

Around the ranch, cattle graze.

Livestock are moved from paddock...

...to paddock regularly.

The animals' manure returns nutrients to the soil.

Electric fencing is used throughout the ranch.

Solar electric fence charger

Tractor tire watering tanks

A welded base for a hoophouse frame creates portable shade to help cattle deal

with summer heat.

We feed as little hay as possible...

...but filling the barn when the grass grows...

...is still good insurance against cold winters and prolonged droughts.

Pineywoods cattle, a heritage breed, are heat-tolerant...

…have lower input costs...

...and are good mothers...

...but bring less at market.

Angus cattle, with their high growth potential...

...bring a higher price...

...but are less heat-tolerant and require more inputs.

Crossing Angus cattle...

...to Gelbvieh bulls improves heat tolerance...

...but to further increase hardiness, we are experimenting...

...with a Pineywoods x Angus/Gelbvieh cross. Results so far are encouraging...

...but careful record-keeping will show whether one breed has an economic advantage over the other.

Healthy animals and pastures...

...are what we aim for on the Kerr Ranch!