Alberta Beef Producers presented its environmental stewardship award to the Chattaway family of Nanton during the organization’s annual meeting held in Calgary Dec. 1-3.
The Bar S Ranch is a fourth generation cow-calf and yearling operation in the Porcupine Hills region of southwestern Alberta.
Clay Chattaway, along his sons, Morgan and Scott, work together on the farm’s 2,000 acres.
Year-round grazing is the goal if weather permits. Cattle are moved every three or four days.
The terrain is variable, so cattle graze the lower ground in winter and move to higher elevations during the warmer months.
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Springs have been developed across the ranch to ensure cattle always have easy access to clean water using gravity fed watering systems.
The use of machinery is kept to a minimum, and the family regularly reuses resources where applicable.
Most of the cow work is done on horseback to reduce the environmental impact and keep the livestock more relaxed.
The provincial cattlemen’s associations annually select ranching families that demonstrate leadership in environmental stewardship by contributing to the health and care of the land and water while maintaining productivity and profitability.
A national winner will be selected at the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association meeting in August.
