Save the Bartel family ranch & its Hereford herd!

As some of you know, but many of you may not, 2018 was an impossible year for agriculture in Southwest Colorado. It was the driest year on record, and it left us with little to no irrigation water, and thus, no hay or pasture production. As a result, we were forced to sell all but a select group of cows in an attempt to make ends meet. However, due to the lack of pasture and hay, we were still forced to purchase feed for the remaining cows during the summer, fall, and winter. Additionally, the drought was followed by an incredibly cold and wet winter with some of the deepest snow on record. This was a devastating combination for a business that is so closely tied to the weather, and the debt incurred from merely trying to stay afloat was far more than the income received last year. And thus, we’ve arrived at a point where we need to ask for some monetary help to avoid selling the entire remaining cow herd, and going out of business. Of course some of you may be asking why we cannot simply sell the current herd, get caught up and purchase more cows in the future. That answer is simple— this is a Hereford herd that was originally started with the purchase of two purebred heifers in 1966 and selectively bred over the last fifty-three years to produce the herd we have today, one that is particularly suited for our high elevation. The bulls and cows on the ranch are a genetically elite Hereford group with regional recognition, the result of a lifetime of care, selection, and management. The cows at this ranch are not looked at as simply “beef”, but rather as individuals with specific contributions to the ongoing improvement of the herd.

The ranch was originally homesteaded by our family in 1888 and is located in one of the most scenic valleys in Colorado. In the beginning, the main source of income was oats, and later made a transition to cattle and hay. Our current homestead is located on the site of a late 1800s stagecoach stop and tavern, and is rich in Colorado history. In addition to maintaining the productivity of the ranch and cow herd, we also strive to preserve the beauty and historical significance of the valley and have placed the property in a conservation easement held by La Plata Open Space Conservancy.

Finally, we are hoping to raise approximately $30,000, an amount that is just under 30% of our hay production loss from the drought. Those dollars will help to repay loans, keep the herd intact and the haying equipment running this year.