Ranching in the Sierra Foothills

Lessons from our first Prescribed Fire on Working Landscapes Workshop As I wrote in a blog post in February (Working with Fire), at one time, fire and fire agencies were part of the ranching culture of the foothill communities where I grew up.

Short- and Long-term Stock Water Strategies On a day that started with a long-overdue rainstorm here in Auburn, I received word that USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack had declared a drought disaster in 50 of California's 58 counties including Placer, Nevada, Sutter, and Yuba.

I've known Doug Joses and his family for more than a quarter century. The unofficial mayor of Mountain Ranch (in Calaveras County) Doug has spent his entire life ranching in the Sierra foothills raising cattle, sheep, and Angora goats.

15 years of experience with lameness in sheep During the first half-decade we tried to raise sheep commercially, we battled a variety of foot issues. Seems like we had just about every problem a sheep producer could face - foot scald, foot rot, you name it. We trimmed feet 3-4 times a year.

Every rancher dreads getting that phone call - "Your cows [sheep, goats, etc.] are out." And anyone who relies on fences to keep livestock contained has probably received that call at some point. Fences fail, gates are left open, somebody forgets to hook up the electric fence energizer.