Chico Basin Ranch - 4/8/12

Leah and I arrived on the 4th of August at Chico Basin Ranch and was lucky enough to spend a couple of days there. This Ranch also practices Alan Savory's work. It is an 87,000-acre working cattle ranch 35 minutes southeast of Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is owned by the Colorado State Land Board and managed under a one-of-a-kind lease by Duke and Janet Phillips and their family. The ranch offers education and recreation opportunities for adults and children also. The Chico Basin Ranch uses a cell grazing system where they run approximately 2000 head of mixed cattle, including their own Beefmaster herd. The Chico Basin has an average rainfall of 12 inches (including snow). The ranch consists of shortgrass and sandsage prairie, spring-fed lakes and meandering creeks. Their grazing system ranges from one day grazing to a ten day grazing pattern where they at least try to rest the paddock for 90 days or more. Their management is very similar to the Lasater Ranch as Duke Phillips worked at the Lasater Ranch for ten years prior to leasing the Chico Basin Ranch. The cattle herd were in good condition even though their season isn't treating them kindly. The Ranch also has a small flood irrigated pasture of lucerne which is used for the horses and cattle. Duke, Janet and all the employees at Chico Basin Ranch were very welcoming and made us feel like we were at home. Have a look at their website for more in depth information >> http://www.chicobasinranch.com/