2 Broadcaster Press September 1, 2015 www.broadcasteronline.com Faith, Family & Rodeo Thrive On Western South Dakota Ranch BY LURA ROTI for South Dakota Farmers Union When Pat Clark, 52, reflects on his life and career as a third-generation South Dakota rancher, he looks upward and gives thanks. “I thank the Lord for the opportunity to ranch. He’s been good to us and if it was not for Him, we wouldn’t be here.” “When you talk about getting through the tough times ¬ God is a key player,” adds Barb, Pat’s wife and ranching partner of 27 years. In 1986, Pat met Barb, who grew up on a farm/ ranch operation near Meadow. The couple married in 1988 and have been ranching together ever since. In 2000 they purchased the ranch from Pat’s dad, James. Together the couple and their four children have worked hard to make their cattle herd and land more productive. “We sell beef but we are really selling grass. We want to sell more pounds of beef per acre of grass,” Pat explains. Since they took over ownership, they have installed water pipelines, cross fences and implemented a rotational grazing program. “It’s changed quite a bit. The ranch was pretty Owestern’ with big open- country pastures,” says Pat, of 7,000-plus acre pastures the cattle freely grazed. Today, most of the pastures have been cross fenced by him and Barb into 320-acre pastures. Although the couple has always been open to increasing efficiencies ¬ attending land management workshops whenever they can ¬ Barb says the biggest changes were driven by the 2002 drought. It was so dry that summer, Black Horse Creek, which runs through their property, ran dry and the water that was in their dams was not potable. “We had no hay so it was nip and tuck for a while. In the end we had to sell down our herd,” she says. “We realized the longer we could graze the rangeland, the less dependent on hay we could be.” They continue to install cross fence, drill wells and pipeline with assistance from Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentive Programs (EQIP). “It’s truly a work in progress,” Barb explains. Today their graze-half/ leave-half program allows for a reserve of grass. During the 2012 drought, the Clarks were able to maintain their herd size. Along with changing the rangeland esthetics, due to modifying their herd’s genetics, the cattle also look different today. “Big cows take more grass and RANCH | PAGE 6 Hay Country Jamboree At Gayville Saturday SUBMITTED PHOTO Iowa’s “Singing Farmer” Ervin Pickhinke, shown, joins cowboy poet Ed Nesselhuf, Yankton duo Mike and Jay, and banjo wizard Dan Kilbride in “The Hay Country Jamboree,” at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Gayville Hall. Gayville Hall presents it monthly musical variety show, The Hay Country Jamboree,” at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, in Gayville. Jamboree regulars, including banjo player and funnyman Dan Kilbride and Iowa’s ”Singing Farmer” Ervin Pickhinke, will be joined by award-winning cowboy poet Ed Nesselhuf of rural Elk Point, who will share some of his verses and emcee, and the popular Yankton duo, Mike Hilson and Jay Gilbertson, for a lively two-hour show. Jamborees always feature three-or-more musical acts on stage together trading old-time popular tunes, country, bluegrass, and humor by turn. The fast-paced shows include a short intermission midway and are presented in an alcohol-free, family-friendly setting. Gayville Hall is at 502 Washington Street in Gayville. Call (605) 267-2859 for ticket information. NOW ACCEPTING BIDS FOR SNOW REMOVAL (2015 - 2016 season) for the St. Agnes School, Church, & Parish house! Please send bids to: St. Agnes Church • 416 Walker • Vermillion, SD 57069 or call Mary at 624-4478 Please submit bids by Sept. 30th at 3:00 pm oking l Bo ! Fal ay! D HEATING & COOLING 920 Broadway, Yankton • 605-665-9461 • www.larrysheatingandcooling.com Book your Heating & Cooling Consulting Appointment with Jamie Today and automatically be registered to win a FREE furnace when you purchase a new AC unit. 100 $ OFF * Duct Cleaning 750 OFF * $ Heating & Cooling System 34 OFF ** $ Planned Maintenance Agreement **new customers only Register for a FREE* UV Lamp & Humidifier *When booked during fall Booking Day only. See store for complete details. Friday, September 4 th, 2015 • 9am - 8pm REGISTER ALL DAY FOR GREAT PRIZES Bring The Kids! Bounce House • Live Entertainment FREE Food Served 5:00 - 6:30pm Yankton No Interest † for 4 years! † minimum pu e store for details. rchase required. Se The More You Spend, The More You Save! Example: Total of your combined purchases $499 YOU SAVE 100 $ Clearance - Sale Price - Regular Price 920 Broadway • Yankton • 605-665-3719