CALF_News_October_November_2020

32 CALF News • October | November 2020 • www.calfnews.net Kinkaiders The Switzer Ranch was settled by Sue Ann Switzer’s great-grandfather, Alfred Scherzberg, in 1904. He and a brother utilized the Kinkaid Act to acquire Loup County, Neb., property. Marrying a local girl, Scherzberg began to build a suitable farmstead. After a wooden barn was completed, their soddy was vacated for a house made of lumber. The barn is still in use today. Thus, an ambitious couple started the original Hereford cow-calf operation that remained a mainstay until changes arose in the late 1970s. Adjustments on the Horizon By 1978, the great surge in popular- ity of Angus cattle had trickled into the Nebraska Sandhills. Fueled in part by the huge numbers of feeder cattle that flow through the Burwell Livestock Market each year, production of black-baldy calves became a success for area ranchers with a solid base of Hereford cows. At this time, Sortum’s parents, Bruce and Sue Ann Switzer, were heavily involved in the family business. A switch to Angus bulls benefitted the operation as they spe- cialized in baldy feeder steers; their heifer calves were especially sought after. Disaster Strikes In 2001, a tornado came through the ranch, killing more than 50 of the Swit- zers’ best black baldy heifers. The catas- trophe coincided with difficult financial circumstances and pushed the family into dispersing their herd. Sortum says “this was a very wise and brave deci- sion” on the part of her parents. She explains their difficulty in taking that step after working and building a herd for so long, but they did “what was best” for the long-term viability of the ranch. The adjustment they made started a sizeable diversification in their business, “spreading out the risk and offering more consistent revenue streams.” Priorities Sortum describes the driver behind their decision to diversify.“Pure need and a very strong desire for my family to live and work here,” She says.“Our family goal has always been to stay on the land, together. We’ll do what we need to do for that to happen as long as it lines up with our personal beliefs. “When making decisions about the operation as a family, we look at the intersection of production, economic viability, conservation and quality of life. The decision needs to positively align with each of these things to move forward into practice.” Each to Their Own Abilities Although the big decisions are made as a family, the main roles are broken down as talent and ability dictate. Sortum’s father, Bruce Switzer, heads a custom-grazing operation, includ- ing client relationship and labor. Her Switzer Family By Patti Wilson Contributing Editor Continued on page 34  Priorities Enable Success Flexibility. That word embodies the forward-thinking mindset of the Switzer clan of Burwell, Neb. Not an easy path to follow, this family has branched out into entities not imagined by most entrepreneurs. A visit with Sarah Switzer Sortum gave a clear view of how this open-minded outfit adjusts to the ever-changing challenges of ranch life. Bruce Switzer. Photo by Day’s Edge Productions The Switzer crew, left to right: Emmett Sortum; Mark and Sarah Sortum; Henry Sortum; Bruce and Sue Ann Switzer; Alfred Switzer in blue shirt; Ella Switzer; Adam Switzer; David Switzer; Teresa Switzer.