CALF_News_October_November_2020

34 CALF News • October | November 2020 • www.calfnews.net brother, Adam, provides a wellspring of additional support that is always needed on a ranch. Fencing, moving cattle and well maintenance are good examples. Sortum creates the deferred rotational grazing plan. She says their grazing system utilizes prescribed fire into the rotation to control infestation of eastern red cedar trees and increase plant diver- sity. These burns require extensive plan- ning and coordination; Sortum’s brother Adam Switzer is the designated “fire boss,” shouldering much of the responsi- bility on those critical days. Additionally, custom grazing and backgrounding provides revenue that has flexibility while utilizing available resources. Adam Switzer heads up a custom backgrounding entity, taking full accountability for each detail, including developing feed rations and riding pens. Sortum and dad Bruce provide backup. Billing and bookwork are provided by Sortum and Sue Ann Switzer, her mom. Bruce Switzer’s “baby” is the short- term cow project. Older cows are pur- chased each fall and calved out with the entire family helping. These are sold at grass time in the spring. The brief term of this project provides more liquidity and cash flow compared to a permanent cow base. Sarah Sortum’s husband, Mark, is a self-proclaimed Sandhills “transplant.” He has converted nicely, though, accord- ing to his wife. Mark is a grade 7 through 12 science teacher in the Sargent school system, and capably provides additional labor on the ranch, in any capacity. Unanimously, the family says the best part of each program is the kids, who are now old enough to help out, a lot. Learning Curves If one is to learn, it is imperative to leave your front yard. The Switzer family members are proud of a great network of progressive-minded industry members and organizations who do a great job of sharing information. Sortum herself attends conferences and field days when- ever possible. Her greatest education has been obtained from traveling to South Africa and Namibia. “Livestock and wildlife are corner- stones of the economy,” she says. Addi- tionally, conservation is a valuable tool in rural economic development. She says that ranchers are indepen- dent by nature and unafraid to try new things if they feel it may benefit their operations. Creativity, ingenuity and assertiveness naturally follow. The open-minded and progressive nature of the Switzer crew led them to form a private land conservation group with their neighbor, the Morgan Ranch. Their efforts earned them the 2013 Region VII Environmental Steward- ship Award presented by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF), Dow AgroSciences LLC and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). The Lodge Is Open As Sortum and her brother got older , they married and had families. Return- ing to the Switzer Ranch meant that additional revenue was necessary for everyone to thrive; that was the impetus to build Calamus Outfitters. Sortum credits her brother’s gumption and entrepreneurship for the creation of this opportunity. The campus encompasses two lodges that sleep 20 each, and four cabins that each sleep six. There is an event center that hosts a wide variety of gatherings in the area. Activities include birdwatching in the spring (great prairie chicken and sharp- tailed grouse), open-air jeep tours, and tanking or tubing down the Calamus River. Clients have arrived from all over the world. Sortum explained that many of their guests have never had the opportunity or desire to see a ranch; it’s the outside activities they offer that spark interest to vacation at the lodge. The entertain- ments become a vehicle for agricultural education and advocacy, and the family takes that responsibility very seriously. In their interaction with clients, she says it is evident that most people have a lack of accurate information (or inaccurate and negative information) and enjoy talking to someone who can explain the beef industry to them in practical and realistic terms. Their clients’ experi- ences result in people walking away with a more well-rounded view of the real challenges of the beef industry and an appreciation for the passion ranchers have for their land and livestock. What’s in the Future? Excited about the future of Switzer Ranch, Sortum wants each business entity to remain viable and healthy, with room for flexibility. Natural resources offer the most opportunity and must remain a priority. She reminds us that there really are no “marginal” lands; each rangeland is valu- able in its own way and must be given the thoughtful planning and manage- ment they deserve. She reiterated that the most impor- tant element of the ranch is the children, who are learning to love the land and agriculture. The life skills and values gained there will serve them well, wher- ever they wind up.  SWITZER FAMILY Continued from page 32 Helping out on the ranch comes early in the Sandhills. The Switzer grandchildren are deeply appreciated.