King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management

Volume 7, Issue 1

Spring 2011

KING RANCH

INSTITUTE FOR RANCH MANAGEMENT

FEATURES Tracks 3 Wagon “Decisions, Decisions, Decisions”

By Dr. Clay P. Mathis

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Prepared for the Future

KRIRM Alumni share how the KRIRM program prepared them for their real world roles.

By Kindra Gordon

6 Invest in Your Equine Education The Richard Mifflin Kleberg, Jr. Lectureship on Equine Management is June 27-29, 2011.

By Kindra Gordon

Published by the

KING RANCH INSTITUTE FOR RANCH MANAGEMENT Texas A&M University-Kingsville 700 University Blvd., MSC 137 Kingsville, TX 78363 (361) 593-5401 (361) 593-5404 fax E-mail: krirm@tamuk.edu http://krirm.tamuk.edu Clay P. Mathis, Ph.D., Director Jaimi Greeley, Editor

MANAGEMENT COUNCIL Chair: James H. Clement Jr., King Ranch, Inc. Caroline Alexander Forgason, Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. & Helen C. Kleberg Foundation Gus T. Canales, A.T. Canales Ranches Dave DeLaney, King Ranch, Inc. Lynn Drawe, Ph.D. Paul C. Genho, Ph.D., AgReserves, Inc. Jack Hunt, Retired CEO King Ranch Inc. Bob McCan, McFaddin Enterprises

On Our Cover:

Photo by Steve Johnson

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“Decisions, Decisions, Decisions” From the Director, Dr. Clay P. Mathis

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t the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Man- made by a ranch-managagement our vision is to train leaders who er friend of mine recently will make a positive difference in the ranch- when he indicated that ing industry and ensure our hard earned he might not make the heritage is not lost. To fulfill our vision we very best decision every help mold and develop decision makers that single time, but most of will be part of the next generation of managers of very the issues regarding the large ranches. We want graduates of the King Ranch ranch that require his Institute to complete the prodecision need to be dealt with We want graduates of gram with the ability to make exwithin no more than one or two cellent decisions the vast majority the King Ranch Institute to days. If decisions are postponed of the time, and be able to recog- complete the program with beyond a couple of days for in nize potential unintended consedepth analysis, the total number the ability to make excellent quences that may result from the of issues requiring his decision decisions the vast majority decisions they will need to make will just keep stacking up. The as ranch managers. But they also of the time, and be able to point was that since there is must be prepared to make decialways another set of issues that recognize potential sions as quickly as possible. It is will surface tomorrow, most unintended consequences decisions need to be made pretty the same for a ranch enterprise as it is for a small service business, that may result from the quickly. His ability to make exgovernment organization, or Forcellent quick decisions lends to decisions they will need to tune 500 company; the leader at his success as a ranch manager. make as ranch managers. the helm must be able to confiOn the other hand, the dently make decisions and not let magnitude of impact from opportunities pass because of an excessively delayed unintended consequences can be very large in some decision. The challenge we face is judging how much situations. So when the stakes are high and the information is needed when pressured by the need to impacts long-lasting, it is often more appropriate decide. to carefully analyze the situation and avoid a quick Last month while reading a sermon about leadContinued on page 10 ership I came across a suggestion made by former Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca suggesting that ‘a good leader makes a decision when 95 percent of the information is in. If the leader waits until he is 100 percent sure, it’s too late.’ We often don’t know what percentage of the information we have when a decision is made, but this is essentially the same point

wagon WT tracks

Photo by JoAnne Meeker

King Ranch Institute Spring 2011

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Prepared for the Future Two KRIRM alumni are applying their ranch management – and business – expertise on ranch operations in Wyoming and Montana. Here, they share how the KRIRM program prepared them for their management roles.

By Kindra Gordon

L

es Nunn and Brent McCann are no strangers to ranching. Nunn grew up in a ranching and logging community in British Columbia, Canada and worked alongside his dad as he managed the cattle on a grazing association there. He later worked for ranches in southern Alberta and Montana, while also earning his undergraduate degree. McCann was raised on his family’s ranch near the Milk River in Montana – his great-grandfather started ranching in Montana’s Bear Paw Mountains in the 1890s. After college and time working as a reporter, McCann returned to his ranching roots joining the cowboy crew at Montana’s Dearborn Ranch, where he spent six years.

Yet, these two individuals recognized that they needed more knowledge, training and management skill when it came to operating a ranch. That led each of them to the Master’s program offered by the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management.

McCann explains, “The ranch management world includes many acres but not that many people. I’ve come to believe this characteristic of the profession makes having quality people at the helm of ranch operations critical. KRIRM exists to train and develop those quality people.”

Nunn graduated from the KRIRM program in the summer of 2008 and accepted a position as assistant operations manager with the Padlock Ranch near Ranchester, WY. After graduating from KRIRM in the spring of 2010, McCann joined Sieben Livestock near Cascade, MT, as foreman.

A Focus on Business

Both McCann and Nunn say they benefitted greatly from the innovative and diverse thinking they were exposed to through the KRIRM curriculum, including knowledge in ecology, nutrition, accounting, finance and systems thinking. They now rely on all of Brent McCann and Whit Hibbard work together vaccinating cows at branding time. Whit is a member of the family who owns Sieben Livestock.

4 Spring 2011 King Ranch Institute

those skills in their ranch management roles, and both agree it has given them an enhanced ability for problem solving and decision making.

As an example of the new perspective he’s gained, McCann says, “The KRIRM program offers insight in how to look at the ranch from more of a business perspective. I feel ranchers may have had a tendency to overlook the business aspect of ranching and its importance to the long term sustainability of their ranches, but this is becoming increasingly important today and into the future.”

Nunn agrees, saying, “Ranching is a complex business.

Because of my experience at KRIRM, I am more cognizant of the different relationships that exist in the ranching industry and how making a decision in one area may also impact other aspects of the ranch that you hadn’t thought about.”

Likewise, McCann says the “systems thinking” course provided by the King Ranch Institute enhanced his ability to see the bigger picture – both for the ranch and for the various industries that rely on ranch enterprises.

Multiple Enterprises Nunn and McCann also recognize that ranching for the future – and being successful – isn’t just about cattle. Each juggle a variety of responsibilities that all contribute to their respective ranch operations’ overall success.

At the Padlock, Nunn works closely with the ranch’s Chief Operating Officer Trey Patterson regarding the management of the livestock operations. This includes developing grazing plans, scheduling brandings, weaning, shipping and other cattle duties, as well as all aspects of hiring and managing the ranch’s employees.

Along with this, Nunn oversees the feedmill operations at the ranch’s feedlot facility – which includes supervising 6-8 employees; and since joining the ranch three years ago, he has developed and initiated a guest operations entity for the ranch. In this role, Nunn’s tasks include budgeting, marketing, booking guests, facilities maintenance, coordinating guest activities, and overseeing ranch employees who assist with this facet of the ranch.

The ranch tourism component has given Nunn ample opportunity to hone is business skills and find ways to increase revenue while offsetting the high overheads related to maintaining a guest facility.

Nunn says there can be value in tourism for ranches of the future, but it must be managed with a sound business vision that fits your individual ranch, and it is not an entity that should be added to a ranch without appropriate consideration. He explains, “Ranch tourism can provide a great opportunity to spread your ranch overheads and increase revenue. Along with that, you need a good set of people skills

and must enjoy catering to guests’ needs and desires.”

But, he continues, “It may not be for everyone; you must have the desire to share your ranch with people coming from backgrounds that may be quite different and even conflicting from your own. If you have to add a lot more overheads to implement a ranch tourism business then it may not be worth it.”

At Sieben Livestock, the ranch enterprises McCann is working with include a large commercial cattle herd, purebred Targhee sheep, and a herd of horses that are used for ranch work. There is also some farmground and big-game hunting – the ranch has been in the owners’ family for more than 100 years.

Working along with the CEO – who is one of the family members, McCann oversees three full-time employees and 6-8 seasonal ranch employees and helps develop strategies to accomplish ranch goals.

McCann is responsible for hiring, ranch payroll, and preparing an annual expense and capital expenditure budget. He develops work plans—including organizing and orchestrating brandings, shipping, etc.— and monitors grazing activity and the nutrition, health, and performance of the livestock.

Continued on page 9

Above: Less Nunn, on the Padlock Ranch.

Left: Les Nunn rides with his daughter McKensie on the Padlock Ranch near Ranchester, Wyoming.

King Ranch Institute Spring 2011

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I n v e s t

I n

Yo u r

Equine Education Equine Lectureship this June will showcase an array of expertise.

By Kindra Gordon

W

“What we have to learn to do, we learn by doing.” That quote by Greek philosopher Aristotle aptly describes the importance of hands-on learning – which is exactly what participants of the upcoming equine lectureship offered by the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management will gain by participating in the event.

The Lectureship on Equine Management will be held June 27-29, 2011, at the Texas A&M-Kingsville campus with wet labs held at the nearby King Ranch and the JK Northway Indoor Arena. The event is supported through endowment funds from the Richard Mifflin Kleberg, Jr. Family.

Aspects of horse care, management, and marketing will be covered by several of the country’s top equine veterinarians and specialists during the three-day lectureship. Participants will be introduced to issues related to reproduction, infertility, colic, obesity and nutrition as well as parasite control, vaccinations, elderly horses and viral diseases of horses. Lectureship attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in hands-on labs involving dentistry, laminitis, emergency care, nutrition, injections and anatomy.

In addition to the formal lectureship setting, participants will also visit the King Ranch and enjoy lunch at the Calera Camp House on Wednesday, June 29th.

Ben Espy, DVM, helped organize the inaugural equine lectureship in 2009. Espy, who is the equine

Dr. Ben Espy discusses equine nutrition and health at the 2009 equine lectureship.

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veterinarian for the King Ranch and an adjunct faculty member of the Texas A&M University system, says the first lectureship was well attended with about 40 participants, and he is excited about building on that format for the 2011 program.

Program Offers Broad Scope

Espy emphasizes that the KRIRM lectureship program is specifically designed for management level individuals. “You do not need to have veterinary experience to participate in this event. That makes our program different from many equine continuing education programs which are vet focused. Anyone interested in equine management can gain valuable skills and knowledge from the KRIRM lectureship,” he says.

Espy says the variety of speakers on the KRIRM lectureship program and the broad range of specialties and experience they represent is another strength of the program.

“Our goal is to give a broad overview to the participants, so they get a flavor for what’s being done in equine management across the country. The economic drivers and management of horses has some regional variation, so we like to provide a broad scope to our participants,” he says.

Espy’s equine specialty is reproduction, and during

Photo by Kelsey D. Hellmann of Bryan, TX

the 2011 lectureship he will lead sessions on mare care and infertility as well as care of newborn foals. Espy will lead a lab where mares will be ultrasounded and participants will be able to interact with that process.

Additionally, Espy will present sessions on general health care including vaccinations, leg soreness exams and basic first aid.

Anatomy & Physiology

Also on the equine lectureship program will be Don Topliff, PhD, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Science and Engineering at West Texas A&M University.

As a scientist, he has published over 25 journal articles and book chapters on nutrition and exercise physiology topics, and he has been an AQHA approved judge for 24 years, having judged over a dozen World Championship Shows in Open, Amateur, Select and Youth divisions.

Topliff, who has served as the president of the Equine Science Society and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in Equine Science by the society in 2009, will present a lecture and lab on the topic of “Anatomy and Physiology Effect on Form and Function.”

To put this topic into context, Topliff shares a quote from noted professional horseman and judge Don Burt, who once said, “Good conformation doesn’t guarantee great performance, but poor conformation almost certainly precludes it.”

Topliff says, “I would add to that and say that genetics determines not only anatomy, but physiological characteristics that determine the capacity for certain events. While most breeders don’t understand the physiology they are selecting for, their decisions over time have caused certain breeds to excel at certain events.

This lecture will examine those traits and the lab will help participants understand how to visually appraise horses in an effort to predict their potential success.”

This is Topliff ’s second trip to the King Ranch Institute Equine Management Lectureship, and he says, “I am excited to be asked to return and look forward to bringing the science and art of horses to the audience.

The program looks to be packed with information that should be useful in managing and caring for horses.”

Equine Dentistry

Another popular topic at the 2009 Equine Lectureship that will again be on the 2011 program is equine dentistry taught by Cory Reng, DVM. Reng is a 1996 graduate from Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. After practicing in rural America in mixed animal practices for about ten years, she joined the Veterinary Technician program at Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, where she has developed an Equine Dentistry program Continued on page 9 King Ranch Institute Spring 2011

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Richard Mifflin Kleberg, Jr. Family Lectureship on

Equine Management June 27-29, 2011 Agenda Monday, June 27th - at the Ceasar Kleberg Wildlife Center

Tuesday, June 28th - at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Center

8:00 am

Anatomy and Physiology Effect on Form and Function

8:00 am

Dr. Don Topliff, West Texas A&M University

9:45 am

Break

The Horse’s Foot

10:15 am

Management of the Transitional Mare

9:15 am

Dr. Robin Dabareiner, TAMU College of Veterinary Medicine

10:30 am

Break

10:45 am

Ranch Horse Dentistry

Nutrition for the Ranch Remuda Dr. Dennis Sigler, Texas A&M University

Dr. Ben Espy, DVM, DACT

12:00 pm

Lunch – Wildlife Center

1:00 pm

Concurrent Lab Sessions JK Northway Indoor Arena

Dr. Cory Reng, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture

• Nutrition – BCS, hay selection contest, read a feed tag, cost/lb protein

12:00 pm

Lunch – Wildlife Center

1:00 pm

Concurrent Lab Sessions JK Northway Indoor Arena

• Health – basic first aid, leg soreness examination, temps, injections and vaccinations

• Foot – basic foot care, hoof problems, trimming Dr. Robin Dabareiner

• Anatomy – selection, judging contest activity Dr. Don Topliff

• Dentistry – ranch dentistry, aging, floating Dr. Cory Reng

6:00 pm

Dinner at the Wildlife Center Successful Marketing Methods Carol Rose, Carol Rose Quarter Horses

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Dr. Dennis Sigler

Dr. Ben Espy

Wednesday, June 29th - Morning Session at the King Ranch (Meet at the Wildlife Center to depart as a group) 7:00 am Managing Broodmares Lab • Ultrasound ovulating/pregnant mares, using a speculum, caslick procedure Dr. Ben Espy

9:45 am Foaling Considerations Lab • Placenta examination, foal health, postpartum mare care Dr. Ben Espy

12:00 pm

Lunch at the Calera Camp House at King Ranch

Continued from page 7

for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Reng’s presentation at the KRIRM Equine Lectureship will include classroom instruction followed by a hands-on lab session. From her presentation Reng says students will gain a better appreciation of how equine dentistry can help their horses, as well as a basis to decide if they would like to pursue equine dentistry as a career.

She notes that previous attendees were especially interested in learning how to float a horse’s teeth, and that will be part of her presentation once again.

Reng encourages equine managers to consider attending the Equine Lectureship and notes that it is a valuable place not only to learn, but to make industry contacts as well.

For more information or to register for the lectureship call 361-593-5401 or visit http://krirm.tamuk. edu/equinemanagement.html. The $500 registration fee includes meals and materials, and this lectureship counts as credit toward the “Texas AgFinance Certificate in Advance Ranch Management.”

Attendees practice equine dentistry in hands-on lab sessions during the 2009 lectureship. This lab along with others will be offered again this year.

k

Continued from page 5

Above: KRIRM Alumnus Brent McCann working on the Sieben Livestock Ranch in Cascade, Montana.

j

He is also cognizant of the family business aspect of the ranch he works with. McCann says, “I am focused on helping the ranch owners and ranch employees achieve their goals. Beyond day-to-day activity, I believe the most important responsibility I have is helping the family who owns the ranch successfully pass the business from one generation to the next.”

To achieve this, McCann says he encourages the family’s participation and always strives to create a family-friendly culture. “I strive to make the ranch a place to be enjoyed by the employees as well. My goal as foreman is to do everything I can to make it a profitable ranch where peoples’ contributions are valued.”

Looking ahead, Nunn and McCann say they know ranch managers of the future will need to continually find ways to better utilize their resources – both natural resources and human resources. McCann calls it an “exciting and daunting” task. But one thing these two know they have on their side in addressing the challenges of the future is the innovative thinking and experience that they gained through the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management.

King Ranch Institute Spring 2011

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Continued from page 3

Commit to Lifelong Learning

Texas AgFinance

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM in Advanced Ranch Management

Upcoming Events June 27-29, 2011

Richard Mifflin Kleberg, Jr. Family Lectureship on Equine Management

August 8-12, 2011

John B. Armstrong Lectureship on Systems Thinking

September 16-17, 2011

Lectureship on Managerial Accounting for Ranchers

October 27-28, 2011

HOLT CAT® Symposium on Excellence in Ranch Management: Practical Management of Hunting Enterprises on Working Ranches

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decision. For example, shifting a calving season from spring to summer, extensive cross-fencing, or hiring a new employee into the management team are very long-lasting decisions that can be potentially costly, difficult, and/or uncomfortable to reverse. In situations like those, it only makes sense to avoid hasty decision making.

In my opinion, great ranch managers are excellent decision makers that also have an intuition, a gut feeling, that guides them to know when to react quickly and when to slow down and analyze the situation more thor“...great ranch managoughly before the decision is ers are excellent decimade. Excellent decision making sion makers that also comes from an have an intuition, a appreciation for the complexity gut feeling, that guides of the situation, them to know when to sensitivity to react quickly and when the ramifications of a wrong to slow down and anadecision, and lyze the situation more the confidence thoroughly...” to know how much analysis is required to make the best decision in a given situation. Analytical and business skills can be taught, but intuition generally comes through experience.

At the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management we understand how important it is for our students not only to come to the Institute with some experience already under their belt, but also to gain more hands-on experience while they are here. This summer our three first year students will embark on internships at partnering ranches so that they can gain more of this much need experience that will add value to their education in the long run and help them become better decision makers. Providing additional experience to their ranch management education is a critical part developing the intuition of strong leaders.

KING RANCH INSTITUTE FOR RANCH MANAGEMENT

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-KINGSVILLE

NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

PERMIT NO.

MSC 137 Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville, TX 78363

Practical Management of

Hunting Enterprises T

he 2011 HOLT CATŽ Symposium on Excellence in Ranch Management is going to focus on an important and often profitable aspect of ranching – one that integrates wildlife management into the bigger ranch management picture. This symposium will help you understand the complexities involved in making hunting enterprises on your working ranch a success. Guest speakers from ranches across the country will share their knowledge and experience of running successful ranch hunting enterprises. This Symposium will also give attendees the opportunity to participate in a rancher panel where the audience will have a chance to ask questions and benefit from an open dialogue with a panel of experts from the ranching industry.

Along with the opportunities that operating a hunting enterprise on your ranch can bring, there are many business and legal issues to be aware of. This event will be a unique opportunity to learn about how to manage the legal and business aspects of running a hunting enterprise. There will also be insight into how to market hunting and the amenities available so that you can make hunting a profitable part of your ranch business.

on Working Ranches

Operating a hunting enterprise is certainly more than a business operation. Management of wildlife and other species will be critical, and incorporating that into your livestock management plan can influence the success of not only your hunting enterprise, but overall ranch success as well. Our speakers will have experience in managing cattle and wildlife operations and will share insight into how to maintain both successfully.

We will host speakers representing ranches covering several different regions of the country to share their specific experiences with the habitats, climate and differing species they encounter on their ranches.

This way we can ensure that you leave with information to help you and your business no matter where you live.

This event will take place October 27-28, 2011 and also counts as credit toward the Texas AgFinance Certificate in Advanced Ranch Management. Call us at (361) 593-5401, email krirm@tamuk.edu, or visit our website krirm.tamuk.edu for more information or to register.