Will Holder, Arizona Rancher:
"My experience with Low-Stress cattle handling makes me think that it's
a bit of science and a bit of an art. The science part is pretty easy. It's
basically a set of techniques and skills that anyone can be taught. And Jo does
a great job at working with people, rather it's a a beginner, an expert, or
someone in between. But I think the art side can only be taught by experience,
and Jo has plenty of that. Seems like she's "been there, done that"
with all kinds of situations. This makes any experience with Jo a learning one.
No two ranches are exactly alike, and no two people have exactly the same circumstances.
So it takes someone with a broad knowledge who can take these skills and techniques
and apply them to different situations. In the end, you have to make it happen
on the ground. And that's what Jo is best at."
Steve Cote, District Conservationist
"I am pleased to provide a letter of reference about the work you are doing.
I consider the training you provide and work you do very valuable in getting
livestock producers informed about low stress livestock handling. As a soil
and range conservationist, I have been dedicated to helping teach livestock
producers about this powerful range management tool because it essential in
controlling the results of grazing, especially on public lands. Having worked
with you for a few seasons when you rode for the Pass Creek Association, and
referred you to ranchers for help, I am pleased with the results reported and
the good comments I have received from ranchers. The government is very limited
in what they will do to help get ranchers trained in this livestock handling
method so private outfits like yours are needed to provide the huge demand for
knowledge about this method."
Clarice Holder, AZ Rancher
"Jo is a down on the ground range rider. She has taken
low stress herding beyond theory, beyond corrals and small pastures and out
to the very large open ranges."
Defenders and Arizona ranchers team-up to reduce
predator conflicts
A series of depredations in the Eagle Creek area of Arizona has led the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service to issue a lethal control order for members of the
Francisco Pack. Defenders believes that removing "offending" wolves without
modifying livestock husbandry practices and improving communication and coordination
with area ranchers is simply treating a symptom and will not prevent future
depredations, unaccounted for livestock and growing mistrust of rural citizens.
In an attempt to develop a sustainable solution,
Defenders of Wildlife has teamed-up with area ranchers to explore livestock
herding techniques to reduce wolf-livestock conflicts. Defenders, in collaboration
with Eagle Creek rancher Will Holder, sponsored a 3-week community herding workshop
led by Rocky Mountain Range Riders of Idaho. The Range Riders specialize in
herding and "low stress cattle handling" techniques that have enabled ranchers
working in rugged portions of the Northern Rockies to not only minimize predator
losses but also increase calf recruitment, animal weight gain and overall ranch
productivity. The Range Riders also teach how these methods can be used to improve
watershed and grassland conditions.
Nearly all of the landowners in Eagle Creek
participated in the herding course and discussions are taking place about how
to apply these techniques throughout the region. Defenders is supporting rancher
Will Holder to coordinate this effort. It is our desire to help ranchers living
in wolf- occupied areas to minimize losses and benefit from the presence of
wildlife. The future of this project has the potential to not only help break
the cycle of livestock loss and subsequent wolf control, but it could also contribute
to improved landscape health and increased trust, communication and coordination
between ranchers, conservationists and agency personnel.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
AND APPLIED SCIENCE
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Central Grasslands Research Extension Center
4824 48th Ave SE
Streeter, North Dakota 58483
(701) 424-3606 Fax: (701) 424-3616
e-mail grasland@ndsuext.nodak.edu
July 30, 2004
To whom it may concern: I would like to take this opportunity to share my experience
with Jo Fife of the Rocky Mountain Range Riders. Jo traveled to North Dakota
in June of 2004 to participate in the Central Grasslands Research Extension
Center field day. We devoted our entire field day to low stress livestock handling.
We found Jo to be a professional in every way. She had only part of one day
to work with the cattle prior to the demonstration and was able to make great
progress in calming them down and working with them in and around the facilities
at the Center. Due to time restraints we were unable to work with the animals
out on the pastures which would have been easier for Jo to do.
We found her demonstration to be well received by the producers and staff alike
and would welcome her back to do a longer livestock handling school.
