This is the last year I shall keep the ranch house open I have just parted with Merrifield. After a late summer visit to the Elkhorn in 1890, Roosevelt apparently abandoned the ranch.
#Cattle range north dakota full#
Although now living full time in New York, he continued to maintain both his ranches the Elkhorn remaining his center of operation. Roosevelt then turned the operation of the Elkhorn over to Sylvane Ferris and Bill Merrifield, his managers and partners at the Maltese Cross Ranch.Īfter the disastrous winter of 1886-87, Roosevelt lost approximately 60% of his cattle. Sewall and Dow operated the ranch for Roosevelt until the fall of 1886 when they returned to Maine, after "squaring accounts" with Roosevelt. He purchased the rights to the site, located thirty-five miles north of Medora, from the previous occupant for $400.00.
His cattle had wintered very well so he decided to put in 1,000 more head and "make it my regular business." During that visit, Roosevelt selected the location for a second ranch, naming it the Elkhorn. So, as yet, the plan is doubtful."Īfter attending the 1884 Republican convention in June, where the candidate he was backing lost, Roosevelt left for the Dakota Territories to look for solitude. The weather has been very hard and I am afraid they have suffered somewhat If the loss has been very heavy I will have to wait a year longer before going into it on a more extended scale. Of course it depends on how well the cattle have gotten through the winter. If it does, and I feel sure that you will do well for yourself by coming out with me, I shall take you and Dow (another Maine woodsman who had served as Roosevelt's guide) out next August.
"I hope my Western venture turns out well. In March of 1884 he wrote to Bill Sewall, his hunting guide on an earlier hunting trip in Maine: Grief stricken, Roosevelt decided to leave the East and increase his interests in the cattle business. We are moving towards sustainability for not only ours but future generations as well.Five months later his wife, Alice, and his mother died on the same day. This results in increased production, profit and a higher quality of life for us. In other words, the natural resources have benefited. These strategies have allowed the health of the soil, the mineral and water cycles to greatly improve. Our ever evolving grazing strategy allows most of our pastures a recovery period of over 360 days. We use minimal herbicide and are striving to eliminate it. We have now eliminated the use of synthetic fertilizers, fungicides, and pesticides. A diverse cropping strategy, which includes cover and companion crops are used. Improving soil health is a priority and no-till farming has been practiced since 1993. We strive to solve problems in a natural and sustainable way. We believe in and practice Holistic Management, a part of which is farming and ranching in nature’s image. He and his fiance, Jazmin, are now in charge of the ranch and management decisions since Gabe is now full-time with Understanding Ag and dedicating the majority of his time on those endeavors. Son, Paul, returned to the ranch after graduation from North Dakota State University and through hard work and dedication over the last 13 years has now become the leader and manager of our operation. Gabe and Shelly purchased the ranch from Shelly’s parents in 1991 and grew the operation to 5000 acres of owned and leased land. Our ranch is located just east of Bismarck, ND. We enjoy using these resources to regenerate landscapes for a sustainable future.” “We believe that faith, family and working with the natural resources that God has provided allows us a meaningful life.
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