The National Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) is being presented tonight as part of the Canadian Cattle Association's Semi-Annual Meetings in British Columbia.
TESA recognizes producers who go above and beyond standard industry conservation practices, and set positive examples for other cattle producers and the general public.
Producers are nominated at a Provincial level with the winners moving on to the National Award with this year's nominees representing B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.
Saskatchewan's nominees are Gerald and Patti Anhorn of Windy Ridge Ranch at Elrose.
The couple ranch in the north end of the Missouri Coteau with 4000 acres of native grassland, and 4000 acres of marginal cropland that they seeded over to perennial cover.
As part of their management plan they defer grazing til September on some of their native pasture with a goal of providing at least a year long rest.
They also intensively manage the tame pastures, and have additional water sources through pipelines and remote watering systems to extend grazing on the native grass.
The ranch is also home to wildlife and a number of species at risk making it an important area for environmental conservation.
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