Agricultural News
Trail's End #2 Takes the Blue When it Comes to the Green
Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:37:05 CDT
Safeguarding natural resources is one of the ethical principles the pork industry strives toward each and every day. Those ethical principles provide the pillars of the industry.
Roberts Ranch of Oklahoma has exemplified a commitment at the Trails End #2 Sow Farm and the Oklahoma Pork Council is pleased to name Trails End #2 the recipient of the 2012 Oklahoma Environmental Steward Award.
Trails End #2 is a 10,500 head sow breeding, gestation, and farrowing farm located near Ames, Okla. The farm sets on 560 acres of land that teems with wildlife.
Trails End is comprised of nine gestation barns and four farrowing barns with 448 farrowing stalls per building. All the buildings are tunnel ventilated and use evaporative cooling during the heat of summer months. Trails End #2 has 33 employees.
Trails End #2 uses a center pivot system to land apply effluent on 314 acres of forage crops. Crops grown include rye, millet, and crab grass. The irrigation system allows animal waste to be transformed into valuable crop nutrients negating the need for inorganic, commercial fertilizer.
Bill Barnes, who is responsible for the implementation and record keeping of the environmental operation aspects at Trails End #2, said location of the site was a major consideration before construction began.
"We take pride in what we do," Barnes said. "So, not only are we concerned about doing the right thing, we take pride in doing it. We want to make sure we are taking care of the land and the natural resources associated with that land - so future generations can enjoy them as much as we have."
Another key component to stewardship at Trails End #2 is maintaining the property Jeff Mencke said. Mencke is the production manager for all of Roberts Ranch sow farms in Oklahoma.
"First of all we want to be good neighbors," Mencke said. "Second, we want to maintain the property and make sure it doesn't impact our neighbors in any way. We take great pains to make sure our properties are well maintained, well mowed, and aesthetically pleasing.
When asked why it was so important to be a good steward of the environment, Mencke quickly pointed out any issues on the farm would impact his family as well as his neighbors.
"I live right there - Half of a mile from Trail's End #2," Mencke said. "My kids have grown up there and I want them to be happy and healthy. We all drink the water. From that standpoint it's very simple.
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