The Jennings Ranch is a family owned Centennial ranch dating back five generations. Michael and Bridget O’ Jennings, natives of Ireland, emigrated from Scotland to Illinois and eventually homesteaded in far southwestern San Saba County near Fredonia, Texas, in the year 1876. For the next five years, Michael, a stonemason by trade, set about learning to tend and improve his 160 acres. On September 16, 1881, he received a land patent granting his ownership of his 160 acres. Each of the subsequent generations has been engaged in ranching and farming on and adjacent to the original homestead.
The fourth generation owners, Gary and his wife Karen, returned to begin operating a portion of the ranch in 1983 after having completed their educations in agriculture at Texas A&M University and at Colorado State University. They initially leased 91 acres from Gary’s father on which to raise sheep. With this small acreage, it was evident range improvement would be necessary to achieve maximum production. Gary’s first conservation practices began in hopes of controlling invasive species of Prickly Pear cactus, Tasajillo, and Ash Juniper to improve perennial and annual native grasses. With the direction of several range specialists including Dr. Jake Landers, cool season prescribed burns were conducted along with mechanical and chemical management. Throughout the years, Gary
Throughout the years, Gary was able to acquire additional land from cousins and retiring family members. The ranch currently consists of 525 acres and an additional 615 lease acres, with much of it being in live oak mottes or post oak timber. Soils on the ranch are predominately either Hye fine sandy loam, with 1-5 percent slope or Yates very stony loam, undulating. Consequently, the native grass species best suited to the rangeland include Indian, Little Bluestem, Green Sprangletop, Sideoats Grama, and others.
For the last 30 years, Gary and Karen have partnered with agricultural extension specialists and Natural Resources and Conservation Service personnel to increase the sustainability and carrying capacity of the land. This opportunity enabled them to develop a range management program for the acquired properties. Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the grass species and forage quality of the ranch have been drastically improved. Brush management of mesquite, juniper and cacti has not only increased forage, but also has resulted in less injury to livestock. Reseeding and implementing rotational grazing have contributed to a healthier soil and increased forage.
Through cross fencing and distribution of stock water by the use of solar pumps, water lines and storage tanks, grazing has been more effectively managed. Cross fencing allows more flexibility in grazing and higher utilization of forage consumed by various livestock species. It is also a useful tool in rotational grazing. Storage and distribution of water sources has greatly reduced the tendency for overgrazing specific areas near water sources. Additionally, more reliable water is available, especially during dry and hot portions of the year. During last year’s freeze, the above system was the only unfrozen and available water for the livestock for several days.
Approximately 75 acres of more arable portions of the ranch have been put into coastal Bermuda improved pastures or Wilman Lovegrass fields. This year, a new perennial cool season grass, Chisholm fescue, has been over-seeded into one of the fields with the intent of improving the stocking rate and allowing native pastures to rest during the winter cool season. The improved pastures have provided additional forage for livestock and wildlife. Annual forages such as cool season grains and warm season hay grazer have been used in the past to provide grazing and hay during the winter or summer season respectively. With the present cost of fuel and fertilizer, perennial forages are being emphasized to decrease equipment costs, and manure compost is being applied to irrigated areas as well.
See picture on page 5.
-To be continued next week.