MENTORS:  DAVID AND LORETTA HAMILTON

Dave and Loretta Hamilton are one of the ten mentors in the Nebraska Grazing Land Coalition’s Grazing and Ranch Mentors network. Mentoring is one way to share the experience and knowledge from successful ranchers on a wide range of topics. The Hamilton Ranch, located north of Thedford, Nebraska was established in 1898 by Dave’s great grandfather, T.P. Hamilton, who started with a single section of Sandhills rangeland. Today, the ranch encompasses nearly 18,000 acres of owned and leased properties, supporting the 4th generation of Hamiltons. Dave and Loretta have particular experience in a number and variety of grazing lands and ranch management topics:

Drought Management: Drought has affected Sandhills ranches in the past few years.  Dave manages his livestock before, during and following drought in a 3 step system: 1) Reduce or eliminate the yearling enterprise, 2) cull cow numbers based on production records, and 3) observe soil moisture conditions in the year following drought and continue to cull based on grazing production records if the drought is likely to continue.

Monitoring and Record Keeping: Dave and Loretta keep detailed pasture management records that include pasture numbers or names, and dates that livestock are turned in and turned out of pastures. Livestock are moved from pasture to pasture in a rotation based on a planned grazing system. Recently, the Hamilton’s have been using the Sandhills Grazing Response Index, a grazing management tool developed by the University of Nebraska Extension to assist them in deciding the sequence of their grazing rotations. Long-term range monitoring sites were established in 1999 following a large wildfire and a severe hail storm which helps them track changes in the plant community.

Economics of Grazing Management: The Hamilton’s consider the cost aspects of the dry-lotting cows in winter versus winter grazing if and when the winter grazing is available. Calculating costs at each stage of production in the cow’s annual cycle is as critical as knowing costs at each segment of the weaned calf to finished animal cycle.

Complimentary Grazing Systems: An evaluation of the economics of cropping and grazing has helped Dave decide to convert some of his irrigated alfalfa hayland to cool-season grass for grazing. It is one strategy that helps stretch the forage availability during drought, allowing him to keep more animals.

Wildlife Habitat and Hunting: Dave’s family started planting trees for windbreaks and wildlife food and cover in the 1940’s. The addition of more watering sites for livestock grazing has also enhanced wildlife habitat and populations. In average to good rainfall years their rotational grazing system provides a number of pastures with forage re-growth that supports both cattle and wildlife. Dave and Loretta have expanded their interest in wildlife and hunting into a subsidiary business called Antelope Valley Outfitters LLC.

Marketing: Dave recognizes that market volatility is increasing with consumer reaction to foreign animal disease and other market perils. To help manage this additional risk, retaining ownership of calves and yearlings involves keeping costs at each segment, and shedding risk by selling as calves or feeders when an acceptable profit is available. Using 20 years of carcass data to promote the sale of their feeders or to target them to a branded beef program has been an added advantage.

The Hamiltons have years of experience in ranching, yet Dave considers himself a grass producer first and a beef producer second, using his livestock as a grass management tool. Contact Dave and Loretta Hamilton if you need to talk about grazing management, drought, marketing, economics, or guided fee hunting. As Grazing and Ranch Management Mentors, they will share their ideas and experiences with you, look at your perspectives, and help you with your own ranching goals.

David and Loretta Hamilton

Dave and Loretta Hamilton
HC 58, Box 14
Thedford, NE  69166
308-645-2521 (CT)
dhamilton711@yahoo.com
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