ON THE RANCH 512 June 21

 

Science Wins

 

Wow! I just read the most amazing trio of scientific articles demonstrating how cows, those most maligned animals, actually contribute to the biodiversity of plant life and increase the life span of aquatic animals in vernal pools. What is even more amazing is that the research scientist is associated with The Nature Conservancy, the arch nemesis of most cattlemen and cattlewomen. Haven’t we been hearing for the past thirty years that cows ruin the land and we have to get them off the land immediately in order to save it from total destruction?

 

Well, blow me down, as a sailing person would say! Someone actually decided to construct a reasonable experiment following scientific experimental guidelines to test the theory of what impact grazing has on vernal pools. Although the test only lasted for three years which some might claim was too short a period to make such generalizations, it is a wonderful start and shows what ranchers have observed for generations.

 

In Volume 19, No. 5, October 2005 of CONSERVATION BIOLOGY Jaymee T. Marty outlined his study of the effect of grazing on biodiversity which seems to defy all previous assumptions on the topic. He showed, very clearly, with well-controlled parameters, the difference between those plots which were grazed, those which weren’t, and those which were grazed at different times of the year under different conditions. The location of the experiment was in the grasslands of Central California, a valley very similar to the Santa Ynez Valley without the slight marine influence. The conclusion of the experiment found that “cattle may produce the type of disturbance that helps maintain diverse communities”.

 

Studying 72 vernal pools he found that in the ungrazed areas there was an 88% higher amount of exotic annual grasses, a 47% lower amount of native species, the species variety declined by 25% and aquatic diversity was reduced by 28%. These are pretty significant results. In addition, taking grazing out of an area that had been previously continuously grazed also reduced the length of time there was water in the pool by 50 to 80% severely affecting the ability of the aquatic species to complete their life cycle. It is truly refreshing that, for once, science is being used to determine the truth instead of just to stop everything. Now, if we could just get that information out to the public, farmers and ranchers could get back to their business instead of attending the endless hearings designed to put them out of business!

 

Those Animals

I saw the most amazing thing last Friday as I was standing outside the front door of the Journal office with India, one of our staff writers. We are used to seeing a large flock of wild turkeys milling around and lately have really enjoyed seeing this year’s crop of baby turkeys, in various stages of development. Some are just little fluff balls on sticks and others are starting to look like turkeys. As India and I were chatting about newspaper stuff, we noticed a doe and her two fawns out on the lawn with the turkeys. The two fawns were doing what they all do- running around, having a snack here and there and zipping back to Mom. As we were watching we noticed that there was some interaction between the deer and turkeys which I had never seen before. Apparently, the turkeys were somehow threatening the fawns and “Mom” decided enough was enough. She rose up on her hind legs and struck at the closest turkey with her front feet. They all scattered and peace reigned again on the orchard lawn. I had never seen such an interaction before between these two animals that have lived together for eons. I’m sure this was not the first time and maybe this doe is different from the norm anyway. Since telling of this event to another staff member, she informs me that the smallest fawn of this doe that still has its spots has run at her car on two separate occasions. Certainly puts a bit of tarnish on the Bambi myth in my mind!

 

 

Unintended Consequences

I am sure that all of you are aware that ten years ago Cachuma Operations and Maintenance Board (COMB) comprised of the five local water districts including Santa Ynez ID #1 was required, due to litigation from some “environmental” organizations, to devise a plan to “restore” historic levels of steelhead fish in the Santa Ynez River. As has been mentioned too many times to no avail, historically the only time that steelhead were able to access the SY River was after a major flood event because of the sandbar at Surf. In order for these fish to actually be steelhead, they must go to the ocean at some point in their lives and then return to the freshwater where they were born.

 

I could write a book on all of the ridiculous claims that have been made over the past ten years since the plan “to restore” was foisted on the water districts, the rate payers and the property owners whose river property was now going to be continuously flooded with water year-round. Traditionally, the river went dry during the summer except for a few pools here and there. It made crossing the river with livestock easy and a non-problem. Now, with water during the usually dry time, mossy rocks make the crossing very dangerous for humans and animals alike. Another problem has, in recent years, become increasingly serious. Stagnant water all summer long has created a major infestation of mosquitoes all along the river. I spent less than fifteen minutes outside my house this past Sunday and came inside with mosquito bites all over my arms and legs.  As West Nile Virus has migrated to the Valley and some of the finest horses of all breeds are located here, I am curious as to how the County intends to deal with this in a healthy fashion. I truly don’t want them pouring some chemical in the river that my cows and the wildlife will drink. Is anyone else having this problem? I think we need to take more care to determine what consequences might occur when we make these decisions. Although important, fish are not the only species of concern in the Valley.

 

Missing Law Enforcement

This past weekend two people lost their lives on a stretch of Highway 154 known as Airport Curve. A third person is fighting for their life in a hospital. This part of the road was somewhat straightened a few years ago due to many fatal accidents but with increased traffic, more rude and careless driver and virtually no law enforcement presence, the deaths continue.

 

For more times than I can count, I have heard people remark on how dangerous Highway 154 is. I immediately counter with my own belief that it is not the road itself that is dangerous but rather how people drive it. I myself have been run off the road more than once and passed by another vehicle on the other side of the double yellow line. Last week I and the car ahead of me were passed by another small truck, in the passing lane for oncoming traffic. Thank goodness no one was coming in the other direction. It is just insanity for people to drive this way, endangering their own and others lives. It is also arrogant to think that your time is so much more important than anyone else’s. I firmly believe that a more regular law enforcement presence would help to slow people down and follow the rules of the road. Perhaps fewer people would be threatened, maimed or die.  It’s at least worth a try, don’t you think?

 

BERNICE STABLEFORD

 

My dearest friend Bernie Stableford died early this morning, Monday, June 18, after a long, frustrating and painful struggle with a rare form of cancer. I met Bernie during her victorious battle against the local environmental community and the National Park Service who wanted to take both Bernie and her husband Lanny’s and my Jalama Rd. ranches and make them and numerous other coastal properties into a National Seashore. I had just gone through the loss of Santa Rosa Island to the Park Service and am part of the fourth generation and first generation of the Vickers family to NOT own it. This was a horribly painful experience for all of us and then the Park Service announced to us while in a meeting on the island that when they were finished with us, they were coming onshore. When I heard that, I waited to hear from them and it didn’t take long. I met Bernie at the first meeting and told her what my experience was; she welcomed me with open arms. I was determined to make sure that the landowners on the coast were not cheated out of their property like we were.

 

What ensued from that was a long battle with people who felt that private property belonged in National Parks an enduring friendship. In 2002 Bernie went with me to Oklahoma City to watch my palomino mare Sheza Shinette win the American Quarter Horse World Championship in Working Cow Horse. What a thrill that was, particularly because it was the first time a woman had won it and it was an “all-girl” team- rider/trainer was Sandy Collier of Buellton, the horse was a mare and the owner was female. In between the preliminaries and the finals, we went to Arkansas where Bernie had family and friends. That was a really interesting side trip. If people feel we don’t have enough trees here, they need to move to Arkansas- it is wall-to-wall trees! I got to see “mountain people” for the first time and they look very much like those portrayed in “Deliverance” although I’m sure they are not the same in behavior. I also went to the Red Barn Restaurant there which actually was situated in a barn complete with intact stalls with the horses’ names on signs above the Dutch doors. We had a wonderful time and I enjoyed sharing a part of Bernie’s other life.

 

Bernie and Lanny had a “Blue Moon” party a couple of weeks ago to celebrate their wedding anniversary. A “blue moon” refers to a second full moon within a single month. They were married on a “blue moon”. Bernie stood and walked around talking to her many friends and compatriots. I think we all felt amazed at how she was getting around, sad that she was so thin and thinking that this was probably the last time we would see her. Aside from a couple of parting emails, I did not see her again.

 

This world has lost a truly wonderful human being. Publicly she attained the status of a LAFCO Commissioner, privately she was one of the most dedicated women I have ever had the pleasure to meet. As proud as she was of the avocados she and Lanny raised, as fond as she was of her Longhorn cattle, as loving as she was of her two black swans she raised from eggs and her two black labs, she always had time for her friends. It is too trite to say that we will miss her as it does not cover the pain I feel writing this. A short essay does not begin to describe the enormous talents she had, like her voice, but it will just have to do. Bye Bernice- I know you no longer hurt and that is what I wished for you with all my heart.