For Bill Sauble, owner and manager of his family ranch in northeastern New Mexico, combatting drought is a way of life. The arid ranchland, comprised of pinion, juniper and hill country with rolling grasslands at a 6,000-foot elevation, averages only 15 inches of annual rainfall.
The land is not hospitable to farming, only suitable for raising livestock. The Sauble Ranch cow, calf and yearling operation runs 700 cows and 1500 yearling when fully stocked, though during a drought like the one the ranch experienced from 2011 – 2013 that number can drop dramatically.
“In 2011, we experienced extreme drought and were faced with 50 percent reductions in our livestock,” said Sauble. “Prior to 2011 there was nothing like Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Insurance (PRF) coverage being offered and I first became aware of it through some presentations Silveus Insurance Group (Silveus) made to the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association.”
“The PRF coverage we purchased from 2011 through 2013 during the drought allowed us to reduce our stocking rates and still meet all of our expenses,” said Sauble. “Without that coverage it would have been a real hardship for us.”
Sauble works with Silveus agent Aaron Tattersall and Tattersall counts Sauble as one of the early adopters of PRF coverage. In addition to reviewing coverage for ranch operations, the two go over program options and bounce ideas off of each other. Sauble is actively involved in the process and has a good understanding of the program.
“Aaron is able to explain a program that can be somewhat complicated and sit down with me to explore different scenarios to determine the best course of action,” said Sauble. “Having an agent who has experience with PRF coverage is extremely beneficial.”
To find out more about PRF coverage and protecting your operation from a financial downturn resulting from drought, contact Aaron Tattersall at 303-854-7016, aaron.tattersall@cropins.net or call Silveus Insurance Group at 800-531-9909.