Rick Machen Of The King Ranch Institute Paints The Big Picture On Ranch Management

Featured at a recent ranching summit hosted by Kansas State university, was Rick Machen of the King Ranch Institute who spoke to producers about what he calls a systems approach to ranch management. He and Farm Director Ron Hays talked more in depth about this management style.

“It’s really nothing more than looking at the big picture and appreciating all the parts,” Machen said, adding though that it is also about, “trying to strive and understand as best we can, how those parts interact and how they relate to each other.”

Those parts being your everyday focuses, such as managing forages, managing your cattle, preventative herd health, nutrition, reproduction, etc. he says.

“So we ask those questions in a systems approach,” Machen said. “What’s happening right now? What’s happened in the recent past? And, then most importantly - why are these events happening? It’s there when we begin to find leverage where we can make small changes that will have a sustainable long-term impact.”

Machen says producers should not forget about keeping the positives in mind either and understanding what pays off. He says to consider these things as well to keep up the momentum you build and stay headed in the right direction with your operation.