The ranch maintains a backup closed herd that constitutes
approximately 40% of the total herd population. It was closed in 1992.
This herd is certified organic by Quality Assurance International.
The backup herd is physically separated from the primary herd for
biosecurity purposes, but still adheres to the same standards, regulations, and
record keeping as the primary herd
for consistency and quality control.
The backup herd is summered in Fall River Valley, Shasta County on the Fall
River properties. These ranches are located on the headwaters of the Sacramento River.
In fact, this location has some of the largest freshwater springs in Western United
States. The cattle graze on these ranches separately to minimize contact with other cattle.
The backup herd is wintered on the 2,600 acre Ralphs Newville Ranch and the 2,220 acre
Fenwood property in Shasta County. The cattle graze at those locations between
November and May. They are transported between the summer and winter ranges (a distance of
125 miles) by a truck owned and operated by Ralphs Ranches, Inc.
This truck is only used to haul closed herd cattle.
At weaning, calves from the backup herd are sent to the feed lot on the Prather
Headquarters Ranch for fattening. The feed lot is surrounded by a 10' foot high deer
fence to prevent the interaction of deer and cattle.
