Slepicka Ranch
Minitonas, Manitoba
The Slepicka Family: Michael and Tara Slepicka and our children; Shailynn (13),Maria (9),Benjamin (7),Joseph (5), Megan (4),Adam (2), and Michael's parents Larry and Gwen Slepicka and brother Bradley (14)
Our family ranch is located near Minitonas, Manitoba. Our ranch runs 500 Black Angus cow/calf pairs and backgrounds and grasses our yearlings. Our children have found interest in raising chickens, ducks, sheep, goats and free range pigs so they have been introduced to our ranch. Our calves are born in May and June on our pasture and are weaned from our cows mid-December. Grazing beginning in April and ending mid-November when they start bale grazing.
Our ranch has gone through many changes and is now operating with "Holistic Management". Less grazed land and more cows and calves using rotational grazing, resulting in better yields on our pastured land. Numerous native grasses and legumes are also being re-introduced into our pastured land due to the rest period rotational grazing has offered. All our hard work paid off when we were awarded the distinction of "Grazers of the year 2008" at the Manitoba Grazing school held November 25 and 26, 2008 in Brandon, Manitoba. We were recognized for our pioneering work in holistic management strategies on our cow/calf and yearling operations. This award recognizes producers who embrace environmental sustainability and intensive grazing management within their operations. Holistic management has been practiced on our ranch since 2006 when Michael tool a "Holistic Management" course and again in 2008 with Tara and parents Larry and Gwen.
We are able to raise our family with goals and benefits from running a ranch operation. Our children are a big part of our ranch and are included in the daily chores and ranch activities. Our children have learned and are learning respect and responsibility to our animals and our land. Our children are also actively involved in the local 4-H Beef Club and take pride in what they can do to help. Our family is proud to be a part of the "Prairie Heritage Beef Producers" and we are eager for what the future holds.
