Grainswest - Fall 2024

Fall 2024 Grains West 22 Jim Lewis. They then bought an adjoining farm, combined the two and dubbed the operation Chico Ranches. They established and managed a purebred cow-calf herd as well as grain and hay production. Lewis was an American who grew up in the Angus business, which became a strong focus for the three. In the early ’80s, the farm came into its own but suffered overland flooding across more than 11 quarters. Not believing this was natural, they approached the Alberta government. The government initially said the flooding was normal and denied water had been intentionally drained from nearby Hay Lakes into Bittern, which has no natural outlet. It later admitted this was not so. The three fought the government for five years but eventually had enough. In 1986 they sold the property. In 1988 Lee, wife Jan and family relocated Chico Ranches to its present site near Airdrie. He now owns and operates a quarter-section and rents out substantial pastureland. Through much of his farm career, Lee also worked at UFA as a corporate manager in various departments and retired at 58 to spend all his time at the ranch. His age neither stops him nor slows him down. His son Taylor, wife Shannon and their two children live on the ranch, but neither of Lee’s adult kids want to fully take over the ranch. It’s just as well, because Lee estimates it couldn’t support an additional family at its current size. His kids’ duties increase as he gets older but because they work full-time in other industries Lee handles most day- to-day responsibilities. “This has always been a family operation since 1973, but, along with input from the family, I’m still the decision maker,” he said. The size of the cow herd has fluctuated over the years. From 200 head, down to five, up to 100, now at about 50, Lee selectively focuses on private treaty sales and some consignment. As agricultural technology continues to develop at a frenetic pace, Lee has embraced such innovation wholeheartedly. It has enabled him to continue to do what he loves. He has a warm calving barn where mother cows can take shelter during February and March. Cameras installed throughout the barn and outside pens allow Lee to monitor the animals from the comfort of his house while minimally disturbing them. “If I had to get up and put clothes on at two o'clock in the morning and go out in -20 or -40 and do my three-hour check all night, I don’t think I’d be able to do that anymore,” he said. Another monumentally helpful innovation has been his round baler and processor. “The ability to put up good quality hay with less labour and then take that through to the feeding of it; one person is able to process that hay or green feed and bed those cows with considerable ease and not a lot of physical labour,” he said. His morning and afternoon tasks present a laundry list of work each day. “One of the things I kind of kid about with people is when you cut back your cattle numbers and are what I call semi- retired, all of a sudden you become chore boy,” he said with a laugh. Family and friends are quick to pick up the slack when he needs help or requires a break. Lee’s many off-ranch responsibilities have included stints as a director with 4-H Alberta, Alberta Angus Association and various provincial ag societies. One of his biggest accomplishments, he chaired the committee to establish the horse care code of conduct for the World Professional Chuckwagon Association in 2013. Two years later, his commitment to the sport earned him the organization’s highest honour, chuckwagon person of the year. “I was proud of that, it was significant,” he said. Not having the wherewithal of his 25-year-old self, Lee simply believes more is more. “I’ve got aches and pains and a bad back,” he said. “If you’re involved with the rest of the family in decision-making and bringing forth ideas, you’ve got your mind working. That’s important. Physically, you need a reason to get up in the morning and certainly with cattle and livestock, it’s a necessity to get out there and check those calves or whatever it be.” Nine years past the official age of retirement, Lee sees no sunset on his farm career, and that’s the way he likes it. Plus, there’s more to learn, even at 74. “I still have enjoyment with the cattle and the people in the business,” he said. “I always say this breeding of livestock is not an exact science and you continue to challenge yourself to make your cattle better. “Retirement for a rancher or farmer would be to sell your agriculture assets and move off the farm or ranch, and I don’t see that happening. Maybe one day health will dictate that, but even if it does, maybe we just transition to something different here on the property.” FEATURE