CCA congratulates 2012 TESA recipient, Spirit View Ranch
August 15, 2012
Calgary, AB - The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is pleased to announce Christoph and Erika Weder of Spirit View Ranch as the 2012 recipient of The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA).
TESA is a national award that recognizes excellence in sustainable management and conservation practices that ensure a viable future for Canada’s beef cattle industry. TESA is presented annually to a beef cattle operation that exemplifies the initiatives that producers across the country undertake to preserve and care for their land.
The Weders have a passion for the environment, and say that they have a responsibility to the next generation to look after the land. Their motto is, 'Think globally but act locally, and communicate those values to other people to make a difference.’
The Weders’ business plan incorporates a productive grassland on a healthy land base that supports a diverse wildlife population. This, combined with an excellent outreach program that is international in scope, is what impressed the judges, said CCA Environment Committee Chairman Lynn Grant.
“The quality of the nominees this year was outstanding and made for an especially tough decision, but the Weders’ overall approach to maintaining a healthy eco-system while operating a successful beef program was impressive,” he said.
The Weders accepted their TESA award today at the International Livestock Congress (ILC) conference in Calgary, held in conjunction with the 2012 CCA Semi-Annual Meeting.
“It’s a real honour,” said Christoph Weder as he accepted a cheque for $1,000 and silver TESA belt buckle, acknowledgements of an expanded award program made possible by the CCA 2012 TESA Platinum Partner, MNP LLP, a proud sponsor of the TESA program since 2009.
Located north of Rycroft, AB, Spirit View Ranch is comprised of 2,800 acres of deeded land, 4,200 acres of leased land and 640 acres of rented land. The ranch has acres of aspen boreal parkland forests and natural grasslands, and it is situated between the Spirit and Peace Rivers.
Operating as a commercial cow-calf grasser operation, Spirit View Ranch is home to 1,000 breeding females and grasser stockers. It’s also home to 150 species of birds, 45 mammals, seven amphibian and one reptile species as a result of the family’s stewardship practices.
Practices here include strategically placed solar powered watering sites, a rotational grazing system and reliance on legumes to provide sustainable forage production without the need for fertilizers, and utilizing protected forest and shelter belts to reduce infrastructure and yardage costs. The Weders were certified by Food Alliance for their sustainable farming and land use practices.
Their ranch was one of the first in Alberta to participate in the Ducks Unlimited wildlife and habitat inventory surveys, and they worked with Ducks Unlimited to restore more than 100 wetlands. This effort has helped to preserve biodiversity, retain moisture, provide a great brood habitat for ducks and geese, and increase forage production.
The CCA congratulates the Weders and all the 2012 TESA nominees.
August 15, 2012
Calgary, AB - The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is pleased to announce Christoph and Erika Weder of Spirit View Ranch as the 2012 recipient of The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA).
TESA is a national award that recognizes excellence in sustainable management and conservation practices that ensure a viable future for Canada’s beef cattle industry. TESA is presented annually to a beef cattle operation that exemplifies the initiatives that producers across the country undertake to preserve and care for their land.
The Weders have a passion for the environment, and say that they have a responsibility to the next generation to look after the land. Their motto is, 'Think globally but act locally, and communicate those values to other people to make a difference.’
The Weders’ business plan incorporates a productive grassland on a healthy land base that supports a diverse wildlife population. This, combined with an excellent outreach program that is international in scope, is what impressed the judges, said CCA Environment Committee Chairman Lynn Grant.
“The quality of the nominees this year was outstanding and made for an especially tough decision, but the Weders’ overall approach to maintaining a healthy eco-system while operating a successful beef program was impressive,” he said.
The Weders accepted their TESA award today at the International Livestock Congress (ILC) conference in Calgary, held in conjunction with the 2012 CCA Semi-Annual Meeting.
“It’s a real honour,” said Christoph Weder as he accepted a cheque for $1,000 and silver TESA belt buckle, acknowledgements of an expanded award program made possible by the CCA 2012 TESA Platinum Partner, MNP LLP, a proud sponsor of the TESA program since 2009.
Located north of Rycroft, AB, Spirit View Ranch is comprised of 2,800 acres of deeded land, 4,200 acres of leased land and 640 acres of rented land. The ranch has acres of aspen boreal parkland forests and natural grasslands, and it is situated between the Spirit and Peace Rivers.
Operating as a commercial cow-calf grasser operation, Spirit View Ranch is home to 1,000 breeding females and grasser stockers. It’s also home to 150 species of birds, 45 mammals, seven amphibian and one reptile species as a result of the family’s stewardship practices.
Practices here include strategically placed solar powered watering sites, a rotational grazing system and reliance on legumes to provide sustainable forage production without the need for fertilizers, and utilizing protected forest and shelter belts to reduce infrastructure and yardage costs. The Weders were certified by Food Alliance for their sustainable farming and land use practices.
Their ranch was one of the first in Alberta to participate in the Ducks Unlimited wildlife and habitat inventory surveys, and they worked with Ducks Unlimited to restore more than 100 wetlands. This effort has helped to preserve biodiversity, retain moisture, provide a great brood habitat for ducks and geese, and increase forage production.
The CCA congratulates the Weders and all the 2012 TESA nominees.
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