The Ranch
Ladder Livestock Company is a ranching operation in the Little Snake River Valley on the Colorado – Wyoming border near Savery, Wyoming. Members of the Salisbury family have been ranching in this area since 1881. A.W. Salisbury came to the area and established the original ranching operation.
The ranch is primarily in the business of raising and marketing sheep and cattle. We do some farming, primarily of alfalfa and hay, and use it for winter feed for the livestock and sale. The home ranch is located at about 7,000 feet altitude, which makes for high quality hay and a short growing season.
The Ladder Ranch is in the business of raising Angus and Black Baldie cattle and Rambouillet and Hampshire sheep. We also raise grass hay and alfalfa on our hayfields during the short growing season, and feed it to our livestock through the winter.
Ladder Ranch is a “horseback outfit” since our rough terrain demands that we tend and move livestock with horses. We raise many of our own saddle horses, and also ride horses adopted from the Bureau of Land Management.
Our operation follows the transhumance model, with the sheep and cattle trailing to the high country and summer forest permits in June and trailing out in the fall to spend the winter months in lower country. This is one of the longest livestock migrations in the United States, as the sheep move some 150 miles from the National Forests to the Red Desert.
We manage grazing on BLM and Forest Service allotments for much of the year, in addition to the resources on our own private lands. The sheep trail about 150 miles from their 9,500 feet summer altitudes to the 6,000 feet winter pastures on Wyoming’s Red Desert. The cows and calves graze on the Routt and Medicine Bow National Forests in the summer, and return to the ranch headquarters and leased pastures for the winter.
Our ranch and nearby lands provide habitat to one of North America’s largest elk herds, and one of the only thriving Mule Deer herds in the region. We are home to species including Greater Sage grouse. Colorado cutthroat trout and Gambel’s oak, which are thriving.
Ladder Ranch received the 2014 Leopold Conservation Award presented by the Sand County Foundation. The Leopold Conservation Award Program recognizes agricultural landowners actively committed to a land ethic. The recognition is given in partnership with the Wyoming Stock Growers Association’s Environmental Stewardship Award and recognizes landowners who value good conservation practices on a working landscape.
Ladder Ranch also participates in the Sage Grouse Initiative, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife program.
Regenerative Practices
The animals are checked regularly by horseback or UTV during which the pasture conditions and grazing pressure is carefully monitored. The ranch uses a modified deferred-rotational grazing system. The goal is to keep the animals on fresh forage and clean water while leaving sufficient residual feed to sustain wildlife and hold the snowpack through the winter. Pasture rotation and resting occurs to ensure plants mature to seed production at least once every three years.
The Mentors
Ea’mon O’Toole and Meghan O’Toole Lally
The apprentice can expect to work with a host of staff at the ranch, but will mostly report to Ea’mon O’Toole and Meghan O’Toole Lally, brother and sister managing operations.
Ea’mon O’Toole oversees the cattle operation and has improved the quality of the cow herd through the use of artificial insemination and increased management of rotational grazing. Eamon served on the Carbon County Planning Commission and the Board of Directors of the American Farmland Trust. He currently serves on the Little Snake River Conservancy District Board, the Wyoming Beef Council and the Family Farm Alliance. When he’s not ranching, Ea’mon enjoys spending time with his wife Megan and two sons. Megan is a registered nurse who works in the Craig (Colorado) Memorial Hospital and volunteers for community organizations.
Meghan O’Toole Lally works full-time on the ranching operation and manages the recreation part of the business, as well as concentrating on the management of the sheep. She and her husband, Brian, have four children who also help out. Meghan was a member of Wyoming’s Environmental Quality Council and Wyoming’s Board of Agriculture. She currently serves on the Little Snake River Conservation District Board and a Steering Committee member of the Headwaters of the Colorado Initiative. She is married to Brian Lally. Brian is a Carbon County Wyoming Deputy Sheriff and serves on volunteer boards in the community.
The Apprentice
What will an apprentice do?
An apprentice will work with Meghan and Eamon to experience the Spring, Summer, and Fall activities of this high-elevation, mountainous ranch. This year we are looking for an individual that has an aspiration “to be with nature.” Our apprentice will be working in many aspects of the operation including working with both sheep and cattle as needed. The apprentice will be participating in livestock and haying activities, including docking, branding, pre-conditioning, weaning, moving, shipping, etc.
What skills and traits are required in an apprentice?
- Observant
- Helpful if comfortable or experienced riding horses as this job is very horseback intensive
- Curious by nature and willing to ask questions and learn about our system
- Positive attitude when longer/later work days come up
- Good working in a team
- Physically comfortable walking/hiking, carrying heavy things, and moving throughout the day
- Willing to work independently
- Ability to process and resolve a situation on their own
- Natural direction…ability to not get lost
- Handle multiple task requests … i.e. do A, B, C & D…not just A and D
- A strong commitment to agriculture
- Ability to keep records on activities and observations
Skills that An Apprentice would expect to acquire:
- Safe use of equipment on the ranch, including trucks, trailers, atv/utv’s, and tractors.
- The care and feeding of cattle, sheep, and horses.
- Fencing basics on permanent fences and building temporary electric fences.
- How to assess the pasture for condition and quality to help determine when to move livestock.
- Exposure to flood irrigation on hay meadows and pastures including infrastructure maintenance and operation.
- How to handle and work cattle (cow/calf and yearlings), sheep and horses. Our livestock are worked using the best means available at the time including being on foot, vehicle (pickup or UTV), or horseback.
- Experience and exposure with animal husbandry practices such as calving, lambing, branding, docking, vaccinating, doctoring (in field and using facilities), etc.
- The skill to observe, communicate and discuss what was observed.
Nuts & Bolts
Start Date: Ideal start date is mid-April after program orientation. The ideal end date is early November after the apprentice attends the Regenerate Conference. We have some flexibility around start and end dates and encourage individuals with alternate schedules to apply.
Length of Apprenticeship: 7 months
Stipend: The apprentice will receive a monthly gross cash salary of $1200 per month paid on the last day of the month. In addition to the cash salary, the apprentice will receive housing and utilities (electric and propane) paid by the ranch, as well as 3 prepared meals per day on working days. The stipend may or may not cover monthly expenses for the apprentice based on their needs and lifestyle. This position does not allow time for a second job, including side work or paid hobbies, so the apprentice should consider his or her budgetary needs before applying to this position.
General work hours: Generally, apprentices can expect to work 6 days per week, with Sundays off. The daily schedule is heavily dictated by the season and specific projects, but generally apprentices come for breakfast at 7am, start work by 7:30 or 8am, and can expect to work until 7pm when dinner is served. Hot summer days may allow for early mornings with afternoon breaks. There will be days with very early (4:30) start times as needed to “beat the heat”.
Housing: Housing provided will be a modular home with a bedroom, kitchen, and bathrooms.
Laundry: Available in the housing.
Internet availability: Internet is available in apprentice housing.
Cell Service: Service is marginal. AT&T is the best provider for most of the ranch. There is Wi-fi available at the ranch, but much of the working areas have no service at all.
Time off: Sundays are generally an apprentice’s day off. Occasionally there will be tasks that can’t be put off for the next week, however we can try to make up that time off another day if the week allows. If you ever were to want a 3 day weekend for a trip away, we can definitely do our best to accommodate.
Visitors: Apprentice will be allowed to have visitors. However, try to plan it with your mentor just in case there are important ranch jobs going on that are not conducive to hosting time. Visitors should not assume they can work on the ranch due to liability and the apprentice should discuss this with their mentor.
Food: The apprentice will be provided 3 prepared meals per day on working days.
Pets: No pets are allowed, including working dogs or horses. The ranch will provide a horse for work use.
Horse Use: Horses are used daily on the ranch to check, gather, move, and work our livestock. An apprentice should be a proficient rider. A saddle will be provided unless the apprentice would like to bring their own tack.
All the fun stuff: Tobacco and responsible alcohol use are permitted on site. Smoking is not allowed in the houses. We are sensitive to smoking on the ranch due to high fire risk, so we prefer our employees to not smoke, and follow strict protocols if they do. Alcohol use is not allowed during working time.
We have an incredible staff made up of people of various nationalities. The apprentice may be working under or alongside this staff, so we expect the apprentice to treat everyone respectfully. We do not tolerate racism in any form.
Guns: Firearms are welcome on the ranch if used and stored responsibly.
Health insurance: The ranching lifestyle has inherent dangers. While personal health insurance is not required to participate in the apprenticeship program, it is strongly encouraged. Ladder Ranch carries Workman’s Compensation to cover injuries incurred on the job. But if the apprentice is injured on his or her day off, gets sick, or has or develops chronic conditions like allergies, these types of issues will not be covered by our Workman’s Compensation policy.
Ranch Vehicles: Apprentice will use ranch vehicles for work. A valid driver’s license and clean driving record is required to operate road legal vehicles. Other transportation on the ranch will include ATVs and UTVs. These are not for personal use.
Personal Vehicle: A personal vehicle is required for apprentice independence on their time off. The ranch is fairly geographically isolated, so an apprentice will want their own vehicle to run errands and explore the community on off hours.
Additional items an apprentice should bring: The housing will be reasonably furnished. We strongly encourage you to bring your own kitchen utensils and supplies; however, the very basics can be provided. Meals are provided in the cookhouse 6 days a week and food is available on Sunday. Warm clothing and rain clothing are necessary. Evenings are cold, even in the middle of summer. Snow is likely in April, May, and from September on. Sturdy walking shoes and boots to ride in are necessary. The sun is very strong at this altitude, it is recommended to wear light weight long sleeves and hats to protect you.
Living in Savery:
The ranch is located 25 miles east of Baggs, Wyoming that offers your basic needs such as a post office, grocery store, and restaurant. Baggs is historically an ag and oil and gas town Steamboat is an expanding community that has been developed from its tourism and scenery. A majority of ranch supplies are procured from the Craig, which is 70 miles to our south.
Quivira Coalition Activities: This apprenticeship is offered through Quivira Coalition’s New Agrarian Program. The full cohort of apprentices on regenerative ranches and farms across the west will attend an April orientation, participate in supplemental education provided in partnership with Holistic Management International, and attend the annual Quivira Conference, hosted with Holistic Management International and the American Grassfed Association, in November. Apprentices are also required to write several reports during their apprenticeship; these reports will go through the NAP Coordinator at Quivira, and be posted on the Quivira website.