Myrin Ranch of Altamont, UT, has been selected as the recipient of the 2022 Utah Leopold Conservation Award.
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the prestigious award recognizes farmers, ranchers and forestland owners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working lands.
Alarik and Beth Myrin and their children, Rik, Deborah, and Nils (and their families), manage about 35,000 acres of private land and federal grazing permits. The Myrin family has ranched in Duchesne County since 1945 and have long relied on conservation to achieve efficiency.
The Myrin family was presented with $10,000 and a crystal award at the Utah Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting in Provo.
In Utah, the award is presented annually by Sand County Foundation, American Farmland Trust, Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Western AgCredit and Utah Cattlemen’s Association.
“The Myrin family is a wonderful example of landowners that have made conservation a way of life, and we congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition,” said David Brown, president of Western AgCredit. “As dedicated land stewards, they are always mindful of the importance of preserving and protecting natural resources so they can thrive for generations to come, and we commend them for their efforts.”
The Myrin family is not immune to the harsh realities forced on Utah ranchers by drought.
Last year, they reduced their cattle herd’s size. However, conservation practices are helping the Myrins make the most of the limited moisture Utah receives. An intensive rotational grazing system benefits the Myrin Ranch’s ecosystem and beef cattle business.
Whether it’s through building fences or developing water sources, they have invested time and resources into improving soil health and wildlife habitat on their pastures and rangelands. By quickly moving their grazing cow-calf herds, they leave behind grass tall enough to regrow as a dense ground cover with greater ability to infiltrate and retain water.
The Myrins grow hay for their winter feeding needs. Over time, they have improved the efficiency of irrigating hay fields. Pressurized sprinkler systems reduce the evaporation that comes from misting and fogging. Having enough hay stockpiled provides stability to their stocking rates and offers cover for wildlife. Hay is strategically placed near wildlife areas to keep wildlife from accessing valuable crops elsewhere.
Myrin Ranch is home to mule deer, elk, beavers, sage grouse, turkeys and waterfowl. It hosts large populations of wildlife migrating off the Uinta Mountains. A grazing system where cattle are moved frequently gives the Myrins flexibility to work around sensitive wildlife areas at key times.
Wildlife-friendly electric rope fencing has replaced barbed wire because the Myrins view wildlife as a resource, not a nuisance. The riparian habitat along the Lake Fork River that runs through the ranch acts as a wildlife corridor.
The Myrins have planted trees and made streambank restorations and flood irrigation improvements to that area with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Although invasive and problematic, a patch of Russian olive trees is managed because deer and elk like them for sanctuary and feed. Where Russian olives have been removed elsewhere, fruit trees have been planted.
In addition to providing a mobile structure that provides shade for cattle, the Myrins continue to improve infrastructure that simplifies frequent cattle moves. They’ve also invested in water distribution to the forests, where a majority of their cow-calf herd is grazed from June to October. The ability to graze more reduces the ranch’s carbon footprint, as tractors are used less.
After five years of intensive grazing, the Myrins noticed the carrying capacity of their grassland increased by 20%. More available feed allowed them to raise some of their calves as yearlings and start a retail grass-fed beef business. They formed Canyon Meadows Ranch in 2009 as a way to diversify from the conventional beef market.
The Myrins are stewards of land, wildlife and the agricultural community. A partnership between the ranch and Utah State University provides agricultural and range students with employment opportunities. Off the ranch, Alarik Myrin is well known for serving his community, state and the livestock industry. He served 18 years in the Utah Legislature and has held many leadership roles with the Utah Cattlemen’s Association and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
The Leopold Conservation Award in Utah is made possible thanks to the generous contributions from American Farmland Trust, Western AgCredit, Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Utah Cattlemen’s Association, Sand County Foundation, Producers Livestock Marketing Association, The Nature Conservancy, Utah Association of Conservation Districts, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food and Utah Wool Growers Association. — Sand County Foundation
