“You see them at workshops from livestock management, range tours, crop production or anything educational that will help them improve their operation. “The Hovde’s are always looking to gain further knowledge,” added Paul Deutsch, District Conservationist, North Dakota NRCS. In providing this service to their neighbors, the Hovde’s are leaders in their community and the cattle industry.” “They have been able to increase their feeding capacity and have assisted fellow producers in backgrounding their cattle. “The Hovde’s chain approach has allowed them to increase productivity and strengthen their commitment to the cattle industry,” said Petty.
Linked together, the operation acts as a chain in creating a sustainable operation that is co-dependent upon the other income sources.
The solid materials from the feedlot are used as a natural fertilizer that is applied to the crop lands at agronomic rates based on soil samples that have been taken. The cow-calf operation is responsible for harvesting the grass and the calves enter the feedlot either as backgrounded steers or heifers for replacement development. Each of the seemingly separate enterprises on the Hovde Ranch is actually dependant on the others. The ranch’s water development practices have increased the abundant wildlife that co-exists with the growing cattle operation. In working with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and the state Water Commission, they restocked the dam with adult Northern Pike, along with making environmental cosmetic repairs to the dam. The McKenzie County (ND) Park Board holds the easement to the land surrounding the man-made lake. In addition to their water storage pond, the family also has the Arnegard Dam, a recreational body of water on their ranch. The practices that Lynn and Patti have implemented are being passed on to their son and his family, who have returned to the family ranch to learn, grow and assist his parents in meeting their stewardship goals.” “In growing their operation, the family has implemented conservation practices that are innovative, productive and environmentally friendly. “Partnerships are important for the Hovde family and it’s apparent in their ranch improvements,” said Petty. In working with the NRCS through an Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Hovde’s are creating shelterbelts that include the removal of dead tree rows from the 30-year-old shelterbelt to improve forage production and interim protection from the cold winter winds. The Hovde’s additional environmental enhancements to the land include no-till farming, shelterbelts and nutrient management plan. With the low amounts of annual rainfall, the water storage facility has benefited the operation in providing a water source for cattle, crops and wildlife. The pond began to serve even more purposes, including a water reserve for the irrigation systems, feedlot runoff and habitat for water fowl. In 1995, the irrigation pond began to also serve as a storage pond for the feedlot and met all necessary codes required by State and Federal laws with the assistance from NRCS. The project was developed with the McKenzie County Soil Conservation Service (now NRCS) and North Dakota Water Commission.
Homesteaded in 1907, the Hovde’s raise cash crops of spring wheat, malting barley and safflower.Ī multi-faceted operation, the Hovde family researched and developed a dam to hold water for irrigation purposes in 1978. Owned by Lynn and Patti Hovde, the operation is a commercial caw-calf, backgrounding, feedlot and heifer development program.
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