I've got a couple projects that are going to close/complete this year and it's my resolution I guess you could say, to see them through as successfully and seamlessly as possible.
1.We are in the process of completing the purchase of a ranch that neighbors our cow/calf ranch in Northern Nevada. Getting that closed as early this year as possible along with the agreement we have in place to buy it "turn key" with the cattle and equipment on it is one of my major projects right now. Coordinating getting all the due diligence completed on structures, minerals, grazing permits, water rights etc., etc., etc. is quite the chore.
2.The company has just completed a deal to buy half interest and possession of a truly exceptional young (5 year old) Quarter Horse stud. This horse is the maternal half brother of a pretty popular stud in the ranch horse world and his blend of Driftwood genetics in intriguing and we really feel the sky is the limit for him. Making sure that he continues to have success in the arena and at the trainers along with being promoted properly so he generates the best possible revenue in the form of stud fees moving forward. It's also critical to be sure that he is advertised and promoted properly so he is bred to the RIGHT type of mares outside of company mares so his progeny does the sort of things moving forward to increase his demand and value as a stud. This is of course above and beyond him performing his most important job and the only real reason we even fool with breeding horses; to keep the best most cowy geldings possible under our cowboys. The better a good cowboy is mounted, the better he can do his job.
3. We are in Year 3 of a 5 year project precipitated by the historic California drought to develop and reclaim as much stock water as possible on the California ranches. Range wells are being dug with a range well drill rig ran off the front of a skid steer that's been purchased and solar pumps and storage tanks are installed with them. The guys are seeing really good success and average well is pumping around 5 GPM, with a solar charged battery so the unit can pump for some portion of the night as well, this "average" unit is keeping a 5,000 gallon storage tank full and putting up enough water to maintain about 180 pair as their sole water source if need be. We are being ultra aggressive about tearing out invasive Willows and Cottonwoods along waterways. The amount of water these trees drink is shocking. The amount of water that appeared on ranches we did in Year 1 was also shocking.
More dirt tanks are being dug to capture rain water. Existing ponds and tanks are being cleaned out and resealed on a time schedule that we have accelerated 3X to help weather the drought.
While there is a constant cycle of a multi-state vertically integrated cattle business that keeps myself, my Dad, my Brother in Law and the rest of our management team and employees plenty busy all the time, those are 3 of the "special projects" that I've taken the lead on and it's my "professional life" New Years resolution to have them be as successful as possible.