Refels talent reaches past the barbwire

When Refel Rushing is not Ranching, Building, or Raising money he can often be found with a pen in hand as he embarks on his next exciting story or romantic poem. Check out some of his work on the new poetry site by clicking below.

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About the Shadow R Ranch and a photo of some happy residents

I purchased the Shadow R Ranch property in 2007. The pastures had been severely overgrazed with no effort to regenerate the soil or restore the multiple species of grasses that once flourished and swayed in the breezes during previous generations. For many decades, there was no effort to depart from the traditional mono-farming (a single type of crop at a time vs. planting multiple crops at the same time). This style of farming included deep soil cultivation and, perhaps unknowingly, upsetting the natural balance of the soil. Today because of better soil science, we know bacteria varieties and microorganisms are vitally necessary for soil fertility. That was not the understanding or the mindset of the farmer/rancher family of the past. Unfortunately, many of the current day farmers/ranchers remain uninformed, but that is changing as more and more are becoming aware of the virtues of the poly farming (cover crop) culture and the use and practice of no-till planting. Now, back to the Sh

REGENERATIVE RANCHING We call it Regenerative Ranching. Our goal is to rebuild the soil and restore the ranch to its best days, when buffalo roamed across the grasses. The soil held the moisture within, erosion was at a minimum, and grasses grew plentifully. There are five principles of healthy soil that we aim to address in our methods and practices. Minimizing Soil Disturbance We minimize soil disturbance: biological, chemical and physical. Biological disturbance—overgrazing—reduces soil armor and below-ground biomass. Physical and chemical disturbance occurs from tillage, which buries crop residues instead of allowing them to break down naturally. Tillage disturbs the important microbes that feed the soil. We use a no-till drill to plant seed. Cultivating digs up the earth’s nutrients and disturbs the important mycorrhizal fungi that support soil health. No-till practices preserve the earth’s nutrients by creating minimal soil disturbance. Keeping The Soil Covered Soil armor an

Living Life is My Passion

On Saturday, I attended the memorial service of a beautiful lady and friend. She was 62 and died suddenly from cancer. As I was reflecting on her beautiful and very full and active life, I was reminded of a comment made to me by my friend and investment advisor, a few weeks back. She said “living life should be our passion” As I thought about those simple words, I thought, yes, so brilliantly stated and so true. Simple things like making chili on cold days, making turkey dressing on turkey day, making long dog walk a ritual, cooking salmon to a perfect temp, making Caesar salads par excellence, making music, making love, and hearing two wine glasses make a clinking sound as they touch while two sit close together on barstools...all things and more that rhyme without a scheme and end with the words...my passions. Not just a bad way to live life, but perhaps the most important and only way to live life.

Introduction to Barbwire Man

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