Agriculture in the Yampa Valley

History of Ranching in Routt County

• The first cattle were brought to Routt County in 1871 to utilize summer pastures


• In 1890’s sheep companies began to summer sheep in Routt County.


• Competing for range caused “range wars” between cattlemen, and sheepmen. The first war was in 1899, many others lasted until 1920.

History of Farming in Routt County

• Hay production was the first farming in Routt County. It was essential to feed livestock that were wintered here


• Grain farming first began in the 1880’s (Wheat, Oats, Barley)


• The Routt County Strawberry Company was formed in 1910 in Strawberry Park


• Potatoes were first grown for production in 1911 near Oak Creek


• Head lettuce was cultivated in the Yampa-Toponas area starting in the early 1920’s

Present Routt County: By the Numbers

• 1,511,750 acres


• 494 Ranches - 520,618 acres owned by ranchers; 102,315 acres in cropland


• Cash Receipts: $22,858,000; Livestock Receipts: $19, 340,000; Crop Receipts: $ 3,510,000

• Cattle


• Sheep


• Horses


• Llama


• Yak


• Elk


• Bison

Routt County’s Cattle Industry

Routt County’s Sheep Industry

Routt County’s Horse Industry

Other Animal Agriculture

Routt County's Plant Industry

• Hay
• Safflower
• Logging

• Wheat
• Barley

Hay Production

• 48,500 acres of grass and alfalfa hay


• 68,100 tons produced


• Ranked 3rd in grass hay production

Cereal Grains

• 7,200 acres harvested


• 760,000 Bu. harvested


• Ranked 25

• 1000 acres harvested


• 25,000 Bu. harvested


• Ranked 12

• Used as bird seed, can also be used as oil crop.

Did you know??

• Only 1.4% of the population produces the food we eat.


• Annually, Colorado losses 140,000 acres per year to growth!


• Ranchers and farmers receive the same prices today that their parents did. However, costs for fuel, equipment, labor and supplies has increased!


• The average age for a Routt County Rancher is 53!