A.B. Cox is a third generation Sandhill rancher. His family has been ranching in Cherry County for more than a century. He and his daughter, Scout, manage their cow/calf/yearling Calf Creek and 4-O Ranches with two invaluable employees: Gerry Ashwege and Justin Duffield. The ranches consist of about 23,000 acres.

Among many other conservation practices, A.B. utilizes rotational grazing, which adds value and diversity to the meadows and pastures, extends the grazing season and decreases the need for harvested feed. When they do grow hay, they mow in a mosaic pattern to leave edges for the abundant wildlife Wildlife species include: ducks, geese, cranes, Mule deer, Pronghorn, sharp tailed grouse, prairie chickens, golden eagles, and burrowing owl.

“We take the holistic approach to conservation where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” A.B. said. “The land, cattle, and people are one. Each part of the community is important and dependent on the other, they are all of value.”

Beginning with his daughter, who will eventually take over the ranch, A.B. places a high emphasis on education and outreach. He has been involved in the Nebraska Chapter for Holistic Resource Management (HRM), Sandhills Task Force, and Grazing Lands Coalition. While on the HRM Board, he hosted workshops, tours, clinics and schools to promote rangeland management.

“It might be thought that people like me are rare,” A.B. said. “I really don’t feel that is the case. There is a large core of brethren who subscribe to this approach. I want to win this award to validate and encourage this core to grow and spread to others. Not just in the ranching community but other avenues, as well. It is important. We must pass the torch.”