TS
Ranch Hay 
The development of the TS Hay Program first began in the early
1870's, when William Dunphy began constructing an irrigation
system along the Humboldt River and the Rock Creek floodplain
in Boulder Valley. (See TS History)
Under fence, he cultivated meadows on which to run his
purebred cow herd and to cut hay for winter feed. He
continued to develop his irrigation systems and began experimenting
with different seed varieties, for increased hay production.
By 1876, Dunphy and his partner Hildreth had enclosed over
20,000 acres
of Boulder Valley with a fence constructed of redwood posts
and Oregon pine boards, which they had shipped
in by rail. At a cost of approximately $900 per mile, this
fencing project was considered a major undertaking, at a time
when most of the West was still considered open range.
Since that time, both flood and sprinkler irrigation has been
expanded and improved upon on the TS Ranch in Boulder Valley.
Alfalfa, grass and grain hay has been produced. Like William
Dunphy, the hay was raised primarily as winter-feed for the
TS cowherd.
Than in 1990, neighboring gold mining company Barrick Goldstrike,
began a dewatering project to keep their pit and underground
shafts
located below the water table dry. Dewatering up to 70,000
GPM, Barrick and the TS Ranch entered into an agreement to
put this dewatering water to beneficial use through irrigation.
Over a period of five years, a major pipeline was constructed
and seventy-one pivots were installed, placing approximately
10,000 acres under sprinkler irrigation. What was once considered
to be marginal rangeland which took in excess of 100 acres
to support one cow, is now producing high quality alfalfa & grass
hay and grain, under sprinkler irrigation.
Like William Dunphy, major emphasis has been placed upon hay
production, with alfalfa hay becoming a major cash crop for
the TS Ranch. Three to four cuttings are harvested, with yields
averaging 5.2 tons to the acre. The top end hay is directed
to the California dairy markets, with the balance of the hay
crop being sold to neighboring ranchers or consumed by the
TS cowherd.

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