Lotspeich family named Oklahoma landowner conservationist of the year
The family manages a 10,000-acre ranch in northern Harper County using rotational grazing to support wildlife and native grasslands.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) has named the Lotspeich family its 2026 Landowner Conservationist of the Year, according to the Times of India. The award, announced on October 12, honours how the family manages their ranch in northern Harper County to support both cattle production and wildlife habitats.
The 10,000-acre property has been held by the family since 1903. Currently, the rancher Troy Lotspeich rotates 600 cattle through 25 grazing paddocks using a high-intensity, low-duration system. This method follows a 'take half, leave half' principle to allow native grasses, forbs, and shrubs to recover.
To support this system, the family installed 35 miles of water lines connected to 20 stock tanks. During the winter, the cattle are moved to crop ground to graze on wheat pasture and alfalfa hay or grain.
The management practices help sustain various species, including elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and northern bobwhite quail. The ranch also supports ducks, geese, and sandhill cranes through its ponds and river.
The family works with the ODWC, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Farm Service Agency. Troy Lotspeich also participates in a conservation programme for lesser prairie-chickens.