Wagon Wheel Ranch Receives Conservation Award

Wagon Wheel Ranch in Yuma has been honored with the 2025 Colorado Leopold Conservation Award. Owned by the Rogers family, specifically Kenny and Jody, the ranch spans Yuma and Washington counties. They’ll receive the award during the Colorado Cattle Men’s Association annual conference in June, along with a $10,000 prize. Among the notable nominees was the Mabel finalist, Camblin Livestock from Moffat County.

The Rogers family has deep roots in Colorado agriculture that trace back to the late 1800s. In 1950, Francis and Mary Rogers acquired the first registered cow, leading to a successful operation that began breeding and marketing bulls at the National Western Stock Show. Over the years, Wagon Wheel Ranch’s production sale has become a cherished tradition.

“We’ve had to be really careful in managing our assets—both land and livestock—through trial and error to get where we are now,” Kenny said.

Kenny pays tribute to the early generations that laid the groundwork for their operations. When he and Jody took over from his parents, they allocated resources between crops and cattle breeding. Due to rising costs and labor demands for irrigated crops, they shifted focus towards raising purebred Angus cows, leasing farmland to better manage their cattle and grasslands.

What started with previous generations continues with their children, Jace and Jerrod, along with Jerrod’s wife Holly and their grandchildren, Mason and Carter.

Two years ago, they implemented a fully rotating grazing system on 6,440 acres, allowing cows to benefit from similar-sized paddocks, with easy access to water. “We actually reduced our herd during the drought and made a comeback a few years later,” Kenny shared. “If there’s late water this year, we’ll always have grass available. We’re learning how this drought impacts regeneration. It’s crucial to manage where we graze, not just the preferred areas.”

Kenny noted that when ranchers prioritize cattle health, wildlife thrives too. “Since I’ve focused on this, I’ve seen more prairie chickens around. I can’t say for sure this is the reason, but I’m providing habitats for nesting, which should help a variety of songbirds on the ranch.”

This positive effect extends to species like mule deer and antelope, as Kenny observed that their efforts also favored wildlife, though that wasn’t a primary goal.

Recently, he completed a project to replace sprinkler heads on their pivot irrigation system to reduce water usage by 15%. While it required a significant investment, he felt it was necessary as the regional water table was declining. “It was kind of spontaneous. We didn’t have to do it, but we opted for a lower-volume option when replacing the nozzles,” he explained.

At the same time, he’s awaiting actions from the irrigation company to address some wells that have been over-pumping. This issue reflects a broader challenge in the region, particularly around the Ogalala Aquifer.

The Rogers family also enrolled their highly erosive croplands and grasslands in the Federal Conservation Reserve Program. By planting native grass species in those areas, they have provided benefits for wildlife, even though the program’s payments are lower than potential crop profits.

The award itself honors those in agriculture who excel in managing soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitats. Named after famed conservationist Aldo Leopold, it recognizes individuals who inspire with their commitment to improving the environment—a principle emphasized in Leopold’s influential work, “A Sand County Almanac.”

Beyond their ranch, Kenny and Jody have significant influence in the agriculture community. Kenny serves as a founding board member of the North American Weed Management Association and has formerly been president of Colorado’s marketing affiliate. He has also held leadership roles with the Colorado Beef Association, while Jody contributes to various national and state beef industry committees.

The Colorado Leopold Conservation Award is supported by various organizations, including the American Farmland Trust and Colorado Parks & Wildlife.