Rancher rounds up his herd of cash cows

With an area of 240 hectares, Jinma'an, or Golden Saddle, ranch is a modern farm run by Erkhem and his family in Zhenglan Banner, Xiliin Gol League in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. The only livestock the family breed are about 80 Simmental cattle, which are raised for their meat. In 2018, the ranch was listed by the local government as a demonstration cattle farm for the region.

Erkhem, who goes by one name, said that because of environmental improvements, the yield of forage grass has increased in recent years. This in turn has helped raise the output of beef. The family's income will reach 300,000 yuan ($44,550) this year, he said, adding that some of the funds will go toward completing construction of facilities at the ranch. Erkhem is hopeful the ranch will eventually make 1 million yuan annual income in the near future.