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~ 0') l'- - 21 - Adding additional project land to eJ(istin~ units Hould result in a substantial increase in labor requirements and mif'ht make feasible some father-son type of business arrangements in the area. This Hould provide an opportunity for youn~ people to start in farminp and ranching locally. Thus, adding additional land to a presently operatinf' unit would not necessarily mean that the entire resource would be for the support of a sinrle farm operator. It mipht be that two or even more families would operate an integrated farm unit. They mi~ht do so much more efficient- ly than a present ranch unit, or a self-contained new farm unit in the project area could be operated independently. The case-study ranches analyzed were all in a strong capital position. In- debtedness on these ranches ranged from zero to about $20,000. Equities in the ex- isting ranches would make it relatively eaSY for these operators to obtain financing to develop additional land, as well as having the advantage of a "going concern" to provide some income during the development period. There would be a reduced invest- rnent requirement for the new units since complete lines of buildings, improvements, and machinery would not be required. Another important asrect and advantage in alloHing development in conjunction with existing units is in the inherent flexibility and security Hhich it would afford against possible water shortages. In years of shortage the ranch units, as outlined, with a feeder enterprise on pasture, would be able to dispose of the feeder cattle as "warmed-up" or heavy feeders. They would then be released from the necessity of spreading a limited water supply over all available acreage of both croplands and pasture. This ability to adjust feed requirements to available supplies by adjusting numbers or length of time for the feeder calves on pasture, would result in relative- ly stable operations. The adjustmeut would be more difficult if it required reduc- tion in breeding cow nurrbers, as would occur with a beef-cow calf enterprise on pasture.