Carrus Land Systems, LLC

Profitable Conservation Partnerships

 
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The Ideal Landowner Experience



 

With a collective 75 years owning and managing some of the premier ranches in the United States, we have now made that experience and expertise available to any landowner who is ready to take the next step in stewardship.

We specialize in profitable conservation partnerships, coupling responsible land stewardship with sustainable economics, including positive cash flow operations and efficient capital allocations. We focus on: a) systematizing sound management processes, b) supporting property-level decision makers with a team of specialized experts, and c) providing clear plans and multi-dimensional progress reports for landowners. The result? Optimal cash flows, asset protection and enhancement while attaining desirable social and ecological outcomes.   Peace of mind and peak performance.

The transition to Carrus management for any property is seamless. Utilizing our unique 5-Step Management Process and sophisticated tools and systems, we guide property owner(s) and existing management teams through each level. Regular work meetings and written quarterly and annual reports ensure complete transparency for the landowner.

Baseline Assessment - Using proprietary tools, Carrus first obtains a clear picture of "What is?" and "Why is it?" This provides a foundation for informed decision-making throughout the planning process.

Opportunity Analysis - There are numerous anecdotes of the rancher who "struck oil" and is now getting paid by a previously unknown opportunity. For Carrus, capturing opportunities is not left to chance - it is an integral part of the system. Using a systematic process to "see" the future, we can better anticipate and take advantage of new opportunities as they emerge.

Management Plans - Defining the destination is only an exercise if you do not know how to get here. CMS prepares detailed 1-and 5-year management plans that act as road maps to your destination based on a detailed understanding of your values, goals, and objectives.

Implementation - Having the right vehicle and crew to get there. What could be more important? We empower people by providing constant support and simple systems for making consistent progress toward known targets, while more easily managing the day-to-day details that make the business of land ownership so complex.

Review & Report - Transparency in management decisions and outcomes is essential to the proper function of any property. With quarterly and annual reports, enterprise accounting and asset management systems, and ecological monitoring tools, our clients always have a clear picture of their operations.

The 5-Step Management Process leads to a functioning system that includes the creation of a conventional business plan, customized operating policies and procedures, and remote information access. This enables decision-makers to organize and utilize critical information and available resources in a clear and defensible format. This structure captures constructive input and justifies planned actions, allowing managers and owners alike to transform the current operation with directed energy - enabling them to engage future possibilities in a powerful new way.

 

COMMON QUESTIONS

How will Carrus improve my property?

We do not have a magic recipe for land management. What we have are people, systems and tools with a demonstrated ability to create value. We use a consistent, logical framework for knowing what is, exploring what can be, designing the best plan to succeed, taking the right steps to do it, and measuring, monitoring, and reporting progress. Our team-based approach will make your goals understood and consistently transform the structure and function of your property to meet them.


Is it worth it?

On a ranch acquired in 2002, net cash flow has increased 300% while the land value has increased 4-6X. On another property, our members implemented a comprehensive plan to increase stocking rates that resulted in an additional 26,000 AUM's at a cost of less than $1,000,000 (<$465/cow unit), while simultaneously increasing elk, moose, antelope and sage grouse numbers. These examples simply reflect the value that can be captured when the right expertise is applied in the right way. Ultimately, the value of our services will be measured in more than net cash flow. While increasing profitability is always a key facet of any management plan, the value of our clients' time and peace of mind often weighs heavier on the scale.

 

How can I justify increasing costs on an operation that is already marginal?

Most properties are under-served by professional management because only the larger ranches have sufficient efficiencies of scale to pay for it. Carrus makes this expertise affordable for farms and ranches of virtually any size by leveraging it across multiple properties. The net result for the landowner is more time, more money and better stewardship.

 

How difficult is the transition to Carrus management?

We have made the transition simple and straightforward. The full-spectrum of business and property management services (bookkeeping, payroll, bills, employee supervision, record keeping, maintenance, etc.) can all be handled by Carrus as we implement the specific management plans that have been tailored to you and your property.

 

What happens to my current managers?

A current manager's experience and knowledge is often essential to obtaining the highest possible performance from a property. We empower existing managers and enable them to reach their full potential by recognizing and complementing their strengths while supporting the owner's additional needs.

Our expertise has been obtained by managing some of the largest and most complex ranches in the country as well as numerous smaller properties with their own unique challenges. As a result, current and aspiring professional natural resource managers often consider it a privilege and a career-enhancing opportunity to work with our partners.

We establish relationships of mutual respect and trust with everyone engaged in pursuing the landowner's objectives. In the event that a current property manager does not exist, or a new on-site manager is need for any reason, Carrus has access to top-flight professionals and quality candidates for every type of situation or we can work with local individuals with the "right stuff".

 

How much control do I retain over management decisions?

The property owner retains full control. Any delegation of authority is clearly spelled out in the management contract. We provide the decision-making tools, systems, management planning, and day-to-day oversight that supports the on-the-ground manager's work and frees the property owner from many burdensome aspects of land ownership. Experience has shown that most property owners delegate more and more responsibility to Carrus without losing any desired authority, autonomy or involvement.

 

How much does it cost?

Our compensation is based on the size and complexity of the operation and the scope of work we perform. Our Comprehensive Management Solution typically includes start-up fees over the first 6 months of the contract, a monthly payment for ongoing management services, and appropriate incentives. All fees and expenses are clearly set out ahead of time. If you partner with Carrus to invest in a new property, we will guarantee that all of our fees will be covered by the income generated by the property.