Tejon Ranch Says Drought to Affect Cattle, Trees

Tejon Ranch Co., the Lebec-based agricultural and land concern, expects the drought to have a material impact on its business this year, company President Jack Hunt said.

The company’s 2,750 acres of nut trees and vineyards might not produce a crop this year because of state cutbacks in water supplies, Hunt said, and there was “a chance we might not be able to keep the trees” alive because of the lack of water.

Agriculture traditionally makes up about one-third of the company’s revenue. The cutback in water also means that Tejon Ranch might have to sell most of its herd of cattle, which is already down 60% to 70% from normal levels, Hunt said.

Kern County, where most of Tejon’s 270,000 acres are located, is trying to find alternative water supplies. “We feel pretty confident some emergency water can be found, although it will be pretty expensive,” Hunt said.

Tejon Ranch hopes one day to develop its land into various commercial and residential real estate projects.

Separately, the company recently named David Dmohowski its vice president for land planning. Dmohowski, 43, formerly was director of planning and entitlements for Irvine Co.’s Pacific Division. Irvine Co. is a Newport Beach land development concern that owns about one-sixth of Orange County.