View Ranch

MAINE-ANJOU cattle are not something you would look to find in dry/arid desert climates, but south of Safford, Arizona you will find just that. Canyon View Ranch created a cowherd comprised of Maine-Anjou influenced genetics and has carved out a market share in their area. Owned and operated as a family affair, Canyon View Ranch was started by Charles & Jackie Hoisington in 2008 and includes their son Tate, his wife Tiffinny, and their children, Quintin & Kolby. Nestled in the heart of the Aravaipa Canyon, the area is considered by most as big ranch country with a stocking rate of 150 to 200 acres per pair depending on annual rainfall. While it’s certainly not a common area one might think to find Maine-Anjou cattle, the Hoisingtons have made it a very viable option.

Their involvement in the mining industry is what initially brought the Hoisingtons from their Southern Colorado home to settle in Safford, Arizona. In addition to Canyon View Ranch, they own and operate Open Loop Energy Inc., founded some 30 years ago by Charles & Jackie. Open Loop is a mining partner with a core focus on servicing and repairing hydraulic and heavy equipment components. Over the years, Open Loop has expanded to four locations –including Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. This footprint has allowed them to support mining not only across the United States, but internationally as well. Their connection to the livestock industry runs deep though, prior to the move to Arizona, Charles & Jackie owned and managed (It was my mom’s parents that built the livestock auction) the Fruita Valley Livestock Auction Sale Barn in Fruita, Colorado.

Canyon View Ranch sits right around 3,200 feet above sea level, with parts of the ranch exceeding an elevation of 4,500 feet. A mostly arid climate, they see anything from freezing temperatures to highs like those of Phoenix. With the ranch situated at the foothills of Mount Graham, Tate says they do have some grass. The terrain, however, is nothing like the rolling hills that we’re accustomed to in the central Midwest, but rather more of a grass forage. “Cattle in this country have to be good footed, easy keeping and travel long distances for food and water,” said Tate. The Hoisingtons do supplement with a little feed from time-to-time, but primarily just protein tubs. The last 18 months have been particularly wet for the area, with some sort of measurable rainfall at least once per month. In turn, they’ve seen reservoirs filling up, a welcome sign.

Like many others, the Hoisingtons stepped foot into the Maine-Anjou business through livestock exhibition and their local FFA advisor. Growing up, Tate showed horses competitively, but his ag teacher and mentor talked the family into a further look at Maine-Anjou cattle – specifically bulls and females that were selling in the Bright Light’s Bull Sale that coming Spring. The purchases they made started a fire, that burns even stronger today, for their commitment to the utilization of Maine-Anjou genetics. Tate expressed, “We have grown a following because of the high quality, competitive cattle that youth can select, feed and show across the large and tough counties of Arizona that surround us!” He made the statement that the cattle quality they have created and sold has led others to ask about Maine-Anjou genetics and has opened another avenue for them to market livestock in the form of yearling bulls. The Hoisington’s are most definitely champions for their brand, but one of Charles & Jackie’s favorite things helping youth in the area grow and succeed with their projects, especially their grandchildren. Braxton and Nola Hoisington are the son and daughter of Garrett and Jenna, and are both junior members and have been actively showing our Canyon View Ranch cattle for the last few years. They both have taken an interest and even showed Maine heifers at Arizona National this January. “It was our first stab at any larger show”, says Tate.

Tate was quick to point out how important it was to them to purchase Purebred Maine-Anjou bulls right out of the gate. This in turn ensured they could build their registrations in the first generation. He also felt the selection of high percent Maine genetics allowed him to inject more muscle and bone in the resulting offspring. Tate noted. “Bull power is very important to us because of the large pastures and extent of the breeding season.” Gathering and AI- ing cattle in their country is tough. He mentioned it’s not uncommon to go a week before running across cattle because of the terrain and land area the livestock run.

As Tate continued to talk about his belief in Maine-Anjou, he mentioned the use of them in their operation has only been aided by the Association and its staff. Tate couldn’t have been more complimentary saying, “It’s so easy to trouble shoot issues with the help of multiple support staff.” As he rounded out the conversation, he was sure to point out that his belief in Maine-Anjou and the quality these cattle provide is due to the dedication of the breed and the visible desire among the collective membership to make the next set of cattle better!