SAUK R RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2019 | Page 1B
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Sauk Rapids Herald
SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2019
Trailblazing the beef industry Giess recognized for contributions as cattleman BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
Rubes Sponsored by Fluegge’s Ag
PIERZ – Dar Giess has created a legacy in the beef industry by following one motto: Do not follow where the path leads; rather, go where there is no path and leave a trail. “We could have been Angus breeders, Red Angus breeders or Charolais breeders, but we chose this path,” Giess said. “We could have taken the mainstream path, but we chose to take an unrecognized breed of cattle and make them successful, and people have benefitted from what we have left behind.” Giess has built his ranch and name on South Devon cattle – a lesser known English beef breed with a gentle disposition and noted longevity and efficiency. Giess was named to the Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association 2019 Hall of Fame March 14 in St. Paul. The MLBA Hall of Fame began in 1934, honoring individuals who have elevated the livestock industry in Minnesota. Giess’s reaction was of surprise and modesty. “Not a lot of cattle guys get in there,” he said. “I was shocked because the beef people who have been inducted are those I totally admire – Leonard Wulf, Frank Schiefelbein, Jack Delaney, Mark Frederickson, John Reed. Those are people
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Dar Giess, who owns DLCC Ranch with his wife Lynn, stands inside his home July 2 in rural Pierz. Giess was inducted into the Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association Hall of Fame March 14 for his contributions to the state’s livestock industry.
who I really respect and who have made significant contributions to the cattle industry.” Yet, Giess has left his own imprint on the industry. Giess and his wife, Lynn, own DLCC Ranch – a 700-acre operation in rural Pierz with a South Devon and South Devon composite herd of 500 head.
They grow 60 acres of corn for silage and the remainder of the land is used for hay and pasture. They also rent land to sustain their herd. The couple operates the ranch with their daughter, Leah, and their son, Lane, and soonto-be daughter-in-law Kate, of Manhattan, Kan. “We do everything,”
said Giess, president of the North American South Devon Association. “We clip the bulls ourselves. We advertise the bulls ourselves. We have a couple of friends who help us here or there, but we really don’t go outside of family for anything.” Lane, who has a bachelor’s degree in animal science and master’s in genetics, is in
charge of producing the annual sale catalog and the operation’s website. Giess converses regularly with his son about herd improvements. Kate and Leah both have ag communications degrees and help market the animals. Lynn is responsible for the accounting and record
Giess page 2B
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