2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition by Wyoming Livestock Roundup

2018

Fall

CATTLEMEN'S EDITION FEATURING

Southwestern Montana

A publication of Williams Angus photo

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

The nation’s fourth largest state, Montana sees just six people per square mile, and today, the agriculture industry remains key, drawing on a rich history of agriculture traditions. In 1680, Montana natives are cited as the first to domesticate the horse in the Centennial Valley of southwest Montana, but it wasn’t until

1803 that the state itself was acquired by the United States through the Louisiana purchase. Early years Lewis and Clark’s expedition, from 1804-06, brought white explorers to Montana, and fur trappers and traders soon followed. The fur trade in the state was key throughout the early

1. Sitz Angus 2. Dr. Ben Abbey 3. Duckworth Co. 4. Silver Spring Ranch 5. Churchill Cattle Company 6. J. Dwight Harrison Ranch 7. Wheeler Mountain Ranch 8. Centennial Livestock 9. Ranch Wives Beef Company 10. Mannix Ranch 11. 5L Red Angus 12. Williams Angus 13. Robert Marchessault 14. Van Dyke Angus Ranch 15. Reminisce Angus 16. Split Diamond Angus 17. Bayers Hereford Ranch 18. Sentinel Alpaca Ranch 19. KG Ranch 20. Circle L Angus

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1800s, and in 1853, Johnny Grant started the first beet herd in the Deer Lodge Valley, with sheep ranching starting in the Bitterroot Valley in 1857. At that point, gold was the main draw as people flocked to the Treasure State. Miners struck gold on Grasshopper Creek in 1862, bringing with them crime, as individuals and gangs both killed for the pre-

cious metal. Bannack, Mont. was chosen as the first territorial capital for the state, when Abraham Lincoln officially created the Montana Territory in 1864. It wasn’t until Nov. 8, 1889 that Montana became the 41st state in the U.S., under President Benjamin Harrison’s administration. At the time, gold, silver and copper mining were prevalent, and the agriculture industry continued to grow. Agriculture Along with miners, the State of Montana’s history, found at mt.gov, states, “Cat-

tle ranches began flourishing in western valleys during the 1860s, as demand for beef in the new mining communities increased. After 1870, openrange cattle operations spread across the high plains, taking advantage of the free, publicdomain land.” Montana’s abundant grassland provided ample opportunity for cattle and sheep ranchers, and the Enlarged Homestead Act of 1909 brought droves of ranchers to the state, all looking for the chance to own a piece of land. “Wheat farming was pop-

ular until an extended drought and drop in market prices after World War I ruined many farmers,” says the State of Montana. “The homestead ‘bust’ forced many farmers to abandon Montana.” While modern Montana, between 1945 and 2000, was defined by a shifting economy that relied on natural resources, the State of Montana also notes, “Agriculture – while dependent on weather, a declining workforce and international markets – has remained Montana’s primary industry throughout the Continued on next page

2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page areas.” “While some national observers consider Montana a part of America’s ‘cultural outback,’ many Montanans pride themselves on their spirit of community, close contact with the environment and fundamental ‘sense of place,’” emphasizes the State of Montana. Montana ag today In the state today, agriculture is a $4.6 billion industry, with more than 27,100 farms and ranches across 59.76 million acres, according to 2017 data from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Farms and ranches spread across 64.2 percent of the state’s acres. Montana ranks 29th in the country for the total value of all ag products sold, and 27th for both the value of livestock and the value of crops. Land in farms and ranches it utilized in a variety of ways, according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, which showed 65.8 percent of Montana’s ag land in pasture and range and 28.5 percent in cropland. Of the cropland, 16 percent was harvested, 4.6 percent was cultivated summer fallow and the remainder, 7.9 percent, was classified as other cropland. Woodland constituted 4.4 percent of farm and ranch acreage, and the remaining 1.4 percent was utilized in other ways.

The state is second for the amount of land in farms and also second for the average size of farm. Livestock inventory The value of animals and products produced, according to NASS data, hit $1.636 billion in 2017. In Montana, beef cattle reign supreme, with 1.497 million cattle on Jan. 1, 2018. Including calves, that number totalling 2.55 million head, and 45,000 animals were reported on feed. In addition to beef cattle, 13,000 milk cows populate the state, producing 22,154 pounds of milk per head. Total milk production in 2017 hit 288 million pounds. Beaverhead County, in southwest Montana, leads the state in number of all calves and beef calves born in the state. Montana takes the 10th slot in the nation for cattle and calves, but the state ranks higher, at seventh in the country, for sheep production. The sheep industry numbered 225,000 head for the year, and hogs on Dec. 1, 2017 totalled 179,000, leaving a well-rounded livestock market. Montana is 22nd in the country for hog production. Crop production Crop production was valued at nearly $2 billion in 2017 in Montana. The top crop for Montana

Montana's stats Population – 1,005,141 Nickname – Treasure State State Capital – Helena State Flower – Bitterroot State Bird – Western Meadowlark State Animal – Grizzly Bear State Fish – Blackspotted Cutthroat Trout State Gemstones – Sapphire and Agate State Soil – Scobey Soil State Motto – Oro y Plata (Gold and Silver)

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is hay, with 2.55 million harvested acres. Of that, 1.6 million is alfalfa hay, and 950,000 acres represented all other hay. The average yield for hay was 1.91 tons per acre, for an overall production of 4.88 million tons valued at $686.9 million. Montana ranks first in the country for production of organic wheat, and for all wheat, 5.14 million acres were planted, with 4.66 acres harvested. At an average of $5.34 per bushel, the crop yielded more than $674 million for the state. Winter wheat, spring wheat and Durum spring wheat were the top products planted. Barley production hit 565,000 acres valued at more than $125 million in 2017. Montana is also known for its pulse production, including both lentils and dry beans, as well as peas. In 2017, 670,000 acres of lentils were harvested, and 260,000 pounds of dry edible beans were harvested. Dry edible peas were harvested off 470,000 acres of land, and 4,000 acres of Austrian winter peas were produced.

Seed potato production is also an important industry, with 11,100 acres of potatoes planted in the state. Canola is grown on 137,000 acres of Montana, and a combined 115,000 acres of corn are planted. In addition, 38,000 acres of flaxseed, 18,000 acres of oats and 28,000 acres of

safflower were harvested, along with 42,700 acres of sugarbeets, for a very diversified cash crop portfolio in Montana. “In a state where cattle outnumber people, agriculture is our business,” says the Montana Department of Agriculture. “In fact, agriculture is Montana’s num-

ber one industry and growing.” State rankings are taken from 2012 data, and head counts are from 2017 NASS data. Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to saige@wylr.net.

Cattle state - In Montana, cattle and calves are the largest contributor to the agriculture economy, contributing $1.636 billion to the economy. Courtesy photo

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Harrison, Mont. – In 1923, Jim Sitz’ grandparents Will and Frieda purchased the family’s first Angus cattle, jumpstarting the registered Angus operation in the Sandhills of Nebraska. Today, the Sitz family hold a bull sale, registered female sale and a Sitzinfluence sale, all showcasing genetics they have honed over the last nine decades. “When we started, we ran commercial cattle, too, and the purebred deal was a smaller part of the operation,” says Jim Sitz, who runs the operation with his brother Bob. “Since then, we’ve grown the purebred operation, and it’s a pretty big deal today.

Moving to Montana Will and Frieda grew the cattle herd in Longmont, Colo., and their son Bob got involved in the cattle industry by raising and showing cattle in 4-H. Bob farmed and raised registered Angus cattle and attended school at Colorado State University. Through some connections with a real estate agent, Bob and his wife Donna decided to look to Montana to grow the herd. “The real estate agent told Dad that Montana was the new frontier in late 1950s, so Dad started looking in Montana for property,” Jim explains. “They bought their first piece of ground in Montana in 1958

and moved there in January 1959.” He adds, “My mom, dad and oldest sister moved to Harrison in the middle of winter, and that was the start of the home ranch.” Environment Southwest Montana has provided benefits for the Sitz family, but it isn’t without its challenges. “We live in a high desert, with a typical rainfall of eight to 12 inches,” Jim explains. “We’re fortunate because most of the time, we see timely rains. We’ve been blessed to always have some water.” The ranch has an irrigated base with high mountain country, as well, providing high-quality grass. Sitz

Angus is able to raise wheat, barley and forage for the cattle in the high elevations, as well. “The grass here puts pounds on calves, and on top of it, we’re in a beautiful part of the state,” Jim comments. Top quality In the quest to raise the best Angus bulls, Jim explains they look for balance in their cattle. “Cattle need to work on the range,” he says. “We need to look at all aspects of the industry and find cattle that are going to work.” Jim further explains cattle need to work at all stages of production – on the ranch, in the feedyard and at harvest. “We have to look at the big picture when we’re picking cattle,” he adds. The Sitz family also focuses on cattle that are fertile, breed back and wean a calf. “Our customers are selling pounds of calves, so we need to make sure cattle breed back and wean a big calf,” Jim says, explaining that many ranchers don’t put

“We’re not trying to select for extremes on either end, but we’re trying to breed balance in our cattle.” – Jim Sitz enough emphasis on fertility traits. “Fertility and soundness are very important to us.” To reach their production goals, the Sitz family takes extensive records, including fertility, heifer pregnancy, yearling weights and ultrasound and DNA data. “We ultrasound for pregnancy and sex the calves,” Jim continues. “When they go through the chute, we evaluate feet and utters, as well as body condition and phenotype. Then, we sort based on the information that we gather.” He comments, “It’s awfully hard to put selection pressure and move the herd forward if we’re not keeping these records.” After a calf is successfully produced, Jim says they’re not done collecting records, noting, “Then, cattle need to be able to convert when they go into a feedlot and grade well when they are

Legendary bulls

PROVIDING THE SERVICE AND PRODUCTS YOU NEED TO GET THE JOB DONE SINCE 1923

Sitz Angus has always raised the highest quality, and the herd has produced standout cattle that continue to influence the industry. In 1963, Elation 10 of Model started a long list of performance cattle that provided longevity and production for the herd. “Another sire that had a lot to do with the success of the Sitz herd in earlier times was CSU Rito 4114,” says the family. “Purchased at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo. in 1984, 4114 became a success story for Sitz Angus and eventually gained national recognition as one of the breed’s most prolific sires of excellent females.” Later in 1979, the Montana Treasure Test top gaining bull was QAS Traveler 23-4, a prominent name for Angus breeders still today, with extensive use and progeny that are in demand today. Traveler son's, Traveler 124 GDAR and GDAR Traveler 71, followed in the steps of their sire, bringing low birthweights, high milk and growth, coupled with a maternal pedigree. Sitz Angus continues to raise notable cattle, selling cattle at record-breaking prices because of their quality and commitment to practical, predictable and profitable cattle.

harvested.” “We’re not trying to select for extremes on either end, but we’re trying to breed balance in our cattle,” he summarizes. Selling the best Sitz Angus calves in February and March, with bull sales starting during the tail end of calving season. “Our bull sale is the second Wednesday of March,” Jim says. “This year will be the 50th consecutive year of the sale.” They sell between 300 and 350 yearling bulls in the spring sale, and in the fall sale – held the first Thursday of December, the ranch markets 450 coming-twoyear-old bulls and 400 bred females. “Once we established our sale dates, we’ve never moved them,” comments Jim. More recently, the Sitz family started a Sitz influence sale. “We buy heifers from our long-time customers and allow customers to consign heifers to our Sitz-influence sale,” he explains. “We’ll sell 1,500 to 2,000 bred heifers the third Monday of December.” The future of Sitz Angus As Jim looks towards the future, he sees the importance of his family and the rest of the family in their operation. Jim and his brother Bob are the primary operators of the ranch, but Jim’s wife Tammi and his children Amber, Ashley, Tyler and Tucker are all integral in the operation, as are Bob’s children Taylor and Lane. “We have an awesome crew, and we couldn’t do what we do without them,” he comments. “The best part about ranching is doing what we love and working the land but also having the family involved with us on a daily basis.” He adds, “All of my family – my wife, kids, brother and his kids – have a love for the land. In the end, I believe they’ll still all be involved in the operation.” Over the next 10 years, Jim sees a renewed focus on fertility and longevity making sure that bulls are sound and productive for their customer base. “When our bulls go out, they need to breed because they’re going to impact our customers’ cattle for the next 10 years,” he comments. “They need to be sound and fertile, and we have to continue to look at the end product.” Jim continues, “We have to raise a product that is nutritional, delicious and provides a good experience for our customers. At the end, we have to have quality.” Visit Sitz Angus online at sitzangus.com. Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to saige@wylr.net.

2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Dillon, Mont. – After graduating from Colorado State University’s veterinary school in 2005 and working on a dairy farm in Idaho until 2010, Colorado native Ben Abbey says he started looking for an opportunity to return to a varied large animal practice. “I heard that Beaverhead Vet Clinic in Dillon was for sale, and my inlaws lived a short way away in Hamilton, Mont.,” Dr. Abbey explains. “My wife and I decided it would be a good idea to move closer to family, and we landed here.” “It’s a little daunting to buy your own vet clinic,” he adds, noting that each moment along the journey has been an adventure. From the beginning Dr. Abbey’s desire to be a veterinarian extends back to his elementary school days, when each student in his third-grade class had to complete an assignment about what they wanted to be when they grew up. “I wanted to be a veterinarian, but I didn’t know how to spell it,” Dr. Abbeyrecalls. “The teacher had to write it on the chalkboard.” He copied the teacher’s text, and his desire to be a veterinarian hasn’t waned since his youth. For the last eight years, he has owned and operated Beaverhead Veterinary Clinic. In his first few years, Dr. Abbey operated as a solo veterinarian out of his clinic, working 365 days a year, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. “I ended up getting a part-time vet after three years, and now, two of us

work together,” he explains. “The practice had three vets are one time, even.” Dr. Jennifer Haugland works with Dr. Abbey in the practice, which is primarily a large animal operation. “Our real focus is on cows and trying to help our clients have the best profitability they can with their livestock,” Dr. Abbey says, noting they have recently added a growing small animal component. Unique facet Since Dillon is surrounded by high-elevation cattle operations, Ben is one of the few veterinarians across the country the utilizes pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) testing to assess cattle’s susceptibility to brisket disease. “We PAP test 2,000 head a year here,” says Dr. Abbey. “I learned how to PAP test from Dr. Tim Holt, who is the Godfather of PAP testing. I spent some time with him during my education.” Today, Dr. Abbey works particularly hard to stay abreast of changes in the industry, including handling vaccine programs and more, to ensure he’s able to serve his clients. “We need to provide a quality service for our clients, so they see value in work with us,” Dr. Abbey explains. “I hope I’ve done that, and I think the fact that we’ve tripled our client base is testament to that fact.” Interfacing with customers To Dr. Abbey, the difference in his practice is in working with his custom-

Varied practice – Beaverhead Veterinary Clinic serves much of southwest Montana. Dr. Jennifer Haugland (pictured on right) works with her colleague Dr. Ben Abbey’s oldest daughter on a blocked lamb at the practice. Courtesy photo

ers.

“The way we treat people matters,” Dr. Abbey comments. “The only difference between the ranchers I work with and me is that I went to college for a few more years than some of them. Ranches are small businesses just like our vet practice” He continues, “My personality tends to mesh with lots of other people, so I’m fortunate that I get to work with people who have different personalities.” Dr. Abbey also notes he loves everything about the practice, saying he can’t imagine doing anything differently. Growing and building As Dr. Abbey and Jennifer work together, he says their growth is attributed to offering services that other people in the area don’t offer. “A couple years ago, I went to embryo transfer school, so we’re starting to do embryo transfer,” Dr. Abbey explains. “We also have the equipment to freeze semen for bull producers.” With the large amount of seedstock production that occurs in southwest Montana, Dr. Abbey says he tries to provides services to ranchers so they don’t have to go outside the state or region for these services. Living in Dillon Since moving to Dillon, Dr. Abbey says they have operated out of a clinic in the town of Dillon, but recently, he purchased 12 acres to build a new facility. “We’ve outgrown our current facility,” Ben

explains. “It’ll be nice to have an area for a pot of cattle or two, so producers can bring semi loads of cattle in, we can work them, load them and send them on their way.” Dr. Abbey describes that, as a small-town vet, his clients are the same as his friends, commenting, “The people here are wonderful, and Dillon is a great small community.” He also notes the area is a great place to raise his family, with a low crime rate and abundant opportunities for young people. “This is a nice mix of

“Our real focus is on cows and trying to help our clients have the best profitability they can with their livestock.” – Dr. Ben Abbey cultures, between the conservative ranchers and the University of Montana Western,” Dr. Abbey says. Because of their location, Dr. Abbey also spends ample time in his truck, driving upwards of 90,000 miles a year to serve clients. His clientele live within a 100-mile radius of Dillon. “I do most of the Lemhi Valley in Idaho, as well as some dairy work in Boz-

eman, Deer Lodge and our more local region,” Dr. Abbey says. “We cut a pretty wide swath.” Dr. Abbey comments, “Being a vet is a wonderful mix of helping clients as well as having compassion for the livestock we work with.” Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to saige@wylr.net.

THE WYOMING LIVESTOCK BOARD is preparing for the 2019 Brand renewal and wants to remind producers that it is very important to keep their mailing address current. By law, the Livestock Board must notify the brand owner, by mail, at the address shown on the brand records. There are over 5,000 brands up for renewal. If the brand has not been rerecorded within sixty (60) days from the expiration date of the brand, the brand will be declared delinquent. Brands that are subject to renewal expire on January 1, 2019 and the 60 day grace period expires March 1, 2019. If you are not sure of when your brand is scheduled for renewal, or are not sure if the Wyoming Livestock Board has your current address, please contact the Wyoming Livestock Board via phone, mail, email, or fax at following address: Wyoming Livestock Board 1934 Wyott Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82002-0051 Office phone 307- 777-7515 Fax 307-777-6561 or brands@wyo.gov A list of names of Brand owners who have a brand(s) up for renewal is also posted on the WLSB website.

Attention Brand Owners

Bozeman, Mont. – Four years ago, Dillon, Mont. rancher John Helle had the vision to take the highquality wool from their Rambouillet-Merino cross sheep and create fine woolen clothing and performance woolens. “Bernie, who was involved in the clothing industry, teamed up with John, held a meeting and the concept of sheepto-shelf was born,” says Don Rogers, president of Duckworth Co. “We’re the only source-verified apparel company in the world.”

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Sheep ranch The Helle family operates a five-generation sheep ranch outside of Dillon, and they’ve always sold highquality wool on the commodity market. “We always sold our wool into the commodity type market. Once we sold it, we didn’t know where it went, and it’s always been a dream of ours to see the finished product that we actually grew on our ranch,” Evan Helle says. With multiple grades of wool coming from each flock of sheep, Don notes the family decided to make

the highest quality products possible. Manufacturing process “We carefully manage every step of the process, from raw fiber to finished garment. Knowing wool is our business,” says the Helle family. The wool is harvested from Helle Ranch and sent to the Carolinas, where it is spun, knitted and dyed by the experts in the industry. “Deep understanding of the manufacturing process allows us to find opportunities for innovation at many stages of development, resulting in breakthrough

wool products and practices, such as our ‘chlorine free’ shrink-resist process, ultralight Vapor Wool fabric and Woolcloud insulation,” says Don. He adds, “Ressurecting the lost art and craft of American wool is our mission.” Products Today, Duckworth primarily sells knitwear products. “We sell everything from lightweight, 100 percent wool garments to innovative blends that make amazing performance shirts,” Don explains. He continues, “Our triblend takes advantages of all the great things about wool and provides a little bit of durability, washability and more.” As they continue to innovate and develop new products, Don says they’re working on a woven product now, but the company is constantly being chased by other wool product developers. “We introduced a beautiful vest last year, and we’re continuing to expand upon the assortment,” he adds. Company Duckworth operates with a motto of “Acta non verba,” a Latin phrase meaning actions, not words. “We focus on going outside and showing people what they can do,” Don says. “Who thought there would be a wool company out of Bozeman with sheep in Dillon? We can do all of this in the U.S.” At the same time, the family also models the idea of actions, not words, in their community, by being actively involved in what’s going on around them. “We’re focused on getting people outside, and we make sure to stay active in our community,” he says. “The Helles live in Dillon, and they’re ‘dyed in the wool’ in that community.” The family actively participates as members of the ski patrol at Maverick Ski Area and in integrated into the community in many ways. Sustainability going forward “We’re special because Duckworth and the Helle

From lamb to wool – Evan Helle carries a set of triplets while wearing a Duckworth Powder Fleece hoodie. The wool from these lambs will be used to make high-quality wool products that are sold out of the Bozeman, Mont. operation. Courtesy photo

family care so much about what they do,” Don explains. “We market and raise our products better than anyone else.” From a business perspective, with little background on the ranch, Don says, “Our business model is sustainable going forward because we all work hard to produce the best product.” As they look forward to growing, Don adds the family hopes to grow enough to continue to support the entirety of the Helle family and maintain the highest quality. “We would love to have other family ranches that live up to the same standards that we do, grading every fleece as it comes off the sheep,” he says. “Right now, we use just Helle wool, but they make an outrageously beautiful wool. It’s the best product.” Bright future As they look to the future, Don comments, “We’re experiencing growth. It’s really fun to be in America, running an American wool business as Americans are recognizing the value of wool.” With the abundant ben-

efits of wool apparent, Don reflects on his entire career, which was primarily spent working in corporate textile companies as a consultant. “I got back into the clothing industry because there were three things that were important to me, and Duckworth had all of them,” he says. “The product had to be made in the U.S., it had to be sustainable, and it had to be a smaller company that was making an impact.” With Duckworth, Don says John and Bernie developed both a sustainable brand and a sustainable business that was more than just a flash-in-the plan. “I spent my entire professional career making things out of polyester, polypropylene and nylon trying to mimic wool,” Don comments. “We don’t have to mimic wool. Wool is perfect. Use it.” Find Duckworth Co. online at duckworthco.com to learn more about the company or purchase their products. Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net.

2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Sheridan, Mont. – Situated in the beautiful Ruby Valley surrounded by seven mountain ranges, Sheridan, Mont. is quaint small town home to fly-fishing, hunting and ranching. The Silver Spring Ranch, owned by the Barnosky family, lies about four miles outside of town. The family has owned the ranch for close to 80 years. “My great-grandad was in the Big Hole. Then, my great-uncle Pete and his brother George bought our current place in 1940,” Neil Barnosky, current generation on the ranch, explains. “Pete and George ran the place until they passed away. My folks, who had been ranching in Twin Bridges, moved to the homeplace in 1959.” Today, the Silver Spring Ranch is a cow/calf operation, running Black Angus cattle close to home in the winter and on a Forest Service lease, as well as on the Robb-Ledford Game Range, owned by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), in the summer. Grazing on leases “Forest Service lands are multiple-use, and part of that use is livestock grazing,” says Neil. “We are part of a grazing association, running in common with other ranchers. The cows are there to harvest the grass and keep it healthy and viable. We use what’s called a rest rotational grazing system.” Barnosky explains the system by giving an example. If they have four pastures for spring and four pastures for summer, each year, one spring pasture and one summer pasture is rested, and the other three are used. “We need to meet standards on the allotment,” he says. “We monitor the creeks by using stream bank disturbance and stubble height to determine when it’s time to leave that pasture. “ “When we have a lease on public land, people think we just turn our livestock loose and let them wander, but there is actually a lot of management involved,” says the rancher. “We must use the guidelines and meet the Forest Service standards.” The grazing association he is part of hires three riders for 2,500 head of cattle. Grazing standards “We have a permitted season, but we move on standards. We have an ‘on’ date in the middle of June, but when we actually put cattle out is based on range readiness,” Neil explains. “If there hasn’t been enough rain or it was cold, we might need to wait until the grass is at a certain stage.” If the summer is dry,

Neil continues they might run out of grass and have to remove cattle, even if the permitted time hasn’t elapsed. On the FWP Game Range, cattle graze for four months to manage the grass and keep it in healthy condition for the benefit of the elk and other wildlife. “We use a rest rotation system here, as well. We run with three other ranchers on this range,” he describes. “It’s hard to control where elk graze, but cattle can be managed and utilize the grass. If we don’t harvest grass, it’s going to go downhill. It won’t stay in a healthy, vegetative state.” Although cattle used to be trailed horseback from the ranch to the Forest Service allotment, today the ranchers truck them. Horses are still used by the riders to move the cattle while they are on the summer range. Multiple use “It’s a great time of year to be in the forest,” Neil says. “Through the summer we see a lot of fishermen, and right now, it’s bowhunting season. We make sure we’re out of there before rifle hunting season begins.” While there are times the family ends up trailing cows through hunting camps, he explains, “Most people are good about it and understand the land is for multiple use. One time there was a man from Hungary in one of the camps, and he loved it.” In the fall, the cattle are gathered, with the weaned calves shipped back home in trucks, and the cows are trailed home on a two-day, 35-mile trip. Challenges Predators have caused problems on the Forest Service leases. In the past, the Barnosky’s grazing association has had problems with wolves, but this year, they have had issues with grizzly bears. The family has had five confirmed kills and at least three cattle that were attacked but survived. Permittees on other allotments have had a lot of problems with the grizzlies, also, and there have been bowhunters attacked in prior years. Neil explains when they are moving cattle, there is a lot of noise, so predators generally don’t bother them. “Our riders do pack guns now. A number of years ago in the spring, one of the riders got chased quite a long way by a bear,” he explains. “Having dogs with us helps, as well, as they provide advanced warnings for the bear.” He explains there are differences in beliefs as to what are acceptable lev-

els of predators and how to deal with the population of them. “We are a part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem,” he comments. “There is a conflict with the management of wildlife and groups who don’t want them to be managed. It’s unfortunate these decisions are being decided in courts when the decisions should be made based on science and with goals and objectives being met.” Reasons for ranching When Neil looks at why he ranches, he says first and foremost, “I enjoy livestock and horses.” Further, Neil comments, “One of the neat things about ranching is

each season we get a different job. By the end of one season, we’re ready for the next. I like the variety and working outdoors.” In the summer, he spends a lot of time in the tractor, harvesting their irrigated hayfields, but the rest of the year, he enjoys moving cattle and working with different ranchers in the area. “I really enjoy calving,” Neil comments. “It’s great to have the opportunity to work with my oldest son, Jake.” Jake’s twin sister lives in Sheridan, and Neil’s younger son lives in Denver. He says the grandkids are “good help” at the ranch. In addition, he finds people in agriculture pleasing to be around. “They are very smart, and we always get challenged on how we do things and learn new ways of

“We’re helping the conservation groups understand the importance of ranching not only to public lands but to private lands.” – Neil Barnosky doing things. It’s exciting to get together and compare notes,” he comments. Neil continues, “Agriculture is a funny business. We compete against each other, yet we are willing to share what works and what doesn’t.” Local organizations Off the ranch, Neil also works with the Ruby Valley Strategic Alliance, which is a group of conservation organizations and local ranchers. “We have some differences and have serious conversations, but it’s been good to work together. We will never agree on everything but the core issue is good stewardship,” he says. “We’re helping the conservation groups understand

the importance of ranching not only to public lands but to private lands.” Because a large portion of the area’s ranches depend on public lands grazing and many of them wouldn’t be viable without public lands, Neil says, “Everybody benefits from ranching on public land – the people, the wildlife and the habitat. Plus, ag supports the local economy and keeps the community going by serving on school boards, the fair boards and the local volunteer fire departments. Rural people are very giving of their time.” Rebecca Colnar is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Ranching in Sheridan, Mont. – Neil Barnosky runs the Silver Spring Ranch in southwest Montana and says the operation allows him the chance to do a different job every season, as well as the opportunity to work outside. Courtesy photo

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Manhattan, Mont. – Dale and Nancy Venhuizen started Churchill Cattle Company in 1980 shortly after they were married. It wasn’t long until the pair moved to their current location in Manhattan, Mont., and they’ve bred and marketed the highest quality Hereford cattle ever since. “I had a few Hereford cows when I was a kid,” says Dale. “We took those, bought a small herd of cows and that’s how we got started.” Hereford breed For Dale, his love of Hereford cattle starts with their docility and the ease of working with the cattle. “Herefords are fun to work with,” he explains. “They’re a relatively quiet breed with a lot of personality, so working cattle day-

to-day is great. There is very little frustration in working Herefords.” From an economic perspective, Herefords provide a valuable crossbreed for many other breeds of cattle. “When we cross a Hereford with Angus, Red Angus, Brahman, or pick any breed, we get a huge bump in heterosis,” Dale says. “It’s a bigger bump than we see than in crossing any other breeds. Economically, that is a big feature in the beef industry today.” Dale also notes Hereford cattle are maternal with exceptional calving ease and mothering. “The first 24 to 48 hours of life for newborn Herefords goes easy, and they calve well,” he says. “Their maternal aspects are also really nice. The cows milk

Spring Creek Ranch Sundance, WY

well, and they’re by and large problem free.” “None of us want to mess with issues in our cattle, and one of our goals moving forward is to keep our herd as problem-free as possible for ranchers,” Dale mentions. Dale and Nancy strive to create bulls that work well in a variety of settings and work to get cows bred, no matter the terrain. He continues Herefords are able to adapt to a variety of environments, depending on what they’re crossed with. Churchill Cattle Company has sent cattle to the north of Canada or places as hot and humid as Florida. “These cattle do really well and thrive in a lot of environments,” Dale says. As an example, he recalls a pen of bulls born

Oak Creek Retreat Aladdin, WY

during a particularly cold, snowy snap in 2018 and says they are indistinguishable from any of their other cattle. “These cattle look really good. They survived as babies, and they’re going strong,” Dale comments. “While the Hereford breed isn’t perfect, they have a lot of things going in their favor, and I really like to work with them.” Adding technology As their operation has grown and prospered, Dale says they have focused on utilizing technology to help move the operation forward. “Right from the start, we’ve used embryo transfer on the ranch,” Dale comments. “We’ve used embryo transfer since 1980, and we artificially inseminate (AI). Two-thirds or more of our calves are born through embryos or AI.” Every cow on the ranch is AI’ed once, and they utilize their own clean-up bulls for the rest. “As technology has

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grown, we also partner with TransOva and do in vitro fertilization work at the ranch twice a month,” he explains, noting they are TransOva’s only satellite center in Montana. “In the last 40 years, as the ranch has grown and changed, we’ve moved with the technology.” “Now, there is genomic testing and a whole bunch of new technologies,” he continues. “We blend the new and best technology with common sense.” Growing and changing In their first year, Dale recalls having 50 calves. In 2019, they will calve 400 cows, which is the most they’ve ever had. “Almost all of them are registered cattle with purebred calves,” he says. To accompany the herd growth, Dale has added four full-time employees to the operation, and they’ve added acreage to the ranch. “We bought a farm and are able to raise our own feed,” he explains. “We have also purchased pasture acreage to triple our ownership size since we first started.” While they still lease quite a bit of land, the land base has grown since 1980 when they started. “Our markets have also grown substantially,” continues Dale. “We have marketed to almost all of the beef-producing countries in the world.” In decades past, the couple sent live cattle around the world, and today, they primarily send semen and embryos around the globe to reduce costs on both ends. “We sell quite a few embryos in the United States, too,” Dale says, “and, of course, we sell live cattle – both bulls and females – across the U.S.”

Selling cattle Each September, Churchill Cattle Company holds their annual female sale, and they have a bull sale in January. “Our spring sale is pretty major,” he says. “We sell live cattle, semen and embryos.” The sale is typically held in April. Also in late fall, they sell semen and embryos in an online exclusive sale. “Occasionally, we do some private treaty bulls sales, as well,” Dale comments. “It keeps us busy. We complete one sale and then start looking at the next one.” Passion for cattle For Dale and Nancy, raising cattle is more than just a business – it’s their passion. Dale says he enjoys working with cattle on a day-to-day basis, but on a bigger scale, he says, “I have a real passion to make beef better.” On their own ranch, they run their cattle much the same from year to year, so when heavy weaning weight bulls popup, they take note of the genetics behind them. “I also really like working with people,” Dale says. “It’s important to us to work with customers and visit our customers, as time allows.” “Working with people and producing a better Hereford are the things that make us tick,” he says. Dale comments, “As my life’s work, it’s not only a business, it’s fun to go out and work with cattle on a daily basis.” Find Churchill Cattle Co. online at churchillcattle. net. Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net.

2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Dillon, Mont. – West of Dillon, Mont. in the Grasshopper Valley, Cooper Harrison homesteaded the J. Dwight Harrison Ranch in 1887. Many of his family members also homesteaded the land around Cooper’s ranch. After getting their start, Cooper and his son James Dwight Harrison began buying homesteads around the area and adding ground to their home ranch as they could afford more land, gradually putting together an operation large enough to support the family and ensure a legacy moving forward. The Harrison family raised Hereford cattle and sheep, running livestock on the growing ranch and raising children. James ran both sheep and cattle until he passed away, and then James’ sons John and Dwight eventually took over the operation. “In 1965, my dad John and Uncle Dwight split the ranch up. My grandfather James ran sheep until he died. Dwight took the sheep when the brothers split, and we haven’t had sheep since,” explains Ted Harrison, who runs the ranch today. “In 1976, my dad, my brothers and I bought Dwight’s place back, and we’ve tried to keep the family ranch together as much as possible.” Over the years While the ranch raises Black Angus-based cattle today, Ted remembers, “When I was young, we ran straight Herefords. We still use some Hereford bulls.” The black baldy cows allow the family to develop quality and performance on the rail. “We look for good breeding in our bulls to produce calves that do well on the grid when they’re slaughtered,” Ted explains. The Harrisons strive for cattle with good carcass traits that perform well on their operation.

Mountain country The strictly cow/calf operation calves March, April and May, selling calves in the fall after running during the summer months on both Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service leases. “We’re pretty dependent on BLM and Forest Service allotments,” Ted explains. “We summer on public land from the first of July through the end of September. It’s mountain country.” Because of the terrain on their allotments, Ted explains the family uses primarily horses in the mountain country. “There are a lot of places that we can’t do it any other way,” he says. “When we’re fencing, putting out salt and whatnot, we use ATVs when we can, but we use horses a lot.” At 6,200 feet in elevation, the ranch experiences some weather, but it isn’t unbearable, Ted comments. “We are limited, however, to grass hay because we can’t raise alfalfa,” he says. “We only have one cutting of hay a year, but I don’t mind it. This is where I’ve always lived, and it works for us.” Keeping with tradition, the Harrisons even used beaver slides to put up hay until 2000, when the extra labor necessitated a transition to baling using a round baler. Ted continues, “The ranch is all flood irrigated. We’re dependent on good snowfall in the high elevations so we have good irrigation.” Horse enterprise In addition to the cattle, the Harrison family raises Quarter horses – an enterprise that extends back to James Harrison in the early 1940s. “My grandfather bought some horses from the Wagoners in the early 40s, so we’ve always raised a few horses,” Ted Harrison says. “We sell a few horses, and

we raise them to ride.” In the last several years, they have bred fewer horses in the past, but they believe a good ranch horse makes a difference on the operation. “We’ve had good bloodlines all along,” he explains, noting King Fritz and Sugar Bars sires have been used. “I like a good, all-around horse that has some cow sense.” The Harrisons have always ridden their homeraised horses on the ranch and in the arena, where they

used to team rope in their spare time. “We always had good, competitive horses in the arena,” Ted comments. “I thought they did as well as anything around.” Challenging future As he looks to the future, Ted says he and his brother John run the ranch together. John’s son Russell also continues to be involved in the ranch, and he will be the next generation to take over the operation. But Ted adds there are challenges the ranch faces today that will likely continue into the future. “Our biggest challenge

comes from the environmental world,” he says. “We’re all trying to get a handle on endangered species.” At the same time, Ted comments, “There are also people who are trying to put more restrictions on grazing permits, and it’s tougher and tougher to satisfy the requirements agencies put on permittees.” Ranching lifestyle Despite the trials the ranch faces, Ted says the ranching lifestyle is how he grew up and what he knows. “Ranching is all I’ve ever wanted to do,” he says. “When I got out of high school, I came back to the

ranch.” He continues, “This has always been my life, and my brother was the same way. He left for two or three years after high school, but it wasn’t long before he came back.” “Ranching might not be the most lucrative career, but I like this way of life,” Harrison adds. “Sometimes things are discouraging, and sometimes it’s hard. But we accept the bad because we enjoy the good parts of this way of life.” Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Whitehall, Mont. – Managing a cattle herd at a high elevation can be a challenge, but one registered Angus breeder looks at it as a way for Mother Nature to have her hand in cattle selection. David Van Dyke of Wheeler Mountain Ranch near Whitehall, Mont. says the ranch began at Highline Angus, which was started by his grandfather, Ray Van Dyke. “My dad, Ron Van Dyke, got his start in the cattle business when grandpa gave him his first registered cow as a gift for his eighth

grade graduation,” David recalls. “From that point on, my dad started to build his herd.” “He was part of Highline for quite a few years, but an opportunity came up for him to step out on his own, and that’s how Wheeler Mountain Ranch started,” he explains. A look at the ranch The home base of the registered Angus operation is at almost 5,000 feet elevation. David says they winter the cowherd there, but just behind the property is some rough, rugged terrain that is

dry, rocky and steep. “Everything we do out there, we have to do on horseback. It is the only way we can get around or access the cattle. It is pretty remote,” he says. When the cattle make their 26-mile trek to the mountains for the summer, they go over a high point that is 8,000 feet elevation, before dropping into a basin that is about 7,600 feet. “It is a tough trip to get the cows up there. There is a lot of shale rock and decomposed granite they have to walk on. It’s really hard

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on their feet,” Van Dyke explains. However, the Van Dyke’s see the terrain as just one more way to better manage their herd. “When we moved to Whitehall, we were looking for a place to challenge our cattle. Our philosophy is Mother Nature is the best sorting stick we have available to identify the superior genetics in our herd, and she helps us determine what we should move forward with,” he explains. Because of the challenging environment, they have been able to make positive improvements over the years in the quality of cattle they produce. “We try to manage them as close as we can to the way our customer base would. We have a very loyal local customer base. If our cattle can hold up and perform at the top level, with the rough conditions that commercial buyers who are buying our bulls have, then we expect them to hold up for us since the terrain is similar,” he states. Selection strategy “We try to monitor the cattle for traits that show performance in the dry terrain,” David explains. The cows average 1,200 to 1,250 pounds and wean calves that weigh at least 50 percent of the cow’s body weight. “Our cattle have proven themselves to do better than that. We make no exceptions,” David comments. “When we trail them back to the home place, it is a 25-mile trek, which is a lot of shrinkage.” “We collect weaning weight data on the calves right when we get them home, so they don’t have the opportunity to rebound or put on weight. We won’t put anything in our bull development program that weighs less than 700 pounds

Raising bulls – Wheeler Mountain Angus focuses on cattle that survive in their harsh environment, selecting based on weaning weight data collected after the cattle have been tested, as well as feet and leg structure, early breed up and fleshing ability. Courtesy photo

at weaning,” he explains. Feet and leg structure Feet and leg structure is a primary selection criteria. “We don’t have a choice but to be extremely particular about feet,” David explains. “We have to produce cattle that are structurally sound. Feet and leg structure are evaluated constantly and at every level of bull and heifer development.” In addition, the family also selects based on disposition, bone structure and calving ease. “When the bull calves are weaned, we evaluate them for structure. If they don’t meet our criteria,

they are culled. While they are developing, we keep a close eye on their structure and that they are developing correctly. We don’t want to sell a bull to our customers that we aren’t proud of or wouldn’t use ourselves,” he explains. Early breed-up Flesh-ability is also key, David says. Since the grass on their lower range dries up really early, they have to rely on grazing Forest Service land for several months of the year. Because of that, they select for cattle that flesh easily in the harsh environment. It is no small order. “The cows have to calve easily and be able to take care of themselves in the harsh environment, while maintaining growth and performance,” David says. The breeding program The cows are synchronized in April. A couple weeks later, the front draft of the cows are selectively artificially inseminated. About 60 percent of the cows are bred naturally using their own bulls. “We raise our own herd bulls, but we do our homework to find the next bull or the next direction that we feel will complement our program,” he explains. “We need to make sure our program is working, and the best way to do that is to use our own bulls,” he continues. “A lot of the top bulls we use here come out of our own program. However, it is hard to know if you are making progress without using some outside bulls to compare them to. We are always looking for new genetics that will compliment our herd and fit our criteria as far as pedigree, EPDs and structural correctContinued on next page

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2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page ness in the bull and its offspring.” The replacement heifers calve toward the end of January, while the cows start Feb. 1. David fondly refers to the Whitehall area as the banana belt of Montana and says, although it can get bitterly cold at calving, the area doesn’t usually receive the heavy snowfall like other areas of the state. More than 95 percent of their cows don’t see a barn

during calving season, but they do have plenty of windbreak. “Even though we calve in January, the barn is the last place we want our cows to be,” David says. “I think our cows do better if we don’t have to handle them much.” “We still take birth weights on all the calves, put iodine on their navel and make sure they're healthy and nursing. But, it is sur-

vival of the fittest in our area,” he says Annual bull sale The annual Wheeler Mountain Ranch bull sale will be held March 14, 2019 and features their top 150 bulls, as well as some open yearling replacement-quality heifers. This sale will feature pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) data from the maternal side of their operation. “Because of the way our operation is managed, we are unable to offer PAP for our bulls on the bull sale,”

David says. “By the time they reach an age where they can be tested, they are chestdeep in snow on our allotment on the Forest Service range.” “From visiting with people, we know there is a correlation between genetics and PAP scores,” he continues. “There are a lot of people we do business with that feeling a PAP maternal database would be beneficial for us, so we have decided to add that to our program.” David notes, “We will

Our philosophy is Mother Nature is the best sorting stick we have available to identify the superior genetics in our herd, and she helps us determine what we should move forward with.” – David Van Dyke have our first draft of PAP data this fall, after we finish testing our cows at 7,000 feet elevation. We feel confident our cattle will do well with PAP testing. Mother Nature has shown us that.” For more information about Wheeler Mountain Ranch, visit wmrangus.com.

David and Erin Van Dyke can be reached at 406-4905977. Ron and Kathy Van Dyke can be reached at 406287-9234. Gayle Smith is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Ranch work – At Wheeler Mountain Angus, the Van Dyke family still ropes and drags their calves to the fire for branding. The cattle represent the product of years of selections based on pedigree, EPDs, structural correctness and more. Courtesy photo

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Dillon, Mont. – A man born in 1898 brought himself west from Portage, Wisc., going to work on the Diamond O Ranch just north of Dillon, Mont. in Beaverhead County in 1918. “We’ve remained in Beaverhead County for 100 years,” says Deb Tamcke, recalling the story of her grandfather’s journey to Montana. “Grandpa looked ahead a lot.” Deb’s father and aunts were raised on the Diamond O Ranch, and then her grandfather purchased prop-

erty in the Centennial Valley. “We’ve stayed in Beaverhead County, but across several different pieces of property,” she explained. “My dad and grandfather were not afraid to sell a piece of property if he thought it would make a better future.” Deb adds, “But we’ve remained in the cattle business all these years.” Ranching around Montana In 1979, Deb’s father and grandfather purchased the Roe Ranch from her mother’s family south of Dillon, and as recreation

Adding diversity Farming had always been a small part of the operation, with small grains and alfalfa being planted on the ranch. Deb Tamcke’s family also broke ground on an irrigation system that stretches across the East Bench east of Dillon in the early 1960s. “They helped start the irrigation and farmed down on the bench in Dillon,” Tom Tamcke explains. “Slowly, but surely, they moved into just cows, selling the farms to buy more grazing land.” Today, the family has a set of mother cows that forms the base of their operation. “Our base is cows, but we’ve diversified into recreation again, and we have a haying business,” Tom says. “When our son came back to the ranch a year ago, he brought his haying business, so we incorporated that into Centennial Livestock.” Additionally, they run a recreation program, with outfitters that lease both hunting and fishing from the ranch.

blossomed in the southwest corner of state, the ranch began to explore a recreation aspect. “The Red Rock River ran through the Roe Ranch, and at the time, it was premiere trout fly fishing,” she explains. “My husband and I came to work for my family in 1986. My husband Tom and I started the fly fishing program then.” Fly fishing allowed another opportunity for the ranch to add income, which was lucrative for many years. In May of 1996, Ted Turner purchased the property, allowing the family to purchase the cross ranch where they live today. “The Cross Ranch was owned by Metropolitan Life, and my father negotiated a deal to purchase the property,” she comments. On the other side of the family, Deb’s mother’s family settled in Bannack, and Cross Ranch was nearby. “There has always been a connection between dad’s family and my mother’s family,” she explains. “They were just across the valley from each other. They were dear friends, and the families began to intertwine.”

In 1958, Deb’s grandfather started the corporation Centennial Livestock, Inc. which got its name from the Centennial Valley where he owned his first property. She says, “That brings us to where we are today.” Cattle program The cattle at Centennial Livestock are black and black baldies, with the Hereford base extending to the early days of the ranch. “We’ve purchased Angus bulls for the past 25 years, but we still see a small percentage of white-faced cattle every year,” Deb comments. “We run a closed herd.” Tom continues, “We haven’t bought cows to put into the breeding program since Red Rock Ranch. In 1996, we purchased a small bunch of cows, but they were removed from the herd later.” Since then, the ranch has exclusively raised their own replacement heifers, realizing that knowing the conditions they were raised in and avoiding the unknowns associated with outside cattle. “The biggest factor these days is using the information that is out there,” Tom says, “and this is another tool in our marketing arsenal that allows us to sell our cattle for top dollar.” Breeding program When Centennial Livestock selects cattle, they do

so using a long-standing system of record keeping that is in place to identify the sire of each animal. “We’ve tagged and sirecoded everything for 20-plus years,” explains Deb. “We use a sire code and birthdate on every tag to identify all the cattle, and we use a different tag in our replacement heifers so they can be easily identified.” They utilize expected progeny differences to select bulls, but they also place an emphasis on phenotype. “We want enough femininity in her head, but not too much,” Tom says. “We also want a cow that’s going to withstand the elements. We try not to feed them though the winter if conditions are right.” The cattle are grazed through the winter, supplied with protein supplements and a custom mineral package to sustain them. Production year Every year, the replacement heifers start calving the first week of March and the cowherd begins at the end of March or early April. “We usually calve for about 60 days, and then we start branding calves when they’re three or four weeks old, depending on the weather,” Tom explains. The cows are calved in large, grass pastures, and they are groups by the sex of their calf. “The cows with bull

calves are calved on one end of the ranch. When we have a group of 200, we move the heavies to a new pasture and clean field,” Tom explains. “The cows with heifer calves are on the opposite end of the ranch.” As the cows with heifers calve, the pairs are moved to the next pasture with the idea of training the calves to move between pastures naturally. “The first-calf heifers are calved in close quarters. Someone is with them 24/7, and we baby them early to hopefully train that cow and give her a good sense of being a mother,” Tom comments. After calving season, he says, “Then, we turn bulls out around June 20.” The bulls are left in the herd for 60 days before they are pulled. The replacement heifers are artificially inseminated (AI) and have been since 1991. Heifers are kept in feedlots to get them in good body condition before being AI’ed. “We AI the heifers on grass, and that has helped our conception rate and the mortality rate on fetuses,” Tom emphasizes. “It has helped us out.” During the summer months, the cows with steer calves graze in bottoms and old hay meadows under a rotational grazing strategy. Continued on next page

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2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page “As the grass gets ahead, we slow down and graze those fields to build winter feed,” he continues. “We try to start building winter feed at the end of July to

store enough feed to make it through April.” The cows with heifer calves go to bigger country, grazing on BLM and Forest Service lands until the mid-

dle of September. Preconditioning begins after Labor Day for the steer calves first. Then, steers are shipped in the middle of October, and by the first week of October, cows are being preg tested and fetuses

are sexed. Unique operation Centennial Livestock has always raised cattle with a goal of taking care of cattle as well as possible without feeding hay. “This ranch has provided us that opportunity,” Tom comments. “We get storms and cold at one end of the ranch, but the other end won’t see the weather. We’re right in the middle.” The property is contiguous, meaning they can move cattle solely on land controlled by Centennial Livestock, and they’re able to graze on both irrigated meadows and native hay

ground that hayed. “We can’t raise alfalfa, but the grass is good,” Tom says. The couple notes that as the fourth generation living on the ranch today, they look forward to a long future for Centennial Livestock. Deb is the oldest of four, and her brother Will Staudenmeyer also works the ranch with his wife Patti Jo. Their parents Bill and Judy Staudenmeyer live in Dillon. The first member of the fourth generation on the Staudenmeyer family, Jhett, was born July 9, 2018. “Our son just came home, and it’s a work in

progress, but we’re looking forward to the next generation on the ranch,” Deb says. “I’ve loved the ranching way of life since the day I was born,” says Deb. “I always wanted to come back to the ranch.” She continues, “There aren’t many people who can watch the sun up and go down. It’s so peaceful and nice to not hear anything but the birds and the cows. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr. net.

The family – Centennial Livestock is operated by the Staudenmeyer family, including (back row, left to right) Dalton and Libby Tamke holding son Jhett, Tom and Deb Tamke, Patti Jo and Will Staudenmeyer, (front row, left to right) and Judy and Bill Staudenmeyer. Courtesy photo

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Bobcat of Gillette

4520 S. DOUGLAS HWY. • GILLETTE, WY 82718 307-686-4890

bobcatofcasper.com

A14

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Three Forks, Mont. – When JaTanna Williams married her husband Tyler, she married into an Angus ranch. “Tyler and I are both from Three Forks, but I was as much of a city girl as one can be in Three Forks,” says JaTanna. “We got married in 2011 while I was in pharmacy school.” JaTanna’s best friend Natalie Kovarik grew up on a ranch nearby in Willow Creek. The pair went to pharmacy school together, and after working for a few years together as a clinical pharmacist, Natalie married a rancher and moved to Nebraska. “We were both working as pharmacists but decided we wanted another source of income for our ranches and ourselves,” JaTanna says. “We were looking for something outside of

being clinical pharmacists that could provide an extra source of income for the ranch.” They hadn’t talked about a beef company until a phone conversation at the end of August 2017. “During one of our frequent phone conversations, we realized we were both contemplating the same idea and thus sparked the notion of a partnered business,” JaTanna explains. “Natalie said she had been talking to her husband Luke about selling beef off of their Angus ranch. Both of us had been thinking about it. We just hadn't verbalized it yet.” Then, September 2017, they kicked off the Ranch Wives Beef Co. brand. “We’re a family ranch that loves and respects the livestock and land that has been passed through our

families for generations,” says JaTanna. New start The women started as an Instagram feed to present the story behind the beef. “We started our Instagram, creating the name and posting photos about raising beef,” JaTanna explains. “We had to wait for our cattle to reach an age that we could harvest, which didn’t happen until June 2018.” With their first harvest this year, JaTanna says they’ve seen impressive successes. The majority of the marketing for the company is conducted through Instagram and word-of-mouth. “Our main goal was to create a story behind ranch-direct beef and showing consumers where beef comes from,” she explains. “This is a niche that needs to be filled. We want people

Ranch wives – Long-time friends JaTanna Williams and Natalie Kovarik started Ranch Wives Beef Co. to stimulate their creative ability and add some addition opportunity for their ranching operations. Courtesy photo

to relate to where their food comes from – beyond just the grocery store.” JaTanna comments, “Our mission is to bring consumers the same trusted, home-grown, quality beef our families have enjoyed

High Altitude Cattle... Raised in true range conditions

Micheli Ranch

Selling 45 Herefords & 50 Angus Two-Year-Old Bulls at the ranch in Ft. Bridger

October 24, 2018 • 1 p.m. Bulls PAP Tested at 7,000 ft. by Dr. Tim Holt and Dr. Jeremy Ley

Featuring Sons of: HE SELLS! MH Mr Herf 746 MH Mr Herf 746 was named Champion Hereford bull at the 2018 Utah State Fair and was a member of the Champion Pen of 3 Hereford Bulls at the 2018 Wyoming State Fair.

HE SELLS! MAR Rito 710 MAR Rito 710 was named Champion Angus Bull at the 2018 Utah State Fair in addition to being named Reserve Champion Angus bull at the 2018 Wyoming State Fair.

For More Information or a Catalog, Call: Dale (307) 780-8232 • Tony (307) 747-7786 • Ron (307) 747-3897

for decades. We value integrity and aim to provide the finest cuts of Angus beef, as well as the truth in caring for the cattle behind them.” First harvest In June 2018, JaTanna and Natalie each harvested two steers at USDA certified processing plants in Montana and Nebraska. “We have a meat depot license, so we can sell beef online direct from our ranch,” JaTanna explains. The beef is cut and packaged before the wives bring it back home to freezers stored on their ranches. “We sell beef directly from our family ranch to your family freezer,” JaTanna comments. “We keep all of our product right on the place.” With a consistent product offering, JaTanna explains they also offer a boxed special that transitions seasonally to reflect popular cuts of the season. For example, in the fall months, they will include roasts and other fall cuts in their boxed product. “We try to be seasonal with our boxed selections,” she says. As they grow and expand, JaTanna explains they are working to get the word out and ship more product. “We can and will ship product anywhere in the continental U.S.,” she comments. “Our goal is to get the word out as much as we can.” Learning adventure While the opportunity to sell beef from the ranch has been rewarding, JaTanna also notes it has been a labor of love.

“We’ve learned a lot, and there has been a huge educational component,” she says. “Between picking packaging and developing our logo, we have jumped through a lot of hoops, but it’s totally worth it to have the extra time on the ranch.” Aside from working as a pharmacist and helping Tyler on the ranch, JaTanna explains she also has two small children that work side-by-side with the couple. “Our ranch is a small business, and we had to create a niche that would work for our family,” she comments. “Ranch-direct beef is what works for our operation. We wanted to create a niche that would be able to carry us forward.” Opportunity “We honestly love being able to represent ranching families and the agriculture industry,” JaTanna says. “We also feel like there are enough young people in the industry that we want to show them the impact they can have on their community.” The ranch-direct beef company provides the ladies a change to advocate for the beef industry while also supporting the ranch. “We still work full time because we want to maintain our off-ranch employment,” adds JaTanna, “but this company provides a creative outlet that is a lot of fun.” Visit Ranch Wives Beef Co. online at ranchwivesbeefco.com. Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to saige@wylr.net.

A15

2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

WYOMING ANGUS ASSOCIATION

Staple J Angus-Baker Family Betty or Cory Baker

Labonte Creek Angus Ranch Neil & Clarice Forgey

331 Normandy Rd. Wheatland, WY 82201 307-322-2346 • 307-331-9144

193 K-Field Rd. • Lost Springs, WY 82224 307-351-1944 labontecreek@hotmail.com

XL Angus Ranch Bob & Kate Ballew

Horse Creek Angus, LLC Dan, Bobbie & Shade Frank

PO Box 989 • Evansville, WY 82636 307-258-0107 bob@bkfarmsllc.com

Kailey Barlow

PO Box 1223 • Big Piney, WY 83113 kaileybarlow23@gmail.com www.sledrunnercattle.com

M Diamond Angus Brad Boner

PO Box 1345 • Glenrock, WY 82637 307-436-5406 brad@mdiamondangus.com

M Diamond Angus Trent Boner

PO Box 15 • Douglas, WY 82633 307-359-2708 trent@mdiamondangus.com

Douglas Booth Family Angus Dudley & Jennifer Booth

4156 Road 82 •Torrington, WY 82240 307-532-7179 • 307-532-6207 dbooth@scottsbluff.net www.boothfamilyangus.com

Douglas Booth Family Angus Douglas & Carolyn Booth

7618 Road 41 • Torrington, WY 82240 307-532-5830 cbooth@actcom.net www.boothfamilyangus.com

Booth’s Cherry Creek Ranch Michael & Lindsy Booth

2162 Road 60 • Veteran, WY 82243 307-532-1830 lindsybooth23@gmail.com www.boothscherrycreekranch.com

Booth’s Cherry Creek Ranch Shawn & Diane Booth

2749 Road 60 • Veteran, WY 82243 307-837-2994 boothangus@scottsbluff.net www.boothscherrycreekranch.com

Bowman Cattle Lyle Bowman

3410 County Road 163 • Pine Bluffs, WY 82082 307-246-3281

Buline Angus Jim, Pam & Robert Buline

623 Old Yellowstone Hwy • Crowheart, WY 82512 307-486-2300

K-Butterfield Livestock Kim & Janet Butterfield 2925 Rd 54 Veteran, Wy. 82243 435-616-2689 (Janet cell)

Camblin Livestock Mike & Danna Camblin

PO Box 130 • Maybell, CO 81640 970-629-5308 (Mike) 970-629-5309 (Danna) camblinlivestock@gmail.com Facebook: Camblin Livestock Instagram: camblinlivestock

Curt & Diane Cox

1835 Willow Creek Rd. Casper, WY 82604 307-630-4604 curt@wylr.net

Lazy GT Ranch Don Cox

4024 I-25 Service Rd. Cheyenne, WY 82009 307-630-0400

Davidson Angus Peter & Susan Davidson 208 S. Main St. Burrlington, WY 82411 307-762-3612

Deeney Cattle Joe Deeney

PO Box 1502 Wheatland, WY 82201 307-630-1593 joedeeney09@gmail.com

Flying M Angus Larry & Jackie Dobrenz 6566 Clareton Hwy. Gillette, WY 82718 307-464-0315

Earhart Farms Larry & Andrea Earhart

1373 Road 8 • Powell, WY 82435 307-272-5171 307-754-3709 Learhart@tctwest.net

Cross Diamond Cattle Co. Scott & Kim Ford

72862 C Rd. Bertrand, NE 68927 308-876-2211 • 308-991-2452 thefords@crossdiamondcattle.com www.crossdiamondcattle.com

5396 CR 236 Meriden, WY 82081 307-421-4022 www.horsecreekangus.com

SO Cattle Diane Frank Mike & Angie McConnell

420 Lyons Valley Rd. • Lander, WY 82520 307-332-4062 • 307-332-5969 socattle@wyoming.com www.socattle.com

2 Bit Cattle Carlissa French & Keith Davis 3334 Road 14 • Greybull, WY 82426 307-272-7638 carlissaf@yahoo.com

Clay Creek Angus Jim French

3334 Road 14 • Greybull, WY 82426 307-762-3541 bulls@claycreek.net • www.claycreek.net

Gardner’s Heart Dot Angus Bret & Laurie Gardner 720 Missouri Valley Rd. Shoshoni, WY 82649 307-856-0282

Godley Angus Ranch Gary Godley

PO Box 304 • Kaycee, WY 82639 307-267-2683 godley@rtconnect.net www.godleyangus.com

Grandstaff Angus Curtis & Cheryl Grandstaff 800 W.S. Hwy. 151, Box 155 LaGrange, WY 82221 307-834-2459 • 307-575-2459 granny@prairieweb.com

Gray’s Angus Ranch Rod & Lora Gray

4281 Henry Rd. • Harrison, NE 69346 308-668-2520 (h) • 308-668-2525 (o)

Double Lazy A Daniel Greet

1728A Hwy 434 • Ten Sleep, WY 82442 307-366-2062 dgreet@tctwest.net

B & D Cattle Co. Bill & Dana Haas

2578 Road 58 • Veteran, WY 82243 307-575-0294 • 307-837-2925

Ken Haas Angus Ken & Heather Haas

4766 State Hwy. 151 LaGrange, WY 82221 307-834-2356 www.kenhaasangus.com

Hancock Livestock Charles Hancock

PO Box 435 • Basin, WY 82410 307-250-6900 www.hancocklivestock.com

Herring Angus Ranch Kal & Vickie Herring

PO Box 275 • Encampment, WY 82325 307-327-5396 • 307-329-8228

Pat & Marilyn Herring

5463 Road 27 • Veteran, WY 82243 307-837-2540 • 307-532-6170 gbarh@bbcwb.net www.angusjournal.com/gbarh/

Hiser Farms Wesley & Velvet Hiser

PO Box 882 • Casper, WY 82602 307-262-1410 (Wes) 307-277-5952 whiser@wyoheart.com velvethiser@yahoo.com

Hoggs Angus Ronee, Michael & Kurt Hogg

5423 St. Hwy. 120 • Meeteetse, WY 82433 307-868-2431 • 307-272-9602 hoggsangus@tctwest.net

Bill & Chris Johnson 5415 Road 31 • Veteran, WY 82243 307-575-3026 • 307-575-0014 bcjohnson@bbcwb.net

XH Land and Cattle Co. XH Angus Chad Jones HC 63 Box 17 • Saratoga, WY 82331 307-326-3553 • 307-710-6700 xhranch@union-tel.com www.xhangus.com

Deer Creek Angus Ranch Bill & Jo Ann Keith 9250 Zero Road • Casper, WY 82604 307-457-2314 jokeithkv@rtconnect.net

Kilts Angus Russell & Sheila Kilts PO Box 382 • Edgerton, WY 82635 307-437-6466 • 307-267-2566 shekilts@rtconnect.net

Klein Angus Bill Klein 256 Brookside Rd. Wheatland, WY 82201 307-331-0136 Bill82201@yahoo.com

Rafter T Angus Kale & Kim Kretschman 721 Middle Prong Rd. Gillette, WY 82716 307-736-2415 • 307-299-4569 raftert@rangeweb.net

Kretschman Angus Kelby & Lacey Kretschman 1336 Lower Powder River Rd. Arvada, WY 82831 307-736-2327 • 307-351-0794 klkret@rangeweb.net

Broken Arrow Angus, Inc. Travis & Katie Krein 6801 U.S. Hwy. 29 • Harrison, NE 69346 308-665-5085 brokenarrowangus.com

LTJ Angus Tim Lathum

Lisco Angus Jordan Lisco 554 Tank Farm Rd. Douglas, WY 82633 307-359-1683

Lisco Angus Richard W. (Dick) Lisco

Lucky 7 Angus Jim & Jamie Jensen

PO Box 1445 • Riverton, WY 82501 307-850-2514 cowboybulls@hotmail.com www.lucky7angus.com

Jensen Angus Justin & Renee Jensen

PO Box 316 • Boulder, WY 82923 307-367-2510 (h) • 307-360-9136 (c) rjj@wyoming.com

Rock Lake Land & Cattle, LLC. Todd Platt

Lisco Angus Taylor Lisco 554 Tank Farm Rd. Douglas, WY 82633 307-359-2707(c)

SS Ranch Company Andy & Stacy Malm PO Box 128 • LaGrange, WY 82221 307-834-0128

Malm Ranch Co. Gordon Malm PO Box 55 • Albin, WY 82050 307-246-3223-Gordon 307-834-0128-Andy mrc3mt@aol.com www.malmranch.com

WEBO Angus Odessa Mathias

1929 Road 60 Veteran, WY 82243 307-837-2524 • 307-534-5141 jkmcclun@wyomail.com

Micheli Ranch Dale or Ron Micheli

Cow Capital Livestock, LLC Doug McLean 43 Signal Butte Rd. • Miles City, MT 59301 307-462-1683 • 406-853-6961 cowcapital61@gmail.com www.cowcapital.com

PO Box 346 • Meeteetse, WY 82433 307-868-2595 • 307-272-4911 kfdramsrus@hotmail.com www.greatbearreflection.com

P\T Livestock Pete Thompson

72 West Pavillion Rd. Pavillion, WY 82523 307-709-8351 9 (c) 307-463-7475 (h)

Redland Angus Kendrick & Sharon Redland

PO Box 15 • Ft. Bridger, WY 82428 307-780-8232 • 307-782-3897 dmicheli@bvea.net

Teichert Angus Mark Teichert

PO Box 168 • Manderson, WY 82432 307-347-2270 redlandangus.com

Mills Cattle Company, LLC Doug & Dena Mills

PO Box 327 Cokeville, WY 83114 307-270-7334

MR Angus Ranch Juan Reyes or Jen Reyes-Burr

PO Box 3 • Hulett, WY 82720 307-756-2030 (Doug) 307-756-2648 (Dena) dena@rtconnect.net

Mitchem Ranch Stan & Karen Mitchem

PO Box 1115 • Glenrock, WY 82637 307-436-2504 stan@stanmitchem.com

J Bar M Angus John & ManDee Moore

4095 Ross Rd. • Douglas, WY 82633 307-464-6222 jjcattleco@gmail.com

Wood River Cattle Co. Mike Moyer

98 Olson Rd. • Wheatland, WY 82201 307-322-4848 307-331-1568 (Juan) 307-331-1530 (Jen) joreyes@wyoming.com www.mrangusranch.com

Wagler Angus Kim & Elsie Wagler

5-5 Angus Colton & Tanna Rodeman

Walker Angus Ranch Ramon & Verla Walker

PO Box 837 • Douglas, WY 82633 307-351-4275 tannarodeman@yahoo.com

44219 Business Loop 80 Lyman, WY 82937 307-787-6106

ELK Angus Tyler & Megan Scales

Weaver Ranch Susan & Mourine Weaver or Sheldon Emerson

401 Southfork Rd. Cody, WY 82414 307-587-5440 307-272-6727

227 Muddy Creek Rd. Buffalo, WY 82834 970-462-1557

16968 Hwy. B • Houston, MO 65483 417-464-1040 mikemoyer312@gmail.com

3000 West Co. Road 70 Fort Collins, CO 80524 970-568-3898 weaverrch@aol.com

Popo Agie Angus Ted Seely

Neiman Cattle Company Ryan & Sonnie Neiman

Beaver Creek Ranches/ WW Angus Pete & Lucy Widener

PO Box 569 • Lander, WY 82520 307-330-8773 • 307-332-2839

541 Mona Rd. • Alva, WY 82711 307-290-0791 neimancattle.com

568 Beaver Creek Rd. Sheridan, WY 82801 307-674-6947 (h) 307-674-0848 (o) doublew@fiberpipe.net PABW@fiberpipe.net www.beavercreekranches.com

Broken Diamond T Angus Deb Simon & Allen Roush

Nickel Cattle Co. Kevin & Jackie Nickel

1711 Walker Creek Rd. Douglas, WY 82633 307-358-1965

3146 St. Hwy. 154 • Veteran, WY 82243 307-837-2279 nickelcattle.com

Sinclair Cattle Company

PO Box 1158 • Buffalo, WY 82834 800-761-2077 www.sinclaircattle.com

Nolke Angus Calvin Nolke, Jr.

Powder River Angus Neal & Amanda Sorenson

Wilkes 6-D Angus Ranch Darrell Wilkes

PO Box 36 • Hawk Springs, WY 82217 303-570-9207 docwilkes4@gmail.com

7241 U.S. Hwy. 14-16 • Arvada, WY 82831 307-736-2260 307-680-7359 nasorenson@rangeweb.net www.powderriverangus.com

10672 Van Tassell Rd. Torrington, WY 82240 307-532-3282 • 307-532-5892 ochsner@dishmail.net www.qualitybulls.com

WEBO Angus Buttons York

PO Box 848 • Lusk, WY 82225 307-334-3006 307-334-9989 www.weboangus.com

Southard Land & Cattle Anthony Randall, Manager

PO Box 68 Sheridan, WY 82801 307-763-3789

369 Cottonwood Rd. Wheatland, WY 82201 307-620-2890 anthony@southardlandandcattle.com southardranches.com

Oedekoven Angus David & Diana Oedekoven

Wyoming Livestock Roundup Dennis Sun

Cynthia R. Oedekoven

PO Box 68 • Sheridan, WY 82801 307-674-7375 doangus@gmail.com www.oarangus.com

PO Box 850 • Casper, WY 82602 307-234-2700 roundup@wylr.net • dennis@wylr.net www.wylr.net

Zorko’s 7Z Livestock Robert J. Zorko

PO Box 1211 • Laramie, WY 82073 307-742-4077 bobless2@vcn.com ZumBrunnen Angus Jason & Shirley ZumBrunnen 1174 Kirtley Rd. • Lusk, WY 82225 307-481-7090 jszumbrunnen@gmail.com

8th Annual

SELECT FEMALE SALE Sunday, November 11, 2018

Grace Werner Agricultural Pavilion Casper College • Casper, WY

Wyoming Angus Association Officers President: Brad Boner, Glenrock 307-436-5406 • brad@mdiamondangus.com

Vice-President: Buttons York, Lusk 307-216-0090 • buttons@weboangus.com

Secretary/Treasurer: Curt Cox, Casper 307-630-4604 • curt@wylr.net

DIRECTORS - TERMS EXPIRING 2018 Brad Boner, Glenrock 307-436-5406 mdiamond@hughes.net

Kale Kretschman, Gillette 307-736-2415 raftert@rangeweb.net

Jason ZumBrunnen, Lusk 307-481-7090 jason@zbangus.com

Dan Frank, Meriden 307-421-4022

Richard W. (Dick) Lisco, Douglas 307-358-3810 (h) • 307-359-0167 (c) liscoangus@vcn.com

Kim Kretschman, Gillette 307-736-2415 raftert@rangeweb.net

McConnell Angus Ranch Roger, Ryan & Royce McConnell 5740 Road 52 N. • Dix, NE 69133 308-682-5615 mcconnellangus@msn.com www.mcconnellangus.com

Obsidian Angus Fred & Kay Thomas

714 Grange Rd. • Wheatland, WY 82201 307-331-1175 wyocowdude1@yahoo.com

554 Tank Farm Rd. • Douglas, WY 82633 307-358-3810 (h) • 307-359-0167 (c) liscoangus@vcn.com

McClun’s Lazy JM Ranch Jim or Jeff McClun

Dan Ingalls

Tom & Garcia Michelena

993 Airport Rd. • Sheridan, WY 82801 307-674-9092 • 307-752-4085 twmich@optimum.net

George Ochsner & Sons Blake Ochsner

Ingalls Angus & Quarter Horses

PO Box 51977 • Casper, WY 82605 307-690-7557 • dan@ingalls.us

449 Carroll Lake Rd. • Laramie, WY 82070 307-760-8429 • 307-745-3278 pageangus@yahoo.com

Little Goose Ranch Chad Bradshaw, Manager PO Box 770 • Big Horn, WY 82833 228 Little Goose Canyon Rd. Big Horn, WY 82833 307-751-1535 • 307-673-0049 chad4lgr@yahoo.com littlegooseranch.com

Page Family LP Tom Page

1926 Hwy. 31 • Hyattville, WY 82428 307-469-2206 paintrockangus@gmail.com www.paintrockangus.com

390 Hwy. 14A • Powell, WY 82435 307-202-1356

PO Box 466 • Lusk, WY 82225 307-340-1182 smodiemathis@gmail.com www.weboangus.com

PO Box 1782 • Riverton, WY 82501 307-690-7557 • dan@ingalls.us

Paint Rock Angus Ranch, Inc. Martin & Kelli Mercer

2949 Four Corners Rd. LaGrange, WY 82221 307-477-0029 nolkeangus@gmail.com

Hytrek Cattle Company Toby Hytrek

7405 Jacob Place • Cheyenne, WY 82009 307-760-7664 • thytrek@gmail.com

“THE BEST IN THE WEST”

TERMS EXPIRING 2019 Buttons York, Lusk 307-334-3006 • 307-334-9989 buttons@weboangus.com

Amanda Sorenson, Arvada 307-736-2260 nasorenson@rangeweb.net

Todd Platt, Wheatland 307-331-1175 wyocowdude1@yahoo.com

TERMS EXPIRING 2020 Neal Sorenson, Arvada 307-736-2260

Kelli Mercer, Hyattville 307-469-2206 km@tctwest.net

Shawn Booth, Veteran 307-837-2994 boothangus@scottsbluff.net

A16

Helmville, Mont. – Timothy Benjamin Mannix homesteaded the Mannix Ranch in 1882. The ranch started as a sheep operation, transitioning

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

to cattle much later. Timothy Benjamin’s son Charles Norbert, Sr. passed the ranch to Charles Norbert, Jr., who converted the ranch

to a cow/calf operation. Today, five generations later, the ranch continues to operate, with a number of members of the family partic-

Improving the land –The Mannix family works to improve their land and ensure they will be able to raise cattle through the next generation. They have utilized various programs to eliminate noxious weeds and improve the soil. Courtesy photo

ipating in the widely available opportunities on the property. Cattle operation The main enterprise on the ranch is a cow/calf operation, says Logan Mannix, one of the fifth generation on the ranch. “We run 1,300 pairs, give or take, and between 300 and 400 stockers in a given year,” he explains. “The stocker operation runs cattle over in a grass-finished enterprise. We sell as many of our cattle to local buyers as possible, including grocery stories, like the Real Food Store and Good Food Store, burger to restaurants, retail beef at farmers’ markets and freezer beef to individuals.” In the mid-90s, the Mannix family began to diversify further, with the intent of supporting as much of the family as possible and improving the ranch’s ability to produce. “David, Randy and Brent Mannix attended a Ranching for Profit School, which inspired them to start changing the genetics of their cowherd to best fit the environment and reduce the number of inputs required. “That led us down the path to grass-fed cattle, and we found cows that performed well on grass, required fewer inputs and finished effectively,” Logan explains. “We have always tried to find ways to support more livelihoods on the ranch. Quite a few of us are interested in coming back, so we wanted to make the place more economical and make a better living for everyone.” Production and performance When they look at their cattle, the Mannix family looks at performance first and conformation second. “If they are capable of producing a calf in the conditions we put the cows in, the cow gets to stay,” Logan

explains. “We think the ideal cow is probably smaller than the industry has been trending, and she has a large proportion of stomach and rumen space so she can process a lot of forage.” Further, they’re looking for less milk than many operations, because of the large amount of maintenance energy required for highmilking cows. “We try to use their stored energy over the winter, and we push winter grazing,” Logan says. “We graze stockpiled feed as long as possible, supplementing cows with enough alfalfa to aid in the digestion of low-quality forage. Eventually the snow gets too deep or too crusted to graze, so we put the cows on a full ration of hay.” He adds, “Stockers and finishing beef are fed a full ration of hay as soon as November.” The cattle calve in April, when more forage is available, and if they haven’t finished calving by May, the remainder is kicked out to pastures to calve on their own. “We leave the bulls out and allow for late calving,” Logan adds. The ranch also utilizes artificial insemination to improve their genetics, and Logan comments, “We’re getting really close to where we want our genetics now.” They run the cattle during the summer months in large, rough, high mountain pastures. “We have Forest Service leases, state leases and private leases, and we spend a lot of time fencing in the summer,”

Logan laughs. “When the cattle are out on summer ground, we’re haying.” The cattle are gathered and brought home by hunting season, and the Mannix family watches the cattle market to determine when to sell cattle. “Steer calves are generally sold in the fall, and heifers are kept over the winter, for replacements, sold as stockers or finished on grass and marketed through our grass-finished program,” Logan says. “Stockers are typically marketed in the fall, but may be marketed in the spring if we think the market is better. He adds, “Grass-finished beef are marketed year-round and generally slaughtered between 24 and 36 months of age.” Farming While the ranch doesn’t do any farming of cash crops, they produce forage to meet the needs of their cattle and have utilized farming techniques to improve their soil. “We’ve begun experimenting with using no-till farming as a method of rejuvenating our soil, planting cover crops for a few years before returning a pasture to perennial forage,” Logan says. “The farming we do here is mostly to rejuvenate forage stands.” They harvest grass hay and alfalfa to feed, but Logan adds, “Our farming operation is a pretty small piece of the ranch.” Helmville’s climate is not able to grow most warmseason grasses, so the Mannix family grows cool-season Continued on next page

The Mannix family Matriarch Darlene Mannix sits at the helm of Mannix Ranch. While she’s not involved in the day-to-day operation of the ranch, Logan comments, “Grandma helps raise the six generation of the family on the ranch. She watches my kids a couple days a week, along with her daughters, my Aunts Annette and Renee.” Darlene’s sons Randy, David and Brent Mannix run the operation today, with their wives and many of their children. David and Peggy have four children – Cole, Logan, Erica and Jordan. Only Logan and Jordan are on the ranch today, with Logan overseeing the grass-finished beef enterprise and Jordan managing the Henault Ranch Homestead. Cole and Erica both spend as much time on the ranch as they can and are searching for ways to be more involved each year. While roles on the ranch aren’t official, “David serves in a bit of the ranch manager role, handling the production plan, pasture rotations and financial forecasts. Peggy accounting and payroll,” says Logan. Randy manages the Spieker Ranch, where the brothers originally started, explains Logan. “Randy has a forestry degree, and he manages the timber on the ranch. We do occasional timber sales, a fair amount of thinning and forest improvement projects and sell firewood in the winter,” Logan explains. Randy’s wife Maureen “Mo” and their children are also involved. Neil, the oldest works on the ranch, while Joey works as a welder and Danny is in college. Brent and Stacy also have two children who enjoy ranch life. “Brent has been in charge of managing irrigation on the main ranch, and he has also taken the lead on maintaining and managing infrastructure and equipment, especially on the original homestead,” explains Logan. “Brent’s son Bryan is back on the ranch fulltime, managing infrastructure, irrigation and stock on the Wineglass homestead, and he was the first of the fifth generation to come back.” Brent’s daughter Ashley lives in Anaconda with her husband Taylor and teaches, but she also hopes to come back to the ranch to work at some point soon. He adds, “All of us are involved in the ranch labor, but we each have specific areas that we focus on.”

A17

2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page grasses, forbs and legumes. They harvest one cutting of alfalfa and utilize the regrowth for grazing. “The warm season grasses are tough to grow and we’re limited to a pretty short growing season,” Logan says. “We can get two cut-

tings of alfalfa, but we usually only get one on most of our ground.” With the prevalence of cool-season grasses, however, Logan says they tend to have high-quality forages, which work well in their grass-finishing program.

In addition, over the last 10 years, the Mannix family has partnered with a local sheep ranch to use goats and sheep for weed control. “We have seen some reduction of knapweed after grazing sheep, but we haven’t seen a lot of grass regeneration yet,” Logan says. “We want to see weed control suc-

cess continue.” At the end of the day, the Mannix family comments, “We draw on the agriculture traditions of the past and strive to continually improve our stewardship methods for today. It is our conviction that managing the land and livestock together in such a way that both animal and ecosys-

tem flourish and will continue to provide a good living for our family, good food for our customers and contribute to the long-term health of our community.” Visit mannixbeef.com for

more information on Mannix Ranch. Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to saige@wylr.net.

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A18

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Raising Red Angus – 5L Red Angus raises high-quality Red Angus bulls utilizing technology and data to select the best. The 5L herd is nationally recognized for being the largest Red Angus herd in the nation. Courtesy photo

Sheridan, Mont. – 5L Red Angus began in North Dakota with Larry Mehlhoff’s family. In the late 1970s, the family got into the Red Angus business, when Larry was in high school. “In 1979, they moved to the Paradise Valley in Montana, south of Livingston,” explains Greg Comstock, who works with 5L Red Angus to market their cattle. “Larry graduated from high school that year and started his own hard.” Then, Larry met Lisa Stands, and the pair married in 1983. Greg says, “By 1985, his parents got out of the business, but Larry kept the 5L name and moved forward with the operation. Larry took the helm when his dad got out of the Red Angus business.” After living in the Paradise Valley area for nearly 20 years, the family moved to the Ruby Valley and Sheridan in the early to mid-1990s.

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Since the beginning of their operation, 5L has raised the premier herd of Red Angus cattle in Montana and across the country. Family operation With four of the five Mehlhoff children and their spouses still on the ranch, Greg says 5L Red Angus is very much a family operation. Larry and Lisa raised five children on the ranch, all with L names, to continue the family tradition. Today, their children range between the ages of 21 and 30. “Three of the children are married, and four still work on the ranch,” Greg explains. “Landon lives in Colorado and is a firefighter in the Colorado Springs, Colo. area.” After Lisa had a stroke the Sunday before Memorial Day, the family rallied together, helping Lisa through rehabilitation, first in Billings, Mont. and now at the ranch. “The family takes a lot of pride in working together and making sure visitors to the ranch always experiences the best in hospitality,” Greg comments. Reasons for red While the Mehlhoffs continue to raise Red Angus cattle as they did in the 1970s, Greg says their reasons for Red Angus are likely different than they were when the family started their operation. Greg notes Red Angus offer moderate-size and maternal traits, in addition to carcass and ultrasound traits. “Back before it was fashionable, Larry has been ultrasounding his bulls and his replacement heifers,” Greg says. “He wanted to learn everything about the carcass traits of his cattle that he could.” 5L Red Angus also collects actual harvest data on sire-identified cattle to combine both the carcass and ultrasound traits, which is compiled to evaluate each sire individually. “Larry tells everyone profit is made and lost in the cowherd,” continues Greg, who further notes that reproductive efficiency, feed efficiency and maintenance costs of the cowherd impact profit more than carcass traits. “He looks for cattle that are fertile, moderate sized and very efficient from a reproductive standpoint.” When the Red Angus

breed began to focus on whole-herd testing in the 1990s, 5L Red Angus was ahead of the curve, and the strategy fit with Mehlhoff’s mindset. “Larry believes every cow has to earn her keep, and she has to earn her grazing privileges every year,” he comments. “The cattle have to work for the ranch. The ranch doesn’t work for the cattle.” Testing 5L Red Angus conducts extensive testing on its cattle, progeny testing sires in a structured, progeny test. “We test young bulls against proven, high accuracy sires, using both ultrasound and carcass data to support decision making,” Greg says. At the same time, as the Red Angus Association started measuring traits like stay-ability, cow maintenance energy, heifer pregnancy and maternal calving easy, Larry’s philosophy was supported. “5L has invested in the hardware and software necessary to collect individual animal feed intake data,” explains Greg, who notes the system enables them to test about 1,000 bulls every year. “5L is able to test complete contemporary groups and sell bulls with EPDs for feed efficiency.” With a strong emphasis on the cowherd, carcass traits are also important for the Mehlhoff family, and some of the highest carcass bulls in the Red Angus breed have come from 5L Red Angus. “Larry has a long history of placing selection emphasis on carcass traits,” explains Greg. “The entire herd has been carcass tested since 2013, but ultrasound data has been collected for 20 years. This is a long-time goal of the Mehlhoff family.” Montana ranch 5L Red Angus is the largest Red Angus seedstock operation in the country, and the ranch has held that title for at least a decade. While they raise high-quality bulls, Greg explains that the family doesn’t baby their cowherd. “The cows winter out,” he says. “After they’re artificially inseminated, they are trucked to summer pasture that extends from West Yellowstone and Pinedale to Lame Deer Continued on next page

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Family – The Mehlhoff family is all involved in the operation. Larry and Lisa Mehlhoff are the proud parents of five children, four of whom live and work on the ranch. Three of their spouses are also involved in ranching operations. Courtesy photo

A19

2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page and Belt.” During the winter months, the cattle return to pastures just 70 miles south of ranch headquarters, where they graze on dormant forages with a protein lick-tank supplement. “The cattle have to be very adaptable,” Greg explains. “It’s important that they are low maintenance and don’t require extra feed.” He continues, “It’s also important that they are wide bodied and deep, with the capacity to consume enough to meet their dry matter needs.” Selling bulls The ranch holds two bull sales each year – the first Thursday of November and the second Thursday of April. Before each bull sale, Larry always sponsors dinner and an educational seminar, usually on genetic selection, feed efficiency, economic selection indices or the like, to provide information to bull buyers and others. “Larry is a big believer in lifelong learning and applying knowledge to the ranch,” Greg says, “so he hosts and sponsors a speaker the night before each sale. It’s a good opportunity for people to enjoy good food, fellowship and learn a little bit.” With Red Angus the primary breed that the family focuses on, they also sell Profit+Plus, Opti-Bulls, Charolais and SimAngus bulls.

“The Profit+Plus bulls are black red carriers, and they have some of the most unique genetics in the Red Angus breed,” explains Greg. “Over the last 15 years, the family has brought in proven Black Angus sires and crossed them with the Red Angus cattle. These bulls are 50 percent or more Red Angus genetics, but they have a black hide. It’s the best of both worlds.” The Opti-Bulls represent Red Angus-Charolais crosses, providing the benefit of a crossbred continental sire. “The Charolais bulls are sold in the fall sale,” comments Greg. SimAngus bulls from the ranch also provide another hybrid option for buyers looking for a maternal continental cross, while Opti-bulls provide more of a post-weaning benefit. Greg emphasizes, “Larry and 5L Red Angus are able to get good crossbreed comparisons because they utilize the same EPDs and same database across the entire herd. 5L customers can compare the Charolais bulls to the Red Angus to the Profit+Plus to the Sim Angus. They are able to get very accurate EPDs across the entire herd.” Learn more about 5L Red Angus and their breeding program at 5LRedAngus.com. Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Testing regimen – 5L Red Angus bulls are extensively tested for both maternal and carcass traits. Individual feed intake data is collected to ensure the bulls meet the ranch’s standards for efficiency. Courtesy photo

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A20

Three Forks, Mont. – For nearly 40 years, Williams Angus has run their Black Angus cattle herd with a focus on embryo transfer technology. “Our cattle program has been an embryo transplant program since 1980,” explains Dana Williams. “We put embryos for other people in our recipient cattle.” Williams Angus Ranch sits 90 miles north of Yellowstone National Park on the land homesteaded by Dana’s great-great-grandfather in 1865. Dana represents the fifth generation on the ranch, but his father Gordon and son Tyler also work daily on the place, meaning three generations operate Williams Angus. “My son and daughter are the seventh generation of Williams’ ranchers,” says Tyler. “We’re close to the mountains, and it’s wide open here,” Dana says. “We think it’s beautiful here.” Producers seeking recipient cattle see benefits of the ranch because of its irrigated pastures, meaning calves reach 800 to 900plus pounds before weaning. Embryo transfer The embryo transfer operation started when Van Dyke Angus, a neighboring Angus Ranch noticed the quality of their calves. “We used to buy bulls from Van Dyke Angus,” says Dana. “They liked what they saw in our cows, and they asked if we might be willing to put in their embryos and raise bulls.” “We have raised quality calves year after year since we started the recipient business, which has created a demand for this cowherd from top seedstock producers in the business,” comments Tyler. “We pride ourselves on selection of genetics producing high milking, easy doing cattle.” He adds, “We also offer embryos for sale from our donor cows, producing elite progeny from the best cow families in the Angus breed to meet the high demands of cowmen across the country.” Complex process Embryo transfer (ET), however, isn’t without its challenges.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

“With the ET calves, we are out heat detecting all the time, and there’s a lot more in it than just turning a bull out,” Dana explains. “One of us is always out with the cows in the springtime, where we could be farming or something else.” At the same time, Dana notes they have the distinction of raising some of the top bulls in the country, citing SAV Resource from Schaff Angus Valley as one such bull calved and raised on the ranch. “We’ve raised cattle for Schaff Angus Valley for the last 10 years,” he says, adding, “We’ve raised ET calves for people from every state in the union.” Early calving With the embryo transfer comes early calving, says Dana, who begins calving their ET calves through a barn at the beginning of January. “All of the ET calves are calved in January through the first part of February,” he explains. “Then, the cows that didn’t take an embryo start calving mid-February.” Dana continues, “Everything goes through a barn. The calves stay in a day or two before going outside. We can’t keep them in much longer than that because we have more calves coming. After calving, the cattle are moved to pasture and fed grass and alfalfa hay until spring time when they are transferred to irrigated pastures. During the summer months, while pairs are on pasture, Dana says the Williams family is busy putting up their grass and grass/ alfalfa mix hay, which is used to feed the herd during the tough winter months. “The ET calves are weaned and leave the ranch by the middle of August,” Dana says. “We wean our commercial calves at the same time, but we don’t ship them until the first of October.” Williams cattle While they serve clients from across the country, the Williams’ also have their own herd of registered cows. Modeling their herd after the high quality they appreciated in one of their biggest customers,

Raising kids – While raising cattle is an important part of their business, Williams Angus also raises their families on the operation. Four-year-old Stella tags along with much of the ranch work. Courtesy photo

Schaff Angus Valley in St. Anthony, N.D., Dana says, “Schaff Angus Valley is considered the number one registered Angus herd in the world. We like their cattle, so we’ve followed their lead.” “The cows are a little bigger, with rib and volume,” he continues. “On our place, cows absolutely have to have milk. A cow with a bad temperament that doesn’t milk doesn’t last here long.” The bulls raised by Williams Angus from their genetics are sold private treaty from the ranch. Continuing the family history With over 150 years of history outside of Three Forks, Dana comments that ranching in the area is not always easy. “We can’t afford to buy

any more ground around here for the purpose of ranching because we see a lot of people moving in from big cities gobbling up the ranch ground,” Dana comments, “but ranching is the only thing I’ve ever known or wanted to do. He continues, “I like

all of the aspects of ranching, from calving to putting up hay and irrigating. I don’t do the same thing day after day, and I love that. I also love the cattle.” As he looks out over the next generations, Dana sees a continued focus on managing a recipient herd.

“Raising ET calves has its challenges, and we have to pay attention to detail, but we’re going to keep going,” he explains. Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to saige@wylr.net.

Family ranching operation – Williams Angus is a family ranching operation, including (from left to right) Gordon Williams, Tyler and JaTanna Williams with their children Hudson, 2, and Stella, 4, and Dana and Robin Williams. Gordon’s wife Barbara is also involved. Courtesy photo

Polaris, Mont. – Since 1883, the Marchessault’s have ranched on property that as homesteaded by Edmund Marchessault. Today, the third and fourth generation operate the ranch, with Edmund’s grandson Robert and Robert’s son Mark runs the ranch. “We raise HerefordAngus cross cattle,” Robert says. “It’s the same kind of cattle that we’ve raised for years. We’ve been here close to 130 years, and I’m the third generation.” Inside the cattle operation Today, the cow/calf operation begins calving the beginning of March, but Robert notes they take a different strategy than is often seen on ranches across the West. “This is winter country, so we calve our heifers later than we do the cows,” he explains. “Most people want to calve their heifers first to get it finished first, but we want the heifers to have less weather to deal with, so they don’t start until late March.” Robert says he looks for a 900-pound cow that

raises a 500-pound calf, joking he’s always looking for the perfect cow. The pairs remain on the ranch until the beginning of July, at which point they move to higher mountain leases. “Breeding heifers and open heifers stay on the ranch,” he says, noting that at the first of October, all the cattle return back to the home place. “We also run yearling steers at the home ranch year-round.” Robert explains, “There’s more money in yearlings, so we run all of our steer calves over to yearlings. That’s what we’ve always done, and we feel like it’s the best for our place.” “We’ve done things largely the same for 100 years and haven’t changed much,” he continues, “but there’s still money in the bank and our cows do well, so we keep going.” Robert says they also continue to stick with “the old way of doing things,” utilizing horses for most of the cattle work. Until a few years ago, they used beaver slides to put up the native grass hay they raise, as well.

“Beaver slides and those big haystacks produce the best hay, but our operation has become more machinery intensive. Using beaver slides takes too big of a crew for us today.” The hay is all native range, which has been cultivated through the years. “There’s been a little bit of timothy introduced over time, but it’s too cold here for native alfalfa to grow, so we have just native grass hay,” Robert explains. “This is good grass country. It’s a high protein feed that the cows do well on.” The yearlings are sold at Ramsey Livestock Auction near Butte, which is 100 miles from the ranch.

“We used to sell our cattle off the ranch to private buyers, but lately, we get a better price by taking them to the sale barn,” Robert explains. The Marchessault Ranch sits in the Grasshopper Valley, and Robert says the south-facing valley is a great place to live. “We don’t have a lot of the extreme weather issues that other parts of the country have – like tornados, floods and that kind of thing,” he says, noting winter snows are bearable and help replenish the moisture in the ground and in reservoirs to allow them to irrigate during the summers. At the same time, Robert enjoys the rural nature of the valley. “It’s not going to stay rural forever, though,” Robert comments. “There are lots of people coming

“There’s more money in yearlings, so we run all of our steer calves over to yearlings. That’s what we’ve always done, and we feel like it’s the best for our place.” – Robert Marchessault into this valley, and new houses and subdivisions are popping up.” Ranch life Despite the changing demographics of the valley, Robert enjoys the ranch and the lifestyle. He continues, “We’ve got a pretty nice spot, with two canyons east of us and hay meadows on the hillside.” “I like cattle, and I like ranching,” Robert explains. “Dealing with cows is great. We still use horses for everything we do, and I have enjoyed running the place.” While Mark is the fourth generation on the ranch today, Robert and his two brothers are also

on the property, helping out, but Robert comments, “We’re all getting old.” He continues, “The ranch has to be passed on to young people who can do the work, if they want to. The only other option would be to sell it.” However, he hopes to preserve the legacy of the ranching operation, and Mark will inherit the place. “This is a family operation. It always has been,” comments Robert, “and we hope to keep it going for another generation.” Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@ wylr.net.

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For your agriculture news on-the-go! Volume 30 Number 14 • August

4, 2018

Volume 30 Number 19

AI Sire

• September 8, 2018

Volume

The Weekly News Source

A Look Inside

for Wyoming’s Ranchers,

30 Num

ber 15 •

August

11, 2018

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Millen- Prager of Center of the Nation Wool so low- the use of nose l from He ials Research tivity of still pasService keeps culture President beef brand a young State University (CSU), focused on additional Trump Wyoming an the the it. Negri chuteand plans from the cool-season it’s mainly into Montana as. As we go is often throughKnipling-Bushland age, I was Cody nium Networks, LLC will wool prices and an update on heat of summ nose the calves (ARS) U.S. people Livestock to followExecutive limited winter wheat and Wyom sheinvolv After returning from throughVice stress weaning of beef calves using alsoLaboratory and them onPresident or take inhe’s during a passioout,” ing, the flapsResearch ed with always around agri- a yearKevin receive just over $1.3 mil- Wyoming Stock Growers Association on time to put Insects . In as an er. nate we in Kerrville, the he Minnesota, we plan to slap tariffs on $200 it,” Negri student Negri flaps. Her PhD work at OSU focusedGloba said. “One Texas. was to see if about Sedivec often use the Dakotas says. rodeo and exchange in Indiana, of our projects says, noting StateheUnive lion to provide broadband Jim Magagna. mitigate l food prices puron a careerwas heavily involv billion Committee of North winter rye,” compeatition. in Chinese Chairman sued management of weaned calves to July degree in goods Wally Research vaccination.” Harvest rsity Any veterinary fell to in the coordinate tionall ENDOW’s Sustainable with in thisofwithconducted could access to 143 households medicine in FFA there optimize helps ed ag keep y used as says the cropsDakota be plante of these three their a public Economibecause, and hadat the time, his industr vacMatt Mead’s theexplained comment the negative effects of stress and to level shows United Wyom on Gov. lowest research ing, States in seven Lippolis y. He attende hometown ing system his heart winter cover free tradigradua d in of the and 44 businesses in Buf- Wolski will provide an update uni-– cultura period that tingravages months (ENDOW) broad-based set ended Sept. l comm from cows health and productivity in the feedlot. with a of including crops in a farm- growing enouglate summer as crops can Options for Wyoming to separating Please seeand prioron cinating bachelor’sd the University falo Valley of rural west- cally Needed Diversification UWother busine calves unicati on page weakness 6. The president a turnips, 6 ons included CSU work of Agriculture brassic the Collegeplans in the disease degree in to of Wyoming radishes and grazed againh to be grazed dual crop, thatprotectionssfrom cereal crops as in springinof and economics provides ern Wyoming over approxi- initiatives, and University impose to evalu- declin agriin the fall es in better “I amweexcited the tariffs the next and a minor 2018. once Head Lippolis’ study at CSU waspork Department and warm-combination with “We and poultry the Mike tried to comScience beef, Round “So, can often commenting, and Natural Resources Animal mately 4,030 acres. this feedlot, deadline passes, howand in ag for 9 periodical values tembe would seed thosespring. supply late season forage up,”STRESS the related anon- to altiate weaning with nose flaps andFood , the with opportunity on the latest research on pagethe see Negri says. Please in early Day will update attendeesymous summer/fall s – mid-Or, and they could perfor-Agriculture Organizatio sourcesdisease. people “I look are quoted affected cow performance, calf n (FAO) ctober chronic wasting in and around grazbe grazed Sepforward to work for the ways tude sickness in cattle and as throug said. saying. will Food to help them to comm the latest on from FAO’s h early providefirst the Price Liz Cheney Trump Finally, Congressmanthreatened reach their ag community unicating December, aged 168.8 Index aver- be by increas this round Please see D.C. of and finding ing in Washington, points in GRAZE on tariffs cat- the ever-changing atmosphere In his first sales or gettinghighest potential, down 6.5periodical in July,willless overall While July, conclude page 7 than by 4:30 periodical 1 p.m. and The conference begins a at week from June points or 3.7% to the opport six months, he the contacts they whether it after a 25% U.S. tle slaughter last week was unity to interact adds, “I am lookin need.” duty went into effect or 3.7% and 10.3 points a member of are higher than a year ago, the p.m. with a team that Conference, attendees g forwar from the Cattlemen’s to work Wyoming legacy – Following the 2018 against d has strongpeople. I am excited $34 billionPark for the Jim and Jill Andersonmonth last same Wyoof Chiincrease was largely due to for thedescendants to Riverside of Denver, year, street to be Colo. the walk across thenese of Wyoming homesteaders. Nation Negri can people it can serve.”western roots are United products. s agency Peamore cows coming to mar- invited to Jon Paul Anderson, and strives cocking Productions be reache calling 208-69 Hall of Fame picnic, where Clark and Associreported. d by e-mail ket. Non-fed slaughter, which ming Agriculture LLC, Farm Credit Services of America and 7-1093 Colorado, at cody@ periodical Brokers, Nebraska . He will serve wylr.net includes both cows and bulls, ates Land Proffit and or by produc and North Livestock Roundup will honor Hight and South ers primarily last week was estimated at the Wyoming Classroom in as well as Wyoming Agriculture in the Dakota. 130,000 head, 11.6% higher Dave True, Holt. Havely Year the of Educator cattle than a year ago. Fed Conference For more information on the 2018 Cattlemen’s periodical slaughter, on the other hand, 307-234-2700 periodical Hall of Fame Picnic, visit wylr.net, call was 510,000 head, unchanged or the Ag or e-mail roundup@wylr.net. from a year ago.

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Manhattan, Mont. – Intensely focused on producing highly reproductive cattle with good feet and leg structure has helped Van Dyke Angus Ranch of Manhattan, Mont. develop a base of loyal buyers. “The bulk of our customers have been buying bulls from us for more than 20 years,” states Tom Wulff, who co-owns the ranch with Lee Van Dyke. “A lot of them have used our bulls

exclusively.” “If we went to their ranches and visually appraised their cattle, most of them are impressive from a phenotypic standpoint. The commercial herds they have produced using our bulls are better than some purebred operations,” he says. Beginnings Van Dyke Angus Ranch was started more than 65 years ago by Clarence Van Dyke, whose background

was in the dairy industry. “Our primary goal has been to produce cattle that are highly reproductive. We have a maternally-based herd, and we focus on traits that are different from the extreme pressure the Angus Association has placed on growth and carcass traits. It isn’t that we feel those traits are unimportant, because we use them as part of our selection criteria,” Tom continues, “but, our customers are inter-

Bulls that produce – Van Dyke Angus Ranch meets their goals by focusing on maternal traits. They have developed a fertile cowherd through line breeding, and utilize a strict culling policy to eliminate those cows that don’t meet their strict standards. Courtesy photo

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ested in bulls that will last a long time and stay functional and sound.” “They want bulls that will breed cows for many years to come and produce highly productive offspring,” he says. Cowherd The cowherd has been developed for several generations for uniformity and consistency. “When the commercial guys come here, they want to buy a bunch of bulls that are exactly the same. We do that through our cowherd and by using our own genetics and our own bulls,” Tom explains.

“Our primary goal has been to produce cattle that are highly reproductive. We have a maternally-based herd, and we focus on traits that are diﬀerent from the extreme pressure the Angus Association has placed on growth and carcass traits.” – Tom Wulﬀ The main focus at Van Dyke Angus Ranch has been on fertility, which is accomplished through line breeding the cowherd. “When we get the right bull that will produce, we use them,” Tom points out. “We do use some outside genetics each year, on a small portion of the cows, to try and produce a bull we can put back on our own cowherd.” “Sometimes it works,

and sometimes it doesn’t,” he admits. “Our bull crop is produced with the majority of our own bulls, which is how we produce such a consistent and uniform bull crop.” They have a strict culling policy for cows that can’t breed within a 42-day breeding season. “We use our own bulls for 90 percent of our cows, Continued on next page

Family operation – Today, Lee Van Dyke (left) runs the ranch with Tom Wulff, but the operation was started by Clarence Van Dyke (right) more than 65 years ago. Courtesy photo

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Continued from previous page and we artificially inseminate everything. This past summer, 92 percent of our cows conceived and were confirmed pregnant within the 42-day heat cycle,” Tom explains. Some of the cows are flushed, and embryos transplanted. “Anything we do flush, we flush one time and get them back into the herd and calving on time. Fertility is the most important part of our program,” he says. Important qualities Feet and leg structure and soundness are also important qualities. Tom sees it as something that has been mostly ignored in the Angus breed. “It has become a high priority for us. It is easy to say, but I have noticed it has become common practice to trim the feet of all the sale bulls in many operations, and the cows have their feet trimmed annually. We haven’t trimmed any hooves here, and if they don’t have sound feet and leg structure, they are culled,” he states. Tom is also aware EPDs aren’t available for the traits they select for, but he feels like it makes it easier for his customers to find the right bull. Bull calves The bull calves are weaned in the fall and initially placed on a grass-based ration. “Their diet is 90 percent forage the entire time they are fed,” Tom explains. “Our goal is to get 2.7 to three pounds of gain a day. We don’t want to push them to the extent that is the industry standard today, so we try to grow them slower on a higher roughage ration.” “They have never been fed more than eight to 10 pounds of concentrate a day

during the growing process,” he notes. Concentrate is eliminated from their diet prior to the sale in late February, and the bulls are held over after the sale till early summer. “We deliver them ourselves. We want to grow the bulls as long as we possibly can. Our concern is getting them too fat. We want them to be able to do their job and stay structurally sound,” he explains. The bulls are fully guaranteed for a year, and Tom says they have had very few losses. Production goals “Our objective is to produce cattle our customers will purchase to get more production and hybrid vigor,” Tom comments. “They can use a set of our line-bred bulls on their commercial cows, and that producer will get a more uniform set of calves that gain more than a producer who uses the bull of the month.” “I think it is really dynamic when you can get a focused program and line bred perspective to develop uniformity and consistency,” he continues. “That is what makes the most money on the commercial side of things.” “Our customers sell uniform calves every year, and it doesn’t matter if they have 25 or 1,000. They all look the same. I think that’s what keeps them coming back year after year,” he says. For more information about Van Dyke Angus Ranch, see their website at vdar.com. Lee Van Dyke can be reached at 406-579-2585. Tom Wulff can be reached at 406-580-1606. Gayle Smith is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

The whole family – The Van Dyke and Wulff families are all involved at Van Dyke Angus Ranch. Courtesy photo

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Dillon, Mont. – In 1984, Bryan Mussard purchased his first registered Angus cow. “In 1989, I got serious and went straight registered Angus,” Mussard says. “At the time, I was also in college, so this was my plan to make money. Pushed by his parents, who advocated that their children kick-start their own futures, he jumped into the cattle industry. “We had to figure out which direction our future was headed,” he explains.

“My parents knew that we weren’t guaranteed or entitled success, so they challenged us to work hard to reach success.” Mussard continues, “I loved cows, and I’ve always been fascinated with every aspect of a cow. I love to scrutinize and study them, so, after a conversation with Clarence Van Dyke, I decided to start a bull test.” At the time, Van Dyke agreed that the idea was a good one, and Bryan jumped in.

First steps “The bull test launched my career,” Bryan explains, noting they tested nine breeds of bulls from across the country for nine years. “I spent time with all kinds of folks at their places, learning the industry.” At the same time, Bryan’s herd continued to grow, with his goal of building the herd to 100 cows. “By my ninth year, we crossed that threshold,” he says. “I didn’t feel like we

could represent the nine breeds. At the time, we were taking 700 bulls. It was a big job and a huge risk.” Mussard eventually bought the feedlot from his father, adding more risk to his operation and additional debt, but commenting, “I don’t regret anything. We showed people value, and as a result, they invested in our future. Our whole concept is about providing value for the industry.” Continuing to grow After purchasing the feedlot, Bryan was backgrounding between 8,000 and 10,000 head of cattle annually, also partnering with feedlots to get data back on the cattle. The additional data allows the Mussard family and their clients to make better decisions based on what they want the cowherd to look like. “We’ve tried to bring value to the feeding industry, providing information to price and sell cattle, as well as getting paid on a grid to show the value,” Bryan explains. “We help our customers achieve additional value.” “We had to differentiate ourselves from everyone else,” he says. “We know what our genetics are and what they do on the grid. It sets us apart.” Bull focus In addition to running the feedlot, Reminisce Angus produces bulls for sale, with a focus on soundness and fertility. “We run our cows pretty tough – tougher than many of our customers,” Bryan explains. “We consider the cows our lab, conducting tests and seeing how far we can push them to be productive.” If cows are given more

than they need and don’t have to work, he notes that it is impossible to sort the cattle. “If we keep feeding the cows through dry years, wet years, cold years or more, then the customers have to sort them out after they purchase the cattle,” Bryan says. “We feel like that is our responsibility.” He adds, “We have a problem-free guarantee that we have environmentally challenged our cowherd.” If a cow is able to maintain herself and produce a calf, even if her EPDs aren’t perfect, he notes she is able to stay on the ranch. “We have gained customers who had purchased cattle strictly using EPDs. They saw their cows getting too big and fertility dropping,” Bryan comments. “We weren’t using the same stock as the rest of the industry, and as a result, we had different cows. We shoot for the extreme middle.” Bryan strives for cattle that cover all bases, from getting bred and calving on her own to performing average or better than average on the grid while maintaining her health. “Our cows might not look as fancy as other cows people see, but if they don’t meet our expectations, they sell. Every cow has the ability to raise the high-selling bull and the best heifer,” he says. “If they make it on the ranch, they stay. We promote home-run cows that get it all done.” Sale Reminisce Angus holds an annual sale the first Friday in March each year, selling 18-month-old bulls. “We calve in June and don’t believe in pushing the bulls,” Bryan comments, noting they feed a ration

that offers 41 mega-calories, compared to a ration of 45 to 48 mega-calories seen on other operations. “We spent 10 years finding bulls that could gain four pounds a day on that ration.” After raising cattle for many years, with a January calving date, Bryan says they moved to June to avoid the health challenges that come with cold weather. “We don’t feed our bulls as much. They don’t weight 2,000 pounds at the sale, but we also don’t see very many wrecks,” he explains. “Many of our customers use a bull for five or six years.” The ranch world As Bryan looks out to their future, he is optimistic about the continued success of the operation. Because of his love for ranching, Bryan says, “I’m willing to do anything to keep ranching for the rest of my life.” Two of his six children live on the ranch today, and the ranch is theirs, if they are interested, Bryan mentions. “We’re excited about the future of this place and being able to provide an opportunity to keep the place going,” he says. While Bryan also currently serves as president of the Montana Stock Growers Association and interfaces with the public on a regular basis, Bryan comments, “I’d rather be out with the cows, but I’m glad my family supported me to be involved in the industry outside of the ranch.” Visit remangus.com for more information on Reminisce Angus Ranch. Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr. net.

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With a strong cattle herd and feedlot, Bryan Mussard at Reminisce Angus had dreams to add diversity to the operation and accomplish some new goals. “We also own our own vodka and cigar businesses,” Bryan says. “We grew up ranching, with pretty limited ideas about what we can do. We changed our thinking to diversify.” With an attitude of diversity, he comments that he began thinking about developing a potato vodka. “I’ve had celiac disease my whole life, and I love potato vodka. I’ve also been smoking cigars my whole life,” he says. “Whenever we travel, I go to the filling station and get iced tea and cranberry juice to pair with my cigars. So, we crafted an iced tea cranberry vodka that is the only one in the country.” The unique product, called Gorgeous Vodka, pairs perfectly with Bryan’s custom-blended Cattle Baron cigars. “We spent two years blending our cigars and making them at a cigar factory in the Dominican Republic,” Bryan says. “Our cigars have been rated from 91 to 93 by reviewers, and Gorgeous Vodka has five gold medals.” He adds, “If we’re going to do something, we try to do it the very best.” “When I’m on the road talking to folks about vodka and cigars, they usually find out we produce beef, as well,” he comments. The opportunity provides an interface with many people and consumers they wouldn’t normally have access to. Bryan says, “Spending time with consumers gives us more insight on what they think and what they want to know about beef.”

2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Whitehall, Mont. – Steve and Linda Buckner started Split Diamond Angus in 1974-75 with a little place in Dillon, Mont. “In 1976, Dad bought what is known as the main ranch in Wise River,” says Hans Buckner, Steve and Linda’s son, who runs the ranch today. “We had about 120 pairs down there.” Starting in the mid to late 70s, the Buckner family also sold bulls in Denver, Colo. at the National Western Stock Show, starting as a small bull operation. At the time, the herd was mainly Simmental and Braunvieh. “Then, in 1990, Dad wanted to get bigger, so he found a piece of property at Whitehall,” he explains. “We still have the place in Wise River where we run heifers in the summer.” With the move to the Jefferson River Valley, a third breed of cattle, Angus, were included in the operation. Hans and his wife returned to the operation in 2006, and they work at Split Diamond Angus with Steve and Linda. Today, the ranch works to raise maternally superior females, and the Buckner family concentrates on raising Angus exclusively. Seedstock operation Split Diamond Angus holds an annual bull sale with a focus on calving ease, explosive weaning growth and then the ability to not get too large. “We want our bulls to be fast-growing but not get too big, which results in a cowherd with maternal traits,” explains Hans. With nearly 500 calves each year, Hans says they also keep just over 200 heifers, with the plan to sell between 60 and 70 of bred heifers from the ranch in the fall. “We’re holding our first female sale this year on Oct. 11,” Hans comments. “We had enough quality in the herd and enough animals that we felt we could hold our own sale this year, with Malek Angus out of High Woods, Mont.” Then, the family holds their annual bull say on the first Thursday in March at Beaverhead Livestock Auction. Family cattle operation Steve Buckner was born and raised in Avoca, Iowa, and he’s raised cat-

tle since his 4-H days. “I’ve been raising cattle my whole life, and this year, our daughter Oakley will be starting 4-H. She showed a heifer that we sold at the Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) last year, and she’ll show another heifer this year,” comments Hans. Hans continues, “My main goal is to stay in business and continue what Dad gave us.” As Steve will turn 78 in January, Hans says he does as much as he wants at the ranch, while Hans and his wife Diana take over. In addition, they have two full-time employees. Production year At Split Diamond Angus, calving starts in the middle of January. During January, they also usually take livestock to the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo. to showcase the quality of their cattle. “In February, we calve until they’re finished, and then, we sort cattle in March,” Hans explains. “All the late calvers are put into groups and sold private treaty.” Because the late calving females are still of top quality, Hans says they are sold. “We usually sell between 100 and 120 late-calving cows,” he explains. “They are anywhere from first-calf heifers to older cows. They’re high-end, quality cows, but they don’t fit our calving window.” Then, in April, Split Diamond gears up for breeding season and irrigation. “Then, we start shipping cattle to grass,” Hans says. “We’re pretty spread out, across about 270 miles from end to end.” Artificial insemination is complete by the first of June, and clean-up bulls are turned out by the middle of June. “By the end of June, we’re haying and enjoying life,” he continues. “Summer is our downtime. We irrigate grass alfalfa and put up about 4,000 tons of hay.” The ranch sells about 1,000 tons of hay each year, keeping the rest to feed their herd. They begin haying again in August, and hope to be finished by the first of September, when calves

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return home. “From September on, we weigh the bulls every month and start them on a 110-day test to assess feed-to-gain ratio,” Hans explains. “We cut all the bulls that don’t meet our standards at that point.” After bulls are cut, the female sale is held in October, followed by the chance to exhibit at NILE. “In November, we sell our calves in Nebraska. These are the calves that didn’t make it as replacement heifers or bulls,” Hans says. “In December, we travel to the National Finals Sale in Las Vegas, Nev., and we usually sell one or two high-end lots there.” By that point, the family is gearing back up for calving season to start all over again. Running in Whitehall For Hans, Whitehall is

a great location, offering the quiet peace of a sleepy western town but located only 60 miles from Bozeman. “We have a major airport in Bozeman, as well as equipment, parts and anything we might need on the ranch,” he explains. “This is a neat place.” The ranch is situated on the edge of the Jefferson River, with two creeks that run through the operation, bringing live water to the ranch year-round. He comments, “Every time we leave and come back, we wonder why we ever left.” At the same time, Hans notes he and Diana enjoy taking cattle to customers and visiting people on their operation. “We like to network and meet people,” he says. “Now, we get out and it’s like seeing friends. After spending a number of years showing cattle, as well as working with repeat buyers, Hans

says they’ve developed a group of close friends across the country. He comments, “Everyone gets together at the same events, and it’s great to see the friends we’ve made over the years. We have a really neat group of friends who are in the cattle business across the country.” While they enjoy Whitehall for the most part, Hans says the area is not without its challenges. Cold, windy winter weather and an annual rainfall of between 11 and 12 inches each year makes Split Diamond Angus a unique place to “raise and test cattle,” comments Hans. “If cattle survive here, they can survive anywhere. There aren’t many places that have a harsher environment.” Future goals When Hans looks to the future of his career raising cattle and the next 10 years for Split Diamond Angus, he says, “We hope

to increase the popularity of our female sale as we keep raising better, more efficient cattle.” Hans says they have achieved the numbers of cattle they want, and he adds they will continue working towards even higher quality. “It’s a lot of fun to not sacrifice quality but still have enough bulls to sell,” he comments. “We have a bunch more to cut before we get to our sale number this year, so we’ll have the highest quality.” Hans comments, “We’re a family operation that has really taken genomics and used them as a background to raise more feed-efficient and high-functioning cattle.” Visit splitdiamond. com for more information on Split Diamond Angus Ranch. Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@ wylr.net.

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Twin Bridges, Mont. – Bayers Hereford Ranch holds the notable title of the oldest continuous running Hereford herd in the state of Montana. The operation began in 1918, when Art and Elizabeth Bayers purchased Polled Herefords from Henry Kuhlman in Nebraska, which started their journey in the registered cattle business.

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Art was a homestead agent, signed up Elizabeth, who came from Illinois in 1909 with her sister to homestead the ranch. Art and Elizabeth were then married in 1912 and raised six children. Byron was the only son in the family, and he spent his childhood at his father’s side. During his youth, the Bayers family moved to

the site of the ranch in Twin Bridges, Mont. Bayers Hereford Ranch boasts the accomplishment of producing over 25,000 purebred Hereford bulls that have been shipped to producers in 38 states and four countries. The peak of the herd included more than 800 horned and Polled Hereford cattle spread across three locations in the state.

Historic round barn – The round barn is a long-standing piece of Montana’s history that belonged to Bayers Hereford Ranch from 1930-89. Today, it is owned by Hamilton Ranch. The family gathered in 2018 to celebrate the ranch’s anniversary at the barn. Courtesy photo

Early influence Art was recognized by cattle producers across Montana and the West as being a respected, stalwart breeder who led the industry. “Art was well respected in his ability to develop herd bulls and replacement females that could carry a herd,” remembers Pat Goggins, Montana cattle producer. “He helped a lot of Hereford breeders get a herd bull or replacement heifers, and he would finance them and do what he had to do to keep them in business. I

respect that sort of leadership role.” Byron followed in his father’s footsteps, providing strong leadership to the industry. After Art passed away in 1960, Byron and his wife Pauline purchased the entirety of the operation from other family members, and the pair developed a renowned Hereford operation that left a lasting mark on the Hereford breed and the cattle industry. Quality focused Cattlemen from around the country recognized

Byron as one of the best, citing his impressive pedigrees, quality cattle and focus on progress and competition. “When we think about it, the goal for every cattle producer is to produce a live calf and take that calf to market profitably,” Byron once told a reporter. “If a producer can’t do that, he or she isn’t going to do very well.” From the beginning, following Art and Elizabeth’s influence, quality and carcass genetics were imporContinued on next page

Early sales – Host to many early bull sales, onlookers during the Bayers Hereford Ranch field day examined a set of cattle. Courtesy photo

2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page tant to the Bayers family. Byron and Art utilized the benefits provided from a variety of performance testing programs to provide information to their customers. Byron was quoted as saying, “For as long as I can remember, we’ve performance tested cattle in an effort to provide our customers with as much information as possible.” “In my lifetime, things have changed considerably in the industry,” he continued, noting an increase in performance data and the advent of DNA testing. “I hope these tools never completely erase the fundamentals of cattle production.” Running Herefords Hereford cattle were second to none for the Bayers family. Byron said, “The Hereford breed has been – and will continue to be – a buttress of the cattle industry.” He noted crossbred cattle with Hereford genetics bring superior marbling, producing highly desirable cattle that benefit all sectors in the industry. With challenges that have faced the cattle industry, Byron continued to produce cattle, working through the hard spots and seeing benefits in the changes that the industry has made through the years. With thousands of Hereford bulls produced on the ranch, the Bayers family has the distinction of producing Montana’s first $50,000 bull, with halfinterest selling in 1972. The bull, Evan Centurian, represents a strong line of Hereford genetics. Long-time customer LaVerl Singleton of St. Anthony, Idaho commented, “Byron is an outstanding cattleman and a terrific man.” Singleton noted he trusted Byron to pick his bulls when he couldn’t make the production sale and was never disappointed. “His bulls performed

exceptionally and have truly improved my bottom line,” he commented. Dispersal In 1990, changes in the employees, son Rich leaving the ranch for a position with Dow Chemical and the loss of a lease led the Bayers family to disperse the herd, but shortly after, Byron began to acquire more cattle, rebuilding to about 100 cows, both polled and horned. In 2015, Ehlke Herefords purchased the registered herd, and Byron started a new, small herd with cattle from Anchor Polled Herefords, McMurray Cattle Co. and heifers from the Ehlke family. Hereford Association In addition to raising cattle, Byron was active in the American Hereford Association (AHA), serving as president in 1976 and United States delegate to the World Hereford Conference in Canada. He also served as a technical advisor to the Hungarian government on Hereford cattle, representing AHA. In 1996, Byron, Pauline and Jill, along with Jill’s husband Marc Hotchkiss, established Hereford America, the largest privately owned Hereford newspaper in North America, with the mission of promoting Hereford cattle. Today In July 2018, family patriarch Byron passed away, leaving the ranch to Jill, Kathy and Rich, which led to some changes on the ranch. The registered cattle from Bayers Hereford Ranch are now raised at Friedt Herefords in Mott, N.D. “Our commercial herd is still at the ranch in Twin Bridges, and they are run on shares with local rancher Lony Shaw,” explains Jill. “Lynn Terry oversees the ranch in Twin Bridges, and my sister Kathy Bayers is at the ranch about once a week. My brother Rich, is

Still standing – A piece of history that stands as a reminder of their many successes, the round barn that belonged to the Bayers family is now owned by Hamilton Ranch. Courtesy photo

also there fairly often.” Kathy lives in Bozeman, Mont., and Rich Bayers, Jill and Kathy’s brother, lives in Buffalo. “I’m the farthest away from the ranch, so I’m there less often than my siblings, but I’m closer to the registered cattle,” says Jill. Legacy While the operation

continues to change and adapt to the conditions surrounding it, Bayers Hereford Ranch still provides the backbone to an important part of the Hereford cattle industry. With a focus on the future, Byron was recognized as a positive example for many in the industry, telling young cattle-

men to learn from the mistakes of experienced ranchers and pay attention to their insights. Before his passing, Byron was quoted as saying, “We can go through 10 or 15 years of ranching and there are some things that will really hurt. If we can pass that on to someone and they can guard against that

kind of thing whether it is financial, weather, productrelated or something else, it will make a big difference to them.” Saige Albert, managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup, compiled this article from publications provided by family. Send comments on this article to saige@wylr.net.

Hereford bulls – Bayers Hereford Ranch holds a legacy in the Hereford cattle industry, as the late Byron Bayers developed cattle that were second to none, according to many. Courtesy photo

Bozeman, Mont. – The Sentinel Alpaca Ranch, erected in the spring of 2018, sprawls across 60 acres and is home to roughly 300 alpacas who are raised for both fiber and meat. Anne Guillon is the main proprietor of the Sentinel operation and is helped out by her six children, her husband Nathaniel and both of her parents. Located just off of Highway 90, their operation houses its own store featuring clothing and other products made of their alpaca fiber, as well as a fully-stocked cooler with cuts of their home-raised “lean and healthy” meat. The ranch is also deeply committed to agri-tourism and education and even has a partnership with Kayak Tours in the works for MaySeptember of 2019. While they’ve seen success recently, the ranch has come a long way from it’s beginning.

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Curious beginnings Anne and Nathaniel were alpaca novices just eight years ago. They had an itch to get into business and out of corporate America when they heard about an open house at a local alpaca ranch on Camano Island, Wash. Anne and Nathaniel, who was an engineer with Boeing at the time, attended the open house because of sheer curiosity and fell in love instantly. Anne describes how they had the opportunity to tour the ranch, see different sides of alpaca fiber production and had a chance to interact with a few of the animals. For Anne, touching an Alpaca for the first time was like “putting my hand in a cloud.” That, coupled with their curious nature and unique personalities, was enough to convince Anne and Nathaniel to buy four alpacas of their very own and quickly set up

facilities to house them in their five-acre backyard. Jumping into the industry Just a few short weeks after purchasing their first alpacas, the Guillons began traveling and showing. From the start, Anne wanted to soak it all in and learn as much as possible. Outside of the show ring, she would talk and collaborate with people who have were seasoned in the Alpaca game. Anne and Nathaniel “really enjoyed the people in the industry,” the couple says, because of their willingness to educate beginners with the interest of advancing the popularity of these animals. From these conversations, the Guillons began to understand industry standards as they related to the show ring, breeding, meat production and fiber. In true Guillon fashion, they jumped right into the

fiber side of alpaca production, shearing their own animals and selling the fiber to locals who were able to spin it into yarn. Big opportunities Moving forward two years, the Guillon family backyard herd had grown to 28 alpacas. At this point, Anne began to pass the torch off to her children in the show ring, while continuing to grow her understanding and production of alpaca-based products by traveling around to farmers markets and collaborating with Karen Byram, proprietor of the Alpacas de la Patagonia Ranch. Byram became a consistent source of support and guidance for Anne, who was constantly searching for opportunities to better herself in the ways of alpaca herdsmanship. So, when Byram and her family decided to go on a six month vacation to South America, the Guillons were given the opportunity to lease the Alpacas de la Patgonia Ranch. This came at a convenient

time, as Anne had recently purchased 80 alpacas from Byram and began to realize that their operation had “gone beyond the backyard.” The Guillons brought their 28 backyard alpacas to the ranch and got straight to work. They quickly found themselves caring for 108 alpacas. This was a lot of added responsibility, as Nathaniel continued to work for Boeing and Anne homeschooled all six of their children. Luckily, a long-time Alpaca de la Patagonia ranch hand, Alfredo, continued to help run the operation. Big ideas The Byram family’s trip to South America extended past six months lasting over two years. Anne’s children had become more deeply involved in the operation. A few of her sons would do a lot of the barn work and

feeding each morning after their church activities, and her daughter Renee began to show a deep interest in showing their alpacas. It was during this time that Anne came up with the idea of selling their own alpaca-based products from a store on the ranch. With the okay from Byram, Anne converted one section of the barn into a small store where they sold clothing, meat and other alpaca-based products. The store slowly built up its reputation and quickly became the place on Camano Island where everyone did their holiday shopping. The move The Byram family eventually returned from their sabbatical, and the Guillons were ready and committed to making the alpaca ranching business their life. They began to look around the country for Continued on next page

Newcomers – Anne and Nathaniel Guillon and their children purchased Sentinel Alpaca Ranch in early 2018, bringing the unique livestock to Bozeman, Mont. Courtesy photo

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2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page places that would be able to sustain their growing operation and also provide convenient opportunities for ranch tours. After much deliberation, they settled on a prime location off of Highway 90 in Bozeman, Mont. The Guillon family quickly settled on the name “Sentinel Ranch Alpacas” because to them, it represents how they are sentinels, or watchmen, over these animals that they love so much. With the move, one of their biggest priorities was simply getting people out to the ranch to see the work that they do every day, with the hope of promoting education about the alpaca industry. They immersed themselves in the community with advertisements and various events with the intent of making the statement, “We are here.” An educational outing The Guillons have found themselves providing tours almost daily of their ranch, where they truly want “people to have an educational experience.”

When people visit, they are taken out right away to see every aspect of their operation. There are shearing demonstrations, discussions of what it takes to maintain the ranch and opportunities to interact with fully grown and baby alpacas. In this way, Anne is proud that visitors really get the whole picture of the lifecycle and production on their ranch. Big future Looking forward, Sentinel Alpaca Ranch is deeply committed to breaking through the stigma that alpacas are an exotic animal, with the hopes of making them a staple in our livestock industry. The Guillons hope to show the ease that comes with raising alpacas and to encourage others to get into the business. They hope to continue providing powerful experiences for visitors. Anne genuinely wants to show as many people as possible that, “This is our life, this what we do, and it’s pretty cool.” Sentinel Alpaca Ranch

Choose alpaca A notable feature of the Sentinel Alpaca Ranch is their new store where they offer a vast array of alpaca products and meat. Anne’s daughter Renee, now 12 years old, has taken on a lot of the responsibility for the store. Visitors are greeted by Renee, who loves to help customers find their perfect alpaca product, many of which she helped design. The Guillons are also working to provide more products on their online store so that customers from afar can enjoy what they have to offer, as well. A majority of their products are made with the fiber produced right on the ranch. Anne and Renee send large bundles of the fiber to various mills where they have a say in the color and design of the unique products that are made. In some cases, their merchandise is made with alpaca fiber from ranches in Peru, Chile and Ecuador because Anne truly enjoys buying back and supporting ranchers in the countries that their animals come from. Overall, Anne is a strong proponent of choosing products made with the luxurious alpaca fiber because it is considered to be four times warmer and eight times stronger than traditional clothing fibers. The store also features a fully-stocked cooler of home-raised alpaca meat products that Anne is proud to say are both a healthy and flavorful choice.

Agri-tourism – As part of Sentinel Ranch Alpacas, Anne Guillon opens their doors to visitors, showing them a little bit more about alpacas and raising the animals. Courtesy photo

plans to continue reaching out to the community with farmto-table events, educational classes and hopes to eventually arrange for a summer camp for kids. On top of that,

they are proud to announce that their products will be sold at AlpacaLand Montana in the Gallatin Valley Mall from October through the end of Decem-

ber this year. To learn more about the Sentinel Ranch Alpacas, visit them at sentinelranchalpacas.com, e-mail sentinel.ranch@gmail.com

or call 406-577-4310. Terra Ochsner is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Three Forks, Mont. – 1978 marked the start of KG Ranch, a 240-acre commercial cattle operation that has grown into a seedstock operation that runs a spring-calving herd, producing coming-twoyear-old bulls, bred heif-

ers and cows for sale. From its humble beginnings, owner Paul Dodridge and manager Greg Strohecker put together six smaller ranches, creating a block of deeded land where cattle are raised today.

KG Ranch started as a commercial operation that grew to run around 2,000 commercial cows. “In 1981, we purchased some registered heifers from Rollin’ Rock Angus, and our operation progressed natu-

rally to a registered herd. The majority of our cowherd is KG Ranch-raised,” Greg says. “When we lost a large lease, we sold our commercial cows and went strictly registered.” The pair was able to gradually grow the operation and make the transition to seedstock, with exceptional results. Greg adds, “Running a seedstock opera-

tion wasn’t the plan. It just happened, and our seedstock have been good to us.” Ranch life Greg notes that raising cattle is a lifestyle choice he has made, and the lifestyle is one he enjoys. “If you don’t love ranching, you better not do it,” he comments. “Fortunately, after all these years of raising cattle, I still love

Embracing ranching lifestyle – For Greg Strohecker at KG Ranch, the ranching lifestyle is enjoyable. From riding horses to raising cattle, he enjoys the day-to-day work of the operation. Courtesy photo

it.”

While the business is changed – and not always for the better, Greg says he loves the work environment and the life ranching has allowed him to lead. “In this valley, we can’t expand and grow anymore due to the growth of Bozeman,” he adds, “and Mother Nature can be challenging. Winter lasts for at least six months, and we only see three months without a frost. It’s tough, but we’ve been fortunate.” The ranch According to Greg, “The perfect bull has to be black. He also has to be able to make daughters, and they have to work in our commercial-type environment.” The seedstock operation runs all registered cows, selling bred heifers, coming-two-year-old bulls and aged cows during an annual production sale, set for the first Friday in December each year. KG Ranch sells about 300 coming-two-year-old bulls during their December sale, in addition to more than 300 bred heifers and about 100 aged cows. Their genetic influence comes from the bloodlines of Sitz Angus, Hinman Angus, Vermilion Ranch, Connealy Angus, and KG Ranch’s own bulls. “AI sires are matched based on environmental Continued on next page

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2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page compatibility and proven genetics that we feel will enhance our breeding program,” Greg explains. In addition to the bull sale in December, KG Ranch also sells between 100 and 150 bulls private treaty each spring, for a total of approximately 500 bulls sold annually. Top quality cattle “KG Ranch is driven by a philosophy that we be more like commercial cattlemen than most registered breeders,” Greg says. “If our genet-

ics won’t work in a commercial environment, then they have no place at KG.” When selecting bulls, he looks for bulls that produce daughters, explaining, “Birthweight, weaning weight, yearling weight and carcass weight are all important, but if he doesn’t make efficient daughters, I don’t have a cowherd.” At the same time, the females must work in the harsh, southwest Montana environment. “Our cows stay out

until after the first of the year on grass,” he comments. “They come in to calve at our headquarters, but they’re out on pasture nine months of the year.” Greg continues, “Efficiency is huge. We have to match cattle to the environment, or the cattle may struggle.” Efficiency also means that cattle have to convert feed to energy, particularly lower quality feed. “Sometimes our feed isn’t a whole lot better than straw, nutritionally, and our cattle have to walk a long way for water

and feed sometimes,” he explains. “They have to have good foot structure.” Greg comments, “We raise cattle in a real-world environment. The cows have to work in our environment, and our customers know they’re not pampered.” Big opportunities KG Ranch has taken the unique opportunity to ship cattle throughout the U.S. and around the world. “I deliver most of the cattle myself,” Greg says. “This year, I went as far as Texas, Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon, California and down to the Mexican bor-

der – 19 states this year. I get to see a lot of country, and it’s a beautiful country that we live in. In the past decade, KG Ranch cattle have even been shipped to Kazakhstan, when the operation sold bred heifers to ranchers in the small country near Russia. “We also sell a lot of semen to South America and to locations around the world,” he says. Look to the future As Greg considers the future of the operation, he says the Gallatin Valley has seen a large reduction in agriculture in general.

“We’d like to expand more, but the price of land is too high to expand much and make it work in ag. The percentage of land in agriculture isn’t going to stop shrinking,” he comments. “I’ve been here 39 years,” Greg continues. “We’ll keep ranching, and as I get ready to retire, the operation will transition on.” For more information, visit kgranch.com. Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@ wylr.net.

Top quality – Cattle at KG Ranch are Black Angus with carcass quality, but Greg Strohecker also says they must be able to produce daughters to maintain the cowherd. Courtesy photo

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Montana State University (MSU) Extension utilizes a county-based network of agents that crisscross the state to provide information and education in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H and youth development, family and consumer sciences, and community and economic development. Extension Educator Tracy Mosley explains, “We receive funding from federal, state and county entities, with the majority coming from our counties. We have really good support from the counties.” County-based Agents serve every county of the state, with more than one agent serving in many counties and single agents serving two counties in a few cases.

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

“Our single-agent counties have to be more generalists, but in areas with more agents, they are allowed to specialize in specific areas,” Tracy says. “For example, in our office in Livingston, we have an agent who covers community and economic development only, and her position is funded entirely by the city and county, in addition to myself and a a third agent that focuses on 4-H/ youth development and family and consumer sciences.” In addition to county agents, Montana State University Extension has staff on each of the seven reservations in the state, funded in part by the tribes on each reservation. 4-H and youth One thriving aspect of

MSU Extension is the 4-H and youth development program. “Our 4-H program has continued to grow in the past few years, and the number of exhibits we have has continued to grow in the last 10 years across the state,” Tracy says. “Our livestock exhibits in Park County continue to max out our barns, and we see active enrollment everywhere in the state.” Tracy says 4-H receives consistent funding because many in the state have positive experiences with the program, which means the program is well supported. She adds, “Like many states, we have a lot of new projects that appeal to urban youth, as well, to widen the scope of who is involved in the 4-H program.”

Field days – Montana State University Extension conducts field days across the state to share research and provide the chance for producers to see new operations and practices. Courtesy photo

Ag aspect In southwest Montana, the agriculture industry provides a large focus for MSU Extension. “In this area of the state,

the primary commodities are beef cattle and hay production,” Tracy explains. “When we get into Gallatin County, we start seeing products like potatoes.” Gallatin County is one of the biggest suppliers of seed potatoes in the nation, she continues, noting that even Idaho producers get some of their seed from Gallatin County and other counties in Montana. She comments, “Cattle and forage production are huge, though. We see alfalfa/grass hay mix, potatoes and a few small grains, but overall when I think of southwest Montana, I think of cows and lots of pasture.” Extension, says Tracy, is a big source of information for agriculture producers in southwest Montana, and she says she is busy every day working on projects from a variety of industries. Noxious weeds “Recently, one of our biggest challenges comes in invasive species management,” she explains. “In Montana, we have access to the Montana Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Trust Fund.” The fund is available to groups of landowners who work collectively to approach a noxious weed issue in a collaborative manner. “The Park County Cooperative Weed Management Area Group has been really, really active in the last five to seven years,” Tracy explains. “Every

year, we have between one and three Noxious Weed Trust Fund grants to provide cost-share for landowners to either purchase herbicides or hire commercial applicators to fight noxious weeds.” The program has been extensive, with six grants over the last five years in $300,000 deployed to fight noxious weeds. “That impact is doubled because landowners have to match the grant funding,” she emphasizes. Forage research Another active area of research and education comes in using fall growth of annual cereal forages that were planted for hay as a potential crop for grazing. “In the last few years, we had enough fall moisture that annual cereal forages planted in the spring and harvested have growth again after harvest,” Tracy says. “One of the questions I get repeatedly is if this growth is safe to graze in the fall.” With her range background, Tracy explains her interest was piqued as ranchers were looking for additional forage resources. Mosley and a team of specialists realized there was little to no information on fall grazing of cereal grains. “I wrote a grant to sample forages, take soil moisture, soil temperature, fertilization and irrigation data to quantify the variables that could trigContinued on next page

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2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page ger nitrate accumulation in fall growth,” Tracy says. “In addition to evaluating nitrates in these forages, we’re comparing method of nitrate testing and looking at forage quality.” In her first year of sampling, cereal grains averaged 21 percent crude protein and 70 percent total digestible nutrients. Tracy comments, “We’re looking forward to seeing more data this year to support this finding.” Soil work In addition to local

efforts, Tracy works with the statewide teams to address larger-scale issues. “Beginning in 2016, we realized that soil acidification was occurring primarily in places where no-till and low-till farming practices are used,” she explains. “The top two to three inches of soil are becoming acidified where it isn’t getting turned over it.” Tracy adds high nitrogen fertilization can contribute, and the soil acidification is causing crop

losses. “We are trying to educate people about how to remedy soil acidification, including soil testing,” Tracy says. She comments, “MSU Extension works with producers to find solutions to the problems they’re facing on their operation.” Learn more about Montana State University Extension at msuextension. org. Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@ wylr.net.

LARAMIE SPINAL CARE CENTER Practicing – A small group participating in a range field day practiced obtaining forage utilization data on native rangeland. Courtesy photo

JEREMY D. JONES, D.C., DACBSP, CCEP Board Certified Doctor of Chiropractic Official Chiropractor of UW Athletics 2130 E. Grand Ave • Laramie, WY 82070 307-742-0232 • 307-742-4893 (fax)

www.laramiespinalcarecenter.com

Hands-on demonstration – As part of their model, Montana State University Extension utilizes handson teaching methods. During one field day, participants learned about range utilization. Courtesy photo

WILLWOOD ANGUS YEARLING BULLS AND HEIFERS FOR SALE

For the history of our herd, we have selected for economic traits, calving ease, growth, disposition, structure, fertility and high-marbling carcasses.

The 2019 bull offering will include bulls sired by high-marbling sires. These bulls will sire calves that will reach the choice grade at a younger age and in a shorter feeding period, which means more profit!

Bridges Double Down BW

Milk

Marb.

-2.6

+57

+105

+1.01

+33

+.86

+.54

142.03

VAR Heritage 503B BW

Milk

Marb.

+2.6

+72

+128

+1.47

+32

+.95

+1.07

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Larry Earhart • Andrea Earhart

307-272-5171 • 770 Lane 13 • Powell, WY 82435

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Wise River, Mont. – When Cory Lamey graduated college, he landed his first ranch management job on an Angus ranch. Thereafter, he and his wife Kari worked for commercial and registered operators before starting their own purebred business. “It was in 2002 when we purchased the females from Paw’s Up Angus Ranch to start Circle L Angus,” Cory says. “We have owned registered cattle since 1987, but we didn’t start Circle L until 2002.” The couple’s background in ranching, as well as professional experience managing ranches, leads them to their goal of producing the highest quality Angus at high altitude. The operation

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

runs both commercial and registered herds, which allows them to raise cattle that work for commercial cattlemen. Focused on customers “Because we raise commercial cattle, as well, we walk in the same boots as our customers,” explains Cory. “That gives us a little advantage, as we experience what they go through in terms of the markets, elevation and breeding selection At the same time, Kari says, “We use our commercial herd as a testing ground for the seedstock we produce.” With the same challenges as other commercial operators, Cory notes they’re able to produce bulls that commercial producers can use to

improve their bottom line. Production year The Circle L Angus herd begins calving around Jan. 20 for a period of 60 days. They also have a fallcalving herd that calves in August, allowing them to offer 18-month-old bulls, as well. After calving, the cows are synchronized, heat detected and artificially inseminated (AI’ed) heifers are bred and bulls are turned in. “On the cows, we do a return heat and then the bulls go in,” Cory explains. Because the cattle range between 6,000 and 8,500 feet in elevation, the bulls are pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) tested in late fall

Seedstock cattle with commercial focus – Because Cory and Kari Lamey also run a commercial herd of Angus cattle, they understand the challenges faced by their customers and strive to breed cattle that can help improve the bottom line of commercial ranchers. Courtesy photo

every year, after they are weaned mid-September.

Cory notes they also PAP test their registered heifers, as well, to ensure their strict criteria are upheld. “PAP testing is used as a selection tool,” he continues. “We began PAP testing our heifers to meet market demand.” While they have sold heifers over the past several years via private treaty, the Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) and Stars of Montana Sale, they plan to expand their female offering in the future. “After PAP testing, the bulls are moved to a feedlot at an elevation of 5,050 feet in Dillon the first of November,” he says. “In the feedlot, they’re fed a high-roughage ration to prepare for sale date, which is the fourth Monday in February every year.” They sell roughly 125 bulls in their yearly sale. The best product “We try to offer a variety of ages for our customers in the bulls we offer,” Cory says. “We also try to use as much

science and data as we can to improve the cattle in every category,” Cory emphasizes, “but we can’t forget about phenotype.” Circle L Angus shoots for a mid-framed bull that is also thick and powerful. “They also have to have a certain degree of calving ease built in, as well as a big scrotal circumference, large rib eye and weaning weight,” he says. “Our customers get paid on weaning weight, so that’s important.” In addition to producing the best product, Cory and Kari stand behind the bulls they sell. Cory explains they try to consistently raise a better product than their competition. “I expect the best in everything I do,” he says. “I expect every mating, every cow and every bull the best.” “We stand behind our product,” adds Kari. Growing and building While the Lameys have been building their herd, they have run on Continued on next page

Family ranch – The Lamey family works together on the ranch, with the entire family helping out. The family includes (from left to right) Sierra, Cory, Kari, Cooper and Kezlee. Courtesy photo

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2018 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page leased ground. “We’ve been reliant solely on leases to run our operation until two or three years ago,” comments Kari. “During that time, we were able to build working capital and get a start.” After three good years in a row, 2013-15, the couple was able to purchase some property. “We’ve called Wise River home for 21 years, and we feel blessed. The landscape offers snowcapped mountains, the

Testing cattle – In addition to keeping data on production aspects of their cattle, Cory and Kari Lamey also PAP test all their heifers and bulls to ensure they will perform well at high elevations. Courtesy photo

river and lush, hay meadows,” Cory says. “We have beautiful mountain grass and lots of water.” Their newly purchased property also has a hay base, which provides alfalfa to supplement the native grass hay. As they look to continue to build in the future, Cory and Kari see their children, Cooper, 24, and Cierra, 22, as well as Cooper’s four-year-old daughter Kezlee, as the next generation of the operation.

“Cooper and Cierra are both active in the operation,” Kari says. “They both went to artificial insemination school and help us work on the ranch. Our son works for us full-time, while our daughter finishes college. Everyone chips in and does whatever it takes.” Cory adds, “This is a family operation first and foremost.” Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to saige@wylr.net.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup

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