2023 Fall Cattlemen's Edition Section A

2023 FALL CATTLEMEN'SEdition

FEATURING PARK COUNTY

ParkIntroducingCounty

Big Horn Basin provides abundant resources for high-quality ag production

The Wyoming Livestock Roundup is happy to highlight farms, ranches, agribusinesses and the historic community of Park County in our 2023 Fall Cattlemen’s Edition.

Nestled between the Absarokas to the west and the Big Horn Mountains to the east, Park County sprawls across 6,943 square miles, making it Wyoming’s fourth largest county.

The climate is arid, with rainfall only averaging around 9.3 inches per year and snowfall averaging 34.7 inches.

Surrounded by Montana’s Custer Gallatin National Forest to the north, Bridger Teton and Shoshone national forests to the south and over 53 percent of Yellowstone National Park housed within its borders, Park County has become a popular, breathtaking tourist destination.

Featured Park County Operations

• Black Summit Cattle

• Hawks Hill Ranch

• 307 Genetics

• Two Dot Ranch

• Wyoming Authentic Products

• Heny Auctions

• FarmTableWest

• Wyoming Buffalo Company

• Jake Clark’s Mule Days

• Beartooth Mercantile

• North Fork Anglers

• Obsidian Angus

• LU Ranch

• Stroh Farms

• Agri-Industries

• Clark Management Company

• Buffalo Bill Center of the West

• Wyoming Dude Ranchers’ Association

• Silver Pine Ranch Photography

The county’s abundant water supply and efficient irrigation system, which stems from three major rivers – the Greybull River, the Shoshone River and the Clark’s Fork River – has also enabled farming and ranching to thrive.

Because of its ample agricultural resources, Park County is home to some of the oldest and largest ranches in the state, including the historic Pitchfork and TE ranches.

Park County agriculture

Today, numerous agribusinesses and farming, ranching and dude ranching operations dot the vast landscape of Park County, which encompasses 3,349,120 acres of land – 77 percent of which are state and federally owned and 23 percent are privately owned.

As of the 2017 U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistic Service’s (NASS) Census of Agriculture, land in farms makes up 929,926 acres and 83 percent of agricultural land is pastureland, 15 percent is cropland and one percent is woodland.

Top crops include 46,573 acres of hay and haylage, 19,091 acres of barley for grain, 10,240 acres of sugarbeets for sugar, 9,930 acres of dry edible beans and 5,188 acres of field and grass seed crops.

The county reports 41,925 head of cattle and calves, 19,758 sheep and lambs, 1,418 goats, 4,862 horses and ponies, 3,537 layer hens, 309 broilers and other meat-type chickens, 293 hogs and pigs and 173 turkeys.

Park County accounts for six percent of the state’s agriculture sales, with the total market value of agriculture products sold topping $85,174,000. The sale of crops totaled $45,730,000 and livestock, poultry and product sales total $39,443,000.

State rankings

Agricultural production in Park County earns several top 10 rankings in the state of Wyoming.

The county ranks fourth in the total market value of agriculture products sold, second in the state for total crops sold and 14th in the state for livestock, poultry and products sold.

Park County ranks first in aquaculture; second in the production of milk from cows, poultry and eggs and fruits, tree nuts and berries and third in hogs and pigs and vegetables, melons, potatoes and sweet potatoes.

The county also ranks fourth in the state for grains, oilseeds, dry beans and dry peas; fifth in nursery, greenhouse, floriculture and sod; sixth in sheep, goats, wool, mohair and milk and ninth in horses, ponies, mules, burros and donkeys.

Information in this article was compiled from the Wyoming Historical Society, Park County’s official website and USDA NASS.

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

POPULATION – 29,624

LAND AREA – 6,943 square miles

FOUNDED – Feb. 15, 1909

COUNTY SEAT – Cody

ELEVATION RANGE – 7,000 feet to 14,000 feet

Cover photo by Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Quin LaFollette started in the cattle business at the young age of seven when he bought his first show heifer. From then on, he spent the rest of his childhood and into his early 20s actively pursuing the coveted roset ribbon in the show ring.

Although the LaFollettes moved away from raising show cattle years ago, they are still focused on producing performance-driven, good-looking, sound and funcational cattle. Black Summit cattle are branded with the roset ribbon on their right rib, and the operation’s motto is “Where cattle that perform, get the ribbon.”

The beginning

After developing a passion for the cattle business at a young age, Quin went to work for a ranch in Oregon, where he stayed for three years before returning to Cody to manage a 1,000-head commercial herd.

In 1987, Quin and his wife Tracy started Black Summit Cattle, raising Maine-Anjou cattle and later transitioning to straight Angus. The couple held an annual bull sale with the Pannell Ranch in Alva for a number of years during this time.

However, the LaFollette’s quickly realized purebred Angus cows weren’t quite the right fit for their operation either.

“Even though we like Angus cattle, we love heterosis and what it does for the producer, so we started looking for a hybrid breed we could raise,” Quin explains.

“We felt like Simmentals offered the most genetic benefit, and we started raising SimAngus bulls in 2000.”

Quin notes for the first 10 years they sent their SimAngus bulls to Tuell Cattle in Colorado but have since started hosting their own production sale, which takes

place annually every third Friday in March.

Current operations

In addition to selling 80 bulls through this sale, Black Summit Cattle currently runs 200 registered SimAngus cows.

They also recently purchased 50 more registered females and obtained a new lease, so they will expand their sale to offer 100 bulls in 2025.

Quin explains Black Summit Cattle is driven by making large numbers of uni-

Office: 307-234-2211

Roy Ready - Broker: 307-921-0170

Frank Sanford - Sales Associate • Amy Ready - Sales Associate Clay Schafer – Sales Associate • Rees Ready - Office Manager

To see our current properties for sale, please visit our website. www.westernland.net

NEW: Wilkes Limousin Ranch: Fremont County, Wyoming. 965+ acres with 330 Walton Right adjudicated acres along the Wind River near Crowheart. 2001 3 bed 3 bath log home, shops, sheds, corrals and additional home with outbuildings perfect for a managers residence. Located near Crowheart Butte with beautiful cottonwood lined river bottom and tons of wildlife. Call Clay: 307-840-3145. Price: $5,000,000

REDUCED: MO. Flats Ranch: Hot Springs County, Wyoming. 655+ acres located 12 miles west of Thermopolis with paved road access. Approximately 140 irrigated acres with an additional 50 adjudicated. Nearly 2 miles of Owl Creek frontage, 4 pastures and 3 wells. 40’x84’ metal building with concrete floor, water and power. This is a great setup for a base property and great value. Price: $1,540,000

Crippled Spider RV and Arena: Hot Springs County, Wyoming. 76+ acres with 3656 sq. ft. very nice home, 300x125 metal indoor riding arena, 26 acres under pivot, and a new RV park with 38 units. Terrific horse property with great income from the commercial business. Just 4 miles north of Thermopolis near the Big Horn River. Price: $1,650,000

South Muddy Farm: Fremont County, Wyoming. Top quality 146+ acre farm with 129 acres in excellent alfalfa hay production. Located in the Midvale Irrigation District, it includes a 4 bed 2 bath home and a 40’x60’pole barn. Very productive hay farm in a great area. Price: $1,070,000

Hooked on the River: Hot Springs County, Wyoming. Custom log home and horse barn on 59.6 acres with ¾ of a mile of Big Horn River Frontage. 28 acres of irrigated land and sub-irrigated pasture on a great stretch of one of the most popular fly fishing rivers in Wyoming. Price: $1,400,000

Muddy Creek: Sublette County Wyoming. 840+ acre pasture with 70 adjudicated and 100+ irrigated and sub-irrigated acres, around 30 under center pivot. No improvements. The dryland pasture is cross fenced into 3 separate pastures. Surrounded by county road on 3 sides, Muddy Creek bisects the property nearly 2 miles and is an excellent fishery. 20 miles from Boulder on Big Sandy Road. Price: $1,650,000

Continued from previous page

the bulls they need and that they all look alike.”

Quin also notes the LaFollettes are firm believers in using up-to-date science, which he believes sets them apart from most seedstock producers.

“We DNA test everything. We have Top Genomics analyze genomes for large effect genes,” he adds. “We are now testing for bovine congestive heart failure markers as well.”

Additionally, Black Summit Cattle pulmonary arterial pressure tests all of their bulls and sells them with an “unconditional guarantee.”

“We know as much about the breeding value of our cows as anybody in the business,” he says. “This year’s sale averaged $6,246 on 74 bulls.”

Family and friends

In addition to raising high-performing cattle, the LaFollettes also focus on maintaining important relationships.

Quin explains Black Summit Cattle is a 100 percent family-run operation, involving him and Tracy’s two sons Gavin and Cory and their daughter Amber.

“Gavin and his family work at the ranch full time and are partners in the cattle

business,” Quin says. “Cory judged in college while getting his master’s degree in breeding and genetics from Colorado State University. He is the production manager at Gunworks Long Range Rifles, but puts in embryos for us and is a big help at sale time.”

“Amber and her husband are both school teachers in Cody, and they help when possible,” he adds.

Strengthening relationships with their clients is also a priority at Black Summit Cattle.

“Tracy and I have been very, very blessed in our lives. We try and live by Christian principles and know we are here to be good stewards of what has been given to us,” he says. “We treat every customer the way we would appreciate being treated. We believe people do business with the people they want to do business with, and we want people to want to do business with us.”

For more information on Black Summit Cattle, visit blacksummitcattle.com

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

“We treat every customer the way we would appreciate being treated. We believe people do business with the people they want to do business with, and we want people to want to do business with us.” ~QUIN

LAFOLLETTE~

Mountain View,

A Black Summit branding – Today, Black Summit Cattle is home to over 200 registered SimAngus cows and sells 80 bulls in their annual production sale. Courtesy photo

Wyoming Wagyu

Hawks Hill Ranch offers beef a cut above the rest

Hawks Hill Ranch has been raising prime, 100 percent full-blood Japanese Wagyu in the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem since 2015.

Consisting of lush pastures located outside of Cody in the South Fork Valley, the pristine environment is home to a small, 19-head herd of Wagyu cattle.

The ranch takes great pride in its ability to raise full-blood Wagyu cattle while preserving the integrity and natural beauty of the land. It was recognized for producing beef ranked as one of the best in the world.

Hawks Hill Ranch DNA tests their herd to ensure direct lineage to their Japanese heritage and never crossbreeds their herd. The herd is never confined to a feedlot, and all of the animals have the ability to roam around the ranch, moving from pasture to pasture, depending on the season.

Raising happy cows

“We raise happy and healthy cows that produce beautifully marbled Wagyu beef,” states Livestock Manager Tania Thacker. “Our cows are never confined to a feedlot. I meet them in the corral for their grain every morning, then I check them over as they lounge around. Then, off they go to graze various pastures, depending on the time of the year, but we keep stress to a minimum.”

The results speak for themselves. Hawks Hill Wagyu beef has been U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) graded with a Wagyu grade marbling score of 12, ranking it in the top one percent of beef globally.

“In a typical Wyoming beef operation, numbers are the bottom line, but raising Wagyu takes a different path,” Tania says. “In a regular cattle operation, calves are weaned in the fall and shipped to a feedlot or some-

body buys them. Here at the ranch, we process no sooner than 29 months and no later than 36 months old.”

Tania notes she and the other production staff operate on a five-year plan, but her job is to ensure the herd’s genetics are impeccable.

“My position as livestock manager for the herd of Wagyu has come with a steep learning curve. As an experienced horse wrangler for the last 20 years, raising Wagyu is on a different track,” she continues.

Tania spends much of her time researching genetics to produce quality Wagyu beef, choosing breeding pairs to ensure superior marbling, solid maternal traits, strong structure and good milk.

A personal bond

Tania is very passionate about her job and adds a personal touch, developing a relationship with the herd.

“All of our females are named. They’re friendly. You can walk up and pet them,” she says. “You can scratch and love on all of them, each have a unique personality. I try not to name the steers since they’re the ones leaving the ranch, but sometimes I can’t help it. It’s the best and worst part of my job.”

“The personal attention is what makes the beef produced at Hawks Hill Ranch so tender. We provide a stress-free environment,

and it shows with our record for producing world-class Wagyu beef,” she adds.

Tania explains stress impacts marbling. Therefore, Hawks Hill Ranch creates a low-stress environment for their cattle and they constantly manage the herd to ensure they have exactly what they need.

She notes, “With all of their needs being met and by adding love, we have a superior product. But, raising cattle in the South Fork Valley does have its dangers. We have to monitor for apex predators, including bears and mountain lions.”

Buying Hawks Hill Wagyu

Tania points out local restaurants carry Hawks Hill Ranch beef, and more recently, the operation launched an online sales operation.

“We just started our online Shopify store,” she says. “So now, if interested individuals get on our website, they can order from anywhere. We ship anywhere in the lower 48 states.”

The quality and taste of Wagyu is unlike any other beef on the market, which is why the ranch has no trouble moving their inventory, including brats, burgers, hot dogs and of course, tenderloins and other steaks.

Hawks Hill Wagyu is dry-aged for 14 to 18 days, USDA graded and certified, carefully cut and trimmed

and each cut of beef is vacuum-sealed, marked with the cut and weight, placed into freezers and stored frozen at -29 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring customers get the freshest Wagyu possible.

Hawks Hill Ranch can ship anywhere in the U.S. by overnight or two-day air, as it is carefully packaged on ice packs and arrives still frozen.

For more information

on Hawks Hill Ranch, visit hawkshillwagyu.com

Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Happy cows – Hawks Hill Ranch prides themselves on raising stress-free cattle. Courtesy photo

307 Genetics

Family operation dedicates time to helping youth in the show ring

The Bridges family got their start in the hog business at a young age through showing swine projects in 4-H and FFA.

As years went on, their deep love for showing and passion for the industry led to the establishment of 307 Genetics, a family owned and operated show pig business that is dedicated to helping other exhibitors find success in the show ring.

Expanding operations

Sabina Wyse, formerly a Bridges, notes the family started by farrowing four gilts but has since expanded their operation.

“We loved it so much, we kept letting it grow, and now we are up to 17 sows,” she says.

Sabina’s stepmom Jennifer Triplett further notes the family farrows their sows once a year in January, and piglets are sold through an annual sale on the last Saturday in March for 4-H and FFA exhibitors to show the following summer.

“We moved to an online sale, but we always do an open house the day before

the sale and the morning of so people can come from wherever, look through the lots, see the pigs in person and get an idea of what they want,” explains Sabina. “This way, they don’t have to buy something they haven’t seen.”

Jennifer points out the online format also allows people – both in and out of state – to bid on pigs even when things start to get busy in the spring.

Customer-focused mindset

Each March, 307 Genetics’ Annual Pig Sale is the

explain they are dedicated to ensuring each and every one of their buyers have access to their wealth of knowledge and skills when it comes to

“I think all of the show pig producers in Wyoming are top notch. Wyoming is super competitive for our size. Every producer has things they do really well, but at the end of the day, we are all doing the same things or the same reasons – the kids.”

~JENNIFER BRIDGES~

culmination of a year’s worth of hard work – breeding, feeding and farrowing. However, for the Bridges family the work doesn’t end there, it only begins.

Sabina and Jennifer

finding success in the show ring.

“We are willing to go above and beyond for our customers,” states Sabina.

“We welcome everyone who buys from us calls us,

e-mails us, asks us questions and sends us videos. We want all of our customers to succeed, and we love getting phone calls and text messages to let us know how they are doing throughout the summer.”

The family also makes it a priority to travel to as many shows as possible to help exhibitors prepare and answer any questions that may arise.

“We are blessed to have enough of us that there is always someone to answer the phone and one of us usually has time to travel around and help,” says Jennifer. “Everybody helps, even the little kids – the grandbabies spend as much time in the barn as the rest of us. Everybody pitches in and does a little of everything. It is a unique operation.”

Passion for the industry

The family is very passionate about the hog industry, noting they have a strong love for the animals they raise.

“Pigs are a lot like people,” says Sabina. “They have personalities. They know their names. They

can teach us a lot about ourselves, and I really love that.”

Jennifer notes there is a

Power of Angus.

lot of misconstrued information about pigs.

“They are not dirty, and they are not dumb,” she says. “They are actually very smart, very strong and very maternal. They talk to their babies and their babies talk back. Pigs have an advanced vocabulary, and given the opportunity, they are probably the cleanest animal out there.”

Jennifer also notes Wyoming’s pork industry is impressive for its size.

“We are small in Wyoming compared to other states, but the numbers of pigs coming out of Wyoming are huge,” she says. “It is a very tight-knit community that is open and kind and the people are good. We all have a huge passion for it.”

She adds, “I think all of the show pig producers in Wyoming are top notch. Wyoming is super competitive for our size. Every producer has things they do really well, but at the end of the day, we are all doing the same things for the same reasons – the kids.”

Overcoming challenges

Sabina and Jennifer agree the kids are what makes staying in the industry worth it when things get tough, because like any other ag operation, 307

Drawing inspiration – When things get tough, the Bridges family looks to the kids they help and their next generation for inspiration to keep going. Courtesy photo

Show ring success – 307 Genetics, a small, family-operated show pig business, has found continued success in the show ring. Courtesy photo

Genetics has had its share of challenges.

They have found the Wyoming weather to be one of their biggest challenges, and they note last year was especially hard.

“Last year, we had a cold snap of -25 degrees Fahrenheit in December,” says Jennifer. “Then, when we bred, it was 105 degrees Fahrenheit. We are already asking Mother Nature to do something she doesnʼt want to do by breeding in September.”

This range in extreme weather conditions left 307 Genetics with less piglets

than they usually have to sell to their customers. However, the family has continued to persevere, looking for strength in the one thing that keeps them going when things get tough – the kids.

Sabina and Jennifer agree their will to continue is found in the smiles on the faces of kids who come to the ranch to find a pig to purchase or in an end-ofthe-season thank you gift telling them how much fun they had during the summer.

“I had a family of boys who had never bought from us before, and they thought it was the coolest thing

on the planet to see all of the baby pigs in the barn,” shares Sabina. “It was so much fun, and all of the smiles on their faces is what really keeps us going.”

Sabina also says she draws inspiration from her own children.

“What personally keeps me going is my kids. They will go out to the barn and see the babies, and the look on their faces is priceless,” she adds. “It’s the best.”

Looking ahead

Despite the challenges, 307 Genetics has found a lot of success, which they all measure in different ways.

Sabina shares she believes the family’s great-

RAGETH FARM

Byron, Big Horn County, Wyoming WATER, WATER, WATER! 1,192± total acres; 893± irrigated acres under nine pivots. Unparallel water with Senior water rights dating back to 1900. Improvements with home, large shop, scale and grain storage.

$6,045,000

Mark McNamee (307) 760-9510 or Ken Weekes (307) 272-1098

SPIEGELBERG SPRINGS RANCH

Laramie, Albany County, Wyoming 6,281± total acres; 5,019± deeded, & 1,262± State lease acres. Live water via Spring Creek & Sand Creek, 89± acre private lake. Improvements with year-round access.

Reduced to $5,500,000

Mark McNamee (307) 760-9510 or Cory Clark at (307) 334-2025

CROW CREEK RANCH

Broadus, Powder River County, Montana Approx 20,0000± total acres; 10,000± deeded, 10,000± State lease and/or BLM. Live water is abundant, excellent improvements. $13,000,000 Clark & Associates at (307)

est accomplishment is their repeat customers. “We have created a pretty good customer base up here in the Big Horn Basin and are now moving towards southern parts of the state as well,” she says.

“There are a lot more breeders in Wyoming than one might think, so it’s cool to have those kids repeatedly come back to work with us.”

“It has been really cool to have families come back year after year because they believe in our program and trust what we are doing,” she adds.

For Jennifer, 307 Genetics’ greatest accomplishment is its consistency.

“We have been able to fine tune our breeding program to consistently provide animals to fit what the show industry is looking for,” she comments. “If nothing else, we are consistent.”

As they look toward the future, the family has some big goals in mind.

Sabina shares her hope for the program is to find success at a national level, taking home honors from the Aksarben Stock Show, Denver Stock Show or the Northern International

Livestock Expo. Jennifer’s goal for 307 Genetics is sustainability.

“My hope is that we will be here tomorrow and the day after that,” she says.

“We want to be sustainable and continue doing what we are doing.”

For more information on 307 Genetics, visit 307genetics.com or call Joe at 307-254-8996, Jennifer at 307-254-3489 or Sabina at 307-254-3855.

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

KITE RANCH

Wheatland, Albany County, Wyoming

Historic 36,001± total acres: 8,561 deeded, 3,738± State lease & 23,702 BLM acres. Excellent summer grazing on the Laramie Plains and live water via Laramie River plus several miles of reservoir shoreline.

Reduced to $9,100,000

Scott Leach at (307) 331-9095 or Jon Keil at (307) 331-2833

PINE CREEK MOUNTAIN PASTURE

Kaycee, Natrona County, Wyoming 5,422± total acres; 2,767± deeded & 2,655±BLM acres. Seasonal creeks and reservoirs. Recreational & hunting opportunities are plentiful with herds of elk, mule deer & antelope.

$3,861,000

Scott Leach at (307) 331-9095 or Ron Ensz at (605) 210-0337

Wyoming Legend

The Two Dot Ranch has been the topic of a unique story, one depicting the vast landscape in Wyoming.

According to Author Nancy Heyl Ruskowsky, the privately held piece of paradise has changed hands

and purpose over the years through the efforts of the settlers, homesteaders, managers, employees and own-

ers who have called it home since the last quarter of the 19th Century.

The Two Dot headquarters was once a former stagecoach stop, but now the family-operated ranch runs cattle year-round, just east of Cody, along the scenic Chief Joseph Highway.

Current operations

Today, the sprawling and rugged ranch in Park County, is home to thousands of Angus cattle and is managed by Wyoming native Mark McCarty.

McCarty is no stranger to the Big Horn Basin, as he was born and raised on his family’s ranch in Cody and began managing the Two Dot in 1996. McCarty also manages the Quarter Circle Eleven Ranch and owns and operates a ranch management and consulting company.

McCarty was also elected to the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust Board of Directors earlier this year.

Rich history

The Two Dot Ranch has left its mark on Wyoming’s history and impacted many who were fortunate enough to experience its mastic landscape.

Heyl Ruskowsky describes this in her book, noting the the Two Dot has been touched by popular historical figures “from John Colter, after he and the Corps of Discovery had succeeded

the Pacific, to Chief Joseph, whose attempt to lead his people to safety in Canada took him through what would become Two Dot lands and to the many cooks, cowboys, hunters, travelers and guests who have experienced Two Dot’s grandeur.”

According to state historical documents, in 1879, Jim Carter trailed about 3,000 head of cattle from Oregon to the area of Pat OʼHaraʼs Creek, located near the present-day Two Dot Ranch.

Legendary stories speak of O’Hara first coming to the basin in 1854 while working for the American Fur Company. Still, another version has O’Hara arriving as a prospector where he lived in a dug-out on a hillside downstream from the Two Dot Ranch.

Bruce Graham, an award-winning artist born in 1961 in New York City, had ties to the West. His grandfather owned the well-known

Two Dot Ranch during the height of large, Western cattle ranches. Bruce’s paintings portray Western life, landscapes and wildlife.

In 1999, the New York Times reported Houston Billionaire and Money Manager Fayez Sarofim purchased the Two Dot Ranch from the seller Yves Burrus, a banker based in Geneva.

“The Sarofim family and every owner prior has only added to the ranch, never taking anything away from it,” McCarty concludes. While many have moved on, others remain in Park County and the surrounding area, sharing their stories and memories of the Two Dot Ranch to help others understand the span and complexity of one of the most remarkable places on earth.

Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

In the valley – The Two Dot Ranch herd roams pastures in the dry fork of Pat O’Hara Creek. Courtesy photo

Dream Come True

Wyoming Authentic Products Founder David Fales has always loved Wyoming and cattle. Fales was born in Cody in 1949 and grew up helping his father raise cattle on the family farm and ranch on Heart Mountain, allowing him to gain a great respect for Wyoming ranchers.

“My grandparents, greatgrandparents and ninemonth-old father came by train from Missouri in 1918 and homesteaded in Deaver, where they farmed and raised cattle in the rugged environment,” David states.

“I always dreamed of doing something in the cattle and ranching business. Although my food industry business career took me across the U.S., Canada and into Europe, my childhood desire to return home to Wyoming never left,” he adds.

After almost 30 years of working with valueadded food products, from potatoes, yogurt and produce, David returned to Cody in 2009 to help his elderly father. Shortly after, his father passed away and David, at age 62, decided to stay in Cody.

Working together, he and his wife Kristine founded Wyoming Authentic Products, paying tribute to his heritage and Wyoming’s ranching and beef industry, which were near and dear to him.

David has always loved the Wyoming cattle industry and remembers the delicious beef he grew up eating. Today, he shares his passion with others by providing great-tasting, nutritious beef sticks and beef jerky products.

His dream has become a reality, as Wyoming Authentic beef is sold across the U.S. and Canada.

Wyoming Authentic Products, LLC is a specialty branded beef company featuring “Wyoming Authentic Beef – All Natural Grass-Fed Angus” exclusively from Wyoming ranches.

The vision

By October 2013, Wyoming Authentic Products opened its 6,000 square-foot value-added meat processing facility in Cody, the first U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-approved plant in Wyoming, and started production of high-quality, all-natural Wyoming Angus beef snack products.

“We will be celebrating our 10th anniversary next month in October,” David shares. “With the help of a grant from Wyoming through Forward Cody and our dedicated investor, we have the ability to utilize a state-of-the-art processing plant, which allows us to make and market our natural products. Our plant is also Safe Quality Food certified, which helps us ensure maximum quality.”

The USDA-certified facility allows the company to produce delicious Wyoming verified Angus beef snacks, hand cut and hand packaged in Cody, but shipped nationwide and into Canada.

Wyoming Authentic Products

David explains Wyoming Authentic Products exclusively sources cattle from generational ranches across Wyoming with precise specifications, which include cattle must be raised and grass-fed in Wyoming. All of the ranches they source from are valued and greatly respected.

While the company produces beef bites, beef sticks and jerky in its own Wyo-

ming Authentic brand, it also co-packs and private labels these types of products for other companies across the U.S. as well.

The company’s natural beef products come in a range of flavors including cowboy hickory smoked Angus beef sticks, fired-up jalapeño Angus beef bites, sweet and spicy Angus beef jerky and honey barbecue Angus beef sticks.

To sample all of these zesty flavors, customers can purchase a variety pack.

Wyoming Authentic beef comes in various package types. Customers can purchase a campfire family pack or pick up the bulk stick variety pack, which includes flavors like wild ginger and original jalapeño as well.

David explains, “Our

products can be purchased on our webpage, Amazon and in stores like Sprouts Farmersʼ Markets nationwide, Natural Grocers and even in most Wyoming Walmart’s, as well as other locations across the state. Our customers value our natural products, all sourced from local ranches.”

“We greatly value the relationships we have with our consumers and retail-

ers,” David concludes. “The industry is very competitive, and we are grateful for all we have.”

For more information about Wyoming Authentic Products, visit wyominggourmetbeef.com

Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Co-founders – David and Kristine Fales pose with one of their horses in 2011. Courtesy photo

They will have as much QUALITY and PROGRAM as any set of females you will find anywhere

815 Pasture Bred Heifers Bred to LBW Vermilion Angus Bulls

* All cows and heifers have been on a sound health and mineral program. Vira-Shield-6-VL5, Ivermectin Pour On and a Multi-Min shot in the spring.

A local Cody business, focused on supplying its community with fresh produce, started when Founder and President Zach Buchel established FarmTableWest, an online farmers’ market that has now grown into a full-time farm.

“We started in 2016-17 by selling produce through our online grocery store, delivering to customers who lived in close proximity to Cody,” Zach states. “In 2020-21, I switched my focus to farming full time and began delivering goods to local restaurants and retailers.”

FarmTableWest continues to offer online ordering, and it’s as easy as one-twothree. Customers can place a weekly order, schedule a time for delivery or pick it up.

Veggie boxes are also available from Zach’s farm starting the first of July and running through September.

On a mission

Originally from Chicago, Zach started visiting Wyoming with his family when he was younger, as the family had a house in Cody.

“I received my first glimpse of farming when I worked for a local farmer at the Shoshone River Farm,” he explains.

“I was hooked from the beginning, I enjoy everything from planting to harvesting. It has become an obsession,” Zach says. “I am on a mission to see this format of farming become a trade, and as a long-term goal, and I want to train individuals.”

Currently, Zach is farming one acre of land and hopes to increase his grow-

ing capacity to fill about three acres, allowing him to utilize his intensive farming techniques.

He says, “I am excited to see the farm grow, and just recently, I was able to hire my first part-time employee. I hope to hire more employees as we grow.”

The ups and downs of farming

FarmTableWest is home to a variety of vegetables, including leafy greens, root vegetables, herbs and Zach’s favorite – tomatoes.

“We grow in caterpillar tunnels, as well as a high tunnel greenhouse,” he says.

“I had to learn how to grow year-round in Wyoming’s challenging climate, and I continue to learn year after year.”

The farm mainly utilizes geothermal heating, as well as some propane heat to help keep costs down. But, most of the crops are grown without any added heat.

“My biggest challenge has been the deer, but the new tunnel system seems to be helping,” Zach notes.

“Other challenges the farm has had to conquer, besides the deer, was improving the soil. However, implementing specific compost has caused dramatic improvements.”

He explains, “Aphids can be a problem at times, but adding ladybugs, predatory wasps and occasionally using non-synthetic sprays, such as neem oil and organic soap, have helped eradicate the pesky bugs.”

The future looks bright

The farm hopes to bring in flowers and more pollinators over the next few years as they continue building

their organic product line.

Zach would like to add to his vegetable lineup and continue providing produce to local restaurants while maintaining working relationships with other local farmers.

“Another project I am working on is our YouTube channel. I created the channel to share cool interviews

with business owners, farm tours, cooking videos or just random thoughts that pop in my head,” he notes.

For more information on FarmTableWest, visit farmtablewest.com

Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Authentically Wyoming

Since the spring of 1995, Wyoming Buffalo Company has proudly served Cody and the local community, offering a wide variety of the finest locally made and sourced products in the area.

From fresh wild game to candy and wind chimes, the company has made it their mission to market any and everything that is “authentically Wyoming.”

Purchasing the business

Today, Wyoming Buffalo Company is owned and operated by Lisa del Valle. Originally from San Diego, Calif., Lisa shares she fell in love with Wyoming during a family trip to Yellowstone in 1988.

“Back then I thought, ‘I want to live here.’ So I went back to finish college

and moved to Cody right after graduation,” she says. “I absolutely love it here – I love the weather, I love the people and I love the town. It’s wonderful.”

Eventually, Lisa purchased Wyoming Buffalo Company, but her business venture has not come without its challenges.

“The business was new to me,” she explains. “I had homeschooled my kids so I had a teaching degree, and I wasn’t prepared for the business aspect of purchasing the store.”

However, with the help of the Park County Travel Council, the Chamber of Commerce, the Wyoming Business Council and other members of the community, Lisa quickly caught on and

“We like people to feel like they are family when they come in the store, and we treat them as such, which ends up building great friendships.”

~LISA DEL VALLE~

has continued operating the successful store.

The sample store

Since purchasing Wyoming Buffalo Company, Lisa has made it her personal mission to expand the company’s offering of local and regionally made products, while minimizing those sourced from out of the country.

The company’s products – including a wide variety of summer sausage, jerky, frozen wild game, salsa, barbecue and other sauces, coffee and tea, candy, jewelry, decor, ornaments and other handmade artisan products – can be purchased in-house at their location in Cody or online at wyobuffalo.com

Although online shopping is convenient, Lisa encourages individuals to swing by the store when they get the chance. Nicknamed “The Sample Store,” visitors will have an opportunity to taste a number of products on any given day.

“We offer samples daily, so anytime someone comes in they can try out our featured products of the day,” Lisa says. “Today we are sampling sweet buffalo summer sausage, buffalo

jalapeño summer sausage, regular and jalapeño barbecue sauce, a couple of hot sauces, three locallysourced peanut butters, three honey butters and some coffee.”

Building relationships

On top of everything she has learned since purchasing the store, Lisa notes she has also built some lasting relationships.

“My favorite part of owning the store is getting to interact with people, both locals and new visitors,” she shares. “I make friends every day, and I get a lot of peoples’ phone numbers. I can travel all over the country and stay with people I have met in the store. It’s a lot of fun.”

She continues, “We like people to feel like they are family when they come in the store, and we treat them as such, which ends up building great friendships.”

For more information or to purchase products from Wyoming Buffalo Company, visit wyobuffalo.com

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

The sample store – Nestled in downtown Cody and nicknamed “The Sample Store,” Wyoming Buffalo Company allows visitors to taste a number of different products every day.

Jake Clark began using mules in the 1970s, as they were less expensive than horses and more durable for packing. According to Jake’s wife Kay, the couple discovered how reliable mules were in a pack string and slowly began to convert to a mule string.

“The Clarks started Wyoming Wilderness Outfitters in 1978, provid-

ing guests with an enjoyable and satisfying vacation and memories of a lifetime as they are led throughout the backcountry of Wyoming and into Yellowstone National Park on the backs of their trusted mules,” shares Kay.

“By 1985, Jake was an adamant mule lover and not only converted his pack animals to mules but his riding

animals as well. Twentyfive years ago, the Clark family started a tradition –Jake Clark’s Mule Days –celebrated every Father’s Day weekend,” she adds.

Current operations

Jake and Kay’s son TJ, the new owner of the family operation, believes mules are superior livestock. He explains his dad used to breed mules for years,

but the family no longer runs a breeding operation, although they still continue to use them.

“Mules are less nervous and more surefooted than a horse, and if I have to saddle up to chase cows in the high country, I’m saddling my mule,” he says.

“Plus, they are less likely to get hurt and many times, smarter than the rider,” Kay adds.

“Jake Clark’s Mule Days and America’s Finest Select Saddle Mule Auction has become one of the best events around, and this year my wife and I took over the reins and are carrying on the tradition where

and create a venue where the mules can show off their qualities – true nature and disposition – while also creating the first mule rodeo,” he continues.

Mule days

“Mule days are seven days of fun-filled excitement, consisting of vendors, a mule clinic, mounted shooting, team sorting, team roping, barrel racing, a rodeo, dinner, a barn dance and even a parade. And, as always, the America’s Finest Select Saddle Mule Auction,” Kay says.

“Don’t forget the most important part of mule days – our pie auction,” she continues.

“We have created a Friday night auction, where we hope to bring awareness to nonprofit organizations who continue to improve our quality of life,” Kay adds.

“Our Friday night auction includes items from Cody Country Outfitters, which

bring desserts and pies to be auctioned off to support their local club and generate interest in 4-H.”

The Clark family’s mule days have sponsored numerous scholarships including the Jake Clark’s Mule Days Linnabur Scholarship for current or former 4-H or FFA members in Park County or Big Horn County, who have been involved with Jake Clark’s Mule Days and are a graduating high school senior who will be attending the University of Wyoming or an accredited college.

Jake Clark’s Mule Days is a great time for all, so it is always best to reserve a camp spot and dinner tickets early. The team starts taking consignments in October.

For more information on Jake Clark’s Mule Days, visit saddlemule.com

Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

BLEND FEED SOURCES

Join the parade – The parade during Jake Clark's Mule Days is a big event for the community, brought together by the love of mules. Courtesy photo

Brotherly Love

Beartooth Mercantile carries on the spirit

The drive between Cody and Yellowstone Park is one of the most scenic drives in the U.S., but for one local business owner, the spectacular drive through the South Fork Valley is his daily commute.

Owner of Beartooth Mercantile William (BG) Kunz spends his day manufacturing and fabricating farm equipment and firearm parts, a dream created through a brotherly bond.

In 2010, BG and his brother Kris Kunz started Beartooth Mercantile, fabricating firearm parts in a small shop on the family farm.

Today, the shop sells a variety of goods online – from a custom-made Beartooth Mercantile Model 1895B to a T-post puller for the local rancher.

How it all began

The Kunz family has raised Black Angus cattle in the Cody area for decades, instilling values and building a solid foundation for brothers Kris and BG.

The ranching lifestyle builds character and grit, and Fred and Lorie Kunz did just this, raising their children to embody the

of the West

“Code of the West,” working side-by-side and building a future together.

“While we were growing up, and still today, the family’s primary income is through agriculture – cattle, hay and custom farming,” BG states. “But, Kris and I had ideas, and in 2010 we started Beartooth Mercantile.”

The business name originated from a common theme and is the pillar the business stands on today.

“At the time, my brother Kris and I had been spending quite a bit of time in the Beartooth Mountains. We had been doing some fishing, exploring and a lot of spring snowmobiling and backcountry skiing,” BG explains.

“We thought the Beartooths were pretty neat at the time, and they still are today,” he continues. “Some of the rifles we were making accessories for are used for bear protection, and we liked the bear theme in the name.”

He continues, “We also liked the idea of an old-time general store or mercantile – the idea of a place where a person could buy supplies for life in the wilderness or

frontier, so we combined those ideas and came up with Beartooth Mercantile.”

“We created a business logo which started as a sticker to put in with orders,” BG mentions. “It closely resembles the Forest Service shield and goes along with the wilderness and old-time theme, so it stuck.”

And just like that, the brothers’ business journey began in the family shop.

The Wild West comes alive

Kris began fabricating magazine tube followers and saddle ring studs on a manual lathe for Marlin and Winchester lever action rifles.

“When we started, cowboy action shooting was popular, and customers wanted their rifles to be custom with accessories popular a century ago,” BG recalls. “So, Kris started to modify factory lever loops into custom levers by hand. They were nice and people liked them, but we knew it wasn’t feasible to keep producing this way if we wanted to grow.”

Over time, Beartooth Mercantile has evolved into a modern machine shop

Continued on next page

Open range – The Kunz Ranch is home to a healthy herd of cow/calf pairs and breathtaking views.

Courtesy photo

Continued from previous page

with a couple of Computer Numbered Control (CNC) machines and various shop tools to make the accessories.

Although Kris was very talented and had great natural instincts for manual machining, it forced the brothers to learn a lot about materials, manufacturing and machining at a faster rate and in more depth than anticipated.

“In the beginning, Kris started fabricating in my dad’s shop on the farm where he had enough equipment and tools to get him started, but being involved in agriculture and constantly needing to fix broken equipment requires a pretty welloutfitted shop,” BG notes.

At one time, the brothers’ grandpa Bill Kunz owned the John Deere dealership in Cody, and the family still has his old South Bend manual lathe, which Kris started on.

While Kris was focused on fabricating, BG was working an engineering job. He began setting up the company website and started investigating ways to make efficient products to sell on a larger scale.

The brothers tried outsourcing some of the work but were unsatisfied with the result and eventually bought their own CNC machines.

“I think doing as much as possible in house is best. It also allows efficient prototyping and small-batch production,” BG says.

Tragedy hits home

In September 2018, Kris was diagnosed with “ALLb” leukemia, an acute lymphoblastic leukemia with the Philadelphia chromosome.

BG explains, “Learning to manufacture our own products forced Kris and I to learn about subjects we really enjoyed. However, Kris being diagnosed with leukemia forced us, as well as our parents, to learn about a disease we would prefer to have never known about.”

During this time, Kris had some other medical issues, but the family never imagined it leading to leukemia.

“I was in total denial the first week and pretty naive. Myself and the rest of the family quickly learned leukemia does not just impact kids at St. Jude’s,” he mentions. “Prior to this experience, I thought leukemia was pretty much curable, and in my mind, I didn’t need to worry about it.”

Kris was 35 when he was diagnosed, and BG had expected him to beat it since he was still relatively young.

Kris spent a solid five months in the Billings Clinic in Billings, Mont. to receive treatment and was transferred to the University of Colorado Health in Aurora, Colo. early in 2019 for a bone marrow transplant.

“It was a very difficult time for all of us, and the transplant had complications. Kris passed away in November of 2019,” BG states. “My parents, as well as Kris and I, had a strong Catholic faith before Kris

got sick, but my parents and I have dealt with this family tragedy by returning to the Catholic church, not missing a weekly mass since November 2019.”

A light in the dark

The bonded brothers were still creating and involved with Beartooth Mercantile even while Kris was hospitalized.

Their dedication – an established moral instilled by their parents, grounded by their ranching background – kept Beartooth Mercantile growing during a tragic time.

“During a relatively peaceful time in the course of his treatment, Kris discovered one of his doctors was a hobby target shooter, and when things got bad at the end while Kris was in the ICU, he had me bring him one of our accessories he knew this doctor would like,” BG states.

“Kris gave it to the doctor while in the ICU, and it seemed to strike him that Kris was interested in giving him something during such a difficult time,” he adds.

Life continues on the farm

BG’s primary job is operating Beartooth Mercantile, but he continues to spend a significant amount of time working on the family ranch.

“I might have some CNC machines going in the morning and then head out to set water or check cows. Then, I’ll come back to the shop to fulfill some orders,” BG notes.

“My day is a combination of shop work and the Beartooth business, making sure we don’t have a cow on the road or trying to calve in a snow storm, plus it is nice to have a CNC mill when you need to bore an inch and a half diameter hole through a 5/8” plate to fix the corrugator,” he adds.

Kris will always be remembered for his creativity, and BG intends to make those ideas come to life in products the mercantile can sell.

He reiterates, “Kris always liked outdoor gear and accessories and had a knack for knowing what was useful and what was a gimmick. His ideas helped create products we sell today.”

Another example of the brother’s devotion to the outdoors and setting the example of an ethical lifestyle was the Winchester 94-22 takedown saddle ring.

According to BG, this product was made by a company called Uncle Mike’s and was popular among Winchester 94-22 rifle owners. Still, the rifles ceased production in the early 2000s, and Uncle Mike’s stopped making the saddle ring.

“Kris recognized these items were selling for ridiculously high prices on auction sites like eBay because people still wanted them, so we brought them back into regular production and offered them at a fair price. I am still selling them today, even with the Winchester 94-22

rifle being out of production,” he states.

“It is hard to say anything good came out of Kris’s passing, but Beartooth Mercantile keeps Kris’s ideas and dreams going and in our lives and others,” he adds.

Today, Kris’s legacy built on faith and family continues to live on in the Beartooth Mercantile shop.

For more information on Beartooth Mercantile, visit beartoothmercantile.com

Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

KC Photography

Loving life – During his life, Kris Kunz enjoyed time in the back country. Courtesy photo

Endless Adventure

Open year-round, North Fork Anglers is located in Cody and has provided guided trips since 1984 –the longest-operating fishing outfitter in the state.

Owners Blair and Justine Van Antwerp took over

the historic fly shop earlier this year and take pride in having the friendliest staff around, who are also exceptionally knowledgeable and provide an unbeatable fly fishing experience.

North Fork Anglers

offers a well-stocked pro shop, meeting the needs of any fly fishing enthusiast. From a fishing license to a new rod setup or shopping for latest apparel from major name brands, North Fork Anglers has it all.

The local fly shop is also home to 10 to 12 fulltime experienced guides ready to take guests out on the local waterways.

At North Fork Anglers, the staff is always ready to answer questions, ensuring they meet their guests’ needs, backed by their mission to teach, inspire and outfit everyone they meet.

“Guests can select from a range of fly fishing adventures – from a fabulous float trip to a splendid walk-wade trip – or they

can experience the excitement of hunting waterfowl and upland birds mixed with fishing on a cast-andblast trip,” Blair states.

Floating local water

Floating Wyoming’s rivers is a unique way to fly fish since it allows anglers to cover miles of water and grants the opportunity to cast over numerous trout in a single day.

However, it also gives anglers time to sit back and enjoy remarkable scenery and wildlife around the Greater Yellowstone Area. On any given day, guests might spot a moose, Bighorn sheep, deer, elk and on occasion, a grizzly or black bear.

“Float trips provide the perfect opportunity for anglers to enjoy fishing nymphs, streamers and dries, which can be easily fished with great success,” Blair continues. “Fly fishing enthusiasts can float July through September, with summer being our busiest season, on the North

Fork of the Shoshone, the lower Shoshone River, the lower Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone and the Big Horn River in Wyoming.”

During September through April, anglers can usually only float on the Big Horn and lower Shoshone rivers because the flows on the freestone streams are too low for a boat to make it down safely.

The float trips can accommodate one to two people per craft.

Walk-wade trips in Yellowstone Country

Walk-wade trips feature wild trout, solitude and scenery, giving anglers the chance to pick the water apart by casting around objects on the river.

“Fall fishing is great, but truthfully, the best fishing is in the winter,” Blair continues.

Walk-wade trips give guides time to teach anglers the needed skills to land big fish, permits more time on the water and grants the opportunity to take advantage of numerous hatches occurring at the end of the day.

Walk-wade trips are the best option for anglers to experience a variety of locations which cannot be floated and for those who enjoy to hike.

Cast-and-blast adventures

North Fork Anglers also offers adventurous anglers the opportunity to experience scenic fishing and hunting around Cody.

Blair notes, “The castand-blast guided trip is a unique experience, fishing surrounding waters and hunting a variety of upland

birds and waterfowl all day.”

Guests have the opportunity to hunt a variety of birds, including grouse, pheasants, chukers, huns, ducks and geese, all while landing big browns, cutthroats and rainbows.

Enjoying a class

The perfect way for an individual to immerse themselves into the wonderful world of fly fishing is to participate in a class, and North Fork Anglers is proud to offer a variety of classes.

“We offer an Orvis Fly Fishing 101 class every spring. This class covers everything from setting up a fly rod to basic fly selection and knot tying,” Blair explains. “Also, starting in November and running through March, the shop will offer fly tying classes every Saturday morning.”

Fly tying classes are typically held during the winter months, covering the basics and providing step-by-step instructions on how to tie the most popular fly patterns that will have fly fishing enthusiasts tying flies in no time.

North Fork Anglers is an old Western fly shop located in downtown Cody. Stop by and visit with friendly staff and learn about the latest fly fishing gear or book a guided trip in beautiful Wyoming.

For more information on North Fork Anglers, visit northforkanglers.com

Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Yellowstone cutthroat trout – Blair Van Antwerp, left, and a client enjoy a successful day on the river. Courtesy photo

Hire a guide – A guide is heading into the upper South Fork of the Shoshone for a five-day fishing trip. North Fork Anglers doesn’t offer pack trips, but clients can hire a guide from the shop to help navigate the waters. Courtesy photo

Beautiful views – Taken on a guided float trip, this photo showcases a famous rock formation, the “Holy City,” on the North Fork of the Shoshone. Courtesy photo

A Blessed Life

Fred and Kay Thomas lead an enchanted life raising docile, sound and efficient Angus cattle

Nestled at the base of the Absaroka Front, seven miles west of Meeteetse, sits Obsidian Angus, a small family-operated seedstock business dedicated to raising good-looking, high-performing and well-mannered cattle.

The operation dates back to 1979 when Kay and Fred Thomas purchased two heifers from the Northwest Wyoming Angus Association’s (NWWAA) First Annual Sale. From there, the couple built their herd with select Angus bloodlines, purchasing cattle from sales across Montana including Vermillion Angus, Van Dyke Angus and Mydland Angus.

Raising efficient black cattle

Originally a commercial Hereford producer, Fred explains he turned to raising straight black cattle after one of his registered Hereford heifers had difficulty calving. The couple landed on Angus because they appreciated the growth efficiency and mothering ability of the breed.

“We like the easy-calving genetics Angus provides, and calves can still grow with the best of them,” he says. “The mothering ability of a good black cow is hard to beat. She can be as gentle as a dog to humans and as mean as a Tasmanian devil to wolves and bears, which we have plenty of up here.”

He also notes black cattle don’t suffer from sore teats like white-faced cattle often do, recalling how his father used to have to grease the udders of his Hereford cattle up to three times a day before they were on their way back to the hills..

“It was a lot of work, and it didn’t do him any good at all,” Fred states.

Today, the Thomas’ run their purebred Angus cattle similar to a commercial operation, with a focus on raising gentle, sound and efficient cattle.

“They have to start small but grow huge by the time we wean,” says Fred, noting bull calves are usually born in February through March and weaned in October, weighing 75 percent of their dam’s weight on average.

“We have had calves weaned at 90 percent of their dam’s weight, and one of our smaller cows has weaned a calf at 100 percent of her weight the last couple of years,” he shares. “The twoyear-olds’ calves wean at 850 pounds, and the older cows’ calves weigh somewhere between 900 to 1,000 pounds. Last year, we had a February calf wean at 1,100 pounds.”

Docility and sound feet and legs are also a priority at Obsidian Angus.

Fred explains his bulls walk a minimum of two

miles a day up and down their hillside playground, and Kay notes the family spends a lot of time gentling bulls down.

“All of the bulls that go out have great feet and legs,” Fred states. “And, they will be the gentlest bulls a guy can get his hands on.”

Leading the NWWAA

Coming full circle, Fred and Kay are now in charge of the very same sale that got them started in the Angus business – NWWAA’s Annual Sale, which takes place every fourth Tuesday in March.

Fred notes when he first got started, there were 10 to 12 breeders who got elected as president and secretary/ treasurer in husband and wife teams every two to four years.

After having a few different stints in charge of NWWAA over the past 40 years, Fred and Kay have been leading the association for their 12th consecutive year now.

“There is no more change of guard,” laughs Fred. “At a recent meeting we asked if there were any new nominations, and everyone said no. They think we are doing a fine job, so that’s how it stays.”

“It is a big chore,” he continues. “My wife does it all, and she does an excellent job. We really appreciate her.”

In addition to putting on the sale, Fred and Kay sell their bull calves through the sale. They also offer females through private treaty sales.

Living a blessed life

Although the cattle business can be tough at times, Fred says the only major challenge he has had to overcome is finding feed.

“We have had a pretty blessed life, so when you ask what challenges we have had to overcome, I have a hard time answering,” Fred states.

“Probably the biggest challenge we have had to face is finding feed, which is nothing big.”

He adds, “I always tell myself ‘If that’s the worst thing that happens to me today, then I have led a pretty enchanted life.’”

This positive mindset, in addition to their dedication to the breed and passion for the industry, has helped Obsidian Angus accomplish quite a long list of noteworthy achievements including breeding the 1994 North American International Livestock Exposition Junior Show Champion, Obsidian Madeline 462, and the 1994 National Western Junior Show Champion, Obsidian Lady Ace of Spades.

However, Fred and Kay agree their biggest accomplishment is their two hardworking children – their

daughter Trinity and their son Darryl.

“Our girl is driving trucks in the mine, and our son paves everything in Alaska – not just the roads. When he gets done, he comes and helps work cattle all winter,” says Fred. “It’s pretty good to have some kids who are willing to go out and work hard.”

“My biggest hope is at some point in time the kids can come back and take care of the cows in their spare time, while having fun and not losing any money while they are doing it,” he concludes.

For more information about Obsidian Angus, visit greatbearreflection.com/

obsidian-angus-cattle-sales.

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Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

“I always tell myself ‘If that’s the worst thing that happens to me today, then I have led a pretty enchanted life.’” ~FRED

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Purebred Angus bulls – Fred and Kay Thomas sell purebred Angus bulls through the Northwest Wyoming Angus Association Annual Sale, which is the same sale they purchased their very first heifers from. Pictured is Obsidian Nitro Express 671. Courtesy photo

THOMAS~