FALL CATTLEMEN'S EDITION 2024
Featuring Uinta County
FEATURED UINTA COUNTY OPERATIONS
• Boot Hill Feeds
• Benedict's Ace Hardware
• Bugas Ranch
• Uinta Valley Pack Llamas
• Rural Veterinary Practices
• Tim and Katy Redmon
• Broadbent Ranch
• Micheli Ranch
• Wyoming Wild Meats
• Metal Head Metal Works
• Menck Club Lambs
• Valley Supply
UINTA COUNTY
Wyoming’s second smallest county has a lot to offer
The Wyoming Livestock Roundup is excited to highlight farms, ranches, agribusinesses and the historic community of Uinta County in the 2024 Fall Cattlemen’s Edition.
Tucked into Wyoming’s southwest corner, Uinta is Wyoming’s second smallest county sprawling 2,081 square miles – just 77 square miles larger than Hot Springs County, which is the smallest in the state.
Spanning from the Uinta Mountains on its southern flanks to the deserts of its northern reaches, Uinta County includes a vast and varied landscape of productive hay meadows, treelined riparian areas, wideopen sagebrush steppe and foothills of surrounding mountain ranges.
Outdoor recreation opportunities
Despite its small size,
Uinta County has a lot to offer for those who enjoy wide-open spaces, fresh air and areas rich in history.
The county is home to part of the Uinta-WasatchCache National Forest, which encompasses 2.2 million acres in northern Utah and southwest Wyoming and receives an average of nine million visitors each year, making it one of the most heavily visited national forests in the nation.
Uinta County is also a gateway to the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area (FGNRA), including the 91-mile long Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the canyons which contain it, a 13-mile stretch of the Green River that is renowned as a world-class fishery, a seven-mile National Recreation Trail, two National Register historic sites, the
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Where the buffalo roam – One is likely to see a lot of bison while driving through Uinta County, with herds dotting the landscape from Lyman to Evanston. Pictured is a cow/calf pair at the Bear River State Park, a 324-acre day use park in Evanston that recently gained national attention when a rare white bison calf was born in the spring of 2023. Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails photo
Gateway to adventure – Situated at the base of the Uinta Mountain Range and just a short drive from the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Uinta County has a lot to offer for those who enjoy wide-open spaces, fresh air and a little adventure. WYLR photo
Flaming Gorge Dam, the Sheep Creek Geologic Area and the Flaming GorgeUintas Scenic Byway.
Although the FGNRA is housed within the borders of Sweetwater County, many of the gorge’s annual one million visitors must drive through Uinta County to get there.
The Bear River State Park, a 324-acre day use park in Evanston, lies within the Uinta County border.
The park is home to small herds of elk and bison and recently received a lot of national attention when a rare white bison calf was born in the spring of 2023.
Bear River State Park also boasts several miles of both paved and packed gravel trails for hiking and mountain biking and a visitor center with an extensive taxidermy display and information for local tourism opportunities.
Thirty-eight miles east of the park lies another popular attraction – the Fort Bridger Historical Site – the venue of one of the largest mountain man gatherings in the nation.
Established in 1843 as a fur trading post, the fort continues to celebrate the history of the West, and every
Labor Day Weekend, thousands of visitors from across the nation gather to celebrate the fur trade era during the annual Fort Bridger Mountain Man Rendezvous.
More history is weaved into the patchwork of ghost towns which still stand erect in the area, including Almy, Bear River City, Carter, Fort Supply and Piedmont. Agriculture and natural resources
A large majority of those who reside in Uinta County make their living in agricultural production or the natural resources sector.
According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Uinta County is home to 391 farms or ranches, with land in farms totaling 735,709 acres. This includes 60,227 acres of cropland; 651,079 acres of pastureland and 19,317 acres of woodland. Nine percent of land in farms – 64,393 acres – is irrigated.
Like many producers across the Cowboy State, those in Uinta County face difficulties like high input costs, volatile markets and the harsh Wyoming cli-
mate. However, unique to the small county is the high elevation – averaging nearly 7,000 feet, with producers running cattle on summer pasture almost 3,000 feet higher than that – and a short growing season which makes it a challenge to put up crops.
This year, the area’s alfalfa crop froze in the middle of June and some producers simply cut it down in hopes of a productive second cutting.
Despite these challenges and being one of the smallest counties in the state, Uinta County still stacks up to Wyoming’s larger counties in top 10 agricultural rankings.
Reporting a sheep and
lamb inventory of 31,229 head, Uinta County ranks second in the state behind Converse County, and 24th in the entire nation, according to NASS.
Additionally, the county ranks third in horses, ponies, mules, burros and donkeys with 2,283 head and fifth in hogs and pigs with 56 head.
Uinta County also ranks ninth in other animals and animal products.
The top producing crop in the area is hay and haylage at 42,302 acres, and the livestock inventory includes 37,159 head of cattle and calves; 1,045 layers; 966 goats; 212 broilers and other meat-type chickens and 96 turkeys.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Vast and varied landscape – Although small, Uinta County is home to vast and varied landscape, where ag producers run their operations on productive hay meadows, tree-lined riparian areas, wide-open sagebrush steppe and foothills of surrounding mountain ranges.
WYLR photo
Second in sheep – Despite being Wyoming’s second smallest county, Uinta County ranks second in sheep production in the state and 24th in the nation. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, in 2022 Uinta County reported 31,229 head of sheep and lambs. WYLR photo
UINTA COUNTY HISTORY
Wyoming’s southwest corner is steeped in rich history
Tucked into the southwest corner of the state at the base of the Uinta Mountain Range – from which it was named – the story of Uinta County is one spun with a rich and remarkable history.
As one of the original five counties of the Wyoming Territory formed in 1869, Uinta County initially stretched the entire length of the state until it was reduced to its present size in 1911.
Through the passage of time, several forces, including the robust fur trade, westward expansion, the Union Pacific (UP) Rail-
road, profitable livestock ranches and the extraction of rich natural resources, ultimately shaped Uinta County into what it is today.
The fur trade In the beginning, the area served as a seasonal home for nomadic Native Americans, including the Eastern Shoshone, Ute and Bannock Tribes.
The first white settlers ventured into present-day Uinta County at the beginning of the 19th century during the fur trade era, which is an essential pillar in the area’s history.
A majority of the fur
trade success in southwest Wyoming can be attributed to the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, established by General William Henry Ashley and Major Andrew Henry.
Unique to the time period, Ashley and Henry didn’t rely on trading furs and pelts with Native Americans. Instead, they trained their own men to do the trapping independently.
Then, once a year, the company would host a “rendezvous” to gather its men in various locations for a chance to unload, unwind and visit with fellow mountain men.
The first Rocky Mountain Fur Trade Rendezvous was held in June 1825 on the bank of the Henry’s Fork –named after the company’s founder – in the far southeast corner of the county.
Over the years, the company hired more mountain men, including notable his-
torical figures Jim Bridger, Joe Meek, Kit Carson and Robert Newell.
Fort Bridger
Through the mid-1800s, westward expansion left a web of trails etched across the soil, and Uinta County became a crossroads for settlers traveling west on the Oregon, California and Mormon trails.
Traffic through the county picked up significantly after Bridger and Louis Vasquez established a trading post on the Black’s Fork in 1843, originally known as Bridger’s Fort, where settlers were able to stop and rest, trade out tired animals and obtain supplies before continuing on their way.
In 1855, the fort changed hands to the Mormons who operated Fort Supply a few miles south, although conflicting stories exist for why this change occurred. In 1857, dur-
ing the Utah War, Mormon militia burned both forts to the ground to prevent their capture by the U.S. Army, led by Bridger who had become an Army scout and guide.
The following year, the post was rebuilt and designated as an Army depot under a new name – Fort Bridger. It stayed in military ownership for several decades before it was abandoned in 1890.
Today, the Fort Bridger Historical Site works to preserve the area’s rich history, where 27 original structures still stand, including the infantry barracks and milk barn which now serve as a museum housing exhibits that interpret the five occupational eras of Fort Bridger – mountain men, Mormons, military, the milk barn and motel and a mod-
ern museum. The 37-acre site also houses four replica structures and six modern structures.
The historic site is open to the public daily from May 1 to Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To close out the season, the fort holds the popular Fort Bridger Mountain Man Rendezvous every Labor Day Weekend, drawing thousands of visitors from across the country as one of the largest mountain man gatherings in the nation.
UP Railroad and local towns
The UP Railroad made its way into Uinta County in 1868, leaving a string of ghost towns in its wake.
The most notorious was Bear River City, also known as Beartown, which was the site of a violent vigilante
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DOWNER RANCH
Torrington, Goshen County, Wyoming
8,015± total acres; 6,655± deeded acres and 1,360± State of WY leas acres. Excellent grazing.
$4,500,000
Michael McNamee at (307) 534-5156 or Cory Clark at (307) 334-2025
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 $4,950,000
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. Reduced to $12,000,000 Clark & Associates at (307) 334-2025
BAR J L
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Manville, Niobrara County, Wyoming
640± total acres with multiple residences including 3,611 sq. ft. fully custom home, plus barns and corrals.
$1,950,000 Cory Clark at (307) 334-2025
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Complete equestrian facility with multiple revenue possibilities. Indoor arena, large stall barns, roping arena, 3BD/2BA home and MORE, located just off I-25.
$1,850,000
Mark McNamee at (307) 760-9510
CROOKED CREEK RANCH
Broadus, Powder River County, Montana
12,020± total acres, 800± irrigated acres, 11,220± well-water native pasture land. Excellent water rights with improvements.
$12,500,000
Mark McNamee at (307) 760-9510 Lynn Ward at (605) 685-3238
Beartown – The construction of the Union Pacific Railroad left a string of ghost towns in its wake. One of the most notorious was Beartown, which was burned to the ground during a vigilante riot. Morby family photo
The Heritage Barn – The Heritage Barn, a historic community center on the outskirts of Lyman, used to be an experimental farm owned by the University of Wyoming. Library of Congress photo
Piedmont charcoal kilns – Three beehive-shaped charcoal kilns still stand next to the crumbling remains of a railroad station in the ghost town of Piedmont. Wyoming Tales and Trails photo
riot that ultimately left the city in ashes.
Piedmont, another endof-tracks town, was the site of a labor strike in early May 1869, in which rail workers held up a train carrying UP Vice President Thomas Durant who was traveling to the golden spike ceremony, marking the completion of the transcontinental railroad in Utah Territory.
Carter was arguably the busiest of today’s Uinta County ghost towns, as it served as a major shipping destination for sheep and cattle until fairly recently in history. In fact, many livestock producers in the area recall trailing cattle and hauling sheep as children to load on train cars in Carter.
The town was established around the time the UP Railroad entered Uinta County and was named after Judge William A. Carter, a cattle baron, merchant, postmaster, probate judge, Army contractor, politician and Wyoming’s first selfmade millionaire.
In November 1868, the town of Evanston was erected and named after UP Railroad Surveyor James Evans.
Today, Evanston is home to the largest population in the county and serves as the county seat. A brick roundhouse, built in 1912 to replace the orig-
inal 1871 stone structure, still stands and is used as a public venue for weddings, meetings and other community gatherings.
Agriculture and natural resources
Agriculture and natural resources have been two of the greatest driving forces in the establishment of Uinta County.
The first ranch was founded in the Bear River drainage in 1858 by John Meyers, who boasts the first water right in the Wyoming Territory.
The completion of the railroad initiated the creation of many sheep and cattle operations in the area, and the county’s early use of irrigation systems sparked some hay and grain crop production. In the 1890s, extensive irrigation canals and ditches were built to aid these efforts.
During the late years of the 19th century, the population grew exponentially.
The first post office was built in 1891, and in 1899 the town of Lyman was founded.
By 1900, the number of ag operations grew to 940, with the census reporting 13,600 horses; 125,000 cattle and 914,000 sheep.
In 1915, the University of Wyoming established a 200-acre experimental farm in Lyman. The present-day
Heritage Barn, which now serves as a community center, used to house dairy cows, equipment, seed, hay and grain for the university.
Additionally, during the late 1860s, small communities sprang up around the many coal mines in the area, one of which was the town of Almy. Riddled by a series of disastrous mine explosions in the late 1800s that killed dozens of white and Chinese workers, the Almy mines were permanently closed by 1900 and are now nothing more than a roadside landmark.
As the Almy mine closed its doors, a new coal mine started up near Evanston in Spring Valley. While searching for water in 1904, drillers hit oil, resulting in the short-lived Spring Valley oil boom.
The boom nearly doubled the population of Uinta County and generated millions of dollars which was used to build public facilities such as schools and hospitals.
Today, natural resources continue to propel the small county’s economy, with many residents working in nearby trona mines. A large wind turbine farm was also erected on local landmark Bridger Butte to utilize the area’s plentiful wind energy.
Information in this article was compiled from the Wyoming Historical Society, Legends of America and
Wyo Parks. Hannah Bugas is the
ming Livestock Roundup.
BOOT HILL FEEDS
Fort Bridger feed store provides quality products across the West
Ernie and Mary Lynne Giorgis met at Scottsbluff Junior Community College, now Western Nebraska Community College, in Scottsbluff, Neb. close to 60 years ago.
Ernie grew up in Mountain View and was attending the community college on a football scholarship when he met Mary Lynne, a Nebraska native who was studying education.
In 1965, after graduating with their associate degrees in education, the couple decided to return to the Giorgis Ranch in Uinta County to help Ernie’s parents with the family store and on the ranch.
Ernie’s grandparents, who were Italian immigrants, moved to Uinta County after Ernie’s great uncle was killed in a coal mine explosion and estab-
lished the Giorgis Ranch in 1922.
The next chapter
Over the next few years, the couple welcomed four children – Elizabeth, Linda, Joel and Amy – into their lives.
“Ernie and I supported all of the children’s school and extracurricular activities, including Girl Scouts, 4-H and FFA, along with many other projects and fair entries,” Mary Lynne states.
“And, of course, school athletics where each child excelled in one or more.”
While the children were growing up, Mary Lynne served as a Girl Scout leader, a 4-H leader, a substitute teacher and a librarian at the Fort Bridger Elementary School in the Mountain View School District for nearly 30 years.
Ernie was the Mountain
“Our involvement in show cattle led to the Giorgis Show Calves venture with years of artificial insemination and embryo transfer.”
Mary Lynne Giorgis
�[tj� YOMING
View High School basketball and football assistant coach over the years and also served on the school board.
For many years, Ernie was the president of the Uinta County Fair Board and a longtime member of the Lions Club, serving on its board of directors.
The couple’s biggest achievement came when they were blessed with 12 grandchildren, all of whom were raised within seven miles of the family ranch and participate in ranch life.
Mary Lynne says, “In November, we are expecting our first great-grandson.”
About the time the family stepped into the show ring, Ernie decided to enter the livestock feed business, and Boot Hill Feeds was established.
The story continues Ernie and Mary Lynne started Boot Hill Feeds in 1985 as distributors of Ranch-Way Feeds in Fort Collins, Colo.
“A few years later, Ernie was approached by Jim
LIVE RACES SUMMERS IN EVANSTON
Family traditions – The Giorgis family continues to grow as the next generation is set to arrive this November. Courtesy photo
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Home sweet home – Looking south from the Giorgis Ranch lends a beautiful view of the Uinta Mountain Range. Courtesy photo
Nix to join in with other Nutra-Lix liquid feed dealers,” Mary Lynne notes. “There are some crazy memories about having the huge fuel storage metal tanks delivered and cleaned out by Ron Pruitt. He got a little tipsy from being inside with all of the fuel fumes from using a hotsy cleaner.”
The couple has remained Nutra-Lix dealers for over 30 years, through ownership and representative changes, and continues to be dealers with Ranch-Way – now Ranch-Way/Hubbard Feeds – after the small family business was sold to Hubbard Feeds.
Boot Hill Feeds was also a distributor for a small family business in Ogden, Utah
known as Cache Commodities Feed, which was recently purchased by the Intermountain Farmers Association based in Salt Lake City, and they sell Weaver products.
The family business has grown to be a popular feed supplier in southwest Wyoming over the years but has now concentrated more on mineral products, barrels, special orders and pet food.
Mary Lynne is calling this semi-retirement.
Giorgis Show Calves
In addition to running the feed store and the family ranch, Giorgis Show Calves began when the Giorgis kids started 4-H and were raising and showing their own calves with hopes of being more competitive.
“Our involvement in show cattle led to the Giorgis Show Calves venture with years of artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer,” Mary Lynne states. “By the time they got out of 4-H, we were raising good calves so we started selling them.”
She notes the family has been utilizing AI for 30 years and didn’t want to quit when the kids aged out of showing.
“Producing quality show cattle resulted in each child winning a grand champion beef or breeding beef which was born and raised right at home,” Mary Lynne continues.
This tradition has been passed down to their grandchildren, who also received many awards and championships in the show ring.
Over the years, Giorgis Show Calves secured the grand and reserve champion market beef at the Uinta County Fair in Evanston. In 2022, the family found itself at the end of two generations of showing beef at the fair.
Today, the family is still AI’ing Simmental, Angus and Salers show and commercial cattle, which can be purchased through private treaty or at the Utah
State University Aggie Classic Club Calf Sale in Logan, Utah, held every November.
For more information on Giorgis Show Calves, visit @GiorgisShowCalves on Facebook.
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Generations of champions – Giorgis Show Calves continue to be competitive in the show ring across the West. Courtesy photo
Embracing diversity – In addition to their show calves, the Giorgis family raises cattle in Uinta County. Courtesy photo
Southwest Wyoming leaders – Boot Hill Feeds has grown into a well-known feed supplier over the last 30 years. Courtesy photo
PROVIDING QUALITY PRODUCTS
The Benedict family has been serving Bridger Valley since 1938
Since the early days, Harlen “Hal” Benedict worked at Ackerman’s store under his uncle’s ownership for many years.
In 1938, the Benedicts purchased the Ackerman store and established Benedict Trading Company to serve the residents of the Bridger Valley.
The family-run business has been an integral part of Mountain View’s early history, and 86 years and three generations later, Benedict’s Market and Benedict’s Ace Hardware are still caring for their customers and serving the community the way their grandfather wanted it to be.
Over the decades, Bruce and his brother Jim Benedict, along with their fami-
lies, continue to provide the highest-quality products and the best services their shoppers deserve in a modern setting, which is the key to longevity and loyalty.
“We strongly believe in supporting those who support us, as it is essential for building strong and meaningful relationships within our community and among our customers,” Bruce says.
“This is why you will see the Benedicts supporting local events, school districts, Veterans and various other organizations, creating a bond with the community.”
Early years
In the 1950s, the store expanded into the former Mountain View Hotel, giving it ample space to grow.
Later in the 1960s, the family
onto the
store and rented the
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Once it was no longer being rented, they utilized it for more selling space.
“The family store prospered, and the additional space allowed the family to sell appliances, televisions, radios and hardware,” Bruce comments.
Hal and his wife Beulah ran the store for many years with the help of their family, including their son Lowell and his wife Sharon, who were instrumental in continuing the business’ success.
In 1981, the couple opened a new store to better serve the community’s needs, and shortly after, they decided to retire.
Bruce continues, “Later, Jim, our sister Kym and I purchased the legendary family business, as we learned all aspects of the business while growing up.”
Built on a solid foundation, the family business continued to grow, and in 2020, the brothers expanded by opening a separate building, home to the new Benedict’s Ace Hardware store, providing more options for their customers and community.
Actively involved in agriculture
Both brothers are actively involved in agri-
culture production and have built a commercial cow database by genomically profiling every bull on the ranch.
Utilizing artificial insemination and natural-service clean-up bulls, their heifers and top cows are ready to calve the following March.
In June, the family trails the pairs up to high elevation, where the calves thrive on lush Timothy grass, gaining weight every day.
After a summer on rich, nutrient-dense grass, the cattle return to lower elevations by the middle of October and are shipped around the first of November.
The Benedict family has done a great job of making their stores vital to the community and providing for the needs of community members without having to drive several miles.
For more information on Benedict’s Market, visit benedictsmarket.com or call 307-782-3581. For more information on Benedict’s Ace Hardware, visit acehardware.com/storedetails/17451 or call 307782-6090.
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
“We strongly believe in supporting those who support us, as it is essential for building strong and meaningful relationships within our community and among our customers.”
Bruce Benedict
built
original
New offering – In 2020, the Benedict family opened Benedict’s Ace Hardware store in Mountain View. Courtesy photo
Community first – The Benedict family has been supporting the residents of Bridger Valley for decades. Courtesy photo
A LASTING LEGACY
Bugas brothers continue to uphold family legacy on century-old ranch
At the far reaches of Fort Bridger sits a picturesque plateau where the sky meets the earth and every direction offers a breathtaking view of a different local landmark.
Situated between Bridger Butte to the north, Haystack Peak and Sugar Loaf to the west and the high peaks of the Uinta Mountain Range to the south, the wide-open flat is fondly referred to by those who live there as “Nebraska Flats,” “Frostbite Flats,” “The Big Windy” and “Beyond the Wall.”
Here, encircled by a
wreath of century-old trees standing guard against the brutal elements of southwest Wyoming’s high elevation, is the Bugas Ranch.
The ranch is operated by brothers Larry and George Bugas, who work to continue a family legacy created by their grandfather George John Bugas who homesteaded the ranch circa 1916.
Homesteading the family farm
After immigrating from an area in Austria now recognized as present-day Slovakia at the age of 16, George John
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found himself working in a coal mine in Rock Springs for some time.
However, mine wages weren’t sufficient enough to feed his growing family, so he decided to turn to farming with the confidence of knowing he would always be able to keep food on the table for his wife and kids.
Around 1916, George John and his family homesteaded high up on a big, windy, promising flat known as Nebraska Flats – as many around the area had come from Nebraska – with several nearby springs and plenty of room to grow.
He raised milk cows, pigs, sheep, chickens and bees and grew numerous acres of wheat, cabbage, potatoes and various other vegetables.
“I don’t remember all of the specifics of the story. Grandpa was supposed to be drafted into the Army but because he raised so many acres of wheat and the Army needed the wheat more than they needed his service, he didn’t end up having to go,” shares George.
George and Larry’s father, Lawrence, took over operations. But with a desire to be a cowboy who punched cattle on the open range, Lawrence started transitioning operations away from farming and began raising some commercial cows in addition to the sheep.
George notes Lawrence used to take care of neighboring ranches in exchange for dogie calves and unwanted heifers, which is how he started building up his herd.
Lawrence then married Aileen Micheli, who grew up raising registered Hereford cattle on her family’s ranch in Fort Bridger, and the two started running their own Hereford cows and
purebred seedstock.
Around this time, Lawrence and Aileen also started raising Suffolk bucks.
According to George, at one point in time, Lawrence was the oldest Suffolk breeder to offer rams at the Wyoming State Ram Sale in Douglas.
Expanding operations
Lawrence and Aileen were blessed with six children and their two boys, Larry and George, inherited the ranch.
Under their care, the ranch shifted to raising blackhided cattle and white-faced sheep.
“We had a couple of bad springs in a row where a combination of snowfall and sunlight left us with a mess of sunburnt teats and hungry calves,” says George. “We figured it wasn’t worth it and decided to go with black cattle.”
George explains, although they liked certain characteristics of the Angus breed, they weren’t particularly happy running straight Angus cattle, so they turned to crossbreds for some hybrid vigor.
“We tried some Salers cattle from a Hereford breeder we trusted who was also raising Salers, and we just really started liking the cattle,” George says. “They are hardy, tough, good mothers and they make a good cross on the Angus. We also found we could run more cows with less work if they weren’t white-eyed and/or white-bagged.”
George notes they were also drawn to the breed for their pelvic size.
“When I got out of college most breeds had a lot of calving difficulty and big birth weights,” he says. “I did some research on Salers. They
Continued
Teamwork – Brothers George, pictured right, and Larry Bugas, pictured left, run the century-old family ranch on the outskirts of Fort Bridger. WYLR photo
1275
were more maternal with bigger pelvis size and longer, leaner built calves. Now this doesn’t seem to be an issue because all breeds have lowered their birth weights.”
Around the time George returned home from college, he started artificially inseminating (AI) heifers – an uncommon venture at the time – which he believes really pushed the ranch’s genetics forward.
“Then we started to synchronize AI in 1989,” he states. “But, I had a lot of people tell me it was stupid to AI heifers.”
Today, the Bugas brothers run around 1,000 head of mother cows on tens of thousands of acres of deeded and leased ground scattered throughout the Bridger Valley. They also retain ownership of their yearlings, which are fed out at various locations throughout the state and sold in the fall.
Although the sheep operation has dwindled over the years, George and Larry still run 400 head of commercial Targhee ewes on pastures close to the homeplace.
Larry notes they stopped running Suffolks after a bad year of coyote kills that nearly wiped out their lambs.
“They weren’t bothering the white sheep quite so bad,” he remarks. “We kept the white sheep to try to control spurge and keep some diversity on the ranch.”
Larry further explains the ranch started transitioning from Rambouillet and Columbia genetics to Targhee because they were smaller than the Columbias and better mothers than the Rambouillets.
Additionally, the brothers put up their own grass hay on flood irrigated meadows around the ranch.
Upholding family traditions
In addition to the deep love of the land they live on and the animals they raise, George notes his mother instilled an importance of education in her children.
“My mom didn’t believe education ended after high school,” he says. “It was a
requirement to go to college, and it had to be the University of Wyoming (UW).”
The Bugas family of today boasts three generations of UW graduates, with all six of Lawrence and Aileen’s children obtaining degrees from the university, as well as many of their grandchildren. This was something Lawrence, who passed at the age of 96 in March of 2023, was incredibly proud of.
The brothers are also longtime participants in the Steer-A-Year program, in which they have donated a steer for UW’s athletics programs since two years after the Steer-A-Year inception in 1995. Larry notes they are currently one of the oldest donors in the program.
Lawrence and Aileen also believed in strong community involvement, and their boys have upheld this tradition as active members of multiple organizations.
The family has had a strong presence in 4-H, FFA and on the Uinta County Fair Board and Sales Committee.
Both Larry and George grew up showing cattle, raising their children in the show barn as well. Two years ago, George’s youngest daughters aged out, marking 54 consecutive years the Bugas family has shown cattle at the Uinta County Fair.
The Bugases have also been highly active in local water organizations, with Lawrence serving on the Bridger Valley Water Conservancy District for 25 years and George for 15.
In addition, the brothers help run the Pine Grove Canal Company and the Robertson Scale Association.
Larry followed in his father’s footsteps as part of the Mountain View Lions Club, where Lawrence received the Melvin Jones Fellowship in 2017 in honor of his decades of service to the organization. At this time, he had served for 63 of the 66 years the Mountain View Lions Club had been in existence and was the oldest Lion in Wyoming, as well as the 10th longest-serving lion in the state.
Overcoming obstacles
Like many producers in the industry, especially those running in Uinta County’s high elevation, the Bugas brothers have had to battle unfavorable weather conditions during Wyoming’s harsh winters and brutal springs.
“Because we run in the high country, we have to feed a lot of hay to get us through the winter which is a big expense – and we have a short growing season,” George says. “We have harsh winters and spring calving can be pretty rough.”
“We’ve tried calving a little earlier and it didn’t work. We’ve thought about calving later, but we don’t want to drive tiny baby calves to summer range so we have a tight window that is hard to move around,” he adds.
George and Larry also admit they have faced challenges in the form of finances, volatile markets, personality conflicts surrounding operational decisions and dealing with other sectors of the industry when it comes to negotiating deals.
“One of the biggest learning curves I can think of is learning how to take care of the resources we have to make them viable down the line,” Larry states.
Unlike some parts of the state however, the two believe Uinta County and the Bugas Ranch are pretty blessed when it comes to water.
“Our situation with water is probably better than a lot of people in the state,” says Larry. “I think we get more precipitation than a lot of places in Wyoming because we don’t seem to be as droughty. We also have good opportunity for irrigation.”
Despite the hurdles, George and Larry can’t think of anywhere else they would rather be.
“It’s all worth it to be around the horses and cattle and have a nice place to run quality sheep and cattle and raise a beautiful family,” says George. “On top of this, we are working to feed a hungry nation.”
Larry agrees, stating, “I
think our biggest accomplishment is keeping the ranch in operation for over 100 years. I got to raise my family here and be around family, which is not something very many people get to do. And, I think over the years, we have made the ranch even better.”
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
• ‘23 sorrel stallion by Woody Be Tuff
• ’22 dun mare granddaughter of Smart Little Lena ’21 sorrel gelding by Smart Dulce Chex- ranching heritage eligible ’21 bay roan gelding grandson of Peptoboonsmal
• ‘21 buckskin mare by grandson of CS Flashlight
• ’20 palomino gelding by grandson of Colonel Freckles-ranch rope ‘’21 bay roan gelding by grandson of Royal Blue Quixote- ranch, rope ’22 buck gelding grandson of Mr Sun O’Lena
• ’17 dun gelding Doc O’Lena X High Brow Husker- ranch horse
• ’21 gray gelding by Separtist- off the track
• ’16 gray gelding grandson Smart Little Gembo- ranch, barrels ’20 red roan gelding by Bonnets Blue- ranch broke
• ’18 palomino gelding grandson Mr Genuine San- team sorting, ranch rodeo
• ’16 bay gelding grandson Playgun- ranch, rope ’17 blue roan gelding by Starlight Birdman- ranch, rope
• ’21 bay gelding by Smarkles- ranch, rope
• ’05 sorrel mare by a Streak of Fling- in foal to Shot of Jack Cash
• ’21 palomino gelding grandson of CD Lights- ranch
’10 bay mare granddaughter of Shining Spark- broke, broodmare
• ’06 sorrel gelding Skippa Star X Zan Parr Jack- head horse
• ’18 dun gelding by CRR Hurricane Cat- ranch
• ’21 bay gelding by Yellowsmoke of Tetas- futurity entry
’12 sorrel gelding by Catty Hauk- solid team rope horse, cuts a cow ’21 sorrel gelding grandson CD Lights- ranch horse
• ’16 dun broodmare by Remember The Song- in foal
• ’16 bay gelding by grandson of Doc Hollywood- ranch, team rope ‘19 chestnut gelding by Cactus Rondo- ranch, rope ’20 sorrel gelding by Cactus Rondo- ranch, rope
• ’20 chestnut gelding by Cactus Rondo- ranch, rope
• ’14 chestnut gelding by Cactus Rondo- ranch, rope ’21 palomino gelding grandson of Rowdy Yankee- futurity entry
These colts and yearlings will be paid up in the 2026 and 2027 F&R Cow Horse Futurity:
’19 bay mare Friesian Cross- ridden 6 months
’18 palomino gelding grandson Mr Genuine San- team sorting, ranch rodeo
’21 brown gelding grandson Captain Hook- ranch, rope
’20 palomino son of Bucks Hancock Dude- started barrels, ranch, trail
’22 sorrel mare granddaughter of Tee J Blue Fingers- started, shipped, drug calves
Back in the day –Although the Bugas Ranch has transitioned to feeding big squares with heavy equipment, they used to put up small bales and spend the winter feeding with teams of horses. WYLR photo
UINTA VALLEY PACK LLAMAS
Jake and Taylor Hicks’ passion for packing sparks unique agribusiness venture
Growing up at the base of the Uinta Mountain Range, just a short drive from the nearest national forest boundary and high-mountain trailhead, makes it easy for residents of the Bridger Valley to take up a passion for the backcountry.
Like many in the area, Bridger Valley natives Jake and Taylor Hicks grew up around ranching operations and going on hunting expe-
WE ARE COMMITTED TO
ditions, which have inspired their unique and growing business venture – Uinta Valley Pack Llamas.
Getting started
The idea for Uinta Valley Pack Llamas came about after Jake started researching llamas to use for his highcountry mule deer hunts.
“We have always used horses but some of the places Jake would go were very hard to take them,” says Taylor, who notes horses are also more expensive to feed and care for. “Llamas have a very low impact on the earth and don’t require much. Llamas are relatives to camels so they can retain water which is helpful in the backcountry.”
In 2019, the Hicks found a pair of llamas on KSL classifieds – one male and one female by the names of Drama and Carl – and drove down to Utah to pick them up. Soon after, they added four more females.
While doing all of this research, Jake and Taylor came across operations which rent out their llamas to other people.
“We thought it would be a good way to make a little side money, and it has just continued to grow into what we have now,” explains Taylor. “We feel there is a lot less liability renting out llamas compared to horses or other pack animals.”
Overcoming obstacles
Establishing and operating any business – especially in the agriculture industry – comes with an obstacle course of hurdles and challenges.
According to the Hicks, the biggest challenge they have faced in starting their new venture is trying to learn and grow in the llama industry.
Additionally, in the beginning, the couple learned the hard way not all llamas are meant to use as pack animals.
“We went through a lot of llamas, buying and selling, to find ones that would do a good job packing,” she admits. “We even bought a few proven registered studs to improve our herd genetics. Llamas can range anywhere
from $100 to $10,000, and we have paid on both sides for them.”
Today, the Hicks run 43 females, 14 males and 14 cria – the 2024 babies. Through trial and error, they have grown fond of the guanaco breed, a camelid native to South America and the earliest descendant of llamas.
According to Taylor, guanacos are in danger of going extinct in several South American countries like Peru and Chile, and few exist in the U.S. This makes them hard to find, and many people who acquire them do so through zoo dispersal sales.
Jake and Taylor note they came by two weanling male guanacos from an exotic ranch on the Texas coast and an older female from Kansas City, Mo.
“We crossed our stud guanaco named Ragnar to a few llama females last year and are seeing the genetic benefits with the cria we got this year,” states Taylor. “They are insanely athletic at just one day old!”
Running the ranch
Like other livestock operations, work is seasonal, and daily and weekly tasks change throughout the year.
Taylor explains during the spring, summer and fall, they run their llamas on grassland pastures, then during winter months, they freefeed them a mix of grass and alfalfa in livestock feeders.
“Most of our pastures have running water, even in the winter months,” Taylor says. “For the few that don’t, we haul water or fill up tubs and plug in a heater to keep water from freezing.”
“In the spring, most of the llamas get a haircut and their nails trimmed, and the males get their fighting teeth cut,” she continues. “We usually check for fighting teeth in our males pretty regularly, as they will fight each other and try to castrate one another. Chasing llamas around is a full-time job!”
The pack string is made up of herd males, which are halter broke at a year of age. When they turn two, the Hicks add saddles
A unique operation – Jake and Taylor Hicks of Fort Bridger own and operate Uinta Valley Pack Llamas, a unique llama rental and guided pack trip operation. Courtesy photo
Continued from previous page
and panniers with no extra weight and start taking their llamas on hikes and occasional overnighters.
At three years old, the Hicks add half weight during hikes. At four, llamas are added to the pack string full time.
Females are halter broke, desensitized and added to the breeding program or sold.
“For our commercial packers, we do a few hikes in the spring to tune them up before they go out with other people,” says Taylor. “They run on pretty big pasture year-round, so most of the
time our males are in pretty good shape.”
A growing success
As the Hicks have learned and grown, their llama packing business has continued to become a growing success.
Today, Uinta Valley Pack Llamas offers both llamas for rent, as well as three-day and custom guided packing tours through the Uinta-WasatchCache National Forest.
A focus on enhanced advertising strategies over the past few years has increased the amount of llamas rented and trips booked,
especially in the summer.
Taylor explains customers usually start booking in July through the month of October, and hunting season is one of their busiest times of the year.
“Before people can rent out our llamas, we give them a class to show them how to take care of the llamas and use all of the equipment,” Taylor explains. “It’s pretty similar to other pack stock.”
“We also have trailers and stock racks we rent to people, if need be,” she adds.
The time, effort and hurdles crossed to get to where they are today have no doubt paid off for the Hicks’ unique business venture, and the two note their favorite accomplishment is seeing how much their genetics have improved since they started.
“We are very much still horse people when it comes to packing into the backcountry, but from a business point of view and with how easy llamas are, they are the perfect pack animal to rent to people who may not have any pack stock experience until they come to our ranch,” says Taylor.
“We have to use our horses because we can’t keep up with the demand for the llamas people want to rent, especially in the fall when we go hunting,” she continues. “Jake still gets to take the younger, less-experienced males for his shed
hunting and deer hunt trips.”
“We love hearing all of the stories people tell when they get back from their trips,” concludes Taylor. “So far, the llamas have done their jobs and everyone has come back very surprised with how easy they are to care for and the benefits they get by having our llamas pack all of the weight for them.”
For more information on Uinta Valley Pack Llamas, visit uintavalleypackllamas.com or @uintavalleypackllamas on Facebook and Instagram. Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Hometown
Benedict’s 1080 N. Highway 414 Mountain View, WY 307-782-6090 www.benedictsace.com
• Gates and Panels in All Sizes
• Feeders and Watering Troughs
• Salt Blocks
• Metal Posts
• Barbed Wire and Smooth Wire
• Livestock Tags
• Farm and Ranch Supplies
• Purina Livestock Feeds
• Equine Supplies
• Lumber Building Materials
Items In Stock,
Backcountry pack animals – Through trial and error, Jake and Taylor Hicks have found the guanaco breed works best for packing in the backcountry. Courtesy photo
RURAL VETERINARY PRACTICES
Rural Veterinary Practices has been caring for the needs of small and large animals in southwest Wyoming for over 30 years.
Dr. Ben Osborne and his wife Andrea relocated to Mountain View 14 years ago and purchased two established veterinary practices from Dr. Mark Isom in Fort Bridger and Dr. Kevin O’Neal in Green River. They have enjoyed being part of the Uinta County community.
The couple now owns and operates two clinics –one in Fort Bridger and the other in Green River.
Ben, an Oregon native, grew up around agriculture as his dad who is a cattle buyer operated a mixed commercial cattle ranch in Lakeview, Ore.
After high school, Ben was inspired to further his education in veterinary medicine and graduated from Ore-
gon State University Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine in Corvallis, Ore.
He also has a master’s degree in cattle production and is a Production Animal Consultation group member.
Andrea is a Northern California native who also grew up in the agricultural industry and helps manage the family business.
“We decided to venture out and ended up in the Cowboy State looking for a better way of life. We found ourselves in the Bridger Valley where my sister and brotherin-law were residing,” Andrea says.
Over the years, the couple has welcomed three sons into their lives – Rangle, Reese and Riggin.
She says, “Rangle is attending Lamar Community College in Lamar, Colo., studying horse training and management. Reese is a
Lyman High School sophomore and Riggin is a fifth grader at Lyman Elementary.”
With a love for agriculture, each of the boys has enjoyed being a member of 4-H and FFA and has participated in rodeo and horse reining.
Veterinary services
“We provide quality and progressive medicine for all pets, as well as many educational opportunities in the areas of veterinary medicine and pet education,” Andrea says.
Rural Veterinary Practices is actively involved in the community, often involving local 4-H and FFA programs.
She mentions, “We also sponsor local youth athletics and academic programs, host educational courses, work with daycares and preschools on education and place animals, all while working with
local shelters and humane societies.”
The practices provide comprehensive services for all species, including companion animal dental, equine dental, orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, vaccinations and cold laser therapy.
“It has been a great experience to have a practice in Sweetwater County so we can provide quality medi-
UINTA COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
cine for our clients,” Ben and Andrea explain. “We have gotten to know great people in the community.”
Between both locations, Rural Veterinary Practices also provide comprehensive cattle and equine services, plus embryo transfer and artificial insemination.
“Livestock is our passion, we are always looking for ways to help elevate production medicine to a new level,” the couple states. “Through the services we offer, we want to ensure we are adding additional value to the progressive and quality medicine we provide.”
Advancing care
Rural Veterinary Practices provides mixed animal services and serves multiple communities, which can be challenging.
Ben and Andrea note, “Finding mixed animal veterinarians is becoming much more difficult so we are extremely lucky to have such a great group of veterinarians on our team.”
Rural Veterinary Practices prides itself on educating the next veterinarians or technicians ready to enter the world of veterinary medicine.
“We have provided an experience for over 100 students in our 10 years of owning the business,” Andrea states.
Rural Veterinary Practices offers hands-on experience for senior veterinary students who need more preparation for their future careers as veterinarians.
“We have a successful recruiting program. We network with multiple universities offering preceptorship, externship and internship programs,” Andrea adds.
“The recruiting program started slowly but now we see anywhere from six to 10 students a year come through our program.”
Students who choose Rural Veterinary Practices receive experience in large animals including the cow/ calf sector, but they also gain experience with all species, as they can quickly go from spaying a dog to working on a dystocia in a short time.
For more information on Rural Veterinary Practices, visit ruralvetpractices.com
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Western heritage –The Osborne family continues to embrace the Western way of life in Uinta County. Pictured from left to right are Reese, Riggin, Andrea, Ben and Rangle Osborne. Courtesy photo
CHASING DREAMS
Tim
Shortly after graduating from the University of Wyoming (UW), Bridger Valley natives Tim and Katy Redmon returned home to the foothills of the Uinta Mountain Range to chase their ranching dreams.
Today, the couple is proudly living the life they always aspired to, carrying on the historical UH brand and raising a family of their own.
The early years
Both Tim and Katy grew up in the Bridger Valley –Tim in Lyman and Katy a few miles away on the Behunin Ranch in Fort Bridger.
“Tim’s roots run deep here in the Bridger Valley as well, with the Eyre side of the family settling mainly on the lower bench below Lyman,” Katy explains.
At the age of 14, Tim’s father bought a fishing business in Alaska, where he spent summers working as a deckhand and eventually bought the business with his sister and brother-in-law, running a boat as a captain.
Both Tim and Katy attended UW, where Tim earned a degree in engineering and Katy in nursing. After graduation, the couple moved back to Uinta County with dreams of starting their own cow herd and raising their own family.
“It was shortly after Tim and I had both graduated from college and returned home we began seeking out ways we could run cows,” shares Katy. “Tim was working full time as an engineer, and I was working part time as a nurse. With the help of both of our families, we were able to purchase a set of 40 cows and find some leased ground to run them on.”
“The early years were hard,” she admits. “We had four babies in five years, but a little at a time we continued to buy more cows and find more leases. We had a common goal of being able to support ourselves completely off of the ranch.”
Katy confesses the greatest challenge they have had to overcome was starting from nothing.
“We started with a cow loan and an 80-acre lease,” she says. “Finding opportunities to lease and building a reputation to find landowners willing to trust us with their investment has taken several years.”
Continuing a legacy
Last year, Tim and Katy’s hard work and perseverance paid off when the opportunity to run Richard and Carol Hamilton’s ranch arose.
“This increased our land and herd size considerably. We were able to buy their cows and lease their ground,” Katy explains. “It felt like coming home. The Behunin Ranch borders the Hamilton Ranch, and Richard and I share a common lineage through the Hamilton family.”
She continues, “We knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and felt extremely honored we were even being considered to have a part in continuing the Hamilton leg-
acy. The Hamiltons have been very accommodating with the transition and continue to be a lot of help and support. Their knowledge and stewardship for the land is astounding.”
In addition to running the Hamilton’s ranch, Tim and Katy also have the chance to continue the legacy of the historic UH brand, which originally belonged to Judge William A. Carter, a cattle baron, merchandiser, influential politician and Wyoming’s first self-made millionaire.
“I had heard my family talk about the UH brand as a child, but I never imagined I would one day have the opportunity, alongside my husband, to brand our cattle with it,” shares Katy. “It’s truly a testament to Richard and Carol and their love and care for the heritage and agriculture lifestyle to allow us to continue the use of the UH brand and run their ranch as a whole.”
Raising a well-rounded family
On top of building their operation from the ground up, Tim and Katy have also raised four well-rounded, hardworking children who are involved in every aspect of the ranch.
Katy shares all of her children have been home schooled at one point or another to give them the opportunity to be involved in areas of ranch life they would normally miss while going to school.
This year, their youngest daughter Claire, a sixth grader, is the only one at home, and their other children attend school in Lyman – Isabel is a senior, Kahl is a sophomore and Ian is in eighth grade.
“Our hope is that our kids leave the house well rounded, knowing how to work and do a job well,” Katy says. “We want them to know how to do every part of the operation,
whether it’s operating equipment or roping at branding.”
As well-rounded individuals themselves, Tim and Katy make good role models for their four kids, participating in off-ranch community ag organizations and making time for individual hobbies.
Katy notes Tim currently sits on the Bridger Valley Water Conservancy District Board as well as several canal company boards. He was also recently invited to serve as a member of the Salinity Control Program Forum and Advisory Council for the Colorado River and its tributaries.
In the past, Tim also worked as a water commissioner for the state of Wyoming, where he learned a great deal about Wyoming water law.
“Water and water-related issues have always been an interest to him, and irrigating is one of his favorite jobs during the summer,” she says.
“His love for irrigating started as a young boy when he was only five or six and he would irrigate with his dad.”
In addition to homeschooling her kids, Katy dabbles in leatherwork and making wild rags.
Living out a dream
“Besides raising kids who are grounded and hardworking, our greatest accomplishment has been going from a two-income household to support our ranching dream, to purely a ranching income. This was our dream, and we worked very hard for it,” notes Katy. “We have made many financial and time sacrifices to get to where we are today.”
Despite the sacrifices made and the challenges the Redmons continue to face –equipment costs, cost of land, inflation and labor shortages –there is no place Tim and Katy would rather be.
“There are days when things are tough, but watching a newborn calf figure out how to nurse, watching the crops and cattle grow, the changing of the seasons, the comradery with neighbors and friends and
working with our family and seeing them grow and gain confidence always makes the hardships worth it,” Katy says.
“And, nothing beats a day horseback.”
She continues, “Hands down, our favorite part of being involved in the ag industry is the people. People in ag are so grounded and hard work-
ing. We share common hardships and missions. We tend to see the world through the same lens. We have made some incredible friendships while being involved in agriculture. We also both love working with animals and are constantly working on our stockmanship and stewardship.”
When it comes to offering
advice for young couples finding their way in the ag industry today, Katy says, “If God has opened a door of opportunity, don’t be afraid to walk through it. He will provide.”
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
Thursday, February 13, 2025
At the ranch in Veteran, WY Lunch: Noon • Sale Time: 1 p.m. Selling 140 Fall Yearlings
DR.
8,000’
Cherry Crk Blue Collar G275
Donor Dam B211
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