2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Nestled alongside the Black Hills of South Dakota and north of the Thunder Basin National Grasslands of Wyoming, Crook County boasts a rich history in Wyoming, with agriculture playing a pivotal role in its development and continued thriving economy. Early history After years of tension with native Indian tribes, some of the first settlers arrived in Crook County in 1876 to stake mining claims and begin small ranches. Beulah, then known as Sand Creek, is considered the first settlement in Crook County, drawing gold prospectors in the 1870s. “The 1876 rush that began in Lead and Deadwood, Dakota Territory, extended west to Sand Creek, and while discoveries of the precious metal dwindled, the lush grass and plentiful water were enough to attract cattlemen to replace the gold-seekers who left,� says Nicole Lebsack in an article titled, “Crook County� at wyohistory.org. In 1875, Wyoming’s territorial legislature created Crook and Johnson counties out of the northeastern portion of the ter-

ritory, but it was almost a decade before a county government was organized and the town of Sundance became the county seat. “By 1880, many large cattle operations were working the area and claimed all the land with direct access to Sand and Redwater creeks near Beulah,� Lebsack continues. Blossoming economy “Crook County’s industrial past dates to the discovery in the 1870s of coal deposits about 20 miles northeast of Sundance, near what would become Aladdin,� Lebsack says. The Black Hills Coal Company was founded in 1895 and began mining in Crook County. To transport coal more efficiently, the company built the Wyoming and Missouri River Railroad from the Aladdin area to the main Chicago and Northwestern Railroad line in Belle Fourche, S.D. Bentonite mining also became important to the county’s economy after the turn of the century as the demand for the mineral grew dramatically. Since the late 1870s, cattle had been coming to northeastern Wyoming from Texas along the Texas Trail

“Once they reached the Wyoming end of the trail, some Texas cowboys from the trail herds stayed, settled in Crook County and went to work on large ranches; a few built thriving ranching operations of their own,� Lebsack notes. In the 1890s, Moorcroft became the largest cattle shipping point in the U.S., and it remained an important shipping point until soon after the end of World War II. Sheep production moved into the area, and soon, sheep outnumbered cattle in Wyoming by the turn of the century. Present day Looking at the present-day economy of Crook County, ranching and farming continues to play a significant role, with thriving ranches, farms and other agricultural businesses located in the county. The oil, gas and mining industries also contribute steadily to the economy, with many companies operating in Crook County. “Uranium was discovered in 1949, and the Homestake Mining Company opened north of Hulett to take advantage of this growing industry. The mine is

still in operation,� Leback says. Logging continues to be a large industry in Crook County, as well. “Neiman Enterprises, Inc., founded in 1936 and using timber from U.S. For-

est Service timber sales on the Black Hills National Forest, still operates a sawmill in Hulett,� she concludes. “In 2005, the county provided 58 percent of Wyoming’s timber, with more than 38 million board feet

produced.� This article is compiled using information from wyohistory.org. Emilee Gibb is editor of Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at emilee@wylr.net.

Crook County ranches featured in this edition: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Wilson Ranch Nuckolls Ranch Muleshoe Ranch Judy McCullough Crook County Veterinary Service Jensen Ranch Graham Ranch Devils Tower FFA Wishbone Ranch

10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

Moline Ranch Diamond 7 Bar Ranch Williams Ranch Rafter H Cattle Neiman Enterprises, Inc. Campstool Ranch Devils Tower Goats Crook County Natural Resource District

18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.

Warbonnet Ranch Neiman Cattle Company, LLC Ista Ranch Sundance Equipment Zimmerschied Ranch Northfork Buffalo Ranch Wolf Ranch Pearson Ranch Kuhbacher Ranch

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2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Alva – Not many things in life are better than sorting pairs out of the calving pasture with a good horse on a sunny, spring day when the grass is green and growing, Wayne Wilson says. “It’s a quality way of life that I appreciate and value very much,” states the thirdgeneration rancher from Alva. Wilson, his wife Susan and son Kellen work together to manage the Wilson Ranch. Wayne and Susan’s daughter Lauren lives in Omaha, Neb., where she attends the University of Nebraska Medical Center and will soon earn her pharmacy degree. A century on the ranch Wayne’s grandfather Carl settled in Crook County about 100 years ago. “He came to the U.S. from Sweden, migrated West and ended up here,” Wilson says. “He married my grandmother Lola. They raised their family here and started the family ranching tradition we are continuing today.” The Wilson family has always believed cattle and farming are both needed to make a well-rounded and economically viable operation. In addition to cattle, they raise hay and small grains, which can be used to feed the cattle during dry years or as a cash crop when the harvest is more bountiful. The operation started with traditional Hereford cattle but started changing to Angus cattle in the 1970s. “Over time, our operation moved from a commercial cattle operation to a valueadded operation. We started to place more emphasis on rais-

ing better cattle and seeking more value per head,” Wilson explains. Moving to registered Wilson took over management of the operation in 1992. “We started raising bulls in 2010 after we had the opportunity to buy most of the Pannell Ranch Angus cows when they liquidated their herd,” he explains. “The Pannells are long-time friends and previously our neighbors to the north.” “They had an exceptionally good group of registered Angus cows. When Jim Pannell asked me if I wanted to buy the herd, it didn’t take me long to say yes,” Wilson recalls. Once they purchased the cows, the family had a decision to make. “We asked ourselves if we wanted to raise Angus bulls, fully recognizing there were many Angus breeders in the area, or if we wanted to do something different,” Wil-

son says. “We decided to cross the cows with a purebred Simmental to create an improved solid black, smoothed, polled product.” SimAngus cattle The Simmental-Angus cross appealed to Wilson because the Simmental breed is recognized as the highest ranking continental breed for calving ease, weaning weight and marbling. “Angus have the highest ranking for calving ease, weaning weight and marbling of the British breeds. Crossing the two breeds yields hybrid vigor and combines these desirable traits of both breeds in a moderately-sized, functional package,” he says. “Initially, we crossed the Simmental and Angus because there was a good market for the half-blood females, and we knew where we could sell those,” he continues. “We also had an opportunity to buy a semen interest in an exceptional solid black, smooth, polled Simmental bull named

WAGR Driver 608T. We artificially inseminated all our cows to Driver that first year.” “When spring came, the cows produced some really nice heifer calves, as we expected,” he continues. “What we didn’t anticipate was how good the bull calves turned out to be.” He continues, “We ended up leaving the top calves as bulls and started selling them to a few of our neighbors. It has grown from there.” “We have been fortunate to have cattle that calve easily because they are moderate birthweight and the right shape. They hit the ground, nurse their mother and perform well, gaining pounds through the summer,” he says. “We have very good weaning weights with no creep feed – just the mother’s milk and grass.” Raising registered like their customers Unlike many bull breeders, the Wilsons calve in large pastures on the range where the cows are expected to take care of themselves and their calves with little care. “We get quite a lot of snow here, so we have to feed four or five months out of the year,” he explains. “We don’t calve anything in the corrals or the barn. They find shelter in

SimAngus genetics - Wilson Ranch runs Simmental-Angus cross cattle because of the breed’s ability to provide calving ease, weaning weight and marbling. Courtesy photo

the pastures and calve on their own.” He continues, “We feel it is important to calve these cows the same way our customers do. We don’t feed our calves any creep feed or supplement in the summer, other than salt and mineral. We achieve remarkably high weaning weights through good genetics and Wyoming grass.” After the bull calves are weaned, they are moved to a 60-acre pasture where they are fed Purina Accuration from feeders and long-stem grass hay on the ground. “We don’t own a feed wagon or a mixer. It is a lower input range system where the bulls get plenty of exercise,” he explains. “We feed hay on one end of the pasture, and they travel to the other end for water and the Accuration. It seems to be a good way to develop their feet and legs.” “They grow and build muscle, but they don’t get too fat,” he notes. Selling bulls Wilson has found the best advertising comes from customers who have had success with their bulls. “It is very satisfying to

sell bulls to our neighbors and see them work wean higher value calves. It is important to us that our bulls do their jobs in the pasture and our customers get the performance they expect and deserve,” he says. “Our goal is to keep our customers happy, improve our offering each year and eventually market some of the heifers at our production sale,” he says. “Long-term, we would like to eventually integrate our program with a feeding operation to track the benefits of what we’re doing.” Wilson adds, “We would like to give our customers an option for a better market for their product and more dollars in their pockets. Often they just don’t get paid a bonus like they should for raising good cattle.” The Wilson Ranch SimAngus bull sale is held annually on the last Friday in March at St. Onge Livestock Auction in St. Onge, S.D. Learn more about Wilson Ranch at wilsonsimangus.com or by calling 307-467-5550. Gayle Smith is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net

Marketing The biggest challenge of raising breeding bulls is reaching new customers who will benefit from what the Wilson cattle genetics have to offer. “There are a lot of bull breeders out there, and we have to find ways to get our product information out there for customers to see,” Wayne Wilson says. “Ranchers are creatures of habit, and it can be a challenge to get them to switch from what they have been doing to try different genetics.” He explains, “We offer bulls proven to produce higher weaning weights, and once producers see the extra dollars, the bulls sell themselves.” The first two years, the family sold bulls at their ranch, and then in 2012, they moved the sale 50 miles east to St. Onge Livestock Auction in St. Onge, S.D. “We made the move because the weather was sometimes uncooperative, and we felt the move would help us attract a bigger group of buyers. The crew at St. Onge has treated us really well, and they have helped us expand our market,” he says.

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Hulett – Behind Devils Tower, Nuckolls Ranch is home to several thousand head of sheep and cattle, owned by Jw and Thea Nuckolls and their family. The couple has been

together since the 1950s, but the Nuckolls family influence extends back to the turn of the century. “Dad traded 100 head of horses for this place,” says Jw Nuckolls of the location

Nuckolls history - Jw and Thea Nuckolls were married in 1959, and they run sheep and cattle between Hulett and Devils Tower. This year, Nuckolls ranch celebrated 100 years in business. Courtesy photo

where the ranch sits today. “He’d already homesteaded around Hulett in 1912, but he knew there wasn’t much future of expanding at that spot.” With a desire to expand, Nuckolls’ father William Swift Nuckolls continued searching for the right place to live, and a week before they were married, Nuckolls’ mother Myra homesteaded on ground near their current headquarters. Starting a ranch “Dad was 17 at the time, and he came and started the ranch here,” Nuckolls explains. The family started running sheep, and their original herd of sheep came from Empire Sheep Company in 1945, which was the largest sheep ranch at the time.

Nuckolls was one of seven siblings. With four older sisters and two brothers, he knew it would be difficult to come back to the ranch. However, when his younger brother passed away as the result of a brain injury at a young age and his other brother got cross-wise with his father, Nuckolls was positioned to take over. Nuckolls returned home after graduating from the University of Wyoming in 1955, and he met his wife Thea shortly after, when he was searching for Corriedale sheep. He purchased a herd in the 1950s. The couple was married in 1959. They returned to Hulett, and Nuckolls inherited the family ranch just a few years later. They’ve continued to add property to the ranch as it comes up for sale. Nuckolls says that some of the properties they’ve purchased hadn’t been grazed for 30 years or better. “There wasn’t much grass growing in some places because there was

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such a mat on the ground to grow the grass, but we came in with a large group of cows and calves and grazed it pretty heavy to try to rejuvenate it,” he says, noting that they’ve seen some new growth recently. “This sandy loam soil produces tremendous grass. We run on mostly open country, and it has good grass.” Sheep and cattle The Nuckolls are well recognized for the sheep that they raise on their property. Today, the sheep are Rambouillet, but the family has used Corriedales and Merino influence, as well. “Our sheep have the best of all worlds. They’re the only sheep in our grazing association,” he says. “The worst part is that leaves predators coming in all directions. We use dogs to try and protect the sheep.” Their Rambouillet sheep lamb in large pastures near the home ranch and have for the last four years. Prior to that, the family shed lambed everything. “We didn’t have very good luck the first couple years,” says Nuckolls, noting that their first year pasture lambing, they were hit with freezing rain in early June, and the next year, they saw devastating hail. “This year, we did well though.” They aim to dock a 130 percent lamb crop, and the vast majority of the time, they’re successful. “When we were shed lambing, we lost 15 to 20 percent of our lambs to predators,” Nuckolls says. “It’s tough, even though we don’t turn out the lambs until May 5.” The Nuckolls family also raises a herd of Angus cattle, which are rotated through pastures using electric fence and a grazing system. “My grandson Kyle coordinates the grazing,” Nuckolls says. “He gives the cattle enough room for two or three days, and then they move the electric fences.” Raising feed In addition to the sheep and cattle, the Nuckolls have hay meadows and are experimenting with different options for the best feed. “All our pastures used to be hay, and we’d cut

them during the summer to feed in the winter,” Nuckolls says. “This year, my son Will and Kyle have decided that it might be better to graze them in the winter.” They planted cover crops using a no-till drill, with some success. “This year was really dry,” Nuckolls explains, “and I think the cover crops would have done better if we got more moisture this year.” They raised wheat for many years when Nuckolls first came back to the ranch after college, and today, they plant Willow Creek wheat. “Willow Creek is a hay wheat,” Nuckolls says. “It’s designed for a lot of forage and tonnage.” The Nuckolls have also used grazing to manage their cheatgrass. Nuckolls says one pasture used to be solid cheatgrass, but they grazed it right after calving and lambing for about 10 days when the cheatgrass was still palatable. “They’d mow it off and we’d move out of there,” he says. “They grazed early enough that the cool season grasses would get a jump on the cheatgrass.” Family Jw and Thea actively run their ranch today, and their son Will works alongside them, along with their grandson Kyle and daughter-in-law Charlie. Their other children, Nan, Dawn, Zeta and Sam, are also involved as they can be, visiting frequently. “We have 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, too,” Nuckolls says. “They keep us pretty busy.” For the future, Nuckolls says Will and Kyle will likely take over the place. “There’s probably enough here now to support two families,” he says. “I enjoy ranching more than anything I’ve ever done,” Nuckolls says. “Every season is a little different, and I never stop learning. It’s a great job and a great life.” Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comment on this article to saige@wylr.net.

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For Jw and Thea Nuckolls, improving the land has been important. In the country they live in, that means taking care of the forests in the area. “We’ve thinned the trees for commercial timber quite a bit,” Nuckolls says. “We’ve done quite a bit of thinning work, but now, the floor of the forest has grass coming it. It was just pine needles before we did the thinning work.” He says, “We haven’t seen the mountain pine beetle come in because we’ve thinned the trees. They’re healthy, and it’s harder for the beetles to get a start here.” Removing the timber improves the land for grazing, and Nuckolls adds they have done extensive work to remove dead and down trees, as well, to improve the ability to use the land for livestock grazing. Encroachment of the trees into the meadows is also a concern, and Nuckolls has invested in some meadow retention work, though they look to do more. The ranch also has good water, for the most part. They test their water to make sure that sulfate levels don’t exceed recommended requirements. While they’ve had good luck with water, Nuckolls says they’ve also worked to install solar wells and pipelines to improve water availability. They have also worked to restore streams and rejuvenate streambanks to prevent erosion.

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2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Colony – Colony rancher Jim Dacar explains the Muleshoe Ranch was officially founded in the early 1950s after his wife Roxie’s grandfather Thorval Jensen, Sr. purchased the land in the 1940s. “The bank had repossessed the ranch, and he was the kind of guy who would stick his neck out and take a chance,” says Dacar. Now, the ranch prides itself in being a progressive, family-operated business with four generations living on the ranch. Ranching business Muleshoe Ranch is primarily a cow/calf operation, with a mother cowherd of approximately 900 head. “The only yearlings we run are for replacements,” explains Dacar. “We run mostly Black Angus cross, with some Simmental crosses in there.” Dacar says the ranch primarily sells calves through video sales, noting, “We’ve gotten along with that pretty well the last two or three years.” The ranch also has 1,200 acres of farm ground, which is primarily used to produce hay for their cattle, with approximately 450 acres the ranch is able to irrigate. “We rotate out into small grains or something we can cut for hay and then go back into alfalfa,” he comments. “We’re a member of the Crook County Irrigation District, so that saves us. We have water most years.” In addition to their regular ranching operations, the Muleshoe Ranch also has an outfitting business. “My wife and I started that in the early 80s, and we continue with that now on this place,” says Dacar. Guiding opportunities Getting started in the guiding business began as an additional source of income to be able to purchase land and livestock, says Dacar. “My wife and I were working on another ranch not far from here, and we had to come up with something because we wanted to get into livestock and buy some land,” he comments. “I leased hunting rights from the guy I worked for, and we started up that way.” He explains they began guiding 60 hunters per year and leased a large amount of land in previous years. “We’ve gotten older, and there’s a lot of competition on leasing ground. We basically just hunt this ranch and take about 20 to 25 hunters per year,” continues Dacar. “My wife does the cooking. I do the guiding, and my sons might help some on the guiding.” Muleshoe Ranch is home to a variety of wildlife species, including mule and whitetail deer, pronghorn, turkey and elk. Rewards and challenges Growing up on a farm

in South Dakota, Dacar explains a life in agriculture was always in his plans. “I liked horses and livestock and always wanted to ranch,” says Dacar. “I like being my own boss and being out here doing what we want to do.” Dacar credits the ranching lifestyle for allowing his children to develop care and appreciation for the land. “The ranch instilled a

really good work ethic into my kids, and it’s also developed their love for this ranch,” he continues. Continuing the ranching legacy in the family is invaluable for Dacar, he says. “The most important thing for me is passing this ranch on to the next generation,” comments Dacar. “For my wife’s father, one of his last requests was that we keep this ranch together.”

Family involvement Dacar explains that Muleshoe Ranch is a family affair, with both of his sons and their families actively involved in the ranching operation. “My oldest son Levi is an engineer at the Department of Transportation in Sundance. He and his wife Lana are weekend warriors for us,” he says. “They’ve got a little girl Ellie, who is 3.” Dacar’s youngest son Caleb lives and works on the ranch with his family. “His wife Megan is going to school to be a nurse practitioner, so she’s pretty busy,” continues Dacar. “They have Owen, who is two-and-a-

half, and Elise, who is about 3 months. They’re busy with young families and trying to get the work done.” As he and his family look toward the future, Dacar notes a goal for the ranch is to improve its carrying capacity. “There is a lot we can do with the existing ranch to improve carrying capac-

ity,” he concludes. “One thing we’ve been working on the past four or five years is increasing our hay base before we try to expand any farther to prepare for high cost hay years.” Emilee Gibb is editor of Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at emilee@wylr.net.

Generations – Jim Dacar is the third generation of his family to ranch on the Muleshoe Ranch, and he is passing the tradition on to his children and grandchildren. Courtesy photo

ANNOUNCING: Weston County Wyoming ABSOLUTE REAL ESTATE AUCTION 320+ Prime Timber/Meadow Acres Highway 16 Frontage – Reservoir Water

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2017 · 10:30 a.m. Auction held at the Weston County Fairgrounds, Newcastle, WY. PROPERTY LOCATED, 13 miles NW of NEWCASTLE, WY. on US Highway 16 OR 2 miles SE of OSAGE, WY on US Highway 16 & ¼ mi. east to the property.

Family – Muleshoe Ranch prides itself in being a family operated business, with the fifth generation of ranch hands joining the family crew, which includes (back row, left to right) Megan, Caleb, Levi, Lana (front row, left to right) Elise, Roxie, Owen, Ellie and Jim Dacar. Courtesy photo

Property consists of an attractive, well located 320+ acre tract adjacent to Highway 16, just SE of Osage Wyoming. This parcel features a nice balance of meadow and Ponderosa Pine timber as well as 2 spring fed reservoirs.

If you are unable to attend: Live online bidding available Registration & pre-qualification at www.bradeenauction.hibid.com

PROPERTY INSPECTION: Auctioneers/Brokers will be at the property on Wednesday’s, September 20th and 27th from 2-4 each day, or feel free to inspect at your convenience, approximate location of property/tract corners are marked with blue/white ribbon, maps available onsite. AUCTIONEERS NOTE: The timbered and meadow acreage is prime. Inspect this property, do your homework, and be prepared to bid Auction day, as this property will sell without minimum or reserve! TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Absolute Auction, selling to the highest bidder auction day without minimum or reserve bid! Watch www.bradeenauction.com for complete terms and conditions, photos, video, showing info, etc. ALSO SELLING – At “ONLINE ONLY PUBLIC AUCTION”, full lineup of ranch & shop related equipment. See details at www.bradeenauction.hibid.com Owners: Ted & Cindy Helkenn, Newcastle, WY

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Hulett – Judy McCullough never thought she’d be running a ranch by herself, but when her husband Curt passed away in 1995, the rancher pulled her hat down tight and decided to keep on ranching. “When Curt died in 1995, cow prices were terrible. I couldn’t bring

myself to sell two men’s life work for peanuts,� she says. “Then, by the time the prices came back up, I wanted to keep ranching.� McCullough admits to being “scared half of the time those first five years.� “I never worked harder in my life,� she continues. “I had to do everything I

expected my partner to do. But I had good advisors.� “My dad was still alive, and he was a good stockman,� she says. She credits her father and neighbor Skip Waters for being her greatest supporters and teachers. “I got a university education from those two,� she admits. Even though she had a hired man to assist with the work, there was still plenty of learning to keep the ranch running. On the ranch Today, the ranch has

Herefords with a twist. “We put Longhorn bulls on our yearling heifers,� notes McCullough. “first for the calving ease. Then, those Longhorn bulls keep the neighbors’ bulls out.� She continues, “In addition, those Longhorncross calves sure teach a young cow to keep a calf with her at all times. We don’t have 200 calves in the back when we’re trailing them. We put them through the gate, and in a couple of minutes, there is no bawling.� She admits the Longhorn calves aren’t worth as much in the fall, so they keep them and sell them as yearlings. “They are worth as much as any other yearling,� McCullough says.

“We can’t complain if we don’t try to make a change. We’ve got to get everyone educated about what’s coming down the pike.� – Judy McCullough She uses Hereford bulls on the second-calf heifers and the older cows. Work on the ranch McCullough calves the April 15 until around June 15. “We calve later because we calve all of the cows in the open, except for the two-year-old heifers,� she explains. “It’s rare we need to pull one, but things happen, and sometimes, we’ll need to have them close.� Hereford bulls are purchased from Largents out of Kaycee, Fawcett Herefords from Ree Heights, S.D., Mrnak Herefords

Rich History

Ranching woman - After Judy McCullough’s husband Curt passed away in 1995, the widow decided she wanted to keep ranching. She has successfully maintained the ranch on her own for over 20 years, while also getting involved in the issues facing the agriculture industry. Courtesy photo

Judy McCullough had a great reason for keeping the place in the family. It was the headquarters for the Empire Sheep Company, established in 1898 by S.A. Guthrie. He went to Crook County in the fall of 1889. Guthrie started out on the 101 Ranch and then bought the Plowman’s place, which is where the McCullough ranch is today. His livestock business led him to be one of the principal owners of the Empire Sheep Company, which ran in North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Back then, they had 100 sheep wagons and herders to go with each wagon. “Two of the original barns are gone, but the one that remains was constructed by a ship builder who used pegs instead of nails,� McCullough explains.

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There is an original bunkhouse the McCulloughs now use as a shop and the old commissary building still stands. She says, “All that was here for a long time was the Empire Sheep Company and the 101 Ranch down river.� The Guthries were good friends with McCullough’s grandfather. “William Hahn homesteaded in the Flag Butte area because Guthrie recommended it,� she explains. “They were good friends. In fact, my aunt’s middle name, Isabel, was Guthrie’s wife’s name.� McCullough married her late husband Curt in 1976 and moved onto the ranch. Leonard and Margaret McCullough had bought the ranch from Isabel Guthrie. The sheep were gone by that time.

from Bowman, N.D. and Micheli Herefords out of Ft. Bridger. The Longhorn bulls are purchased from The Wyoming Longhorn Ranch at Cowley. “Because our entire ranch is contiguous land that we own as private property plus a small BLM allotment we own, we have it easy moving cattle from pasture to pasture,� McCullough says. “We will put about 250 pairs from the calving pasture into the first pasture.� “Once they are in there, we move into the next pasture where they get branded. The late ones are calved and put them with the two-year-old heifer pairs and brand those with the late ones,� she comments. “We hold them in the first pasture and move one herd ahead of the other. This way, the young cows don’t have to compete for the grass with the older cows.� Love for cattle and ag issues The hard-working widow says she really enjoys being with her cattle. She reminisces, “We’ve come through bad fires, bad droughts and Continued on next page

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2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page some terrible winters. I remember one winter was so bad, I called Skip and said, ‘Someone like me shouldn’t own cows in a winter like this,’ to which he responded, ‘Nobody should own cows in a winter like this.’” After Curt died, McCullough became increasingly involved in property rights issues. “In 2007, a state legislator who is my neighbor told me the Wyoming Legislature’s ag committee was going around the state having meetings to see if they could improve the rights of property owners with the eminent domain laws,” she says. “I was a member of R-CALF USA and decided we needed a Wyoming organization. Charlie Stevenson, Vanna Waters and I held a meeting in Casper to establish

the Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming.” She continues, “We decided to only focus on a few critical issues as not to get overwhelmed. We focus on property rights and ranching issues. Because of my involvement with the R-CALF

animal identification committee, I’ve gone to Washington, D.C. to testify for R-CALF, representing our cow/calf producers.” McCullough admits she’s done a lot to speak up on western issues. “As one rancher said about getting involved, ‘I’d rather stay home and fence, but what good is a fence

Hereford cattle - Judy McCullough’s Hereford heifers are bred to Longhorn bulls. After their first calf, the Hereford cows are bred to Hereford bulls. Courtesy photo

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if I don’t have my land?’” McCullough emphasizes. “We can’t complain if we don’t try to make a change. I’m very concerned about packer concentration and about the Global

Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB),” she says, noting that R-CALF’s annual meeting addresses such issues to educate their members. “We’ve got to get everyone educated about

what’s coming down the pike.” Rebecca Colnar is a correspondent to the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Support - Though she operates the ranch by herself and with a hired man on a day-to-day basis, Judy McCullough has a strong support system to help her out. When new corrals were necessary, (from left to right) grandson Josh Gerstner, son-in-law Justin Gerstner and Branson Wendling, a hired neighbor, were on hand to help with the task. Courtesy photo

WINTER CATTLEMEN'S EDITION Featuring Western Nebraska

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A8

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Sundance – Warren Crawford has been in Sundance for 40 years. After he graduated from Kansas State University, he moved to Crook County in 1977 and started his own vet practice. “I grew up in southern Kansas,� Warren says. “I worked in Wyoming when I was in college, and I had a desire to come back here. There wasn’t a veterinarian in this extreme corner of the state, and I was looking for a place to go in a rural community.� Small community Operating in a small community provides both opportunities and challenges, but Warren says it’s enjoyable. “We do both small animal and large animal

work,� he explains. “Our original intent was to primarily work with large animals, but small animals help keep us busy when there’s not as much going on. They’re an important part of the practice.� In rural communities particularly, Warren sees the benefits of having a veterinary clinic. “A vet clinic in a rural community provides a good service. We could get along without one in Sundance, but it’s nice to have,� he says. “There are a lot of vets who travel a long way to do specialized work, but I’d rather stay local and work for our community.� Holding on to agriculture businesses is important for rural communities,

Amerada Divide Ranch Casper, WY

he adds, noting, “Anything rural communities can hold on to as far as business is important.� Changes over time As veterinary medicine has progressed, technology has changed dramatically. “We have to utilize the technology available,� Warren says, noting that they utilize ultrasounds, x-rays, serum chemistry and more to provide services for their clients. “The basic services we provide haven’t changed, though,� emphasizes Warren. “We certainly do more technical work with each patient.� Despite changing times, Warren says that their customer base is consistent and steady, and he enjoys working with the

Buckhorn Trail Four Corners, WY

people of northeast Wyoming. The future “The future looks good for us,� Warren comments. “I don’t know that we’ll continue to expand much, but that depends on how much development we have in the community.� As more people move into the small towns in the county and more ranches are subdivided into ranchettes, Warren says their business changes slightly. “Production agriculture isn’t increasing, but the number of people with animals is going up,� he explains. “When people move onto a few acres out of town, it’s not uncommon for them to want some cattle, sheep or a few horses.� Warren adds, “An awful lot of rural veterinary practices are pretty dependent on small-scale agriculture.� If the cattle business is successful, he also sees increases in the number of livestock around the region. “Some of what the

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Black Hills retreat on 40 acres with live water and a custom home. Designed for entertaining, the two-level home has 4 bedrooms and 6 baths. Open living spaces, custom cabinets, hardwood floors, two gas fireplaces, huge craft room, tile patio, two decks and immaculate landscaping. 2-car garage, shop, and storage shed. A beautiful home in a pristine backdrop. $599,000.

Remote Black Hills setting southwest of Sundance. 510 acres with a diverse landscape that includes wooded hills, highland meadows with inspiring views, rugged draws and remote hay fields, which would make outstanding sites for food plots. Has a good trail system through the property. $920,000. The adjoining 1,509 acres is also available.

Wallace Draw Hulett, WY

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Secluded ranch in the foothills near Hulett. 1,439 acres including 629 deeded acres, 640 acre State Lease and 170 acre BLM Permit. Cow camp with a well, electricity, shop and corrals. A picturesque landscape with awesome views and privacy. Has Mule Deer and Whitetail. A prime Black Hills recreational holding, hunting camp or private retreat. $1,200,000.

Irrigated farm north of Nisland. 161 acres which includes 119 acres of flood irrigated land with class 3 and 4 soil. Currently the property has 40Âą acres planted to winter wheat with the remaining fields in oats and alfalfa. Has an electrical drop, Butte-Meade Water runs along the county road and it has a livestock reservoir. Close to Orman Dam. $300,000.

Deluxe horse accommodations and a custom home on 45 acres in the western Black Hills. The one level home has an open design with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, gas fireplace, jetted tub, and covered patio. Horse barn with box stalls, tack room, wash stall, hay storage and attached guest apartment. Llama shed and horse shelter. $545,000. More land available.

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Working ranch between Newcastle and Wright. 1,600 acres with hard-grass pastures and some tillable land utilized for improved pasture. Good water resources with a well and pipeline to several tanks, plus a solar well. Mobile home hook-up, corrals with working pens, loafing sheds, and windbreaks. Located in a first-rate antelope area. $960,000.

Western South Dakota ranch in the foothills near Elk Mountain with timbered ridges and open pasturelands. 402 acres in the heart of Black Hills recreation between Custer and Newcastle and close to National Forest. Headquarters set up with a good set of buildings including 3-bedroom doublewide, garage, several sheds, corrals, and a deep water well. $585,000

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Working together - Wade Crawford (left) returned home after veterinary school in 2013 to join his father, Warren Crawford (right), in the family veterinary practice, Crook County Veterinary Service. Saige Albert photo

future holds depends on the cattle business as a whole,� he says. Next generation In 2013, Warren’s son Wade graduated from veterinary school and returned home to assist in the practice. “The year before he came, I had about as many clients as I could take,� Warren says. “When Wade came back, it really helped.� They keep a steady pace throughout the year. “I’ve been in practice for four years, and it’s exciting,� Wade says. “I always knew that this was what I wanted to do.� Wade’s love of the ag industry and the people involved led him back to Sundance to practice with his father. “Our clients we work with are really, really good to deal with and they’re fun to be around,� Wade adds. “I enjoy working with them.� Eventually, Wade will take over the operation. “I don’t know when that will be,� Warren says. “At the moment, I’m still here and working steadily.� While he has considered retirement in his future, Warren adds, “I

don’t think it’s a good idea to retire yet. I like this work, and I’m interested in the vet business and the cattle business. I still like the work, and I’ll be around for a little while yet.� Warren continues that being a vet provides continual education and a new challenge every day. “The vet business is fun. I don’t like to do everything all the time, but for the most part, it’s a lot of fun,� he says. “It’s always enjoyable.� The other aspect of the practice that both Crawfords appreciate are the people of northeast Wyoming. “Northeast Wyoming has been really good to us, and everyone in the ag community recognizes that we have to work together to be successful,� Warren explains. “I feel a sense of responsibility to my clients, and we’ll stick around to serve their needs.� Wade says, “We’re just here to provide a good, affordable service for whoever wants us to do their veterinary work.� Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to saige@wylr.net.

cattle operation While he works full-time at Crook County Veterinary Service, Warren Crawford also owns a ranch outside of town, where he raises 200 Angus cow/calf pairs. “I enjoy the cattle business,� he says. “We try to do what we can to make a good living raising cattle. We’ve had the ranch for 25 years.� However, Warren also adds that his veterinary clients come first, which can be frustrating at times. “Sometimes things fall through the cracks at the ranch because the vet practice comes first,� he explains. “But we’ll always have the cattle.� He continues, “It’s not uncommon for large animal veterinarians to also have a ranch. That’s where my interests lie, so I’m glad we have some cattle at home, too.�

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2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Colony – Located along the Belle Fourche River, Jensen Ranch prides itself in their quality cattle production and management of the land, says rancher Janet Jensen. Jensen, her husband Thorval, Jr. and the couple’s children Lee and Tami manage the family’s operation that has been in business for over 70 years. Rich history Jensen Ranch patriarch Thorval Jensen, Sr. grew up the son of a Danish Lutheran minister who was a traveling troubleshooter for the Lutheran church in Nebraska. In the 1930s, Thorval, Sr. and a friend made their first marks in Wyoming and began the roots of the Jensen family in Wyoming agriculture. “They came to eight miles south of Moorcroft on Buffalo Creek on the homesteader train filled with farming supplies from Cozad, Neb.,” says Jensen. She explains that Thorval, Sr. was able to make a profit selling corn and hogs to oil field workers who preferred the taste of corn-fed hogs to slop-fed hogs. An enterprising businessman, Thorval, Sr. purchased land for alfalfa production and later acquired ranches in the area as he had opportunity where he broke into sheep and cattle production with his wife Lillian. “In 1946, Thorval, Sr. heard of land for sale along the Belle Fourche River, which belonged to three VVV ranches that had gone bankrupt,” Jensen says, noting that the current ranch is comprised of part of that land transaction. Coming back Thorval, Jr. and Janet assumed operation of the land in 1966, spending their working career developing the resources the land had to offer. Nearly 1,200 acres of land were cleared, leveled and finalized into useable hay land and crop land. Jensen also notes numerous miles of canals and irrigation works were developed, with large impoundments constructed to provide supplemental irrigation water. Jensen explains that the couple’s two children

Tami and Lee originally pursued careers outside of ranching before returning to the family operation. “Tami went to the University of Wyoming (UW) and got her degree in accounting. She worked in Arizona, Texas and Idaho with a helicopter crew doing firefighting contracts,” says Jensen. She continues, “Lee went to UW and got his bachelor’s degree in range management and master’s degree in water resources management before working in mining for Black Thunder Coal Mine in the eastern Powder River Basin.” Tami returned to Wyoming to take over the bookkeeping of Jensen Ranch and Jensen Construction. After Thorval, Jr. suffered health complications in 2009, Lee managed the family businesses while still working in mining for three years. “In 2012, he came home with his wife Heidi and their children Tucker, Hadlie and Gunner,” she comments. “We will always be thankful for the support Lee received from Black Thunder Mine.” Current operation The Jensen Ranch is primarily a cattle operation, with both Thorval, Jr. and Janet, as well as Lee and Heidi bringing in herds to the ranch. “Lee and Heidi put together a cowherd while he worked at Black Thunder Coal Mine and brought them into the operation,” Jensen says. Both fall-calving and spring-calving herds are managed at the ranch. All first-calf heifers are artificially inseminated (AI) with no bull service and opens from this period are re-inseminated as fall calving first calf heifers with bull service. All second-calf heifers are AI-bred, as well, Jensen explains Most pregnancy testing is conducted by Lee, and AI breeding is now done by Lee’s son Tucker and long-time employee Jeremiah Aurand. Because of the irrigation available on the ranch, Jensen explains they typically hold their current calf crop over as yearlings to take advantage of the feed base, using the feedlot and feed bunks in pas-

family dynasty Rancher Janet Jensen explains the Jensen dynasty includes the family’s ranching operation and construction company, with all family members in the dynasty having a say in how to proceed with the land and livestock decisions. “This organization will pass to all Jensen family members as life proceeds,” says Jensen. “Today,Lee handles the land and livestock, and Tami handles the construction business.” Teaching the next generation of the Jensen family about the family operations is an important priority, she says. “We try and educate the grandchildren about the operation and their roles in the business,” comments Jensen.

ture conditions for the cattle. “We use water from our three storage dams onto diked and leveled land,” says Jensen. “We own shares in irrigation water storage in Wyoming via Keyhole Reservoir, as well.” In addition to their range operations, the ranch also manages a feedlot where they care for clients’ cattle for turnout to summer grass. “We use the feedlot and feed bunks in pasture conditions for these cattle,” Jensen continues. Rewards According to Jensen, Thorval, Sr. and Lillian were passionate about their agricultural pursuits, with Thorval, Sr. preferring land and irrigation management and Lillian

preferring livestock production. “Lillian A.M. Jensen introduced the first Angus and Charolais cattle in Hereford cattle country,” explains Jensen. “She introduced Suffolk and later Cheviot sheep for meat production and not the wool usually bred for in this area.” Jensen continues, “They passed this love of land and livestock to their children and grandchildren.” She notes Thorval, Jr. always thought his parents did jobs on the operation in the most strenuous way and therefore worked diligently to make improvements to make the ranch more efficient. “He vowed to do things the easier way by engineering facilities and designed irrigation systems to be less labor intensive,” she states. “Thorval, Jr. was always rebuilding equipment to stand up to vigor’s of the agricultural process.”

“They passed this love of land and livestock to their children and grandchildren.” – Janet Jensen As she reflects on their life in ranching, Jensen says the most rewarding aspects for her revolve around her family and stewardship of the land. “I enjoy being able to work with our children and grandchildren. Our goal is

to always try to leave the Jensen Ranch and our livestock better than how we received the land,” she concludes. Emilee Gibb is editor of Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at emilee@wylr.net.

Dynasty – The Jensen family has a rich history in ranching and continues to pass on the tradition to the next generation. Family members (back row, left to right) include Hadlie, Tami, Tucker, Thorval, Jr., Janet, Heidi, Lee (front row) and Gunner Jensen. Courtesy photo

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Hulett – In the small, rural community of Hulett, nearly 50 students spent at least part of each school day in Jim Pannell’s agriculture education classroom, which is a multi-site facility focused on

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

education opportunities that teach students to think critically to solve problems. “In Hulett’s K-12 school, we have 136 students,� says Jim Pannell, who’s been teaching agriculture edu-

cation since 2010. “I see 48 unduplicated kids in the course of a day.� Hands-on learning For Pannell, the most important part of teaching is engaging students in a hands-

Ag facility - Hulett School’s agriculture education program features a high tunnel greenhouse and raised garden beds. Though the garden aspect of the facility hasn’t been used much by the ag classes, the Everyday Living class at the high school learns how to plant, tend and harvest crops. The ag students design irrigation systems and have constructed the raised planters. Saige Albert photo

on learning process. “We have a school farm, and our shop program is pretty extensive,� he says. “When I got here, there wasn’t a very strong shop program, so we started them small and built from there.� They work on a variety of projects tailored to student needs. “The majority of my students aren’t traditional ranch kids,� Pannell explains. “Many of the kids might live in the country, but their parents work in town. I also have more students who are likely to pursue vocational postsecondary education than ag degrees. We’re looking for ways to engage them here.� If that means they’re building a history project in the shop, Pannell says he’s willing to work with students to learn the core skills – regardless of whether they are building a trailer or a Roman shield. Pannell also believes it is his job to expose students to new things. “My job is to expose kids to the various occupations in

“I want to teach students how to learn.�

– Jim Pannell

the ag industry and help them figure out what they like,� he says. Ag classes Hulett School offers seven ag periods, but Pannell says, with the small school, students take whatever course they can get into. “Every kid has to take English and math, and sometimes, that overlaps with the ag class they would be in, so we give them the chance to be in ag class,� he explains. “Most of my classes have a mix of junior high students through seniors.� He creatively utilizes technology and peer mentorship to teach students, which are at a variety of levels. “I’ve got a couple of really good seniors who can help demonstrate and mentor the younger students if I’m working with another group,� Pannell says. “They’ll have opportunities to work on their own projects, too, but I’ll use their help with younger students.� He also encourages students to use resources like YouTube and the internet to

learn new skills. “For example, one student was working on a trailer,� Pannell says. “I walked into the shop to see him on his phone. When I walked over, he was watching a wiring demonstration on YouTube.� “I want to teach students how to learn,� he adds. “That is most important.� Outside the shop For those students who aren’t as interested in the shop, Pannell also encourages animal science and other projects. “Our school farm allows us to run trials and incorporate students who aren’t as interested in being in the shop,� Pannell explains, noting that every student must jump in and try every aspect of class, but they are allowed to follow up on their passions. The farm includes a barn, livestock pens, chicken coop, high tunnel and raised garden beds. The property was acquired with funding from the School Facilities Commission. Continued on next page

shared learning With the high tunnel and raised growing beds also on the property, Jim Pannell, agriculture education teacher at Hulett School, notes that he has teamed up with another teacher, who uses the facility for a course called Everyday Living. “Students learn about canning, planting, gardening, watering and more in that class,� Pannell says. “Our history teacher, Josh Willams, teaches that class, and he takes care of the garden part of the school farm.� The high tunnel allows Hulett students to extend their growing season by 45 days before and after frost. “We can’t grow anything in the witner, but we start earlier in the spring and extend our growing into fall,� he says. The farm also provides community garden beds, which further gives students the opportunity to learn from other adults within the community. “It’s nice for our kids to be able to interact with our community,� Pannell says.

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A11

2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page “We were able to purchase the land for an outdoor classroom,” Pannell explains. “The field wasn’t being used, and it started as a place where kids in town could have a place to keep livestock.” Originally, however, the land was leased from the owner. “We put up a lean-to and corrals because we didn’t own the land,” he says, noting that, after they purchased the land, he set his sights on building a barn. “We finished the barn in the fall of 2014.” Cash donations and grants were instrumental in putting the facility together, and Pannell notes that in-kind donations in the form of labor and equipment helped make the project a reality. “Our school district

maintenance supervisor Tuffy Peterson was also really important,” Pannell says. “Our kids would go help Tuffy and others build the barn. We even spent Christmas vacation one year insulating it. Parents and students were all involved.” Growing program Since building the barn on the school farm, Pannell notes that a number of students house lambs and pigs in the facility. Austin Butler, a senior in Hulett, says, “Usually, in December, I bring my lambs into town. We ultrasound them, shear and whatnot.” He comments that it provides him easier access to his lambs, and then everyone can learn from the project. “We also bring in the ele-

mentary school kids to show them more about ag,” Butler continues. “It’s pretty cool to be involved in.” Taylor Penning, another senior, adds, “It’s fun to watch the kids when they come in. They have no clue about things like shearing sheep or doctoring pigs. Everybody gets something out of the school farm.” The farm has hosted everything from pigs and sheep to goats and cattle. “We have a couple young ladies working on a feed trial to compare different feeds,” Pannell says. “I also have a young man who wanted to learn to freeze brand. Instead of just freeze branding, which we could teach in 10 minutes, we’re going to put together an experiment to see how dry ice works compared to liquid nitrogen and to test how long

the brand should be applied.” “Having the farm available is pretty cool,” he comments. Garrett White, Hulett senior, says, “It’s really nice that the facility is available.” Partners For Pannell, community partnerships are important in helping young people to learn. “We have people stop in to see what’s going on, and we bring local experts in to teach out a variety of things,” Pannell says, citing the sawmill, carpenters, electricians, veterinarians and more who have all visited the class as guest teachers. “My kids interact with these adults, which helps them learn.” He adds, “The community is a big part of our program and our school. We’re proud of what we’re doing here, and we want to continue

to showcase that in our own community and across the state.” Saige Albert is manag-

ing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to saige@wylr.net.

returning to teaching Hulett’s Jim Pannell jumped into teaching after his family sold their ranch in 2008. “I taught a long time ago, and I wanted to stay in this area,” he says. “I started teaching again at that point.” “I always enjoyed working with kids, and this gave me an opportunity to do so in a more formal setting,” Pannell continues. “I love it. I think, to be a successful teacher, it helps to like kids, and I’ve got a really good bunch here.”

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Building a barn - After Hulett School purchased property across from the ag shop, they partnered with community members to build a barn. Students and parents were also involved in building the facility, which houses student livestock and allows for hands-on learning opportunities. Saige Albert photo

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A12

Moorcroft – “Family is the best part about this place,” says Sherry Graham. The Graham Fam-

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

ily has ranched of present day Reservoir since 1940s. George

northeast Keyhole the early and Iola

Graham, along with their children, moved to the area from the Parkman community north of Sheridan.

Joe Graham, now 93, was 16 years old at the time and accompanied his parents and their 35 cows on the trip. They moved to the area on a promise from a relative that they could lease the ranch he owned along the Inyan Kara Creek drainage. Graham was initially drawn to the area, says Sherry’s husband Dave, “because the grass reached

Raising replacement – The Graham Family raises their own replacement heifers, calving out around 50 head of first calf-heifers each spring. Jennifer Womack photo

the bottoms of his stirrups.” Building the operation The stock trailed to the area included 14 head of milk cows, the remainder range cows with calves at their side and the beginning of Graham’s cow herd in Crook County. Cream from the milk cows, set out in a can for the mailman to haul to Moorcroft, was traded for groceries, which the mailman also delivered. The family soon began buying land of their own beginning with the 3,000acre “Calhoun place.” One of the more recent additions to their ranch is the place where young Joe Graham first lived when his family arrived in the area. Joe and his late wife Eunice were married and had begun their lives on the family ranch at the time Joe was drafted into World War II. “He spent quite a little time in Germany,” says Dave. Upon returning home from the war, Joe ranched in partnership with his parents until his father passed away and then continued that partnership until his mother’s death in 1960. Smart expansion A frugal lifestyle and smart investments, says Dave, allowed the couple to grow the ranch over the years. What started out as 3,000 acres is today 10,000. Joe and Eunice had

two children, Dave and his younger brother Dick. By the late 1960s both sons had married. Dave and Dick married sisters, Sherry and Janet Thompson of Moorcroft. Both couples have now been married over 50 years. Joe and Eunice thought of the girls like they were their own daughters. In 1998, when Joe decided it was time to turn the reins over to the next generation, he passed along 25 percent each to Dave, Dick, Sherry and Janet. Dave says of his dad, “He thought enough of them, our wives, that we each got a quarter.” “When he turned it over to us, there was no debt,” says Dave. “My Dad has always been a stickler for keeping the payments made, and we were all trained to be frugal.” Dave and Sherry have two sons, Scott and Marty. Dick and Janet have a son, Jeff, and two daughters, Amy and Jennifer. That generation, much like those before them, contributes to the ranch and the work to be done. Grandchildren are also part of the crew on a regular basis, carrying on the tradition of family working together. Inside the operation Grahams run their ranch as a cow/calf and yearling operation. “We save back about Continued on next page

Bringing the family together – Joe and the late Eunice Graham (center) are joined by their sons and daughters-in-law Dick and Janet (left) and Dave and Sherry (right) on the family ranch northeast of Moorcroft. Courtesy photo

A13

2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page 50 replacement heifers each year,” says Dave, “and have for a long time.” In the earlier years, the ranch ran primarily Herefords, often purchasing bulls from the Wyoming Hereford Ranch at Cheyenne. They started crossbreeding in the mid-1970s, and today, their herd is all Black Angus. “We try and run about a 1,350- to 1,400-pound cow,” says Dave. “We seem to realize more profit out of her offspring by doing that. We try and keep the milk up on them, and we try and buy some really good bulls to put back on them.” For the past 25 to 30 years, the Grahams have purchased most of their bulls from Mangen Angus. “They have the best guarantee on the market, and they honor it,” says Dave. Calves, which arrive each year beginning midMarch with most born in April, are ran over to yearlings. Rather than spaying the heifers, the Grahams run them in an area where they can try and keep them open. “If we don’t breed our heifers,” says Dave, “buyers have options to either breed them or feed them. We never did spay. We’ve just tried to keep them open, and it’s worked for us.” Selling cattle The ranch’s yearlings typically sell each August at Belle Fourche Livestock across the state line into South Dakota. “That’s been a pretty good market for us,” says Dave. “They know our cattle and what they can do.” Dave says that when Dean Strong was running

the barn they started hauling their cattle in on Tuesday for the Thursday sale. “We don’t feel like we lose anything. Their hay is pretty good, and we gain our shrink back,” he says. He says it also allows the cattle to clean up a bit before they hit the sale ring. Quality genetics and timely rains had this year’s yearling steers tipping the scales at an even 1,030 pounds across three loads when they went through the ring in Belle Fourche early September. While some in northern Wyoming struggled with drought this summer, Dave says a couple of timely rains helped keep their steers on the gain up until sale time. The Grahams raise most of the hay they feed their cattle. On occasion, like this year, dry weather has left them purchasing hay to make up the difference. Goals for the future “We’re trying to pass the ranch down, just like Joe did to us,” says Sherry. She’s proud of the five generations who can often be seen working side-byside on the ranch. “We’re working on estate planning,” says Dave, “and it should be passed on if the kids want to continue it.” What George and Iola Graham set out to build 77 years ago, the family hopes to continue long into the future with quality livestock, productive hay meadows and a family that enjoys working together. Jennifer Womack is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr. net

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A14

Hulett – “Most of my greatgrandparents came to Crook County in the 1880s and were involved in agrarian pursuits with varying degrees of success,” says Merle Clark of the Wishbone Ranch. He explains that his greatgrandfather began a sawmill and raised sheep and cattle until the 1930s, and then Clark’s grandfather took over the operation. “My father and mother, Dee and Barbara Clark, worked on ranches and gradually put together a dandy sheep and cattle ranch,” he comments. While every generation of his family has been involved in agriculture, Clark notes that each individual made their own start and took a different path. “I worked at a heavy construction company and sideline ranched until 1989,

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

when a widowed Jesse Pearson, sold me her two section ranch. That was the break that got the ranch started,” he continues. Current operation According to Clark, the family ranch has gradually built to 5,000 deeded acres with shares in the Rocky Point Grazing Association and private and government leases to allow the ranch to run 300 cow/calf pairs and replacements. “We’re primarily a cow/ calf operation,” he explains. “At different times, we run yearlings, and we raise our own replacements. I winter graze out about 50 percent of the cattle.” The Wishbone Ranch primarily runs Black Angus cattle, with strong genetic influences from Redland Angus in the Big Horn Basin. “We have 1,275-pound

cows that get by on what the sun grows and don’t require work calving in May to June,” says Clark. “We now select bulls from our calf crop and from Ryan Neiman.” Clark notes the ranch strives to continually improve efficiency and remain low input. “We try to keep our costs down, our efficiency up and make the cattle take care of themselves,” he stresses. The Wishbone Ranch raises approximately 800 acres of dryland hay to feed their cowherd. “It’s a grass-alfalfa mixture, and we seed our fields about every 10 years,” notes Clark. Rewards and challenges While he worked in the construction industry for 20 years and enjoyed it, Clark explains it was always his desire to return to ranching.

Family – Merle and Susan Clark (center) are proud of their children and their families accomplishments in life and credit being raised in ranching for equipping them with important life skills. Courtesy photo

“I enjoy doing ranch work and the day-to-day activities of taking care of the cattle and the range,” he says. “I just enjoy what I do.” He continues, “I look forward to getting up every morning, and it wasn’t always that way when I had crews to take care of and construction work to do.”

Clark notes one of the most rewarding parts of ranching is being able to raise his family to be stewards of the land. “Living on the land seems to instill young people with timeless values and a grounded outlook,” comments Clark. “No matter the resource, it all boils down to being a people thing. Good people will make good decisions.” According to Clark, there are always challenges in life, with some of the most difficult being beyond control, such as politics and markets. “However, once a person gets everything paid and begins to feel confident in their abilities and station in life, they develop a confidence that they can meet just about any challenge,” he continues. Next generation “Susan and I are proud to send four quality people to lead productive lives,” says Clark. “They’ve developed their life skills at the ranch level, but they went out and made their own paths in the world and continue to do so.”

He notes their son Spencer and his wife Karyn are involved in education, their daughter Sydne and husband Tim are in the medical field and their son Mitchell is pursuing his education at Black Hills State University. “Our daughter Lauren is on the ranch and plans on taking over the ranch,” he explains. “She is also involved in livestock marketing.” As he looks ahead, Clark notes he plans to increase and better the ranch to leave it to the next generation better than he found, and to continue to help the next generation prepare for upcoming challenges. “I think it’s important for the next generation to develop a certain mindset. We need to give them confidence, so they can meet the challenges that are going to come in the future,” concludes Clark. “The world is changing at an ever-faster pace, and we’re going to have to have the resources to deal with those coming challenges.” Emilee Gibb is editor of Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at emilee@wylr.net.

Inputs – The Wishbone Ranch prides itself in continuing to improve efficiency and be a low-input operation where the cattle are selfsustaining. Courtesy photo

philosophies “At 66 years of age and with most of the trail behind us, we have probably developed some philosophies that work for our mindset and environment,” says Merle Clark of the Wishbone Ranch. He explains it is essential to continually evaluate ranching costs to remain viable. “Our keys to keeping unit costs down are furnishing our own capital and labor, replacing labor with dependable, efficient, equipment and putting ranch profit in equities until other opportunities arise,” comments Clark. He continues, “For my tolerance and risk to stress, it is important to have reserves that include grass, hay, water, cash and time. These resources almost always come into play and pay dividends when used.” Range management is a top priority for Clark as it helps to improve land health and is therefore more profitable. “Rest and rotation has increased water retention, decreased salts, increased microbial action, reduced soil temperature and improved quality and yields,” states Clark.

A15

2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

GENERATIONS OUTSIDE ALADDIN

Moline family runs pairs, works together Aladdin – Before the Moline family homesteaded their ranch, the area served as a trail from Deadwood, S.D. to Miles City, Mont. “In this area, there was a corral where horses were kept for relays,” says John Moline, the oldest of the seven Moline boys involved in the ranch. “This place was homesteaded in 1886.” Today, the Moline boys are all peripherally involved in the ranch. David manages the ranch full-time, and John and Kevin help regularly. Ted also lives down the road and spends much of his time at the ranch. Ted also works for Crook County Road and Bridge. Dan lives in Riverton, and Galen lives in Big Piney. Brett, the youngest of the family, lives in Laramie and works for Wyoming Farm Bureau. The family didn’t move to Aladdin until 1959, though. “When Margaret, my mom met Dad, she was in Spearfish, S.D. at a teacher’s college,” Kevin explains. “My Dad, John, was stationed at Fort Mead. When they got married, he started a farm in South Dakota where his mother and siblings were.” When their uncle in Aladdin passed away, Margaret was the only surviv-

ing child, so she moved the family to Aladdin to operate the ranch. Cow/calf operation Today, the Molines run cow/calf pairs, favoring black baldy cattle for their hybrid vigor. “Dad was one of the first in the area to run black baldies,” John says. “I think if one were to look at it, black white-faced cattle would probably make more money more often than any others.” They calve in March, starting early in the month with heifers and moving through the mature cows later. After calves are on the ground, they begin to move out to summer pasture. The cows are split to the north and south of the home place. Overall, they keep their management simple and low stress, a strategy that allows them to maintain a health cattle herd. Kevin adds that everything is cake-broke to make their livestock easier to handle, and they see benefits in weaning and when working. “We try to keep things low-key and low stress,” John says. “The calves in the pasture aren’t tagged usually.” The Molines sell calves in October, usually at the Belle Fourche Livestock Auction in Belle Fourche,

S.D. They emphasize consistency in their steers. “We’ve kept our genetics very consistent over the last 20 years,” Kevin says. “We can market the calves better and get a better price if we can sell a uniform truckload of steers.” They sell 700-pound calves weaned as they leave the ranch. All calves are preconditioned 45 days before reaching the sale barn. “David has done a nice job increasing the size of our calves and retaining the quality that we have,” John says. The heifer calves are kept as replacements until January or February, when they heavily cull the heifers and sell them. “We’re working to develop a stronger market to sell our heifers as quality replacement animals, instead of them just going to the feedlot,” John says. Good place Despite the remote nature of the ranch, John emphasizes that one benefit of ranching where they do is the tight-knit nature of the community. “If anything happens here, like a fire or something similar, within a half hour, at least a dozen neighbors will be here,” John says. “We work together and take care of each other.”

They also emphasize good water quality and quantity, and good grass most years. Though there are benefits, the brothers mention that they have to be self-sufficient, since electricity and phone service can be unpredictable during harsh winter storms. “We survive out here pretty well,” Kevin says. Community involvement The tight-knit nature of the community also means that the Moline brothers have all been involved on different boards and commissions. “Our folks were pretty involved,” John says. “Dad was on the school board, church council and county commissioners.” “I was a county commissioner for many years,” he continues. “Kevin was on the medical board, and David was president of the weed and pest.” They all also serve on the volunteer fire department, which has been strongly supported in the region. “Even though the ranch

Crook Co nt

“We’ve kept our genetics very consistent over the last 20 years. We can market the calves better and get a better price if we can sell a uniform truckload of steers.” – Kevin Moline is so isolated, it’s been important that all of us got out and saw the world at some point or another,” Kevin says. “We realize that we operate in a world market, and we change and adapt based on what the market demands.” “We’re aware of how politics and ag are continually changing,” he emphasizes. “We’re not so remote that we’re disconnected from how the industry is changing.” Next generations One of the concerns for the Moline family is transitioning their ranch to the next generation. “There are 10 grandkids after us, and most of them use the ranch only for recreational purposes,” Kevin says. “It worries us a bit to think about how we’re going to keep the place going.” Currently, the sixth generation of Molines lives in

Buffalo, Dayton and Thermopolis, and Kevin says, “We’d like the ranch to continue into the future.” The brothers comment that they appreciate the work ethic that comes from an ag background, and though they worked away from the ranch, the agriculture industry was always home. Kevin says, “I’m a retired banker, and I always looked forward to coming home. I always wanted to come back to the ranch.” “I like to be independent,” John says. “We do as much as we can here on the ranch – from mechanic work to taxes and marketing. I hate an eight-to-five job. I’ve done it, but I prefer it out here.” Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr. net.

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Ranch headquarters - The Moline Family homesteaded the land where their ranch sits in 1886. North of Aladdin, the valley provides rich grass and abundant water for cattle. Saige Albert photo

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A16

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Alva – “You can be whatever you want to be, but you’ve got to go get it,� says Beth Reilly of the advice she gives her own four boys. “We can’t stand here and wait for someone to give it to us.� It seems to be the advice by which Beth and her husband Pat live their own lives. “Our great-grandfa-

ther homesteaded here in the late 1800s,� says Beth, whose maiden name is Mahoney. “We have a long history in this area.� They first settled in the Centennial Valley between Spearfish and Deadwood, S.D. After coming to the Alva area to hunt because game was more plentiful there, the family decided to move that direction.

The family homesteaded and was able to purchase neighboring homesteads. Bearlodge “This little area is tucked along this side of the Bearlodge Mountains and gets as much snow as anywhere,� says Beth, “and the snow doesn’t come off until late. Being tucked in the trees here,

we don’t get the wind, so it makes the most out of the 15 inches of moisture we receive annually.� She continues, “Sometimes, it’s late to thaw here, and our crops are slower growing than those out on the prairie. But, we stay green, so the game stays here, and what makes for good game country makes for good cattle grazing.� Raising cattle Thompson Livestock out of South Dakota summers yearlings on the ranch. “We have traditionally been a cow/calf operation, but just because grandpa and dad did something doesn’t mean it pencils out today,� says Beth. The yearlings arrive in the spring and are shipped back out each September before hunting season gets into full swing. It’s an approach that saves the ranch having to ship in winter hay and the cat-

“We have traditionally been a cow/calf operation, but just because grandpa and dad did it doesn’t mean it pencils out today.� – Beth Reilly tle are gone before hunting season gets into full swing. “We don’t have much for fields,� says Beth. “There’s no way, if we’re fully stocked, that we can have enough hay to make it through the winter here.� The ranch does have a small herd of cows and calves. The steer calves are fed out, either on grass or grain, and sold through the family’s custom beef business. Guest ranching Hosting hunters on the ranch is a 54-year legacy. “Those first hunters still come,� says Beth, noting that one of the hunters reminds her that he’s been visiting the ranch since before she was born. From the hunting, broader guest services were launched. With the

buildings and infrastructure in place to host guests, Beth’s parents first began operating as a guest ranch in the 1970s for about a 10-year stint. Pat and Beth have put that business back in full operation, hiring Kendra Meidinger to oversee the ranch’s guest services. “We want to project a working cattle ranch and what that looks like today,� says Beth. “We have a rotational grazing program. We split about 1,000 head of yearlings into two groups. Every group is moved every 14 days onto fresh grass.� “They’re in two groups so, if things work correctly, we’re moving a group every week. That works perfectly for the Continued on next page

Family history – Pat and Beth Reilly are raising their four sons on the ranch where Beth spent her own childhood. Beth says it’s a great place to raise kids, exposing them to hard work and countless opportunities. Courtesy photo Running horses - The Diamond 7 Bar Ranch has hosted guests since the 1970s, and they orient their operation to provide opportunities for guests to observe and participate in life on a working ranch. Courtesy photo

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A17

2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page guests who all get in on a cattle drive,� Beth continues. “We make the point that we’re not just moving them for the guests but as a best management practice.� Guests also have the option of accompanying the ranch crew when they’re haying, fencing and doctoring, which is done with a dart gun. None of the activities are required, but they are an available option for guests. Tire tank business Another business, which now employs five people full time, began on the ranch in the late 1970s, early 1980s with Beth’s father, Gerald Mahoney. She says her family jokingly refers to the time period as the “winter of burning rubber.� Mahoney, tired of stock tanks that did not hold up, was trying to tear the top off of a large mining tire. “I’m glad he kept working on it,� says Beth of the effort that resulted in Giant Rubber Water Tanks, “because it’s turned into a really good business.� When Pat and Beth purchased the tank business from Gerald, he had already established a dealer network and sold tanks into quite a few areas

but hadn’t pushed the business to its full potential. The Reillys have grown the dealer network to 140 from all across the country and a branch business in Brazil. Diamond Livery It’s the water tank business that also led Beth to their latest venture, construction of a livery where the ranch meets Highway 24 between Alva and Hulett. It’s the same area where an Old West town, named Bear in tribute to the family that once homesteaded there, is being built. The ranch also hosts trail rides from this area, catering to guests on their way to nearby Devils Tower National Park. Summer 2017 resulted in unexpected rapid progress for Bear, which was being considered on a fiveyear plan following construction of the livery. Some historic buildings, many of which originated in Devils Tower National Park, became available. Beth and Kendra jumped at the opportunity and are now searching for an old schoolhouse and a historic church to add to their Old West town. There will be a mercantile, a family-friendly saloon and the

Guest business - Diamond 7 Bar Guest Ranch is operated as part of the Diamond 7 Bar Ranch, catering to guests throughout the summer months and hunters in the spring and the fall.

We may not be the biggest, but we strive to be the best.

a 10,000- Head Capacity a Financing Programs Available a Hedging Programs a Excellent Drainage & Windbreaks a Excellent Grain Processing Equipment a Consulting Nutritionist & Veterinarian On Staff a Pen Sizes Range from 40-250 Head a 5 Packers Weekly to Bid on Cattle Russell Walker, Manager Kregg Chilewski, Yard Foreman Carmen Phillipps, Office Manager www.burwellfeedersne.com Email: burwellfeedersllc@nctc.net 0ĂłDF t 'BY 4UBUF )XZ t #VSXFMM /&

world’s largest tire swing, built in tribute to Giant Rubber Water Tanks. Long-term, Bear is slated to become a host site for many activities including weddings and Sunday

church services. RV hookups may be another option. “Setting goals and having those things out there, stuff just falls in your lap if you’re forward planning and thinking,� says

Beth. “And, that’s kind of been the way we have progressed. If we have the dreams and if we’re not scared to dream the dreams, then a lot of times the stuff just makes itself

available to us.� Jennifer Womack is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr. net

Making boots – Floyd Hilton makes custom boots at Diamond Livery on the Diamond 7 Bar Ranch. Floyd stands next to a machine, built in 1893, that he and fellow bootmaker Jarod Beavers use for stitching boots. Jennifer Womack photo

A18

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Moorcroft – Dennis Williams is the son of a homesteader-turned-cowboy, and it was always his dream to own a ranch. “My dad homesteaded, but he was one of the ones who didn’t make it because 320 acres wasn’t enough,� Dennis says. “He wound up working for a lot of ranches.� “Dad taught me how to really ride and break a wild horse,� he continues. “They called dad Wild Horse Charlie, and he could do anything from a horse. He taught me everything I know about riding.� In his early years, Dennis worked on ranches in Crook County, crediting Wenande Land and Livestock and the Robinson family for teaching him much of what he uses on the ranch today.

Early years Dennis married his wife Grace in 1975. “Grace worked as a school teacher, and I worked on ranches when we first started,� Dennis says. “We got this place in 1985. We started with 23 acres, and we’ve really grown since then.� Grace comments, “I kept saying that this dream was possible.� When they started, Dennis notes that they acquired a herd of Targhee sheep from Wenande Land and Livestock to get them started “That family taught me everything I know about running sheep,� Dennis says. “He treated me really great.� Dennis saved back all the ewes each year to continue to build the herd over

time. At the same time, he had the chance to lease a few parcels of land, and they continued to build the sheep operation. When land was available, they bought it or leased more to continue to grow. The land around Moorcroft is good sheep country, says Dennis, noting that they deal with the challenges in the area and still maintain high production. “We strive for 110 percent lamb crop, and usually we can hit that,� he comments. “Sheep markets have also treated us well. We can get a check from the wool and from the lambs, which helps us out.� Even in years when grass is limited, Dennis says the sheep do well, eating sagebrush and surviving on

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less than would be required to feed cattle. “We use Great Pyrenees dogs in our sheep, and they do a good job keeping the coyotes out,� he explains. “We’ve tried everything, but the guard dogs are really amazing. They work well for us.� Adding cattle “Sheep have paid for two ranches, but when the cattle market was so good, we added a few cows to this place,� Dennis says. “We built the cattle operation in 1990.� He continues, “Back in those days, the sheep market was a little sluggish, so I thought we should diversify a little bit.� Today, they run 600 cow/calf pairs, plus yearling cattle. In addition to further growing the operation, Dennis explains that cattle and sheep work well together, and they can run cattle in areas where coyotes cause severe depredation of the sheep herd. “A balance of sheep and cattle really works well,� he says. Continuing to grow, change The Williams family is always looking for an opportunity to grow and change to improve the operation. “Last year, one of our neighbor’s hair sheep got in with a few of our ewes,� Dennis says as an example. “We had about 20 lambs born in March that were a Targhee cross, and they grew really well.� When the sheep went to market at the end of summer, Dennis says they saw a profit, so this year, they’re going to continue using the cross. “It started as an accident, but we found a niche market that gave us a little more per head,� he explains. “We’re going to try is again this year.�

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Emphasizing family - For the Williams family, being together and working together is important. Pictured in front of their barn, the family includes (from left to right) Dennis, Grace, Chancey, Chase, Erin, Charlie and family friend Lee Martinez. Saige Albert photo

Hay land When Chase returned to the ranch, he took a special interest in the farming aspect of the operation. “When I got home from college, I wanted to farm,� Chase says. “I thought if we could farm, we’d get 100 percent of the hay, instead of sharecropping with someone else.� As a result, he’s pushed himself to convert 200 acres each year from pasture land and sagebrush to productive hay fields. “People told me that it would take three years to make that transition,� he explains, “but I thought I could do it faster. I mow it, disc, then plant a cover crop the first year.� Chase utilizes oats as

his grain crop, and he says by shortening the transition from three years to one year, he can reduce weed infestations on the property. “We can only run as many cattle as we have hay for, so we’ve got to raise a lot of hay,� he says. “I have to hand it to my dad. He worked and built the ranch single-handedly,� Chase says. “When I came home, I wanted to contribute, and this is how I can do it.� He comments, “I feel like we’re at the point now where we’re really going to start growing even more.� Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr. net.

The next generation All the Williams’ boys are passionate about the agriculture industry. Chase, the youngest, works on the ranch alongside his dad, and since he came back in 2008, he has jumped into pasture and hayland development, among other things. Chase and his wife Katie live on the Kummerfeld Ranch, which is where much of the family’s hay pastures are. Chancey, the middle son, launched a music career, which has grown dramatically. Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band plays across the nation and has even hit the global stage several times. “I love the ag lifestyle, though,� Chancey says. “I grew up here. I probably know more about ranching than about music.� He hopes to return home and run his own ranch one day. The oldest brother, Charlie, taught in Moorcroft for several years before leaving the school district to ranch fulltime. He and his wife Erin recently purchased a place outside Alzada, Mont. on the Wyoming border. All the boys have a stake in the family ranch, which is organized as a corporation. “The boys will take over one day,� says Dennis Williams.

A19

2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Hulett – The Neiman family values hard work, family and community. James S. Neiman started working in the family’s sawmill at age six, and Jim Neiman, current president and CEO, did the same. Today, the family still works together under the various entities within Neiman Enterprises. “Eighty-one years ago, my dad bought an old sawmill, and we moved from Nebraska to Upton,� says James S. “In 1939, that mill burned down, so we moved to Hulett and rebuilt. We’ve been here ever since.� Prior to the Neiman family moving to Hulett, they were corn farmers in Eades, Colo. A.C. Nieman started the sawmill in 1936. In 1958, Jim bought his brother out of the sawmill, and they’ve continued to build ever since. Embracing opportunities “In the last 20 years, we’ve gone from 100 employees to almost 500,� Jim says. For many decades, Jim says the sawmill business wasn’t easy. “We were the smallest of seven major sawmills in the Black Hills for quite some time,� Jim explains. “In 1997, we made our first acquisition when we bought Rushmore Forest Products in Hill City, S.D., which doubled our production.� In 2008, Spearfish Forest Products in Spearfish, S.D. was acquired, which again doubled production. “We also acquired a pellet operation in 2008,� Jim says. “Heartland Wood Pellets produces pellets for wood burning stoves, and we do a small amount of horse bedding.� In 2012, Montrose Forest Products, a stud mill in Montrose, Colo., was acquired. “We continue to look for opportunities to grow,� Jim adds. “We’re not done building yet.� Neiman Timber is also under the umbrella of the Neiman family and provides the logs for three sawmills in the Black Hills. “Our timber company buys and sells the timber to the three sawmills,� Jim says. “Big logs are sorted and brought to Hulett.� Devils Tower Forest Products Devils Tower Forest Products in Hulett manufactures ponderosa pine lumber, producing over 40 million board feet of ponderosa pine lumber each year. “We bring our bigger logs to Hulett,� Jim explains. “Our three biggest customers from this mill are Pella Window, Anderson and Marvin Windows. We’re one of the top suppliers of wood for these companies.� In addition, they provide lumber for home improvement stores, like Menards and Home Depot. All of the by-products from the sawmills – including bark, sawdust, chips and planer shavings – are utilized.

Bark and sawdust are burned in boilers that power the kilns to dry the lumber and heat the buildings. The shavings from the planer are bagged and sold as livestock bedding. The logs with nails or other metal are provided to the community for firewood at no cost, since the metal is severely detrimental to the mill. Partners One particularly important aspect of Neiman Enterprises is their partnership with ranchers. “We use a lot of timber from the Black Hills National Forest,� Jim says, adding that private lands are interspersed, as well. “Timber from private lands owned by ranchers really helps to supplement our supply.� At the same time, the trees provide an additional “crop� for ranchers. “Some ranchers look at their trees as a crop, rather than just a weed,� he explains. “Thinning trees is important, and it benefits both ranchers and us. A good relationship between our business and private timber lands is really critical.� Family involvement Jim emphasizes that family is incredibly important to Neiman Enterprises. He is supported by his wife Christy, and his son Marcus will eventually take over the operation. His dad, James S., works at the sawmill and the ranch, and his mother, Sally Ann, is integral, as well. Sister Sheri Stinson manages the office. Brother Rick manages the Neiman 77 Ranch. Jim’s brother Kent works at the coalmine in Gillette, and Jim’s daughter Sonja and brother Kent both live in Gillette. “One person can’t do it. This is a family operation, and our general manager and the team we’ve all put together is extremely important also,� he says. Tom Shaffer serves as general manager of the com-

pany. Chad Voyles serves as CFO, Dan Buehler is head of Neiman Timber, and Mike Stevens works as sales manager. “We also have plant managers at each location,� Jim says. “None of this would be possible without our team.� Challenges Despite positive working relationships, Jim says that there are challenges that go along with operating the sawmill. “Environmental issues are a big concern,� he explains. “If some endangered species hits the Black Hills, what are we going to do? We are facing the long-eared bat right now, and there are 90-some other listed or concerned species.� Additionally, technology and the related expense is a continual challenge for the company. “We experience a continuous transition in technology, and we have to stay up on it,� Jim says. “We have to

upgrade our computers every few years, and we use state-ofthe-art camera equipment for grading, trimming and more in the sawmill.� “It’s an ever-changing world,� he emphasizes. Supporting the community “Our core emphasis is on the community, and our philosophy is to take care of family members and the people in our community,� Jim explains. “We can’t fail because it would be devastating for too many people, so we’ve had to figure out how to survive.� “We have to have a community view,� he continues. “Now, our mills take care of four communities.� After observing the impact of the spotted owl on the West Coast, Jim and his father looked at what helped communities survive, despite the challenges. The mill provides employment for many, but Neiman Enterprises pursued developing an airport and a golf course in Hulett to continue to enhance the community. “My commitment to my dad and mother was to take this company two more generations – both the ranch and the sawmill,� Jim says. “My

ultimate goal is to pass it on to the next generations. I’ve got a commitment from my son to do the same thing.� “You get sawdust between your ears, and it penetrates, so I’ve always stuck around,� Jim says. He continues, “My dad told me one day, we come

into this world naked and we go out naked. What we’re remembered for is up to us. It’s not about money, it’s about how we give back and how we help people.� Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net

golf course In 1996, Neiman Enterprises opened the first nine holes of The Golf Club at Devils Tower in Hulett on 200 acres. “We broke ground on the first nine holes in about 1994 to try to diversify the community,� Jim Neiman, president and CEO of Neiman Enterprises. James S. Neiman, Jim’s father, adds, “There are over 400 acres over that we purchased. We were going to subdivide it.� Today, the golf course includes 18 holes, along with a subdivision on the front nine and plans to develop housing on the back nine. “We’re a semi-private golf course, and we host a number of tournaments,� Jim explains. “To host a tournament here, the host has to find a fundraiser that benefits youth, education, medical or military.� The golf course was ranked number four in Wyoming by Golf Digest, and they are in the process of incorporating a new clubhouse. “My dad bought a historic bar that is 27.5 feet long and 12 feet tall. We’re designing the clubhouse around that bar. It’s a pretty neat historic bar,� Jim says. At the same time, Crook County was interested in building an airport, and Jim says that, as the very center of the county, Hulett was an ideal location. “The marriage between our efforts and the city helped us build the airport,� he notes.

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Sundance – Generations upon generations of the ranching communities still hold a true place in the open state, one in particular locating on the outskirts of Sundance. Wayne Garman, partner of the Rafter H Cattle Ranch, grew up in the ranching business and fulfills the lifestyle every day. Early passions Beginning after high school, Garman began working for his neighbor’s ranch before attending Chadron State College in Chadron, Neb. With a different idea of what he wanted to do in life, Garman took a major in criminal justice and even worked for the Chadron campus police, he says. However, after experiencing a pick-up wreck in high school and losing his hearing in one ear, Garman believed that such a career path wasn’t meant for him. “I knew it would be difficult to pursue that program,” Garman says. After two years in

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Nebraska and coming home to work on the ranch during his free time, Garman set out to earn a degree in agricultural business from the University of Wyoming. Gaining the knowledge of business gave Garman and his brother Ross the ability to partner together and lease not only their mother’s but also their neighbor’s land. Running cattle “We are currently running 300 commercial cows on this leased land,” Garman says. Though the Garman’s father first started with the Hereford breed when owning Miller Creek Herefords, Rafter H Cattle is predominantly Angus and black baldy based, he says. With land being hard to come by in terms of purchasing in Crook County, Garman and his brother knew they had to use their leased land to their advantage, running cows and crop rotation. “We use a crop rotation of hay and grass,” Garman said.

The next generation - Wayne Garman’s daughter Peggy Sue, although attending college in Casper currently, looks forward to returning to the ranch as often as possible. She’s been active in the cattle business for many years and even has her own herd of cows. Courtesy photo

Each year the ranch puts up hay for the winter season, depending on rain to help grow the crop each year. With Wyoming’s climate being dramatic from dayto-day, the ranch tries to use all their resources and other purchases of hay to maintain their herd. Ranching for the life Just like anyone would express why they would want to or do stay in the ranching business, Garman believes that he is good at what he does and really enjoys the lifestyle. “If we do something we like, we never work a day in our lives,” Garman says. Enjoying such lifestyle, Garman talks about being with the nature around him. One of his favorite parts is riding on horseback during a fall day gathering cows.

The scenery and the job he is doing just can’t compare to anything else, Garman says. Even with the hardships of the unpredictable weather and cattle prices, Garman believes that this is the way of life he was meant for. Ranching toward the future As technology reaches strides in agriculture, he states that his ranching techniques are better than ever. “I now can sit in a tractor, and it does everything itself,” Garman says. However, a rancher wouldn’t be successful without the help and pride from his wife and family. Dixie, Garman’s wife, is a stay-athome mother and the rancher’s right hand, helping whenever needed and taking care of the family. Garman’s daughter, Peggy Sue, is a graduate from Casper College where she competed on the rodeo team. Just like her father, Peggy Sue grew up helping around the ranch and even has a few cows of her own. “I gave Peggy her first

cow when she was one. I wanted to build something for her to use later in life, either for college or such,” Garman says. Peggy Sue was also active in 4-H with horses and cattle projects. Related work Garman’s main job might be an active rancher but also participates in other agriculture activities. In 1996, Garman became extremely active in the conservation district, and he now serves as part of the Crook County Natural Resources District and Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts. There might be better ways to make money, but successful ranching wouldn’t make it without conservation to help, Garman says. He is also a proud member and zone warden of the local volunteer fire department. “A lot of people lose sight of the importance that the volunteer fire department plays for the commu-

nity,” Garman says. “Our responsibility is crucial when living in this environment.” In year’s past, Garman also became a hunting guide for a local outfitter, but with a ranch to take care of, he closed that chapter to his life and now hunts for fun. When he isn’t ranching or doing other hobbies, Garman is also a ringman on the side for a friend’s auctioneer company. As Garman and his family look into the future of their ranch and leases, they see themselves continuing with the ranching lifestyle in Sundance. No matter if the legacy of the ranch will be passed to the next generation of Garman and brother Ross’s children or not, the brothers and partners will always be true to their cattlemen roots. Jessica Middleswarth is an intern for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. She is a student at Oklahoma State University and is from Torrington. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr. net.

EARLY CATTLE INFLUENCE CONTINUES

Driskill family draws on history toward future Devils Tower – While many in the West today look back on “Lonesome Dove” as a great story to share with their children about how cattle came to the region, the Driskill family tells a similar story of their history. “The first Driskill that we know of brought cattle to Cheyenne in 1868 when the railroad was coming through,” says Ogden Driskill, the current generation on the ranch. “The Driskills started in the 1840s gathering wild cattle in Texas. They evolved into one of the major suppliers of cattle.” Through the Civil War, Driskills supplied both the Union and Confederate armies, and Jess Driskill – Ogden’s great-great-great grandfather – was an honorary Colonel in the Army. “Our family were huge cattle barons. They built the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas,” Ogden says. “They took Confederate money, and after the war, they were broke, so they started to gather cattle and go north.” Coming north Trails first led to Kansas and Oklahoma, but the Driskill family longed for open spaces and freedom from neighbors. “In 1878 when Custer came through, Jess Driskill headed towards the Black Hills,” Ogden says. “He was an old man by then. We’ve still got a handwritten letter that said he was looking for a place that didn’t have a house within 30 miles.” In 1879, he arrived in Moorcroft, and Jess continued following buffalo trails to the D Ranch, which was their first place. After picking the ranch location in the area, Jess returned to Texas. “Between the 1860s and 1910s, they trailed around 1 million head of cattle to Wyoming,” Ogden says. Before the winter of 1886-87, they were huge players in the cattle business, says Ogden, but the devastating blizzard that winter resulted in the death of over 50,000 head of cattle. “That storm broke them, and they never ran on the same scale again,” Ogden says. “They continued to raise cattle, though. We know they shipped the most cattle to Omaha, Neb. to the stockyards of any producer at least one year.” “Our family also had the first grazing permit from the U.S. Forest Service,” he continues. “The permit was for a minimum of 5,000 head. We held those permits until 1985. Today, we run all on private land.” Moving the ranch “We lost the D Ranch in the 1930s during the Great Depression,” says Ogden, noting that the ranch they oper-

ate on today was acquired in the first decade of the 1900s. “The Campstool Ranch where we’re at now was a series of about 70 homesteads owned by the MacKenzie family, who were wealthy Scottish nobility. The MacKenzies went broke in 1910, and the Driskill family bought their ranch off the courthouse steps.” Early documents of the ranch dictated that the range of the Driskill’s operation was the Upper Belle Fourche River tributaries. “Until the turn of the century, we ran roughly from the edge of Gillette to Bear Lodge to Alzada, Mont.,” Ogden says. “That doesn’t mean that other people weren’t in the area, but if it wasn’t homesteaded, we ran on the land.” Generations of Driskills To date, eight generations of Driskills have been on the ranch. “Eight generations have ranched in Wyoming since Jess Driskill picked our headquarters and took herds of cattle from Texas,” Ogden says, noting that the family history is rich with colorful stories of the Old West. Ogden, wife Zannie, brother Tobe, son Lincoln and daughter-in-law Ashley live and work on the ranch. They are also helped by Matt and Andrea Driskill Wood who ranch nearby. They run a highly diversified cow/calf operation. Brother Tobe has retired to the ranch from a job in Arizona. “All in all, Lincoln runs the ranch now,” Ogden says. “I was given the opportunity to start running the ranch when I was in my 20s, and I think that’s important for Lincoln, too. He’ll have pretty much full control of decisionmaking by the time he’s 30.” As challenges exist for transitioning the ranch from generation to generation, Ogden says it’s important to make sure the ranch is operational for the future. “We want Lincoln to have the experience to operate the ranch today, so we know he has the knowledge to run it when we’re gone,” Ogden says. On the ranch The cattle on Driskills operation are black. “We try to raise a 1,000pound cow, and we want her to wean a 550-pound calf,” says Lincoln. “They do well.” Ogden explains that, in their challenging winter country, larger cows go through a lot of feed, so by raising smaller cows, they can be more efficient. Over the last 20 years, they have fenced enough winter feed to run on pasture until early January each year without worrying about pine trees. They supplement pasture with hay raised in both irrigated

and dryland settings. “The irrigated ground is phenomenally productive, and it has kept us out a wreck during the drought years,” Ogden says. “Lincoln has done a really good job with our farm ground.” Tourism In addition to the traditional ranch, the Driskill family built a campground and café at the foot of Devils Tower following Steven Spielberg’s film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind. “Tourism has been a big part of our family through the years,” Ogden says. “Our family has been involved with tourism for three or four generations, and it goes hand-inhand with the ag part of the operation. After Spielberg

came in, my mom, Ellen, built the campground.” Ogden’s brother Matt ran the campground until his untimely death six years ago. The ranch and campground run hand-in-hand. Today, Zannie runs the campground, and Ashley oversees the café. “It’s an important part of our operation,” Ogden says. For the Driskills, Odgen says diversification means that day-to-day work is never the same. Ogden comments, “It’s pretty fun, and it keeps life interesting on the ranch.” Looking to the future Today, the Driskill family is working to stabilize the operation and continue to improve the land on the ranch. “We’re working to continue building a solid base that is profitable,” Ogden says. “That is key. We have to maintain a system that works.” He adds, “We’ve been here for eight generations, and

we’re always looking at how we can keep it for the next eight generations.” Saige Albert is manag-

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

Devils Tower ranch - The Driskill family came to Crook County in the mid-1800s, and they moved to their current place at the foot of Devils Tower in 1910. The operation runs cattle and operates an ag tourism business, as well. Courtesy photo

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Carolina Noya lives a simple, yet peaceful, life. The Wyoming goat herder spends six months of the year out on the Wyoming prairie in a sheep wagon with a herd of goats, several guard dogs and Mother Nature for company. Noya runs her business, Devils Tower Goats, herding goats through pastures while keeping a watchful eye on them as they gobble up leafy spurge and other noxious weeds. Noxious weeds The goats make a diet of the leafy spurge that plagues Crook County. “Crook County is the capital of leafy spurge,” Noya jokes. “But the goats love it and are totally addicted to it. Over 90 percent of their diet is leafy spurge, and the other 10 per-

cent is sage, pine trees, oak trees and any underbrush they can reach.” “Basically, they utilize a plant like leafy spurge that is useless for grazing most animals and produce delicious meat from it. Leafy spurge is about 18 percent protein, so it is a healthy diet for goats,” she explains. They will only consume grass if they are forced to, Noya continues. “They really prefer broadleaf plants. They will also eat plants like thistle and Hounds Tongue. It is not something we can train them to do, though. It is something in their system that makes them really like it,” she says. Noya shared a story from a few years ago when she took in 800 kid goats during the spring.

“They came from Texas when there was a drought, and they had never eaten anything green. We put them out on pasture, and within an hour or two, they had learned what spurge was and liked it. We don’t have to teach goats to eat spurge. They will go for it on their own.” “When they are out of spurge, they will start looking for a hole in the fence and follow it to the neighbors,” she says. Continuing effort Although the goats can eventually eat themselves out of job, there will still be seeds in the ground, so the plant is still there, Noya explains. “We usually try to graze each area of spurge three times, in the spring, fall and again the next spring. The goats can keep it under con-

Goat herd - Carolina Noya raises a herd of goats she uses to help ranchers control weeds. The goats prefer the leafy spurge to grasses, and they can effectively reach areas where weed spray can’t be used. Courtesy photo

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grasses can come up, the spurge will not take over. Controlling spurge is not a quick fix. Grazing at different times than when we usually would can prevent it from going to seed and allow other grasses a chance to absorb the moisture to grow.” During the winter, the goats are still on the job

clearing up underbrush, pine trees and junipers. “They really like it,” Noya explains. “The trees have tannin in them, which is a natural dewormer. We like to see them clear it as high as they can reach, so if we ever have a fire, it won’t burn as hot.” “The goats can thin an Continued on next page

Herding is a way of life Carolina Noya enjoys. “I took a job as a goat herder 10 years ago,” Noya reminisces. “I was a herder for one year, and then, the owner of the herd wanted to sell. I ended up with over 1,000 goats.” “Everyone always told me to start small, and I agree with that. When someone asks me about having so many goats, I tell them to start small but think big. My advice is if someone wants 200, start with 20. It doesn’t take long to build up a herd, and it gives them an opportunity to see if this is something they really want to do long term, because they won’t get a return on any money right away.” “I’ve been at it 10 years now, and I still learn something new from them every day,” she explains.

2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

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Continued from previous page

area without hurting the trees. It allows more grass to grow since daylight can get in,” she explains. Improving the land Noya sees the goats as providing a service to improving the land. “They aerate the soil with their feet, and they add organic fertilizer to the soil,” she says. “They can also graze in areas that a sprayer cannot get to.” She continues, “Overall, they add life to the soil, rather than spraying, which can kill the bugs and microorganisms living in the soil. They can also eat under the trees, where we can’t spray.” Noya has found ranchers in the area receptive to grazing their leafy spurge with goats because it is a good option. “Spraying is costly. We can’t spray under trees or close to water, so there is still no guarantee it will get rid of all the weeds. I have been grateful to the ranchers who open up their gates and pastures and are willing to give the goats a try for weed control,” she says. “I’m not afraid to promote a goat.” Managing goats The key to grazing goats is management, Noya explains. “I try to overgraze the weeds but not the grass,” she says. “If we can get the weeds under control, the ranchers can run more cows because they have more grass. When I go to someone’s ranch, I am with these goats day and night. I herd them all day and bed them down at night. If it is possible, I use electric fence to bed them down at night to make it a little easier for the guard dogs to keep predators out.” Without the guard dogs, grazing goats would not be possible, she says. “The biggest challenge is the predators,” Noya explains. “The dogs have to fight off mountain lions that sometimes trail the goats for weeks,” she says. “It is hard on the dogs, but it is hard on the herder, too. The dogs look at the goats as their responsibility, and they will do everything they can to protect them.” As long as the herd stays together, Noya says it is much easier to protect the herd. “When a goat lags behind or wanders off, they are more likely to be attacked,” she explains. “It is very hard when the mountain lion attacks one dog. They don’t stand a chance.” The goats also love to travel and climb. “If there is a big patch of spurge, they will graze for an hour or two, then bed down for a while. They walk as they eat taking a bite or two off a leaf, so I just circle them back. They need the exercise, and it’s how they like to graze,” she says. Gayle Smith is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

Summer range operation - During the summer months, Carolina Noya spends 100 percent of her time with the goat herd, controlling their movements to eradicate weeds. She has grown her herd to include over 1,000 goats. Courtesy photo

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Sundance – For many years, Crook County’s Natural Resource District (CCNRD) has worked with ranchers, farmers and other landowners in two areas – water quality and forest health. With a small staff and numerous partners, CCNRD is able to make dramatic progress towards improving water quality and forest health. Staff and board Day-to-day, CCNRD is run by Raesha Sell, who serves as office manager. Sarah Anderson coordinates the forest health program, while Carmen HorneMcIntyre coordinates the water quality program. “We work really well as a team,” Sell says. “Our

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

board of supervisors manage the direction of the district by being a voice for the county and the land. The board of supervisors is chaired by Wayne Garman, an area producer. “Wayne is very dedicated to CCNRD and knowledgeable about natural resource concerns,” she explains. “We’re really fortunate to have Wayne as chairman.” “We also have four other members on our board, and all of them represent the county well.” She continues. “Ted Parsons is our vice chairman, Jennifer Hinkhouse is our secretary, Wanda Burget is our treasurer and Lily Altaffer is our member representative.”

Funding “Many conservation districts across the state are funded by mill levies,” says Sell. “Unfortunately, we do not have mill levy funding, so most of our funding comes from grants.” As a result, the grants dictate what programming can be offered. “We also receive funding from the county commissioners each year, which helps us maintain the office as we apply for additional grant funding,” she says. Forestry projects Across the state, Crook County’s forest health program is well known for its work to restore forests that were impacted by mountain pine beetles.

Education efforts - Crook County Natural Resource District (CCNRD) hosts numerous workshops on soil health, where they have encouraged ranchers to use a variety of strategies to improve their soil. The workshops are always well attended, according to Raesha Sell of CCNRD. Courtesy photo

“The goal of our forestry program is to establish resilient forests within Crook County. We want our forests to be resilient in the face of a natural phenomenon, such as pest infestations and fires,” Sell explains. CCNRD applies for grants to offer cost assistance on forest thinning, fire fuels reduction and mountain pine beetle mitigation. “Reducing fire fuel is similar to thinning, but it’s more extensive,” Sell says. “The trees have to be spaced farther apart, and we ensure that there’s no litter on the forest floor.” Additionally, CCNRD also seeks to establish fuel breaks around homes and buildings. “The mountain pine beetle infestation was pretty apparent in the Black Hills area,” Sell continues. “We have done extensive work to mitigate the mountain pine beetle, and it’s apparent how effective our pine beetle program has been in saving trees.”

CCNRD has also worked with the U.S. Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service to manage pine beetles. “We have a memorandum of understanding with those groups, so we can share costs and resources to manage these forests,” Sell says. The district has been awarded numerous grants and has spent several million dollars towards improving the health of our forests. “Since we’ve done a lot of work to mitigate the threats of the beetle, we are now focusing on establishing resilient forests to reduce the threat of future epidemics,” Sell says. “This program continues to grow as people realize the value of trees, and Sarah Anderson continues to find funding to facilitate forest health improvement programs.” Water quality In addition to the forestry program, CCNRD has established a robust water quality program that works to monitor the Belle Fourche River and Donkey Creek for the E. coli impairment. “Both of the waters are impaired for E. coli and are listed on the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality’s 303(d) list of impaired waters,” Sell says. “We monitor the waters for E. coli, total coliform, chloride and ammonia.” CCNRD receives grant funding to provide cost assistance to landowners, which goes toward water developments, including drilling wells and installing pipelines and tire tanks for efficient livestock watering. “We try to disperse water throughout private

property to improve rangeland health and utilization,” she explains. “We’re trying to encourage livestock and wildlife to use those water tanks instead of the river.” Sell continues, “Our monitoring goes hand-inhand with water projects, and we’re hoping to see a reduction in E. coli numbers by providing off-stream watering sources.” Other programs A unique program CCNRD offers is an electronic recycling program. “We work with a certified recycling company out of Denver, Colo. who dismantles and recycles all of the components that make up the electronic device. The recycling program consists of an annual recycling event where individuals bring their unwanted electronics – whether it be TVs, phones, microwaves, etc. – to be properly recycled. This past year, we collected 9,000 pounds of electronic waste. ” CCNRD partners in each town in Crook County helps pay for the costs. They also focus on outreach through a variety of education programs. “We try to provide education to ranchers to support them in their work,” Sell says. “Attendance at our soil health workshops has been unbelievable. We have had between 30 and 50 producers at most of our workshops. Producers are hungry for more education and information.” For more information on CCNRD, call 307-2832870, ext. 4. Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr. net.

Crook County Natural Resource District (CCNRD) Office Manager Raesha Sell also notes that CCNRD fosters positive working relationships with many different entities to accomplish their work. “We have a great working relationship with other entities, especially the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS),” she says. “NRCS provides technical assistance and completes the project designs for both our water quality and forestry programs. “We work very well with our county commissioners, the U.S. Forest Service, schools and others,” Sell emphasizes. “We work together so well because we have to, so everyone can see conservation on the ground, even with limited funding.”

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2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Moorcroft – In 1916, rancher Thayne Gray’s family began homesteading the land that is now part of the Warbonnet Ranch in Moorcroft. His great-grandparents originally leased the land out while working in town as the postmaster, which gave the family a unique opportunity to expand their land base. “As homesteaders would come into the post office and say they were moving, my great-grandfather would ask what they would do with the ground, and they’d say they’d just leave it, so he would give them pennies on the dollar for the land. That’s how he built up the ranch as it is today,” says Gray. Cattle production “There are quite a few facets to our operation, and we don’t do things traditionally,” explains Gray. The ranch is primarily a cow/calf operation with a herd of approximately 225 mother cows and 200 yearlings. “We graze the yearlings until August, and then we retain ownership into Schramm Feedlot, just outside of Yuma, Colo.,” he says. “As far as the feedlot is concerned, we retain ownership, and then

we put the animals on the grid. We’re paid premiums on the carcasses.” Over the years, Gray notes his family has experimented with a variety of breeds through artificial insemination (AI). “In 1964, my father got certified as an AI technician, and we’ve experimented with at least 11 breeds on the place, including Tarentaise, Salers, Gelbvieh and Simmental,” comments Gray. Currently, the ranch uses a two-way cross between Red Angus and Charolais. “The reason we’ve chosen those breeds is because they seem to do well in the environment,” he continues. “They’re low maintenance and easy doing, yet they do well hanging and provide a good carcass premium.” Holistic management The Warbonnet Ranch prioritizes holistic range management, says Gray. “When I was a kid, on the 4,800 acres, we had eight pastures, and we could run just over 100 cows,” he explains. “Now, we’re running on just about 7,000 acres, but the original 4,800 acres is broken up into about 50 pastures.” He notes the cattle are

Fodder – Ranch helper Emma Anderson helps with harvesting a day’s worth of fodder production for winter feed. Courtesy photo

Moorcroft rancher Thayne Gray explains the family ranch is set up in a corporation with shares owned by his brothers and uncle. “I lease the grass from the corporation. I have one brother who lives on the ranch and does some work on the ground, fences and buildings,” he says. “The others live far away.” Gray notes that the couple’s children are actively pursuing careers and education, both in agriculture and other disciplines. “Our daughter Aubry is a veterinarian in Torrington. Our son Tyler is in Boise, Idaho and does genetic testing on cattle,” he explains. “Our son Trevor just graduated with a mechanical engineering degree and lives in Moorcroft.” The couple’s youngest son Tanyon is attending Sheridan Community College and is in the National Guard. In addition to ranch work, Thayne’s wife Shone also works as a nurse for the school system in Moorcroft.

rotated through the pastures throughout the year, and the groups never stay in a pasture for more than one week. This change in management has dramatically increased the carrying capacity of their land, he notes. “Management changes have allowed us to go from the traditional 30 acres per animal per year to a stocking rate of 22 acres to the animal,” comments Gray. According to Gray, the native grass on their ranch cures out to approximately seven percent protein, so the ranch primarily grazes the cows on the dormant grass in the winter time with minimal supplementation. “We used to purchase a little bit of hay and throw five to 10 pounds of hay to them a day, but if there’s sufficient grass, all cattle are supplemented with is fodder, which is a hydroponic sprouted grain,” he explains. Gray can produce about 1,700 pounds of fodder per day on the ranch. “Here in a couple months, we’re hoping to put 2,300 pounds a day out with the modifications we’re making,” Gray says. Other activities Returning to the family ranch was actually a decision that Gray made after establishing a career in mechanical engineering, he explains. “I actually went to college and got a degree in mechanical engineering,” he says. “I worked for a defense contractor for seven years and then came back to the ranch.” Gray continues to utilize his engineering degree in addition to managing the family ranch. “Every once in a while I’ll do some engineering work to support my ranching habit,” he notes. Gray also stays active in the community, serving as a school board member, working in the local church and

being involved in mentoring activities, which is one of the most rewarding aspects of ranching for him. “Probably the most rewarding thing about ranching for me is mentoring kids who are my own, their friends and friends of friends who come work on the place with us,” Gray says, “It shows them a different way of life and a different way to approach things.” Growing As they look toward the future, Gray notes that continuing to increase efficiency is a top priority for the ranch. “We’re looking at cutting costs to be more efficient, and get more net income per cow. Cutting feed costs and all other associated labor costs for taking care of the ranch is the direction we’re pushing,” he says. Gray explains the ranch is also planning to expand the range they’re utilizing in the next few years. “We currently lease some ground out in the summer for a neighbor to graze, but I think we’re going to try and grow to be able to utilize that ground ourselves in the near future,” he concludes. Emilee Gibb is editor of Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at emilee@wylr.net.

“Management changes have allowed us to go from the traditional 30 acres per animal per year to a stocking rate of 22 acres to the animal.” – Thayne

Gray

Family – Fourth generation rancher Thayne Gray (right) poses with his wife and ranching partner Shone Gray. Courtesy photo

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Hulett – After 70 years in business and four generations having called the land home, Ista Ranch continues to have a youthful energy and a willingness to implement new ideas. After marrying in 2008, Alan and Hannah Ista made the ranch their full-time home in 2012. Both had been working at the coalmines and helping at the ranch on their

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

days off. The move from Gillette to Hulett meant a better life for their family including Emma, now 6, and her younger brother Bridger, 5. The family joined Alan’s parents, Jerry and Judy, who have operated the ranch since Jerry’s dad, Ernest Ista, passed away in 1966. Early beginnings “My folks got married in 1937 and leased a place until

1947, and then, they bought 800 acres here,” says Jerry. “They expanded it in the 1960s, and that’s how we got started.” When Ernest Ista first arrived in the Hulett area to work, it was the beginning of the Great Depression. “During the 1930s,” recalls Jerry, “he said he earned a dollar a day and his room and board in the sum-

Families working together - Alan and Hannah Ista (right) and their two children made the Ista Ranch their full-time home in 2012, joining Alan’s parents, Jerry and Judyy (left). Courtesy photo

mer and just his room and board in the winter.” Jerry’s mother Helena, who came to the area to teach school, earned $75 a month and taught until she and Ernest were married. At that time, married women weren’t allowed to teach. Following graduation from Hulett High School, Jerry attended the University of Wyoming for a year and then transferred to Black Hills State University, where he played football. While attending college, Jerry met Judy Mick, and they married in 1965. After teaching just two years in Buffalo, where Jerry started the wrestling program, the couple was faced with the decision of whether to return to the family ranch in Hulett or continue teaching. Both Jerry and Judy are tremendously thankful for the path that they chose. Growing and developing Three times during the 1970s, Jerry and Judy purchased land and further added to the ranch’s holdings. Alan and Hannah also added real estate to the ranch when they returned home. Alan also brought skills he’d developed earning an ag degree at Dickinson State University and later on a nine-month agricultural exchange to Australia. In the mid-1980s, Jerry and Judy sold the cattle, so they would be free to attend the kids’ activities. Looking back, Jerry laughs, “I thought I could be a farmer and sell wheat and grow hay in Crook County, but we needed something else and to be diversified.”

Rebuilding a cowherd As the family rebuilt its cowherd with Black Angus genetics, they also altered their approach and moved to fall calving. Calving season at their ranch ends in August, and by mid-September, the calves are branded. “We wean in February and sell a load of steer calves with late April to May delivery,” says Alan. The calves sell on Superior, a place the Istas say they’ve found strong interest in their calves. Marketing tools They choose to participate in several programs, hoping to earn the attention of additional bidders. Their calves are certified all-natural with no hormones given. Their calves are also Global Animal Partnership (GAP) certified, an endorsement pertaining to the way the cattle are handled. Jerry said that most of the practices outlined in GAP, such as table branding and not using a hot shot, were things they were already doing. “We’ve got to keep good records,” says Jerry. Sick calves, for example, can be treated with antibiotics and should be, but those calves must be marked and become ineligible for shipment with the all-natural calves. “We use two calf tables,” says Hannah. While one person bands and brands at one table, another person is giving vaccines at the other table, and then, they switch. It’s a setup that she says adds efficiency to branding. New this year, the ranch added a grassfed endorse-

Ista Ranch - The Ista family has ranched on the same land near Hulett for over 70 years. First purchased in 1947, the ranch was expanded in the 1960s. Courtesy photo

ment. Because they supplement winter feed with peas and wheat hay, they weren’t sure they qualified. Peas, explains Jerry, aren’t considered a grain, but are a legume under the grassfed program standards. Wheat hay is within feeding guidelines so long as it is hayed before it gets to the bloom stage. The family is looking forward to May to see if the endorsement further bolsters the interest in their calves. Before growing field peas, they first tried soybeans and a few other crops. The deer liked some of the crops a little too well. Field peas, however, have worked well and can be fed using the grain tank on the EZRation bale processor that the family uses during the winter months. The processor also allows for two bales of varying quality, such as the alfalfa and wheat hay the family raises, to be ground into a single windrow. Family Jerry and Judy’s daughters both live in eastern South Dakota with their families, and both are married to farmers. Sheila is married to Bob Berndt and is an elementary school teacher. Paula is a veterinarian, operating her own practice in Browns Valley, Minn. She’s married to Bryce Heinje. While attending Colorado State University, Paula drew on the resources there and sent home corral plans that resulted in the present design. Pie-shaped with an alleyway along the perimeter, cattle worked in the corrals can be sorted one of six different directions. The alleyway feeds into a loading chute along the county road, ensuring access from the gravel during inclement weather. As Alan and Hannah look to the future of the Ista Ranch, they hope to carry on the family’s ranching and farming traditions while keeping an eye on new opportunities and a desire to pass the ranch along to their own children. Jennifer Womack is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.

2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

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Hulett – In 2013, Ryan and Sonnie Neiman took what they call a leap of faith, purchased the registered cattle from his family’s Neiman 77 Ranch and started his own operation – Neiman Cattle Company, LLC. Starting as Neiman 77 Ranch and later continuing as Neiman Cattle, they held their first bull sale in 2007 and have continued building their operation as a well-recognized and highly respected operation. Today, Ryan, his wife Sonnie and daughters Kaycie, 2, and Sutton, 4 months, live and work at the ranch and strive to continue to build their family-focused operation. Love for cattle Ryan’s love for cat-

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tle started when he was very young. “When I was nine years old, I started my own herd from a futurity heifer selected by my uncle at the 77 ranch,� he says. “I had those cows through high school and college.� After college, he continued to pursue a hands-on education by working for Sinclair Cattle Company and Cow Country Genetics. “I moved home in 2006 and started managing my family’s ranch, the Neiman 77 Ranch,� he says. “In 2004, my family bought some registered Angus from Ohlde Cattle Company in Kansas, and we started selling bulls with the Pannell Ranch. When

they sold their ranch, we kept building.� Sonnie’s passion for the industry was also developed in her youth. “I was raised north of Hanna in the Elk Mountain area,� she says. “My parents, Casey and Nellie Palm, ran commercial cattle. I grew up working on the ranch.� When she was in high school, Sonnie’s mother recommended she earn a college degree not related to the ag industry. “Mom told me I could always come back to the ranch if I wanted to. I’ve always loved the healthcare industry, so I went into athletic training,� Sonnie explains. “After I graduated, I got my first job

Family - Ryan Neiman (left) and his wife Sonnie are building their registered Angus operation outside Hulett. An important aspect of the ranch is the involvement of family and the ability to pass the ranch on to their daughters Sutton, 4 months, and Kaycie, 2. Courtesy photo

in Hulett. I said I was going to live in Hulett for one year, and then I met Ryan.� The couple was married in September 2013, and they run Neiman Cattle Company north of Hulett together. Working with families After they were married, Sonnie’s parents moved to Hulett from Hanna. “When they got here, we decided that, if we were going to work with both families, we needed to have our own operation,� Ryan says. “We needed to be able to be completely open with everyone, so we bought out the Neiman 77 Ranch Angus herd of about 100 cows, and we leased another 150.� Today, they have grown to a herd of nearly 300 owned and leased cows. They begin calving in April, and Ryan explains they keep nearly all their heifer calves. The bulls are sold as twoyear-olds and developed on a ration that contains absolutely no starch, Ryan emphasizes. They strive to produce bulls with moderate birthweight, moderate size and easy fleshing ability. “On the maternal side, they’ve got to be protective

“We’re not trying to change the world. We’re here to raise the best cattle we can.� – Ryan Neiman enough to keep their calves alive but gentle enough to handle,� Ryan says. “We like to keep all of our heifers and calve them once to find out how they are going to work out as mothers.� Everything is weaned in the fall and held over through the winter. “Then, we decide what we’re going to keep as far as the bulls. The rest are fed out, and carcass data is collected as often as possible,� Ryan says. Working for the customer Ryan’s passion for the registered cattle business starts with livestock, but he also enjoys working with the people. “For me, a lot of the reason why I wanted to be involved in the registered business is for the people,� he says. “I like people and helping to solve their problems.� He continues, “We’re not selling bulls. Really, we’re servicing cows. I enjoy the problem-solving end of finding a bull that works for the commercial producer.� Ryan also sees value in

looking back at what made producers both registered and commercial successful in the past and using similar strategies. “Sometimes I think cattle genetics can move forward too quickly. I think it’s easy to forget that what really matters is the cow,� he explains. “The success of our customers is what matters. Our customers need to be solvent by producing cows that breed, raise calves, breed back and do it again with the lowest input cost possible.� The satisfaction of ownership is also a big part of why the couple has stayed in the cattle business. “Right now, we’re hopefully building something for our kids,� Ryan says. “We’re going to continue building efficiency and improving our uniformity throughout the cowherd. We’re continuing to build our genetics and we’re going to continue to improve.� Records and data To provide the best quality, Ryan says, “We think that Continued on next page

Cattle herd - Neiman Cattle has grown their cattle herd since they first purchased the registered herd from Neiman 77 Ranch in 2007. They have continued to improve the genetics of the herd to improve profitability for their customers. Courtesy photo

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2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page collecting relevant data and information is really important.� This year, they sent a set of bulls to Lingle to the University of Wyoming’s bull test station for forage efficiency testing. “This is the first year we’ve efficiency tested our bulls,� Ryan says. “We thought it was a good opportunity to see if we can learn something more. We’re not looking for a magic bullet,

but we’re looking to find a line of cattle that is superior to the rest and move ahead with those.� The Neimans have also begun to collect additional data from their bulls at Sonnie’s parent’s ranch. “Sonnie’s parents have allowed us to test our genetics on their commercial cows, and this is the first set of calves that was 100 percent sired by our bulls,� Ryan says. “We run their cattle as if they

were our registered cattle, so we individually identify and take individual weaning weights on everything. Later we hope to extend the data collection to the feed yard and slaughter.� They will DNA test the calves to determine sire and then use all the information they collect to make sure the cattle provide a profit for the commercial cattle businessman. Working for the future As Ryan and Sonnie look out over the next several

decades, they see continued development in their future. “Hopefully in 20 years we’ll own a little bit of land, in addition to the cattle,� Ryan says. “We lease everything now. We don’t need to own a bunch of land, but we’d like to have enough to have a home place.� He also notes they will continue to work to improve cattle going forward. “Every year we want to make our cattle a little better, so our customers can put more money in their pockets. That’s what matters,� Ryan says. “I don’t have any grand delusions that we’re going to make the perfect cow. We’re

not trying to change the world. We’re here to raise the best cattle we can and raise a family while doing it.� Visit Neiman Cattle Company online at neimancattle.com for more informa-

tion. This year, their bull sale will be held on Feb. 15, 2018 in Belle Fourche, S.D. Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net.

In addition to working on the ranch, both Ryan and Sonnie Neiman find time to volunteer in the community. “In a small town, we have to be content going to the basketball game on Friday night. We support the kids, and we love it,� Sonnie says. “We’re really lucky that we get to raise our kids on the ranch.� She adds, “I work as an athletic trainer in two high schools in the county, as well as at some local events, and I get to ranch at the same time. We’re really lucky.� Ryan also serves as the high school football coach, saying, “This is a great community.�

Hulett ranch - Neiman Cattle runs registered Angus cattle outside of Hulett, and Ryan and Sonnie agree that the area provides a number of benefits, including good water most years and high quality grass during the summer months. Courtesy photo

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Sundance – Bob Yemington was raised in Torrington, and he made his way to Sundance as a young man, where he purchased Sundance Equipment on Dec. 1, 1975. Bob landed in Sundance after attending college in Laramie, owning a shrimp boat in South Carolina and then working at a nuclear power plant in Florida. “After we sold the shrimp boat, we came to Sundance,” Bob says. “I ended up cutting pitch posts, and when the opportunity came up to buy this place, a friend and I went in as partners. Later, I bought him out.” Business model Sundance Equipment is the only independent John Deere dealer in Wyoming. In 2011, they merged with a

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

dealer in South Dakota, which is another family-run operation. Bob oversees activity at the store, and his son Will has joined him in business, focusing on customer service and sales. “Will started here putting away parts when he was in grade school,” Bob says. After Will attended school in Chicago, Ill. at DePaul University, he wanted to come home. “Will is very good with our customers, and he has a loyal following,” Bob comments. “I’ve been able to turn things over to him, like our global guidance systems, which comes second nature to him. It’s good to have Will as part of the business.” Bob also emphasizes that

Bob Yemington’s wife Mary runs their family ranch while he spends his days at Sundance Equipment. Since 1979, they’ve run Angus cow/calf pairs. “This year, we added a Hereford bull,” Bob says. “We’ll see how it works for us.” Son Will works alongside his mother and takes on the farming end of the operation. “I’ve seen that the generation of people in their mid-30s want to add farming to the operation,” Bob says, “and Will is taking that on.” “Part of the reason I came home is for the ranch,” Will says. “I like living in this area, and it’s fulfilling to work in the ag industry.”

people who work at the company are long-term employees. “We focus on longevity and a loyal and much appreciated crew,” he says. Service focused For Sundance Equipment, service is the top priority. “We have four mechanics and two salesmen,” says Bob, which demonstrates their desire to serve customers. “When the IH dealer went out of business here, we tried to take care of those tractors, too.” “This is good country, and it’s conservative country,” he continues. “We don’t want people buying new tractors and then turning them back later when they can’t afford a payment. We want to make sure their equipment works for them.” “If customers aren’t happy with their equipment, they’re not happy with us,” Will adds. “We want to make sure they’re happy with us.” “We have to stay up-todate in the shop and be able to work on everything,” he says. Bob continues, noting that, even in a pinch, they strive to provide their customers with good quality, working equipment. “We had a gentleman who called at two o’clock on

a Friday afternoon going into a three-day weekend. His hay was cut, and his baler broke down,” Bob says. “We set him up with a rental baler, and he got his hay up. That’s important to us.” Through the years For Bob, the equipment business has changed remarkably through the years, and he has embraced the changes to meet the needs of customers. “When we started out, we started selling round balers,” he says. “They were the first round balers, and virtually every rancher who didn’t have one said they didn’t need or want one, saying, ‘You won’t find one of those hay wasting pieces of equipment on my place.’ Today, round balers dominate.” He continues that technology has also changed dramatically, from the advent of climate controlled tractor cabs to the influx of computers on board. “The technology we see in tractors today is unbelievable,” Bob emphasizes. Technology Sundance Equipment will continue to grow and change to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, notes Bob.

“We’ll continue to expand as we can,” Bob says. Technology has become a big part of their business, and Bob says the days of mechanics carrying grease rags in their back pockets are over. “Some of our tractors have 47 or 50 computers on board,” he says. “Our technicians today have to understand that technology. There is a generation that doesn’t know that, though, which is too bad because it creates labor shortages for the industry.” “The challenge increasingly on the service side is being able to work on things,” Will says. “It gets more complex every day. It’s not what mechanicing was 50 years ago or even 15 years ago.” Will foresees that automation will continue to increase. “I try to keep up on all the automation and guidance systems for our customers, and we provide the service related to those systems,” he says. “We’ll continue to see more auto-tracking and automation in the future.” Changing clients Bob also notes that his clientele has changed over the years. Although Sundance Equipment serves many large

Family business - Bob Yemington (left) and his son Will (right) both work at Sundance Equipment. Bob purchased the business in 1975, and he says they plan to continue for as long as they can. Saige Albert photo

ranches in northeast Wyoming, southwest Montana and northwest South Dakota, he is seeing a transition to smaller operations. “If a ranch is broken up, we lose a customer, but we also gain 30 potential new customers,” he explains. “We get a lot of retired people and younger people who move out of town onto five, 20 or 30 acres. They need snow removal, weed mowers and post hole diggers, so we’re here to serve them, as well.” “When I was in high school, we wouldn’t have had as many Gators and small tractors here,” adds Will. “It was all haying equipment then, but we’ve got both now. We’ll continue to see smaller operations looking for equipment, too.” Big picture With his eye toward the future, Bob says, “We’ll continue doing what we do. We work in ag because we love it, not because it always makes good sense.” He continues, “It’s enjoyable working with the people we work with. We want to see them do well.” “Sundance is the largest town in the county, but it’s still a small town,” Bob emphasizes. “I like our small town, and it’s a good place to be.” Each year, Sundance Equipment hosts a street dance and barbeque event to provide a social venue for their clients and the community to get together. “The community needs us, and we need the community,” Bob says. “We work together to support each other.” Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at saige@wylr.net.

2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Aladdin – “Established in 1889,” says the sign hanging over the ranch yard gate at the Pearson Ranch. It’s a story that pre-dates Wyoming’s statehood by a single year and is intertwined with northeast Wyoming history for 128 years running. “We had more irons in

the fire than just one,” says Charles “Chuck” Pearson of their long-term presence in the ranching community. Before statehood Charles “Chuck” Pearson has often said that his family has more than one iron in the fire, a statement that is true of his family in a broader sense since they

first arrived in northeast Wyoming in the 1880s. Among his holdings was the ranch where Charles Pearson lives today. “When I was two years old,” wrote Chuck’s father Frank Pearson in Pioneers of Crook County, “We moved to a ranch that my

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dad had bought from his dad. It was made up of several homesteads.” “Dad cleared several acres of land by hand with a shovel and axe for farm and hay land. The folks milked several cows and sold cream to make a living along with a few beef cows,” he continued. “I attended school at the schoolhouse that was on the ranch,” wrote Frank. “It was about 100 yards from our house. When I finished grade school, I went four years to high school at Sundance, which was 30 miles away. I graduated in 1930 and came back to the ranch and helped my dad. We farmed and ranched in part-

nership until 1960 when I acquired the place. My father passed away on April 1, 1961.” Growing up on the ranch Chuck attended the same school as his father through the eighth grade, his mom serving as his school teacher for six and a half of those years. Both Chuck and his two sisters attended high school in Belle Fourche, S.D., living in the community during the school year. Chuck raised his own family in the house that was his childhood home and continues to live in that home today. “I got out of high school in 1959,” says

Chuck. “1959 was kind of dry, ’60 was really dry, and ’61 there was nothing. 1962 was one of the best years I’ve ever seen.” Chuck worked off of the ranch during the dry years, but he always returned home at night and worked on the ranch full time as soon as he was able. Swine business It was a few sows that helped him establish his own presence on the ranch. “I started with a few sows and ended up running about 25, and we were pigging twice a year and selling twice a year,” he says. “I was making a lot of money while the cowboys Continued on next page

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Hereford cattle – The Pearson family runs Hereford cattle. They purchase black bulls to run on their first-calf heifers but keep straight Herefords as their replacement heifers. Courtesy photo

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2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page were going broke.” Early on, the pigs were sold at nearby livestock barns, but in later years, he combined them with other producers, and they shipped them out on trucks. Over time, it no longer became economical to raise and ship the pigs at that scale. Today, the ranch maintains around 10 sows and sells the pigs directly to consumers. “Clint is on the place with me, and he does most of the hog stuff,” says Chuck of his youngest son. “I told him I didn’t really need any more experience.”

Clint worked for a while in the timber industry with his brother Wade but prefers the ranch work. Cattle and more “Cattle are our main deal today,” says Chuck, “but I’ve logged and thinned on this place, ran hogs and taken in hunters. I’d hate to try and live off of just one deal.” Hunters still frequent the ranch, most pursuing the whitetail deer for which the area is known. Most today pay a trespass fee and are long-time hunters who know their way around the ranch. “We do a little farming

The lumber for the Aladdin General Store was cut at the Pearson Sawmill that once stood southwest of the presentday ranch at the foot of the Bearlodge Mountains. The sawmill site became the community of Eothen, home to a post office and boarding house for those traveling between Aladdin and Hulett. In 1905, amidst other holdings in the Belle Fourche, S.D. community, the Pearson family built an opera house. According to the book Pioneers of Crook County, family patriarch John Pearson owned 8,000 acres in the Aladdin area, raising cattle, horses and angora goats. Men would come to the area to homestead and work in the sawmills, explains Chuck. If the conditions didn’t suit them, John Pearson would buy out their homestead.

and try and get enough grain for the hogs and to background our heifer calves,” he adds, noting that winter wheat raised on the ranch is often baled when its green and fed as hay. “We run all Hereford cows here,” says Chuck. “We breed mature cows to straight Herefords. We breed two-year-olds and some three-year-olds to black bulls. We keep replacements out of the Herefords.” Chuck likes the disposition of the Herefords, and they’ve had a presence on the ranch for multiple generations. Calving starts mid-February so that the calves can be branded in April and sent out to summer pasture, some on leases in the area. For several years now, the ranch’s calves have sold on Superior Livestock’s sale in Sheridan, held each August, with an October delivery date. Reflecting on the past If he had it to do over again, Chuck says he would have bought more land. Looking back, he says they

were busy and living well. During his tenure on the ranch, he’s seen real estate prices go from $60 an acre to $1,500 to $2,000 an acre. “We can’t justify it for ag land,” he says. Both of Chuck’s sons,

Clint and Wade, live on the ranch. Clint works on the ranch with his father. Wade and his family live on the ranch and he works in the timber industry. Chuck’s daughter Carey and her family live in New

Jersey where she does fundraising for a college foundation. Jennifer Womack is a correspondent for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net

Raising hay – Winter feed, along with grain for the replacement heifers and pigs, is raised on the ranch. Courtesy photo

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Hulett – Since 1977, the McDonald family has farmed and ranched on their current piece of property north and west of Hulett, but their history extends much deeper. “I was born and raised over by Aladdin,” says JO McDonald. “My dad still lives over there, and my wife Rhoda came from Camp Crook, S.D.” Their families still run cattle, and JO and Rhoda have followed in their footsteps, also expanding and adding diversity to their operation the Northfork Buffalo Ranch. Cows and hay “We’re a cow/calf operation, and we put up some hay,” JO explains. “In good years, we can sell a lot of hay, but with drought, it’s

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

been a little bit tough.” “We like to keep busy doing things, so we do some contract farming, as well,” adds Rhoda, who notes that they keep busy cutting hay on a number of ranches in the county. “We also run a small herd of buffalo, and we have a few horses.” The cattle on the ranch are black and black baldy. JO explains that the Hereford bulls make a good cross, and they have consistently sold to the same buyer. “We advertise the cattle on Superior’s country page,” he says. “We’ve tried a little bit of everything in the cowherd, but the black baldies sell really well. People like both the females and the steers, and we’ve been able to get a

premium out of our calves.” In a normal year, the family keeps heifers, but in drought years, like 2017, they’re able to sell early to preserve their feed resources. Diversified livestock In the late 1980s, Rhoda says they invested in a small herd of buffalo. “Buffalo aren’t much trouble, and they survive well,” JO says. “We don’t have to worry about them.” However, if drought hits and they need to destock, JO says moving buffalo can be challenging. “We usually sell a trailer load of yearlings each year,” he adds. Rhoda mentions, “We also like the buffalo meat. When prices are lower, we eat more buffalo than beef.”

McDonald family - For JO and Rhoda McDonald, family is important. They take advantage of any opportunity they have to get together as a whole group, including the occasional vacation. To celebrate their wedding anniversary, the family, including (from left to right) Justin, Kelcie, Kagan, Dally, Rhoda, JO, Abel, Luke, Dace, Autumn, Zane and Dempsey, visited Costa Rica several years ago. Courtesy photo

“One of the things we do with our buffalo is use the calves to train working cow horses. Our son-in-law trains horses, and the buffalo calves are great for training horses,” she adds. Rhoda also mentions that they raise a handful of

ranch horses that they sell and utilize on the ranch. “Our daughter Autumn runs barrels, too, and I’ve been running barrels this summer,” says Rhoda, “so we have horses for that, too. It’s fun to get out and have a girl’s day out.” A year in the life The year for the McDonald family starts with calving at the end of March. “We can get bad weather, but we’re lower in elevation and try to winter the cattle near home where it’s flat,” JO says. “We try to calve near our place. We have portable panels and shelters to protect themselves.” Each year, they move the location of calving to reduce disease incidence. Part of their cattle herd stays near the home place year-round, but they also run the rest in the hills in the region. After the cattle head for summer range, they begin farming. “We used to raise wheat, but when the wheat market got so poor, we planted it back to grass,” JO explains. “This is good winter wheat country, but the grass provides good grazing, too.” He adds that the family has always sold hay, and strong prices enable the family to supplement their cattle income with hay sales. The McDonald family also raises cover crops. “We’ve been no-till farming for 20 years or so,” JO says. “We needed something to rotate our hayfields with, and we used to use small grains. When the wheat market went downhill, we were looking for something to build the soil, so we decided to try a cover crop.” For three years, they’ve been raising a mixture of turnips, radishes, barley, oats, sorghum, millet, peas and more. “We’re hoping to raise winter feed and build the soil,” he continues. “It does well when it has moisture, but it’s a little tough when we’re in a drought.” Family focused Family has remained a centric value for the

McDonalds. JO and Rhoda have three children. Daughter Kelcie is married to Justin Lawrence, and the couple has two children, Kagan and Dally. Autumn, their middle daughter, married Zane Dempewolfe and has two boys, Dace and Dempsey. The youngest son Luke lives and works on the ranch with his son Abel. “JO says we might not be rich, but we’re going to have a lot of experience, and we’ve supported the kids in a lot of different ventures,” Rhoda says. “Kelcie and Justin train horses and have cattle. Autumn and Zane train horses and have cattle, too, and Autumn’s also a hairdresser and trains barrel horses.” Luke excels as a woodworker and often creates custom projects for people around the community. “Luke and his dad work well together, and they do a lot together on the ranch,” Rhoda says. “Our family believes is good work ethic. We need more people with good work ethic in this country, and we’ve taught that to our kids.” Ranch life Though they’ve moved away from their home ranches, JO and Rhoda both say that ranching and Crook County are close to their hearts. “I like Crook County,” JO says. “It’s a good county to live in, and it’s diversified. The country is productive, and this is a friendly community to live in.” Rhoda adds, “I love ranching. I think we could make a place anywhere, but I like our little valley. This is God’s country.” Luke is also fond of the ranch. “I was born and raised here,” he says. “When I went to college in Rapid City, I wanted to come back here when I was done. I’ve been here ever since.” Luke adds, “I agree with mom that we could probably make a place anywhere, but I like it here.” Saige Albert is managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to saige@wylr.net.

B15

2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

WYOMING ANGUS ASSOCIATION Angel Angus Terry & Jackie Angel

PO Box 88 3JWFSUPO 8: t UKBOHFM!XZPNJOH DPN XXX BOHFMRVBSUFSIPSTFT DPN

Staple J Angus-Baker Family Betty or Cory Baker /PSNBOEZ 3E 8IFBUMBOE 8: t

XL Angus Ranch Bob & Kate Ballew PO Box 989 &WBOTWJMMF 8: 307-258-0107 CPC!CLGBSNTMMD DPN

Kailey Barlow

PO Box 1223 #JH 1JOFZ 8: XXX TMFESVOOFSDBUUMF DPN

M Diamond Angus Brad Boner

PO Box 1345 (MFOSPDL 8: 307-436-5406 CSBE!NEJBNPOEBOHVT DPN

M Diamond Angus Trent Boner

PO Box 15 %PVHMBT 8: 307-359-2708 USFOU!NEJBNPOEBOHVT DPN

Douglas Booth Family Angus Dudley & Jennifer Booth 3E 5PSSJOHUPO 8: 307-532-7179 307-532-6207 ECPPUI!TDPUUTCMVò OFU XXX CPPUIGBNJMZBOHVT DPN

Douglas Booth Family Angus Douglas & Carolyn Booth 3E 5PSSJOHUPO 8: 307-532-5830 cbooth@actcom.net XXX CPPUIGBNJMZBOHVT DPN

Booth’s Cherry Creek Ranch Michael & Lindsy Booth

3E 7FUFSBO 8: 307-837-0164 307-532-1830 NMCPPUIXZP!WJTUBCFBN DPN XXX CPPUITDIFSSZDSFFLSBODI DPN

Booth’s Cherry Creek Ranch Shawn & Diane Booth

3E 7FUFSBO 8: 307-837-2994 boothangus@scottsbluff.net XXX CPPUITDIFSSZDSFFLSBODI DPN

Bowman Cattle Lyle Bowman

Horse Creek Angus, LLC Dan, Bobbie & Shade Frank 5396 CR 236 .FSJEFO 8: 307-421-4022 XXX IPSTFDSFFLBOHVT DPN IPSTFDSFFLBOHVT!HNBJM DPN

SO Cattle Diane Frank Mike & Anjie McConnell -ZPOT 7BMMFZ 3E -BOEFS 8: 307-332-4062 307-332-5969 TPDBUUMF!XZPNJOH DPN www.socattle.com

2 Bit Cattle Carlissa French & Keith Davis 3E (SFZCVMM 8: 307-272-7638 DBSMJTTBG!ZBIPP DPN

Clay Creek Angus Jim French 3E (SFZCVMM 8: 307-762-3541 CVMMT!DMBZDSFFL OFU XXX DMBZDSFFL OFU

Gardner’s Heart Dot Angus Bret & Laurie Gardner .JTTPVSJ 7BMMFZ 3E 4IPTIPOJ 8: 307-856-0282

Godley Angus Ranch Gary Godley PO Box 304 ,BZDFF 8: 307-267-2683 HPEMFZ!SUDPOOFDU OFU XXX HPEMFZBOHVT DPN

Grandstaff Angus Curtis & Cheryl Grandstaff 8 4 )XZ Box 155 -B(SBOHF 8: 307-834-2459 307-575-2459 HSBOOZ!QSBJSJFXFC DPN

Gray’s Angus Ranch Rod & Lora Gray

)FOSZ 3E )BSSJTPO /& I t P

Double Lazy A Daniel Greet

" )XZ 5FO 4MFFQ 8: 307-366-2062 EHSFFU!UDUXFTU OFU

Guest Angus & Quarter Horses J.T. Guest PO Box 86 )BXL 4QSJOHT 8: 307-534-5823

B & D Cattle Co. Bill & Dana Haas

$PVOUZ 3E 1JOF #MVòT 8: 307-246-3281 www.bowmancattle.com

3E 7FUFSBO 8: t

Little Goose Ranch Chad Bradshaw, Manager

Ken Haas Angus Ken & Heather Haas

-JUUMF (PPTF $BOZPO 3E #JH )PSO 8: 307-751-1535 307-673-0049 DIBE MHS!ZBIPP DPN MJUUMFHPPTFSBODI DPN

Buline Angus Jim, Pam & Robert Buline 0ME :FMMPXTUPOF )XZ $SPXIFBSU 8: 307-486-2300

Curt & Diane Cox

8JMMPX $SFFL 3E $BTQFS 8: 307-630-4604 DVSU!XZMS OFU

Lazy GT Ranch Don Cox

* 4FSWJDF 3E $IFZFOOF 8: 307-630-0400

Davidson Angus Peter & Susan Davidson 4 .BJO 4U #VSMJOHUPO 8: 307-762-3612

Flying M Angus Larry & Jackie Dobrenz $MBSFUPO )XZ (JMMFUUF 8: 307-464-0315

Earhart Farms Larry & Andrea Earhart 3E 1PXFMM 8: 307-272-5171 307-754-3709 -FBSIBSU!UDUXFTU OFU

Cross Diamond Cattle Co. Scott & Kim Ford

$ 3E #FSUSBOE /& 308-876-2211 308-991-2452 UIFGPSET!DSPTTEJBNPOEDBUUMF DPN XXX DSPTTEJBNPOEDBUUMF DPN

Labonte Creek Angus Ranch Neil & Clarice Forgey 8FTU 1POEFSPTB 8IFBUMBOE 8: 307-351-1944 MBCPOUFDSFFL!IPUNBJM DPN

4UBUF )XZ -B(SBOHF 8: 307-834-2356 www.kenhaasangus.com

Hancock Livestock Charles Hancock

PO Box 435 #BTJO 8: 307-250-6900 IBODPDLD !ZBIPP DPN

Harsy Land & Cattle Nancy Harsy 6 4 )XZ -VTL 8: 618-521-1243

Herring Angus Ranch Kal & Vickie Herring

PO Box 275 &ODBNQNFOU 8: t

Pat & Marilyn Herring

3E 7FUFSBO 8: t HCBSI!CCDXC OFU XXX BOHVTKPVSOBM DPN HCBSI

Hiser Farms Wesley & Velvet Hiser

PO Box 882 $BTQFS 8: 8FT t XIJTFS!XZPIFBSU DPN WFMWFUIJTFS!ZBIPP DPN

Hoggs Angus Ronee, Michael & Kurt Hogg 4U )XZ .FFUFFUTF 8: t hoggsangus@tctwest.net

Hytrek Cattle Company Toby Hytrek 7405 Jacob Place $IFZFOOF 8: 307-760-7664 UIZUSFL!HNBJM DPN XXX IZUSFLDBUUMF DPN

Ingalls Angus & Quarter Horses PO Box 1782 3JWFSUPO 8: 307-690-7557 EBO!JOHBMMT VT

Dan Ingalls

PO Box 1782 3JWFSUPO 8: 307-690-7557 EBO!JOHBMMT VT

Lucky 7 Angus Jim & Jamie Jensen

PO Box 1445 3JWFSUPO 8: 307-850-2514 DPXCPZCVMMT!IPUNBJM DPN XXX MVDLZ BOHVT DPN

Jensen Angus Justin & Renee Jensen

PO Box 316 #PVMEFS 8: I t D

SKK!XZPNJOH DPN

Bill & Chris Johnson

3E 7FUFSBO 8: t bcjohnson@bbcwb.net

XH Land and Cattle Co. XH Angus Chad Jones

)$ #PY 4BSBUPHB 8: t YISBODI!VOJPO UFM DPN www.xhangus.com

Deer Creek Angus Ranch Bill & Jo Ann Keith ;FSP 3E $BTQFS 8: 307-457-2314 KPLFJUILW!SUDPOOFDU OFU

Kilts Angus Russell & Sheila Kilts

PO Box 382 &EHFSUPO 8: t TIFLJMUT!SUDPOOFDU OFU

Klein Angus Bill Klein

#SPPLTJEF 3E 8IFBUMBOE 8: 307-331-0136 #JMM !ZBIPP DPN

Rafter T Angus Kale & Kim Kretschman

“THE BEST IN THE WEST�

Cow Capital Livestock, LLC Doug McLean 4JHOBM #VUUF 3E .JMFT $JUZ .5 t DPXDBQJUBM !HNBJM DPN XXX DPXDBQJUBM DPN

Mitchem Ranch Stan & Karen Mitchem PO Box 1115 (MFOSPDL 8: 307-436-2504 TUBO!TUBONJUDIFN DPN

3PTT 3E %PVHMBT 8: 307-464-6222 KKDBUUMFDP!HNBJM DPN

Ryan & Sonnie Neiman

)XZ " 1PXFMM 8: 307-202-1356

Lisco Angus Jordan Lisco

5BOL 'BSN 3E %PVHMBT 8: 307-359-1683

Lisco Angus Richard W. (Dick) Lisco 5BOL 'BSN 3E %PVHMBT 8: 307-358-3810 (h) 307-359-0167 (c) MJTDPBOHVT!WDO DPN

4U )XZ 7FUFSBO 8: 307-837-2279 XXX OJDLFMDBUUMF DPN

Walker Angus Ranch Ramon & Verla Walker

Popo Agie Angus Ted Seely

Weaver Ranch Susan & Maxine Weaver or Sheldon Emerson

#VTJOFTT -PPQ -ZNBO 8: 307-787-6106

8FTU $P 3E 'PSU $PMMJOT $0 970-568-3898 XFBWFSSDI!BPM DPN

Beaver Creek Ranches/ WW Angus Pete & Lucy Widener

Broken Diamond T Angus Deb Simon & Allen Roush

#FBWFS $SFFL 3E 4IFSJEBO 8: 307-674-6947 (h) 307-674-0848 (o) EPVCMFX!ĂśCFSQJQF OFU 1"#8!ĂśCFSQJQF OFU XXX CFBWFSDSFFLSBODIFT DPN

Sinclair Cattle Company

Wilkes 6-D Angus Ranch Darrell Wilkes

8BMLFS $SFFL 3E %PVHMBT 8: 307-358-1965

Nolke Angus Calvin Nolke, Jr.

PO Box 1158 #VòBMP 8: 800-761-2077 XXX TJODMBJSDBUUMF DPN

PO Box 36 )BXL 4QSJOHT 8: 303-570-9207 EPDXJMLFT !HNBJM DPN

Powder River Angus Neal & Amanda Sorenson

WEBO Angus Buttons York

64 )XZ "SWBEB 8: 307-736-2260 307-680-7359 OBTPSFOTPO!SBOHFXFC OFU XXX QPXEFSSJWFSBOHVT DPN

PO Box 848 -VTL 8: 307-334-3006 307-334-9989 www.weboangus.com

Steinbrecher Livestock Company Kody Steinbrecher

Zorko’s 7Z Livestock Robert J. Zorko

PO Box 293 4VOEBODF 8: 307-290-0821 XZPNJOH !HNBJM DPN

Page Family L.P. Tom Page

PO Box 1211 -BSBNJF 8: 307-742-4077 CPCMFTT !WDO DPN

Wyoming Livestock Roundup Dennis Sun

$BSSPMM -BLF 3E -BSBNJF 8: 307-760-8429 307-745-3278 QBHFBOHVT!ZBIPP DPN

7th A

5-5 Angus Colton & Tanna Rodeman

4PVUIGPSL 3E $PEZ 8: 307-587-5440 307-272-6727

3E $IFZFOOF 8: 307-631-8814 HTFMJO!NJMMFDU DPN

Nickel Cattle Co. Kevin & Jackie Nickel

l nnua

Wagler Angus Kim & Elsie Wagler

G G Ranch Greg & Kim Selin

)XZ )VMFUU 8: 307-290-0791 XXX OFJNBODBUUMF DPN

PO Box 68 4IFSJEBO 8: 307-674-7375 EPBOHVT!HNBJM DPN XXX PBSBOHVT DPN

0MTPO 3E 8IFBUMBOE 8: 307-322-4848 307-331-1568 (Juan) 307-331-1530 (Jen) KPSFZFT!XZPNJOH DPN XXX NSBOHVTSBODI DPN

PO Box 569 -BOEFS 8: 307-330-8773 307-332-2839

Neiman Cattle Company

Oedekoven Angus David & Diana Oedekoven

PO Box 327 $PLFWJMMF 8: 307-270-7334

PO Box 837 %PVHMBT 8: 307-351-4275 UBOOBSPEFNBO!ZBIPP DPN

J Bar M Angus John & ManDee Moore

Broken Arrow Angus, Inc. Travis & Katie Krein

Teichert Angus Mark Teichert

MR Angus Ranch Juan Reyes or Jen Reyes-Burr

PO Box 15 'U #SJEHFS 8: t ENJDIFMJ!CWFB OFU

7BO 5BTTFMM 3E 5PSSJOHUPO 8: t PDITOFS!EJTINBJM OFU XXX RVBMJUZCVMMT DPN

8FTU 1BWJMMJPO 3E 1BWJMMJPO 8: 307-709-8351 (c) 307-463-7475 (h)

PO Box 168 .BOEFSTPO 8: 307-347-2270 SFEMBOEBOHVT DPN

Micheli Ranch Dale or Ron Micheli

George Ochsner & Sons Blake Ochsner

P\T Livestock Pete Thompson

Redland Angus Kendrick & Sharon Redland

"JSQPSU 3E 4IFSJEBO 8: t UXNJDI!PQUJNVN OFU

-PXFS 1PXEFS 3JWFS 3E "SWBEB 8: 307-736-2327 307-351-0794 LMLSFU!SBOHFXFC OFU

LTJ Angus Tim Lathum

# 3E 5FO 4MFFQ 8: 307-250-1546- Deb "EBN

Tom & Garcia Michelena

Kretschman Angus Kelby & Lacey Kretschman

PO Box 346 .FFUFFUTF 8: 307-868-2595 307-272-4911 LGESBNTSVT!IPUNBJM DPN XXX HSFBUCFBSSFøFDUJPO DPN

Redland Red Bank Angus Deb & Adam Redland

)XZ )ZBUUWJMMF 8: 307-469-2206 QBJOUSPDLBOHVT!HNBJM DPN XXX QBJOUSPDLBOHVT DPN

'PVS $PSOFST 3E -B(SBOHF 8: 307-477-0029 OPMLFBOHVT!HNBJM DPN

Obsidian Angus Fred & Kay Thomas

(SBOHF 3E 8IFBUMBOE 8: 307-331-1175 XZPDPXEVEF !ZBIPP DPN

Paint Rock Angus Ranch, Inc. Martin & Kelli Mercer

.JEEMF 1SPOH 3E (JMMFUUF 8: t SBGUFSU!SBOHFXFC OFU

6 4 )XZ )BSSJTPO /& 308-665-5085 CSPLFOBSSPXBOHVT DPN

Rock Lake Land & Cattle, LLC. Todd Platt

ZumBrunnen Angus Jason & Shirley ZumBrunnen

PO Box 850 $BTQFS 8: 307-234-2700 EFOOJT!XZMS OFU XXX XZMS OFU

,JSUMFZ 3E -VTL 8: 307-481-7090 www.zbangus.com

Select Female Sale

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Grace Werner Agricultural Pavilion Casper College- Casper, WY Sale Time: 12:30 p.m.

Lisco Angus Taylor Lisco

5BOL 'BSN 3E %PVHMBT 8: 307-359-2707(c)

SS Ranch Company Andy & Stacy Malm PO Box 128 -B(SBOHF 8: 307-834-0128

Malm Ranch Co. Gordon Malm

PO Box 55 "MCJO 8: (PSEPO "OEZ NSD NU!BPM DPN XXX NBMNSBODI DPN

WEBO Angus Odessa Mathias

PO Box 466 -VTL 8: 307-340-1182 TNPEJFNBUIJT!HNBJM DPN www.weboangus.com

McClun’s Lazy JM Ranch Jim or Jeff McClun 3E 7FUFSBO 8: 307-837-2524 307-534-5141 KLNDDMVO!XZPNBJM DPN

Wyoming Angus Association Officers President: Brad Boner, Glenrock t CSBE!NEJBNPOEBOHVT DPN

Secretary/Treasurer: Curt Cox, Casper t DVSU!XZMS OFU

DIRECTORS - TERMS EXPIRING 2017 Neal Sorenson, Arvada Kelli Mercer, Hyattville Shawn Booth, Veteran J.T. Guest, Hawk Springs 307-736-2260 307-469-2206 307-837-2994 307-534-5823 km@tctwest.net boothangus@scottsbluff.net

TERMS EXPIRING 2018 Brad Boner, Glenrock 307-436-5406 NEJBNPOE!IVHIFT OFU

Kale Kretschman, Gillette 307-736-2415 SBGUFSU!SBOHFXFC OFU

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

Dan Frank, Meriden 307-421-4022

Richard W. (Dick) Lisco, Douglas I t D

MJTDPBOHVT!WDO DPN

Kim Kretschman, Gillette 307-736-2415 SBGUFSU!SBOHFXFC OFU

McConnell Angus Ranch Roger, Ryan & Royce McConnell 3E / %JY /& 308-682-5615 mcconnellangus@msn.com www.mcconnellangus.com

Vice-President: Buttons York, Lusk t CVUUPOT!XFCPBOHVT DPN

TERMS EXPIRING 2019 Buttons York, Lusk t buttons@weboangus.com

Amanda Sorenson, Arvada 307-736-2260 OBTPSFOTPO!SBOHFXFC OFU

Todd Platt, Wheatland 307-331-1175 XZPDPXEVEF !ZBIPP DPN

B16

Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Hulett – Third generation rancher Tom Wolf began managing the family’s cow/ calf operation in 1996 along with his wife Donna. “My wife and I took over the family operation 21 years ago from my parents,” he says. Current operation Staying close to its roots, the ranch continues to be a cow/calf operation, explains Wolf. “We run about 150 to 175 herd cows now and sell feeder

steers on Superior Livestock,” he says. The family primarily raises Hereford cattle, with approximately 30 percent of the herd being black baldies that are marketed as bred cows. The ranch raises its own replacement animals and sells calves off of the cow in the fall. “We calve in March, and the calves are delivered in late October,” Wolf notes. In addition to the cat-

tle side of the business, Wolf explains the ranch also grows dryland grass and alfalfa hay and raises a small amount of small grains. “We usually put up around 1,000 round bales to feed the cows through the winter months,” he comments. Off the ranch, both Wolf and his wife work for the Crook County School District. “I drive a school bus, and my wife is a paraprofessional at Hulett School,” says Wolf. Rewarding experiences For Wolf, ranching holds many rewards, both in the day-to-day work and special experiences. “Seeing the baby calves in the spring and the green grass is something that I enjoy,” says Wolf. The relationships the couple has built with friends and neighbors in agriculture

are another part of ranching they deeply cherish. “We have a whole host of great neighbors in every direction who are friends we can lean on anytime to help us with whatever needs done,” he says. Wolf also explains that he and his wife have become acquainted with a few families who show their Hereford calves. “It’s been quite rewarding and very enjoyable to meet those families,” says Wolf. “Two of our biggest highlights were a grand champion carcass at the National Hereford Show in Oklahoma one year and the grand champion steer in Ohio at a county fair.” He notes their involvement with the showing first began with Jim Williams, formerly of the American Hereford Association, as Williams began seeking a Hereford steer for his daughter to show. “He went to a feedlot to pick a steer, and he selected one of ours,” Wolf comments. “He called me wanting to know the information about this steer, like its birthdate and what all I knew about it.” After that, Williams introduced the couple to other families interested in showing

Hereford cattle. “It’s been a lot of fun to watch their young people grow up,” he notes. Land stewardship “We’re very interested in maintaining soil health and are moving forward with different efforts through our Natural Resources Conservation Service office and education at their field days,” Wolf says. This past spring, Wolf explains the ranch began planting cover crops to extend their grazing season and allow them to feed less hay. “I think we’ll continue using cover crops. It helps to nourish the soil as the turnips, radishes and such are doing their job penetrating the impacted ground and allowing moisture to soak in when it rains,” Wolf states. Improving environmental sustainability is a continued goal for the ranch, he continues. The ranch has recently added new fencing to improve grazing and is currently working on water line projects. “We’ve got one project going on right now where we’re putting in a mile of pipe and several tanks to better utilize the pasture we have avail-

Generations – Tom and Donna Wolf and the couple’s children are the third and fourth generations to continue the family ranching tradition. The family includes (left to right) son Shane, daughterin-law Katie, Donna, Tom, daughter-in-law Kristin and son Calvin. Courtesy photo

Friends – Jay Hammill (left) helps Tom Wolf check wheat progress and aids with the farming operations at Wolf Ranch. Courtesy photo

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able to us,” he continues. Additionally, the ponderosa pine trees are managed on the ranch’s timbered acres to maintain a healthy and sustainable forest. Eye to the future According to Wolf, operating the ranch is a family affair, with the couple’s two sons actively involved, while they also work off the ranch. “They both went to college and returned to the area. Our oldest Calvin works for the Crook County Road and Bridge Department,” he says. “Our youngest son Shane is an agricultural loan officer at the Sundance State Bank. They help nights, weekends and whenever they’re needed.” As they look toward the future, Wolf explains the family is also looking to diversify their marketing strategy. “A friend told me about a guy in New Mexico who wanted some Hereford bull calves, so we’re sending him 10 head in November,” he says. “We’re not in the bull business, but it seemed like a pretty good thing to try.” As the demand increases for locally raised food, each year, a few steers are fattened on the ranch and sold as beef to local consumers. Wolf continues, “We’re trying to diversify our income, so we’re not relying just on one thing or another.” He notes that both sons and their wives desire to continue the family ranching tradition and have started to help with some of the decision making. “It’s gratifying to have them interested in it. We’ve done some long-term planning to help us be able to pass the ranch on to them, hopefully seamlessly,” Wolf concludes. Emilee Gibb is editor of Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at emilee@wylr.net.

B17

2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Carlile – Ranching is a family tradition and way of life for third generation rancher Dan Zimmerschied of the Zimmerschied Ranch in northeastern Wyoming. “Our family has been ranching over 100 years on this place. The original family came from Edwardsville, Ill., and they had a farm back there,� he explains. “They built the house I live in in 1912, and that was the year my father was born.� Running the business Currently, the Zimmerschied Ranch is a long yearling operation, Zimmerschied explains. “In other words, spring 2017’s calves won’t sell until next fall in 2018,� he says. “The advantage to that is, if we do have a dry year, we can sell them in the spring, and we have the pasture we would have used for them to put our cows on so we don’t sell our cows.� The yearlings are not usually backgrounded and are primarily grassfed at the time of sale. “I mostly sell them through a livestock auction barn, but this spring I did sell some of them private treaty,� he explains. After the passing of his mother, Zimmerschied notes the ranch is in a period

of transition. “I’ll probably only be running 175 to 200 head for a while now until I can build back up a little bit,� he comments. “I’m pretty much switching to all Black Angus with Simmental crossed into them from running Herefords.� In addition to their yearling operation, Zimmerschied explains the ranch also raises hay for their cattle using dryland field management. “We do a little farming, but most of the farming we do is to try and grow hay,� he comments. The ranch grows a mix of alfalfa and grass hay, with the majority of their produc-

tion being grass hay. Family and the ranch Zimmerschied and his wife Mary “DeDe� have been married for 27 years, and he notes she is actively involved in helping care for the ranch. “She enjoys helping with some of the things around on the ranch and has a big garden she tends to,� says Zimmerschied. In addition to helping care for the ranch, DeDe also applies her talents to hand crafting, he says. “DeDe does woodworking, and she builds log furniture, Zimmerschied explains. DeDe’s two children and the couple’s grandchil-

Grandkids – Dan and “DeDe� Zimmerschied enjoy teaching their grandchildren about the joys of ranch life and working alongside of them as they grow older. Grandson Tyler gives a big smile while riding at the ranch. Courtesy photo

dren are also involved in the ranching operation. “The grandkids are getting to an age where they’re pretty good help, and they seem to like it,� he comments. Zimmerschied continues, “Some of the kids are really good mechanics, which really helps because I’m not as good at that.� When not working on the ranching operation, Zimmerschied explains he enjoys supporting his grandchildren in their sporting activities, saying, “I really enjoy going to see my grandkids’ football games and hockey games.� Working forward As he looks toward the future, Zimmerschied explains he plans to increase his cowherd size.

Finding reliable help for completing ranch work is another focus for Zimmerschied, he says. He explains that providing optimal care of the land and livestock at all times is his first priority. Zimmerschied continues, “My goals are to try to keep ranching if we find someone to help care for our livestock. We have to be fair to them, as their care is our first priority in ranching.� Way of life “I’ve never really done anything other than ranching,� explains Zimmerschied as he reflects on his desire to ranch. Zimmerschied notes the freedom of the ranching lifestyle has always appealed to him. “In ranching, we set our

own hours, and if we have to have a day off, we can take it usually,� he continues. “There’s only certain times of year that we’re really tied up, like calving.� The connection ranching has with the land and wildlife is another part of the lifestyle that Zimmerschied appreciates. “Just being outdoors, getting to watch all of the wildlife and such, is something I also enjoy,� he says. Zimmerschied concludes, “We really enjoy it. There’s no better way of life than this. I’m sure some people wouldn’t get along with the ranch lifestyle, but we’ve found it very rewarding.� Emilee Gibb is editor of Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at emilee@wylr.net.

Neighbors – Branding time is a community event, with neighbors and friends from near and far coming to help at the Zimmerschied Ranch. Courtesy photo

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup

Rockypoint – Located in northeastern Wyoming, Kuhbacher Ranch has

been in operation for 100 years, says third generation rancher Jerry Kuh-

bacher. “My grandad homesteaded in 1907 at the

Loading – Jerry Kuhbacher and one of his grandsons work to load some of the ranch’s cattle on a trailer for transport. Courtesy photo

place we’re at now,� says Kuhbacher. “We still live on the same 160 acres he homesteaded on.� Kuhbacher and his wife Gayle, along with their sons and families, operate the family ranch, where they raise hay and cattle. Evolving As he reflects on expanding the ranch, Kuhbacher explains the operation has continued to evolve over the years. “In the 1970s, when I’d buy a place, I would break a lot of that good soil out. I was planting winter wheat,and we had some hay acreage, too,� he comments. “I built to about 5,000 acres under tillage with a fallow wheat program.� Kuhbacher continued increasing acreage for the ranch through the 1970s. “We’ve ended up with 11,000 acres,� Kuhbacher notes. “Now, since 1999, we’ve gotten everything put back into grass and alfalfa.�

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Through the years where the Kuhbachers were farming a large amount of land, he raised sheep to utilize the remaining land. “I’d buy a lot of lambs in the fall, and they had good feed through the fall and winter,� he continues. Now, the ranch has transitioned to cattle and hay production, he explains. “It’s evolved over the years. There are 5,000 acres of hay ground, and there are 6,000 acres of grazing pastureland,� states Kuhbacher. Cattle business Kuhbacher explains the ranch typically runs 300 cow/calf pairs through the summer and has a program established where they sell a certain number of pairs in spring. “It can go as high as 400 pairs in the summer in wet years, but in the drier years, we’ve been holding back to about 300 pairs,� he says. “We winter at least 400 head of our own cows, and we bring in a certain amount of cows to winter for other people.� The ranch typically winters approximately 1,000 to 1,200 head each year. “We’ve wintered up to 1,800 head of range cows, but as a general rule, we're usually in the 1,000 to 1,200 head range,� comments Kuhbacher. The ranch hasn’t purchased calves in several years but does periodically purchase bred cows to maintain their numbers, he says. “When we purchase cows, we stick mostly to Black Angus,� he comments. Hay production In addition to their cattle business, the ranch also

raises grass and alfalfa hay for their cattle, but Kuhbacher notes the dry weather has been a challenge. “The last two years, we’ve had lower production because it’s been real dry,� he says. In a typical year, the ranch produces 5,000 to 6,000 tons of hay per year using dryland field management. While the hay produced is primarily for their cattle, Kuhbacher explains they have also marketed hay in the past. “Over the years, we’ve sold quite a bit. We always keep enough to maintain our cattle numbers,� he says. “Even with the dry weather, we have got a fair amount of carry over hay, so we’ll be fine this winter. We just haven’t been able to sell much hay the last two falls.� Love of the challenge “I was still a sophomore in high school when my grandparents on my mother’s side decided they wanted to retire,� explains Kuhbacher. “I had to make up my mind when I was a sophomore whether or not I wanted to ranch for a living.� He notes his father didn’t want to purchase the ranch unless Kuhbacher planned on returning to work with him. “I ended up saying I would, and I guess that’s the end of the story,� he laughs. “I’ve been here all of my life.� According to Kuhbacher, managing his own ranch over the years has had its challenges. “I started out real small, and the ranch didn’t have much around then. Dad bought me 400 head of sheep when I came Continued on next page

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2017 Fall Cattlemen's Edition

Continued from previous page back,” he says. “We had to go through all of the fences and put five and six wire fences around us.” Kuhbacher continues, “I don’t know how to say it other than it’s been a challenge through the years. Of course, we loved it, and it’s deep in our bones. We wouldn’t do anything else as long as we can keep ranching.” Looking forward Kuhbacher explains the ranch is transitioning to his sons Justin and Michael and their families.

“They do the lion’s share of the work and decision-making day-today,” he says. “I’m fortunate I’ve got two good boys, and the ranch tradition is carrying on.” As they look at ranch management strategies, Kuhbacher notes drought management has been a high priority. “We had a period between 2000 to 2005 that was really dry. By the time 2002 came along, in the fall, we were real short of water,” he says. Kuhbacher continues,

“I started a three-year program putting underground water lines in throughout the ranch. That helped us winter a lot more cattle because we had good water year-round.” According to Kuhbacher, the family plans to keep continuing and improving the land in coming years. “Our future plan is to keep on the same program carrying forward as far as I can see,” Kuhbacher concludes. Emilee Gibb is editor of Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at emilee@wylr.net.

Century – The Kuhbacher family has been ranching in northeastern Wyoming for over 100 years. Courtesy photo

21 Family – The Kuhbacher family now has the fifth generation working on the family’s ranch and include (left to right, back row) are Michael, Jerry, Beau, Justin, Charlee, Paysen (left to right, front row) Denver, Jewel and Baylor. Courtesy photo

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Wyoming Livestock Roundup

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