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Moving the Industry F orward

The banks of Horse Creek – The SS Ranch Company is situated on the south bank of Horse Creek just south of LaGrange. Boasting a rich and colorful history, the location is a prime location for raising cattle. Courtesy photo

SS Ranch Company builds foundation of productive, functional cattle with competitive carcass traits

The Malm family lives in Goshen County near LaGrange on what is known as the SS Ranch Company. Andy, Stacy and their family moved to LaGrange from Albin in 2006 when they, along with Andy’s parents Gordon and Fanny Malm, made the purchase of the SS Ranch. Gordon and Fanny began a registered Hereford business in the early 1950s. Their work ethic and dedication to improving their cow herd led to many accolades within the industry, including exhibiting the Champion Carload of Hereford Bulls at the 1969 National Western Stock Show in Denver. As time went on and trends changed, Gordon found it imperative to put a focus on carcass superiority, which led to inclusion of multiple other breeds. “My dad was an astute cowman, with an eye for high-quality phenotype, and he started crossbreeding to improve the Hereford breed,” shares Andy. “Then it evolved into a six-breed operation known as Malm Ranch Company. The whole family was involved, including my brother Howard and my sisters Martha and Lynette.” Acquiring the SS Ranch The family had been leasing a ranch in Nebraska and feared their lease was going to be terminated. This was the beginning of the transition of the Malm Ranch herd to a new home, and Andy and his family came to the SS Ranch. “Purchasing this ranch was a huge leap of faith so

we could help run the Malm Ranch cows here on a lease basis,” Andy says. “When we moved here in 2006, this ranch had been on the market for a while. Taking it from where it was then to what it is today has been a work in progress,” Andy says. The SS Ranch sits on the south bank of Horse Creek, just south of LaGrange and was known for many years as the KJ Ranch. Then Charles Hirsig, the owner in 1937, bought some cattle with the SS brand and obtained the brand as well. “From then on, the ranch was known as the SS Ranch – sometimes, jokingly, we say the SS stands for sandy soil,” Andy laughs. Over the years, the ranch has seen some interesting history. “It’s hard to imagine now, but the peaceful creek flowing by the ranch was once the site of cattle drives from Texas to several northern states,” Andy shares. “The big herds traveled along the creek, coming from Pine Bluffs across the range. They probably followed this creek for several miles before cutting cross country and crossing the North Platte River to go into northern Wyoming and Montana.” In 1962, the owners of the ranch established a corporation, which was owned by Ed and Elizabeth Johnson and their three sons – Jelmer, Bill and Jim. The Malm family purchased the ranch and the Continued on next page

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OFFERING PERSONALIZED FINANCING A N D C O M P R E H E N S I V E M A N AG E M E N T S E R V I C ES Industry accolades – Gordon and Fanny Malm’s dedication to improving their registered Hereford cow herd led to many accolades within the industry, including the Grand Champion Carload of Hereford Bulls at the National Western Stock Show in 1969. Courtesy photo