Download Property Brochure - Farm & Ranch

The Ranch ranks among the largest cow-calf operations
in Montana, currently running about 3,500 mother cows
plus about 175 bulls and about 800 replacement heifers.
According to an assessment conducted on the Ranch in
June 2011 by Norman C. Wheeler & Associates, the Ranch
is currently rated at 5,200 Animal Units.
As with any premier commercial cattle operation, bull
selection is critical and the Ranch carefully evaluates their
breeding stock on an annual basis. Replacement
bulls are closely assessed based on their yearling
Expected Progeny Difference (EPD). The
purpose of EPD is to compare the genetic merit
of the animal based on specific traits. Ultimately
the bull has to have good “eye appeal.” Bulls are
typically kept for six breeding years. Years of
discipline in the selection of breeding stock has
produced a uniform high-index cattle herd.
According to Dan Freeman, the Ranch Manager,
the history of producing high-index calves on the
Ranch at weaning has commanded a premium
from mid-west feeders and packers. Broken
O calves historically gain 3.25 to 3.75 pounds
per day, finish fast, and grade very high. The
annual steer crops command top dollar and have
developed a reputation for quality over the past
20 years.
First-calf heifers typically weigh around 1,100
pounds and begin calving in early February,
finishing up in late March, and typically produce calves
averaging 80 pounds at birth. These heifers are synchronized
to calve within the first three weeks in February. They calve
in the main calving facility located along the Sun River
just east of the Cattle Division where they can be closely
monitored. This expansive facility is heated and contains
over 100 jugs to accommodate the heifer herd during the
initial calving rush in early February. Once the calf is on
the ground, the pair is kept in the barn for about a day
CATTLE OPERATION
before the pairs are sexed into one of two holding lots
near the barn where they are held for three to four days
to ensure the new calf has taken to its mother and both
are healthy.
By February 20th, any remaining un-calved heifers are split
between the Freeman Barn and the New Barn Calving
Facilities to be put in with the older cows as they begin
the calving process. The average birth weights on the calves
from the older cows typically run about 80 to 90 pounds.
As the remaining heifers calve out, they are then trucked
back to the Main Calving Barn to be sexed and put with
the other first-calf heifers. The older cows have historically
calved out in lots near each of the calving facilities.
At birth, all calves are inoculated with Vitamin A and
tagged. Once calving wraps up and the pairs are sexed,
the steer pairs are turned out south of Highway 21 to the
6
high-protein improved pastures and native grasses. They
continually move to the east-southeast through the deeded
and state lease lands until they end up at the Pick Hammer
Unit located at the very south end of the Ranch to utilize
the best hard grass for the most efficient gain. The heifer
pairs graze the sub-irrigated pastures north of the Sun River
and are moved from the pastures west to east and eventually
to the Harris Unit. By mid-May the bulls are turned out
with the cow herd to begin the breeding cycle.
Calves are weaned in late October and given
a preconditioning and an eight-way shot.
The 2011 weaned steer calves averaged 682
pounds. In 2011 the heifer calves averaged 630
pounds. Steers are shipped immediately after
weaning to commercial feedlots in Nebraska.
The heifer calves are weaned directly from the
Harris Unit and trucked to the Ranch feedlot.
The replacement heifers will go through three
separate culls until the final herd of heifers to
be bred is established in late March.
After weaning, cattle graze the dormant grass
and alfalfa stands left from the summer.
Most years, winter feeding of the cattle herd
does not begin until late December or early
January with first cutting alfalfa hay fed up
to calving time, dependent upon weather. In
this part of Montana, producers typically like
to keep about 2.50 tons of hay per cow in the
stack to get their cattle through the end of
April. However, the Ranch historically feeds between 2.0
and 2.25 tons per cow. A 22% protein ration (SmartLic®
supplements) is only used with first-calf heifers and threeyear
old cows through the fall. However, the older cows
are not put on a protein ration until after they calve. After
calving, the cows are transitioned to second cutting hay
rations providing a higher protein content to keep them
healthy and nourish the nursing calves.