Van Dyke Angus Ranch is located near Manhattan, Montana. This is the  Southwestern part of the state in what is known as the Gallatin Valley. Our farm ground consists of approximately 1500 tillable acres (607 hectare) of heavy clay loam soil which, when watered and fertilized, will produce 100 bushel per acre (14.26 hectoliter per hectare) or more of wheat, barley and oats.

We have an average yearly rainfall of approx. 15 inches (38.1 cm) which requires that the valley ground be irrigated by overhead sprinkler systems fed by deep well  irrigation or canals that pass through areas of the ranches. Our hay meadows consists of some straight alfalfa, some mixed grass and alfalfa and some straight grass. The straight grass is a mixture of Regar Brome, Tall Fescues and Orchard grass with some alfa-graze. The hay usually produces around 2 to 3 ton per acre and we usually harvest around 6 ton per acre annually.

In this area of Montana snow fall varies from year to year. We are surrounded by mountains and we like to have heavy snow fall there as this is where the irrigation water comes from during the summer. It also replenishes the ground water for the irrigation wells. Our winter weather ranges from + 40° F to  an occasionally - 40° F (4.4° to -40° C). However, when the temperature does drop way down we seldom have wind and also have no humidity which makes working in the daylight hours tolerable.

Van Dyke Angus Ranch is pretty much a family run operation. We do, however, have two full time employees. Paul Feddes has worked for us for 16 years now and we consider him to be a part of our family. In March, Monty Howery joined our team as well. Monty also has registered Angus cows and has been very successful with them. He will be very valuable to Van Dyke Angus. Van Dyke Angus Ranch is pretty much a family run operation. We do, however, have two full time employees. Paul Feddes has worked for us for 18 years now and we consider him to be a part of our family. C. J. McHenry has also started employment by us and is a very valuable addition. Both Paul and C. J. are very good with the cattle and are great people to be involved with.

Our cow herd is run the same as any well managed commercial cow-calf operation. Cows are well cared for but never pampered. We never allow the calves any creep feed as this makes the weaning information gathered meaningless. Our cows, along with the heifer calves and the replacement bred heifers, run on 10,000 acres(4,047 hectare) of native hill pasture that will run up to 8,000 feet in elevation. They pasture there from June 1 to November 1, then are taken down to graze the hay meadows until approximately December 15 at which time the hay feeding starts.

The cows with bull calves are kept near the main ranch on sub-irrigated pastures making them more easily available for viewing. Our calves are weaned each year about September 1st  at which time the 205 day weights are taken. The bull calves are sorted into 3 different groups and the heifer calves are sorted into 2 groups. This is done to make sure that each animal is given an equal chance to compete. We want the information from the 140 day yearling information to be as accurate as possible. The calves are fed a high roughage ration to ensure sound animals. We do not like to get a big fat build up on the animals.

The Angus herd consists of 300 registered cows and 75 commercial recipient cows. We strive to breed cattle that are strong in maternal and performance traits, and having the ability to survive in the commercial settings of Montana. We stress females that are fertile, phenotypically correct with good dispositions. Our breeding program utilizes the valuable information made available by the American Angus Association's Sire Evaluation Report. We also do extensive carcass testing on the herd sires that we produce. Every year we use progressive commercial herds around the country to distribute semen on some of the more promising bull that we have raised. The cows are bred at random and the calves are then sold to a feedlot that can handle cattle for the CAB requirements. We believe that by using progeny proven sires, we can achieve predictable performance. Predictable performance is no secret, nor does it involve any magic. What it does involve is a program - a breeding program dedicated to an end result.

Van Dyke Angus desires, in particular, performance and maternal traits. This is because of demand from customers and the fact that beef production still requires one very essential ingredient - meat. A cowherd with predictable performance can be a reality if sired by progeny proven bulls. It is a commitment of Van Dyke Angus Ranch to use proven sires and proven cow families to reach this end result. Our program achieves its' ultimate goal when every female in the pedigree is sired by an outstanding progeny proven sire. Be assured that in our goal to achieve a progeny proven cowherd, we have not abandoned or forsook other important traits. Females in our herd must be milk producers, without which they are of no maternal value. Capacity with length of body and that natural fleshing ability typifies a Van Dyke female. Eye appeal is also a very important factor in the selection process of replacement females. If a female does not look the part she does not stay in the herd. The most important consideration in a Van Dyke female is what kind of cow will she make. Will she have adequate milk production, have a sound udder with a body to handle the milk, breed back on a 365 day calving interval, and most important of all, be able to stick in the herd for many years. It is our goal to produce that type of female.  

.

©2000, Van Dyke Angus Ranch, All rights Reserved!
This page updated on November 13, 2000