01

OVERVIEW

For more than 150 years, the Four Sixes Ranch has focused on preservation and stewarding the land to accomplish quality beef cattle production.

02

MANAGEMENT

03

HERD PROGRAM

With more than a century of expertise, the ranch’s superior cattle breeding program relies on tried and true experience while improving with modern innovations.

When fully stocked, the Four Sixes Ranch maintains a breeding herd of thousands of head of cattle.

Twenty years ago, Hereford cows dominated the herd, but after a hundred years of Hereford cattle, the ranch made the transition to Angus cattle to increase performance in the feedlots and ultimately provide higher quality meat going to the retail customers.

04

PERFORMANCE

We DNA test replacement heifers to better inform management decisions with an end product being superior beef. This helps us to meet culinary demands and preferences.

Being progressive has kept the ranch in business for more than 150 years. Visionary leadership from generations of ranch owners and managers is never satisfied with the status quo but always looking to the future.

05

HANDLING

For cattle handling practices and low-stress stockmanship, the ranch relies on talented cowboys working from horseback. In an effort to keep stress on the animals to a minimum, pens are situated in pastures to allow a natural flow and funneling effect to gathering cattle. Additionally, cattle are handled slowly and quietly. The pens and chute systems are designed with cattle behavior in mind. Weather plays a major role in when and how the cattle are processed too. For example, hot weather will delay working the cattle to avoid the risk of stressing the calves.

06

SEASONALITY

We have transitioned from exclusively a spring-calving herd to herd that calve in the spring and fall to meet consumer demands.

07

RECORDS

The health of the animals is of utmost importance. The ranch does not cut corners with vaccinations and control of external and internal parasites. Four six cowboys are devoted to being the caretakers of the cattle, land, and horses that are under their responsibly.

While the ranch holds to its traditions, the managers are early adopters of progressive herd management practices such as electronic identification and digital record keeping. When the cattle are vaccinated against brucellosis, an eID and hang-down tag are placed to allow for accurate and specific record keeping. Cow records include information on her bred status, vaccination dates, birth records and progeny performance. From birth to the processing plant, eID allows true traceability in addition to helping with the bottom line and overall herd productivity.

08

ASSURANCE

The Four Sixes participates in the Beef Quality Assurance program, which is a nationally coordinated, state-implemented program that provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers and beef consumers on how common-sense husbandry techniques can be coupled with accepted scientific knowledge to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions. BQA guidelines are designed to make certain all beef consumers can take pride in what they purchase – and can trust and have confidence in the entire beef industry.