Tag: Beef Producers

The Making of Flying K Ranch Angus

Posted on by Weicks-Webmaster

The Making of Flying K Ranch Angus

When it comes to owning and operating an award-winning ranch, having your name on the door means something. For the multi-generational family operated Flying K Ranch Angus (the ‘K’ standing for the family surname of Kuntz) in Findlay, OH, Greg Kuntz, along with his wife Patty, their sons Chris, Robert, Gregory and their daughter, Ashley, have worked diligently to make this Angus ranch truly stand out from the proverbial crowd of ranches dotting the area.

“We are unique to most operations because we are a family owned and operated continuous flow operation,” says Chris Kuntz. “Every week we take in cattle to be harvested and graded for the grocery chain.” From birthing to feed orders, four generations of the Kuntz family work to manage every facet of the ranching operations.

“The most challenging part of the continuous flow program is making sure we have cattle that hit all our marks that we have set to ensure the best quality for grading and yield,” Chris explains. “Some of the key attributes of our cattle operation are the high genetic cattle we have and the close relationships we have all the way through until it’s at the grocery.”

To accomplish this, the Flying K team is in continuous communication, five to six days a week with the processing facility to ensure everything they see in the Flying K cattle is holding the consistent high quality and high grades that the ranch is known for.

“Our nutritionist plays a large role in our operation as well. He is always willing to go the extra mile and fully understands any issues we have as he runs his own cattle operation,” Chris says.

Exceptional Efforts

The entire Flying K Ranch team strives to continue to improve the ranch’s efforts by embracing low-stress handling of the cattle, while fine tuning the setup of the ranch’s chute system, explains Bob Kuntz, who moved home four years ago from Idaho to assist his parents in their fast-growing business at the ranch, followed a couple years later by his brother Chris. Gregory also recently joined the team and brings with him a background in agriculture business and sales.

The brothers work in tandem to oversee daily cattle operations. “We have found that running multiple feed rations catered to our cattle serves them well,” says Bob Kuntz. “Everyone has a role or part to play, which means we count on one another and so we have grown closer together.

What’s with the Name

So why the name Flying K Ranch? Quite simply, to pay homage to Greg Kuntz’s long-standing career as a retired Colonel in the United States Air Force. In addition, Patty worked in a career as a commercial airline flight attendant until she retired and joined Greg in establishing this award-winning ranching operation, after years of growing beef only for their immediate family. Their love for “all things aviation” seemed combined with their love of ranching, seemed to be the ideal name for their cattle operation.

“In transitioning from a military career to ranching the discipline I learned in military aviation has made a world of difference,” Greg Kuntz says. “Also the persistence to keep everything moving forward. We do not do anything halfway as there is no room for second best. Our passion is to provide the best quality angus carcass we can and then set the bar higher.”

Today, Flying K provides beef products for customers throughout Ohio and beyond. And because of their long history in cattle production, the entire Kuntz family recognizes the importance of providing their cattle with top-quality grass, grains and essential nutrients. The herd enjoys a wealth of sunshine, fresh air, and grass – resulting in hormone-free, antibiotic-free great-tasting beef that we pasture raise and grain finish.

The ranch’s 15-year-history has earned it accolades aplenty, including BQA certification, which recognizes Flying K’s solid husbandry techniques, that are coupled with scientific know-how to raised cattle that have exude quality. Flying K embraces the finest handling, facility management, transportation, record keeping, and herd health procedures which has resulted in the ranch earning the sought-after Certified Angus Beef® label, meeting 10 exacting standards for taste and tenderness.

By Maura Keller

Home – American Cattlemen

Here is another Article, Check it Out!

Meeting The Faces Behind the Music

The Dairy side of things is Here

Home – American Dairymen

If you enjoy the Outdoors. Whether it be hunting, fishing, or just enjoying nature the Iowa Sportsman is a great choice

Home – Iowa Sportsman

The 2024 Sandhills Ranch Interns

Posted on by Weicks-Webmaster

The 2024 Sandhills Ranch Interns

(May 29, 2024) Welcome to the Sandhills! The 2024 Sandhills Ranch Interns have officially started their summer internships. In its second year of the Sandhills Ranch Internship Program, The Sandhills Task Force has successfully connected eleven interns with key ranchers across Nebraska. The number of strong candidates applying for the program has been exceptional, and we are especially excited about the interns this year. We look forward to hearing all about their successful experiences.

Goals

The goal of the Sandhills Ranch Internship Program is to partner with dedicated and skilled ranchers to provide quality educational opportunities to the next generation of individuals interested in ranching, livestock production, and rangeland management. These internships provide students with valuable on-the-ground experience to help them develop skills, gain knowledge, and acquire insight into an operation’s decision-making and management.

Internships allow participants to explore an interest in the industry, develop a network, and gain mentors. The ranching industry and community also benefit. Mentors gain extra help while inspiring and investing in the next generation. Meaningful connections are built, creating life-long relationships with talented people who are interested in the ranching industry and more prepared to enter the workforce.

How they’ll be Living

The Sandhills Ranch Internships are paid, summer-long, and include room and board. The interns also have the opportunity to attend an educational workshop of their choosing. On their first day, interns gathered for a training meeting in Mullen, giving them an opportunity for networking and preparation for the upcoming months.

As soon as they arrive on location, ranch mentors work with interns to determine their skill set and develop goals for strengthening skills needed for the operation as well as those desired by the intern. At the end of the internship, another assessment is completed to review the season’s learning, which helps the intern determine what type of learning opportunity or career to pursue.

If you see these interns out in your community, take a moment to say hello and introduce yourself. Whether it is advice on where to eat, community events, or just a friendly chat, your welcoming support and small gestures are invaluable and appreciated.

Front Row

, Left to Right: Dailyn Zierolf, Basin, WY, Plum Thicket Farms, Gordon. Kirstin Cawthra, Benkelman, NE, Brennemann Land & Cattle, Valentine. Morgan Townshend, Plymouth, MN, Bow & Arrow Ranch, Valentine. Haileigh Moutray, Stromsburg, NE, Bow & Arrow Ranch, Valentine.  Caiden Flynn, Fort Collins, CO, Dry Cedar Ranch, Ericson. Jeffery Forsen, Mullen, NE, Apache Ranch, Hyannis.

Back Row:

Sam and Elise (visiting interns), Nieslon Ranch Co. Ellsworth. Ben Weinandt, Battle Creek, NE, Wellnitz Ranch, Cody.  Drake Treffeisen, Lake Panasoffkee, FL, Palmer Ranch, Ewing. James Ady, North Platte, NE, Seidler Ranch, Alliance. Keaton Wiske, Medicine Lodge, KS, Downing Ranch, Dunning. Reese Frank, Centennial, CO, Haythorn Land & Cattle Co., Arthur.

To read more about the Sandhills Ranch Internship Program, visit www.sandhillstaskforce.org/ranch-internship.

If you have any questions or want more information, contact kylee@sandhillstaskforce.org or call/text 308-340-2781.

Home – American Cattlemen

Here is another Article, Check it Out!

Cover Crops Provide Fall and Winter Pasture

The Dairy side of things is Here

Home – American Dairymen

If you enjoy the Outdoors. Whether it be hunting, fishing, or just enjoying nature the Iowa Sportsman is a great choice

Home – Iowa Sportsman

Last Of The Great Texas Land Dynasties

Posted on by Amy Wold

Last Of The Great Texas Land Dynasties

Bobby Woody originally had property in Tennessee, then moved to this larger ranch in Annona, Texas after he fell in love with this beautiful setting and saw its potential. “I’m 83 years old, and have owned this ranch for 25 years.

“When I bought it, my son Ray was taking care of our ranches in Tennessee and I told Ray it needed a lot of work, and that if he’d move down there to work on it I would move down there with him. I didn’t tell my wife about it at first because we were living in her parents’ house where she was born and raised. She’d told me earlier that she was born there and planned on dying there. I didn’t think she’d want to move, but when she came down here to see this ranch it really impressed her,” says Woody.

“Ray and I were talking about it and he decided to sell all the property in Tennessee and come down here, so I told my wife that Ray and I were moving to Texas. I told her she was welcome to come with us but if she didn’t want to, I’d just leave her in Tennessee in that big house. But she said, ‘If you are going, I’m going with you!’

“We lived in the trailer house I bought, but when all the kids started coming to visit we realized we needed more room and she told me I had to build her a house! So she picked out a spot and we built a beautiful house. It came with a big pond in front of it, and she was really pleased. Every time she’d look at that house she’d tell me that the Lord has really blessed us.”

Bobby and his wife moved into the new house, and Ray lived in the trailer 5 more years, then they built him a house. They built a shop, two houses and a cattle barn, and graveled all the roads through the property. Bobby built state-of-the-art cattle working facilities to make it easy to handle cattle, and restored the pastures and fields. He made durable feed troughs from highway guard rails.

“I’ve had several ranches in my life, and this is the best I’ve ever had. This one will grow more grass than you’ve ever seen, and also has 2,100 acres of rich farming land. I spoke to the people who farmed it earlier and they said they’d never missed a crop and always grew really good crops.” It has good soil that has never needed fertilizer.

A creek runs through the ranch. “I built a dam on the creek in several places and created many watering places perfect for irrigation. We never had to irrigate, however, because we get enough rain,” he says.

The Corps of Engineers created a 7-mile levee to protect the land from flooding. The ranch is 3,000 acres of bottomland, with rich soil. If there is a lot of rain, however, it would be prone to flooding, but the levee protects it and controls the water. There are also 5 wells and an artesian well, in addition the houses are serviced by city water.

Bobby has been raising Charolais cattle since the 1960’s. “I’ve probably had more Charolais cattle than anyone else in the country. When I was in Tennessee, most of my cattle came from Canada. Cattle importing to North America from France had to go to Canada and stay there awhile before they could come into the U.S. I sell bulls all over the U.S. Some customers drive more than 1,200 miles to buy our bulls as they feel these bulls sire the best calves they’ve ever had,” he says.

The land is excellent and so are the cattle. They can be purchased together, but if a new owner wants just the land, the cattle will be sold separately. Together, however, they are a nice package because the cattle are well adapted to this environment and thrive here. The cattle and equipment are negotiable. There’s a lot of new equipment—everything a person would need, to continue the farming and ranch operation.

The cattle are also a thriving and profitable business. We sell every bull, every year. It takes a lifetime to get to where we are now in the cattle business and this would be a great opportunity for someone who wants to continue on with these cattle.”

This ranch and cattle would be a great opportunity for someone who wants to continue the legacy that Bobby started.

Home – American Cattlemen

December 2021

Here is another article, check it out!

Cattle ID Methods Branding and Tagging

Here is the Dairy Side of things

Home – American Dairymen

Or if you enjoy the Outdoors. Including hunting, fishing, or just recreational outdoor activities the Iowa Sportsman is a great option

Home – Iowa Sportsman

Skip to content