Working Ranch April/May 2025

Winter on the VX Ranch family ranching operation. We are set in our ways, resistant to change, and often do things a certain way simply because it’s been done that way for the last hundred years. We do most tasks horseback, even when the fourwheeler might be more effi cient, and I was in my twenties when I learned what a calf table was because both my grandfather and my dad were very averse to anything but roping and dragging calves for branding. For years the ranch operated under a traditional cow/calf model, but in recent years have also run a heiferette program as well. We’ve run Hereford and Angus bulls in the past but have been loyal to Charolais for many years now. Although Todd has extra hands in Teelan and Tori (and his grandson, Pryce, age 5) whenever he needs them, his favorite ranch hands are undoubtedly his Idaho Shag cow dogs: Tess, Em, and Dolly. THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025 As usual the day started with chores. This time of year morning chores consist of letting the dogs out of the barn, feeding the cows, checking water tanks and breaking ice if necessary, and feeding the horses.

VX RANCH ARCHIVES

Here’s what the gorgeous VX cow country looks like in summer.

VX RANCH ARCHIVES

70 I APRIL / MAY 2025 WORKING RANCH audited readers run 21 million head of beef cattle.