In this ever-changing industry, hard workand family may be two things that stay

the same. The ties that bind can also make asuccessful ranch, depending on how eachpartner plays his or her part. On the Jim LeeRanch, Valentine, Neb., everyone knowshow to work together to build on atradition of raising high-quality Anguscattle.

For Jim Lee II, wife Ginny, andsons Rob (Jim Lee III) and Ron,just keeping up is not enough.They have learned to keepconsistency in their herd whileremaining flexible.

“We had Herefords originally,”Jim explains. “Then I came homefrom college and talked my dadinto buying some Angus bulls forhis first-calf heifers. We did that tocreate hybrid vigor and black-white-faces.”

A generation later, by the timeRob had graduated from the University ofNebraska-Lincoln, the ranch had made thefull transition to Angus.

Herd managementThe Lees have both spring- and fall-

calving programs for their 1,200-cow herd.“We start the first of March and then the firstof August with each calf crop,” Jim says. Thepractice has allowed for more marketingopportunities, especially with the fall group.

During the past four years, the Lees have

integrated artificial insemination (AI) intotheir program. “We started doing it to usebetter bulls, and it’s cheaper,” Rob says.

Heat synchronization has proven effective.Using CIDR®s on the cows and melengestrolacetate (MGA) on the heifers, “last year wewere able to reach a 70% pregnancy rate intheir first breeding group,” he says. “We AI all

our spring cows and the samewith heifers in the fall.”

Fall cows run with Angus bullsthat the Lees co-own withneighbors. “We use them in thefall and also semen-collect themfor AI use,” he says.

Encouraged by the first resultsof AI, the Lees look now to focuson specific traits.

“We are selecting for a lot ofcarcass traits, growth anddisposition,” Rob says. “Next year,we may start linebreeding certaincows to certain types of bulls.”

Of course, selection entails balance. “Ifthey have the growth numbers that I like andthe other traits that I like, I’ll use them,” he

228 ■ ANGUSJournal ■ August 2007

@On the Jim Lee Ranch, Valentine, Neb., everyoneknows how to work together to build on a traditionof raising high-quality Angus cattle.

@“We had Herefords originally,” Jim Lee ex-plains. “Then I came home from college andtalked my dad into buying some Angus bulls forhis first-calf heifers.”

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The Lees rely on Angus genetics to increase quality, profitability. by Robyn Werk

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says. “I don’t think you ought to just lockyourself into one EPD [expected progenydifference].”

Weaning and marketing The Lees use different programs for

weaning fall and spring calves.“With the spring calves, we start creep-

feeding three weeks before we wean,” Robsays. Feeding a Purina Mills, LLC, intake-limiting Accuration® helps reduce stressduring weaning and makes the transition tothe feedlot a lot easier, he says.

Fall calves are weaned in late December.“The cows are fed silage and hay,” Rob says.“When the calves get to eating on that,they’re pretty easy to wean.”

The Lees have found marketing successthrough several outlets. “We take a lot of thecalves to the Valentine Livestock Auction,” hesays. “We also finish some at the ranch andin years past have fed at a custom feedlot.”

Their location plays into those decisions.“The market in Valentine and calf prices inthis area are generally pretty good,” Rob says.“We are way above the national average, soit’s often silly for us to take the risk andfinish our cattle.”

However, carcass data analysis and value-based grid marketing help increase qualityand premium potential.

“About five or six years ago, our cattlewere around 74% Choice,” Rob explains.“This year, we finished some heifers the endof December and they ranged from 94% to95% Choice with a 45% Certified AngusBeef ® (CAB®) acceptance rate.”

They credit the improvement to geneticselection and feeding practices that havebeen modified through the years.

ChallengesLike any operation, the Lees have faced

some challenges. Dry conditions have calledfor some modifications in grazing andhaying.

“Years ago we used to have a lake in everypasture, but a lot of the lakes have dried upin the last few years,” Jim explains.

They have grazed cattle on NationalWildlife Refuge land near the ranch since the1930s. However, the 90,000-acre range onlyallows grazing for about two and a halfmonths during the summer.

Although fortunate to be located in anarea with numerous meadows, the ranchhas struggled to find enough hay. That’sbecause seven years of drought-likeconditions have only made one cutting persummer.

“Our unique terrain helps because in wetyears we go up higher in the hills and in dry

years we go into the meadows to get our haycrop,” Ginny explains.

Responsibilities and plansAlthough everyone on the ranch helps

when and where needed, responsibilitiesare divided to fit each individual’s area ofexpertise. Rob has taken over mostresponsibilities as the herd manager. “Hereally does close to all the cow work,”Ginny says. “He knows the genetics, he’sreally good at that, and it seems to workwell.”

Ron is most active in the operation as thehead mechanic, also in charge of wells,fences, moving cattle and swathing hay.While their parents begin to move intoretirement, both sons have stepped up to theplate, with additional help hired as needed.

It helps to have assigned areas, Rob says.“We don’t have a slow time,” he explains.“We are either calving, breeding, weaning orhaying, so it’s important to know who isgoing to be doing what.”

The sixth generation of the Lee family,the brothers plan to continue building onthe strong foundation. With its focus onAngus genetics, marketing andproductivity, the Jim Lee Ranch should bein good hands.

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