The Tippetts Ranch began as two 160-acre homesteads taken by Polly (mother) and Bert (son) Tippetts in 1909, and the land has been in the family six generations spanning 96 years and counting. Bernie Tippetts (Bert's son) eventually worked with his father on the ranch; however, his homestead was too far away to be included in the ranch. Tippetts Myers Ranch, a three-generation family partnership, consists of Maxine Tippetts (Marlene's mother), Marlene and Lynn Myers (Maxine's daughter and son-in-law), Creston Myers (Lynn and Marlene 's married son whose wife is Terri), and Carissa Myers (Lynn and Marlene's daughter). Only Maxine, Lynn, and Marlene live on the ranch. We have a cow/calf business and sell some bred heifers or pairs.

Some deferred grazing was used prior to 1985. In 1985, we started a comprehensive rotational grazing system with a rest/deferral on each pasture some time during a three-year cycle. This allowed us to take 50% more pounds of beef per acre off than we did prior to 1985 and still produce cattle that can survive on grass with a minimum amount of supplementation. The ranch is a basic cake-and-grass enterprise, with the cows grazing 8½ to 9 months out of the year. The cattle are supplemented with distillers grain pellets during the winter from December to May 15. They also receive forage supplement from February through May 15. These measures, plus a mineral supplement program with trace minerals and yeast culture the entire year, and a comprehensive vaccination program, allow us to obtain an acceptable breeding rate for the cows in 60 days and 45 days for the heifers.

Our objectives for the ranch are:

1. Make a profit to stay in business and provide an enjoyable lifestyle for the family.

2. Pass the ranch down to future generations.

3. Maintain and improve the condition of the range.

4. Produce marketable cattle which fit the needs and demands of the beef industry and also fit our environment.

The ranch is maintained and improved, including taking care of cattle and equipment with the least possible amount of outside hired labor. Areas that we work on are: the water supply, which includes windmills and tanks; renovation of hay meadows; haying rotation on higher ground; fencing and cross fencing; and planting trees for winter protection and habitat improvement.

Innovations in livestock facilities to reduce stress and improve safety for both livestock and people are under constant evaluation. Examples implemented are: sorting alleys, use of a bud box, circle alley working and loading chutes, and state-certified ranch scales for direct cattle marketing. Cattle are usually sold private treaty on contract in July or August for October delivery. Cattle are source-verifiable and BQA-eligible.

Other new ideas used on the ranch include: one-legged windmill towers, a “double dipper water totter” (one windmill pumping two wells, pictured at left), a solar-powered water system using air to pump water, and a homemade portable tub alley system on wheels.

Cattle are individually tagged and production records are kept on computer. An original grazing program was developed to track rotational movement of cattle and to figure AUM’s from year to year for each pasture. A computer program is also used to record rotational haying on the meadows.

Due to extreme six plus year drought conditions, the past three years we have been able to lease enough pasture to supplement our rotation grazing. Haying a neighbor's meadows has increased our hay supply as well. Cattle numbers are higher on the ranch today than they were three years ago, allowing us to capitalize on higher cattle prices while still being good stewards of the land.

We give special thanks to the Lord for His blessings and spiritual guidance, and to friends and neighbors for their friendships and help. Without these, the ranch would not be successful.