MCLELLAN RANCH, A SOUTH DAKOTA MAINSTAY

McLellan Ranch

A South Dakota Mainstay

by Bev Summerbell

Dale and Terri McLellan of Lantry, South Dakota, have been raising Limousin cross commercial feeder calves on their family ranch since 1979. Their ranch consists of rolling hills and covers three counties; Zeibach, Dewey and Meade. They currently have a 650 Angus-based cowherd, using Limousin bulls to provide a high-quality product that is popular for industry buyers to feed out and sell to the packer.

In 1979, Dale’s father and uncle purchased a Limousin X Hereford halfblood bull from Kirby Briggs and produced some black, brockel faced mother cows. From that cross, they went on to purchase purebred Limousin bulls and have continued with that program. They background their heifers, but sell their steer calves earlier to accommodate the needs of the feedlot buyers.

In addition to their 650-cow herd, they farm nearly 2,000 acres of corn, wheat and sunflowers, plus more than 2,000 acres of hay. In order to provide their pasture requirements, they use more than 9,000 acres of grass for their herd.

The sometimes unforgiving, harsh weather in the plains of west central South Dakota has proved to be a challenge for the family as they work to survive the dry conditions and early snowstorms. In

DECEMBER 27, 2022

hosted on: Dale and Terri McLellan of Lantry, SD, have been raising Limousin cross commercial feeder calves on their family ranch since 1979.

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OFFERING 15 LOTS

12 Heifers. 3 Bulls.

Expect the same kind of quality as these previous sale highlights.

CYWD Jack Frost 38J

CYWD Jazzy 9J

CYWD Highlight 23H CYWD Heartthrob 1H

SALE MANAGEMENT:

KILEY McKINNA • 402-350-3447 WILEY FANTA • 320-287-0751 mcmarketingsales@aol.com www.mcmarketingmanagement.com Your call or visit to view the offering is always welcome.

RODGER, PATTY & CASSIDY WOODARD

33004 U.S. Hwy. 24 • Calhan, Colorado 80808 Rodger: (719) 439-2011 • Patty: (719) 439-2010 www.woodardlimousin.com 2013, an early October snowstorm killed over one-third of their cow herd, but they have persevered and remained loyal to their ranching responsibilities. The McLellans have maintained a well-respected reputation among South Dakota producers.

The McLellans believe the Limousin breed is a perfect cross for raising feeder calves to market to the beef industry. They have been very successful raising sound calves that possess the genetics for a highquality product that has been a popular choice for industry buyers to feed out and sell to the packer.

Dale likes the hybrid vigor that Limousin-crossed calves possess. When purchasing bulls, their selection criteria includes light birth weights, feed efficiency and strong performance. They use a ratio of one bull to 25 cows on average, and they utilize 40-45 bulls for breeding each year. For the past several years, they have sold their calves to Wulf Cattle of Morris, Minnesota. The McLellan’s also purchase several bulls each year from the Wulf Cattle operation. In addition, they have also purchased bulls from South Dakota breeders Schott Limousin, Peterson’s L7 Bar Limousin and Ludens Family Limousin, as well as Venner Limousin in Iowa, Leishman Limousin and Hunt Limousin in Nebraska, Duff Limousin in Minnesota and Spring Creeks Cattle Co. in Wisconsin.

Today, the McLellan operation includes Dale and his wife, Terri, their son, Kerry, and grandson, Klate. In 2014, Dale was awarded with the Commercial Producer of the Year award by the South Dakota Limousin Association as well as the Heartland Limousin Association. Dale has served as a director on the South Dakota Limousin Association Board of Directors, retiring this year. The McLellan family is very active in their community and church. They maintain strong ties to the West Central South Dakota way of life.

The McLellans believe the Limousin breed is a perfect cross for raising quality feeder calves to market to the beef industry. Dale especially likes the hybrid vigor that Limousin-crossed calves possess.

Thanks to our 2022 Buyers.

Caleb, Tara, Gabriel & Reagan Minor 1201 Flint Rock Rd. • Strafford, MO 65757 Caleb (417) 576-6364 • Tara: (443) 605-6127 minorfarms930@gmail.com www.minorlimousin.com www.facebook.com/minorlimousin

Wulf Cattle, MN • Wilder Family Limousin, TX Sullivan Farms, IA • Jessie Miller, PA Curtis Wilcoxson, AZ • Sanders and Son, TX Howard Bros. Farms, LLC, NC • Sam JS Schwartz, MO Joseph Kribes, MO • Griesel Limousin, KS Schmidgal Farms, IL • Mark and Lisa Anderson, IA and thank you to all semen buyers.

MINO Fiona

57% Lim-Flex • Homo Polled • Homo Black • 10/10/18 CJSL Creed 5042C x AUTO Callie 403D CE: 13 BW: 2.1 WW: 78 YW: 133 MK: 22 CM: 9 SC: 0.53 DC: 10 YG: -0.04 CW: 31 RE: 0.49 MB: 0.44 $MI: 70 A full sib to the 2022 Neogen Ultimate Show Grand Champion Female, Fiona is a difference maker in her own right. Contact us for genetic opportunities out of this dynamic female.

MINO Hudson 027H

This son of Fiona by COLE Explorer exemplifies her production potential.

AUTO Genevieve 284G

79% Limousin • Polled • Homo Black • 10/12/19 MAGS Aviator x AUTO Luckie Too 423Y CE: 11 BW: 1.8 WW: 61 YW: 91 MK: 22 CM: 6 SC: 0.30 DC: 12 YG: -0.21 CW: 26 RE: 0.72 MB: -0.06 $MI: 48 This genetic gem represents the best the breed has to offer. We look forward to exciting things from her in the near future. Contact us for details on future progeny.

AUTO Jada 648J

This daughter of Genevieve by Conley Express has the look and performance the 284G cow family is known for.