THREEFOLD & THRIVING by Melissa McGee Buehler & Hilary Rossow photos courtesy Thomas Ranch
At Thomas Ranch, teamwork makes the dream work.
W
hen looking at a county map of South Dakota, you will find Sully County sitting near the middle of the state. This area, known for being home to some of the most prolific beef producers in the nation, is well suited for the beef business. The terrain is composed of semi-arid rolling hills, partially devoted to farming, but mostly native grass pastures. This topography also lends itself nicely to pheasant and deer hunting. The western border of Sully County is defined by the meanderings of the Missouri River. The Thomas Ranch is located near Harrold, SD, a don’t-blink town on US Highway 14, with summer grazing and farm ground in the western part of the county as well. There are 5,000 acres 32
surrounding the home ranch plus another 4,000 acres that is leased for feed and pasture. The Thomas Ranch got its humble beginning in 1931 when Alvin and Gebe Thomas purchased 320 acres of land where the main ranch headquarters sets today. Alvin’s son, Harry, graduated from SDSU in 1964 and returned home with his bride, Kay, to manage the ranch as a partnership with his parents. Harry and Kay had two children, one son, Troy, and daughter Tracy. As Troy and Tracy grew up on the ranch, they had the opportunity be involved in the beef industry and show at many cattle shows including numerous state fairs, Aksarben, Denver, Kansas City,
Louisville and Houston. Troy married VeaBea in 1985, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Taylor, in 1987, while ranching with Troy’s parents. In 1989, they moved to Cimarron, Kansas, where Troy managed the purebred herd for Dewey Charolais for five years. In 1990, Taylor was joined by a sister, Calyssa or “Cally”. Troy and VeaBea returned to Sully County in 1994 and joined Harry and Kay in partnership with the cattle operation. In November, 2001, Taylor tragically died in a car accident driving home from school. Taylor left a lasting imprint on this earth making many friends through Junior National shows and showing champions across the US.
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