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Wyoming Livestock Roundup
Bridgeport, Neb. – “We just got Wi-Fi here at the ranch a month ago,” says Naomi Loomis. “We can’t get cell service yet, but we have internet.” Cody and Naomi Loomis’ Circle L Ranch is 35 miles north of Bridgeport, Neb. Naomi says, “We’re at the edge of the Sandhills – tall, rolling hills interspersed with sub-irrigated
hay meadows that provide all of our grass hay and grazing. Our kids are the fifth generation of Loomis’ here.” Rooted in tradition In the midst of 21st century technology, traditions run deeply. Family, neighbors, their ranch-raised Quarter horses and Border Collie and Heeler stock dogs are vital to their black-baldy
cow/calf operation. The ranch uses horses for 85 to 90 percent of the cattle work. The dogs do the work of several hired hands. Cody says, “Come calving in March, I’ll be horseback at least half of every day. I check the cows and rope every calf to doctor and tag it. The cattle are used to horses, so everybody stays calm.”
“Branding season is my favorite time of year,” he continues. “I can go through five or six horses a day. When a couple of other guys and I help one neighbor, we brand 300 calves in the morning and 300 in the afternoon.” Continually developing Cody added electric fencing and rotational grazing to the ranch operation. He checks cows and pastures regularly. “Moving them is now just a matter of opening a gate,” he says. Checking cattle in the far summer pasture entails a long ride over miles of rough country. In the fall, they move everything in close to an accessible road. Cody says, “We keep
the weaned calves on pasture right up to hauling day. We’re able to load them right into our own stock trailers and take them straight to a local feedlot. It works great.” He continues, “We winter the cows close to the home place. We use two pickups with hydrobeds to haul and feed round bales. I’ll go get a horse if I see something that needs doctored, but winter is pretty quiet. That’s when I start my colts.” Ranch life Cody says, “Naomi and the boys really enjoy riding, moving and working cattle, so I schedule as much of that work for weekends and summer as I can. “We are happy to
be able to raise our kids with this lifestyle. The two older boys have their own small cowherd,” he explains. “Both are training their own colts and young dogs. They get to be around good people, who are honest and sincere. The boys already have strong work ethics that will serve them well no matter what they decide to do in life.” However, Cody adds, “If any of our kids decide to ranch, we’ll have to spread out, diversify and find some new niches to generate more income. They are part of this technology generation, so they will be able to make changes and improve the ranch business.” Continued on next page
On horses - Cody Loomis spends much of his time on a horse, particularly during calving season and during the summer months. They utilize horses to do much of their ranch work. Courtesy photo
G BAR H GENETICS ANGUS BULL SALE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018 Torrington Livestock Market
Raised on the ranch - The Loomis children Cade, Kason, Ryder and Reata are intimately involved in the ranch. They participate in as much day-to-day work as possible, and Cody Loomis says he tries to schedule cattle work for the weekends so they can be involved. Courtesy photo
LOT 58
2/2/17
KR Status 4237 / Mohnen 004-16 BW +2.4 • WW +78 • YW +123 • $B +123.27 Adj. 205 Wt. 794 lbs.
Torrington, Wyoming • 1 p.m. (MST) SELLING 82 REGISTERED ANGUS BULLS
AI SIRES:
Connealy Black Granite - 9 Sons Sell JMB Traction 292 - 4 Sons Sell KR Millionaire - 4 Sons Sell SAV Sensation - 3 Sons Sell VAR Reserve - 4 Sons Sell Musgrave Big Sky - 3 Sons Sell SAV Renown - 3 Sons Sell KR Status 4267 - 3 Sons Sell
LOT 38
2/17/17
Deer Valley All In / Identity BW +1.5 • WW +73 • YW +112 • $B +112.10 Adj. 205 Wt. 901 lbs.
RESIDENT HERD SIRES: Connealy Full Power 9538 - 5 Sons Sell KR Joe Canada 5071 - 11 Sons Sell PMH Destroyer A360 - 6 Sons Sell
15 Hereford Bulls Ward Livestock - Guest Consignor Jeff Ward Family - 307-399-9863 DELIVERY AVAILABLE WINTERING AVAILABLE
LOT 24
2/22/17
Sitz Investment 660/ Right Answer 746 BW +2.2 • WW +71 • YW +130 • $B +136.50 Adj. 205 Wt. 802 lbs.
G BAR H GENETICS
3146 St. Hwy 154, Veteran, WY 82243 • gbarh@bbcwb.net • www.angusjournal.com/gbarh View catalog at www.TorringtonLivestock.com. You can bid and view the sale at www.cattleusa.com. You must pre-register to bid
KEVIN & JACKIE NICKEL 307-837-2279
PAT & MARILYN HERRING 307-837-2540
BILL & DANA HAAS 307-837-2925