Our Cattle

At Wessel Ranch, our breeding program is centered around producing practical Hereford cattle that excel in commercial environments. Every breeding decision is made with one goal in mind: raising cattle that are profitable, dependable, and built to last.

Our cattle are expected to perform under the demanding conditions of eastern Montana. They spend the majority of the year grazing native range and are selected for structural soundness, longevity, fertility, maternal ability, feedlot performance, and overall functionality.

Particular emphasis is placed on:

• Feedlot performance and growth

• Structural soundness

• Sound feet and legs

• Functional udders and teat structure

• Maternal ability

• Longevity

• Disposition

• Performance under dry-range conditions

Artificial insemination is used on all replacement heifers and selected cows to accelerate genetic improvement while maintaining the practical traits our program is known for.

Our herd includes registered Herefords, descendants of previously registered cattle, and commercial Hereford cattle developed from generations of proven genetics. Performance records are collected throughout the herd, with complete performance data and EPDs maintained on our active registered cattle.

Today, Wessel Ranch primarily markets commercial feeder calves while continuing to rebuild our seedstock Hereford program. We look forward to once again offering registered Hereford breeding stock to fellow cattle producers in the future.

Herd Health & Nutrition

Healthy cattle are the foundation of Wessel Ranch. We believe responsible management begins with proper nutrition, preventative health care, and providing cattle with the resources they need to thrive throughout every stage of life.

Preventative Animal Health

Our cattle receive vaccinations and other veterinarian-recommended health treatments to help prevent disease and maintain herd health. We believe that responsible animal care includes preventing illness whenever possible rather than waiting until animals become sick.

Because we use these health practices, our cattle are not marketed as certified organic. Instead, we focus on raising healthy cattle through sound management and science-based animal care.

Mineral & Salt Program

Our herd has year-round access to a free-choice mineral and salt program. We use chelated (organic-form) trace minerals to help support overall health, fertility, immune function, and performance.

Nutrition

Our cattle spend most of the year grazing native Montana rangeland. During periods when forage quality or availability declines, supplemental protein tubs may be provided to help meet their nutritional requirements. This allows cattle to maintain proper body condition and nutritional requirements while making efficient use of available forage.

Responsible Stewardship

Every management decision we make is based on what is best for our cattle, the land, and the long-term success of our operation. Our goal is to raise healthy, productive Hereford cattle through responsible nutrition, preventative health care, and practical ranch management.

Responsible Animal Health

At Wessel Ranch, the health and well-being of our cattle always comes first.

We believe in preventing disease through good nutrition, sound management, low-stress cattle handling, proper vaccination programs, and a clean environment. Antibiotics are never given to healthy cattle or used as part of a routine feeding program.

When an animal becomes ill—for example, from pneumonia or a bacterial infection—we believe it is our responsibility to provide appropriate veterinary care. Just as people receive antibiotics when medically necessary, we treat sick cattle to protect their health and welfare.

Whenever antibiotics or other medications are administered, we carefully follow all label directions and required withdrawal periods before any animal enters the food supply. These withdrawal periods help ensure that beef is safe and free of violative drug residues.

Providing proper medical care to animals when they need it is an important part of responsible livestock stewardship and animal welfare.

Frequently Asked Questions