Little Canyon Ranch

04/07/2026

The freelance cow photographer hides behind the tallest blades of grass to get a good shot of the Wild Beast!

04/02/2026

When you're cows are extremely docile... great pictures and videos of cows and calves are easy to get.

04/02/2026

LCR Poppi 6 days old.

04/01/2026

From the Ranch to the Bottle!... 🍷

​We decided to try our hand at winemaking using the wild plums growing here at Little Canyon Ranch. After plenty of hand-picking and even more hand-mashing, the fermentation did its magic.

​We're thrilled with how this first batch turned out—the color is stunning and the taste is pure ranch magic. Definitely the first of many harvests to come!

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03/31/2026

03/29/2026

LCR Poppi chilling in the grass after having the zoomies.

03/28/2026

We had a silver bull calf today. LCR Preacher is sired by Sunnyridge Macho and out of JB Grenadine Parfait

03/28/2026

Meet LCR Poppi our first purebred heifer calf bred here at . Poppi is sired by Sunnyridge Macho and out of JB Fortune Monique.

03/24/2026

Sometimes Macho just needs a scratch. Any object will do.

03/19/2026

The 2026 edition of the AMGA Annual Magazine and Sire Directory is here! ⬇️

https://amgamagazine.aflip.in/6162a4ed97.html

This comprehensive publication is made possible by the strong growth of AMGA and celebrates the past and future of Murray Greys in the USA 🇺🇸

Inside, you will find:

Calendar of Events – AMGA and regional activities for the year

The People Behind AMGA – meet the volunteers and contributors who make our association thrive

Herdbook History – explore the lineage and legacy of the Murray Grey breed

Regional Associations and Producer Resources – tools and contacts to help you grow your herd

AMGA Sire Directory – available genetics just in time for breeding season

Member Insights – articles from breeders past and present sharing expertise and stories

This edition is professionally printed and being delivered to nearly 400 Murray Grey breeders and enthusiasts nationwide. It reflects the dedication of our volunteers and contributors and the strong growth of AMGA, with increasing membership and registrations helping to strengthen our community.

View the full magazine online through our digital flipbook linked above, please share and show support!

02/28/2026

🐝 From Bears to "Powerhouse": My Wild First Year in Beekeeping

​Just over a year ago, shortly after we brought home our first two Murray Grays, Steve asked me a question that would change our property forever: "What do you think about trying honey bees?"
​I didn't hesitate. "I've never thought about it... but sure!" I love honey, and I love a new adventure.
​I dove headfirst into research—countless books, endless videos, and late nights. We decided that Layens hives were the best fit for our land. Within a few days, I had built our first hives and set them out on the property. Then came the hard part: the wait.

​The Arrival

​On May 3, 2025, I finally picked up my first "nuc" of bees. Transitioning them from traditional frames to my Layens setup took a bit of a thought process! I ended up screwing the nuc frames to top bars with a queen excluder, carefully brushing the bees over to ensure the Queen started laying exactly where she needed to be. A second package from North 40 followed shortly after—and that one was a breeze. All I needed to do for them was attach the box the queen was in to one of my frames and then dump the bees into the hive. Total success!

​Disaster Strikes

​Things were buzzing along beautifully until the end of May. We took a trip to Branson, MO, and returned just one day too late to get the electric fence energized. A local bear—who I knew frequented the area—had found the hives.
​The first hive was a disaster. I put it back together as best I could and prayed, but the colony was too small and queenless. They didn't make it. I was devastated, but if you know me, you know I don't give up easily. I poured all my focus into that second hive.

​The Winter Test

​By late September, I tried to recoup my losses by purchasing another full colony to head into winter with two hives. But as the temperatures dropped, the silence grew. By January, a warm spell allowed me to peek inside—the new colony hadn't survived.
​I hit a low point. What did I do wrong? Am I just not cut out for this?

​The "Powerhouse" Moment

​Then came February 3rd. It was only 36°F—well below the temperature most beekeepers say bees will fly. I looked out and couldn't believe my eyes: my North 40 bees were not only out of the hive, they were bringing back pollen!
​Against the odds, they hadn't just survived; they were thriving. That was the moment I finally named my hives.
​"Powerhouse": The colony that refused to quit.
​"Bad Juju": The hive location that faced the bear and the winter loss.
​Beekeeping has been a rollercoaster of hardware, heartbreaks, and hard lessons, but watching those bees fly in the cold reminded me why I started. Here’s to year two! 🍯✨