Rafter W Ranch

01/25/2025

Phenomenal Fort Worth...after getting Tana to Fort Worth it started out well. Then we had some type of accident at tie outs. As we reflect on the scenario we are just thankful there weren't cattle next to us injured. A vet check, lots of rest, cold water at the wash rack and great Sullivan's advice, Tana was able to show all 3 heifers.

Vudoo - Fullblood Braunvieh
Junior Show - 1st
Open Show - 3rd
Lunatic - Purebred Braunvieh
Junior Show - 2nd
Open Show - 1st and Res Division
Lucy - Beef Builder
Open Show - 3rd

While this was okay...we knew we had a trifecta of Braunvieh heifers that represent their sire well. This set earned their sire LOF Hercules the title of Champion Get of Sire on his very first calf crop. The future is bright for Braunvieh with Hercules!

A few select calves which we consider the best of the 2024 crop will be for sale.

01/24/2025

Next recap...Fort Worth. With an overlap of County Show - logistics were planned ahead of time. I headed down with cattle, Ryan and Tana stayed for the sale. Many thanks to the Flowers family for delivering bedding. Lulu arrived early and prepared tieouts. Late arrival of cattle and unloading. Lulu made another trip to meet Ryan with Tana. All the while negative wind chills happening at the ranch with Ryan putting out lots of hay and feed and making sure everything had water.

Future posts to wrap up Fort Worth success and cattle for sale.

01/23/2025

There are so many things to share over the last week so a few posts coming. It was our County Show on Friday. Tana earned a spot on the junior board and enjoyed visiting with members of the community about the sale. She exhibited two steers (one bred and raised by her) and a heifer she bred and raised. She also jumped off in a new project and had a beautiful little ewe lamb named Dolly. With new things come a lot of learning. Hours of online research and new clipping and showmanship skills. While the cattle did okay, star of the show was Dolly.

Above all the animal related awards, Tana was presented the first ever OCJLA Top Hand award. Both of our kids naturally have skills and qualities but we have high expectations. We are proud of Tana and her role in the livestock industry.

2025 OCJLA Show
Steers - 3rd and 3rd
Heifer - 1st
Reserve Senior Cattle Showman
Sheep - 1st, Breed Reserve, Reserve Champion
Champion Senior Sheep Showman
Top Hand Recipient

We are thankful for the board, members, exhibitors and most importantly sale supporters that allow these kids to invest in their future projects.

What some may not have known was our county show and Braunvieh breed show in Fort Worth overlapped. More posts and pictures coming!

01/10/2025

You don't choose this life...it chooses you.

Lots of hay going out during the snow and several critters sneaking around. While we love the stock show life...their mommas make it all possible! Keeping those cows fed.

12/27/2024

Christmas week was even better thanks to Theiss Sausage in Normangee. While we usually put up a lot of German sausage, this year we planned on all of the Theiss specials. Summer sausage, snack sticks, jerkey and more, it's all delicious. Highly recommend their services in that area.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063544993778&mibextid=ZbWKwL

We offer retail Smoked Sausages, Jerky, Boudin, Summer Sausage & Snack Sticks year round.
Custom Meat Processing at its finest! Come by and check us out!

12/26/2024

With year-end near, what are some wins in your ranch operation for 2024?

On of ours was investing in a bookkeeping system that will also be tracking our inventories. While it happened mid-year we look forward to 2025 bookkeeping to be much more simple.

This show steer arrived this spring and took a few days to settle in. Now he has desperate for loving and being spoiled.

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from the ranch crew tonight. After all the animals are fed...and the Grinch is up to no good.

12/17/2024

Our new equipment trailer arrived this weekend. After a lot of research and testing out parts of other trailers, we found what fit our needs. East Texas Trailers in Petty, TX went above and beyond for quality and service. After picking up a screw in a sidewall and changing the tire on the way...they have already shipped the replacement rim and tire to us. Call Jacob and he will answer any question and deliver superior service.

East Texas Trailers

11/10/2024

While out checking water gaps and navigating the mud, we checked a few herds. One of our young Brangus bulls is out on cows and looks great. In another pasture his sisters are bred and ready for winter. We are thankful for moisture but looking forward to the mud drying up.

10/26/2024

Weeks behind but I couldn't wait to share this one. Show steer or American influence herd bull....he has a big future! Will paper as a braunvieh beef builder.

10/14/2024

In 2007 a few Brangus heifers from my old show string, a retired Brangus show heifer, and commercial Brangus cow moved to the Panhandle to start building our herd. Along they way we purchased cows and genetics we liked and kept almost every heifer. Today we have many generations of lineage that has been bred over the years to Angus, Maine and Braunvieh.

A few years ago we made the decision to bring Brangus back into the herd. The Sankey's listened to our needs and goals, and delivered two young bulls. We had no idea that as they matured they would only get better and better. They fit all of our needs and goals. Two calf crops on the ground and we have retained a few bull calves and every heifer.

The Brangus bull is still out on pasture but plenty impressive on his own. We had this Brangus Ultrablack (Sankeys Forbes 100) in the pen this weekend. He may have never been shown, but we consider him an elite bull and he's making a big difference in our program.

10/13/2024

Squeezing in as much ranch work as possible into a busy few days. Another pasture sorted and calves hauled to the house. A few more loads tomorrow and on to another set.