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The heart and soul of the ranch is located 13 miles west of the town of Beaver, county seat for Beaver County Oklahoma. Beaver County is apart of that space of land between Kansas on the north and Texas on the south, which was once called No Man’s Land, then Cimarron Territory and now known as the Panhandle of Oklahoma. Beaver County is unique in its Western history because of its proximity to the Old Dodge City, Kansas, Cattle Markets and the many cattle drive trails that crossed it. The Cimarron River on the north and the Beaver River in the central part of the county, coupled with the strong short grass prairies provided for a resting and staging area for the many Texas herds before they were sold in Old Dodge City. This western heritage still persists today in Beaver County with its Cimarron Territory Celebration and its World Championship Cow Chip throwing contest held each spring in Beaver.
The land of the Rocking Heart is owned and has been owned by the Wilson family for many years. The Rocking Heart name was and is the Ranch and Brand name taken by Ranch owner Larry J. Wilson at the death of his Father Wayne M. Wilson whose Brand was the Lazy B Bar. The Lazy B Bar is now held by Larry’s older brother Skipper B. Wilson. Larry’s ranching and farming roots run deep in Beaver County as with both sides of his parent’s family having farmed and ranched in Beaver County for over 100 years on each side. The Wilson family on his dad’s side and the Hodges family on his mother’s side were early settlers of Beaver County and are still well represented in the ranching and farming community of Beaver County as it is today.
Larry J. Wilson owner of the Rocking Heart Ranch graduated from Beaver High school in 1971, where he was Vice President of his Sr. Class, President of the letterman’s club, and President of his local FFA Chapter. Larry was very active in football, rodeo, livestock shows and other FFA events. Larry also earned the “State Farmer Degree”, at the state level of the Future Farmers of America. Larry graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Agriculture Education. Larry did his student teaching in the high schools of Lawton Oklahoma, and his first teaching job was in Fowler Kansas. Larry’s love of land and livestock can be credited to his many life teachers from school and outside of school, this list would include his dad whose love of the family ranch was certainly passed from father to son. He also credits his Grandfather, Hodges with expanding his love of rangeland and cattle ranching.
The cow herd is a crossbred herd that is about 85 to 90 % black hided cows that are approximately 50% Angus with Black Lim., black Maine, and some black Sim., the remaining 50% is mainly Angus Her., Angus char., Red Angus and nearly pure Angus cows. The philosophy of the Cow Herd has changed from the 1980’s when Larry’s dad was buying his replacements and using Red Lim., bulls. The first thing to change after Larry took over herd management was to begin to save back heifers from cows that produced the best calf’s and eliminate the open herd concept, by bringing in from the male side only. The draw back to this is the slower turn over of the herd genetics; however after 11 seasons the herd has changed to about 70% home raised cows. The goal of 100% home raised cows should be complete in 2010. In addition to 100% home raised cows goal, the goal of producing calf’s that have approximately 60% to 80% Angus genetics will also be in place.
In today’s cattle market there are many genetic avenues too be ventured into as a cattleman. The lean meat genetics, size genetics, color genetics, purchase price motivated genetics and many other niche genetics and markets. The philosophy at the Rocking Heart Ranch is one that has as its “ideal”, a customer who will go to his favorite eating place and order an all Natural Steak that is high Choice or Prime in its grade with tenderness and taste as its calling card.
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