Our Program


The cattle industry has seen various changes over the years and we're firm believers that one must be willing to adapt to such change in order to thrive. We like to consider ourselves as a progressive cattle operation with the implementation of new technologies and management practices. Although we'll only implement change if it'll benefit three important things including our cattle, our efficiency, and our customers. So we invite you to take a deeper look into our program and show you how we go the extra mile to have a positive influence on both your program and the environment.

The Ranch


As of today, Wiese & Sons covers roughly 2,200 acres between two ranches located in both Manning and Guthrie Center, Iowa. A majority of that land has been developed into pasture paddocks for grazing consisting of a variety of grasses such as timothy, orchard, brome, clovers and Kentucky blue grasses. While the remaining is utilized for crop production such as corn, soybeans, alfalfa and hay to develop feed stuff for the cattle throughout the year.
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Our Herd


Throughout the years we’ve continued to grow our herd as stocking rates allowed and as of today we’re able to run roughly 450 registered Herefords comfortability. Each individual here on our ranch is expected to earn their keep as our philosophy is to run our herd as close to a commercial cow herd as possible. We expect our females, whether it’s out on pastures during hottest of summer days or on corn stocks on the coldest of winter nights, to maintain themselves with as minimal input as possible. Being a family run operation, we have little patience for headaches and anything considered an issue ranging from udder quality all the way to disposition will be culled immediately.

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Breeding Philosophy


Our belief is that every great herd sire comes from a great dam which is why every breeding season we evaluate every female both phenotypically and genomically to ensure that we’re maintaining the highest of quality within our cow herd. While we do utilize EPD’s in the process they only serve as a tool. We make sure to make our decisions by studying that particular female from top to bottom determine what sire pairing will provide us with the best offspring the following calving season. The majority of the cattle breeding here on the ranch is done so naturally, but we do utilize today’s new reproductive technologies such as synchronized A.I. protocols for only our top replacement heifers.

Performance Records


You cannot improve what you don’t measure and it’s because of this we do our very best to accumulate a variety of performance data for each individual calf throughout their life cycle. At birth, we’ll collect various data for every calf such as their calving ease, birthweight, and eye pigmentation while also scoring the dams mothing ability, disposition, and teat and udder score. We’ll later collect weaning and yearling weights during the appropriate time of year along with the scrotal circumferences for every range bull. By taking this information into account, it allows us to continuously progress our cow herd in a positive direction and ensures us that we are only offering the highest quality Hereford genetics for our customers.

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Environment


We like to consider ourselves stewards of the land and believe that it’s our responsibility to do our part to ensure our soil is fertile and prosperous for future generations. We’ve developed multiple waterways, headlands, and terraces in our pastures and crop ground assist with the reduction of soil erosion. We continuously plant trees throughout our ranch to better the air quality and provide natural windbreaks and shade areas for the livestock. We continue to work with the USDA Soil and Water Conservation Department in the planning and establishment of wildlife habitats on land unsuitable for crop production. We’re also big believers in the benefits that cover crops provide and will drill winter cereal rye into crop ground following silage harvest. Not only do we believe this betters soil health, but provides our cow herd additional grazing and fresh bedding during calving season. It’s in combination of these practices that our ranch was awarded the NCBA Environmental Stewardship Award in 1996.