Three generations of cow-calf production

Welcome to
Snake Creek Ranch

Three generations of cow-calf production

Welcome to
Snake Creek Ranch

Snake Creek
Cow Herd

Representing three generations of cow-calf production.

The Angus herd today is a product of continual improvement for calving ease, early growth, fertility and end product merit. Each year, the heifers are genomically tested using Method Genetics. We use the genomic results as a benchmark to select heifers to retain in the herd.

The heifers are A.I.’d to elite Angus sires that excel for a balance of economically important traits. The cows are bred natural service to predominantly Gardiner Angus Ranch bulls selected for the same traits.

This disciplined approach and continual improvement has afforded Snake Creek Ranch flexibility and opportunity to take advantage of a value-added marketing system regardless of the marketing environment.

Snake Creek Cow Herd

Representing three generations of cow-calf production.

The Angus herd today is a product of continual improvement for calving ease, early growth, fertility and end product merit. Each year, the heifers are genomically tested using Method Genetics. We use the genomic results as a benchmark to select heifers to retain in the herd.

The heifers are A.I.’d to elite Angus sires that excel for a balance of economically important traits. The cows are bred natural service to predominantly Gardiner Angus Ranch bulls selected for the same traits.

This disciplined approach and continual improvement has afforded Snake Creek Ranch flexibility and opportunity to take advantage of a value-added marketing system regardless of the marketing environment.

Our relationship to the

Land and Cattle

Feeding Facilities

Snake Creek is in far Southwest Kansas. The overall topography is sandy loam soil and rolling hills that provide excellent cattle feeding environment. Average rainfall over the past 30 years is 23 inches. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 25°F to 96°F and is rarely below 12°F or above 104°F.

From the moment a load arrives at Snake Creek, we believe developing young, light-weight cattle—bulls, steers or heifers—requires a highly skilled team with the commitment to quickly evaluate the overall health and well-being of the cattle. Once rested, the cattle are processed in a state-of-the-art indoor, all-weather facility. All cattle receive a high frequency EID and subsequent processing information is documented in the individual digital record.

Newly processed cattle are sorted and placed in a clean, spacious, well-drained pen that will become home until the next phase of production is determined.

Nutrition/Rations

Flexibility is key. From maintenance to grow, from 500 lbs. to 850 lbs., the ability to match individual groups of cattle with appropriate nutrition to match a predetermined goal ensures predictable outcomes. Prescribed feeding programs enable us to balance rations to achieve gain, manage cost, or increase consumption.

Feedlot Relationships

Snake Creek Development has made feedlot relationships an integral part of our business philosophy. Developing young cattle for the next production phase, with a chosen end point, is determined under direction and collaboration with our customers. Often, the next development phase impacts the time spent in our facility. Genetics matter! We know high growth and carcass quality is fueled by elite genetics. “High octane” cattle typically require fewer days on feed and require the management to excel on a grid that favors upper 2/3 USDA Choice and USDA Prime. Other cattle are developed for grids rewarding other quality-based specifications. Our management strategies compliment early gain and prepare them for further finishing.

Smart Start

“The more things change, the more they stay the same” often describes concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO). As structured cattle feeding evolved in the U.S. in the 1960s and prior to a value-based pricing system, all cattle were considered average. The only significant difference was the number of days on feed before processing. Ranchers with adequate forage often managed their cost by adding more, and less expensive, pounds at home before shipping yearlings to the feedyard.

Value-based marketing systems, genomic information and consumer demand for quality forced a paradigm change from birth to carcass. SmartStart is the result of a confluence of nutritional science, genomic technology, cattle feeding experience and best practice animal welfare. By embracing modern technology and real-world experience, our SmartStart system improves outcomes in developing feeder calves or replacement heifers and prepare the animals for the next phase in their lives.

BUNK MANAGEMENT

Today we understand rumen health in young cattle and the need for better bunk management. By working closely with our customers, we incorporate specific breed and genomic data, herd health and body condition into an overall strategy for further development.

Feed bunks are managed using the most advanced nutritional and ruminal science to promote optimal gain, based on age of the animal, body condition upon arriving and breed type. Upon arrival, individual animals are tagged with low or high frequency RFID tags that interface with Micro Beef Technologies software. Our feed trucks are equipped with GPS technology to assist in accurate ration compliance and feed delivery.

NUTRITION/RATIONS

Flexibility is key. From maintenance to grow, from 500 lbs. to 850 lbs., the ability to match individual groups of cattle with appropriate nutrition to match a predetermined goal ensures predictable outcomes. Prescribed feeding programs enable us to balance rations to achieve gain, manage cost, or increase consumption.

VET CONSULTATION/HEALTH PROTOCOLS

Today we understand rumen health in young cattle and the need for better bunk management. By working closely with our customers, we incorporate specific breed and genomic data, herd health and body condition into an overall strategy for further development.

Feed bunks are managed using the most advanced nutritional and ruminal science to promote optimal gain, based on age of the animal, body condition upon arriving and breed type. Upon arrival, individual animals are tagged with low or high frequency RFID tags that interface with Micro Beef Technologies software. Our feed trucks are equipped with GPS technology to assist in accurate ration compliance and feed delivery.

HEIFER DEVELOPMENT

For the past few years, drought has affected the majority of cow-calf producers throughout the Midwest. With limited forage options, ranchers are exploring opportunities to mitigate the need to reduce cow herd numbers and dilute years of genetic progress. Replacement heifer development at Snake Creek offers cow-calf producers an option to continue a path toward genetic improvement. We offer timed breeding artificial insemination, palpation for pregnancy and, upon request, ultrasound to determine fetal sex. Once confirmed to be bred, heifers are ready for reintroduction into their home environment. Heifers determined to be non-breeders are ready to enter the final feedlot phase. We will gladly coordinate with a feedlot to finish the cattle.

Smart Start

“The more things change, the more they stay the same” often describes concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO). As structured cattle feeding evolved in the U.S. in the 1960s and prior to a value-based pricing system, all cattle were considered average. The only significant difference was the number of days on feed before processing. Ranchers with adequate forage often managed their cost by adding more, and less expensive, pounds at home before shipping yearlings to the feedyard.

Value-based marketing systems, genomic information and consumer demand for quality forced a paradigm change from birth to carcass. SmartStart is the result of a confluence of nutritional science, genomic technology, cattle feeding experience and best practice animal welfare. By embracing modern technology and real-world experience, our SmartStart system improves outcomes in developing feeder calves or replacement heifers and prepare the animals for the next phase in their lives.

BUNK MANAGEMENT

Today we understand rumen health in young cattle and the need for better bunk management. By working closely with our customers, we incorporate specific breed and genomic data, herd health and body condition into an overall strategy for further development.

Feed bunks are managed using the most advanced nutritional and ruminal science to promote optimal gain, based on age of the animal, body condition upon arriving and breed type. Upon arrival, individual animals are tagged with low or high frequency RFID tags that interface with Micro Beef Technologies software. Our feed trucks are equipped with GPS technology to assist in accurate ration compliance and feed delivery.

NUTRITION/RATIONS

Flexibility is key. From maintenance to grow, from 500 lbs. to 850 lbs., the ability to match individual groups of cattle with appropriate nutrition to match a predetermined goal ensures predictable outcomes. Prescribed feeding programs enable us to balance rations to achieve gain, manage cost, or increase consumption.

VET CONSULTATION/HEALTH PROTOCOLS

Today we understand rumen health in young cattle and the need for better bunk management. By working closely with our customers, we incorporate specific breed and genomic data, herd health and body condition into an overall strategy for further development.

Feed bunks are managed using the most advanced nutritional and ruminal science to promote optimal gain, based on age of the animal, body condition upon arriving and breed type. Upon arrival, individual animals are tagged with low or high frequency RFID tags that interface with Micro Beef Technologies software. Our feed trucks are equipped with GPS technology to assist in accurate ration compliance and feed delivery.

HEIFER DEVELOPMENT

For the past few years, drought has affected the majority of cow-calf producers throughout the Midwest. With limited forage options, ranchers are exploring opportunities to mitigate the need to reduce cow herd numbers and dilute years of genetic progress. Replacement heifer development at Snake Creek offers cow-calf producers an option to continue a path toward genetic improvement. We offer timed breeding artificial insemination, palpation for pregnancy and, upon request, ultrasound to determine fetal sex. Once confirmed to be bred, heifers are ready for reintroduction into their home environment. Heifers determined to be non-breeders are ready to enter the final feedlot phase. We will gladly coordinate with a feedlot to finish the cattle.

About Us

Century old continuous ranching operations aren’t uncommon in Southwestern Kansas. The common theme, however, is the resilience of the families, the land and agriculture in general. Over time, Mother Nature, the economy and the markets have challenged ranchers to make tough decisions. Today, “sustainability” is liberally applied in many conversations implying that, historically, ranching has not been efficient and largely unsustainable. Nothing can be further from the truth. Centennial operations, like Snake Creek Ranch, have combined generations of experience with a solid business strategy to reinvest in the ranch, always planning for the future.

Snake Creek Ranch is a diverse commercial cow-calf operation, encompassing more than 17,000 acres. Feedstuffs are planted on tillable acres and harvested as silage to support the cow herd. Our proximity to cattle feeding, commodity grain, native grass lands and some of the nation’s largest beef processors provide opportunities to develop many strategic partnerships.

Snake Creek Ranch’s SmartStart development facility offers clients the flexibility to background lighter, younger cattle or develop heifers to either return to the cowherd as replacements or, for non-breeders, move on to a feedlot setting.

As genetic information became available to commercial producers and the “report card” of selling finished cattle on a value-based grid, Snake Creek Ranch has focused on making rapid genetic improvements in the cow herd. This information has also been critical to the evolution of SmartStart as a multi-phase, further development program to manage genetically elite cattle to their optimum outcome.

Jesse Luckie is the fifth generation to return to his family’s ranch and oversees the day-to-day operations. Encompassing approximately 17,000 acres, the ranch has long been a diverse cow-calf operation using Angus genetics. Luckie was raised on the ranch and then went to college. After attending Kansas State University, he built a successful career in accounting and health care analytics before returning to the ranch. Jesse, his wife, Amanda, and daughter, Addison, returned to Snake Creek Ranch in 2010. The primary focus has been to reinvest in the ranch, develop a sustainable succession strategy, forge synergistic industry relationships ensuring Snake Creek for generations to come.

About Us

Century old continuous ranching operations aren’t uncommon in Southwestern Kansas. The common theme, however, is the resilience of the families, the land and agriculture in general. Over time, Mother Nature, the economy and the markets have challenged ranchers to make tough decisions. Today, “sustainability” is liberally applied in many conversations implying that, historically, ranching has not been efficient and largely unsustainable. Nothing can be further from the truth. Centennial operations, like Snake Creek Ranch, have combined generations of experience with a solid business strategy to reinvest in the ranch, always planning for the future.

Snake Creek Ranch is a diverse commercial cow-calf operation, encompassing more than 17,000 acres. Feedstuffs are planted on tillable acres and harvested as silage to support the cow herd. Our proximity to cattle feeding, commodity grain, native grass lands and some of the nation’s largest beef processors provide opportunities to develop many strategic partnerships.

Snake Creek Ranch’s SmartStart development facility offers clients the flexibility to background lighter, younger cattle or develop heifers to either return to the cowherd as replacements or, for non-breeders, move on to a feedlot setting.

As genetic information became available to commercial producers and the “report card” of selling finished cattle on a value-based grid, Snake Creek Ranch has focused on making rapid genetic improvements in the cow herd. This information has also been critical to the evolution of SmartStart as a multi-phase, further development program to manage genetically elite cattle to their optimum outcome.

Jesse Luckie is the fifth generation to return to his family’s ranch and oversees the day-to-day operations. Encompassing approximately 17,000 acres, the ranch has long been a diverse cow-calf operation using Angus genetics. Luckie was raised on the ranch and then went to college. After attending Kansas State University, he built a successful career in accounting and health care analytics before returning to the ranch. Jesse, his wife, Amanda, and daughter, Addison, returned to Snake Creek Ranch in 2010. The primary focus has been to reinvest in the ranch, develop a sustainable succession strategy, forge synergistic industry relationships ensuring Snake Creek for generations to come.