Living a legacy
Heritage, lifestyle and hope for a high-quality future
Living off the land, carrying the experience of generations and the undeniable weight of commitment in your heart. That’s ranching.
That’s the way of life for Donn and Billie Hett, whose Buffalo, S.D., 12,000-acre ranch was homesteaded in 1909 by Donn’s great-grandfather.
The family’s 600 Angus cows raise calves for the Certified Angus Beef ® (CAB ®) brand Natural target, without implants, antibiotics or animal byproduct feeds.
“We understand that people are becoming more concerned with where their product is coming from,” Donn says. A few extra dollars per calf added motivation to produce for the brand.
“We went to the source- and age-verification, but it was no extra problem because we have them all tagged and recorded anyway,” he says.
Selection and management is geared toward producing the very best beef. The Hetts have used artificial insemination (AI) since 1971 on heifers and top cows.
Gaining access to bulls worth hundreds of thousands of dollars has been a key and “one of the most rewarding decisions,” he says.
“We use a proper balance,” Donn says, “the well-muscled, easy keeping kind that will gain well, to work for us and for the feedlot.”
For a few years, the Hetts tried selling calves on a video auction, but something was missing.
“At that point, the calves just disappear and you don’t ever hear much about them,” Donn says. “Where we’re able to upgrade with our AI program, it’s important to get feedback and information.”
A couple of years ago, a Natural feeding cooperative purchased their calves. More than 90% of them made USDA Choice or Prima and 36% qualified for CAB Natural, plus the ranchers got to see the data.
The cows producing such calves have to balance a lot of other needs, adapting to hot, dry summers as well as the winter’s worst. And the Hett family insists on tame cows.
“Billie often checks the heifers at night. We joke that if one raises its head too fast, she’ll send them away on the trailer,” Donn says with a grin. “But we really don’t tolerate poor temperament. The feedlot likes them real quiet, too, because they gain better.”
Tyler Hett recently returned to the ranch, with wife Marisa and their three children. On any given day, there’s a youngster riding along as Tyler checks cows.
“It’s a wonderful place to raise a family and the way of life that we enjoy,” Donn says. “It’s been a struggle at times, but it’s been worth it.”