The IX Ranch is a large cow/calf operation in Northern Montana supporting over 3,500 mother cows. The IX Ranch is BQA certified and the 2020 BQA Cow Calf Operation of the Year. Therefore, they take pride in raising an animal that has been well cared for and is ready to go to work.

The ranch sends the young end of the entire steer calf crop to Centana Feedlot at Edgar, MT to background. This year Approximately 365 head were brought to the feedlot. Weaned in September.

This set of steers is the front end sort out of 365 head. Sorted for size and quality to be a powerful set of feeders. Test weighed at 665 lbs net on December 22nd. Fed a grower ration to gain 2.5-2.8 lbs per day. 220 head in the pen, very few that will need to come out if any. They are big country cattle and are a little flighty in the sorting alley.

Our number one selection criteria when choosing sires is disposition but we also pay keen attention to muscling, scrotal size, feet and bone structure. We also use $Ranch and $Profit indexes formulated by Leachman's of Colorado.

• Avg $Ranch = $54.95;
• Avg $Profit = $11,905

The IX Ranch has purchased Leachman Stabilizer composite bulls from Leachman's of Colorado for over 12 years. We select sires for moderate weight and frame score cows. Our average mature cow weight is 1238 lbs and we select sires no bigger than frame score 6.

• For more information on Leachman genetics please contact Lee Leachman at (970) 568-3983.
• For more information on our feedlot performance please contact Farron Frost at Centana Feedlot (406) 860-8052.