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 entire heifer calf crop to Centana Feedlot at Edgar, MT to background. This year Approximately 1500 head were brought to the feedlot. The ranch takes approximately 625 replacement heifers.

This set of heifers is the front end sort out of 880 head. 390 head in the best end sorted for size. Very few that will need to come out if any to make 5 loads of 58k-60k lbs. Test weighed at 621 lbs net on December 21st. Fed a grower ration to gain ~ 2.25 lbs per day. They are big country cattle and are a little flighty in the sorting alley.

Our selection criteria when choosing sires is to 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.