Horton Feedyard (Five Rivers): Where History Meets Innovation

Horton Feedyard (Five Rivers): Where History Meets Innovation

Colorado's Northern Gateway

Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Northern Colorado, the Horton Feedyard, now proudly part of the Five Rivers Cattle Feeding family, stands as a testament to a rich history intertwined with a passion for agriculture and innovation. Situated in Wellington, a town with a storied past as "Colorado's Northern Gateway," this feedyard's journey is a remarkable tale of dedication to research, excellence, and family values.

The Legacy of Wellington

Wellington, Colorado, holds a unique position between two state capitals: Denver, Colorado, and Cheyenne, Wyoming. Throughout the 1800s, this town was a bustling hub for oil, coal, and agriculture. It served as a pivotal stopping point for wagon trains, travelers, and military movements between Cheyenne and Fort Collins, Colorado. Notably, Wellington was also the childhood home of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron White, adding to its historical significance.

From Vision to Reality

The Horton Feedyard's story begins in the mid-1970s when Dr. Dallas Horton, a veterinarian with a keen interest in research, undertook the task of building the feedyard from the ground up. Construction took place from 1976 to 1977, with a strong emphasis on pens designed for research purposes. Initially comprising 120 pens, each housing ten head of cattle, the feedyard grew over the years to encompass 256 pens, all equipped with individual waterers.

Trent Horton, one of Dr. Horton's sons, fondly recalls their involvement in the yard's early days. He mentions, "As kids, we would get to clean [the pens]. I was 8 years old, and Troy was 11 at the time. The motivation for us to do the work was that when we were finished, we could ride our motorbikes on the farm."

A Hub of Research and Innovation

The Horton Feedyard quickly established itself as a center for extensive research trials. These trials encompassed a wide range of areas, from testing feed additives, vaccines, and implants to experimenting with various feed formulations. While cattle were the primary focus of these trials, the yard initially ran trials with sheep as well. Over time, the focus shifted to cattle, and the Horton children played a crucial role in converting sheep pens into cattle pens.

Dr. Horton's commitment extended beyond the feedyard. He farmed the adjacent land, providing essential roughage for the animals. In the late 1970s, Dr. Horton and his father, Dallas Sr., engineered the pump site, a critical component still in use today. As the feedyard expanded, the pivot had to be relocated to accommodate its growth, a testament to the yard's continuous evolution.

Joining Five Rivers Cattle Feeding

In August 2022, the Horton Feedyard made history by becoming the 13th feedyard to join the esteemed Five Rivers Cattle Feeding family. This partnership represents a union of rich traditions and a commitment to the future of the cattle industry.

Meet the General Manager: Ryan Peterson

Ryan Peterson, the General Manager of Horton Feedyard, brings a wealth of agricultural experience to the table. Raised on a family farm in southwest Michigan, Ryan's background includes managing a commercial cow/calf herd, feedlot, and row crops. He holds degrees in Agribusiness Management from Michigan State University and a master's degree in Ruminant Nutrition from Colorado State University.

Ryan's journey with Five Rivers began when he moved to Colorado and worked at a feedlot research facility in Lamar, adjacent to Colorado Beef. After completing graduate school, he worked for a large seedstock company in northern Colorado, which developed cattle at the Horton Feedlot in Wellington.

In 2019, Ryan joined Five Rivers and served as the Assistant General Manager at Kuner Feedlot. He took on the role of General Manager for both Horton Feedyard and Montera Feedyard when Five Rivers acquired these locations in 2022. Ryan, along with his wife and two boys, now calls Wellington, Colorado, home.

The Horton Feedyard, with its rich history and commitment to research and innovation, continues to play a vital role in the cattle industry under the banner of Five Rivers Cattle Feeding.

Visit Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC to learn more about their dedication to excellence in cattle feeding.

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