Stevenson Angus Ranch: A Century of Tradition, Dedication, and Angus Excellence
Over a century ago, the Stevenson family set roots in the vast and untamed landscapes of Central Montana, long before the establishment of the local community of Hobson.
Stevenson Angus Ranch: A Century of Tradition, Dedication, and Angus Excellence
Over a century ago, the Stevenson family set roots in the vast and untamed landscapes of Central Montana, long before the establishment of the local community of Hobson. The Judith Basin, named after the tributary explored by Lewis and Clark, was once the domain of migratory buffalo herds and the native peoples who followed them. In 1880, a young cowboy named Charlie Russell ventured into this basin, painting his way through the era of big roundups. The land, once roamed by buffalo and Native tribes, transformed as ranchers and cowboys tamed the wilderness. It was against this backdrop that Jim Stevenson, motivated by the promise of homesteads, railroads, and civic order, moved his family from Missouri to make a humble beginning.
Jim, a visionary of the land, homesteaded 160 acres and gradually expanded the ranching enterprise. His son, Jamie, demonstrated a deep affinity for the land, leading to the pivotal purchase of a 240-acre parcel on a partnership basis. Little did they know that this modest beginning in 1936 would burgeon into Stevenson Angus Ranch, now one of the largest breeders of Angus cattle in North America.
For more than eight decades, the Stevenson family has weathered the challenges of Central Montana, upholding a tradition initiated by Grandpa Jamie and Grandma Jeanette. The birth of five sons—Jim, Wes, Wayne, Keith, and Rick—infused the household with vitality, and the family worked tirelessly, scrimping and saving to nourish their growing enterprise.
Jamie's enduring priority was to expand the land. By the mid-1940s, he managed a flock of 1,200 to 1,500 sheep and a herd primarily consisting of Shorthorn and Hereford cattle. However, the turning point came in 1947 when Jamie and Jeanette purchased four registered Angus heifers from the dispersal sale of Airyland Ranch, marking the historic beginning of their journey with Angus cattle.
The Stevenson Angus Ranch became hooked on Angus cattle, and by the early 1950s, the majority of the herd comprised Angus. The growth and expansion have been relentless ever since. In 1951, the Montana Angus Association was formally organized, with Stevenson Angus Ranch as one of its charter members. This marked the beginning of Grandma Jeanette's lifetime of service to the breed.
Jamie Stevenson, aside from being a devoted rancher, had two passions—Angus cattle and poker. He served in various leadership positions with the Montana Angus Association and became a delegate to the American Angus Association meetings. His passing in 1975 left an indelible mark on the family, but Grandma Jeanette continued to guide and shape the ranch's destiny.
Grandma Jeanette's pivotal decision to pass on and sell the ranch to the boys set the direction for the next generations. The ranch was divided among the sons, with each family unit charting its path. Grandma remained active in the Angus world, serving as the President of the American Angus Auxiliary from 1978 to 1979 and receiving numerous accolades for her service.
The untimely death of Wayne Stevenson in 1994 had a lasting impact on the family. Wayne's contributions to the Angus breed were posthumously recognized when he was inducted into the American Angus Association's Heritage Foundation in 1994.
One of the significant milestones in the Stevenson Angus Ranch's journey was the creation of the Stevenson Basin marketing entity. In 1972, Wayne and Marian founded Basin Angus Ranch, and both ranches operated as separate entities with shared herd sire ownership and marketing efforts. In 1982, Stevenson Basin Inc. was officially formed, solidifying joint marketing efforts for the next twenty-six years. This collective endeavor, involving Stevenson Angus, Basin Angus, Stevenson's Diamond Dot, and R&S Angus, created the largest seedstock source in America.
The eventual decision for each family unit to go its own way in 2008 marked the end of the Stevenson Basin era. The individual ranches continued independently, working at their pace, with their methods and goals. Keith and Roberta Stevenson continued to own Stevenson Angus Ranch, and their commitment to Angus excellence and family traditions persisted.
Keith, the first in the family to attend and graduate college, has been an influential figure in the Angus community. His involvement in industry organizations, service on the American Angus Association Board of Directors, and presidency during the 1992-93 term attest to his dedication. The Stevenson family's commitment to youth activities, including the National Junior Angus Association, Montana Junior Angus Association, 4-H, and FFA, reflects their belief in nurturing the next generation of agriculturalists.
Today, as Stevenson Angus Ranch approaches its 56th Annual Production Sale, the legacy of dedication to quality, tradition, and the Angus breed lives on. Keith and Roberta Stevenson, along with their sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, form a cohesive unit actively involved in the ranch's daily operations. The Stevenson family, with its roots deep in the Montana soil, continues to shape the future of Angus cattle, embodying a century of tradition, dedication, and excellence.