APACHE RANCH
Hyannis, NE
About The Ranch
Apache Ranch is a cow/calf operation located in the heart of Grant County, south of Hyannis. Consisting of rolling sandhills prairie, meadows, lakes, and plentiful wildlife, Apache Ranch is owned by an absentee owner from Kansas and is part of a diversified operation.
Tim McAbee is the manager of Apache Ranch. The top goal of Apache Ranch is to be profitable, which ensures the operation is and will remain sustainable. To accomplish this goal, Tim adjusts the operations as needed to take the best care of the land and livestock. The ranch operation consists of all Angus cattle with some Hereford influence and utilizes Angus and Sim-Angus bulls. They retain ownership of their calves through the finishing phase and will typically run calves on cornstalks in the winter before going to the feedlot. Pasture calving takes place in April and May by moving heavies. Horses and cowdogs are relied on in the everyday work on the ranch. Most years Apache Ranch will raise their own replacement heifers that will then be A.I. bred. Cows will be summered on native grass pastures south of Mullen as well as by Lake McConaughy. If the market is right, the ranch will also run stocker cattle on grass.
Apache Ranch has a rotational grazing system in place in which livestock are moved weekly or bi-weekly depending on conditions. With horses and dogs, low-stress cattle movements are prioritized and accomplished. The summer haying is contracted out, but the ranch will move all bales to the stackyards, and summer forage is planted in pivots on the ranch.
The Mentors
Tim McAbee
Tim was born and raised in the Broken Bow area. He has a strong lifelong background in agriculture and went on to study animal science in college. His desire to ranch and his love of the sandhills led him to become the manager of Apache Ranch.
Tim and his wife Stacy have been married for 26 years. Stacy is the school principal in Paxton, Ne, and comes back to the ranch as often as she can. Tim and Stacy have two children. Zachary, their son, is attending college at the University of Kearney studying Business and Information Technology. Shailay, their daughter, is attending Chadron State University for Agriculture Business and competes on the rodeo team in roping and barrel racing.
Tim is passionate about ranching and the way of life it offers. Providing food for people and taking care of the land, livestock, and horses is meaningful work that makes each day worthwhile. He feels fortunate to live in the Sandhills, for the diversity of his work, to be outdoors, and for the mentors who have guided him. Tim practices Bud William's Stockmanship methods and appreciates a good cowdog. A good cowdog can save you and provide much-needed help, Tim says. He is excited to share with an intern, stockmanship and the movement of large groups of cattle. He is willing to share his experience and any of the skills needed for the ranch operation the intern would like to learn. Tim values people who take initiative and will put effort into trying.
Jay Holthus
Jay was born and raised in the Oshkosh area and has been in the ranching industry his entire life. Jay has lived and worked at Apache Ranch for 9 years.
The Intern
Duties
An intern will work closely with Tim on a variety of ranching tasks as their capabilities allow, including but not limited to: stockmanship and low-stress cattle handling, rotational grazing management, daily livestock care, fixing fences, moving hay, and branding.
An intern will have an opportunity to learn about any aspect of the ranch operations that is of interest: including record-keeping, nutrition, and economics.
Horseback riding experience is not required. However, horses are valued and utilized on the ranch and an intern will have an opportunity to learn horsemanship. ATVs and side by side’s are also available to use.
Additional responsibilities as needed and as per request.
Desired Skills
· Valid Driver’s License
· Honesty and Effort
· Open mind and willingness to learn
· Good Observation Skills
· Some equipment experience preferred
The Details
Length of Internship: 3 Months
Stipend: Apache Ranch will pay a monthly stipend estimated at $2,100.00/month.
General work hours: Monday through Saturday. Hours will vary depending on the season and activities. The regular day off is Sunday.
Housing and Meals: An apartment, with a kitchen and laundry, is furnished at the ranch and includes all housing items. Beef will be available for the intern. Housing is to be cared for and kept clean. Visitors are welcome. A dog may be allowed with prior approval.
Cell Phone Service: Viaero cell phone service. Internet and a landline are available in the apartment.
Vehicles: Ranch vehicles will be provided for ranch-related work.
Horse: The intern may bring one or two broke horses for ranch use.
Living in at Apache Ranch: Hyannis is 10 miles away and has all basic amenities including places to eat and drink, a grocery store, a hotel, a post office, and gas stations. Community events include Hyannis Windmill Days, brandings, and many ranch rodeos.
Educational Activities: The intern will have the opportunity to attend select workshops and participate in various ranch tours.
