ANGUS BEEF BULLETIN EXTRA

January 4, 2022 | Vol. 15 : No. 1

Angus Proud: Les Shaw

South Dakota operation manages winter with preparation and bull selection.

Northern Plains winters can be brutal, but Shaw Ranch Inc. has figured out how to survive since 1889 by using Angus cattle. Shaw Ranch Inc., in South Dakota, is a family operation, owned and operated by Les Shaw, his grandfather, father and brother.

“My great-grandfather, James, homesteaded near here in 1889,” Shaw says. “It takes many hands to run this place at times, and that’s where family comes in.”

The operation spends a considerable amount of time preparing for the area’s harshest season, Shaw explains.

“In the Northern Plains, it seems like everything revolves around winter, and that presents the biggest challenge,” Shaw says. “You are either preparing for it, such as putting up feed and building shelter, or you are getting through it by feeding, moving cattle before blizzards, or keeping water open.”

“In the Northern Plains, it seems like everything revolves around winter, and that presents the biggest challenge. You are either preparing for it, such as putting up feed and building shelter, or you are getting through it by feeding, moving cattle before blizzards, or keeping water open.”

One good thing about Shaw’s location is the forage available.

“We do have some of the most powerful grass in this area that will really put pounds on cattle,” Shaw says. “We graze our cattle in the spring, summer and fall on a lot of native buffalo grass along with western wheatgrass, crested wheatgrass and bromegrass. In the winter we graze what we can depending on availability and snow depth.”

Shaw is proud to be an Angus producer, and he has specific goals for his cattle.

“Some of the traits that I look for in the Angus cattle we raise start with fertility and longevity,” Shaw says. “These cattle have to stand up in our harsh conditions in the Northern Plains. We have pretty hot summers with limited grass, and winters can be brutal.”

Angus cattle are also cost-efficient, he says.

“These cattle hold up and breed back without having to break the bank by pouring feed and supplements into them,” Shaw says.

Overall, Shaw looks for balance in his cattle.

“We want cattle that will produce heavy-gainers that will grade well when slaughtered,” Shaw says. “This is a delicate balance that is always needing supervision and adjusting. Angus cattle seem to do really well in this area, and they allow me to find that balance. They are hardy and at the same time produce calves that will top the market.”

The cow-calf operation calves in the spring for marketing purposes.

“We calve the bulk of our herd in March and April, but we calve the heifers starting in February,” Shaw says. “We market the heaviest steers in the fall and background the rest through the winter in our feedlot.”


“These cattle hold up and breed back without having to break the bank by pouring feed and supplements into them,” says Les Shaw.

Calving in the spring allows Shaw’s calves to gain enough weight.

“We calve our cows, 3 years old and older, starting in mid-March for 60 days. The weather usually starts to warm up about this time,” Shaw says. “If we go any later, we won’t get the growth we need to market steers at the weight we want.”

Heifers calve earlier to make sure they get the extra time and care they might require.

“Heifers start in February,” Shaw says. “We have a calving barn big enough to house them all at night or during a spring blizzard. This allows us to give them special attention and for them to have a little extra time to heal and breed back.”

With preparation and good management, the operation will continue for Shaw’s and his brother’s children, who are active on the operation already.

Editor’s note: Jessica Wesson was the 2021 editorial intern for the Angus Beef Bulletin. Photos courtesy Les Shaw.




Angus Proud

In this Angus Proud series, Editorial Intern Jessica Wesson provides insights into how producers across the country use Angus genetics in their respective environments.



Angus Proud: Bubba Crosby

Fall-calving Georgia herd uses quality and co-ops to market calves.


Angus Proud: Jim Moore

Arkansas operation retains ownership through feeding and values carcass data.

Angus Proud: Les Shaw

South Dakota operation manages winter with preparation and bull selection.


Angus Proud: Jeremy Stevens

Nebraska operation is self-sufficient for feedstuffs despite sandy soil.