Straight Up | April 2025

A conversation with everyday Stockmen,

Featuring Dar Giess, DLCC Ranch of Pierz, Minn.

About the Stockman.

"I am originally from western Kansas, where I was raised on a commercial cow/calf operation near WaKeeney. I met my wife, Lynn, when I was asked to judge a showmanship competition at a Charolais junior national. We have been raising registered seedstock for 40 years and have focused our attention mainly on South Devon cattle. We have developed a composite breed of South Devon crossed on Continental cattle called Navigators and the composite English cross are called Poundmakers. My son, Lane, and his wife, Kate, and our daughter, Leah, are actively involved in the operation. They all graduated from Kansas State University with agricultural degrees and Lane just completed his doctorate in genetics at Colorado State. Although not living directly on the ranch they assist with marketing, breeding decisions, genetic evaluation, shows, and production sales."

What about the beef cattle industry excites you the most?

"Technology that is available to producers that we did not have 20 years ago. Including, genomically enhanced EPDs, genetic predictions available through DNA testing, and the ability to predict how an animal will perform with the data collected from the dam, sire, and resulting progeny."

What is your least favorite job on the farm?

"Farming! I’m a better rancher, than farmer. I’ll leave the planting and harvesting to professionals."

What is the most used tool on your farm? How old is it?

"The most useful tools on the ranch are the skid steer and the side-by-side. They are both ten years old and we couldn’t survive without either of them."

Describe your best and worst day.

"I believe accepting loss is the worst part of production agriculture. Although you do everything in your power to save an animal and you lose them, you definitely feel defeated. It doesn’t matter how long you have been in the business the feeling is still the same. Losing a show animal you have put so much time and care in is definitely the worst.

The best is watching the calves grow throughout the summer and into the fall. It is especially satisfying to see what your breeding decisions have produced and watch them go to new homes across the U.S."

Which animal (any species) has left the greatest impact on you?

"I believe DLCC Tiffany Lass 11U. She was one of the first South Devon females purchased for $700 who went on to win the 1988 National South Devon Show. The other is DLCC Gold Dust 64G, he is a two-time national champion, and he is a key figure in our current program. He has done everything right: genetics, performance, and production. He has produced progeny that have went into commercial and purebred herds across the U.S., and is currently in the process of CSS approval, with semen soon to be available worldwide."

What is your go-to sorting apparatus?

"We try to work the cattle slowly and without the need for a sorting apparatus. If we do need to use something we use a sorting stick or flag."

Your favorite non-farm activity to do in your free time?

"I am a long-time Kansas City Chiefs fan. My go-to for non-farm activity is watching both the Chiefs and Kansas State Wildcats football."

The most important lesson you’ve learned in this business?

"The importance of staying in touch with customers and knowing their expectations and the focus of their breeding programs. Customer service is key, including delivering all cattle personally after the production sale."

Annual Sale:

Saturday, April 19, 2025

At the ranch near Pierz, Minn.

Photos courtesy Dar Giess

learn more www.dlccranch.com