Farm406

• • 53 FARM 406 For decades, both Nefsy and Coffee managed separate operations. When Nefsy passed away, the two ranches merged and became what is known today as the Tongue River Ranch. Coffee continued to add to the ranch up until his death in 2015. For many years, the ranch raised Hereford/Angus cross cattle, but in the late 1970s, the Tongue River Ranch transitioned from Hereford/Angus to predominantly Black Angus. Today, Coffee's raise certified natural cattle, which are mostly Black Angus, but many still have the ranch's Hereford/ Angus cross history in their bloodline. The mother cows, or dams, have been developed since the 1950s with only the addition of purebred bulls over the last 60 years; almost entirely Angus for the last 30 years. The Tongue River Ranch includes irrigated land used to raise feed for cattle. "We grow alfalfa, natural grass and mixed hay, and some corn, which is chopped and used as silage in the feed- lot," said Bill. It is located mostly in Custer County, but some is located in Rosebud County, as well. Bounded by the Tongue River to the north and the Custer National Forest to the south, it is teaming with wildlife. On any given day elk, deer, pronghorn antelope, bear, bobcat, pheasant, grouse, wild turkey, and waterfowl can be spotted. "And, unfortunately, mountain lions, too," Bill added. "At the end of the day, you can see the fruits of your labor on the ranch. I guess I miss that most." Bill said. "When Chris Morgan, from south of Miles City, chases after an errant black Angus cow on the upper Tongue River unit of the Tongue River Ranch. Friends, family, and neighbors work together to help brand cattle on the Tongue River Ranch in the spring.

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