THRIVING FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY
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It ’ s one thing to remain in business for a century , but another to thrive while doing it . Scott is most proud of the farm ’ s ability to expand . When the farm consisted of only 200 acres , it wasn ’ t profitable considering the amount of equipment that was necessary to own . Adding acres helped with the financial pressure and made it a profitable operation .
As with any family business , there have been challenges including grappling with growth and expansion . Scott and Kevin both have full-time jobs in addition to working on the farm evenings and weekends . While adding acres helped with economies of scale , labor has become the biggest obstacle . The family is at a point where they need someone on the farm full-time . And that is a decision the Kreuzmans will make together .
For those whose legacy is just beginning , Scott ’ s advice is simple , “ Understand going in that it isn ’ t easy ; it takes a lot of motivation and perseverance to make it happen and maintain a viable business .”
Scott also recommends younger producers use all the resources available , including tapping into older generations .
“ As you lose generations , you lose knowledge ,” Scott said . “ I may remember the history since I ’ ve been involved , but past that , things become blurry .”
Scott and his brother rely on their dad and uncle and the wisdom they ’ ve gained through their experiences on the farm . They know what works and what doesn ’ t , and Scott and Kevin can learn a lot from them . According to Scott , their advice helps them avoid speed bumps and keeps them from recreating the wheel .
Farming is not for the fainthearted , but what ’ s kept the Kreuzman family involved in cattle for generations is a passion for the industry .
“ If you look at the hours worked and expenses , it would be easy to throw in the towel and walk away ,” Scott said . “ This lifestyle is what my family loves , and we can ’ t picture doing anything else .”
At the foot of the Sangre de Cristo mountains in Cimarron , New Mexico , CS Ranch sprawls across 110,000 acres of privately owned plains , foothills and mountain country that was originally part of the Maxwell Land Grant . Founded by Frank Springer and his brother Charles in 1873 , the ranch remains a family business generations later .
Frank Springer ’ s grandson , Les Davis , took over management in 1947 , and when he married Linda Mitchell in 1953 , the two began a legacy of their own . Les and Linda raised six children and , with the help of longtime foreman Jiggs Porter , the Davis ’ strengthened the family operation with the sixth generation now growing up on the ranch .
“ Our parents were a team and were committed to the family working the ranch , and it ’ s why we stay together ,” said Davis ’ s daughter Julia Stafford . “ Jiggs Porter was like a second father to us
Horses are paramount to the long success of CS Cattle Co .
and taught us so much about stockmanship .”
CS Ranch is primarily a cow-calf operation , but the enterprise has grown over the years by offering guided hunts and custom grazing when moisture is plentiful . The ranch ’ s rich history is also rooted in horses . Throughout the decades , the family raised remount horses for war efforts , polo ponies , hunter / jumpers and stock horses .
“ Horses are near and dear to my family ’ s heart , and they were key to keeping the ranch afloat through World War I ,” Stafford said . “ We have a deep appreciation for really good stock horses and continue to raise them for ranch use .”
There are no formal job descriptions at CS Ranch as everyone does everything , from herding cattle and helping with calving to branding and shipping . Each family member knows exactly where to be and when . They are good friends and good hands , relying on each other and working toward a common goal of keeping the ranch going .
“ We ’ ve been lucky that everyone raised on this ranch loves it so much , and we work together as a cooperative family unit ,” Stafford said . “ Many family members have made sacrifices to keep it going , but with careful management , we are thriving more than 150 years later .”
A key to the ranch ’ s longevity is the family ’ s priority of taking care of the land and animals . Having a clear focus has helped tie everyone
together .
“ We are tremendously proud of our ranching heritage ,” Stafford said . “ We share a commitment to taking care of the land and our animals and being actively engaged in our community .”
Les and Linda Davis ’ contributions to ranching have been immortalized with induction into the Hall of Great Westerners at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City . An exceptional cattlewoman , Linda was also inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum Hall of Fame .
When Les passed in 2001 , Linda remained the heart and soul of the ranch until her death early in 2024 at the age of 93 . The couple ’ s passion for ranching transcends generations , and their legacy lives on through their children , grandchildren and great grandchildren .
“ We may have different approaches for how we are going to accomplish our goals of land and animal management , but at the end of the day , everyone is committed to continuing our family ’ s legacy and making improvements for the next generation ,” Stafford concluded .
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