LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
No, it's not Colorado, Idaho, Montana, or Wyoming. It's even better! It's Alberta, Canada!

Rocking "Are" Ranch is located in west-central Alberta, Canada, 17 miles southwest of the town of Rocky Mountain House, approximately 150 miles northwest of Calgary and 1100 miles north of Denver. See map at bottom of page.

THE RANCH HOME
The modern, energy-efficient open-beam ranch home (1300 sq ft), built in 2002, is finished in pine log siding over structural insulated panel walls. An attached two car garage, constructed from milled logs in 1980, has an immaculate one-bedroom guest suite above (730 sq ft), with full bath, kitchenette and large living room. Both overlook pristine woods and pasture land in front and the stream behind. In addition, a 330 sq ft screened porch "summer kitchen" with BBQ augments the recreational space.

Solar panels and a natural-gas-powered generator with inverter and batteries provide reliable "off-the-grid" independence. Ample clear water comes easily from a 100 foot drilled well.

Green grass lawns and  a rock garden, complete with garden railway, complement the finish of the ranch house. Massive spruce, pine, and aspen trees shelter the home from the weather on three sides, giving an unobstructed view to the south.

THE LAND
There are 160 acres deeded and 100 acres lease land, 2/3 of which are tame pasture, all accessible by high grade roads. Extensive cross-fencing, with high-grade galvanized steel gates, affords excellent control for rotational grazing. Carrying capacity is 60 to 100 cow-calf pairs summer grazing (winter feed purchased).

Surrounded on all sides by government land, this property is an oasis in the wilderness. A year-round stream, 80 foot pine, spruce and aspen shelterbelts, and ample tame pastures make this a practical working cattle or horse ranch, personal retreat, rural residence, private hunting lodge, or all of these.

The ranch sits just 1/2 mile from the North Saskatchewan River and two miles from the largest Forest Reserve in North America. Hunting, fishing, hiking, and recreational travel are only yards from the front door. World-famous Banff and Jasper National Parks are 110 miles from Rocky Mountain House, offering skiing, hiking, and the spectacular Canadian Rockies scenery.

THE FACILITIES
Cattle handling facilities are modern and in good repair, consisting of a large hay barn with attached calving pens, heated maternity barn with bunkhouse, kitchen and office, plus numerous smaller outbuildings and corrals. A covered shelter over the working chute, weigh scales, and squeeze keeps the cowboys dry while processing cows or calves. This area, known as Cowtown, is the envy of the community and praised by all the vets who have used it to treat a sick animal.

Learn more:    Rocking "Are" Photo Album    Rocking "Are" Ranch Story      Rocking "Are" Herd History
 

BACKGROUND
We sold bulls and replacement females for commercial ranchers and other purebred breeders directly from the ranch since 1980.

We were told that our stock was "one of the best kept secrets in the Hereford industry." Our bulls were Maternal Trait Leaders and 10% of our cows showed up on the Top Producing Female list most years.

In 2005, the heart of our herd was sold to the Bohnet family of High River and the younger bred cows were dispersed through Innisfail Auction. The bred heifers, yearling bulls, and 2-year old bulls were sold in 2006. There are still cows at Rocking "Are" - now we run grassers in the summer and lease some grass to keep the pastures in good condition. 

We put a lot of time and effort into our Herefords, not to mention love and affection for the cows, their calves, and our great bull power. We miss their peaceful nature and truly mourn the loss of our “family” of purebred Herefords.
 

LOCATION MAP