Breeding Philosophy

Nelson Livestock Company is a family run operation. It was homesteaded by Tom s great grandparents in 1909 and has remained in the family since that time. We celebrated out 100th year on the same land in 2009 and were included in a book titled The Weak Ones Turned Back, the Cowards Never Started compiled by Linda Grosskopf and Nancy Morrison. If you get a chance, take a look at the article and pictures. Charles O Nelson and Alberta Muggah Nelson's son Stanley A Nelson and his wife Jean operated the ranch and from him it passed to his son Thomas and Warren Nelson. CD Nelson, a son, has his operation in Wibaux County also. Warren passed away in July 2019. On the family operation now are Tom and Renee and their oldest son Brent.  Also back on the ranch is Brent's sons, Taylen and Gavin.  . Tom and Renee's other son, Nathan and his wife Jody, and kids Logan, Carter, and Hadley live in Crosby ND where Nate is a teacher and coach for Divide County High School.

We had our first Simmental calf in 1970. We have been breeding and raising Simmentals ever since. They have evolved from the traditional colored simmentals when we started to today where they are mostly solid black or solid red and polled. Simmentals have come a long way and are much different today than 50 years ago. We have added purebred angus to our herd in the mid-1990's . We now have established a herd of Sim-angus cattle. They are very versatile and popular these days. They are an ideal cross with many desirable traits. Our breeding sire selection consists of big spread bulls with minus birth weighs to high growth, with a moderate frame but will have explosive growth after birth. These functional cattle are deep, thick, with growth and do-ability to work in any environment.