Cattle Roundup a Tradition of Service on Church-Owned Ranch
Contributed By Jason Swensen, Church News staff writer
Volunteer cowboys drive cattle on October 20, 2016, during the annual cattle roundup at the Taylor Arizona Stake Cattle Ranch.
Article Highlights
- The Taylor Arizona Stake Cattle Ranch produces beef for families in need.
- For the Taylor Stake cowhands, the annual roundup is a tradition at the century-old ranch.
TAYLOR, ARIZONA
Located just a few miles south of the majestic Snowflake Arizona Temple is the Taylor Arizona Stake Cattle Ranch. At first glance, these two Church-owned properties seem stark opposites.
The temple rests atop a prominent hill and can be seen far across northeastern Arizona’s vast Navajo County. The cattle ranch’s remote headquarters are found at the end of a lowland red dirt road that even locals say is easy to miss after dark.
The climate-controlled temple is peaceful, orderly, and exudes a quiet reverence. The ranch, meanwhile, can be bone-chilling cold or blast-furnace hot, depending on the month. Dust covers everything here and the constant bellowing of cows halts only when a cowboy whistles and exhorts the stocky bovines to “Keep moving!” or “Hold on up, girls!”
Snowflake temple workers greet patrons with a smile and wish them a good morning or afternoon. Volunteers at the ranch welcome first-time visitors with a warning: “Watch where you step.” (The ranch floor is a veritable landmine of prickly pears, anthills, and, yes, cow pies.)
But a thoughtful examination reveals that the Snowflake Arizona Temple and the nearby Taylor Arizona Stake Cattle Ranch actually share much in common. Both are sacred, dedicated sites where people come together to serve the Lord and assist others in need.
Much of the work happening inside the Snowflake Temple allows men, women, and children long departed to know the blessings of salvation. Meanwhile, the meat produced at the Taylor Stake ranch will sustain and bless families who are hungry and facing hard times.
“Cut ’em out, ride ’em In”
A black Angus cow stares out the corral fence at the Taylor Arizona Stake Cattle Ranch. Photo by Jason Swensen.
Luanne Kirkman, foreground, and Deborah Austin make a record of cow vaccinations and health checks on October 20, 2016, at the Taylor Arizona Stake Cattle Ranch. Photo by Jason Swensen.
October 19 was a big day at the ranch. A team of volunteer Mormon cowboys—and cowgirls—rounded up some 400 head of cattle spread out across the 14,600-acre ranch. The herd’s mature calves were then driven onto awaiting tractor-trailer trucks to be shipped to other Church-owned welfare ranches in the western United States.
Those calves will ultimately be used to stock the meat sections of bishops’ storehouses across the U.S. and Canada. Families and individuals in need will be able to enjoy fresh hamburger, roasts, and other top-quality beef products thanks, in great part, to the work happening at the Taylor ranch.
“The beef the Church puts out here is second to none,” said Church agricultural specialist Wade Sperry.
An Arizona legacy
After separating and loading the calves for shipping, the volunteer cowboys spent the rest of their day vaccinating remaining cows and testing them for pregnancy before turning them loose again on the range.
For several of the Taylor Stake cowhands, the annual roundup is a family tradition at the near century-old ranch. Generations here have volunteered their time, talent, and equipment. Stake member Quinn Smith has been helping out at the ranch since he was a little boy.
“I can still remember when each elders quorum in the stake would raise funds to buy a heifer for the cattle ranch,” he said.
The October 19 roundup fell just days ahead of Ron Bateman’s 80th birthday. But age could not stop Brother Bateman from once again saddling his horse and spending the day cowboying at the ranch.
“I just felt I needed to help out again,” he said humbly.
Newly called ranch manager Gary Kirkman spoke to the volunteers as they sat down together for an outdoor lunch.
“I would ask if anyone wanted to say anything—but I’m hungry,” he said, enlisting a bit of cowboy humor. “But we do love and appreciate you. What a fantastic group you are.”
Taylor Arizona Stake Cattle Ranch volunteer manager Gary Kirkman speaks to fellow cowboys prior to lunch. Photo by Jason Swensen.
A day of joy and sadness
This year’s cattle roundup was bittersweet for the Taylor Stake volunteers. Two of their own were missing. For 17 years, Jay Whipple had served as the volunteer ranch manager. His wife, Sister Lynne Whipple, was his ranch companion.
The Whipples had become synonymous with the Taylor cattle ranch. Their “get-it-done” spirit and devotion to the Church’s welfare program inspired volunteers and fellow members of all ages across eastern Arizona.
But Brother Whipple was battling the final stage of cancer during this year’s roundup and was unable to direct it. Still, several friends and fellow ranch hands, many still dusty from the day’s labor, stopped by the Whipples’ home in Taylor to offer a final report.
When reminded of the many who had been blessed by their steady service, Sister Whipple simply replied that it was she and her husband who had been the beneficiaries of countless blessings.
“We have made oodles of good friends at the ranch as we served our Heavenly Father,” she said. “We’ve done our best to provide quality beef for others.”
Brother Whipple died on October 21, less than 48 hours after the roundup concluded. “He held on long enough to have his last calf crop shipped,” reported his friend, Brother Sperry.
Ray Bateman herds cattle during the annual roundup on October 20, 2016, at the Taylor Arizona Stake Cattle Ranch. Photo by Jason Swensen.
Joyful labor
Taylor Arizona Stake President Wayne Hardy said the Whipples are emblematic of the folks in his stake—and across the globe—who answer the divine call each day to help others.
Operating the stake cattle ranch demands a year-round, Sisyphean effort. But President Hardy said he’s never had to ask twice for help when, say, fences need repairing or water needs to be delivered to thirsty cattle. Others offer their own heavy equipment to blaze or maintain roads across the ranch.
It’s unlikely that any of the ranch volunteers will ever meet the people being fed through their efforts, he added. No matter. They know the Lord accepts their offerings. The reward is in the service.
“We’re so grateful to have this ranch and so grateful for the men and women who come here to serve,” he said.
Volunteer cowboys and cowgirls gathered October 20, 2016, at the Taylor Arizona Stake Cattle Ranch for the annual cattle roundup. Many of the cowhands have volunteered at the ranch for decades. Photo by Jason Swensen.
Cattle gather inside a corral on October 20, 2016, following the annual roundup at the Taylor Arizona Stake Cattle Ranch. Photo by Jason Swensen.
Tractor-trailer trucks drive away from the Taylor Arizona Stake Cattle Ranch after being loaded with calves from the ranch. The calves were shipped to other Church-owned welfare cattle ranches. Photo by Jason Swensen.
A cow waits in a chute to be vaccinated and pregnancy tested on October 20, 2016, at the Taylor Arizona Stake Cattle Ranch. Photo by Jason Swensen.
A trio of cows gather together after being pregnancy tested on October 20, 2016, at the Taylor Arizona Stake Cattle Ranch. Photo by Jason Swensen.
Ernest Hawkins prepares to vaccinate a cow at the Taylor Arizona Stake Cattle Ranch on October 20, 2016. Photo by Jason Swensen.
A cow makes its way through a chute for vaccination and pregnancy testing at the Taylor Arizona Stake Cattle Ranch. Photo by Jason Swensen.
