Located along the Snake River 60 miles southeast of Boise, the high desert ranch originated from homestead days. Prior to 1976, Colyers ran 700 straight bred Hereford commercial cattle in common with other producers on BLM allotments. "We sold our BLM permit and we're currently running on deeded lands and rented, private lands," says Guy Colyer, a third-generation rancher. The change came because "we wanted a closer tie with the cattle as far as individual performance records and the ability to increase quality."

Guy Colyer manages 250 purebred Horned Hereford cows and 60 Horned Hereford replacement heifers. They retained a small commercial cow herd until 1993 when Guy's parents, Ray & Bonnie Colyer, implemented 100 purebred Angus cows."We decided to add Angus to fit our commercial ranchers that were buying the two breeds anyway," Guy says. "the black-baldie is as popular as any cross in the country and it suits our environment real well."

Currently, Ray and Bonnie oversee the Angus herd. Guy plans all matings and keeps cattle records and his wife, Sherry, a daughter of a former Tacoma, Washington, livestock market owner, manages financial and computer matters while also working as a full-time travel agent. Guy and Sherry have two children. Kyle, 30, spent two years as a livestock judging team member at Colby College, Colby, Kansas, then graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor degree in Animal Science. He was on the judging team at KSU and was the high individual at the American Royal in 1999. Katie, 26, graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in animal science-business. While at college Katie was highly involved in extracurricular activities and served as the Ag Student Affairs Council President while at the University of Idaho. Her Dad says, "she has been very involved, showing both Hereford and Angus heifers and does the daily chores here on the ranch."

While the commercial-to-purebred switch brought changes to the operation, the basics remained the same. The Hereford cows are summered in rented mountain pasture near Fairfield, Idaho, while Angus cows run in homesteaded native fields in the Owyhee Mountains. Yearling bulls go to grass without supplement each summer. He says, "I think that teaches them how to eat and utilize grass and they're better able to go out and work as two-year-olds." The operation produces all necessary feed: alfalfa hay, corn silage and barley. Sale bulls are grown on corn silage and chopped hay.

"Every aspect of our breeding program is based on the commercial industry," Guy explains. "We're looking for cattle with optimum performance. many of our customers run in less-than-ideal conditions, so we're trying to match breeds and cattle that will adapt and survive in harsher environments. That's why we've selected Hereford and Angus; they're proven breeds that survive, re-breed and still give acceptable performance and carcass quality."

The Colyers are dedicated to producing quality products for every industry segment, evidenced by their implementation of ultrasound technology in 1991. However, the usefulness faded because of questionable accuracy. "We didn't want to put a lot of faith in it unless it was accurate data," Guy says. Now, with improved imaging they've reinstated ultrasound. "It's getting to be universally accepted. Our technician has given us some good data." Several bulls had high marbling scores and their full brothers recorded high marbling scores since then. "We think there is repeatability to what we're doing, so we can select based on ultrasound data. We're trying to increase carcass merit in our cattle." Carcass EPD's have been attained on their major Hereford herd bulls this past fall. He says, "We've been using Angus bulls with superior carcass traits. We hope to duplicate that on the Hereford side."

Colyers also have three major herd sires in the American Hereford Association carcass testing program, C L1 MILE HIGH 2ET, C GOLD RUSH 1 ET, and HH ADVANCE 492D. "We supplied semen to commercial ranchers who will produce steers for the carcass program," he says. "We'll follow up on our ultrasound data with actual steer carcass data."

Guy and Sherry are also involved the cattle industry in capacities other than as breeders. Guy has served the Owyhee County Cattle Association, Idaho Cattle Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, and served as an American Hereford Association board director. Sherry has had involvement with the American Hereford Auxiliary and has testified on the Endangered Species Act in Washington, D.C. they have both been American Junior Hereford Association national advisors.

The total picture provides the understanding that will keep Colyer Herefords progressing into the future. "it looks like the only way that you're able to stay in business is to cut inputs and be more efficient," Guy says. "to do that you need efficient cattle. I think we can shortchange Hereford and Angus cattle as much as any breed and still get a live calf and an acceptable product."

With the basics already pieced together, that product is Colyer's main focus. "Getting the tools to do more carcass selection is where the future lies," he assures. "Our challenge is to produce superior carcass animals and still keep the maternal aspects of the two breeds in balance. By identifying those highly heritable traits and selecting for them, I think we can make a lot of progress in a short time."