Nebraska Pioneer Award Winners
Joan and Rich Peterson
of Windmill Ranch in Haigler, Nebraska
1959 - Today
Windmill Angus Ranch was purchased in 1959 by Rich and Joan Peterson. In the late 1800s it was known as the Cottonwood Ranch and had a reputation as one of the premier Registered Hereford ranches in the tri-state area. Rich, Joan and Rich’s father George Peterson had been raising Registered Angus in the Chappell, Nebraska, area before purchasing the Cottonwood Ranch. They named the ranch Windmill Ranch after the design of their brand. The brand is well known around the country now as registered stock has been sold to almost every state.
Rich and Joan had always paid close attention to carcass quality, conformity and performance. Showing steers in the Royal in Kansas City in the ’60s won them many awards. Rich and Joan liked big, performance cattle and stayed away from the small framed cattle of the day. They started having Production Sales in Wray, Colorado, around 1975 and in 1980 built a Sale Barn on the Ranch. Thirty-seven annual production sales later, the tradition continues as their son, Alex Peterson, manages the operation today.
Rich and Joan have also shown breeding livestock winning many state shows including the NILE and the Cow Palace in California. Some of their greatest sires include ABS Sire Hoff Triumph, Hoff Ultra and B/R New Dimension 7127. Carcass quality has always been a goal at the Windmill Ranch. Last year, a pen of Windmill raised steers won the coveted CAB 30-06 award. Their customers have gained from Rich and Joan’s persistence by topping sales with Windmill genetics. Repeat customers of around 95% in the production sales, proves their attention to detail works. Sixty years of raising great Angus cattle and making friends nationwide has been a great way to make a living and enjoy life. Rich Peterson passed away in 2000. Joan Peterson is an active partner in Windmill Ranch and continues to help with everyday decisions.
Rich and Joan had four children, Eric, Ellen, George and Alex. Eric was lost in a farm accident in 1976. Ellen, her husband Gene and their two boys Jake and Ethan own a farm and ranch in the panhandle of Nebraska. George, his wife Carol and their two children Meg and Mark own a ranch bordering Windmill Ranch. |
