Mink Land and Livestock
A Ranching Legacy: The Mink Family's Commitment to High-Quality Beef Production
Jodie and Justin Mink and their family’s dedication to ranching is evident in their meticulous care for both their cattle and the land. Their commitment to tradition, community, and environmental stewardship offers a glimpse into the heart of the beef industry and the passion that drives it forward.
History & Background
The history of Mink Land & Livestock dates back to 1941, when Justin's great-grandfather transitioned from working at Mesa Orchards to starting his own ranch. This laid the foundation for a family legacy that would span generations. Today, Justin represents the fourth generation, and he and his family (including his parents Russel and Peggy, and his Uncle Roy and wife Linda), work tirelessly to continue building their great-grandfather's vision.“We are a commercial cow-calf operation, which is a type of ranch where calves are raised until they are sold to larger feedlots. This process is integral to the beef production chain, ensuring that the calves are healthy and of high quality, meeting the demands of buyers and creating the best beef for consumers,” said Justin.
The first year of life for a calf on the Mink ranch is a carefully managed process, and the Minks take several steps to keep the calves healthy. They check the cattle several times a day, especially in adverse weather conditions, ensuring that the calves are nursing and receiving the care they need - including proper cow nutrition, clean water, and dry bedding.
The calves are born between February and April, and immediately undergo health checks to ensure their well-being. They spend their early months with their mothers, feeding on grass and hay, and learning essential survival skills. The mother cows trail their babies up the mountain to follow the best grass all summer long, before returning back home in late fall. By November, they are weaned away from their mothers in preparation for the next cycle, ensuring they are strong and well-adapted to their environment.
While ranching offers many rewarding experiences for the Minks, calving season is their favorite. “Assisting in the birth of new calves, and ensuring their health, is a deeply gratifying experience. After months of hard work, seeing the cattle take their first bites of fresh grass is a moment of immense pride and joy,” said Justin.
Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship
The Minks, like many ranchers, rely heavily on both federal and state lands, with about 85% of their cattle grazing on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or Forest Service lands. This integration of public and private lands is vital for their operation. “Ranchers are committed to being excellent stewards of the land, protecting endangered species, maintaining water quality, and supporting wildlife habitats,” explained Jodie.
“Additionally, properly managed grazing helps prevent wildfires and supports the overall health of the ecosystem, a fact often overlooked by those who encounter livestock on these lands without understanding the ranchers' role in their maintenance,” she added.
Misconceptions about grazing and its impact on the land are common. The Minks work diligently to protect it for future use as over use would be detrimental to their business, so they carefully manage the land to ensure its sustainability year after year. The Minks constantly move cattle to respond to the land's needs, benefiting both the cattle by ensuring they get proper nutrition and the environment.
The Minks also work to protect endangered species like the bull trout. Since the bull trout was listed as an endangered species, they have fenced off areas on their land to protect their spawning grounds, maintaining these areas throughout the grazing season and working closely with the Forest Service to ensure the species' safety.
Highway 95: A Unique Family Tradition
A unique tradition of the Mink family is moving their cattle up Highway 95, a journey they completed in April 2024 for the 81st time. Each year, they consider finding a different route but ultimately return to Highway 95 because it is the most efficient way to trail their cattle to private spring pastures. “This sometimes stressful yet rewarding tradition teaches our cows how to be trailed and has become a beloved spectacle for people driving on the highway, who often stop to take pictures and enjoy the sight” shared Jodie.
The Future of The Beef Industry
In addition to contributing to the Idaho beef industry, the Minks' ranch plays a vital role within their community of Cambridge, a small town with a population of about 360 people. Located on State Highway 95, the Mink ranch has become a familiar sight for passersby.
As the community evolves with more people moving in, it brings both opportunities and challenges, which the Minks are learning to navigate “One of the pressing concerns facing the beef industry today is urban development. As more people move into rural areas, conflicts over land use arise. New neighbors often do not understand the needs and practices of ranching, leading to challenges. Educating the public about ranching is crucial for fostering understanding and harmony between rural and urban communities,” they shared.
The Mink family's ranching legacy is a powerful example of dedication, hard work, and a deep commitment to both their community and the environment. Their story is one powerful example of the vital role ranchers play in producing high-quality beef and preserving the natural landscape for future generations.
“Additionally, properly managed grazing helps prevent wildfires and supports the overall health of the ecosystem, a fact often overlooked by those who encounter livestock on these lands without understanding the ranchers' role in their maintenance”- Jodie Mink
Mink land and livestock
cambridge, idaho
COW/CALF RANCH
Cows are bred and calves are born and raised every year on cow-calf farms and ranches, spending time grazing on grass pastures within sight of their mothers.
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