The history of the Schaffer Cattle Company dates to the early 1900's, when Dewey's grandfather, D.C. Schaffer, went to work in the Omaha Stockyards as a young man. He soon grew tired of working for wages, and his entrepreneurial spirit took him west to Chambers, NE in Holt County in search of his fortune. During the depression, he purchased 3,500 acres, marking the official beginning of the Schaffer Ranches.
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In the 1960's, D.C. expanded the ranch to 40,000 deeded acres. This spread ranged from southern South Dakota to south of O'Neill, NE, where the Headquarters were located, and included additional land leased in Texas. During the 1940’s his ranching operation brought the first Hereford cows into the Nebraska Sandhills from the Pitchfork Ranch in Wyoming. The livestock inventory ranged from 6,000 to 8,500 head of mother cows, with calves carried over to yearlings. |
Horses were an integral part of the ranching operation, playing vital roles in feeding and caring from the livestock. D.C.’s son, Larry (Dewey’s Dad), starting raising Quarter Horses in 1953. He and Johnny Mohr bought a stud named Dutch Owens. Larry hand-selected mares according to soundness and durability for breeding. The broodmare band was around 100 head until 1986. Studs included renown names as AQHA Champions Smarty Cat, Smart Boy, Spade Ace, and Triple Goldrush. Studs Corkey Barnes and Rooster Roan were also used. To this day, Quarter Horses are still used in the Schaffer Cattle daily operations.