The Ranch

Ranch History

In 1929 Fred S “Doc” Watson returned to Okmulgee, OK from his studies at the University of Pennsylvania. While in Pennsylvania he learned about a new method of secondary oil recovery used on old wells that had virtually ceased production. This was done by injecting water into the ground and forcing the oil to the surface at the well sites. With this new method of oil recovery Doc developed a plan to be able to purchase land and pay for it with oil.

Doc was able to purchase his first piece of land and mineral rights for $25/acre. He didn’t have the cash or the credit at the time but was able to make the $7000 purchase with a firm handshake and a signature stating that he would pay the bank back. He quickly paid off this loan by working 20-22 hours per day after which he was able to purchase more land. He was always buying land, never selling and only wanted to purchase land that was adjoining his property. During his time, he put together nearly 13,000 acres.

Doc bought 19 purebred registered Hereford heifers and 1 bull (all he could afford at the time) to run on his first 280 acres. He was always looking for ways to generate income so he could pay for land and the hands that worked for him. This included growing cotton until prices were so low in the 1930s that he could no longer afford to do that.

To produce more income for the ranch, Doc decided that he should raise mules. He acquired around 50 jacks and jennies to raise the mules. He continued to raise mules until after WWII when the local farmers started to use tractors for their plowing needs. At this time, he sold his donkeys and started raising quarter horses; intended to be sold to cowboys as working cow ponies.

During WWII with most ranch hands off to war, Doc and his brother Gene needed men to help work the ranch. The government built a compound to house prisoners of war in Okmulgee (now part of Oklahoma State University Technical Institute), with the prisoners being so close they were able to hire some of them to work the ranch. They just had to provide housing for prisoners and guards. This building is still on the ranch today and serves as an old office and break area.

The big expansion of the ranch happened in the 1950s. Because of the Korean War steel was in short supply with the oil boom underway in West Texas. Doc investigated his oil leases and determined which wells were no longer producing. Pipe was then pulled from the non-producing wells and was sold, allowing Doc to pay off his debt entirely.

Always looking for ways to make the ranch profitable they tried their hands at running sheep and purchased 1500 sheep. This worked for a few years, but Gene couldn’t stand the sheep and convinced Doc it was time to sell.

Doc and Gene continued to grow the cow herd by using the concept of buying when others are selling and selling when others are buying. During this time the Hereford breed discovered that many cattle were infected with a dwarfism gene. Doc and Gene worked with the American Hereford Association to eradicate these bloodlines from their herd. They imported some cattle from Britain to bring fresh genetics to the Watson Ranch herd. Doc was always willing to show off his ranch and cattle by hosting numerous community picnics, field days, and ranch tours. The largest picnic they ever hosted was for the International Hereford Association in 1960. They barbequed 7 steers to feed the 4,200 people in attendance, from 17 different states and 15 foreign countries, and they were all served in a record time of 45 minutes. The “picnic” pasture is still used to host events today.

During the 1960s and 70s, Doc and Gene had made quite a name for themselves and the ranch, showing and selling numerous Hereford champions. This business led to the development of many friendships and partners. Later down the road after the passing of Gene, Slim Taylor took over management of the ranch. One of Slim’s good friends, John Wayne, purchased and traded many cattle with Doc and Slim and was found here at the ranch on his time off set and away from his own ranch in Arizona.

In 1979 Doc was elected to the American Cattle Breeders Hall of Fame. Doc was extremely honored to receive this recognition and the following year he promoted and sponsored John Wayne to be elected to the American Cattle Breeders Hall of Fame as well. John Wayne proudly accepted this honor, which was one of the last honors extended to him before his death. In 1982 Doc’s daughter Martha Watson Griffin was also nominated into the American Cattle Breeders Hall of Fame for her contributions to the Hereford breed.

Doc passed away on February 3, 1981. His legacy was carried on by his daughter Martha where she continued with the Hereford breed until the 1990s when Ranch Manager Slim Taylor passed away.

In the early 2000s Martha decided it was time to make some changes and hired Dwayne Miller as her Ranch Manager. Martha charged Miller with the daunting task of getting the ranch back under control and finding a new breed of cattle to raise. Miller selected the Red Angus breed as the base for their commercial herd for many reasons including: the cattle’s docility, abilities to tolerate heat, raise calves that will feed well, and fit in numerous environments. After fulfilling her dream of making her father’s ranch profitable once again, Martha passed away in the Fall of 2015. Martha left the ranch to her two sons John and David and her grandchildren.

At the end of 2018 after nearly 20 years of service Miller retired from the ranch to enjoy time with his grandchildren where they spend many days fishing and enjoying the outdoors. John and David promoted Tyler Richter to be the new Manager for their family’s ranch. Richter had worked as their foreman/herdsman since the Spring of 2016.

Today Watson Ranch is still very active in the cattle industry, hosting picnics and field days for local, county, state and national associations. While still maintaining the commercial Red Angus herd and relying on the many years of hard work and dedication, we are moving back to our roots as a seedstock producer, this time with Red Angus, not Hereford. Being able to provide ranchers, big and small, top of the line Red Angus genetics that will work in a variety of environments is our ultimate goal.

Ranch Crew

Tyler and Michelle

Ranch Manager

Tyler has been managing the Watson Ranch since 2019 and was Ranch Foreman for 3 years prior to that. Tyler grew up running cattle in south central Missouri with his family. He attended The University of Missouri and has a degree in Agriculture Education–Leadership with an emphasis in Animal Science. While at college he met his wonderful wife Michelle where they worked together at the University’s Beef Research and Teaching Farm. After college they were married and moved to Iowa to develop heifers for a large commercial cattle operation. Michelle has an Animal Science degree from the University of Missouri, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography from the University of Oklahoma. Michelle works full time at a hospital in Tulsa and works mostly behind the scenes on the paperwork side of the ranch. Together they have big goals for the future of Watson Ranch and enjoy raising the next generation in the ranching lifestyle.

Dakota & Sarah

Ranch Foreman

Dakota is our right-hand man, taking care of the day to day operations, making sure the cows are well cared for. He enjoys roping and spending time with friends and family in his free time. His wife, Sarah, enjoys being horseback checking the herd and doctoring cattle, as well as reading any book put in front of her.

Brock

Ranch Hand

Brock has worked for Watson Ranch since 2019 and has gained valuable experience since becoming part of the team. Originally from Kansas, Brock has been around ranching since he was born and knows the hard work and dedication needed to be successful in this way of life. Brock enjoys roping and spending time with his fiance Darcy.

Emma

Intern

Emma is a sophomore at Oklahoma State University majoring in animal science with a ranch management & production minor, upon graduation she plans to pursue a career in the agriculture industry. Emma enjoys the mentors she works alongside and the experience she has gained working at the Watson Ranch. In her free time she enjoys spending time with friends and family.