Tour the Ranch

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At Iron Pin Ranch, we welcome cattlemen and women to experience our program firsthand. Our doors are always open to those who wish to see our cattle and learn more about our breeding philosophy. We love the opportunity to give tours and explain the principles behind our operation.

The best way to evaluate a herd is in person, and we believe there’s no substitute for firsthand experience. Throughout the year, we travel across the United States to identify superior Angus genetics, which we then bring back to Georgia to integrate into our breeding program. Visiting our ranch allows you to see our herd in action and understand the quality and care that goes into every animal.

Our operation is progressive, professionally planned, and well-executed. From our efficient working areas to our thriving pastures, we are continually striving to create the best possible environment for raising Angus cattle in the Piedmont of Georgia.

If you need accommodations during your visit, we’d be happy to host you at the ranch. Let us know, and we will make every effort to ensure your stay is comfortable and enjoyable.

Tour the Ranch

Seasons on the Ranch

Winter at Iron Pin Ranch: January through March

In January, we begin preparing for calving season, which officially starts on February 1st. Our calving season runs from February 1st to May 1st each year, and tours during this time give visitors a unique look at our winter grazing management. Our cows calve on lush, green pastures, providing a beautiful setting for the arrival of our first wave of AI (artificial insemination) and ET (embryo transfer) calves in February.

By March, we continue calving and introduce creep feed to our growing calves to ensure they are receiving optimal nutrition. During this period, our replacement heifers are progressing well, preparing for their yearling measurements and carcass scans. This is also the time when we administer pre-breeding vaccines to our replacement heifers and cows, as part of our comprehensive health and management program.

Throughout the winter, we rely on annual pastures for grazing, ensuring our cattle have the best nutrition possible during the colder months.

Spring at Iron Pin Ranch: April through June

By April, we are in the heart of our calving season, with calving continuing through the month. This is when our calves begin to take shape and show their potential. During this time, the calves are growing quickly, and the standouts begin to emerge, showcasing the genetic quality of our herd.

Around the second week of April, we start cutting Triticale hay, with the first cuts being wrapped for baleage hay. This hay will be used to feed our cattle in the fall and late spring of the following year, ensuring we have high-quality forage for the upcoming seasons.

April also marks the beginning of our breeding season. We start breeding our cowherd in early April, and the breeding period continues through to the second week of June. In May, we turn out our bulls with specific breeding groups to continue improving our genetics and maintain herd diversity.

The calves are the true highlight of this season, as their development and genetic potential become more evident with each passing week.

Summer at Iron Pin Ranch: July through September

During the summer months, our cows are grazing heavily on lush summer pastures, ensuring they maintain optimal condition. This is the peak time for our calves, as they are thriving under the care of their dams, who are at peak lactation and diligently raising their calves.

Our bulls are also actively working the pastures, ensuring that breeding continues smoothly and effectively. We typically graze a mix of crabgrass and Bermuda pastures during the summer, providing high-quality forage for the herd. We also cut hay from some of our Bermuda fields during this season to help maintain a balanced feeding program.

September marks the weaning of our first group of calves, which takes place on September 1st. In addition, the bulls we select to go to Test Stations throughout the Southeast will remain on the ranch throughout September before heading to their new locations on October 1st.

Summer is prime time to visit Iron Pin Ranch. If you want to see our herd in peak operation, this is the perfect time to tour. We highly encourage customers to visit in mid-September, when we will be going through all the weaned calves, including the bulls selected for Test Stations, offering a great opportunity to evaluate our genetics.

Fall at Iron Pin Ranch: October through December

The fall season begins with the weaning of our youngest calves on October 1st. During this time, we focus heavily on preparing for the upcoming winter months, working overtime to get all our winter grazing planted. Our cows are typically dry and are grazing on stockpiled Bermuda and crabgrass pastures, which provide quality forage as we transition into the colder months.

Fall is also the time when we carefully select our replacement heifers, ensuring that only the best animals are kept for future breeding. We also begin selecting our private treaty bulls, which will be available for sale to customers looking to improve their herds with our genetics.

While fall tends to be a quieter period on the ranch, it is an essential time for preparing for the winter season. We patiently await the arrival of our winter grazing as we shift focus toward the next phase of our operation.

History of Iron Pin Ranch

January 2016: The dream of Iron Pin Ranch began with the purchase of the original tracts of land in Jackson County, Georgia. This marked the foundation of what would become a thriving cattle operation.
December 2016: We purchased our first commercial cows, laying the groundwork for the development of our herd.
May 2017: We expanded our breeding program by purchasing our first registered Angus cows from the Verner Farms Dispersal in Rutledge, Georgia, marking an important step in the development of our genetics.
June 2019: After growing our operation, we made the decision to sell our ranch in Jackson County and relocate to neighboring Madison County, where we continued to build and expand the ranch.
Spring 2020: We began harvesting our own beef for direct-to-market retail sales, offering premium cuts of Angus beef to our community.
2020-2023: Over this period, we continued to finish our own cattle, typically harvesting 60-80 head annually for direct sales. During this time, we made a pivotal shift in our breeding philosophy, focusing more on maternal traits. We began investing in superior maternal Angus genetics to enhance the quality of our herd.
January 2024: We transitioned away from selling individual beef cuts at retail and began offering finished Angus beef in ¼, ½, and whole carcass portions, streamlining our product offerings and catering to larger-scale customers.
Throughout 2024: We made significant strides in rebuilding our herd with a stronger focus on maternal genetics, which aligns with our vision for a more efficient and productive cattle operation. In this process, we continued to acquire numerous cows to establish a strong genetic foundation that supports our idea of the perfect Angus cattle suited for the Southeastern United States Cattleman.
January 2025: We rebranded the herd and ranch as a provider of high-quality Angus genetics, catering to both Angus breeders and commercial cattlemen, further solidifying our role in shaping the future of Angus breed in the region.

The name "Iron Pin" is a tribute to the land surveying industry, as Gary, the ranch owner, has spent 26 years in the profession. The term "Iron Pin" refers to a property corner monument, symbolizing a solid foundation and the enduring legacy of the ranch.