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Jay Wolf is a 3^rd generation cattleman from Albion, NE.  Jay and his family own Wagonhammer Cattle Co. which celebrated its 100^th year in 2010.  Jay is a University of Nebraska Lincoln graduate.  After spending four years as a banker in Denver, he returned home in 1984 to manage the family business.  Jay is a Past President of the Nebraska Cattlemen, has served on the board of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.  In 2016 Jay was inducted into the Nebraska Cattlemen Hall of Fame.  He is a member of Ag Builders of Nebraska and the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement.  Jay is active in supporting the University of Nebraska and was the 2008 Block and Bridle Club Honoree. He is also active in local community organizations.  Jay and his wife, Susie, have been married for over 36 years and have 3 children.  Mitchell is an occupational therapist in the San Diego area, Alex manages a grain purchasing group for the Scoular Company in Omaha, and Hilary is veterinarian in a small animal clinic in Omaha.  Hilary married Ryan Opdahl in 2017.  Ryan is a  chemical engineer and a great addition to our family.  Hilary and Ryan welcomed their first child, Willa Taylor Opdahl, on 8/11/2020.

Joe is Director of Genetics and Sales for our Angus and Charolais programs.  He grew up on a diversified livestock operation in central Virginia comprised mainly of registered Angus seedstock along with commercial cattle, quarter horses, sheep and goats. Joe also spent much of his youth heavily involved in the family livestock market as well as 4-H, FFA and the National Junior Angus Association. He received his B.S. in Animal Science from Virginia Tech where he was on the livestock judging team and worked on the college research farm. Prior to joining Wagonhammer, Joe worked for the North American Limousin Foundation for seven years, first as the Director of Commercial Marketing before becoming the Assistant Executive Director. He has served on the board of the Beef Improvement Federation and the International Limousin Council. He enjoys judging cattle, fitting calves, and golf.  Give Joe a call to set up a ranch visit or just talk cattle.  (303) 884-3900

Steve is the Ranch Manager and lives near Bartlett on the Wagonhammer South Ranch.  He grew up in Burwell and spent 15 years at the historic King Ranch in south Texas before joining Wagonhammer in 2002.  Steve’s experience and expertise were critical assets during the historic drought of 2012/2013.  Thanks to Steve and his crew, we were able to maintain our herd and the health of our range.  Steve and his wife Yanci have two children.  Daughter Justine and husband Andrew Smith have four children.  Son Chantz and wife Shelby have one.  Steve raises quarter horses and you can view them here.

Chance is the Ranch Manager and joined Wagonhammer Ranches in November 2020. Chance and his wife Jentry live on the East Ranch.  Chance is from St. Francis Kansas and attended Fort Hays State University where he received his B.S. in Animal Science. After graduation from FHSU Chance worked on operations in Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado. In 2018 Chance graduated from the prestigious TCU Ranch Management program in Fort Worth, Texas. Following graduation from TCU, Chance worked on and managed a yearling ranch in Southwest Kansas. Jentry was born and raised in Wheeler County and attended Fort Hays State University where she received her B.A. in Human Resource Management. Chance and Jentry enjoy going to and participating in ranch rodeos, listening to live music, and working on their quarter horse business where they raise ranch and rope horses.

Bret is the South Ranch foreman and joined Wagonhammer Ranches in November 2020. Bret grew up in NW Iowa where Bret and his family raised quarter horses and ran their family tack business.  We moved to Nebraska in 2008 when Bret went to work at the Pitzer Ranch.  After being in the area, we decided that the Sandhills was where we wanted to stay and raise our family.  We enjoy the lifestyle that goes along with ranching and being able to do it as a family.  In our spare time, we can be found in the arena riding horses we have raised. Bret a 2005 graduate of Northeast Community College’s Animal Science program.  He and his wife Shawna reside near Ericson, Nebraska with their five children, Braelynn, Paige, Calvin, Bentley, and Evelyn.  Shawna is the preschool teacher at Wheeler Central Schools. 

Steve and his wife Ashley joined Wagonhammer in 2016.    They have a couple of growing boys, Ty and Garrett.  Steve works with the registered cattle on the East Ranch.  Steve and Ashley grew up in NW Missouri.  Steve enjoys roping and hunting.

Donnie’s career at Wagonhammer began in 1982.  He lives at the West Ranch with his wife, Peg. Donnie looks after several hundred commercial cows and has a high standard of care for both the cattle and the range.  Donnie has two sons & a daughter. Chelsey and her husband Dave and their two children live in Big Springs, NE.  Chris lives in Lincoln. Trevor ranches around Whitney, NE and is engaged.  Peg has four sons, Marcus & Jen and their three children are living in CA. Dannis & Jennifer have  three children and reside in AZ. Dallas & Shelly and their two daughters  are also living in AZ. Dustin & Jessica have two daughters and make their home in FL. Donnie & Peg enjoy their 13 Grandchildren, They all have helped on the Ranch, or are willing to, as time and travel permits.

Matt joined the Wagonhammer team in August of 2019. He will be working with Steve and the commercial cows at the South Ranch. Matt studied animal science at Northeast Community College. Matt and his fiancee Alyx enjoy spending time with their daughter Wesley, along with hunting and fishing. Matt also enjoys working with and raising his horses. Alyx is attending Northeast pursuing her nursing degree.