BONNIFIELD CATTLE CO.

Bonnifield Cattle Company, operated by Russ Anderson, is a family-run cow-calf operation nestled in the Sandhills, just outside of Hyannis along Highway 2. The ranch spans nearly 8,000 acres of diverse Sandhills terrain—ranging from lush wet meadows and quiet lakes to rolling sandhills and sandy flats. This ranch is home to a diverse array of wildlife and native grasses, featuring areas of cattails, rushes, and recovering blowouts that Russ has carefully restored to health through years of intentional stewardship. The ranch’s natural water resources, including Sears Lake and several smaller lakes that seldom run dry, are complemented by an extensive water system of windmills, solar wells, pipelines, and tanks, ensuring dependable access to water for both livestock and wildlife.

Bonnifield Cattle Company runs a commercial cow-calf herd of primarily Black Angus cattle, consisting of a spring-calving cow herd beginning in mid-April and fall-calving cows starting in September. Bulls are used for a 30–35 day breeding window for heifers and 45 days for cows, helping maintain a tight calving season. Calves are preconditioned in late August, with larger steers shipped in the fall and smaller calves and heifers overwintered on the ranch. Winter feeding is kept to a minimum. Spring-calving cows and replacement heifers graze corn stalks from mid-November through early April, while fall pairs and yearlings stay closer to home pastures. The ranch also puts up hay for winter feed and provides custom haying services for neighbors. Russ emphasizes rotational and adaptive grazing, using electric cross-fencing to create smaller pastures and strip-graze meadows beginning in April or May. Over the past two decades, this management has dramatically improved grass vigor and diversity, encouraging taller, deeper-rooted warm-season grasses while stabilizing sandy areas. Cattle are typically moved weekly, guided by forage conditions, weather, and the needs of the livestock. Pasture rotation directions are reversed each year to distribute grazing pressure evenly. Sensitive areas, such as south-facing slopes, are grazed lightly or in winter to prevent overuse. 

Branding takes place in mid-June. Horses are used for doctoring, while four-wheelers handle most day-to-day moves. Low-stress livestock handling is a core principle for the ranch. Russ's priority goals include improving the ranch by enhancing fencing layouts to protect fragile ground, expanding the fall-calving herd, and exploring opportunities to develop lowland areas for more consistent forage production- all while keeping overhead low and management responsive to changing markets and moisture conditions. Russ is deeply passionate about continual learning and responsible stewardship. He has studied low-stress livestock handling, attended Jim Gerrish’s Grazing School, and completed the Nebraska Ranch Practicum. He is eager to mentor someone who is enthusiastic about learning and developing skills in livestock production and ranch management.