DRY CEDAR RANCH
Ericson, NE
About The Ranch
Dry Cedar Ranch is a beef cattle operation. Founded in the early 1900s, the Bodyfield’s homesteaded near Ericson, NE. Originally the family lived in Iowa and then in Louisiana, when the family decided to move to the Midwest, they rode the train as far as the train went, which was Ericson. With a long history of livestock production, the Bodyfields began with raising sheep and hogs and soon transitioned to beef cattle.
The ranch has expanded and diversified over the years to include cow/calf, feeding yearlings out to finish, and direct marketing of finished cattle. Calving in May and June, their home-raised cattle are GAP (Global Animal Partnership) certified through Earth Claims and marketed to whole foods. The cattle in this program do not receive hormones, ionophores, or antibiotics. The health and nutrition of their cattle are top priorities for the Bodyfields, who value their livestock and strive to give them the highest quality of care. They believe that continuing to be successful requires constantly evolving and re-evaluating goals. Being open to learning from other people with different ideas and thinking outside the box at times. Hard work and honesty are deeply valued at Dry Cedar Ranch, along with preserving the land to provide safe and reliable food sources.
The Bodyfield’s practice holistic management and utilize a high-intensive rotational grazing system, with multiple herds sometimes moving cattle daily depending on grazing resources. This began with Ryan’s father who studied Holistic Management Principles and passed the philosophy down. As a rancher, Ryan believes that their success comes from caring for and keeping the land healthy and strong. In turn, the land will take care of them, and foster and support healthy livestock. Dry Cedar Ranch raises feed crops for their livestock. Feed raised is dependent on the weather and availability, such as more harvested feeds in a drought year. Sorghum-Sudan grass, oats, hay, or cover crop mix are the most common. Hay and silage are put up as well. Dry Cedar Ranch pastures range from upland sandhills prairie to low sub-irrigated meadows, to irrigated grass and crop pivots.
The Mentors
Ryan Bodyfield
Ryan Bodyfield is the 5th generation to run Dry Cedar Ranch. Ryan grew up on the ranch and graduated from High School in Ord, NE. He then attended college at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and received a degree in Agri-business. Afterward, he returned to the ranch.
Ryan’s wife of 9 years, Kasi is a Pharmacist in Loup City and Ord. Together they have three kids, Boyd, Brystol, and Bray who are 6 years old, 4 years old, and 1 year old. They enjoy working together and being involved on the ranch as much as possible.
The Bodyfields would like to see a shift in young people being pushed to the cities because agriculture isn’t sustainable, by becoming profitable, so young people will stay or return to the ranch. Ryan would like to be more involved in mitigating the disconnect between the younger generation and ranching and would like to get young people excited about returning to the ranch. He feels this will help with land conservation and keeping food safe in the future.
Colton Turner
Colton Turner has been working at Dry Cedar Ranch since completing his ranch internship in 2023. Originally from Iowa, he attended Southeast Community College studying Livestock Management and Production. Colton has a strong background in agriculture and with livestock. Colton's skills and experience include every aspect of operations on Dry Cedar Ranch including mechanics, infrastructure, low-stress livestock handling and herding in grazing systems, and health processing. He is excited to share these skills with future interns.
The Intern
Duties
An intern will work closely with Ryan on a variety of ranching tasks as their capabilities allow including, but not limited to: cattle care, health monitoring and pasture movements, branding, building and maintaining ranch fences, and putting up hay. Horseback riding experience is not required, but an intern may have opportunities to ride if desired.
An intern will have opportunities to learn about haying practices and equipment used during the process. Low-stress livestock handling, calving, cattle health, and nutrition. Range and pasture management. Direct-to-consumer marketing and sales.
Desired Skills
Valid Driver’s License
Self-starter
Eager to learn.
Physically able to do ranch work.
The Details
Length of Internship: 3 Months
Stipend: Dry Cedar Ranch will pay a monthly stipend estimated at $2,100.00/month.
General work hours: The typical work week is 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Hours may vary depending on activities. The regular day off is Sundays with some Saturdays possibly.
Housing and Meals: An apartment will be provided in Ord, NE, and it will be ensured that all housing items are provided. A mileage and food stipend will be provided, as well as some meals provided at the ranch.
Living in the eastern sandhills region: Ord, NE has all the basic amenities including a grocery store, small-town shopping, and hospital. Ord is 20 miles from Dry Cedar Ranch. Ericson, NE is 8 miles from the ranch and has places to eat and drink, a post office, a gas station, and a livestock auction barn.
Educational Activities: The intern will have the opportunity to attend meetings and activities for the newly formed RX Burn Association Ryan is involved in. NE Cattlemen meetings and outings are possible as well. Summer events include Independence Day activities in Ericson if the intern wishes to attend.
