MASEK RANCH

Purdum, NE

The Ranch

Masek Ranch is a commercial cow-calf operation located in Cherry County, Nebraska. The ranch is situated in the heart of the Sandhills, near Purdum and 30 miles NE from Thedford. It was established in 1957 by Brenda Masek's grandparents, who purchased the original tract of land. Under the management of Brenda's parents, the ranch doubled in size. Now, as the third generation to manage the ranch, Brenda aims to continue its expansion while maintaining a focus on sustainable management practices.

Masek Ranch features a landscape that includes rolling sandhills, sub-irrigated meadows along the North Loup River, and restored go-back ground, former cropland transformed back to native grasses after unsuccessful farming attempts as far back as the homestead days. Unlike typical Sandhills terrain, certain areas of the ranch are relatively flat. Masek Ranch has prioritized grassland restoration through reseeding, strategic fencing, and careful grazing management. By relocating fences to divide hills from flats and strategically feeding hay, fragile soils have been stabilized, blowouts reclaimed, and erosion mitigated, once thought to be permanent scars on the landscape. In 2007, solar-powered well systems and pipelines were installed to assist with water availability, improving operational efficiency and range health. These practices have led to a significant increase in stocking rate.

Masek Ranch runs a commercial black and black white-face cow herd and retains heifers each year. Heifers are developed on-site and A.I.’d using sexed semen to increase the number of steers produced. Calving for heifers begins in late February, followed by the cows in early March. With established cattle management practices, older cows, those eight years and older, are mouthed during pregnancy checks. If marked for their final year, these cows have their tail tassels cut; these "bob-tailed" cows can then be quickly identified for calf swapping during the busy calving season. Each summer, roughly 2,000 bales of sub-irrigated meadow hay gets put up.

Under Brenda's management, the ranch continues to grow and expand its legacy while preserving the diverse and resilient Sandhills ecosystem. Brenda is dedicated to mentoring interns by providing hands-on learning experiences in range management, cattle production, and management practices.

The Mentors

Brenda Masek

Brenda Masek grew up on her family ranch and developed a passion for range science and land management early in life. She earned degrees in Animal Science and Range Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which she has applied directly to the ranch's operations, resulting in significant improvements.

As a proud “range geek,” Brenda emphasizes the importance of valuing the land itself. She believes, “The cows will come and go; get sentimentally attached to the land. If you take care of the grass, it will take care of you.” This philosophy shapes every management decision she makes, creating a balance between livestock production and the health of the ranch’s grasslands.

Brenda's leadership extends far beyond her own operation. She served as the 2022 President of the Nebraska Cattlemen after serving the organization in 2012 to help rebuild the local affiliate. She has represented Nebraska ranchers at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association in Washington, D.C., and participated in trade missions to promote U.S. beef exports. Additionally, Brenda hosted a cattlemen’s tour through Portugal, where she gained insights into the global demand for high-quality U.S. beef, reinforcing her commitment to Nebraska’s cattle industry. Understanding the importance of lifelong learning, she actively participates in educational events to stay at the forefront of industry advancements.

Dave Masek, Brenda's husband of more than 30 years, grew up on a farm near Valparaiso, Nebraska. He owns the local lumberyard in Thedford, serves as the Fire Chief, and is actively involved in the community. Together, Dave and Brenda uphold the values of hard work, community engagement, and a strong commitment to the land.

The Intern

Duties

An intern will work closely with Brenda and ranch hands on a variety of ranching tasks as their capabilities allow, including, but not limited to, cattle work, pasture rotations, pasture health and water monitoring, haying, and fencing. Opportunities for hands-on learning in sustainable grazing practices and range management activities, such as plant identification.

Some experience with livestock and an interest in range management are preferred. Interns with an interest in range science may have the opportunity to work with plant identification and range management tools. The ranch provides a range book from South Dakota University for plant identification.

Horseback riding experience is not required, but the intern can bring a horse if the intern wishes to ride. ATVs and side-by-sides are available for use. Additional responsibilities as needed and as per request.

Desired Skills

Valid Driver's License
Honesty
Work Ethic and an interest in learning

The Details

Length of Experience: 3 months

Stipend: Masek Ranch will pay a monthly stipend estimated at $2,100.00/month.

General work hours: The typical work week is 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Hours may vary depending on the season and activities. Sunday is the regular day off.

Housing: Intern housing is provided with an apartment within a shop or a fully equipped basement in the main ranch house, with access to utilities, a washer/dryer, and partial board. Some beef will be provided.

Cell Phone Service: U.S. Cellular/Viaero/Verizon cell phone service is limited. The housing has wireless internet.

Vehicles: A ranch vehicle available during work hours. A personal vehicle is recommended for days off and personal errands.

Horse: The intern may bring one horse for ranch use with prior approval.

Additional items to bring: Any personal items you may need, including gear for all weather conditions, as well as sun and rain protection. Work boots, riding boots, and leather gloves are recommended.

Living at Masek Ranch: Valentine and Thedford both have all the basic amenities, including places to eat and drink, grocery stores, and gas stations. Valentine has a health clinic, hospital, as well as dental and optical offices.

Educational Activities: Opportunities to attend select workshops and participate in ranch tours will be available.