About Us
Welcome to MJ Cattle Company, owned and operated by Jennifer and Mark Peterson along with our daughters Maya and Addilyn. Our cattle operation is in the high mountains of Encampment, Wyo., where elevations range from 7,200 feet to 9500 feet. Our 250-head cow herd is comprised of registered Maine-Anjou cows, commercial Braunvieh X Black Angus cows, as well as fullblood and purebred Braunvieh cows. We started to use Braunvieh cattle in 2003 when we bred our Angus-based cows to Braunvieh bulls. We liked the thickness and the maternal qualities of our Braunvieh-influenced cattle so much that we decided to start a Braunvieh seedstock herd as well.
Maternal cows are our top priority. Our ideal cow size is a moderately framed cow weighing 1,100-1,200 pounds. With the high cost of feed and inputs in today's cattle industry, we think cows need to be more optimal. Our commercial cows will wean off steers that average 575 pounds and heifers that average 530 pounds in fewer than 7 months. What distinguishes our herd from most is our focus on maternal ability. We believe that if a cow doesn’t breed back every year, have longevity and wean at least 50% of her body weight, she’s not satisfactory for us or our customers. We’re using registered Maine-Anjou cows to develop heavily muscled, eye appealing replacements, and commercial black Braunvieh-influenced bulls. By purchasing genetics from MJ Cattle Company our customers are buying genetics that don't need to be pampered, will be moderate in frame and will know how to make a living.
MJ cows are run in the Encampment area year around where they often experience extreme conditions in the winter. They calve in big pastures on there own, in many instances in extreme weather with snow and cold. The pastures our cattle roam vary from mountain meadows to rocky sage brush. Our harsh environment demands structurally sound, hardy cattle since they need to travel for water and feed. In addition, we expect our cattle to have calm dispositions.
Our customers deserve the best from our program. We are dedicated to building Braunvieh fullblood, purebred and percentage herd (50% Braunvieh 30% Maine Anjou and 20% Angus) that will excel in all phases of the cattle industry. MJ Cattle Company only offers cattle for sale that we ourselves would be proud to keep on our ranch. Our customers also receive the dedication from MJ Cattle Company for tireless efforts to help our customers become profitable in today's cattle industry.
Our mission statement
We will be honest with our customers and provide them with cattle genetics that will help them be profitable in any phase of the cattle industry. We will breed the optimal beef cow and bull whose progeny will excel in all stages of the beef industry. We will treat our customers the way that we want to be treated.