Building It Up and Handing it Down — The Tokach Family Talks How They Got Here and What’s Next

HOSTS: Miranda Reiman and Mark McCully  GUESTS: Richard and Kathy Tokach  Traditions can be a nice foundation for or a barrier to progress, and the key lies in knowing which to keep and which to use as a springboard. In this episode, Richard and Kathy Tokach talk about their return to the family’s fourth-generation North Dakota ranch and about all that’s changed in that time. After four decades of marriage — raising three kids on the operation — they now work alongside the next generation as they look to transitions and the future. They share insights on their breeding philosophy, the evolution of their annual bull sale and the opportunities and challenges facing the Angus breed today. They cover technology, serving on industry boards and advice for young couples starting out in the cattle business.  GUESTS: Richard and Kathy Tokach own and operate Tokach Angus Ranch, which was homesteaded in 1897 by Richard’s great-grandfather. Their present-day herd still traces back to Richard’s dad’s original purchase of a registered heifer from Lyle Dawson of Oak Coulee Ranch in 1955. Richard graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in animal science, and Kathy earned a nursing degree from the University of North Dakota. Following graduation they married and made their home on the ranch, raising their children Rebecca, Ben and Renae. They’ve been active in the American Angus Association, the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and various local boards, and recently had their 50th Angus production sale.  RELATED CONTENT: True Grit with a Grin Tokach Angus Ranch: Seedstock Commitment to Excellence Don't miss news in the Angus breed. Visit www.AngusJournal.net and subscribe to the AJ Daily e-newsletter and our monthly magazine, the Angus Journal.