At the time the Stephensons acquired the initial portion of San Juan Ranch from Richard Van Horn, the Stephensons also purchased many of the Gelbvieh cattle from the outstanding herd that Van Horn had developed and maintained as a purebred registered herd for many years on the ranch. The Stephensons have systematically upgraded and improved their herd by selectively breeding to the top AI sires in the industry, such as Freedom, Brando, and Atlas. Their focus has been to produce polled black Gelbvieh with top calving ease and optimal growth EPD's with a more recent emphasis on Grid and Feedlot Merit EPD's. All of the cattle are fit and raised on open, rough range to ensure optimal performance. The Stephensons currently sell approximately 30-40 herd bulls and an equal number of bred cows each year either through auction or private treaty.