Rich Ranch History

Paul Nettleton, is general manager of the Joyce Ranch which is the oldest family owned and operated ranch in Idaho. Paul gives us a bit of a history lesson. “Matt Joyce Senior was one of the founders of the Owahee Cattleman Association In 1868. Its mission was to control rustling, Indians and predators.” Paul's grandmother was a Joyce married to Velo Nettleton. Their son, and Paul’s dad, Hugh Nettleton took over the ranch in the mid-30s. Horse ranching was the main source of income. Slaughter horses were plentiful thanks to the automobile revolution that led to horses being turned out onto the desert by the hundreds. “Think of all the draft horses that were turned out at the advent of automobiles and tractors. They just turn them out on the range and the horses were killing the range. Horses were a penny a pound at that time. You got $10 out of a horse in that paid down a lot of that debt.” Paul took over management duties in his late teens and the ranch now covers around 10,000 acres and supports 600 pairs of beef cattle year-round. “Each generation has done something to improve what the ranch has done and I hope I have done my share, that’s all I can say.” In June the family will hold a 150 year birthday celebration. A very proud family livestock operation, rich in history, and full of very interesting stories of how the West was really won.