Meet the Wagners
Beef is at the center of Val’s family life - the Wagners raise Red Angus and Simmental cattle near Monango, where they care for their herd and land with a focus on sustainability, family values, and a strong future for North Dakota beef.
Meet Val:
DESCRIBE YOUR OPERATION:
Working alongside Val is her husband Mark, and sons Ian, Scott, Evan, and Eli. The Wagner’s operation is a family-run Red Angus/Simmental commercial cow/calf operation based in Monango, North Dakota. In addition to raising cattle, the operation also grows alfalfa, corn, soybeans, and wheat, providing a well-rounded view of both livestock and crop production.
HOW DO YOU KEEP ANIMALS SAFE AND HEALTHY?
By continually improving their care practices and closely monitoring what the cattle need, she and her family are committed to ensuring herd health through attentive, responsible management.
HOW DO YOU CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?
Environmental stewardship is built into every part of their decision-making. Whether it’s grazing practices or resource use, they focus on what’s best for the livestock, the farm, and the future of both.
WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE TO PASS ON TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT FARMING AND PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE?
She hopes to pass on the importance of being involved. “Without the next generation, our work doesn’t mean much. We are working for the future,” she says.
Wagner Operation
Monango, ND
Cow/Calf Ranch
Cows are bred and calves are born and raised every year on cow-calf farms and ranches, spending time grazing on grass pastures within sight of their mothers.
Feedyard
Cattle spend their final 4-6 months at a feedyard being fed a scientifically-balanced diet and receiving daily care.
Backgrounding
Between 6-12 months of age, cattle spend time at stocker and backgrounder farms and ranches where they graze on a variety of pastures. Here they gain weight and convert forage and grass into lean protein.
