Our Heritage
L-J Ranch — Est. 1940
A working cattle ranch in Bayfield Colorado.
The Ranch
The Hereford genetics at L-J Ranch trace back to the original Pine River Valley mother herd of the late 1800s.
Our cattle spend their winters on the home pastures at L-J Ranch and summer months grazing the high country above Vallecito Lake.
Life on a working ranch follows the rhythm of the land and livestock. Caring for the cattle and stewarding the pastures that sustain them is part of everyday life here in the Pine River Valley.
When people gather at LePlatt's Pond, they are stepping into a place that is still very much alive — a working ranch that continues to shape the landscape and the community around it.
From Our Ranch to Your Table
Our Beef Program
For generations, raising quality cattle has been part of life at L-J Ranch. As demand for our ranch-raised beef has continued to grow, we've been working to expand our herd and build toward a long-held dream: offering thoughtfully raised beef and other ranch products directly to our community through a farm stand right here on the property.
In the meantime, we're proud to offer a limited selection of premium American Wagyu beef, carefully sourced and personally selected by our family for its exceptional quality, marbling, and flavor.
Limited American Wagyu Availability
Due to upcoming changes with our supplier, our current American Wagyu offerings will be coming to an end at the beginning of 2027, if not sooner.
We'll continue accepting preorders for as long as inventory remains available, but quantities are limited and certain cuts may sell out without notice.
We encourage customers to stock their freezers while these offerings are still available.
Looking ahead, our own L-J Ranch cattle herd is growing, and we're hopeful we'll be able to introduce our own ranch-raised beef offerings in 2027.
We're grateful for the continued support of our community and look forward to sharing this next chapter of L-J Ranch with you.
All orders are subject to availability. Pickup is arranged individually at L-J Ranch in Bayfield, Colorado.
A Rancher's Life
Ranching and raising cattle is demanding work, and at times it can be heartbreaking. It requires patience, resilience, and a deep love for the land and animals that depend on it.
For Paul and Krii Black, there is no place they would rather be than in the saddle, moving cattle across the pastures that have shaped life in the Pine River Valley for generations.
You don't become a rancher for the money. You do it because you love the work, because you believe in caring for the land, and because stewardship is something that runs deep in your blood.
For the Black family, caring for this ranch is both a responsibility and a blessing. They remain deeply grateful to God for the land, the cattle, and the many lives this ranch continues to sustain.
Where Gathering Has Always Been Part of Ranch Life
Life on this ranch has always centered around gathering — gathering cattle, gathering neighbors, and gathering to celebrate the moments that matter most.
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