The Pitchfork Land and Cattle Company

One of the best known ranches is the Pitchfork Land and Cattle Company based in Guthrie, Texas. Ron Lane is the Manager. The Pitchfork’s operations span around 180,000 acres in 2 states and since 1883 has been in continuous operation, primarily under one family. Old timers call it “The Forks”.

From their website:
“On December 13, 1883 the Pitchfork Land and Cattle Company was incorporated with 52,500 acres of land in central West Texas and a foundation herd of 9,750 cattle. Unlike most ranches established during the great cattle boom of the 1880s, the Pitchfork survived episodes of drought and cattle depression for more than 100 years. No other ranch in central West Texas can boast being larger today than during its initial years.

“The Pitchfork home ranch covers 165,000 acres in Dickens and King counties near the town of Guthrie, Texas, with a satellite operation in Oklahoma.

“The Pitchfork is larger today than at any time in its history. Recently the Pitchfork sold its Flint Hills ranch in Kansas and purchased land in Jefferson county Oklahoma. In 1993 the Flag Ranch operation in Wyoming was sold. At that time the Pitchfork ranch acquired more land in Texas. Although the Pitchfork’s operations have expanded and modernized, its core business remains the same: cattle.

“The Pitchfork cattle herd is primarily Black and Black Baldie cows. Cattle are selected for multiple traits that include both maternal and carcass characteristics. Pitchfork calves are all Source and Age verified and all are USDA process verified as NHTC (Non-Hormonally Treated) and All Natural.

“With around 4,500 mother cows grazing the home ranch, the cowboys have ample opportunity to work the range in a manner very similar to the cowboys who first rode for the brand.

“Pitchfork cowboys have always ridden good horses. The signature “Pitchfork Gray” — a gray horse with a black mane and tail — has now become as synonymous with the ranch as the brand itself. The Pitchfork’s horses have become widely known because of the success they have had in multiple areas……The Pitchfork raises horses primarily for their own use, but does make horses available to the public through select sales such as our “Return to the Remuda” sale, the “Best of the Remuda” sale, the “Western Heritage Classic Invitational” sale and the “Tito’s Vodka Ranch Cutting Horse Association” sale each year…..

“With its favorable location on the northeast flanks of the Midland Basin of West Texas, the Pitchfork has produced millions of barrels of oil since the first discovery back in 1980. Since then, more than 120 wells have been completed in the prolific Tannehill sands at depths averaging 4,000′. Initial flow rates on some of the recent wells have been in excess of 200 barrels per day. Currently, about 8,000 acres are held by production, with another 40,000 acres held by active oil and gas leases or options.”

Known for its natural beauty, the ranch is featured in a photographic book Pitchfork Country by its past manager Bob Moorhouse, a member of the ranch board of directors. It is open to the public for hunting and for organized tours.

The Pitchfork is still operated by descendants of its first financial backer, Eugene F. Williams of St. Louis and the original cowboy D.B. Gardner who started the whole thing. And in a wonderful tradition the Pitchfork hands still eat at the same table as did the cowboys of 1900.

You can checkout their website HERE.