Pluth's Homestead Ranch: Modern Shorthorn Breeding

Pluth's Homestead Ranch
Modern Shorthorn Breeding
June 2007

             Dennis Pluth is an interesting man.  He'll drive all through the hills of the Clear Lake area and tell stories of just about every piece of property in the area. 

He should know, his family has been there for nearly 140 years.  His Great Grandparents homesteaded 160 acres overlooking the pristine Clear Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake within

California and possibly the oldest lake in North America.  His Great Grandfather was a miner at the nearby quicksilver (mercury) mine and they ran sheep on their land.  The Pluth family of 140 years ago had no idea that in the future, that 160 acres would turn into 2,000 acres of oak trees, barns, pastures and beautiful Shorthorn Cattle.          In 1979, Dennis, after taking on the responsibilities of the ranch bought into the Shorthorn industry.  At first, he was looking only to add milk production to his herd of Herefords, but he soon fell in love with breed.          The late 70s, early 80s proved to be a great period of time for Shorthorns as their influence was far reaching and interest in the breed peeked.  Dennis bought a bull from Cow Palace and a truckload of Shorthorns from a dispersal sale.   This was the foundation of his registered herd.

          Dennis now has 75 registered Shorthorn females and 150 commercial ewes.

          Dennis also places some of his animals in the show strings of K-Kim Cattle

Company and Sunny Day Shorthorns.  His animals rank high in class and he has seen champion and reserve champions at the National Western in Denver and Grand National in San Francisco.

           Dennis hosted the CSBA Annual Spring Picnic and Meeting in April that saw at least 50 Shorthorn enthusiasts bring their best appetites for one heck of a dinner complements of Clifford.  In addition to some very wet and slippery ranch tours and one rental 2 WD SUV, CSBA held a very productive meeting

where plans were finalized for the upcoming Spotlight on Quality 2007.   For pictures and a recap visit: http://www.pluthshomesteadranch.com/springpcs.htm

           Nearly 30 years old, Dennis' Shorthorn operation has moved into the 21st century with the creation of a ranch website... http://www.pluthshomesteadranch.com, where Dennis has some pictures of his best cows as well as his ranch crew.  Visit today for the latest from the Homestead Ranch front.

            Dennis can be reached at dennis(@)pluthshomesteadranch.com * or at (707) 998-3724.

*Please remove parenthesis from around the @ sign.  Due to spamming issues, we must add the (@) to still list the email for legitimate purposes. -SDO