When Wood River sold its interest in a refinery in Wood River, Ill., in 1950, Fred C. Koch used the proceeds to enter the ranching business. An outdoorsman, he grew up in Texas ranching country and devoted time in his later years to improving Koch's ranches. Today, Matador Cattle Company, a division of Koch Agriculture Company, has one of the nation's 10 largest cow/calf operations, and annually markets about 5 million pounds of beef.

THE LAND AND THE BUSINESS BOTH THRIVE
Even in the tradition-laden business of ranching, Koch finds ways to apply its discovery mentality. The utilization of Market Based Management® - including encouraging ranch employees to think and act like entrepreneurs - has significantly improved the ranches' operational performance and environmental stewardship, as evidenced by their productivity and the many environmental excellence awards they have received. Since the mid-1970s, Matador Cattle Company has led the way with innovative practices that preserve the environment while also increasing beef production. The key to success for both the ranches and the environment is an effective land-management plan that takes advantage of the herd's breeding and grazing cycles.

AN ADDED BENEFIT
Not only have Matador Cattle Company's land stewardship programs allowed the ranches to endure Mother Nature's extended droughts, they are also resulting in increased wildlife diversity. Beaverhead Ranch in Montana became the first ranch ever certified by the national Wildlife Habitat Council for its wildlife management successes, including re-establishing habitat for the Westslope cutthroat trout, and increasing the number of elk and deer, and the diversity of plants. In Kansas, Spring Creek Ranch is now home to a large wild turkey population. In Texas, cowboys weigh all management decisions to determine their effect on wildlife as well as livestock.