Mangus Ranch

The Killian family has been involved in the cattle industry for nearly 100 years in Arizona, Colorado, Kentucky and New Mexico.

It all started with Ray Killian feeding cattle in the feedlot in Mesa Arizona. He would feed dry cows and then sell them to the packers. He then with his son Max started buying steers from New Mexico, Texas, Mexico and Arizona. The feed lot grew over the years to handle over 3000 head each year. Ray Killian was an innovator and was the first feeder in Arizona to feed Holsteins. This was a very profitable venture and started a movement amongst the feeders here in Maricopa County.

Later the family purchased ranches in Arizona, Colorado and would take the steer off those ranches and feed them in the feedlot in Mesa. During this time the family made a transition from Herford cattle to the Angus. In doing so Max Killian, Ray’s son sought out the best genetics he could find in the early 1960’s and 1970’s. He started by purchasing cattle from the famed Haystack, Ankony and Garrett ranches in Colorado. He later traveled to Maryland and purchased several bulls.

From the Wye plantation (click to enlarge)

At one time Max Killian had the highest percentage of Wye Cattle in the West of any breeder in those days. The program was very simple to breed cattle that would perform in the feedlot.

Today the operation in New Mexico and Southern Arizona is built on Angus and Angus/Herford cross cows bred to some of the best Angus genetics in the United States. Our Registered herd of cows came from Leachmans and Stevenson-Basin. Our Herd bulls came from Bill Rischel and Summit Crest Angus. The Breeding of our Herd bulls in the registered herd and in the commercial herd is a who’s who of the Angus breed. We are using sons of the following bulls in our program:

B/R New Design 036

Gardens Prime Time

B/R New Design 323-9150

Bon View New Design 1407

Scotch Cap

Mytty In Focus

N Bar EXT

Basin Max 602C

We have focused our genetics on the table top market. We want our cattle to be top performers in the feedlot and on the table. We focus on Marbling and quality. As you look at the results of our breeding program you will see the quality of our cattle. Please look at the calves for the last 3 years (Link to pictures of the 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 calf crops) and you will see some of the best commercial cattle in America.

If you are looking for a bull or Heifer that will make a difference in your commercial program you need not look anywhere else. You will find good doing cattle that will perform and make you money in these difficult times.