The Nanchas Ranch adventure began in 1994 by Charlie and Nancy Fochs, after purchasing a 160 acres near the Wisconsin Dells. Initial plans were to raise just a few elk (like 10), well we started with 33 which grew to a herd of 160. As the industry grew we began selling elk around the US, expanding our business to include, tours, a gift shop, online store and wholesale meat business, all close to the largest tourist attraction in the Midwest, the Wisconsin Dells.
Do I need to say we were busy! So after decreasing our commitments and elk herd in 2004, it was FINALLY time to go look at miniature Herefords. I love Herefords as much as my husband loves elk. So off to the Denver Stock Show we went to watch the mini Hereford show and auction and learn more about the business.
We purchased registered miniature Herefords, 2 cows and a great little bull, and in June went to Colorado to pick them up. We focused on confirmation, good bloodlines, along with good disposition. Welcome to Wisconsin mini-cows!
Since 2004, we have purchased more miniature Herefords and used AI to introduce new bloodlines. Even after adding some more animals our herd size fluctuates between 4- 12 miniature Herefords. We have sold a few animals each year to buyers from various states.
Why do people purchase miniature Herefords? People who have purchased from us had various goals and were from a wide age range. Some have purchased Herefords for showing, some to have animals to put on acreage, to begin a new business, have a meat source, just to enjoy them and some have even purchased bulls to breed to their full size Hereford heifers. We have had many repeat customers coming back to purchase again as well as new buyers through word of mouth, which makes us feel we are producing a great mini-hereford.
We enjoy spending time with our animals, which in turn makes them calmer, friendlier and easier to handle. Our Herefords are usually halter broke when we sell them and are used to being groomed and bathed. We just love those clean white faces and long eyelashes.
We share our ranch with 6 horses,
1 donkey, 2 Texas Longhorns and 25 elk. Please check out our Photo Gallery to
see some pictures of our ranch and animals. Thanks
for looking at our website and please feel free to contact us to just talk about
Herefords or
if you want to visit.