Our Rancher Partners: Jeff Caskey
Jeff Caskey (Cherokee Nation), a southern Oklahoma cow-calf rancher near Tishomingo, is strategically transitioning part of his operation to Buffalo after nearly 15 years in cattle. Taking an infrastructure-first approach, he has invested in essential handling equipment and fencing to ensure his ranch is fully prepared before bringing animals onto the land. Jeff views Buffalo as natural managers that will benefit the health of his acreage while also strengthening his business through diversification. Noting growing public interest in Buffalo in his region, he sees both market opportunity and a chance to educate his community. Long term, he plans to host field days and deepen his connection to the Native significance of Buffalo while creating opportunities for others to experience them grazing on the land.
5 Key Points:
Strategic Transition to Buffalo
After nearly 15 years as a cow-calf rancher in southern Oklahoma, Jeff is diversifying his operation by transitioning part of his ranch to Buffalo.Infrastructure-First Approach
Rather than purchasing animals immediately, Jeff invested in essential handling equipment and fencing to ensure his ranch is properly prepared.Land & Ecological Awareness
He views Buffalo as natural managers of the land and believes they will benefit the health of his acreage as much as they benefit his business.Community Interest & Market Opportunity
Jeff has noticed growing public interest in Buffalo in his region and sees opportunity for both diversification and local education.Education & Cultural Connection
His long-term plans include hosting field days and deepening his connection to the Native significance of Buffalo while creating opportunities for the public to experience them on the land.
Read longer story below.
Jeff Caskey (Cherokee Nation), a southern Oklahoma cow-calf rancher located near Tishomingo, isn’t rushing into Buffalo. He’s building the infrastructure first.
“I’ve seen people get the animals and then they don’t have the infrastructure to handle them,” Jeff said. He admitted that it’s easy to get into beef cattle but hard to transition out of it. “Let’s get the big pieces in place first, then bring them [Buffalo] in.”
With funding support, Jeff has acquired a chute with a palpation cage, an alley with two sliding cut doors, a working tub, and a large handling system. As a small ranch, he acknowledged that funding limitations exist and strategic spending is required. He was also able to upgrade his perimeter fencing, which already included 6-foot, 5-wire fencing.
Growing up, Jeff and his family were involved in FFA and 4H and owned and showed livestock, though they didn’t have a ranch. Since then, Jeff has been ranching cattle for about 15 years. He currently manages 80 acres of personal land and another 270 acres of leased land. His desire to move toward Buffalo came from wanting to diversify his ranch. While he admits it’s easier to get into beef cattle and difficult to transition out, he noticed growing interest in Buffalo in his community.
“Everywhere I go, somehow the conversation comes around to bison,” he said. “People are interested in the meat, in the animals, in the history.”
He also noted that with beef prices high, there is room for diversification and an educational opportunity for the public. He recalled visiting Sulphur, Oklahoma, where a national park maintains a Buffalo herd, but felt it reflected a confined, tourist-style setting. He believes people want to experience Buffalo differently.
“I want people to see them grazing on the land, not just in a pen with cars parked around,” he said. “I think it’s important to see them as part of the land, not just an animal in a cage.”
Jeff’s future plans for his herd include hosting field days, offering public education opportunities, and moving beyond a “zoo setting” experience. His goal is to have all infrastructure complete by the end of this year and Buffalo on the land by next year. Culturally, he hopes to develop a deeper connection to the Native significance of Buffalo and acknowledges their ecological importance to the land.
“They’re the natural managers of the land we live on,” he said. “No one knows better how to manage it than they do.”
