The story of Rice Ranch is similar to a first-class novel with two storylines that come together as one in perfect harmony to complete the book.

The first storyline begins in the heart of commercial cattle feeder, Lynn Rice. Lynn started out as a commercial cattle feeder. Just buying and feeding cattle wasn’t enough for Lynn as he became interested in genetics and improving on the profitability of feeding cattle. Lynn expanded his commercial cattle feeding business to include a modern breeding program that utilized the technology of artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET). With his use of innovative methods of raising and feeding cattle the Dodge City Bull Company of Kansas was extremely successful. Lynn now had the opportunity to expand his breeding program to include his interest in bucking bulls. The cattle Lynn started with in his bucking bull breeding program were what he calls:"snorty, kind of hot cows". After six years of these cows he had 50 head of what he refers to as "3/4 bred". Lynn says, "That should show you how hard it is when you don’t start with quality bloodlines. It takes way more time and you still won't get the same results." He knew about Charlie Plummer and his line of quality bucking bulls. He wanted to bring the Plummer line into his breeding program and to create what he envisioned to be one of the best bloodlines in the business.

Chapter two of this novel is set on the Rocking K Ranch, Lawton, Oklahoma. Larry and Rosemary Kephart are following their own dream. In the eighties they had started buying cattle from Charlie Plummer. Using these cattle as their foundation, Larry and Rosemary bred, raised and bucked one of the most outstanding lines of cattle in the rodeo industry making the Kephart name well known. This program was divided up into a number of different pastures and they would separate the cattle into different herds based on the desired crosses. Two of these pastures were made up of entirely Charlie Plummer bulls, cows and heifers. Larry and Rosemary took great pride in their breeding program and the results were evident.

Chapter three begins with Larry Kephart’s discovery that he has cancer. As Larry’s health failed they had no choice but to reduce their herd. 300 head of breeding stock had to be reduced to what they felt were their best 50 head. Lynn Rice purchased his first 10 CP cows at this time from the Kephart’s. Sammy Andrews, Benny Beutler, Dillon Page and Phil Sumner were among the other top breeders whose programs were enriched with these cattle.

In 1998 Lynn purchased the entire crop of calves. Larry died in 1999, but Rosemary carried on and every year Lynn would purchase her entire calf crop. As the chapter continues, we see Lynn’s breeding program being enhanced by the purchase of these Rockin’ K cattle. Lynn purchased 1000 acres in Antler, Oklahoma and moved his breeding program to this location and continued to expand the Running R brand. All good novels need a love story and this one is no exception. Lynn and Rosemary had been business associates for some time but they soon realized they shared a lot more than just a common interest in bucking bulls. Chapter three ends with the wedding of Lynn and Rosemary and the creation of a new brand the Rockin’ RK.

Chapter four tells the story of two great breeding programs merged as one using all the modern technology of Dodge City Bull Company. Through AI the list of sires introduced to this bloodline reads like whose who among bucking bulls. Panhandle Slim, Sports Machine, Houdini, Rooster, A 6 and Red Wasp. With the progress of this program people began to custom order their desired crosses. Embryos created from these desired crosses were placed in recipient cows, which would be sold to the buyer. By popular demand Red Wolf and Jim Jam were added as available sires.  

The Rockin’ RK now exceeds 1500 acres and over 300 head of breeding stock.  The final chapter is still being written.