© Rice Ranch 2007 -2010

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A brief history of this particular lineage of cows and bulls, most commonly referred to as "Plummers" because of the extensive use and breeding of these animals by Charlie Plummer of Sayer, Oklahoma (1920-1986).

This lineage actually began around 1940 with a gentleman cowboy by the name of Tom Harlan from Kellerville, Texas (1907-1994). Tom began to organize roping and riding events around the area of Pampa and McClain, Texas, with some of the stock he had raised in the early 1940’s. He built up his breeding program as he continued to hold rodeos through the early 1960’s.

Around 1963, Charlie Plummer bought his first set of bulls and cows from Harlan. He too, began putting on rodeos with the bulls out of this lineage, bulls that would become legends for their bad temperament and bucking ability. Like Harlan, Plummer took great pride in keeping a "line breed" of these cows and bulls.

The rodeo world lost two great men, both of them cowboys and visionaries, when Plummer died in 1986 and Harlan retired to a home in Pampa. Harlan later passed away in 1994. Plummer's stock was sold in an estate sale, and as a result there have been several breeding programs continue this lineage.

Ronnie Roach of Cache, Oklahoma, owner of Rafter 7 bulls, has spent the better part of the last 2 decades building and perfecting one of the most elite sets of these lineage-bred cows in the country, with bull after bull going on to the PRCA and PBR ranks, and many qualifying for the NFR and the PBR Finals.

JC Rodeo Co., Roxbury, KS is owned by Jimmy Crowthers. Jim bought his first three bulls from Plummer in 1978 and later that year bought his first six heifers. After more than twenty years of breeding, Crowthers now has one of the best line-bred cow herds producing many bulls that have gone on to the PRCA and PBR ranks.

Dillon and H. D. Page of Ardmore, Oklahoma, are another long time breeder of the lineage, with a phenomenal percentage of bulls moving on to the professional ranks. A large number of these bulls are seen each week on the PBR Telecast and PBR Finals.

Darrell Hargis of Henrietta, Texas, has spent years putting together an extensive program of Plummer cows and bulls. He has devoted countless hours to maintaining a record and a history on his cows and bulls, weeding out any undesirable characteristics. Many of his bulls are featured at the PRCA and PBR Finals.

One of the most outstanding members of this elite group was Rocking K Rodeo Company originally of Lawton, Oklahoma. Rocking K was started and owned by Larry and Rosemary Kephart. Larry died of cancer in 1999, but all his hard work in keeping together an outstanding line of Plummer cows and bulls has been carried on by Rosemary, with the same intense dedication and care.

Dodge City Bull Company owned by Lynn Rice, purchased their first Plummer cows from Rocking K Rodeo Company in 1997 and has had one of the most progressive programs in the industry ever since. Lynn moved his breeding program to Antlers, Oklahoma and started Rice Ranch. Lynn was the major purchaser of the Rocking K brand since 1997 and continued to do business with Rosemary after Larry's death in 1999. Lynn and Rosemary realized they not only shared a great interest in cattle, but were true "soul mates" and Rice Ranch became the new home of the Rocking K brand.

Today Lynn and Rosemary have what is probably the most technologically advanced breeding program in the rodeo industry. Using the process of embryo transfers, instead of raising just one outstanding calf per year, their program allows them to raise as many as twenty full brothers and sisters out of each of there phenomenal Plummer cows per year.

These breeders with their rigid breeding programs have revolutionized the bucking bull industry. Rice Ranch is proud to be a part of this revolution and able to carry on the dreams and traditions of men like Tom Harlan, Charlie Plummer and Larry Kephart.

Classic Plummer