Knik River Ranch

10/28/2026

🥰Guernseys🥰

Inside every Guernsey cow is a genetic twist that makes them different from almost every other dairy breed. Their BCO2 enzyme—the one responsible for converting beta-carotene into Vitamin A—doesn’t work quite as efficiently. It’s not that they lack the enzyme entirely (which is a common misconception), they’re just remarkably slow at the conversion process.

So what happens to all that unconverted beta-carotene? It circulates through their bloodstream and floods into their milk. We’re not talking about a slight increase—Guernsey milk can contain 2-3 times the beta-carotene of regular milk.

So where does the Color Come From? It come from a diet rich in grassy greens therefore it can decline during the winter months 🌱 Here’s where it gets interesting. Beta-carotene is fat-soluble, which means it doesn’t just float around in milk—it binds directly to the butterfat. The more fat, the more beta-carotene. This is why that cream line on raw Guernsey milk looks like melted gold. The cream is literally concentrating the beta-carotene as it rises. 😃💛

And yes, beta-carotene is more than a pretty pigment—it’s a powerful antioxidant and a precursor to Vitamin A. But in raw Guernsey milk, you get the bonus of receiving it in its original carotenoid form. So the next time you let raw Guernsey milk sit, that thick golden cream line at the top is basically a beta-carotene treasure chest! 🐄AreCreatedEqual

10/13/2026

Marking the calendar for Valais lambs later Winter 🥰

09/26/2026

125, yearling Angus heifer. We really like this one. She is very easy to handle… not exactly the claim of fame for an Angus lol. Deep-bodied girl like her mother. She’s due to calve in April 2027, before they go out to grass.

09/26/2026

Tell me you are a half Dairy breed without telling me 🥰 Steer living a good life out on pasture.

09/14/2026

Some amazing Fiber from our Merino wool that they have mixed with rabbit. Just beautiful!

Rosebay Rabbitry & Fiber Arts

09/01/2026

08/30/2026

This is the kind of growth you can get out of our Merino ewes. This lamb was a twin born in January. Excellent mothers. Lambs are 150 # at 8 months.

Edit: Had a few questions about this. The ewe was bred to a Club Lamb Ram, he’s probably mostly Suffolk. The ewe we call #317. Her dam is #580. She and her mother have been the producers of this same type of lamb placing top 50-30% of their class every year for at least 5 years. Yes, they are aging. Yes, they take AI every single year. I keep thinking they are going to miss one year eventually and they will need replacing. Not so far. 580’s dam took every year until she was 10 when I just stopped breeding her. Biggest flaw of 317 and 580 is that they milk like a milk cow so have to watch carefully they don’t get too run down if they have triplets. Have not had an issue with wool break on any of them either. Still 2-4” of premium wool to shear about April/May every year. If I could change anything on them, it would be to get a cleaner face like some of my other Merinos have so they don’t go wool blind in Spring. But that’s it. This particular wether was on full feed his whole life. His twin sister got turned out on grass with the flock as a keeper when she was 4 months old. We were startled to see that she weighs only about 20 # less than her brother this month. Interesting. Just good sheep.

08/14/2026

This video is a really good discussion about the differences between purebred beef, Crossbred Dairy with beef, and then purebred dairy that are used as beef. It does affect a lot of things for the consumer.

This steer in the picture is a beef breeding, no dairy in him. He’s going to make a very fine steak that is going to fit the mold of what the average consumer is used to buying at the grocery store or a steakhouse. He will be sold at the junior market livestock auction at the Alaska State Fair on September 5 at 11:30 AM. There will also be Dairy beef available there as well as Dairy/beef crosses and purebred beef.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19C9Lgaw9S/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/06/2026

Sitka has done it again….gorgeous heifer calf. Sitka is getting some age on her but has been a really great Cow. We brought her home and inside the barn right after calving just to make sure she stays healthy. She’s one of those that gives a little too much milk and is at risk in her older age for Milk Fever and such. It’s pouring rain this morning so I’m glad she’s home and comfy where we can watch her and give her some extra TLC. The calf is doing great also. The Calf is sleeping in the hay behind Sitka in the picture. We don’t separate them, the mama Cow raises her calf herself. Now the battle begins…. Of course we are keeping the Calf …. No we are not keeping the Calf … but we have to keep the Calf 🤔🤦‍♀️🥰🐮

08/01/2026

Congratulations to Adalyn Brown of Eagle River for winning the Champion Novice Beef Showmanship buckle sponsored by Knik River Ranch. FFA Blue Buckle Show today.