Pederson's Broken Heart Ranch

Pederson's Broken Heart Ranch has raised red Angus cattle in north central South Dakota, near Timber Lake and the small community of Firesteel, since the early 1960s — making it one of the longer-running red Angus programs in the region. The ranch sits roughly two hours northwest of Pierre, in the open grasslands of Dewey County.

The operation traces back to 1947, when Ralph Pederson purchased the land and ran sheep. He transitioned to registered red Angus cattle in 1962, selecting the breed for its disposition, mothering ability, milking capacity, fertility, and hardiness in variable Plains weather. Today the ranch is a multi-generational family effort, with Gary and Sue Pederson and their son Chad and his family carrying the program forward together.

The breeding philosophy centers on balanced selection — prioritizing femininity, maternal instinct, structural soundness, and muscle development across the cowherd. Bulls are parent-verified with GGP genomic testing for enhanced EPDs, and carcass ultrasound evaluations are conducted annually. The program also sells red Angus replacement females, and its genetics are represented in commercial operations across the Dakotas and beyond. Quarter horses have been part of the ranch from the beginning as well, raised alongside the cattle as a parallel program rooted in the same family tradition.

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