Performance Line One Cattle for the Working Cattle Rancher Since 1979
Call Us Today
Jonathan (435) 650-8466
Craig (435) 820-8490
Work (435) 381-2523
rancher. We do not chase fads and the herd bulls we use do not show up in show circles. Our cowherd is based on a program of consistent line breeding to maximize the potential to the commercial buyer. That advantage is found with Heterosis! We know what works in our arid, high-altitude environment. Bottom line, we produce performance Line One cattle for the working cattle rancher.
History
The Johansen’s settled in the Castle Valley in the 1880’s.
The family ran sheep until 1948. At this time, the family began phasing the sheep out with commercial Hereford cattle. Even back then, it was proven that the Hereford genetics were adaptable to our harsh and arid climate. Craig’s father, Eugene took great pride in his commercial herd. He would often say that his herd was as good as any registered cattle out there. This drive to improve and breed the best led Craig to begin a pure bred breeding operation. In 1979, Craig purchased his first pure bred Hereford cattle. Over
Jonathan & Brandi Johansen
the next twenty years, the family phased out the commercial herd to include only registered Herefords. At the present time, the 150 head of mother cows run on the same forest and desert permit that was used with the commercial herd.
Merrial Johansen Family
Welcome
Welcome to Johansen Herefords! We are a family operation raising registered horned Herefords since 1979. We are celebrating 47 years of performance breeding in 2026! Located in scenic Central Utah, we ranch in Upper Joe’s Valley, along the Cottonwood River, and on the San Rafael Desert.
Here at Johansen Hereford Ranch, we have a Hereford breeding operation that is line-bred with Line One genetics. The Line One genetics have proven to exhibit predictability, hardiness, mothering-abilty, and muscle expression. We are proud that our program can bring these advantages to the commercial working
Justin Johansen Family
Land and Cattle
Our registered cow herd grazes the exact same historic public and private lands as our original commercial herd. Navigating the rugged Colorado Plateau, our cattle thrive in an extreme climate with harsh winters and less than 10 inches of annual rainfall.
We move our cattle with the seasons to optimize their health and land sustainability:
- Winter Range: From November through spring, the herd runs at 5,500 feet on the arid blue-clay shale of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) range in the San Rafael Desert.
- Summer Range: To escape the desert heat, cattle move to elevations up to 10,000 feet on forest permits and private lands within the Manti-La Sal National Forest.
Family
Welcome to the Johansen Ranch. We are a multi-generational family operation dedicated to traditional hard work, modern ranch management, and the careful stewardship of our public and private lands.
Every daily chore—from calving and feeding to fencing and farming—is still directly handled by a member of the Johansen family.
Meet the Family
- Craig & Jonnie Johansen: Founders and foundational pillars of the ranch.
- Jonathan & Brandi: Managers of day-to-day cattle operations and genetic breeding decisions.
- Justin & Jesse: Overseers of farming and critical water management systems.
- Merrial: Partners in executing our extensive crop farming and irrigation duties.