Meet your Oklahoma Rancher

Terry Stuart Forst

Waurika, Oklahoma

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your family and your ranch:

Terry: Stuart Ranch is the oldest ranch in Oklahoma under continuous family ownership. We have been in business since 1868, and my grandson is the seventh generation on this four-county ranch. We have a cow/calf and yearling cattle operation. We graze a little over 3,000 acres of wheat pasture. We also have a wildlife and outfitting division plus we raise, train, show and use Quarter Horses in everyday ranch work.

What is the most important thing that you do on your ranch every day to make sure you are raising safe beef for the consumer?

Terry: I feed my family the same beef the consumer buys. My reputation and my livelihood depend on my integrity as a cattle rancher. It’s my responsibility to my animals and to the consumer to use the best animal health practices and feeding programs available. I’m going to utilize everything I can to make sure the animal grows to its potential whether it goes back into the herd as a breeding animal or reaches the consumer’s table. Our family has not succeeded this far by being irresponsible. We take care of what we have and I’m proud of the way we handle our cattle and our resources.

How has your family spent so many generations caring for cattle and natural resources?

Terry: God chose us to be good, responsible stewards of his creation. My family has survived all that weather and markets can throw at us. We have adapted to conditions. We have changed our plans, learning through mistakes and failures, how to best manage what God has entrusted us with. If we hadn’t managed well, we would not be celebrating 150 years of continuous family involvement in 2018. To quote my grandmother Carrie Ida Freeny Stuart, in reference to our forefathers, “These beloved pioneers have left a great heritage for us. Many years of hardship and devotion to their country and family have produced hardy men of strong character. From this background came our great state of Oklahoma in which there is much pride among her people.”

If you could describe in one word the life of a rancher, what would it be?

Terry: Commitment.

What is your favorite cut of beef and how do you like to prepare it?

Terry: A rib eye on the grill.

Learn more about the farmers and ranchers behind your beef and other beef questions at www.oklabeef.org