About Us
Lyons Ranch
OUR STORY
Jan and Frank Lyons started the Lyons Ranch Angus cowherd south of Manhattan, Kansas, more than forty years ago.
Jan was raised on a small Angus farm in eastern Ohio, helping her dad and brother with the farm and taking care of their cattle. She and Frank, whose family farmed as well, wanted to raise their daughters to appreciate good cattle and the ideals and work ethic they valued so much.
They started to put together a registered and commercial cowherd in the late 1970s, with some of the females originating from Jan’s father’s herd. From the beginning, they never chased industry fads, but focused on the solid traits inherent in the Angus breed – moderate, easy fleshing cattle, with great carcass and maternal quality. In the early 1980s, Lyons Ranch invited cattlemen and women to come by to select herd sires from a small group of registered bulls. Jan sold bulls privately behind the old chicken house for many years.
When the demand grew so much that so many customers asked to have “first pick”, it was time to host a production sale. They held the first Lyons Ranch production sale in February 1988. The Lyons family was humbled by the acceptance by the crowd who came that day. They recognize their good fortune to know and work with some of the best cattle people in the world. The first Monday in March in 2023, Lyons Ranch will host its 35th Annual Lyons Ranch Superior Genetics Angus Bull Sale.
Over the years, Jan gave much of her energy and time to the beef industry and people she loved. She first volunteered as a 4-H leader at the local and county level and the Kansas Junior Angus Association. Over the years, Jan’s service included years as the first woman president of the Kansas Angus Association, chair of the Kansas Beef Council, president of the Kansas Livestock Association, chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, and, finally, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in 2004.
Frank was a practicing radiologist for more than 45 years and recently retired from Kansas Regenerative Medicine Center, a stem cell therapy clinic. He has always loved medicine and, in a quiet way, has worked to help people improve their quality of life.
Today, Lyons Ranch consists of Jan and Frank and with their daughter Amy and her husband Karl Langvardt and their sons with their wives — Trey and Bailey & Tanner and Shelby.
Jan and Frank with their grandkids, the Langvardts and the Blythes, with Jan’s dad, Harold Ferguson, Calcutta, Ohio, 1926-2009.
He started the legacy of Angus cattle in the whole family.
Jan was named the 2008 Kansas State University Livestock and Meat Industry Council Stockman of the Year.
Frank and Jan Lyons with their seven grandchildren, one decade later --
Allie, Tyler, Trent, Eric, Tanner, Trey, Meghan
Amy serves on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board and the Kansas Beef Council Executive Committee. Karl grew up in the livestock sale barn business and is still involved in marketing. His family owns and operates two sale barns, JC Livestock and Clay Center Livestock Sales Inc. Lyons Ranch has always had a commercial focus and has recognized the role seedstock producers play in the commercial cattle business.
Trey and his wife Bailey make their home at Lyons Ranch and work together taking care of sale cattle in the winter, calving in the fall and watch pairs and yearlings in the summer. They both like to team rope and ranch rodeo.
Bailey is a hard-working silversmith, too. Check out her beautiful work at basilverjewelry.com and on Instagram and Facebook and watch for her sale and custom order announcements to get on the list!
This photo is of Jan and Frank with their seven grandchildren and her father Harold Ferguson, who started the legacy of Angus in the family. Jan was named 2008 Kansas State University Livestock and Meat Industry Council’s Stockman of the Year.
The second picture was taken at the Main Pasture — Jan and Frank & their seven grandkids, one decade later.
Many things have changed in the last half century. We know there are challenges ahead. Please be assured that the Lyons Ranch commitment to proven, profitable cattle and to our customers hasn’t wavered.
Lyons Ranch has a history and a future. We want to be your partner in taking the beef industry forward.
It will always be our pleasure to be Your Source for Superior Genetics.
Sincerely,
The Lyons and Langvardts
We appreciate your interest in Lyons Ranch.
For more information click the link below.