Ted Alexander
In the early 1900’s,  the HW Skinner family came to Barber Co. Ted Alexander, great grandson to HW Skinner, took over operation of the Deerhead Ranch from the DW Skinner trustee in 1984. 
In 2006, Ted welcomed son Brian’s return to the ranch operation while  daughter Mona pursues a career in the United State Air Force as a Major.

The declaration of purpose for the Alexander Ranch is to manage all integrated resources in order to maximize the production of protein, shape a harmonious existence with nature and maintain economic viability.
Different types of grazing systems have been implemented to increase production of the desirable forages, control rest periods and control degree of forage use. 

The Alexander Ranch management has been recognized by:  
Range Forage and Livestock (RFL) Project rancher of the year – 1988
Banker conservation award – 1988 
SRM Excellence in Grazing management award
Kansas Association of Conservation Districts grasslands committee award for outstanding accomplishments in the promotion and sustainability of Kansas grassland
Farmer/Rancher Wildlife conservationist by Kansas Wildlife Federation the National Wildlife Federation 2001
Regional VII, 2007 17th Annual Environmental Stewardship Award
Barber County Conservation District board of supervisor 1992 - Present
Chairman of the Grazing Land Committee at the KACD annual meeting 2000-present
Kansas Grazing Land Coalition first chairman.
Present Chairman of KGLC
Comanche Pool Prairie Resource Foundation founder and on the Board of Trustees 
Red Hill Prescribed Burn Association founder and present chairman. 



Calvin Boyd
Calvin and his wife, Carla, farm approximately 5000 acres in Pratt and Barber Counties, of which 2000 is irrigated full and short season Corn with soybeans after wheat harvest.  Irrigated acres consist of a rotation of Corn, Soybeans Milo and Wheat.  Dryland acres have been predominantly wheat with a rotation of wheat, corn, milo, soybeans, sunflowers, cotton and feed.  All acres are No-till.

Together, Calvin and his wife, Carla, have been farming over 30 years.  They have a son Christopher who graduated from Kansas State University and has joined the operation with an Ag Business, Business, and Animal Science degree.  His knowledge, technology and energy have been a blessing to us.

The Boyd operation consists of farming and ranching.  Calvin and Carla were both raised on farms and always active in the livestock industry with cow-calf or currently a stocker operation.  They operate and run cattle on 4000 acres grass. They run stocker cattle as time permits; they background feeder cattle for area farmers.  

Raising wheat has always been important and we raise certified wheat of KSU and Agri-Pro varieties.  We always looking for a better seed that has genetic strengths to increase disease resistance and increase yield potential with drought tolerance.  

Corn that is raised is marketed and fed to cattle we raise.  Corn is marketed at the local cooperative or feedlot.  Late planted corn has also been chopped for silage.

Soybeans have been used in the operation as a full season crop or under irrigation following wheat.  Generally, the following spring the ground is seeded to corn.  

It has been important in our operation to keep up with changing technology to maintain efficiency of equipment whether it is in usage of diesel fuel per hour or accuracy of fertilizer application.  We use a Great Plains air seeder and no-till drill or a Kinzie no-till planter.  Crops are harvested with a New Holland combine.  Adjusting to auto steer, mapping and computer technology have and will continue to add value by accuracy of application.  A good crop consultant that stays up on diseases, pests, and chemicals is also valuable.  Taking short cuts is not always the best.

We have been blessed with good seasonal help and feel efficiency has been a unique characteristic of our operation.  

Matt Cantrell

John Cook

Ann Cargill