Meet the McLean Family

Photo credit: NRCS                

Welcome to McLean Ranch

The McLean family has ranched and farmed in the Big Bend region of the Columbia Basin since 1896. Today, Bill & Bev and Dean & Linda McLean ranch and farm on several thousand acres using progressive land stewardship practices for both their wheat and cattle operations. This is dry-land farming in its toughest state, with their ranch receiving about 10 inches of precipitation annually.

Back in the mid-1990s, Bill came to realize that the conventional methods of farming had made his soil tired and he was losing much of it to wind and water erosion. The McLean family made the decision to renew its commitment to the land and began to use no-till and direct seeding for their wheat operation. Now, Bill says that during a wind storm his land is like an oasis, with dust blowing all around, but not from his farm. McLean Ranch as since been recognized as Washington’s first agricultural producer to participate in the USDA’s Conservation Security Program, attaining the highest levels in both their cropping and grazing systems.

Products Available

Black Angus & Shorthorn Cattle 

Growing Philosophy

"We will not knowingly make any management decisions that will compromise our goals of improving our soil quality. Any decisions made are to prevent the disruption of our newly corrected water cycle and decrease the risk of soil erosion, either by wind or water. Our goal is to maintain the gains that we have made in soil quality and to further increase this quality by the use of good stewardship."

-- Bill McLean

Meeting the Challenges of Drought and Erosion

The direct seed and no-till method of wheat farming minimizes the need for fertilizer and re-builds the tilth of the soil as the remaining crop stubble slowly decomposes into the soil and becomes organic matter. It is a slow and arduous process in this semi-arid environment.

Changing the farming system from a summer fallow to a direct seed system, in which the soil functions as an undisturbed grassland, is very challenging. It takes both heat and moisture at the same time to maximize this change. Very seldom does this environment have both heat and moisture for an extended period of time. But now the McLean’s land is benefiting from this changeover as the renewed soil soaks in moisture, recharges the groundwater, and stays in place, even on the steeper hillsides.

Progressive Grazing and Farming Increases Wildlife Habitat

The McLeans raise Certified Black Angus and Shorthorn Cattle, primarily as seed stock for the National Certified Black Angus program and for the local Misty Isle Natural Beef program. They have received recognition from the USDA and the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Service for their progressive grazing practices. Bill puts it simply, "Keeping a healthy and naturally reproducing grassland is in the best long-term interests of our family and the land."

This care for the land has provided for increased wildlife. "The direct seed/no-till method for wheat has been a boon to badger life on our farm. It has also increased habitat for Sage Grouse," states McLean. "During this current period of drought, Mule Deer have been using our cattle’s watering systems."

Animal Care

Cattle are handled and cared for with a great deal of respect. "We call them and they follow us to new pastures. They know they are going to a better pasture and are willing to move. It’s much easier to stand at a gate and call them to me then trying to chase them around."

The McLean’s believe that animal health is driven by a strong well-functioning immune system. A strong immune system is driven by proper nutrition and a solid immunization regimen and the program greatly minimizes the need for antibiotics. "Proper immunization procedures is much less stressful on beast and man than the antibiotic treatment of sick animals."

Where to Buy

The McLean's sell their animal genetics to commercial producers private treaty at the ranch.  Their genetic programs can be found by retailers who represent Certified Angus Programs and the Misty Ilse Natural beef