History

The Jackson Ranch was established on the banks of the Ironi (Iron Eye) Creek, Stephens County Texas, with 160 acres in 1891 by Jerry Rober & Iona Lynch Jackson. They had six children, one of the Robert Jackson. He married Mabel Bobby Smith from the neighboring ranch to the south.

After 113 years and five generations of Jacksons, the ranch has grown to over 8,000 acres of rangeland and farmland and is currently operated by the Jackson Family Limited Partnership (Jackson FLP) - Joe Jackson, Robert Joe & Dena Jackson, Smokey & Shirley Eppler, Tye Jackson, and Jacob Jackson.

In 1925, Robert Jackson brought the first registered Herford cattle to the ranch. Later under Joe & Toppy Jackson's management, the herd increased to over 500 registered cows in the 1970's.

After years of drought and floods, the ranch currently runs a registered herd of 100 cows and a commercial herd of 100. The registered herd is based on Line One breeding and some Canadian bloodlines. The commercial herd is predominately Line One breeding.

We stress optimum performance due to our harsh environment, selective breeding using adaptability, fertility, and carcass quality. Extensive artificial insemination is used with proven bulls, followed with herd sire quality clean up.

We also have an intensive embryo transfer program using select donors that have proven calves before flushing.

The ranch has expanded enterprises to include wildlife and exotic hunting, rural events, and horses. Shirley & Smokey Eppler manage the horse operation with "Speck of Frisk" standing at stud and 5 mare herds with 4 colts and fillies currently for sale.

The hunting enterprise includes morning dove, whitetail deer, Rio Grande turkey, feral hogs, coyote, varmint, rattlesnakes, and Aoudad sheep. We are charter members of Caddo Wildlife Management Association and maintain harvest data and follow strict guidelines to improve our deer quality.

The Rural Events Center was formerly the old "Oakley Schoolhouse" from south of Breckenridge, Texas. It was moved to the Jackson Ranch from the city park of Breckenridge in 1989. It will comfortably seat 100 people with a full kitchen and separate restrooms. Rural-style weddings, community meetings, family reunions, corporate retreats, and other meetings are held there now.

In January 1991, the Jackson Family received the "Family Land Heritage Certificate of Honor" from then Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Perry for a century of continuous land ownership and operation as a family agricultural enterprise.

In 1996, Jackson Hereford Ranch was honored to receive the "Lone Star Land Steward Award for the Cross Timbers and Prairies of Texas" in recognition of outstanding efforts in the conservation and enhancement of wildlife habitat in Texas.

In 2001, the Lower Clearfork of the Brazos Soil & Water Conservation District bestowed the "Outstanding Wildlife Conservationist" to the ranch.

Robert Joe & Dena Jackson were also awarded the "2003 Agriculture Citizens of the Year" from the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce in Stephens Coutny.