The Ranch History
In 1967, W.L. Miller, his wife Arlys and family moved from Cedar Falls, Iowa to continue their lives nestled between the hills of Northeast Iowa. Spring Valley Ranch, named for the many springs on the property, became home to some well known horses, numerous cattle and has served as a place for people to grow up and grow old.
W.L. used the dining room as his desk, making deals over the phone and receiving information from other horsemen for available stock to buy, sell and trade. If anyone had ever the opportunity to sit and visit about horses, W.L. gave them a great education about pedigrees and progeny. W.L.'s natural abilities with horses began as a child and grew with him as he moved from Iowa to Texas when he served in the Navy.
He went on leave's from base and purchased registered quarter horses and what would eventually be the beginning of bringing registered paint horses to the state of Iowa. Horses that W.L. owned and or raised include the following: Painted Robin and some of his progeny, Mark IV, Baldy Raider, Little Joe Bailey, Johnny Que, Johnny Joe Spade and Levis White Limo just to name a few. W.L. served as the 9th APHA president and made his mark on the industry with his judging, auctioneering, breeding program, and a go-to for pedigree knowledge. W.L. and Arlys also founded the American Paint Pony Registry in 1975, which is still in operation today.
Spring Valley Ranch is now home to W.L. and Arlys' youngest son, Jim and his wife Marilyn; their daughter, Cassie and her husband, Matt and their children: Audrey, Grant, Lauren and Carson.
On October 5th, 2012 W.L. was inducted into APHA's inaugural Hall of Fame, as well as the very important stud, the infamous Painted Robin. The Paint Horse Association celebrated it's 5oth anniversary. Fifty Years: A Golden Beginning was written by Sam Ed Spence & Duke Neff to remember and chronicle the past 50 years of people and horses making their impact on the Paint Horse industry. W.L. was featured in chapter 16 of this book and is mentioned numerous other places throughout the book. If you want to get your hands on some good, historical reading about the American Paint Horse, this is the book to have!
This photo is taken of the late W.L. Miller with his palomino horse out in the field riding through the cattle. The picture was featured in the 1989 Iowa Travel Guide.
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This rare photo is of W.L. in his naval uniform looking over the first horse he purchased in the 1940's.
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A Lifetime Achievement
This is the award the family received on October 5th, 2012 in honor of W.L. Miller as he was inducted into the inaugural American Paint Horse Association Hall of Fame. He was one of 49 other people and horses at this event.
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W.L. was honored and inducted into the 2010 Iowa Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. Below is the write up of information shared during the ceremony. W.L. was a charter member of the Iowa Quarter Horse Association back in the 1950's.
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If you enjoy reading and pictures (who doesn't?!) grab your hands on a copy of this book. You will get the details of how APHA came to be and includes great chapters on the people and horses that developed the industry. W.L. Miller and Spring Valley Ranch are found in Chapter 16 of the book. Don't let an opportunity slip by without getting your hands on some really great reading and history!
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Celebrate!
On October 4th, 2012 Jim and Cassie went to the opening ceremony for the APHA convention. This is them standing in front of the larger than life sized Legacy of Color statue. Carrie & Addie Miller attended the event that evening as well. During the evening the authors of A Golden Beginning were present for book signing, unveiling of the commemorative print, food and festivities among members celebrating the past 50 years of the American Paint Horse Association.
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Spring Valley Ranch took it upon themselves to make a significant contribution to Iowa Cattlemen's Association by participating in the brand wall. Matt & Cassie Winters attending the Iowa Cattlemen's Association's Cattlemen's convention December 8th & 9th, 2015 where they and several others were recognized for this.
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In November 2017 Matt & Cassie Winters earned the Clayton County Young Producer of the Year award. Photo taken by the Guttenberg Press. |
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In May 2019, after submitting a steer from the breeding program to the Iowa Cattlemen's Association Steer Carcass Challenge, earned their recognition at the awards banquet. Their steer, out of 77 head participating against other stock producers throughout the state, won the Largest Ribeye Award for a ribeye size of 16.1.
In May/June of 2019 Matt was given the opportunity to travel across the U.S. to represent Iowa Cattlemen's Association on the Young Cattlemen's Conference hosted by NCBA. This once in a lifetime opportunity broadened Matt's knowledge in all aspects of the cattle industry on a national level. Photographed with the other representative from Iowa, Mike. |
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2020 induction into the AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders program!
With all the challenges 2020 has produced, the silver lining is the induction into the Ranching Heritage Breeders program! At the time induction we have proudly been breeding for 35 years. We are excited to continue to provide high quality horses to be used on the ranch and in the arena who carry color, class and cow sense. Please check out this great program and its opportunities by visiting: https://www.aqha.com/disciplines/ranching/programs/ranching-heritage-programs
Supporting Youth and Agriculture!
2020 gave the ranch an opportunity to give back. At the request of the NILE Stock Show & Rodeo, Fiddle On Rita was the 2020 NILE Raffle Filly. She was trained under the guidance of Jonah Deines of Deines Cutting Horses and the generous feed provider, Equis Feeds. While it is bittersweet to see Rita leave the ranch we also know the amount of good the raffle finances drew to support youth and agriculture. She is now a cozy resident with her new family in Wyoming.
This same filly stood 5th at the IQHA Ranch Horse Futurity as a yearling in the in-hand trail/obstacle course in 2019.
This same filly stood 5th at the IQHA Ranch Horse Futurity as a yearling in the in-hand trail/obstacle course in 2019.
2020 IQHA Ranch Horse Futurity
2020 IQHA Ranch Horse Futurity gave the ranch a great opportunity to show off the offspring abilities in the show pen. This show was nothing short of stellar.
4 Krogs Fiddle Cat offspring made the trek to the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines the weekend of September 26-27, 2020. Of those shown, Ima Sneakin Cat (left) took the yearling in hand trail/obstacle course by storm with a solid 2nd place earning out of 45 exhibited. Owned by Loren Knoche and shown by Cassie Winters. This Cat Drinks Jack (right) had a solid run in the 2 year old non-pro trail class to land 3rd place out of 16 shown. This same colt stood 7th out of 20+ head as a yearling last year. |
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2021 Iowa Cattlemen's Association Carcass Challenge
2020 lended itself an opportunity to donate a steer into the ICA's Steer Carcass Challenge. Of the 70+ head of steers on test we are proud to share our 4th place finish for Retail Value of Days on Feed at $5.92. Awards are granted to the top 10% of steers. The value is determined by a forumla evaluating feed yard performance and carcass merit. Our steer also earned CAD (Certified Angus Beef) merits. We were just shy of also earning largest ribeye measuring in at 16.1. Special Thanks to Farmers Union Coop for partnering on co-sponsoring this steer.
To learn more about this stellar program please check out the Iowa Cattlemen's Association. |
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2021 Iowa Cattlemen's Association Commercial Producer of the Year
Spring Valley Ranch represented by Matt & Cassie Winters were honored with this award during the Iowa Cattlemen's Association Leadership Summit in Des Moines on December 15, 2021. It was a surprise to be honored and are humbled by the opportunity. Photographed from left to right: Matt Winters, Matt Deppe- ICA CEO, Cassie Winters and Bob Noble- President.
Tune into Iowa Cattlemen's Association Episode 34 posted December 31, 2021, the podcast where discussed our operation with Anna Hastert. |
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Feature Article in the Iowa Cattlemen's Association Cattlemen Magazine
In the January 2022 issue of your Iowa Cattlemen magazine, nestled on pages 52-53 you will find the brief article about our operation and winning the commercial producer of the year award. Go check it out here online!
2022 Fayette County Union Echo Leader Feature!
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We are excited to celebrate the really nice feature article written by Jack Swanson (also photos in slide show are credited to him). Please visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FayettePublishing and look for our feature post made on January 5, 2022.
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Iowa Farmer Today feature!
Young producers hope to double operation (agupdate.com)
By Jeff DeYoung- Iowa Farmer Today
Photo by Iowa Farmer Today staff
2/5/2022
VOLGA, Iowa – Matt Winters says there nothing more pretty than cattle wandering around on green grass. “It’s a beautiful sight,” he says.
Winters and his wife Cassie were recently named Commercial Producers of the Year by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA). The couple farms near here in Clayton County with their four children – Audrey, 7; Grant, 5; Lauren, 4; and Carson, 2.
Their operation, Spring Valley Ranch, includes most Simmental, Angus and SimAngus genetics in the cow herd, with Hereford and Simmental bulls. The family also raises registered quarter horses that they use in the farming operation. In addition to the 100-plus cows on their northeast Iowa operation, the Winters’ are also partners with a ranch in western South Dakota. Winters says about 90% of their farm is pasture ground, although they do grow some corn for silage. Calves have been sold to the same local feedlot for the past 15 years.
Winters says the Hereford bulls were introduced into the herd two years ago. “We wanted to improve the milk production in our replacement heifers,” he says. “It’s worked out pretty well.” Matt says he started farming on his own in 2004. “The cattle we have now are fairly close to what we had back then,” he says. “We keep cows around as long as we can. I would say two-thirds of our cows are over 10 years old, and we have one cow that is 18 years old.” Several traits are priorities for the operation, including carcass performance, disposition, milk production and udder quality. Replacement heifers are selected based on size, body depth and carriage, along with disposition. Matt says they get carcass and performance data from the feedlot.
Caring for the environment is also a priority for the couple. They use rotational grazing to help keep pastures in good shape. “We have a trout stream that runs through out property, and the University of Iowa says it’s one of the healthiest streams they’ve ever seen,” Matt says.
Community involvement is also important to the couple. They are active in the Clayton County Cattlemen’s Association, and Matt currently as an alternate director on the ICA board of directors, where he sits on the beef products labeling task force.
Matt and Cassie also help out with the county fair and other community activities. “It’s important to be involved in our community and our industry,” he says. While the current size of the operation is manageable, Matt says they are hoping to grow in the near future. “I still want to grow two or three times the size we are now,” he says. “We are growing with the partnership ranch since we can’t compete with the rental rates for pasture in Iowa. So we are focusing a lot on the South Dakota partnership and will look for opportunities to grow here in Iowa as well.”
By Jeff DeYoung- Iowa Farmer Today
Photo by Iowa Farmer Today staff
2/5/2022
VOLGA, Iowa – Matt Winters says there nothing more pretty than cattle wandering around on green grass. “It’s a beautiful sight,” he says.
Winters and his wife Cassie were recently named Commercial Producers of the Year by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA). The couple farms near here in Clayton County with their four children – Audrey, 7; Grant, 5; Lauren, 4; and Carson, 2.
Their operation, Spring Valley Ranch, includes most Simmental, Angus and SimAngus genetics in the cow herd, with Hereford and Simmental bulls. The family also raises registered quarter horses that they use in the farming operation. In addition to the 100-plus cows on their northeast Iowa operation, the Winters’ are also partners with a ranch in western South Dakota. Winters says about 90% of their farm is pasture ground, although they do grow some corn for silage. Calves have been sold to the same local feedlot for the past 15 years.
Winters says the Hereford bulls were introduced into the herd two years ago. “We wanted to improve the milk production in our replacement heifers,” he says. “It’s worked out pretty well.” Matt says he started farming on his own in 2004. “The cattle we have now are fairly close to what we had back then,” he says. “We keep cows around as long as we can. I would say two-thirds of our cows are over 10 years old, and we have one cow that is 18 years old.” Several traits are priorities for the operation, including carcass performance, disposition, milk production and udder quality. Replacement heifers are selected based on size, body depth and carriage, along with disposition. Matt says they get carcass and performance data from the feedlot.
Caring for the environment is also a priority for the couple. They use rotational grazing to help keep pastures in good shape. “We have a trout stream that runs through out property, and the University of Iowa says it’s one of the healthiest streams they’ve ever seen,” Matt says.
Community involvement is also important to the couple. They are active in the Clayton County Cattlemen’s Association, and Matt currently as an alternate director on the ICA board of directors, where he sits on the beef products labeling task force.
Matt and Cassie also help out with the county fair and other community activities. “It’s important to be involved in our community and our industry,” he says. While the current size of the operation is manageable, Matt says they are hoping to grow in the near future. “I still want to grow two or three times the size we are now,” he says. “We are growing with the partnership ranch since we can’t compete with the rental rates for pasture in Iowa. So we are focusing a lot on the South Dakota partnership and will look for opportunities to grow here in Iowa as well.”
