HOW CAMP 1A RANCH GOT ITS NAME...
It came about in fun and stuck as a name for us to signify excellence.  If you might know some about old west Kansas history, there is an annual event known as the Butterfield Trail Ride that travels down the Old Butterfield Overland Stage Route.  About 1500 people attend the event annually camping in Russell Springs Kansas.  Mike, Darrell, Troy and Tobe have been attending for years setting up an elaborate camp with flags, tents, big fire ring and of course cooking high quality Red Angus steaks.  Camp was located at the entrance to Russell Springs and drew quite a following.  Included in those enjoying camp was local Radio personality, Paul Heskett.  On a Saturday morning radio  program, Mr. Heskett labeled the camp site as Camp 1A.  The time frame of this radio announcement coincided with the formation of the registered cow herd and thus the highly scientific birth of the Camp 1A name. 

ABOUT US...
Camp 1A Ranch is a partnership developed out of a love for the cattle business.  Each member of Camp 1A has its roots in the commercial cattle business.  Each member is still involved in the commercial cattle business.  The cattle we each raise commercially must pay the bills.  We all do not tolerate cattle that will not make money.  Profitability is the focus of the Cattle Camp 1A Registered cattle. 

Camp 1A Ranch is composed of four members and their families.  All four grew up in Cheyenne County Kansas, in the very Northwest Corner of the state.  St. Francis and Bird City are the two towns that make up Cheyenne County, which borders Colorado and Nebraska.  If you look on a map and look to the very CENTER of the United States, you will be close.  This area is true rural America with small town values, such as God, Family, Patriotism, hard work and pride. 

After graduating St. Francis High School, three of us, Darrell Vandike, Mike Bandel, and Troy Faulkender went on to livestock judge at Colby Community College and Kansas State University.  This gave us an opportunity to see much county and cattle and meet many people in the cattle business.  After graduating, two of us, Mike and Troy spent a large amount of time studying the cattle business.  We wanted to take what we had learned in visual appraisal and use it in the right way in conjunction with all the knowledge we had learned from the commercial cattle business. 

We researched profitable commercial operations.  We read every possible publication.  We studied, discussed and researched every breed in the book and finally made a decision that Red Angus best fit our goals.  Red Angus cattle had already become a big part of our commercial herds.  After these years of study, we made a choice to purchase the first Registered Red Angus cattle in 1999.  You can read more about our decision in the sections about the Camp 1A CENTER breeding program and Camp 1A Breeding Philosophy and Goals.

Shortly after starting the registered program, Mike and Troy spent some time visiting with long time friend and fellow cattleman, Darrell Vandike.  After explaining our goals, philosophies and where we wanted to go, Darrell was hooked and joined in. The Camp 1A excitement started to build.  In 2002, Tobe Eggers went on a trip to Montana with the rest of the Camp 1A group for vacation/cattle viewing trip.  After four days of viewing cattle and discussions about Philosophy, Tobe joined the group. 

The Camp 1A program has continued to grow.  As you will learn, when reading about the Camp 1A program, the cattle are designed to do it all, -they work.  Selling Show Ring quality heifers has become a big part of the program, even without it being the only focus.  The reason for the show cattle demand is that we have never skimped or compromised on phenotype.  These cattle look good and show excellent.  They are the right kind. 

The Red Angus program continues to grow in numbers to supply the demand for the Camp 1A kind of bulls.  In addition to Red Angus cattle, we have added Black Angus cattle to the mix.  Due to request for black bulls with the same qualities as the Red Angus, we spent our due time studying and developing this program.  Now the bull pen includes many Camp 1A quality “center” breeding program Angus Bulls. 

In some cases, customers have requested composite bulls to fit their situation.  Camp 1A also offers composite bulls for sale. 

A few select commercial cows are bred each year for show steers.  This is kind of the hobby in the program.  This is a small group of cows bred for terminal calves.  These show steers are among the best. 

We hope this gives you a brief idea about the Camp 1A program and the people behind it.  Please view the pictures and stories that accompany here.   We would love to talk to you.  Give us a call, email, write, stop by and visit, whatever.  We enjoy getting to know people who share our passion and would like to talk cattle with you!