What is a Ranch?

I’ve always struggled with the definition of a “ranch”.

Dictionary.com describes it as:

noun –an establishment maintained for raising livestock under range conditions. Chiefly Western U.S.and Canada – a large farm used primarily to raise one kind of crop or animal.

It doesn’t say how MUCH range or how MANY animals but I have always thought of it to be a big operation; thousands of acres with hundreds of cattle. That’s why I struggle to say “I live on a ranch.” If someone asks I always say “My husband and I have a small cattle operation in southwest Oklahoma.”

Here is the honest truth. David and I own 160 acres of land. It has a house, a hay barn, an equipment barn and a small barn behind the house with 4 stalls and fenced runs. This WAS where I kept my horses but now it’s used to house cows and/or babies we want to keep an eye on.

We lease land from his dad and his aunt which totals about 320 acres more (or less). We have around 60 cows that are split into 2 herds. Fall calvers (as they call it) and Spring calvers. We have about 20 heifers (10 fall and 10 spring) and 2 bulls; well, 3 if you count David.

Does that qualify to be called a ranch? I’m not sure but I’m personally still not comfortable calling it one. It is a full time job for both of us. So, when we get home from our full time jobs we begin our full time jobs at home.

Is it a ranch? You decide! I just call it home.