Home on the range is a sweet blessing for this cowgirl

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Dorris Courmier runs a 3,500-acre ranch near Buffalo, called 6 R S Ranch. Here, Courmier shows off her barrel and cow-working horse, Iron Step. Courmier, who is 65 years old, still routinely rides her horses as she performs some of her ranching duties. She also enjoys raising 16 other horses for pleasure. Courmier's main priority however is managing a cow/calf operation on her ranch as a business. Courmier utilizes 17 different bulls on her property in the production of approximately 250 calves each season. Photo by Mindy Poehl

Feb. 24, 2005 - At 65-years-old, Dorris Courmier runs a 3,500-acre ranch near Buffalo - all on her own. Well, kinda.

This ranch, called Six R S Ranch, consists of rolling hills, hefty cattle, alluring horses, inviting bunk houses, stables and even a family cemetery. It has been in Courmier's family for four generations, since her father bought the property in 1955.

Courmier began running the ranch by herself when her husband, David, passed away from cancer last year.

"David did everything," Courmier said. "There are certain things that until you do them yourself, you don't understand why they are done."

Since then, she has learned how to perform the daily tasks by herself including operating a cow/calf operation on Six R S Ranch. While nurturing 17 bulls that she breeds with her cattle, Courmier, along with her veterinarian Dr. Stacy Smitherman of Centerville, tests the bull's fertility and health every year.

For instance, recently after Dr. Smitherman tested one bull and found that its fertility was still strong, he told Courmier that the bull had callouses forming between his toes. Courmier suggested that she would probably only keep that bull for one more year.

"I keep the bulls on a 1,500-acre pasture. They have to get around," she said. "If they can't walk well, they're of no use to you."

Courmier keeps around 70 heifers on her ranch at one time. Last year her cows produced 250 calves from natural breeding.

"The smaller, not as desirable calves are sent to the sale barn," she said. "And I contract my steers to someone. The average weight of my steers is between 600 and 640 pounds."

Although Courmier stays occupied with enough work for five people to perform at her ranch, she does have a helping hand whom she hired. Bill Hague helps the ranch run smoothly, she said. He rolls the hay, does the mechanical work that Courmier cannot perform and checks on the cattle. Courmier's children also help her on the ranch.

She has two children that live on the property. Her daughter Jane, whose husband is Bobby, has two girls named Elle and Amy. Elle is 15 years old and Amy is 14 years old. Both girls are active in showing Brahman cattle. Courmier's son Dan, and his wife Lisa, have two sons named Reid and Austin, who are nine and 11 years old. Both boys are active in roping and compete in rodeos. Courmier's mother, Elverda Schweinte, who is 91 years old, also still lives on the ranch.

"My kids help me a lot," Courmier said. "They all have cattle of their own. I give each grandchild a heifer each year. They take turns picking which one they want first."

When Courmier's father first bought the property in 1955, it consisted of only 200 acres and one fence.

"My father cleared it all and my husband and I took over in 1970," she said. "I've lived here since 1959. We've (David and I) done this for 50 years and it's hard to turn it loose. Hopefully, my kids and grand kids will keep making improvements."

Courmier not only raises cattle, but she also raises horses for fun. From 1970 to 1986 Courmier and her husband ran a horse camp on the ranch. That is why the bunk houses were built. Now, Courmier has 17 horses on the ranch, not including the horses of her family members.

"I breed a few horses for pleasure," she said. "I try to breed one or two a year."

Courmier's weekday schedule is busy.

"I get up at six o'clock and listen to the weather. The weather determines a whole lot. I feed the horses. I check on my mother. Bill comes to work at eight o'clock. I see if he needs any equipment. Some days I work some cattle, but I like for the kids to help, so I usually do that on the weekend," she explained. "I move hay stacks. I do my own bookkeeping. In the summer I spray fence rows, which takes a whole day to clean the briar out. I mow the pasture in the spring and fall. I ride when I have time. I also have a house and yard to take care of, but I'm not that good at that. I don't ever get bored."

While traveling down to a far away pasture, a cemetery where Courmier's husband was buried, can be found overlooking the hills.

"My husband and I were in the calving business for 25 years and there are lots of things I wished I talked to him about. But, I couldn't do that," she said. "If I did, it would be like I was giving up hope. David was so upbeat about his cancer."

Courmier can visit with David at his gravesite any time she pleases. And, her family is always close by, living on the property, willing to take a hand in keeping up the ranch.