Meet The Jaca Family- Niman Ranch Cattle Ranchers

Inez and Elias Jaca raise Angus cattle for Niman Ranch in western Idaho. Both are fourth generation ranchers from immigrant families, and their Basque ancestors' stories typify the ranching experience in the American west. In summer, their cattle graze over forty thousand federal, state and private acres. The cows calve in December at the ranch's winter headquarters on the Snake River.

In 1965, Elias and Inez married and began cattle ranching on her father's property. They are proud of the care that they give their cattle as well as the ranchland that has been in their family for generations. They combine their rich ranching heritage with an openness and willingness to innovate and are proud to raise natural beef for Niman Ranch.

Says Inez, "We could sell our land and never have to do anything, but we love what we do. We love our animals and this lifestyle. We put wholesome food on the world's table and there's satisfaction in that."