Timmerman värmland

Leo O. Timmerman and his wife Irene started farming with three milk cows and two dozen chickens.  Soon after, he bought three head of cattle, sparking a successful career in the cattle-feeding business.  A banker loaned him money to purchase six head of cattle then Leo made enough to buy another 25.  In 1945, he quit raising milk cows and chickens and purchased a feedyard in Omaha that served as the foundation of his business. 

During the rapid expansion of the 1950s, Leo combined with two other feedyard operators to sell their cattle directly to meat packers.  A new era emerged, marking the first step in the decentralization of cattle marketing and meat packing.

In 1960, as a well-established figure in the cattle industry, Leo sold his current location to a developer and replaced it with a feedyard in Springfield, Neb.  Because of his knowledge and experience, Timmerman was able to pasture cattle in Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana.  1970 brought further expansion and Leo’s operation surpassed 20,000-head capacity.  A year later, he sold the business to his four sons but didn’t completely retire from the family business.  He continued to trade commodities and fed cattle in Nebraska, Colorado and Arizona while splitting his time between Omaha and Scottsdale.  Cattle feeding was an important part of his life until his death in 1997.

Leo left behind a legacy of family, faith and innovative ideas that revolutionized the cattle industry.  He made deals worth hundreds of thousands of dollars on a handshake and never backed down on a promise, even when it cost him.

Together the brothers, Gerald, James, Norman and Ronnie with the support of their spouses and sisters spent the next 50 plus years successfully continuing to build their family business.

Tourism, a relatively new industry in Värmland, has grown significantly from the late 20th century to today. The poet and writer Gustaf Fröding, whose many poems have been set to music, is another beloved literary figure. Water is abundant in Värmland, with over 10,000 lakes and numerous rivers, covering nearly 20% of the region’s surface.

Värmland is perhaps best known for its stunning natural landscapes, but it has also been home to world-renowned authors, inventors, musicians, and artists, both past and present.

The region has a population of just under 300,000 people, with an average population density of fewer than 18 inhabitants per square kilometer (compared to 520 per km² in the Netherlands).

In the north, the highest mountains offer breathtaking, far-reaching views. From Granberget, Värmland’s highest peak (700.5 meters above sea level), you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views over the landscape.

One rapid remains in the Klarälven River—Strängsforsen—though no organized activities take place there anymore.

Each family member brings diverse interest and skill set that continues to build upon the family legacy in the beef industry.

JA Timmerman Cattle Company specializes in custom cattle feeding.  Owned by brothers Dan Timmerman and Mike Timmerman. In addition to traditional camping sites and outdoor experiences, Värmland offers hidden gems like Vildmarksbyn Eden, Naturbyn, or the unforgettable experience of rafting down Klarälven on a timber raft.