About Us
OUR COMMITMENT
Lazy JS Cattle Co. is a third-generation ranch, homesteaded and established in 1918. We are located in the beautiful landscape of northwestern New Mexico. At Lazy JS Cattle Co., we are committed to providing high-quality, nutrient-dense beef for you and your family. Our cattle are 100% grass-fed and grass-finished, with no grain, no growth hormones, and no antibiotics—ever.
It is our family's mission to provide the very best for your family, year after year. We look forward to sharing the health benefits and incredible flavor of true grass-fed beef. We also appreciate your commitment to knowing where your food comes from and supporting local ranchers.
GET TO KNOW THE LAZY JS CATTLE CO. HERD
A vital part of regenerative agriculture is selecting animals that are well-suited to the land—matching their breed, size, and temperament to the environment to create a more sustainable system. Our Black Angus and Black Baldies are a perfect fit for New Mexico’s high desert, blending the finest traits of Hereford and Black Angus cattle. Their smaller frames allow for efficient grass-finishing while minimizing their impact on the land, supporting both soil health and ecosystem balance.
MEET THE RANCHER
Craig Schmitz, a third-generation rancher from northwestern New Mexico, has a deep-rooted passion for the land, livestock, and wildlife. His dedication ensures that his community and customers receive the highest-quality beef, raised as nature intended.
Ranching is a family tradition at Lazy JS Cattle Co., where Craig’s wife, Tish, their son Stetson and his wife Liz, along with grandchildren Bella and Jet, all play a vital role. Together, they work with love and care to provide quality products for your family.
OUR HISTORY
For my family, farming and ranching were never just jobs—they were a way of life. Growing up in northern New Mexico, where my grandfather homesteaded in the high desert, I witnessed firsthand what it meant to build something from the land. He arrived with little more than determination and a vision. His hands shaped the soil, and his hard work turned the rugged landscape into a place where livestock, wildlife, and people could thrive.
My parents carried that legacy forward, not just teaching me about stewardship and perseverance, but showing me through their actions. My father would walk the fields at dawn, inspecting the pasture’s health, while my mother nursed sick calves back to strength with patience and care. These moments weren’t just chores—they were lessons.
Ranching in the high desert taught me the delicate balance of working with the land. It wasn’t about taking from it, but nurturing it. Over time, I saw the results of our efforts—barren fields transformed into lush pastures, and newborn livestock grew strong and healthy. This progress wasn’t instant or easy, but it was the result of years of dedication—a testament to the values passed down to me.
But it wasn’t just the land and livestock that grew—it was also our sense of community. My family always believed that ranching wasn’t a solitary endeavor. When a neighbor needed help repairing a fence or gathering cattle, we were there. And when we faced challenges, like a harsh winter or a drought, our neighbors showed up for us. Those shared struggles and victories taught me that success in ranching is as much about people as it is about the land.
Through these experiences, I came to believe in the power of hard work, respect for the land, and the importance of community. These aren’t just abstract ideals—they are the foundation of Lazy JS Cattle Co. Even now, as I carry on this legacy, I think about my grandfather standing on that high desert soil, dreaming of what could be. His belief in the land and the values that sustained our family inspires me to continue building—not just for today, but for the generations to come.