Brownotter’s father raised a small number of cattle, planted a large garden and leased pastureland to neighbors.

They also hunted to keep food on the table. “A lot of times we went hunting deer on horses,” he said.

Growing up around cattle — and living amid a sea of grass — imbued Brownotter with a strong urge to raise livestock at an early age.

“I knew I was going to be a rancher since I was 12 years old,” he said. “As a young person I would come out here and fix fence, on my own, without being told.”

He spent money that fell into his hands on items including a shovel and ax, which he regarded as investments in his future. “I knew I needed tools to become a rancher,” he said.

In 1994, while studying agriculture at Cal Poly in Pomona, Calif., Brownotter plunged into the cattle business with the purchase of 100 beef cattle using a loan from a federal loan program.

Whenever he could break away, he made the 1,500-mile commute, one way, back home to Standing Rock to tend his cattle. Family and friends helped when he was away, but being so far from his livestock nagged at him.

“It was a constant worry,” Brownotter said. Also, he added, “My equipment wasn’t up to par.”