CRANE — The gravel road to Riverside Ranch twists through an ocean of sagebrush like a snake, biting holes in tires and kicking up dust. It runs along the South Fork Malheur River, steering around sheer cliffs and getting bumpier across the line from Harney into Malheur County.

On a rugged hill above the brush, daisies are in full bloom. May rains brought forth yellow flowers spread across a breathtaking landscape, not a sign of human life for miles.

Cattle begin to appear in spurts below, steering away from the Siegner family’s ranch and on their way to new grazing fields. Eighteen-year-old Cody Siegner is at the back of the line on horseback, encouraging a lame calf to keep up.

His sturdy, 6-foot-7 frame — which helped him earn a football scholarship to Oregon State as a tight end — i

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