01

OVERVIEW

For more than 150 years, the Four Sixes Ranch has focused on preservation and stewarding the land to accomplish quality beef cattle production.

02

HERD PROGRAM

With more than a century of expertise, the ranch’s superior cattle breeding program relies on tried and true experience while improving with modern innovations.

When fully stocked, the Four Sixes Ranch maintains a breeding herd of thousands of head of cattle.

Twenty years ago, Hereford cows dominated the herd, but after a hundred years of Hereford cattle, the ranch made the transition to Angus cattle to increase performance in the feedlots and ultimately provide higher quality meat going to the retail customers.

03

MANAGEMENT

The cattle are divided among multiple herds that graze the same management unit throughout the year. Conservative stocking rates help to ensure that the pastures are not overgrazed and give the manager more options when Mother Nature throws a curveball. In the fall, calves are weaned and shipped to the Frisco Creek Ranch in Sherman County in the Texas Panhandle to be backgrounded for 30-45 days; the lighter cattle will then be turned out on winter wheat pasture, while the heavier cattle will be sent to the feedlot. During the summer months, the ranch purchases stocker cattle to graze at Dixon Creek.

To ensure a continuing legacy of excellence, the best of the best heifer calves are chosen to join the herd.

The selection process involves several rounds of culling, and ultimately, the cattle in the herd must produce to remain.

Each cow is expected to have a calf at her side in the spring and be in good flesh in the fall to stay in the herd. Those same criteria happen all the way through to adulthood in a cow. There are no second chances.

04

PERFORMANCE

We DNA test replacement heifers to better inform management decisions with an end product being superior beef. This helps us to meet culinary demands and preferences.

Being progressive has kept the ranch in business for more than 150 years. Visionary leadership from generations of ranch owners and managers is never satisfied with the status quo but always looking to the future.

05

HANDLING

For cattle handling practices and low-stress stockmanship, the ranch relies on talented cowboys working from horseback. In an effort to keep stress on the animals to a minimum, pens are situated in pastures to allow a natural flow and funneling effect to gathering cattle. Additionally, cattle are handled slowly and quietly. The pens and chute systems are designed with cattle behavior in mind. Weather plays a major role in when and how the cattle are processed too. For example, hot weather will delay working the cattle to avoid the risk of stressing the calves.

06

SEASONALITY

We have transitioned from exclusively a spring-calving herd to hers that calve in the spring and fall to meet consumer demands.

07

RECORDS

The ranch is able to market its cattle to “Natural” and “NHTC” (Non-Hormone Treated Cattle) programs due to its commitment to record keeping, humane handling, eIDs and top-tier herd health management.

The health of the animals is of utmost importance. The ranch does not cut corners with vaccinations and control of external and internal parasites. Because of the ranch’s attention to herd health, there is less need for doctoring and the use of antibiotics. If, and when, cattle need to be treated with antibiotics, they are marked. Those marked individuals are disqualified from the All-Natural Program but are still qualified for the premium NHTC Program.

While the ranch holds to its traditions, the managers are early adopters of progressive herd management practices such as electronic identification and digital record keeping. When the cattle are vaccinated against brucellosis, an eID and hang-down tag are placed to allow for accurate and specific record keeping. Cow records include information on her bred status, vaccination dates, birth records and progeny performance. From birth to the processing plant, eID allows true traceability in addition to helping with the bottom line and overall herd productivity.

08

ASSURANCE

The Four Sixes participates in the Beef Quality Assurance program, which is a nationally coordinated, state-implemented program that provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers and beef consumers on how common-sense husbandry techniques can be coupled with accepted scientific knowledge to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions. BQA guidelines are designed to make certain all beef consumers can take pride in what they purchase – and can trust and have confidence in the entire beef industry.