Walter and Colleen Ralphs are the majority owners and founders of the Prather Ranch, as it is known today. Mr. Ralphs purchased the ranch headquarters in 1964 and has been a driving force in the direction of the ranch’s philosophy. The former president of Ralphs Supermarkets, Mr. Ralphs was an innovator in the supermarket business. In his 90’s, he continues to remain active in the ranch’s operation.
Jim, Mary and James Rickert are the owners and operators of Western Agricultural Services, a professional farm and ranch management and appraisal firm. The Rickerts have been managing the Prather Ranch since 1979 and have been instrumental in expanding the operation over the years. Jim is a fourth generation agriculturalist with a background in meat processing, Mary grew up around livestock and James has continued with the family’s passion for agriculture. All attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and majored in the field of agriculture.
Josh Cundall is the manager of the ranch’s hay and farming operation. Josh comes to the Prather Ranch from Montana and is invaluable to the ranch’s production of feed for the cattle and hay production for our dairy and feed store customers. Josh’s wife Ellen helps out at the ranch too, while she keeps track of their two young children.
Chris Lawson supervises the crew at the processing plant and services the ranch’s retail accounts. Chris has been with Prather Ranch since 2002 and is active in many areas of the ranch operation. Chris’ wife Donna is a favorite of everyone at the ranch and is appreciated for her birthday cakes and culinary skills.
Carl and Cathy Weatherford came to the Prather Ranch from Nevada with many years of beef cattle experience. They live in the Fall River Valley during the summer season and move with the cows to the winter range during the winters. Carl has a background in beef cattle production and Cathy is in charge of maintaining the cattle records on the ranch.
Mark Estes, from Oregon, brings his extensive cattle experience to the Prather Ranch headquarters and feed yard. Mark’s calm nature and patience is a perfect fit for handling the cattle at Prather Ranch. Mark and his wife Laura have two young daughters.
Tony Gutierrez has been a fixture at the ranch since 2001 and is in charge of many aspects of the meat orders and services the pharmaceutical accounts.
The meat processing crew: Tim Underwood, Jeff Langford and Serafin Alvarado all do their part to keep the Prather Ranch meat customers satisfied.
Justin Eary is the herdsmen who cares for the cattle. Justin lives in Macdoel and works in the feed yard.
Corrine McKinley has the opportunity to experience all aspects of the operation by helping with the haying, working in the processing facility, helping with the pharmaceutical products and feeding cattle. Corrine also is responsible for shipping the strawberry nursery plant retail sales.
The Mozqueda family has had three generations represented at the ranch for over twenty years. Currently Salvador, Alfonso, and Jesus primarily work at the hay ranch, with younger members of the family working during the summer months.
The ranch hires numerous seasonal workers and has hired many college and foreign interns over the years. The ranch has an active internship program and looks forward to hosting college age students from all over the country. This gives everyone at the ranch the opportunity to share their knowledge and skill-set with young people, the future of the beef industry.
