Nestled in the beautiful foothills of Northern California and in the shadow of Mt. Shasta, Prather Ranch has a rich history dating back to the 1800s when the Prather family established the ranch as a cattle and horse operation in Macdoel, California, just 40 miles south of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Today, the ranch is owned and operated by the Rickert and Newell families, who have transformed it into a heritage ranch that practices sustainable and regenerative agriculture.
At Prather Ranch, we take great pride in our commitment to sustainable ranching and regenerative agriculture. We believe that taking care of the land is the first step towards producing superior beef. That’s why we use sustainable organic agricultural practices. We prioritize using grazed forage from our ranch pastures as the majority of feed consumed by our cattle. Additionally, in line with our scientific approach to farming, we routinely test our soil to ensure the land’s health and productivity.
Prather Ranch is a certified humane cattle ranch, and we take our responsibility for the well-being of our animals very seriously. The ranch is subject to annual audits by Humane Farm Animal Care. Our cows and calves graze freely in the open pastures, and we use no growth hormones or fed antibiotics. We take pride in the care and attention given to our animals, which enables us to produce a wholesome and safe product for our customers.
We operate on approximately 28,000 acres of land in four north-state counties, and our ranch produces an average of 95% of the feed our cattle consume. We grow hay and grain that allows our cattle to finish in prime health and condition. We also purchase feeds from certified sources when needed and obtain them from local farmers.
Our commitment to environmentally friendly ranching practices extends to our water supply. We use deep groundwater or pure mountain stream water for irrigation, and we have installed solar-powered watering systems on many of our properties. We regularly test our water supply for pathogens, nitrates, and foreign trace materials to ensure its quality.
At Prather Ranch, we believe in being responsible stewards of the land, which is why we have encumbered over 50% of the land utilized by the ranch with conservation easements. This ensures that these properties will always be operated as grazing land for cattle and will never be subdivided. This enables management decisions to be made with a long-term focus, knowing that our land will be sustained for generations to come.
In conclusion, we are a family-owned California cattle ranch that takes great pride in our commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly ranching practices. Our heritage breed cattle graze freely on our open pastures, and we operate with a long-term focus to ensure the health and longevity of our land. We are proud to offer a ranch to table experience that prioritizes the well-being of our animals and the environment.