At Prather Ranch, we pride ourselves on producing premium quality, dry-aged natural beef through sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices. We maintain a closed herd, meaning that all of our calves are born and raised on our California cattle ranch, with each animal being carefully tracked and documented using a specialized computer program. Our meticulous attention to detail extends to the harvesting and processing of our beef, with regular USDA inspections and adherence to a comprehensive HACCP plan to ensure the highest level of food safety.
Our beef is also certified humane, meaning that our cattle are handled with low-stress techniques and provided with open pastures and expansive grazing land to reinforce natural animal behaviors. We believe that the health and well-being of our cattle directly translates to the quality of our beef, and we are proud to offer a product that is considered the “Gold Standard” for food safety.
Timeline of the evolution of the Prather Ranch cattle herd:
Walter Ralphs purchased the geographically isolated Prather Ranch and started the foundation of the Prather Ranch herd.
Last introduction of new females to the primary herd.
Cattle identification system implemented with cattle born in 1984.
Prather Ranch was contacted by an ISO regulated pharmaceutical company that was searching for a documented “clean” source of cattle hides for an injectable collagen product. The ranch developed protocols that established the beginning of the “Closed Herd” status. Due to BSE concerns, an audit of the entire herd was initiated. The Prather Ranch operation and cattle were documented “clean” through extensive auditing and scientific testing.
State-of-the-art abattoir (harvest facility) was built on the ranch property. The abattoir design was adapted to create a low stress environment for the cattle before harvest and to provide an unparalleled level of sanitary conditions. Only Prather Ranch cattle have been harvested in this facility, which has enabled the ranch to ensure that our cattle are not exposed to other potential livestock health issues.
Prather Ranch received the “Certified Humane” certification based on stringent humane animal treatment policies. Humane Farm Animal Care is the certifying organization.
Prather Ranch implemented a water quality-monitoring program on irrigated pastures.
Prather Ranch began testing for the tenderness gene in herd sires.
Entered into long-term lease with The Nature Conservancy on the Shasta Big Springs Ranch at the headwaters of the Shasta River. The ranch was later sold to the state. We continue to graze the ranch.
Collaboration with McConnell Foundation in Redding, California to demonstrate fuel reduction by using grazing as a tool. The Shasta College Ag Department participates with student interns to manage the cattle.
Transition to solar power for operation of abattoir and irrigation pumps on the Headquarters Ranch.
Working in cooperation on the Point Blue Conservation Science’s “Rangeland Monitoring Network (RMN).” NRCS is measuring water filtration, bulk density, organic carbon, plant and bird diversity and abundance.
Constructed a 745 kW solar field on our hay ranch.
We take our responsibility to our customers seriously and continue to be proactive about documentation and scientific testing. Our scope of regular testing includes live cattle, beef, feed, soil, and water, ensuring that we maintain the highest standards of quality and safety. We are dedicated to providing our customers with locally sourced, heritage breed cattle that have been dry-aged to perfection. Choose Prather Ranch for the ultimate ranch to table experience, knowing that you are supporting sustainable agriculture and the humane treatment of livestock.