OWNER: AMBER GONZALEZ • BRAND NAME: BRAHMAN DARLIN BEEF • RANCH NAME: LA ESTANCIA RANCH
How did you get started selling branded Brahman beef? Brahman Darlin Beef began in 2023 after two consecutive years of terrible drought conditions. I was desperately searching for a way to help my husband with ranch revenue. We were getting hit hard at the sale barn. I knew there just had to be a better option and something I could bring to the table. So I did just that! Brought beef to the table for us and for the people in my community.
What type of cattle are you using in your beef program? (Red Brahman, Gray Brahman, Crossbred – 7/8, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, etc, Commercial or Registered? If you are using crossbred cattle, what is the other side of the cross and why?) We currently use our homegrown purebred Brahman cattle. I look forward to opening a coop buyback program this year for our customers.
How do you market your branded beef operation? I mostly market via social media and my website, www. brahmandarlin.com. I am on Tic Tok and Facebook @brahmandarlin. It’s important to be diversified in marketing so I also utilize email, text and the good old-fashioned feet on the ground, knocking on doors type of marketing. Most of my wholesale tallow accounts come from me meeting people face-to-face, and my beef sales are predominantly through Facebook.
Where is your product available for sale? I sell products on my website www.brahmandarlin.com for those that need shipping. I do free local pick up for those in Bastrop County.
What cuts do you offer? I sell my beef by individual cut. I enjoy selling beef this way because although it’s a little more work for my family, we can reach more people this way. Not many people have freezer space or the funds to purchase a whole or half carcass at a time. I am happy that we can provide families with as little or as much beef as they need each week. The most popular cuts are the hump, ribeyes and NY strips. My customers also LOVE our ground beef.
How is Brahman beef different than other beef? Brahman beef has a very distinct flavor profile. It’s bold, savory and BEEFY! It’s different not only because of the flavor profile but it’s leaner and cleaner, while still maintaining tenderness and moisture. As a certified personal trainer, I have spent many years helping individuals become a more fit, healthier version of themselves, and I believe that beef and especially Brahman beef play a critical role in assisting in lowering inflammation and body fat, while providing the protein needed for building lean muscle.
Are there any negative preconceived notions about Brahman beef from buyers that you have to address? If so, what do you say to buyers? Being that we live right outside of Austin, Texas, I have the privilege of introducing ranch to table beef to many people. Most of my customers come to me never having purchased directly from a rancher before. They have a preconceived notion that the beef in the store is safer than purchasing directly from a rancher. I get to be on the frontlines, helping to educate and promote Brahman beef to the community. These individuals soon see that it’s not only safer, because they actually know where it came from, what’s in it and who raised it, but they ultimately are saying they will continue to purchase from us because they love the taste. There is a preconceived notion that Brahman beef is tough or dry, and it’s neither of those things. It’s both tender and flavorful like no other.
How interested are people in buying Brahman beef? Please describe the current demand. The demand for fresh ranch to table beef is high. I personally sell out on my Facebook Pre-Sales. I can have all my beef sold before I pick up from my processor, with me selling by the individual cut. People are starting to wake up, and they are starting to realize that we as Americans have been fed a bunch of lies by the big companies. They are starting to realize why our country is in a major health epidemic and why cancer rates are at an all-time high. It has been fed to us in the form of preservatives, food dyes and chemicals in our food and everyday use items. With this major awakening will come a greater demand for what is pure and natural. I see it happening right before our eyes.
Are you retaining kill data to be used with other performance data in your herd? If so, what data do you receive and how do you use it or plan to use it? We participate in performance testing, and we utilize carcass scan data to help us with our herd development and breeding decisions.
Please describe the biggest challenges of owning a branded beef operation. I think one of our biggest challenges as a Brahman Beef brand is not having an association that promotes beef. I have been asked how Brahman beef compares to Angus beef, and my belief is that the Angus beef itself is not far superior to Brahman beef, but that the Angus Association has done a far better job in marketing and promoting their beef. We need to help ourselves and our fellow ranchers by developing a plan to back and promote Brahman and Brahman-influenced beef in this country.
Is there anything else that I have not asked you want to tell me about? One of the biggest differences from my brand when compared to other beef brands is my all-natural Brahman Beef Tallow skin care line. Along with our ranch to table Brahman Beef, we handcraft Brahman Tallow skincare products. These products were created to help people with their skincare needs, in an all-natural, chemical-free way. Brahman Darlin tallow products come in various formulas that have been thoughtfully researched and created. Our tallow products have helped individuals clear up acne, rosacea, eczema, scarring, stretch marks, sunspots and fi ne lines just to name a few. Tallow is very beneficial when used as a daily moisturizer, due to its rich composition of vitamins and fatty acids that complement and balance all skin types.
• 512-629-7707
• 158 PONDEROSA ROAD, BASTROP, TX 78602
• BRAHMANDARLIN.COM
