OWNER: WATKINS FAMILY • BRAND NAME: WATKINS BRAHMANS BEEF • RANCH NAME: WATKINS BRAHMANS
How did you get started selling branded Brahman beef? Our family has been raising Brahman cattle for six generations, and we’ve always believed in the quality and potential of Brahman beef. Initially, we were looking for a way to get more value from our male cattle, which are often underutilized in traditional breeding operations. After receiving positive feedback from family and friends who tried our beef, we recognized local demand for clean, locally raised beef. From there, Watkins Brahmans Beef was born, starting small with word of mouth and growing through our feed store and community presence.
What type of cattle are you using in your beef program? We primarily use registered Gray Brahman cattle in our beef program. We select animals based on carcass traits and overall performance, drawing directly from our breeding herd. We occasionally incorporate F1 crosses depending on demand, but the core of our program is Brahman.
How do you market your branded beef operation? We handle all marketing in-house, primarily through Facebook, our website and advertising in local and regional publications such as agricultural magazines and newspapers. We also participate in community events, cattle shows and contests to increase visibility and educate the public about Brahman beef.
Where is your product available for sale? Our beef is available locally through our family-owned store, Ganado Feed & More, in Ganado, Texas.
What cuts do you offer? What is the most popular? We offer a full range of cuts including steaks, ground beef, roasts, fajita meat, ribs, and specialty items like soup bones and organ meats. Ribeyes and ground beef are by far our most popular products, but the hump has become increasingly popular due to its uniqueness.
How is Brahman beef different than other beef? Brahman beef is naturally leaner, with a clean, rich flavor. When handled properly and dry-aged or aged post-harvest, it is incredibly tender and flavorful. Our customers often comment on the difference in taste and how they feel better about eating beef that’s raised without unnecessary additives or stress.
Are there any negative preconceived notions about Brahman beef from buyers that you have to address? Yes, some people assume Brahman beef is tough or gamey because of outdated perceptions.
We educate buyers on how our cattle are handled, processed and aged to ensure tenderness and flavor. Once people try it, they’re usually surprised and impressed by the quality.
How interested are people in buying Brahman beef? Interest has grown steadily, especially among customers seeking locally raised beef. Our regular customer base continues to expand, and we often have customers pre-ordering specific cuts or asking to be notified when we restock.
Are you retaining kill data to be used with other performance data in your herd? Yes, we retain carcass data including ribeye area, marbling score, backfat thickness and yield grade. This information helps us track the performance of specific animals and bloodlines so we can make informed breeding decisions to improve both our beef quality and herd genetics.
Do you have particular bloodlines that you think are superior based on the meat? Yes, we’ve noticed that certain maternal lines in our herd consistently produce calves with improved carcass quality and marbling. While we’re still refining which sires and dams consistently deliver the best beef traits, we’ve begun tracking those genetics more closely and incorporating them into future breeding plans.
Please describe the biggest challenges of owning a branded beef operation. One of the biggest challenges is balancing supply and demand, especially ensuring we have the right cuts in stock based on customer interest. Processing timelines, freezer space and managing inventory are constant considerations. Educating consumers about Brahman beef is another ongoing challenge, but one we enjoy tackling.
Is there anything else that I have not asked you want to tell me about? We also handcraft beef tallow soap and whipped tallow moisturizer using rendered tallow from our cattle, which has been a popular addition to our product line. It reflects our commitment to using the whole animal and creating sustainable, ranch-raised goods that our customers appreciate.
• 361-649-3127 (AMBER)
• 361-781-2755 (WADE)
• 102 W. ROGERS, GANADO, TX 77962
• HTTPS://GANADOFEEDANDMORE.COM/WATKINS-BRAHMANS-BEEF/
