{"id":19403,"date":"2025-10-11T15:11:42","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T21:11:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brahmanjournal.com\/cattle\/?p=19403"},"modified":"2025-10-11T15:11:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T21:11:42","slug":"huastecas-ranch-history-passion-brahman-genetics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brahmanjournal.com\/cattle\/huastecas-ranch-history-passion-brahman-genetics","title":{"rendered":"Huastecas Ranch: History, Passion & Brahman Genetics"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"THE BEGINNINGS OF A DREAM<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Huastecas Ranch began long before it became an established cattle operation. Its story begins with the dream of a young boy, Primo Castillo, who grew up in a difficult childhood full of hardships, in a mountain where electricity, running water and communication were almost nonexistent. Those limitations became the driving force to forge a fighter\u2019s character and a clear ambition: to become a cattleman.<\/p>\n

At the age of 13, he emigrated to the United States. Thanks to his tireless work ethic and determination, he built a successful business that opened the door for him to fulfill his dream. After more than 20 years away from Mexico, he bought his first ranch and his first herd of Brahman cattle.<\/p>\n

Huastecas Ranch is not just a cattle operation; it is a testimony of struggle, perseverance and motivation.<\/p>\n

BUILDING THE HERD<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Today, Huastecas Ranch is nationally and internationally recognized, with two divisions:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Axtla de Terrazas, San Luis Potos\u00ed (Mexico)
\n\u2022 Grandview, Texas (USA)<\/p>\n

The beginnings of the Red Brahman herd go back to 2006 with the assistance of Armelinda Ibarra, then secretary of the American Brahman Breeders Association (ABBA), and the guidance of Dr. Carlos Tamayo, president of the Mexican Brahman Breeders Association (AMCC) during 2003\u20132006 and 2006\u20132009. That year, the first three donor females and one Red Brahman sire were acquired as the foundation of the herd, and embryo transfer work began. In 2008, CPA Daniela Olvera, wife of Primo Castillo, took over ranch management, establishing strict programs for genetic improvement, show cattle preparation and selection. Since then, Huastecas Ranch has diversified into three main areas:<\/p>\n

\u2022 F1 commercial cattle
\n\u2022 Registered Gray Brahman
\n\u2022 Registered Red Brahman<\/p>\n

Genetics remains the family\u2019s greatest passion.<\/p>\n

INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In 2021, the first export shipment to Texas was made: a group of 10 heifers and one elite sire with 100% American bloodlines. In 2022, a second export followed, and by 2024, the operation expanded into Grandview, Texas, with two ranches: one dedicated to natural service Brahman breeding, and another with a cow herd dominated by Hereford lines, aimed at producing F1s and strengthening the donor base for IVF programs.<\/p>\n

HERD CHARACTERIZATION<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The hallmark of Huastecas Ranch is a herd with excellent breed character, cattle with strong structure, balance and plenty of muscle. Above all, their herds stand out for great uniformity, predominance of solid red color, and a careful temperament selection program that has resulted in cattle known for their docility trait that translates into better performance both on pasture and in the feedlot.<\/p>\n

From the very beginning, crosses were made with some of the top American Brahman genetics, enhancing the strengths of the Red Brahman cattle.<\/p>\n

DNA AND GENETIC IMPROVEMENT<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In 2019, the first samples were sent to NEOGEN for parentage verification and genomic analysis, starting with donors, breeding females and herd sires. Since then, DNA testing has become a cornerstone of herd improvement. While traditional evaluations based on phenotype and performance records remain valuable, they are limited. DNA allows for the selection of animals with certified genetic potential.<\/p>\n

Although the Mexican Brahman Breeders Association does not require DNA testing, Huastecas Ranch implemented it as a fundamental control measure to guarantee accurate pedigrees, eliminate doubts about parentage and provide clients with complete confidence. This has strengthened credibility, accelerated genetic progress and raised the competitiveness of the herd.<\/p>\n

RECOGNITION AND INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE<\/strong><\/h4>\n

These efforts have earned important recognition:
\n\u2022 In 2023, Primo Castillo Cruz received the Presidential Medal of Livestock Merit.
\n\u2022 That same year, he was also awarded the Medal of Excellence in Livestock in San Luis Potos\u00ed.<\/p>\n

Currently, the ranch is registered with both the American Brahman Breeders Association (USA) and the Mexican Cebu Breeders Association (Mexico), actively participating in shows in both countries. Commercial activities include the sale of sires, donor females, embryos and semen, with presence in international markets such as Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Colombia and Thailand and plans to expand into more Brahman-breeding countries.<\/p>\n

PERFORMANCE DATA AND NEW GOALS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Since 2008, Huastecas Ranch has kept detailed records of:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Birth, weaning, yearling, 18- and 24-month weights
\n\u2022 Average daily gain (ADG) on pasture and feedlot
\n\u2022 Age at first calving
\n\u2022 Calving interval
\n\u2022 Pregnancy rate and calving ease<\/p>\n

In 2023, the ranch joined the Genetic Improvement Program of the Mexican Brahman Breeders Association to certify these records. By 2025, the goal is to implement carcass performance evaluations, backfat thickness and ribeye area measurements, to provide clients with more complete and reliable information for selecting sires and females best suited to their needs. The story of Huastecas Ranch is proof that dreams can become a world-class cattle operation when passion, discipline, innovation, and top-quality genetics come together.<\/p>\n

\n

LOS PRINCIPIOS DE UN SUE\u00d1O<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Huastecas Ranch naci\u00f3 mucho antes de consolidarse como empresa ganadera. Su historia comienza con el sue\u00f1o de un ni\u00f1o, Primo Castillo, quien creci\u00f3 en una infancia dif\u00edcil, llena de carencias, en una monta\u00f1a donde la electricidad, el agua potable y la comunicaci\u00f3n eran casi inexistentes. Aquellas limitaciones se convirtieron en motor para forjar un car\u00e1cter luchador y una ambici\u00f3n clara: convertirse en ganadero.<\/p>\n

A los 13 a\u00f1os emigr\u00f3 a Estados Unidos. Gracias a su esp\u00edritu de trabajo incansable y a no darse por vencido, logr\u00f3 consolidar una empresa exitosa que le abri\u00f3 la puerta para cumplir su anhelo. Tras m\u00e1s de 20 a\u00f1os fuera de M\u00e9xico, compr\u00f3 su primer rancho y lote de ganado Brahman.<\/p>\n

Huastecas Ranch no es solo una historia de ganader\u00eda, es un testimonio de lucha, perseverancia y motivaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

CONSOLIDACI\u00d3N DE LA GANADER\u00cdA<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Hoy, Huastecas Ranch es una empresa reconocida nacional e internacionalmente, con dos divisiones:
\n\u2022 Axtla de Terrazas, San Luis Potos\u00ed (M\u00e9xico)
\n\u2022 Grandview, Texas (EE. UU.)<\/p>\n

Los inicios en el Brahman rojo se remontan a 2006, con el apoyo de Armelinda Ibarra, entonces secretaria de la Asociaci\u00f3n Americana de Ganaderos de Brahman, (ABBA) y el asesoramiento del Dr. Carlos Tamayo, presidente periodo 2003-2006 Y 2006-2009, de la Asociaci\u00f3n Mexicana de Criadores de Ceb\u00fa (AMCC). Ese a\u00f1o se adquirieron las primeras tres donadoras y un semental Brahman Rojo, base de la ganader\u00eda, y fueron los comienzos de los trabajos de transferencia de embri\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

En 2008, la C.P. Daniela Olvera, esposa de Primo Castillo, asumi\u00f3 la administraci\u00f3n de la empresa, estableciendo controles en el mejoramiento gen\u00e9tico, preparaci\u00f3n y selecci\u00f3n de ganado para exposiciones. Desde entonces, Huastecas Ranch se ha diversificado en tres \u00e1reas:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Cr\u00eda de ganado comercial F1
\n\u2022 Ganado de registro Brahman gris
\n\u2022 Ganado de registro Brahman rojo La gen\u00e9tica sigue siendo la pasi\u00f3n principal de la familia.<\/p>\n

PROYECCI\u00d3N INTERNACIONAL Y EXPANSI\u00d3N<\/strong><\/h4>\n

En 2021 se realiz\u00f3 la primera exportaci\u00f3n a Texas: un lote de 10 hembras y un semental de \u00e9lite con l\u00edneas 100% americanas. En 2022 se concret\u00f3 una segunda exportaci\u00f3n y en 2024 se ampli\u00f3 la operaci\u00f3n a Grandview, Texas, con dos ranchos: uno dedicado a la reproducci\u00f3n por monta natural de Brahman, y otro para un lote de hembras donde predomina la l\u00ednea Hereford, con el objetivo de producir F1 y fortalecer el banco de donadoras para programas de FIV.<\/p>\n

CARACTERIZACI\u00d3N DEL HATO<\/strong><\/h4>\n

El sello distintivo de Huastecas Ranch es un hato con una excelente caracterizaci\u00f3n racial, ejemplares de mucha estructura y balance, con gran musculatura, pero sobre todo se aprecian lotes con gran uniformidad y predominio del rojo s\u00f3lido y se ha trabajado intensamente en la selecci\u00f3n por temperamento por lo que su ganado se distingue por esa docilidad que se traduce en mayor rendimiento tanto en potrero como en corral. Desde sus inicios, se realizaron cruzamientos con l\u00edneas gen\u00e9ticas de las ganader\u00edas americanas m\u00e1s sobresalientes, lo que permiti\u00f3 potencializar las bondades del Brahman rojo.<\/p>\n

ADN Y MEJORAMIENTO GEN\u00c9TICO<\/strong><\/h4>\n

En 2019 se enviaron las primeras muestras a NEOGEN para pruebas de paternidad y an\u00e1lisis gen\u00f3mico, comenzando con donadoras, hembras en reproducci\u00f3n y sementales en empadre. Desde entonces, el ADN es un pilar en el mejoramiento de la ganader\u00eda ya que se est\u00e1 convencido que las evaluaciones tradicionales basadas en fenotipo y registros productivos a pesar de ser valiosas son limitadas y gracias al ADN se pueden seleccionar animales con un potencial certificado.<\/p>\n

Aunque la Asociaci\u00f3n Mexicana de Criadores de Ceb\u00fa no exige este requisito, Huastecas Ranch decidi\u00f3 implementarlo como control fundamental para garantizar la certeza en la genealog\u00eda, eliminar dudas de paternidad y ofrecer confianza absoluta a sus clientes. Esto ha fortalecido la credibilidad, acelerado el progreso gen\u00e9tico y elevado la competitividad de la ganader\u00eda.<\/p>\n

RECONOCIMIENTOS Y PRESENCIA INTERNACIONAL<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Los esfuerzos se han visto reflejados en importantes reconocimientos:<\/p>\n

\u2022 2023: Primo Castillo Cruz recibi\u00f3 la Medalla Presidencial al M\u00e9rito Ganadero.
\n\u2022 Ese mismo a\u00f1o, Primo Castillo Cruz obtuvo la Medalla al M\u00e9rito a la Excelencia Ganadera en San Luis Potos\u00ed.<\/p>\n

Actualmente, la empresa est\u00e1 registrada en la American Brahman Breeders Association (EE. UU.) y en la Asociaci\u00f3n Mexicana de Criadores de Ceb\u00fa (M\u00e9xico), participando activamente en exposiciones en ambos pa\u00edses. Las actividades comerciales incluyen la venta de sementales, donadoras, embriones y semen, con presencia en mercados internacionales como Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Colombia y Tailandia, y con planes de expansi\u00f3n a m\u00e1s pa\u00edses criadores de Brahman.<\/p>\n

DATOS DE RENDIMIENTO Y NUEVAS METAS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Desde 2008, Huastecas Ranch lleva un registro detallado de:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Peso al nacimiento, destete, a\u00f1o, 18 y 24 meses.
\n\u2022 Ganancia diaria de peso (GDP) en potrero y corral.
\n\u2022 Edad al primer parto.
\n\u2022 Intervalo entre partos.
\n\u2022 Porcentaje de pre\u00f1ez y facilidad de parto.<\/p>\n

En 2023 se integr\u00f3 al Programa de Mejoramiento Gen\u00e9tico de la Asociaci\u00f3n Mexicana de Criadores de Ceb\u00fa para certi\u2000 car estos registros. Para 2025, la meta es implementar evaluaciones de rendimiento en canal, espesor de grasa dorsal y \u00e1rea del ojo de lomo, con el fin de brindar a los clientes informaci\u00f3n m\u00e1s completa y con\u2000 able para la selecci\u00f3n de sementales y hembras que mejor se adapten a sus necesidades. La historia de Huastecas Ranch es una muestra de que los sue\u00f1os pueden transformarse en una ganader\u00eda de clase mundial, cuando se combinan pasi\u00f3n, disciplina, innovaci\u00f3n y gen\u00e9tica de excelencia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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