Overview

• Vertically integrated• Cow/calf operation- around 4,000 head• Crop operation- member of High Mountain Hay Growers• Feedlot operation• Pharmaceutical operation• Retail beef- est. 1,100 head in 2005• Organic strawberry nursery plant project• 21,500 organic total acres in 2005

Prather Ranch Philosophy

• Self-sustaining agricultural operation promoting strong environmental philosophies, holistic management practices, and the humane treatment of livestock.

Certified Organic

• Certified organic beef, alfalfa hay, pasture and strawberry nursery plants

• Certified organic through the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)

• 40% of herd is certified organic• 21,500 total certified organic acres

New Technologies to Improve Product• “It’s important to reinvest in your product to

maintain high standards…” Ken McCorkle, April 22, 2005

• DNA TestingTenderness GeneRanch EPDs

Gen-Scan• Ultrasounding yearlings for EPDs• Testing for Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Honors and Awards• Dec. 2004 Governor’s Environmental and

Economic Leadership Award• 2004 Added to “Role of Excellence” for Beef

Improvement Federation• 2003 Commercial Cattleman of the Year Award

California Beef Cattle Improvement Association

Locations

• Bear Valley Ranch

• Devine Ranch

• Fall River Ranches- 9 different ranches

• Fenwood Ranch

• Prather Hay Ranch

• Prather Headquarters Ranch

• Prather Newville Ranch

Bear Valley Ranch• Hwy 20, Colusa County• 12,500 organic acres• Conservation easement• Certified organic in 2005

Devine Ranch• Cottonwood, Shasta County• Certified organic in 2005

Fall River Ranches• Fall River Mills, Shasta County• Glenburn area of the valley• 2,600 total organic acres• Certified organic in 1999

Owls Head Ranch

Spring Creek Ranch

Fenwood Ranch 2,200 organic acresCertified organic in 1999Anderson, Shasta CountyConservation easement

Prather Hay Ranch

• Macdoel, Siskiyou County• 5,223 total acres (about 4,500 acres irrigated)• Annual production- est. 18,000 tons of hay

Prather Headquarters Ranch

• Macdoel, Siskiyou County• 3,000 organic acres• Feed Yard, Processing Facility

Prather Newville Ranch

• Tehama and Glenn Counties• 2,600 organic acres• Winter grazing

All cattle 2X ear tagged

Replacement tags engraved

Permanent cattle – Freeze brand, same # as ear tag and hot iron branded

Ear Tag Code

Fall or Spring

Year of birth

Order of birth

Started this practice with the 1984 models

Ear Tag Code

Fall or Spring

Year of birth

Order of birthThe ear tag number stays with

them to the cryovac package

and its label

Ear tags removed at processing

Transferred to hide and carcass

Cleaned

Identified by ear tag

Hides for collagen

Ear tag number transferred to carcass via HACCP process

BEEF

Quality Assurance info

Ear Tag

Processing Info

Product Info

Ear tag number on HACCP sheet stays with carcass until cut and packaged.

Then label has ear tag number

Carcass with HACCP go to cutting room

Cutting instructions provided

Individual cuts and weights are tied back through the ear tag & label

The scale and its computer provide weights for cuts from the whole carcass for individual cattle.

Retail Beef Outlets• Farmers Markets• Wholesale• Restaurants• Website• Ferry building storefront

• Opened in 2005

• Ferry Building in San Francisco

• Expand to include other organic producers

Questions???

• Thank you to Dr. Dan Drake, UC Extension, Siskiyou County, CA