LEGACY OF CATTLE RANCHING

The Legacy of Cattle Ranching in the Rio Grande Valley

STORY & PHOTOS BY MELISSA GUERRA

Throughout this country there are very large and beautiful pasturelands, with good grazing for cattle.

— La relacion, Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, 1542

Cattle ranching has long been a major component of the financial infrastructure of South Texas. With our warm climate, open ranges and ample supply of grass for grazing, the Rio Grande Valley has a deep connection to the ranching heritage of the Americas. Almost 500 years after Cabeza de Vaca identified Texas terrain as ideal for ranching, our local cattle industry continues to thrive.

A LITTLE HISTORY

It’s hard to imagine Texas without cattle. But before the Spanish arrived in the Americas, there were virtually no domestic farm animals in the Americas. Of course, there are the American bison, but those are wild creatures of the plains. Peru had the domesticated llama and alpaca, but these heavily furred camelids were not suited for life in hot, sunny Texas. Horses, cattle, chickens, goats, sheep, domesticated pigs, camels, honeybees, donkeys and pigeons

— none of these farmed animals existed on the American continent before the arrival of the Spanish colonists.

Early in American ranching history, beef for consumption was the byproduct of a more profitable global trade: leather. Upon arrival, the Spanish colonists established enormous herds of cattle and horses on the American continent. Finding silver or gold could take decades but raising cattle could provide income within a few years. Many historians consider cattle to be the first wealth of the New World.

In present day cattle ranching, the production of quality beef is the main concern for local South Texas ranchers. Unique to the valley, many of the original ranching families that received colonial land grants from the Spanish crown are still in the cattle ranching business. Others that ranch locally bought portions of ranches from family or neighbors and continued the ranching tradition.

MCALLEN RANCH

Since 1791, McAllen Ranch in San Manuel, Texas has dedicated itself to cattle production. Today, James McAllen Jr. manages the commercial cattle herd that supplies local beef markets.

“My grandfather invested his life in the quality of our cattle herd,” said McAllen. “He had a very specific selection process for the cattle we used for breeding. I can still see this profile in the cattle that are on the ranch today.”

Beefmaster is the preferred breed raised on McAllen Ranch, but recent years have seen the inclusion of more Angus, Brangus and Akaushi crosses. “We deliver what the market demands,” said McAllen.

But as the world has changed, so have the land and cattle management business. With the growth rate in Hidalgo County hovering just above 1 percent annually, local green space and habitat are falling prey to urban expansion. Keeping the balance between commercial cattle production and conservation of native habitat is a focus for McAllen Ranch.

“Balance is the key to success in any agricultural operation. Not only do ranchers have a responsibility to the bottom line of their cattle business but also to the ecological health of the land. For generations, we have observed the positive effect of cattle grazing on native habitat,” McAllen said.

White tail deer, mourning doves, bobwhite quail, javalinas, bobcats, coyotes and wild turkeys can be found flourishing among the herds of commercial cattle. Hunting and ecotourism complement the commercial cattle operation in a natural balance that the McAllen Ranch family has worked hard to preserve. Left Page: Working cattle on McAllen Ranch. Right Page: Vicente Vega on a morning cattle drive in Hidalgo County.

RANCHO SANTA FE

In 1927, Felix Martinez purchased Rancho Santa Fe in Santa Elena, located south of San Isidro. For almost 100 years, the Martinez family has built their cattle breeding program. After importing the first Brahman bulls to South Texas in 1946, maintaining a thriving breed in Starr County’s challenging environment has always been the Martinez family’s goal.

“We have raised every breed out there!” quips Stephanie Martinez.” But as we looked towards our future in the cattle business, we needed to maximize our return in the beef market in order to keep ranching.”

In 2012, the family invested in a recently imported breed of Japanese cattle that dramatically transformed the way the Martinezes ranched and marketed their cattle. Changing with the demand of modern consumers, Stephanie and Felo now raise Akaushi (pronounced ah-kah-OO-shee) cross-bred cattle. Beef from Akaushi cattle has a higher ratio of monounsaturated fats to saturated fats, which has the potential to lower undesirable LDL cholesterol levels in humans. Risks of breast cancer, coronary heart disease, blood pressure and diabetes are lowered with diets rich in monounsaturated fats. 2F Akaushi beef prime steaks can be found in H-E-B supermarkets throughout Texas. A refrigerated 18-wheeler arrives once a week at Rancho Santa Fe, winners of the 2021 H-E-B Quest for Texas Best competition, to pick up ground beef to deliver to supermarkets throughout the state.

Earlier in 2022, the Texas Department of Agriculture even invited the Martinez family to provide samples of their prime steaks to beef buyers in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates and Quintana Roo, Mexico. “We’ve come a long way from when we started,” Stephanie says with a chuckle.

Left: Vicente Cappadona, next generation rancher, building a fire. Top Right: Feeding bulls in northern Hidalgo County in the 1940s. Bottom: Ruben de Leon Jr. working cattle on McAllen Ranch.

LA MUNECA CATTLE CO.

Brothers Carlos and Victor Guerra are the next generation of cattlemen working at La Muñeca Ranch in Linn. In 1873 the ranch’s brand was registered in Starr County by the brothers’ great-great grandmother, Antonia Guerra.

Today, along with the support of their sisters Cristina and Laura and the foundational wisdom of their parents Carlos and Sister Guerra, the duo daily analyzes the global fluctuations in beef commodities, current weather patterns and the international financial horizon to keep tailoring their cattle operation to an ever-changing market. Through the years, Guerra Bros. and La Muñeca Cattle Co. have raised an impressive variety of registered cattle breeds. Starting with Red Angus cattle purchased in 1963, the family experimented with other breeds such as Red Brangus, Red Brahman, Indu Brazil, Gyr, Black Zebu, White Zebu, Gelbray, Simbrah, Braunvieh, Polled Brahman and Simbraunvieh. These days, they are dedicated to raising Polled Red and Grey Brahman and Simbrah cattle.

The Guerra family has experimented with so many breeds because the hot temperature in the Valley makes raising cattle especially challenging. Not all cattle breeds can thrive in our hot, dry conditions. In response to this challenge, the Guerras spend their time and energy enhancing their cattle breeds for sustainability in our valley climate.

Competing with their dedication to their cattle herd is the passion the entire Guerra family has for youth education.

“One of our largest markets is youth projects,” said Victor. “Educational opportunities through the 4-H and FFA are not only vital for our community but for the future of the beef industry.”

Melissa Guerra is an eighth generation, born and raised South Texan. She is a self taught culinary expert and food historian. Follow her on Instagram at @thekitchenwrangler.

HOW TO SUPPORT AND BUY LOCAL BEEF

CD&J Mini Ranch San Benito Raises grass-fed beef, pasture pigs, farm fresh eggs and sells jellies and freeze-dried fruit/ vegetables. Purchase products on cdjminiranch. com or call 956-456-9600.

Circle S Beef Bayview Sells organic pasture-raised beef. Check out its items on circlesbeef.com. Pick up products at the Brownsville Farmers’ Market.

England Cattle Company,LLC Mercedes Sells hand-cut, dry-aged beef. Pick up products at the Brownsville and South Padre Island farmers markets or England Cattle Co., 13228 Mile 2 E. Road, or call 956-373-1886. englandcattleco.com.

J Galvan Mini Farm Donna Family-owned mini farm that specializes in certified organic fed poultry, whole young quail and eggs, grass-fed beef and whole young cabrito. Products available at the Grow’n Growers Farmers Market in McAllen or call 956-377-9402.

Rancho Santa Fe San Isidro Family-owned ranch that breeds and raises commercial cattle and sells premium 2F Akaushi Wagyu beef to restaurants and households. Products available in H-E-B stores and online at 2fakaushibeef.com.