Top 10 AGA-Certified Cattle Ranching in Texas
Discover > Farm to Table Eating in Texas > Top 10 AGA-Certified Cattle Ranching in Texas
In Texas, it’s safe to say we love our beef. Indeed, cattle farming has been in our genes for generations. However, with recent news of irresponsible practices in the cattle industry, both in the State and across the US as a whole, I’m more vigilant than ever when it comes to sourcing grass-fed and grass-finished beef.
There are countless labels stuck on meat products nowadays, many of which easily blinding us into buying low-quality blast-frozen beef. But there is one label you should try to look out for – a certification stamp by the American Grassfed Association (AGA). The AGA is a US-wide association of grass-fed cattle raisers that works closely with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish clear and defined terms for labeling meats.
With these labels come certain standards established by the AGA-USDA partnership that are to be followed by meat and dairy producers. Home to a huge number of cattle farms and ranches, Texas has a bunch of AGA-certified cattle raisers that you should definitely check out.
In this two-part series, we shall list our favorite Texas AGA-Certified cattle ranching in Texas.
Chuck Howleys Happy Hollow Ranch
Established in 1977 by Chuck Howley, the Happy Hollow Ranch serves up quality beef to the Wills Point area. You can also find them at the Dallas Farmers Market on Saturdays. All their meats are pasture-raised and free from any hormones. This makes the Happy Hollow Ranch both AGA-certified and one of the best places to get your Sunday steaks from.
Chuck Howleys Happy Hollow Ranch is an experienced meat producer that deserves our support.
Address: 26875 FM 47, Wills Point, TX 75169
Contact: (214) 233-6075
2. Central Texas Grassfed
Located in Briggs, TX, Central Texas Grassfed has been in business since 1932! They practice pastured cattle grazing methods, which has allowed them to be certified by the AGA. Here, you can expect a wide array of meat bundles, such as their soup bundle, slow cooker, and burger boxes. And if you’re not looking to buy in bulk, they also sell small portions perfect for just a meal or two. Central Texas Grassfed has a community-first approach, offering customers in their immediate area the chance to buy locally sourced, grass-fed beef.
With several decades of experience, Central Texas Grassfed offers meat lovers only the finest cuts of beef.
Address: 24610 FM 963, Briggs, TX 78608
Contact: centraltexasgrassfed.com
3. BFT Ranch
BFT Ranch is certified by the AGA for raising grass-fed and grass-finished cattle. This ranch employs a special approach to raising their cattle, which involves them working closely with nature. Their fully pastured cows are rotated around the property to ensure rich grazing fields for the animals at all times. In turn, the cows fertilize the fields, allowing the land to regenerate naturally. BFT Ranch offers orders in bulk, meat boxes, and packets of ground beef.
BFT Ranch sells grass-fed Red Angus beef that is bursting with flavor and natural goodness.
Address: 2940 County Road 3080, Ben Franklin, TX 75415
Contact: (616) 446-9125
4. Circle H Angus Ranch
Available at Braeswood Farmers Market, Circle H Angus Ranch is proud to be AGA-certified. Owned and operated by the Harrison family for over 25 years, this farm specializes in raising Black Angus cattle that are all grass-fed and grass-finished. This ranch offers briskets, a variety of sausages (including their beef breakfast sausage), stir fry chuck roast, and much, much more. Their wide variety of beef products will make any meat lover’s mouth water, as Circle H Angus Ranch stands by the quality of its meats.
Circle H Angus Ranch provides customers with stunning cuts of beef, as well as delicious in-house prepared food.
Address: 9043 County Road 192, Gonzales, TX 78629
Contact: (281) 520-6024
5. Holy Cow Beef
If you’re looking for grass-fed, grass-finished, and dry-aged beef, then Holy Cow Beef is worth checking out. Certified by the AGA, this ranch is audited annually to ensure the quality of the meats they sell to consumers. The cows are fed a natural diet of grass, and are free from any hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides. You can find their meat products at the Sunshine Natural Living Market as well as in Abundant Health Naturally health food stores. What’s more, you can order from them online – a delivery service is available depending on the amount ordered and area of delivery.
Holy Cow Beef ensure customers get their hands on high-quality grass-fed beef.
Address: 2491 Finis Rd, Graham, TX 76450
Contact: (940) 550-4950
6. BSAK Ranch
If you’re in and around the Texas Hill Country, then BSAK Ranch is worth a visit! Offering premium grass-fed beef, this ranch is just minutes outside of Brady County. Owners Will and Brad pride themselves on serving their community with high-quality beef that’s free from both hormones and antibiotics. Their nutritious and delicious meats are a result of their regenerative approach to agriculture, which involves their cattle feeding on lush, healthy pastures. BSAK Ranch sells short ribs, soup bones, organs, roasts, steaks, and ground beef – all sourced from their grass-fed cows.
BSAK Ranch provides meat-lovers with beef produced by passionate cattle farmers.
7. Far West Texas Cattle Co.
Want to get some meat for your grill, but don’t want to drive around to get it? Far West Texas Cattle Co. delivers AGA-certified beef straight to your front door. Operating their ranch in Alpine, the company offers an online meat subscription service that has become quite a hit. This service connects consumers with trusted farmers that produce meat-free from any antibiotics and hormones. As a bonus, 90% of the profit Far West Texas Cattle Co. makes goes directly to Lebanese refugees and undernourished children in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Far West Texas Cattle Co. sells high-quality meats and, in doing so, supports worthy causes.
Address: 801 East Holland, Alpine, TX 79830
Contact: (432) 538-2151
8. Heritage Lean Beef
Heritage Lean Beef is a family-owned and operated cattle farm located in Rocksprings, Texas. This farm specializes in raising Criollo beef, which is 100% pastured and free from any harmful chemicals. The cattle aren’t fed any hormones and antibiotics, so you can be sure that Heritage Lean Beef’s products are not only bursting with flavor but also safe for consumption. If you get the chance to visit in summer, make sure to pick up some of their peaches too!
Heritage Lean Beef is an AGA-certified cattle farm that you can trust.
Address: Ranch Road 2630, Rocksprings, TX 78880
Contact: (830) 683-3131
9. Watterson Ranch
Owned and operated by sixth-generation cattle farmers, the Watterson Ranch offers grass-fed and sustainably produced beef. Certified by the AGA, this ranch makes sure its beef is free from antibiotics, growth hormones, and additives. All the cattle are allowed to properly mature, as the Watterson Ranch believes that the quality of its beef products cannot be rushed. Once the beef has been freshly slaughtered, the farmers go the extra mile by dry-aging their meat for 12 days to further enhance the flavor.
Purchase high-quality and humanely raised meats from Watterson Ranch.
Address: 613 Watterson Road, Bastrop, TX 78602
Contact: (512) 988-9429
10. Lazy A Ranch
Established in 1820(!), Lazy A Ranch was purchased by current owners Margot and Bill in 2008. At present, this ranch raises Akaushi and British White cattle, which are grass-fed and finished with alfalfa bales and pastured. Due to their natural raising methods, the cuts of beef produced by Lazy A Ranch are webbed with fat marbling that’s juicy and oh so delicious.
Lazy A Ranch gives meat-eaters peace of mind when it comes to the quality and safety of their meats.
Address: 1059 Kurt Road, Bellville, TX 77418
Contact: (979) 865-5337
When it comes to buying beef from local producers, quality and safety are my top concerns. And with these ranches, I get exactly that. The number of AGA-certified cattle ranching in Texas is rising, and regenerative cattle-raising practices are becoming more and more popular. On your next market day, be sure to look out for meat products that are AGA Certified. This allows you to make informed decisions about the meat that you and your family consume.
If you're looking for something different to spice up your next steak hunt, consider trying longhorn meat. Learn more about it here.
Looking for delivery of fresh, grass-fed meat in Texas? Check these 9 Farms Providing Fresh Grass-Fed Meat Delivery in Texas
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