The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) recognized 44 Farms of Cameron, Texas, as the BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year during the organization’s annual research symposium in July in Calgary, Alberta.
Douglas Lake Cattle Company of Douglas Lake, British Columbia, was presented with the Commercial Producer of the Year Award. These awards are presented annually to North American producers to recognize their dedication to improving the beef industry.
In addition to the respective award winners, finalists included Benchmark Angus, Lethbridge, Alberta, and Cudlobe Angus, Stavely, Alberta, for Seedstock Producer; and Callahan Brothers LLC of Centerview, Missouri, for Commercial Producer.
44 Farms
From small beginnings to growing into the largest registered Angus ranch in Texas, 44 Farms goes about its business with the benefit of others in mind. From day one, fourth-generation rancher Bob McClaren wanted to create a seedstock program to help ranchers move beyond commodities and make a living putting food on America’s tables.
McClaren researched for the breed that would best serve ranchers and help them deliver a delicious product, ultimately settling on Angus. The ranch’s first Angus cow was delivered to Cameron, Texas, in November 2003, starting a journey to becoming one of the most progressive Angus operations in the U.S.
44 Farms of Cameron, Texas, was recognized as the Beef Improvement Federation Seedstock Producer of the Year on July 5. Pictured left to right are 2023 BIF President Joe Epperly, 44 Farms owner Bob McClaren and Drovers columnist Nevil Speer, who presented the award. Photo courtesy of Beef Improvement Federation.
In 2008, the decision was made to feed and finish some cattle that were a byproduct of the registered herd at CRI Feeders of Guymon LLC in Guymon, Oklahoma. This set of steers graded 65% Prime, and the concept of a high-quality, all-natural beef product was born. The idea resulted in the launching of the 44 Steaks program in the spring of 2010. Today, 44 Farms works with more than 1,100 ranchers from 26 states across the U.S, providing cattle for the Prime Pursuits program to deliver beef to approximately 565 Walmart stores throughout the Southeast.
One of 44 Farms’ primary goals is to help ranchers thrive by empowering them with the right genetics, data and tools amid the complex, ever-changing beef industry. Their goals are to provide genetics to their customers, wherever they are regionally, that will help them provide better beef to the supply chain while helping them stay financially sustainable.
Douglas Lake Cattle Co.
Douglas Lake Cattle Co. was incorporated in 1884 and consists of four ranches: Douglas Lake Ranch, Alkali Lake Ranch, Riske Creek Ranch and Gang Ranch – all of which are located in south-central British Columbia and have a combined cattle operation of 13,000 Angus, with Hereford influence and Charolais for a terminal cross. The operation has spring-calving cows with replacements selected from within the herd.
Douglas Lake Cattle Company of Douglas Lake, British Columbia, was recognized as the Beef Improvement Federation Commercial Producer of the Year on July 4. Pictured left to right are 2023 BIF Vice President Kevin Schultz, Douglas Lake Cattle Company Manager Phil Braig and Drovers columnist Nevil Speer, who presented the award. Photo courtesy of Beef Improvement Federation.
The Douglas Lake division backgrounds around 1,300 steers for grass and sells them as yearlings. All other divisions sell calves in the fall and retain only mature cows, replacement heifers and bulls. All divisions are Verified Beef Production Plus certified and are sold online through Direct Livestock Marketing Systems.
All of Douglas Lake’s feed is produced in-house on 9,000 acres of irrigated land, growing a variety of crops including grass, alfalfa, barley and silage corn. The rations are developed based on feed analysis and gain requirements in consultation with agronomists and nutritionists.
The ranches employ around 120 full-time staff divided into various crews. All staff and families live in company-provided housing at each of the ranch divisions.
The main goal set at Douglas Lake Cattle Co. is to operate profitable, environmentally sustainable ranching operations that strive for continuous improvement of their land, livestock and people.
