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Rancho Espuela Cattle Co. W Securing the Legacy Award W

T he American Akaushi Association (AAA) established the Securing the Legacy award to recognize individu- als who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to the Akaushi breed. During the 2018 Annual Conven- tion, the organization recognized Rancho Espuela Cattle Company, Fort Davis, Texas, for its commitment to the preservation of Akaushi genetics and dedication to improv- ing the beef industry. Jim Dyer and his wife, Kelie, started ranching in the 1960s, but, coming from a long line of cattlemen, Jim was already well acquainted with the cattle industry. His grandfather was a trail boss on the Chisholm Trail, and his parents ranched in Baird, Texas, where Jim was raised. The Dyer family raised Hereford cattle until the late 1960s, when they transitioned their operation to Limousin cattle for their lean meat and high Yield Grade ability. Despite the family’s long history of raising quality Limousin cattle, Jim set out to cross the high-yielding breed to improve overall marbling in his beef. His daughter, Amanda, first suggested Akaushi after seeing the breed at a feedlot during her time in the Texas Christian Uni-

versity Ranch Manage- ment Program in 2008. However, at the time, they couldn’t access Akaushi genetics. In 2010, the family

2018 CONVENTION

visited the AAA booth while attending the Cattle Industry and Convention and NCBA Trade Show, and they quickly became excited about the breed and the health benefits of Akaushi beef. Beyond that, they were interested in Akaushi for the breed’s calving ease and Quality Grade potential. Since the Dyers had raised Limousin cattle for Laura’s Lean™ beef, Jim knew there was a strong consumer demand for more healthful beef, so he added Akaushi genetics to his herd. He began breeding up his original Limousin cattle, using half- blood heifer calves as replacements in his herd. Jim was excited about the potential of crossing a high Yield Grade animal with a high Quality Grade animal. The results were not disappointing. Their first percent- age steers harvested 21 percent Prime and 75 percent Choice, without sacrificing feed efficiency. In addition to building his Akaushi cow- herd, Jim also pro-

duced the first polled 15/16 Akaushi bull, El Padrino, in the United States, and now raises the bulls used to breed his nearly 1,000 Limou- sin and Akaushi-cross commercial cows. Rancho Espuela Cattle Co. and the Dyer fam- ily – thank you for your dedication to the Akaushi breed. We are forever grateful for your commitment and contributions. PT

The American Akaushi Association honored Rancho Espuela as the recipient of the “Se- curing the Legacy” award at convention. Pictured, left to right, are: Ronald Beeman, Kelie, Jim and Amanda Dyer, Amber McMullan and daughter Davan McMullan and Janie Bain.

Akaushi Prime Time • Winter 2019

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