episode 5: Harris Ranch
COALINGA, CALIFORNIA
Harris Ranch Feeding Company
is the largest feedlot in the state of California and also happens to be the most visible, located right off of Interstate 5, a major thoroughfare down the center of the nation’s most populated state.
A pioneer in the beef industry, Harris Ranch established a unique, branded beef program in 1982 and has become one of the most recognized brands on the West Coast as it continually strives to sustainably produce some of the highest quality beef in the world.
The feedlot is currently home to 135,000 head of cattle that come from family ranches all over the western United States. The cattle spend the majority of their life on pasture. Once they reach anywhere between 600-1,000 pounds, ranchers send them to the feedlot for the last four to six months of their life before being harvested in their state-of-the-art processing facility.
Feedlots are necessary, but sometimes misunderstood operations. It may surprise many people that their behavior isn’t much different than if they were out at pasture as gregarious herd animals. While some people may at first sight notice the concentration of cattle, they have ample room to lay down, stretch, and playfully move around freely.
Ken Zeman is the feedlot manager at Harris Ranch Feeding. He came to the feedlot in 1997 and understands the importance of animal welfare.
“We had a fire where they [animal rights activists] destroyed fourteen trucks…I think the thing is we just have to promote we are doing the best we can on animal welfare and taking care of the animals.
You have to think about it, you are on video every day. Every minute you could be on video and somebody could capture something. I preach to the workers you have to be careful and make sure you aren’t doing something that will hurt these animals.”
- Ken Zeman, Feedlot Manager
The specialized staff are in charge of caring for the animals’ nutritional needs, health, and comfort.
Penriders like Tommy Lopez are responsible for riding horseback through the pens regularly to monitor the cattle, looking for any sick or injured animals that need care and attention.
Tommy was born and raised on a feed yard. The cowboy supervisor at Harris Feeding Company has been riding pens at the company here for 33 years.
Feed manager Rob Azevedo, who grew up in the dairy industry, is in charge of ensuring that all cattle at the feedlot receive a nutritionally balanced and scientifically formulated feed ration to be their healthiest. The majority of what they eat includes alfalfa and rolled corn amongst other nutrient rich feedstuffs to bolster their immune system and ensure the most flavorful and tender beef product.
For Courtney Andreini, Cattle Manager at Harris Feeding, it’s the idea that she’s feeding the world that makes her proudest. As a woman in agriculture, she shares that it’s been challenging having to prove herself in a male dominated industry. As fellow Fancy Lady Cowgirls ourselves, we appreciate seeing women pursuing their passions in agriculture and being an integral part of producing food for the world.
Beef from Harris Feeding goes to retailers across the country as well as export markets around the world. Aside from providing their customers with a wholesome and delicious beef product, Harris Ranch Feeding Company is also dedicated to sustainability. They have an intricate manure management system and they sell most of it to a compost operation. They also have dust control on the feed yard to keep the air clear among other state of the art sustainability practices.
The BACKROAD COWGIRLS
were so grateful for the opportunity to meet with just a few of the people that help bring beef to your local restaurants and grocery stories while ensuring these animals receive the best care.
You can learn more about Harris Ranch Feeding Company and Harris Ranch Beef on their website.
Photography by Shelby Caitlin Photography