Hartley Ranch

History of Angus Cattle in the United States
In 1873, a Scottish immigrant named George Grant introduced the first Angus cattle to the United
States. Although the solid black, hornless Angus cattle looked unusual to most American ranchers,
the quality of the beef was undeniable.
Within a few short years, black herds began popping up all over the country. In 1883, the American
Angus Association was founded in Chicago, Illinois.
One of the very first Black Angus herds in Texas was started by Justin Hartley’s great, great, great
grandfather, Andrew Myers. When Myers heard that Angus cattle had been introduced in the US,
he traveled up to Kansas and brought cattle back to his Texas ranch.
Over the 100 years that followed, many breeds of cattle came and went. The family remained true
to the Angus breed.
For six generations, Andrew Myers’ family has raised Angus cattle on their North Texas ranch,
known today as the Hartley Ranch. The Hartleys are now some of the top breeders of registered
Angus cattle in the United States.
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The Hartley Family: Six Generations of Angus Breeders
The Hartley family believes in true Angus cattle and their natural ability to produce tender, flavorful beef. For
over 100 years, the Hartleys have carefully selected the best cattle to be their breeding stock, continually
improving the quality of their Angus beef. Through hard work and dedication, the Hartleys have created a line
of beef that is truly one of a kind.
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USDA Angus Beef Certification
In 1978, the first brand of Angus beef was certified by USDA. Angus breeders
everywhere were happy that their beef would finally get the recognition it
deserved.
The method established to determine Angus heritage was phenotype only: the
cattle had to have hides that were black. At the time this first brand was certified,
almost all black cattle were Angus. The Hartleys and other Angus breeders were
satisfied with the criteria.
Throughout the 1980’s, more and more restaurants and retailers began switching
to Angus beef. The consistent, high quality beef produced by Angus cattle was
clearly superior to commodity USDA Choice. Angus cattle naturally produce
finely textured muscle fibers and large amounts of marbling, the perfect ingredients for tender, flavorful beef.
Demand for Angus beef skyrocketed, and Angus cattle began to bring premium
prices at auctions. Cattle producers took notice:
Black hides mean more money…
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LIMOUSIN
There’s More to Angus
than Black Hides
Hide color alone does NOT ensure the key attributes of the Angus breed
that consumers have come to expect. Today, beef labeled as Angus may
be 100%, 50%, 25% or even 0% true Angus heritage.
Before Angus Beef
After Angus Beef
GELBVIEH
Black hide is a dominant gene, making it easy to transition commercial
cattle to so-called “Black Angus” through cross-breeding. However, this
practice diminishes the quality and consistency of the beef. The genuine
Angus characteristics of finely textured muscle fibers and rich marbling
can be erased by the influence of other breeds.
“Approximately 70% of all cattle currently harvested in the United
States have mostly black hides. Hide color no longer differentiates
Angus cattle from other breeds like it did 30 years ago. Today, many
black hided cattle have 0% Angus heritage. That’s why the proven Angus
heritage of our cattle is so important.”
Before Angus Beef
After Angus Beef
MAINE ANJOU
- Justin Hartley
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Before Angus Beef
After Angus Beef
Hartley Ranch Genuine Angus Beef
True Angus cattle yield a naturally tender, exceptionally flavorful product. The
Hartleys take pride in producing their premium Angus beef the old fashioned
way.
When the Hartleys discovered that other breeds were being labeled Angus, they
knew something had to be done. They contacted Fred Williams at USDA and
asked if they could start a true Angus beef program that did not allow so many
other breeds. Mr. Williams said that USDA already had a Certified Angus Beef
program, but he would consider helping the Hartleys if they could prove they
could source only genuine Angus cattle.
Over the next six months, the cattle harvested for Certified Angus Beef graded
17% upper two-thirds Choice. During the same time period, Hartley Angus
cattle graded over 40% upper two-thirds Choice. The USDA agreed: the
Hartleys had something that was truly special. They had earned their USDA
certification.
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ViaGen & DNA Verification
In 2004, Austin, Texas based genetics company, Viagen, developed a
DNA test that can detect what breeds of cattle are represented in any
cut of beef. They used the test on many Angus beef samples they
collected at retail stores throughout the US. To their surprise they
discovered that only one branded Angus beef was the real thing,
genuine Angus. That beef belonged to the Hartleys.
Viagen contacted the Hartleys to find out how they were able to
produce such consistent Angus beef when there were so many cattle
that appeared to be Angus but were not. The answer was simple: as
Angus breeders the Hartleys had long term relationships with other
Angus breeders. It was easy for the Hartleys to source genuine Angus
cattle from their friends.
Hartley Ranch is the ONLY company consistently delivering the
product that made Angus beef so popular during the 1980’s.
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For over 100 years, the Hartley family knew that their
Angus beef was the best beef money could buy.
NOW THEY CAN PROVE IT!
Hartley Ranch now uses Viagen’s patented AnguSure™
DNA test to verify the Angus Heritage of their beef.
The AnguSure™ test detects the presence of
Angus DNA in a biological sample taken at any
stage of the beef production process, from birth
to burger. Hartley Ranch is the only Angus beef
program that can claim “Angus Heritage Verified
by Independent Scientific Testing.”
USDA Product Quality Control
Once genetics are proven, Hartley Ranch documents every step of the process,
including brand integrity, age, source verification and traceability. Hartley
Ranch works hand in hand with the finest, most dedicated Angus breeders to
produce the best of the best.
The Hartleys refuse to compromise their commitment to quality by feeding their
cattle beta agonists such as Zilmax and Optaflexx. In the Hartleys’ opinion,
these feed additives diminish the flavor and tenderness of beef, and it would be
a shame to undo six generations of hard work.
Hartley Ranch meets USDA’s “Product Quality Control” requirements, which:
Provide feedback to the ranch; leading to consistently upgraded
Angus herds.
Prove cattle are inspected by USDA representatives to ensure
product integrity, safety and Angus heritage.
Ensure quality is controlled throughout the process.
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Grass Fed Natural & Organic Angus Beef
It’s not a trend or fad, it’s a movement. More and more, your customers are looking for
products that are natural, humanely raised, and healthier. It is our privilege to offer Grass
Fed Natural and 100% Organic Angus Beef to fill this growing demand.
Grass Fed Natural Black Angus Beef
Compared to grain fed cattle, 100% Grass Fed Natural Black Angus Beef is leaner and
high in healthy Omega 3 fatty acids. It also has finely textured marbling for legendary
tenderness and achieves high marbling scores.
100% Organic Angus Beef
To take the already high "Natural Beef" standard a step further we also offer Organic
beef—that is, beef from cattle that have been fed a 100% Organic diet, and “Never Ever”
given growth hormones or antibiotics.
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What Hartley Ranch Offers
Hartley Ranch Genuine Angus:
• has finely textured muscling for legendary tenderness
• achieves high marbling scores
• consistently satisfies customers, leading to repeat purchases
Hartley Ranch Genuine Angus Platinum is the finest beef to be found, grading
“modest” marbling or higher.
Hartley Ranch Genuine Angus Blue Ribbon meets our high standards of excellence
and includes full range USDA Choice.
Hartley Ranch Genuine Angus Select is a slightly leaner offering, but with all the
great benefits of verified Angus at an economical price.
Hartley Ranch Angus offers a full line of USDA Select, Choice, and Prime Natural
Angus products. The cattle selected for this program have never received antibiotics
or added growth hormones.
Hartley Ranch also offers Halal Certified Genuine Angus products.
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“When you buy Hartley Ranch Angus Beef, you get
verified genuine Angus. Every cut, every time!”
Justin Hartley
Hartley Ranch Angus Beef, LLC.
4407 Bee Caves Road, Suite 511
Austin, Texas 78746
Phone: +1 (512) 732-1289
Fax: +1 (512) 330-0091
Web: www.HartleyRanch.com