The Impact Of Richard King On The Cattle Industry

Currently, the U.S. is the leader in the fed-cattle industry and was the prime producer of quality, grain-fed beef cattle in the World in 2012. The U.S. was a pioneer in the ranching industry and has been instrumental in shaping the cattle industry into what it is today. Many of the early advancements made within the industry can be credited to the King Ranch, established in 1853. The King Ranch opened the door to large scale ranching and developing new breeds and methods to increase efficiency and decrease labor required to run a beef cattle herd. Richard King’s ranch continues to be the icon of modern day American ranching.

Richard King’s troubled childhood eventually led him to South Texas where he founded a steamboat service with his friend

King continued his steamboat service while building up his ranch with the help of his wife Henrietta. The Civil War boosted the steamboat business, as the need for the movement of goods increased; however, King wanted to focus on the development of his ranch. Richard King revolutionized the ranching business by combining the ways of Southern Plantations with Mexican Hacienda systems. In the midst of starting his ranch, drought struck, and the people of Corpus Christi had no choice but to sell off all of their cattle to Richard. King realized that by buying the townspeople’s cattle, he would be taking away their livelihood. Because of this, King offered to provide food, shelter, and a source of income if the townspeople would live and work on his ranch. Many of the townspeople agreed and they were known as Los Kinenos or King’s people. These people were already expert stockmen and horsemen and contributed to the success of the ranch immensely. The ranch expanded into 146,000 acres with 1,000s of head of cattle by the close of the war. Through the years, the King Ranch led some of the first cattle drives, built railroads, packing houses, ice plants, and improved the harbors of Corpus Christi. Along with this, King continually improved his genetics through up breeding within his horse and cattle herds and

The breed consists of 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Shorthorn. This cross allows for heat resistant traits from the Indian Brahman, and also maternal traits from the British Shorthorn. Santa Gertrudis offer outstanding maternal traits, low birth weights, and are a heavy milking, hardy breed that is adaptable to extreme climates. Santa Gertrudis can continue to be productive for up to 18 years. Not only are Santa Gertrudis maternally driven, but they have the ability to excel in the feedlot through quick gains that yield quality carcasses. Texas A & M University recently conducted a Ranch to Rail feeding study with a pen of purebred Santa Gertrudis cattle the revealed a $100.87 net profit per head. Circle E Feedlot in Potwin, Kansas collected data on 116 Santa Gertrudis steers that achieved an average daily gain of 3.84 lbs. Today, Santa Gertrudis is used in a variety of crossbreeding and purebred operations across the globe for producers who seek efficient, lean growth cattle that are heat and parasite