McCollum-Lemke Ranches is a fourth generation, family-owned farming and ranching business that has been in continuous operation for over one hundred years.  The family produces all-natural, forage finished cattle, sheep and goats in Mason and Menard counties in Texas.  Animals are raised humanely and in sync with the way nature raises animals in the wild.  This allows the operation to stay away from chemical inputs and utilize the natural forage base.

Chad Lemke manages the day-to-day operations. He explains, “It is our belief that the better we take care of our animals, the better they will take care of us.  By raising different species, we are more closely re-creating what has historically occurred on the lands in Texas; it’s better for the environment to keep everything in balance.”  All animals are born in the spring and are raised with their mothers and herd-mates. They are then finished out on high quality forage including lush grasses, alfalfas and clovers.

As members of both Animal Welfare Approved and American Grassfed Association, the family strives to maintain the highest level of health and care for their animals.  “Having a consistent set of standards for producers to follow allows us to send a positive message to our customers.  Animals don’t have to and should not be raised in a feedlot environment.  They are grazers.  They can be raised humanely and without harmful additives,” says Chad.

In order to continue producing their flavorful grassfed meat, the family is teaching the fifth generation about agriculture. With demand for grassfed meat growing, Chad plans for his family to continue supplying it into the future, stating, “Agriculture is more than a job for us … it is a passion.”