Misty Martin, Ag Communications Manager with the Texas Beef Council, reports that the R.A. Brown Ranch is featured in a new documentary-style video titled "Raising the Best: It's in the Genes" on its consumer website, TxBeef.org. The Throckmorton-based Browns have long, close ties to Texas Tech University and particularly to Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

VIDEO: Raising the Best: It's in the Genes

The R.A. Brown Ranch has been in operation since 1895. They raise registered Angus, Red Angus, SimAngus and Hotlander cattle. Hotlander is a four-breed composite developed on the ranch with the help of Texas Tech. Donnell Brown, who owns and manages the ranch, received his bachelor's degree in animal business from Texas Tech (1993). While at Tech, he served as the Texas FFA President, and later National FFA President.

He is currently a member of the CASNR Advisory Board, and received the Gerald W. Thomas Outstanding Agriculturalist Award (Agricultural Production) in 2011. He was previously named Throckmorton 'Citizen of the Year' and 'Top Young Farmer & Rancher of Texas' by the Texas Farm Bureau, along with receiving CASNR's Horizon Award.

Separately, R.A. Brown (Donnell's father) also has a close relationship to Tech and CASNR. He received his bachelor's degree in animal production (1958), and was the recipient of two major CASNR awards. He was honored with the Gerald W. Thomas Outstanding Agriculturalist Award (Agricultural Production) in 1970, and was honored with a CASNR Distinguished Alumni Award from the college (1987).

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Michael Galyean, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or michael.galyean@ttu.edu

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