About Us
Who we are
We are Katie and Nathaniel Zastrow, and Hackberry Hill Ranch is our home.
After years of talking about moving out to the country to pursue a lifelong dream of owning our own ranch, we decided (with three small children at home and a pandemic sweeping the nation) to go for it. We moved to “The Hill” in 2021 and never looked back. The ranch has provided us an opportunity to connect with nature, be a part of the change we wish to see, and has allowed our children to grow and thrive in more ways than we could have imagined.
As we grew into our role as a family ranch, we saw firsthand how beneficial the connection between man and his herd is to the ultimate goal of putting good food on our family’s table. We give our cattle what they need to be the healthiest and happiest herd: space, freedom, respect, and lots of love. Delivering these pillars is our responsibility and it’s a job we take seriously.
Our passion is to share our journey with you, providing a firsthand perspective of the beef industry. We may be a small ranch, but we know we are doing our small part in creating a world where consumers prioritize health, animal livelihood, and land restoration.
What we believe
- We believe in sharing our story and being open to questions. Feel free to reach out anytime. We will be honest (and not just tell you what you want to hear so we can make the sale) because you should be able to find the producer that fits your priorities.
- Cattle are meant to live in open pasture, not in confinement. Our animals spend their lives rotating through our pastures. This not only leads to happier cows, but also puts healthier, tastier beef on your table.
- In every decision we make, we strive to do right by our land, animals, and customers. We are stewards first and foremost and that is not a role we take lightly.
- The herd is doing us a service, and we need to respect that and be thankful for it. We show this by spending time with our herd every day to ensure their health and safety. Showing respect means being there, treating everyone with kindness and patience, and honoring their needs.
- Small is an advantage, not a setback. We can give our animals the one on one time they deserve that larger operations could never do.
Our Herd
We run a herd of about fifty cattle. About half of that herd is a group of core mamas who we believe to be some of the best mothers you’ll ever meet. These ladies work together to care for their calves every year as one village of love and protection. Most of our mamas are Angus/Akaushi cross, which means we are able to raise premium quality beef with Akaushi characteristics (high levels of the marbling, exceptional flavor profile, buttery texture, etc.), while holding on to the mothering qualities that Angus are known for. Our bull Sancho is a full blood Akaushi stud who furthers that high standard in our beef.
Due to our size we are a small batch operation. By keeping our herd on the small side, we can observe our cattle daily, making us better ranchers and the herd more comfortable with us. We give our cattle the care they need and our attention focused on what matters because we are not splitting our time and resources. You can tell our cattle are raised with love because many of them behave like our dogs, asking for treats and scratches while coming to specific calls.
Pasture raised simply means no overcrowding and space to roam. Our cows live on pasture their entire lives—no pens, no lots, no force feeding. They always have the freedom and space to wander or graze as they please. We finish our beef with high quality grain grown here in Texas to help boost that mouth watering marbling.