About Us
45 Years of Heritage & Tradition
Breeding Black Polled Limousin Since 1974
Begert Ranch is an individually owned and operated working cattle ranch. Hiram Begert and his family have raised black polled registered Limousin cattle on this ranch since 1974 when they first crossed their Angus-based females to fullblood Limousin bulls.
Today, this Limousin cattle operation consists of more than 450 black, purebred, polled Limousin females, making it one of the largest all-black Limousin herds in the United States. The ranch is located in the eastern Texas Panhandle in Hemphill County. The Washita River meanders through the center of the ranch with large cottonwood, hackberry and native elm trees framing huge vistas. The terrain is as diverse as the wildlife that call the ranch home. We invite you to schedule a visit to the ranch we call home.
Our Story
The Begert Family has ranched in the Allison area since 1944, and Hiram and Darenda Begert have operated the land in this location since 1969. They are a true fourth-generation family ranch with the help of their son and partner, Bret, and his wife Hayley, and their two children, McKinley and Boone.
Our Mission
The Begert’s primary goal for this Hemphill County ranch is to operate a profitable registered Limousin cattle operation and to maintain high-quality wildlife habitat with current population levels of key species such as bobwhite quail, Rio Grande turkey and white-tailed deer.
Accomplishments & Endeavors Toward Stewardship of Land and Wildlife
- Effectively using the grazing tools of rest, rotation, cross-fencing and water development to improve the overall productivity of their ranch for livestock and wildlife.
- Have achieved steady increases in plant vigor, plant diversity, cattle stocking rates and numbers and classes of wildlife through management.
- Continuing to implement habitat recommendations on a “pay as you go basis” through periodic consultations with resource advisors, planned brush management, riparian enhancement projects and planned use of fire when and where practical with the grazing system.
- Accomplished a turn-key restoration of old ranch home used as a lodge for guests and located in close proximity to a pristine playa wetland (one of only a few in the county).
- Instituted a restrictive harvest system to perpetuate deer buck quality as a function of antler size, age and field-dressed body weights.
- Cooperators with Texas Prairie Rivers Region, Inc. to promote nature tourism and conservation of land, water, and wildlife resources in the Canadian area.
- Working toward achievement of a long-term financial goal for their wildlife enterprise program through leasing for deer and turkey hunting and appreciative wildlife use.
- Cooperators with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA, Hemphill County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Texas Cooperative Extension.
- True innovators, first in the registered Limousin cattle business, including holding offices in state and national organizations: and now, in the local promotion and advocacy of healthy rangelands to promote wildlife and livestock resources.
- Lonestar Land Stewardship Award Winner of the Rolling Plains.
- “The Begert Family typifies the rugged individualism that was prevalent in the quiet, hard-working people that settled the Southern Great Plains. They are full of good cheer, hospitality, reverence for God and country, humility and a deep respect for the land,” said Gene T. Miller, TPWD Technical Guidance Biologist and nominator. “The health, beauty and productivity of their property clearly demonstrates stewardship.”
