If beef is what’s for dinner on your table, you can serve no finer product than the world-class, free-range beef from Lonesome Rock Ranch in Sisters. This boutique producer of premium, all-natural beef prides itself on their high quality, sustainability and commitment to excellence.
Originally formed as the Lonesome Rock Cattle Company in 2011 by partners Alec Gaynor and Scott Baldwin, it flourished in the coastal foothills of Yamhill County in the heart of the Willamette Valley, where their healthy herds were given the royal treatment and roamed free on 80 acres of green pasture land that had never been sprayed or fertilized.
Lonesome Rock relocated their entire operation to the high desert climate of Sisters three years ago, under the capable direction of owner-operator and herd manager, Alec Gaynor. Gaynor comes with decades of cattle-raising and management experience. He is an authentic cowboy who has helped choose which breeds of cattle will achieve the desired flavor profiles wanted and made decisions on their nutrition and humane harvesting. Together with his wife Yvette, and daughters Mattie and Molly, the Gaynors are living the western lifestyle, feeding a wealth of health-conscious Oregonians.
“Running cattle over there is terrible, it’s wet and muddy and so we moved the herd to the sunny side of the mountains,” said Gaynor. “We’re running about fifty head of cross-bred Angus and Simmental in Sisters and Powell Butte. One of the biggest challenges is to keep the end product affordable while keeping costs down. “On the hoof” beef prices have doubled over the past year and that’s due to low, 1950s-level cattle numbers in the United States. Global demand has increased exponentially and over the past decade older ranchers have really struggled to make ends meet.”
The Gaynor’s cattle graze strictly on natural pasture grass as well as legumes like clover and alfalfa. Harvested at the maturity age of 24-28 months, they’re supplemented 45 days prior with a locally grown cereal of wheat and barley. This formula is ideal for marbling, flavor attributes and omega-3 rich profile.”
Packaged beef is available in a wide variety of sizes and cuts, from rump roasts and Flatiron steaks to New York Strip and brisket .
“We believe that the natural quality of the feed they eat is what makes the beef that much better than the rest. They’re humanely treated and stress-free from start to finish. The main reason for our reputation is because we take so much care and time in our finished product. Even our ground beef is processed with higher-end cuts like top round, London broil, chuck and brisket, cuts you won’t find in supermarkets.”
All of Lonesome Rock Ranch beef is USDA certified, hormone-free and aged for 14-21 days before being carefully butchered by hand, then packaged for individual cut and finally “flash” frozen or wrapped fresh.
“What I love best about the beef industry is that it’s a family-oriented business and a great way to raise two girls,” said Gaynor. “ It’s a rewarding way to interact with customers, knowing we’re providing a safe, highly flavorful beef. I really do have happy cows, I gotta say that.”
Lonesome Rock beef is available at Melvin’s Fir Street Market in Sisters, The Tumalo Country Store in Tumalo, The Brown Owl in Bend, The Powell Butte Store and the General Store at Black Butte Ranch.
For more info or special holiday ordering contact Alec Gaynor at 541-420-4966 or on their Facebook page by clicking here.
Alec Gaynor
541-420-4966
