| The Thomas Ranch is part of a Land Grant
from the King of Spain, and has been continually
ranched for over 150 years by the same family.
So it was not out of the ordinary that the
Thomas Ranch become the home of Charolais
Cattle in 1936. The Thomas Ranch, located
in deep south Texas is spread over 7,160
acres and is home to over 1,000 head of Charolais
cattle. Nestled between the Gulf of
Mexico and the Mexican border, south Texas
ranching conditions are usually very demanding.
Harl and Maria Thomas became interested in
the big white cattle and purchased Charolais
from the Pubiget herd in Mexico in 1936.
Harl Thomas is credited with being one of
the original importers of Charolais Cattle
and one of the founders of the American International
Charolais Association. |
|
Billy Thomas was born in Brownsville, Texas
in 1930. Despite his urban beginnings
, it was not long until Billy and his family
moved to the ranch in 1936. In the
same year that Billy arrived at the ranch,
so did Charolais cattle and both have been
there ever since. Billy has spent a
lifetime raising Charolais Cattle and nurturing
the ranching heritage that has always been
part of his life. Billy spends every
day overseeing the ranching operations.
This includes managing the employees and
supervising the farming operations.
Billy, through the years, has made the ranch
more self-sufficient by purchasing irrigated
farm land and growing the corn and hay that
are fed on the ranch. This has been
very cost effective, but has increased his
duties; nevertheless, the job is always done.
With his days starting early and running
late, he is able to accomplish a myriad of
tasks on a daily basis. Even though the ranching
activities are numerous , Billy has always
made time to serve many organizations to
be worthy of many honors, and to be a devoted
husband and father. Billy has served
on the board of the American International
Charolais Association and has held the office
of Treasurer. He has also served on
the boards of the American Brahman Breeders
Association and the Pan-American Zebu Association
where he served as President. He is
a member of the Charolais Herd Book of Mexico
and was honored by the French Charolais Herd
Book in 1991 for his devotion and service
to the Charolais breed. Billy has truly been
devoted to the ranch, his family and his
cattle for over 60 years. This devotion
and love has made the three what they are
today and what they will be in the future. |
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The livestock business, specifically the
Charolais breed, has been an integral part
of the Thomas Family. In 1991, at age
22, Mitch Thomas represented the third generation
elected to serve the breed. From the
beginning, Mitch has been influenced by Charolais
cattlemen. While growing up on the
ranch, he learned lifelong lessons about
raising and selling white cattle. Most
importantly Billy imparted to Mitch, to become
an advocate for commercial cattlemen.. "We're
in business today because we realize that
Charolais cattle are the most popular terminal
sire breed in the county," Mitch says.
"We are true cow people. The cows
are my only source of income and if it doesn't
work for me, it won't work, he adds."
Feeding commercial cattle and running stockers
are additional aspects of their livestock
program. "Since we feed our own
cattle, we are able to track from conception
to consumer," Mitch says. The
results are compiled and given to their customers.
Thomas Charolais sells 500 bulls private
treaty each year, primarily to commercial
clients. The Texas A&M animal science
graduate credits his early involvement in
the National FFA Organization for developing
his leadership skills. While attending
college, Mitch was elected State FFA Vice-President.
That experience, traveling Texas representing
the youth organization and delivering motivational
speeches, set the stage for future leadership
assignments. After five years as an area
director, Mitch's peers on the 17-member
AICA Board selected him to lead the organization.
Most recently, the young cattleman was re-elected
for his second one-year term. During
Mitch's terms as president he has strived
to give more credibility to EPD numbers through
the Genetic Improvement Program. Mitch
believes just as his father that the Charolais
breed is well positioned for the next century.
Today Thomas Charolais Inc. is
definately a family run operation. Billy and his wife Claudette are both
extremely active in the ranching operation. Mitch oversees the day to day
activities along with his wife Linda. Mitch and Linda have three beautiful
daughters, Morgan Ashley Thomas and the twins Logan Tonnyre Thomas and Lauren
Michelle Thomas. Tonnyre, Billy and Claudette's daughter, has now moved back
to the Ranch from Dallas with her husband David Joe. Tonnyre is an attorney
who helps with the ranch and David, who is also an attorney, has opened a
law office in nearby Harlingen. Tonnyre and David have two children, Royse
William Thomas Joe and Claudette Elizabeth Joe.
There are now three generations actively involved at the Thomas Ranch. The
love of ranching and the Charolais breed will definitely continue. We will
strive to bring our customers the highest genetic standards and all that the
advancing cattle industry dictates. |
