Commitment to Quality From Pasture to Plate

Roger and Nikki Callison are both multi-generational ranchers who have devoted their lives to agriculture and their ranching heritage. They planted roots in southeastern Oklahoma over 20 years ago and have built multiple businesses that keep them both actively engaged in the industry. Each business operates in multiple sectors of the industry to, ultimately, produce an end product of high-quality beef for consumers.

“We love our cattle and the land,” Nikki said. “Growing up, my family’s ranch motto was: ‘Raisin’ kids, cattle and quality horses,’ and that’s exactly the heritage they passed on.”

The Callisons have a deep respect for their herd and their land, which is evidenced by their dedication to the stewardship of both. Roger was raised helping his father and grandfather with their cattle operations; Nikki was raised on a sizable ranch as well. They cherish the ranching lifestyle and understand the accompanying hard work.

“When Roger and I were dating, I would go with him to feed his small herd of heifers every evening,” Nikki said. “We dreamed of building a family and a ranch of our own. Over the last 20-plus years, we have built a life together and have significantly expanded our herd. Roger is known for literally doing anything it takes to meet the needs of our cattle.”

After graduating from Oklahoma State University, Roger took a job in the grain and feed industry in Guthrie, Oklahoma. After seven years, he started an agricultural commodity business in Ada, Oklahoma. The company: connects feed ingredient and fertilizer manufacturers to farmers, ranchers and end users; and provides agricultural commodities to producers and businesses across the Midwest. 

For the Callisons, diversification is a foundational component of their business plan. In addition to the commodity business, the Callisons operate a feed store, their commercial cow-calf herd, a stocker-calf operation and the direct-to-consumer beef business.

Nikki’s grandfather Ray Tucker was an Oklahoma rancher and a state representative. Her grandparents saw the need and benefit of families buying beef directly from the ranch. They called their business “Rancher’s Beef” and sold it directly to consumers as early as 1970. The Callisons continue her grandparents’ legacy today by offering beef directly from their ranch to consumers across the country.

The Callisons’ direct-to-consumer beef business started in 2018. They had a surplus supply of beef in the freezer and multiple local consumers requesting beef by the quarter or half. Initially, they started selling beef to friends and neighbors. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, demand skyrocketed; the Callisons amplified their outreach and the business flourished.

When the Callisons wean their home-raised calves, a portion of them get shipped to the feedyard and another portion are finished on the ranch and butchered locally. They pride themselves on the diligent care of their herd. They don’t take shortcuts. The Callisons produce high-quality, high-marbled beef that is grass fed and grain finished.

Their priority is their customers’ confidence in the origin, care and quality of their product. Callison Ranch ships beef all over the nation, and local customers drive directly to the ranch to buy the beef.

“We diligently care for our cattle and the land they enjoy,” Nikki said. “Our cattle graze wide-open fields and drink fresh water their entire lives. From our pasture to your plate, you can confidently know where your food comes from and how it was cared for.”

Roger understands how important land stewardship is to his livelihood. He emphasizes pasture management, fertility and the relationship to the stocking rates on their operation.

“We’re grass farmers,” Roger said. “We try to produce as much high-quality grass as we can for our cattle.”

Roger knows there are misconceptions when it comes to investing in pasture management and soil fertility. He hears producers question the return on investment, but he knows the value of clean pastures and has seen the return in the form of pounds of beef in his operation.

“You have to get rid of the weeds, so you can grow more forages and add more pounds to your calves,” Roger said. “With the price of cattle in the last few years, you can’t afford not to do it.”

He justifies the input costs by their additional forage availability.

“Our goal is to raise the highest-quality forage we can and have an extra two weeks in the spring to graze, because we have winter annuals and add an extra two weeks in the fall to graze,” Roger said. “We’ve taken good care of our pastures, so we’ve got more grass out there.”

Clean pastures and quality forages support their beef business. Roger relies on GrazonNext® HL herbicide to control weeds like buttercup, cocklebur and ragweed in their pastures. He deploys Remedy® Ultra herbicide to tackle tough brush problems like hedge and hackberry. These herbicides can be tank-mixed to broaden the brush control spectrum and control understory broadleaf weeds.

He also values the time and money saved by using impregnated fertilizer on his pastures with UltiGraz℠ Pasture Weed & Feed with DuraCor® herbicide. He encourages local producers to adopt the practice through his feed store as well. Retailers and custom applicators offering UltiGraz, like Roger, complete extensive education and training to become certified by Corteva Agriscience, committing to the highest standards of blending and application for consistent results. 

“When we started to mix fertilizer with herbicides, it changed the game,” Roger said. “The practice keeps gaining traction every year because of the monetary and time savings.”

The Callisons are immersed in agriculture from all angles. They have developed their businesses from the ground up. Their goal is unwavering: Honor the ranching heritage, be good stewards of the land and produce a high-quality, trusted product for the consumer.

You can keep up with Callison Ranch online at CallisonRanchBeef.com, Facebook or Instagram.

To keep reading producer stewardship stories, visit RangeAndPasture.com/Steward.

Under normal field conditions, DuraCor^® is nonvolatile. DuraCor and GrazonNext^® HL have no grazing or haying restrictions for any class of livestock, including lactating dairy cows, horses (including lactating mares) and meat animals prior to slaughter. Label precautions apply to forage treated with DuraCor or GrazonNext HL and to manure and urine from animals that have consumed treated forage. Consult the label for full details. DuraCor and GrazonNext HL are not registered for sale or use in all states. GrazonNext HL is not for sale, distribution or use in New York state and San Luis Valley of Colorado. State restrictions on the sale and use of Remedy^® Ultra apply. Consult the label before purchase or use for full details.  UltiGraz^℠ with fertilizer is available for use with specific herbicides in the states of AL, AR, CO, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, KS, KY, LA, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NV, OK, OR, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV and WY. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions.