The meat of the matter

The stakes — and steaks — have never been higher in the beef industry, and no one understands that better than Bryson Burtnett, whose family owns the Parker County Beef Company in Springtown.

Burtnett spoke to Rotary Club of Azle members Thursday, July 9, about the various challenges facing today’s ranchers and the inspiration that led the Burtnett family to pursue its own beef company.

According to Burtnett, America’s beef industry is the largest agricultural sector in the United States — and the most vulnerable. He explained that the U.S. cattle herd stood at 86.7 million head in January 2025 — the smallest since the early 1950s — even though consumer demand has grown 9% over the past decade.