Gryphon Ranch is not like any other ranch in Arizona for many reasons. First this is the only commercial Scottish Highland operation in the state. The entire fold is purebred registered Scottish Highland.   Second, the ranch holds three national certifications – Humanely Raised and Handled, American Grass Fed and Quality Highland Beef. Twice a year the ranch has inspectors come to renew these certifications. Third, the small size of the ranch would not seem possible to support a viable commercial operation, but Gryphon Ranch has carved out a direct sales niche market in Arizona for Grass Fed Grass Finished Quality Highland beef.

According to a study by Charles Bruce at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, Highland beef was shown to be almost 23% more tender than commercial beef. It also contained almost 7% more protein, 17% more iron and averaged 4% less cholesterol.  Many restaurants, including the Biltmore Hotel, want to highlight this amazing unique beef.  However, due to the Humanely Raised and Handled certification the animals are butchered at the ranch by a licensed butcher so this wonderful tasty meat can be enjoyed only by direct customers with a minimum order of a quarter.

Gryphon Ranch operations started in Arizona in 2014 when Jim and Carol Ptak moved their breeding stock from Rochester, WA. They quickly learned that pretty much everything they knew about growing forage and ranching from Washington didn’t apply in Arizona. Still they persevered with the help of a couple neighbors from the Ranch Creek Canyon to the south and the fold grew and flourished under these tough conditions. 

Highland cattle are one of the oldest breeds in the world, originating from Scotland as far back as the 6th century. The extremely harsh conditions of the rugged, remote Scottish Highlands created a process of natural selection, where only the fittest and most adaptable animals survived to carry on the breed. The breed is characterized by traits of hardiness, self-sufficiency and longevity. Their double hair coat is a tremendous asset in adverse weather and is believed to be the reason why they have limited external fat cover. This means less to trim from carcasses and more value retained. The horns not only give them their majestic looks but are helpful with predator control. These cattle have strong maternal instincts and protect their young. These attributes allowed the cattle to quickly adapt to the Arizona climate.

Website www.gryphonranch.com