Round 2 Cattle Company hasn’t been around for long, but the owners are assuredly veterans. Located in Cameron, Round 2 Cattle Company is owned by Josh and Debra Gayheart, both having served years in the U.S. military.
Josh, who’s originally from Indiana, spent eight years in the Marine Corps. Debra, an Ohio native, is still in the Army. Round 2 Cattle Company is a venture the married couple has put a lot of thought into.
“It’s something we wanted to do for a while,” Josh, who tied the knot with Debra about two years ago, said. “We want to help people understand what they eat and where they’re getting it from.”
Having spent his youth in farm country, Josh brings valuable knowledge to the equation.
“I grew up a farm kid in the middle of nowhere,” he said.
North Carolina may not immediately come to mind when thinking about cattle, but Josh advised there’s a significant number of ranches in the state.
“There’s actually quite a few cattle farms around here,” he said. “Most are commercial.”
“There are about three or four that are direct to the consumer,” Debra added.
Round 2 Cattle Company can be included in that group. With a commitment to excellence as a mantra, the company offers pasture-raised beef. Customers can buy a whole cow, or one-quarter, one-half, or three-quarters of one. Local delivery is available.
All the company’s cows are registered and pedigreed. Each comes from one of two sources, both of which sell Hereford cattle.
“They’re both in North Carolina,” Josh said.
Founded by farmers in Herefordshire, England, almost 300 years ago, the Hereford breed marked a response to the demand for beef that came with industrialization. An emphasis was placed on efficient production, high yields and sound reproduction. Hereford cattle first came to the U.S. in 1817, with the objective of adding weight to native breeds and to have females that reproduced efficiently.
Before getting Round 2 Cattle Company launched officially in January – as was the case with the designing of the Hereford breed – much planning was required.
“We had the framework in place long before that,” Josh said.
The centerpiece of the framework is the company’s philosophy.
“We definitely put quality over quantity,” Josh said. “That provides better beef for the consumer. We want to get the best product to the consumer.”
Placing quality above quantity allows the couple to grow their business at a measured pace.
“It’s a few cows at a time,” Debra said. “We’re going to continue to grow as much as we can.”
In terms of marketing, Round 2 Cattle Company does have social media projects, but a full-scale blitz has yet to take place. The company, however, has made its objectives and origins clear to buyers.
“We’re passionate about what we do, and it’s our mission to provide you with the freedom to choose quality, American-bred beef you can trust. When you choose Round 2 Cattle Company, you’re not just getting great beef – you’re supporting a Veteran-owned business, sustainable farming practices, and the belief that how we treat our animals and our land matters,” it says on the Round 2 site.
To visit the site, go to https://www.round2cattleco.com/
Feature photo: Round 2 Cattle Company owners, Josh and Debra Gayheart. Photo provided.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Dave Lukow. Dave has been honored as both a lyricist and screenwriter. Among other publications he’s contributed to are the Buffalo News, JD Journal, Beckett Hockey, Seminole Player’s Life, Poker Pro, Walmart World, and All In.
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