The Legacy of South Dakota’s Hadrick Ranch: Pioneering Certified Angus Beef Excellence
Sioux Falls diners now have a unique opportunity to savor premium beef right from South Dakota’s own Hadrick Ranch. Nestled near Faulkton, Hadrick Ranch has been a beacon of excellence in cattle ranching since its establishment in 1910. Known for blending traditional ranching expertise with cutting-edge genetics, the ranch takes pride in carrying the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) label through the prestigious Ranch to Table program. This feat marks Hadrick Ranch as the first in the state to achieve such a distinction, emphasizing South Dakota’s persistent drive towards agricultural excellence.
Troy Hadrick
“We know consumers are always talking about opportunities to understand where their beef comes from while still being able to verify the quality of that beef,” said Troy Hadrick, who, along with his wife, Stacy, and their three children, owns and operates the fifth-generation ranch. The rigorous Ranch to Table program, pioneered by Certified Angus Beef, presents a prime opportunity to enhance transparency and assure customers of the superior quality of their beef products.
Hadrick Ranch’s achievement is a testament to South Dakota’s agricultural innovation. The Ranch to Table program requires ranchers to maintain a cowherd influenced by registered Angus genetics and fulfill comprehensive criteria, from animal evaluation to precise carcass specifications verified by a USDA grader. The Hadricks collaborated with The Meathouse in Andover to meet these standards, adding a USDA quality grade to their process.
Stacy Hadrick
Their success also resonates in Sioux Falls, where local diners can indulge in Hadrick Ranch beef featured in Vanguard Hospitality’s restaurants. With dishes like Minervas’ Don Corleone’s Vendetta Royale: Minervas Edition Burger, which stars a premium Angus beef patty from Hadrick Ranch, it’s clear that South Dakota’s culinary scene is thriving. January is especially exciting, with the Downtown Burger Battle highlighting these partnerships.
Grille 26 also provides enthusiasts the chance to bring a taste of South Dakota excellence into their kitchens, offering Hadrick Ranch ground beef in 1.5-pound packages—a perfect choice for winter comfort dishes.
Vanguard Hospitality has been instrumental in showcasing Hadrick beef since 2021, emphasizing a shared commitment to quality that mirrors the local dedication to agriculture in South Dakota.
As the Ranch to Table certification elevates the profile of Hadrick Ranch on a national scale, it’s a celebration for South Dakotans and a nod to the state’s ongoing agricultural leadership. “We’re extremely excited that we can start putting the Certified Angus Beef logo on our beef packages and grateful that CAB had the vision to bring this program forward,” Troy Hadrick remarked.
Beyond beef quality, the Ranch to Table program fortifies connections across generations and partner sectors, underpinning South Dakota’s vibrant agricultural heritage. The Hadricks’ children represent the sixth generation destined to take this legacy forward, ensuring South Dakota stays at the forefront of America’s beef industry innovation.
South Dakota welcomes this high standard of beef production, not just as an endorsement of quality, but as a reflection of the community’s dedication to sustainable and transparent farming practices. As Troy and Stacy Hadrick continue to bring Hadrick Ranch into new heights of success, their journey becomes a cornerstone of South Dakota’s proud ranching narrative, connecting past, present, and future generations through the simple, enduring pleasure of an exceptional cut of beef.
Whether you’re a lifelong South Dakotan or visiting the vibrant Sioux Falls food scene, experiencing the tender, flavorful excellence of Hadrick Ranch beef is a culinary delight not to be missed.