Five years ago, Bethany and Dustin Hennard took a leap of faith. They purchased some land and cattle, packed up their lives in Central Arkansas, and moved Southwest to De Queen, fully embracing small-town life and launching a cow-calf operation.
Though the two were learning many lessons as first-generation ranchers, Dustin was no stranger to Kubota equipment. As a construction company owner and homebuilder, he took 15 years as a Kubota customer right into this next endeavour on the ranch, investing in a M6-111, M7-154 Deluxe, BV5200, and SVL75-3 to meet the demands of the land and animals.
The Hennards journey took a meaningful turn when the two began to look deeper into the foods they were feeding themselves and their children. Bethany and Dustin purchased beef from a local ranch and were thoroughly impressed with the quality and taste. After gauging interest of friends and family, the couple recognized an opportunity to expand their business beyond cow-calf and into bulk beef sales. Bethany took a course on selling direct to consumer, built a website, and in 2024, Cypress Meadows Ranch was born.
With a set amount of pasture-raised beef available, Bethany and Dustin launched using a presale model. They shared the news among socials, and a viral TikTok brought hundreds of eager customers. Within 2 hours of opening purchases on the website, Cypress Meadows Ranch was sold out.
So what makes Cypress Meadows Ranch unique?
With 14 pastures, the Hennards practice rotational grazing that adapts to the season and forage demands. Depending on grass growth and herd needs, cattle are moved every few days to ensure both optimal animal well-being and continual land regeneration. Dustin and Bethany believe that ranching is about more than raising quality cattle, it’s about working with nature to return nutrients to the land.
Since beginning this endeavor, the two have relied heavily on their Kubota fleet. Managing the land and baling hay are vital to successful operations, and reliable Kubota equipment has made the two even more efficient. Whenever the Hennards have a question or need help, the team at River Valley Tractor has been awesome to work with.
The Cypress Meadow Ranch cattle/beef program is rooted in the Hennard’s cow-calf operation with every animal born and raised on the ranch. From birth to finish, the cows live on pasture. To ensure optimal flavor, a daily grain supplement is offered to finish. Since joining the cattle industry, Bethany and Dustin have learned so much about the terms marketed to consumers on food labels. In particular, the beef community has shown them that there’s a place and need for both grain finished and grass finished beef.
Today, Dustin and Bethany are on a mission to educate others. They’re committed to serving a broader community of families and teaching them the importance of quality beef. Since launching in 2024, the Hennards have shipped beef to customers in 26 different states. As their business continues to grow and expand, Dustin says Cypress Meadows Ranch is committed to being “good stewards to the land, property, and animals.”
