Jan. 15, 2026

This piece is sponsored by Vanguard Hospitality.

There’s only one South Dakota ranch now certified to carry a label that doubles as a powerful seal of approval.

Fifth-generation Hadrick Ranch has been producing exceptional beef near Faulkton since 1910. The family uniquely blends ranching know-how with modern genetics technology to create an elite, award-winning Angus cowherd that produces some of the nation’s highest-quality meat.

Now, all its beef can carry the Certified Angus Beef brand through the organization’s Ranch to Table program. Hadrick Ranch is the first ranch in South Dakota to be certified through the program.

“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 owns the ranch along with his wife, Stacy, and their three children.

“The Ranch to Table program offered by Certified Angus Beef helps to provide that information, which was key in our decision to go through the certification process. 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.”

Through the Certified Angus Beef Ranch to Table program, ranchers can go through an application process to have their beef carry the CAB label. To be eligible, ranchers must be members of the American Angus Association, maintain a cowherd primarily influenced by registered Angus genetics, submit a current Beef Quality Assurance or equivalent program certificate and provide standard procedures from their processor.

Cattle going through the program must meet the brand’s live-animal evaluation — be black hided, for example — and carcasses must meet the brand’s 10 specifications verified by a USDA grader.

It was the carcass grade requirement that was the roadblock to getting the Ranch to Table certification for the Hadricks. The beef Hadricks market through their restaurant and consumer business is processed through an independent facility.

While all their beef is inspected for food safety protocols by a USDA inspector, there wasn’t an opportunity to offer the optional quality grade. The Hadricks worked with their processor — The Meathouse in Andover — to enable a USDA inspector to provide a quality grade on their carcasses. That step helped the couple complete the carcass requirement necessary for the Ranch to Table designation.

“Now you don’t have to take our word for it that our beef is pretty darn good. Now it’s also going to have that Certified Angus Beef label on it, so it’s all now official at this point,” Hadrick said. “This is a great way forward for us as our ranch continues to evolve. Our kids are the sixth generation to operate this ranch, and it’s exciting to have them be part of this.“

For Sioux Falls-based Vanguard Hospitality, the Hadricks’ success is like celebrating a family business with people who have come to feel like family.

“We’ve truly loved partnering with them, beginning in 2021 and growing ever since,” chief operating officer Tim Meagher said. “They take the same level of care for their operation that we do with our culinary work, and it’s been an honor to introduce their beef to thousands of Sioux Falls diners.”

This month marks the perfect time to try Hadrick beef because it’s featured in Minervas’ Downtown Burger Battle entry.

The Don Corleone’s Vendetta Royale: Minervas Edition Burger features a Hadrick Ranch premium Angus beef patty, alongside lamb ragu Bolognese that’s sourced from Prairie Coteau Farm in Astoria. It’s served on a garlic herb brioche bun with sun-dried tomato basil aioli, mozzarella, Parmesan fondue, smoked paprika, cracked black pepper and basil oil.

Want to try a different take on it? The permanent menu includes the Triple Smash Burger with smashed Hadrick Ranch beef patties, melted cheddar, caramelized onions, house pickles, mustard and aioli on a garlic herb buttered brioche bun.

“We’ve always known the Hadricks’ beef is worthy of the Certified Angus label,” Meagher said. “But it’s so rewarding to see them recognized for generations of doing their work at such a high level.”

“We’re so grateful to all of the people that made this happen,” Stacy Hadrick said. “The people at Certified Angus Beef have been great at guiding us through the program. We’re also thankful for the people at The Meathouse for working with us and to our partners at Vanguard Hospitality for agreeing to help us market our product.”

Take it to go

Want to enjoy Hadrick Ranch in your own kitchen?

Grille 26 sells Hadrick Ranch ground beef in 1.5-pound packages, perfect for burger nights and winter comfort-food dishes.

You’ll also find Hadrick Ranch beef on the Grille 26 burger menu. Try the Ranch Burger with Hadrick Ranch Angus, cheddar, barbecue sauce, Applewood bacon and haystack onions, or use it to build your own burger with your choice of toppings.

For information on the Ranch to Table program, visit here.