A bit about us…
Family-owned and operated, we raise our cattle on the native grasses along the Big Sur Coast.
By family-operated we mean that our babies have been “helping” us move cows, check water, and deliver beef since they were bumps. Our folks showed us the ropes and are integral to our operation. There are a lot of reasons we do this work, but being able to run this show as a family is at the core of what we do.
Chris Moon was born and raised on a cattle ranch in Big Sur, CA, and has been ranching for the majority of his life. His first job as a teenager was working on ranches in Carmel Valley. In his early 20s, he worked on a 25,000 acre/ 500 cow ranch in Eastern Oregon where he further developed his knowledge of sensitive ecological zones, overgrazing, and managing a large number of cattle. He then spent ten years in the US Army, the majority of that time as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Infantry. Some of the most important skills learned while being in a leadership role were planning, coordination, and communication with multiple entities while being in a stressful situation. Those skills have been very beneficial over the past few years while working with multiple organizations and land owners to graze effectively and sustainably.
Chris and Hannah Moon started Lonely Bull Cattle Co. in 2020 with 15 cows and a Lonely Bull. They currently run about 260 cows on twelve different leases in Big Sur and Carmel Valley. Kaladin (4) & Dale Moon (2) are excellent budding ranch hands who specialize in counting the cows and adding artwork to the ear tags at brandings.
Tradition
From traditional branding practices to familial recipes we take great joy and pride in the maintenance of tradition. We see great value in the fact that many of the cattle ranching ways continue to have relevance today.
Enviornment
We understand that cows get a bad rap, but regenerative grazing practices can positively impact the landscape and environment. Fire mitigation, carbon sequestration, invasive species mitigation, and soil health are some of the benefits of a well-managed grazing operation with a focus on the environment and restorative practices.
Community
We partner with public and private institutions and individuals to share the benefits of livestock grazing. We seek to be a visible part of the community, sharing resources, knowledge, and quality beef.
Member:
California Cattle Association
Monterey County Cattlemen’s Association
Farmer Veteran Coalition