Cattle and Horse Industries Lose Legend
Livestock Industry Legend R.A. 'Rob' Brown, Jr. Dies
REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- A legend in the cattle and horse industries, Texas rancher R.A. "Rob" Brown, Jr., has died.
Owner of the R.A. Brown Ranch, a family-owned business established in 1895, Brown was active in the registered and commercial cattle business, as well as the Quarter Horse industry. He was presented awards such as the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Remuda Award; Beef Improvement Federation Seedstock Producer of the year in 1993; the NCBA's Centennial Cattle Business of the Century Award in 1998; the Livestock Publication's Council Headliner award in 1999; NCBA's 2002 Vision Award; AQHA Hall of Fame in 2004; and was inducted into the Saddle and Sirloin Portrait Club in 2018.
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Brown was the first graduate in his family, graduating with a degree in Animal Husbandry from Texas Tech University in 1958. Following graduation, he and wife, Peggy, also a Texas Tech graduate, returned to the ranch near Throckmorton, Texas, to join his family in running the operation. There they raised four children. The ranch included a Quarter Horse breeding program; seedstock herds of various cattle breeds; a commercial cow-calf herd; stocker, cattle feeding and wheat farming operations.
Besides being involved in raising his children and livestock, Brown was committed to service, holding many roles in various organizations including: NCBA director; AQHA director and president; president of the American Simmental Association; and president of the Senepol Cattle Breeders Association. He is considered a pioneer in hybrid and composite breeds including SimAngus and Hotlanders.
R.A. "Rob" Brown, Jr., died on Nov. 7, 2025, at the age of 89. He had a lot of pride in his family and is survived by his wife of 68 years, Peggy, and children Betsy Bellah and husband, Jody; Rob. A Brown, and wife, Talley; Marianne McCartney, and husband, Todd; and Donnell Brown, and wife, Kelli; as well as 17 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the First Methodist Church in Throckmorton, Texas, at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 2025.
Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com
Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal
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