Santos Patronos’ challenge: Building a world-class Wagyu operation from humble beginnings while maintaining superior genetics and meeting ambitious farm-to-fork goals.
How Vytelle helped: Delivered exceptional IVF results with nearly 1,000 oocytes harvested, 520 sent to lab, and 65 viable embryos produced from their first OPU procedure.
About Santos Patronos Ranch:
Located in Seguin, Texas, Santos Patronos Ranch is a family-owned operation dedicated to producing the finest Wagyu eating experience in the world. The ranch combines premium cattle production with hospitality, featuring a retail store and plans for wholesale expansion.
The challenge:
When Ray Thomas Junior’s parents purchased Santos Patronos Ranch five years ago, they started with just one bull and one female. The family had ambitious plans to produce the finest Wagyu in the world, but traditional breeding methods would take decades to build the herd size needed for their farm-to-fork vision.
The solution: On-farm OPU
After meeting Vice President of Operations at Vytelle, Dr Bruno Sanches at San Antonio CattleCon, ranch manager Jeff Coatney recognised that Vytelle’s IVF technology could dramatically accelerate their breeding program. The ranch had reached a critical milestone with 22 potential donor females, making them ready for their first Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) procedure.
“After meeting Bruno, we really got excited about the fact that we could have Vytelle come out to the ranch and do an OPU for us,” Jeff explains.
The Vytelle team travelled to Santos Patronos Ranch to perform the procedure on-site, ensuring minimal stress for the animals and delivering impressive results. During their initial session, they processed 22 donor females and harvested nearly 1,000 oocytes. Of those, 520 were sent to the lab, ultimately resulting in 65 viable embryos.
“We ended up with about 65. Five of them, we put in fresh seven days later,” Jeff added, highlighting the success of both the fresh and frozen embryo programs and the seamless integration of Vytelle’s technology into their breeding strategy.
“Our motto is changing lives one bite at a time,” said Ray Thomas. “Dr. Sanches loved that and wanted to help us make it real.”
Partnering with Vytelle has fast-tracked Santos Patronos Ranch’s rise in the premium Wagyu market. Their IVF program has accelerated herd growth, preserved elite genetics, and ensured a steady supply for both retail and wholesale channels.
The history and the future
Ray Thomas Senior’s roots in ranching run deep in the Chihuahua desert, where his extended family owns vast cattle ranches and operates a customs brokerage that exports thousands of head of cattle and imports tons of agricultural products each year.
This foundation in ranching shaped Ray’s approach to business and hospitality, and while practicing law successfully in Texas, he and his partners owned and operated a ranch in South Texas, which they developed into a private resort. The ranch offered whitetail, turkey, quail and dove hunting, sport clay shooting, and fabulous meals in a beautiful lodge. Ray and his family hosted countless VIP guests at the ranch, including elected officials at every level, famous artists and religious leaders.
Today, that love of hosting, great food, and a childhood in ranching has evolved into a family enterprise, Santos Patronos.
Before assuming his role as Vice President of Sales and Hospitality, Ray Junior attended culinary school in Florence, Italy, ensuring a deep understanding of how to best present the end product. Sandra, the matriarch, is responsible for the immaculate design and finish of the lodge and other construction, while his sister Hanna manages supply chain and social media.
“We’re in the business of raising Wagyu for food, but we have huge respect for our animals and treat them with compassion and care by making sure they are as comfortable and stress-free as possible,” Ray Senior explains. “Our animals are pampered. The marbling is superior. The result of our labor of love is pure succulence.”