By Shelby Shank
Field Editor
Fifth-generation farmer Zachary Mengers is continuing his family’s legacy in Tynan.
His family began farming in Bee County in 1911 when they immigrated from Germany. Since then, the farm has been passed down, each generation adding its own chapter to the legacy.
“When my dad and uncle took over the farm, they inherited about 700 acres from my grandfather,” Mengers said. “We’ve been able to grow it a couple thousand acres since then.”
Now, Mengers is building on that legacy, growing crops like grain sorghum and raising American Wagyu cattle. He also grows corn, cotton and sesame.
A staple crop for South Texas
Grain sorghum is a drought-tolerant crop well-suited to the hot, dry climate of South Texas, and it’s a key part of Mengers’ crop rotation.
“It can handle drought and heat way better than corn or cotton. It’s a must-have for us,” he said.
He typically plants sorghum in February, right after planting corn.
“We get it in as early as we can, so we don’t have to spray as much, because the more you spray, the more money you throw away,” he said.
Harvest begins in late June or early July.
“Up north in the Corn Belt, they have a saying their corn needs to be knee high by the Fourth of July, and where we are, we want to be harvesting by July,” Mengers said.
But weather can make harvest unpredictable.
Mengers aims to harvest his sorghum at 16% moisture, but unexpected heat showers can delay that process.
“A white cloud can turn into a rain shower within minutes, especially with the humidity that builds off the coast,” he said. “It can shut you down for a day or a couple of hours.”
A single day lost of harvest can cause major setbacks, and too much moisture can ruin the crop.
Still, Mengers keeps a level head when it comes to weather.
“Sometimes I drive my dad crazy because I don’t worry about it. I can’t control the rain,” he said. “I can control what I plant, how I plant it, and how I harvest. But in the end, we’re gambling on if it’s going to rain or not.”
That risk, he said, is just a part of farming.
“Whenever I describe farming to people, I say we’re the biggest gamblers,” Mengers said. “You put everything out there and hope to harvest something.”
From pasture to plate
In addition to farming, Mengers’ family has always raised cattle. But after college, Mengers saw an opportunity to take the operation in a new direction.
He launched a direct-to-consumer beef business focused on American Wagyu to diversify the farm and increase profitability.
Today, the operation includes about 200 head.
By crossbreeding Wagyu bulls with Brangus cows, Mengers raises beef known for its rich marbling and exceptional flavor.
“Wagyu is genetically built for marbling. The Angus helps with growth, and the Brahman can handle our heat. It’s the perfect blend for South Texas,” he said.
And marbling matters.
“Marbling equals flavor and tenderness,” Mengers said. “It’s the difference between having to cut your steak with a knife or a fork.”
A legacy of hard work
For Mengers, the goal isn’t just about crops and cattle. It’s about strong family and agricultural values and passing the legacy of hard work and perseverance down to his twin sons and third child on the way.
“The one thing I want to pass down to my children is that hard work pays off,” he said. “Agriculture is hands-on. It’s not easy, but there’s purpose in it.”
And there’s no better place to teach that to his kids, Mengers said, than on the land that shaped him.
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