After nearly four decades of ranching in West Texas, Johnny Ferguson is adding another venture to his already impressive portfolio: a meat market that promises to bring high-quality, locally sourced beef to the community. J&J Cattle Co. Mercantile, located at 102 N. Plaza in Big Lake, is set to celebrate its grand opening this Friday at noon, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
Ferguson, who first arrived in Big Lake in 1985, has long been a cornerstone of the local ranching community.
“I came to Big Lake with my saddle and bedroll and what clothes I had thrown behind the seat of my pickup,” Ferguson said. “My future wife Amy had gotten her first teaching job in Big Lake, so I came down to see her, never thinking it would be my home for now going on 40 years.”
From these humble beginnings, Ferguson’s operations have grown considerably. Over the years, he has managed and operated various ranches across Texas and beyond, including the Shannon Estate in Crockett County, where he first started in 1987.
“We were newlyweds and didn’t have phone service or a television, but it was probably one of the best times for us,” he said, reflecting on those early days.
Ferguson eventually became the manager of the Shannon Ranch, a role he held until 1998 when the Moorhouse Ranch Co. leased the property.
“There wasn’t a big change, and we had always worked cattle and operated about the same,” Ferguson said.
That same year, Ferguson partnered with John Moorhouse to form J&J Cattle Company, named after the initials of their first names, John and Johnny.
Today, J&J Cattle Company operates across approximately 100,000 acres in West Texas and Central Oklahoma, maintaining a herd of 1,500 to 1,700 mother cows.
The company’s calf crop is typically held over once weaned and carried to wheat pasture with the goal of reaching 800 pounds before being sent to a feedlot in the Texas Panhandle or to their ranch feedlot.
Last year alone, their calf crop produced around 2,000,000 pounds of live cattle, which equates to over 1,000,000 pounds of ranch-raised beef for consumption.
The opening of J&J Cattle Co. Mercantile is an extension of this deeply rooted tradition in ranching.
The store offers a wide variety of beef products, including fresh and frozen cuts, ground beef, beef jerky, and smoked sausage.
Ferguson is particularly proud of the quality of the beef, which is raised on grass and finished on grain to produce the right amount of marbling for tenderness and flavor.
“Our beef is ranch raised on grass and finished on grain, which will produce the right amount of marbling that will make it tender and taste delicious,” Ferguson said.
But the store isn’t just about beef. It also offers a range of other products that reflect the local culture and community. Customers can find merchandise, coffee, seasonings, and BBQ sauces from small, locally tied brands.
This selection is carefully curated to complement the beef products, giving shoppers everything they need for a complete culinary experience.
In addition to food and merchandise, the Mercantile also serves as a showcase for local artistry.
The store features artwork from Herman Walker and other local artists, adding a unique cultural dimension to the shopping experience. Ferguson’s commitment to supporting local talent is just another way the Mercantile ties into the fabric of the Big Lake community.
Ashley Ferguson, Johnny’s daughter-in-law, will manage the store, ensuring it operates with the same values that have guided their ranching business for decades: honesty and integrity.
Ashley’s involvement in the store is a continuation of the family’s deep connection to the community and their commitment to providing quality products to their neighbors.
The grand opening event this Friday is expected to draw a large crowd.
Attendees can look forward to refreshments and a special treat as Charlie Ferguson, Johnny’s brother, sets up his chuck wagon to cook up some of the store’s beef products for sampling.
Additionally, there will be samples of their signature beef jerky available for everyone to enjoy.
For those looking to take a bit of J&J Cattle Co. Mercantile home, customers who make a minimum purchase of $25 will be entered into a drawing to win 25 lbs. of ranch-raised ground beef, along with the chance to win other merchandise from the store.
The celebration will be further enhanced by the musical talents of JR Dunn & The Spring Creek Band, providing entertainment that embodies the spirit of West Texas.
The combination of good food, good music, and good company is expected to make the grand opening a memorable event for all who attend.
Ferguson’s new venture is not just a business endeavor—it’s a reflection of his long-standing commitment to the community.
His goal with the Mercantile is not to compete with other local businesses but to offer a product that consumers can trust, with a history they can trace back to a family operation that has been a part of Big Lake for nearly four decades.
“We are not here to compete with other local businesses,” Ferguson said. “It’s a way of marketing our product to consumers that are looking for good beef with some history behind what they are eating.”
Ferguson’s operations extend beyond Big Lake, reaching across the state and even into other parts of the country.
Pot Hook Cattle Co., a partnership between Ferguson and long-time friend John Moorhouse, is a stocker operation that buys ranch calves from other producers and runs them on wheat or grass with the goal of making feeder cattle out of them.
Last year, Pot Hook ran around 3,000 head, producing approximately 2.3 million pounds of finished beef, enough to feed around 60,000 Americans.
For Johnny Ferguson, the Mercantile is the latest chapter in a story that began nearly 40 years ago when he first set foot in Big Lake.
It’s a story of hard work, family, and a deep connection to the land and community.
With the grand opening of J&J Cattle Co. Mercantile, Ferguson is not only expanding his business but also reinforcing the bonds that have made Big Lake his home for so many years.
The J&J Cattle Co. Mercantile’s grand opening is set for this Friday, and the community is invited to join in the celebration.
Whether you’re a long-time resident or a visitor passing through, the Mercantile offers a taste of West Texas ranching heritage that’s not to be missed.
