Meet Rob Cullen

Rob Cullen's path to ranching started long before he owned his first Akaushi cow. A Texas native, Rob was introduced to ranch life at just 12 years old while attending the Texas Military Institute, and later continued his education at Tarleton State University.

After college, Rob spent years building and running a commercial fire equipment service company in Austin, eventually selling the business in 2019 — just before the world changed with the COVID-19 pandemic. The timing, as it turned out, couldn't have worked out better.

In 2018, ahead of retirement, Rob purchased ranch property in Harwood, Texas. After getting to know the team at HeartBrand Cattle, he decided to pursue Akaushi cattle of his own. In February 2020, he purchased his first six head from well-known Akaushi rancher Mike Mellott in Hugo, Colorado — and what started as a small herd quickly grew into a lasting passion.

Rob credits Jacob Tipp, Fullblood Cattle Manager at HeartBrand Cattle, and Dr. Aaron Cooper, a respected expert in Akaushi genetics, as mentors who've been generous with their knowledge and guidance along the way.

Today, Cullen Akaushi Cattle consists of approximately 55 head, with a particular focus on polled genetics — cattle bred to be naturally hornless. More than half the herd now carries the polled trait, reflecting Rob's commitment to breeding practical, high-quality cattle for today's producers.

Rob now serves on the Texas Wagyu Association's Board, and is active in the American Akaushi Association, bringing a steady, thoughtful approach to the herd, the genetics, and the broader Akaushi community he's become part of.