Owner: Colten Barnes and Chris Barnes
Location: Pryor, Okla.
General Manager: Dylan Stanley
Assistant Manager: Tanner Cox
History: When COVID-19 hit, cattleman Colten Barnes, like so many producers, was having issues getting his cattle processed. That’s when he decided to open a processing plant, and started Mayes County Processing with his father Chris.
To help get the plant started, Colten reached out to friends Dylan Stanley and Tanner Cox, who now serve as general manager and assistant manager, respectively. In addition to beef, Mayes County Processing can also process pork, lamb, goat, and even bison.
“We haven’t had any bison come through yet,” Tanner said.
Mayes County Processing began as a custom processor but is now state and federally inspected.
Products and Services: Custom processing is still a large part of the business, and customers can choose a variety of cuts.
“I love any kind of boneless cuts,” Dylan said. “We do Delmonicos, Flat Irons, Denver steaks, Ranch steaks, anything we can do boneless.”
Mayes County Processing and its crew is learning the smoking process with a facility in place. “We outsource right now to the Walke brothers at Walke Meat Company,” Dylan said. “They do a great job and are great people and are legends.”
Dylan added that Mayes County Processing’s award-winning signature spice, Mayes County Magic, will be available this year.
“Everyone knows about it from beef competitions in Oklahoma City,” Dylan said.
Mayes Country Processing also offers retail cuts.
“It’s hard to keep everything filled,” Dylan said of the retail counter. “We love our boneless chuck roasts, and right now, we have summer sausage, including jalapeno and cheese, and snack sticks, like our Sweet Maple Bacon, and steak patties. And we have our beef bacon.” Beef bacon, he explained, is done in-house and is taken from beef around the navel of the animal.
“It looks almost like a brisket,” Dylan explained. “We cure it and slice it. Right now, it’s a mesquite flavor, and we really want to start doing peppered and things like that.”
Beef for retail cuts is from Colten’s Diamond 4 Cattle Co., in Claremore, Okla.
Future Plans: Dylan said Mayes County Processing wants to continue expanding product offerings to custom or retail customers, including offering fully cooked and smoked meats, such as brisket and tri-tips.
