We do things the old fashioned, common sense, in balance
with nature way here at the ranch. Our
cattle breeds in early summer and calves appear in spring, after good grass has
been established. This way the cows
get the best nourishment during the last couple of months of pregnancy.
And the calves also have fresh grass.
Beeves are grass finished in the spring also, when the grass is at its
best and most nutritious and contains high amounts of vitamins such as beta
carotene. We harvest beeves at the
ripe old age of a minimum of 24 months. That
way they put on weight slowly and fat accumulates within the muscle cells and
not just between the cells as marbling or as adipose tissue.
This makes for very flavorful and juicy meat.
All good grass fed beef starts with good soil.
We will do soil tests this year and see if the soil needs any help with
natural amendments. The grass was wonderful last spring after so much rain, waist
deep and the cattle couldn’t keep up with it.
But it will still be nice to know more about the soil.
We have begun to sow grass seeds such as orchard grass,
brome grass, barley and clover, which is more in tune with the eco system here
in the Sierra Foothills. The
existing grasses and weeds are an excellent source of nourishment for the
cattle, and the new grasses will make the pasture that much better.
We have introduced a new line of purebred registered Red
Angus to the ranch, and their genetics for beef production are superb.
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