We like beef! We raise Belted Galloway cattle to sell for grass fed beef. The Belted Galloway breed has been around for a long time with the first recorded mention of them in 16th century Scotland. We chose this breed because they have a medium frame and flesh out well on grass. Some cows minimally eat grass and rely on supplements and hay but the Beltie is a good forager. They are known for their calm disposition and their reputation as good mothers and easy calvers. As a heritage breed they provide genetic diversity and added security to the food system. And to top it off, they look cool!
Our cows are grass fed and grass finished* because cows are designed to eat and digest grass, not grain. As a result the meat is better for you because it is lower in fat. The fat it does contain has the proper ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The meat is also higher in conjugated linoleic acid (the cancer fighting fat) and vitamins.
We rotationally graze our cows for healthy weight gain and to develop better pastures. The cows move to fresh grass each day (or every few days pending paddock size) so that the carb/protein mix in the grass stays somewhat constant and their rumen operates efficiently. We keep the grass about 4 inches tall at it’s shortest after grazing to prevent the cows from picking up as many parasites. The cows in turn spread their manure around the pasture to fertilize it. It also keeps down the smell. Our cows graze on chemical free pastures and do not receive hormones or antibiotics. They eat kelp meal and salt to supplement their diet like a multi-vitamin.
Differences in our beef compared to conventional, natural, organic, and grass-fed beef.
|
Conventional Beef
|
Natural Beef |
Organic Beef |
Grass-fed Beef |
Happily Ever After Farm Grass Fed and Finished Beef
|
|
|
Antibiotics (therapeutic) |
Yes |
No |
No |
Optional |
NO |
|
Antibiotics (sub therapeutics) |
Optional |
No |
No |
No |
NO |
|
Hormones |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
NO |
|
Ionophores |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
NO |
|
Pesticides |
Yes |
Optional |
No |
Optional |
NO |
|
Vaccinations |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
NO1 |
|
Feedlots (grain) |
Yes |
Yes |
Optional |
No |
NO |
|
Certified Organic |
No |
No |
Yes |
Optional |
NO2 |
- Sometimes we offer Grass Finished beef (not grass fed and finished). These animals have generally had common vaccinations
- We are not certified organic, but adhere to stricter standards than are required for organic production