grass-fed: Why we are unique

We are committed to getting the most nutrition out of our products (-or- grass-fed beef, lamb, chicken, pork, eggs, and produce): from soil testing in our pastures, greenhouses, and gardens, to the health and well-being of our animals. We are constantly researching the latest information, having the experts out to our ranch to evaluate our operation, and implementing what we have learned.
We are also involved with the Real Food Campaign and their efforts to make food as healing as medicine.
 
What we are doing:
To the Soil

• Monitoring soil levels of macro- and micro-nutrients and soil biology through both chemical and biological testing

• Adding soil inoculants to increase the mycorrhizae population, plant growth bacteria, and other beneficial microbe populations that occurs naturally in healthy soil.
  • Mycorrhizae form a symbiotic relationship with plants and aid the roots of the plant in absorbing water and breaking down and releasing vital nutrients and minerals stored in soil particles, making the nutrients more readily available to the plants in forms that they can absorb
  • Rhizobacteria are also inoculated into the soil to capture nitrogen into the soil.
  • Multi-strain inoculants increase drought tolerance and increase plants disease and pest resistance
  • Multi-strain inoculants assist and speed nature in the decomposition and recycling of organic matter into the important substance known as humus
• Adding minerals to create optimal forage health; includes seaweed, volcanic ash, salt
• Applying organic foliar forage sprays to increase photo synthesis and to improve quality, energy and yield of our pastures.

• Practicing rotational grazing to increase soil aggregation and organic matter
  • Improves soil microbial populations
  • increases water infiltration and surrounding water quality
  • promotes plant species diversity and complexity
  • attracts pollinator insects, birds and wildlife

For the Animals

• Opened the native forest areas to access the biodiversity where the animals browse tree leaves, bushes and the diverse ground cover. This also provides shelter which reduces environmental stresses on the animals.
• Planted multi species grasses, legumes and forbs in pastures for nutritional diversity
• Planted healing herbs throughout pastures for animals to access when they need it
• Stockpiling standing forage and summer annuals to extend natural grazing season into November and December.
• Feeding fermented bailage to cows in January, February and the beginning of March. Fermenting preserves more nutrients in the grasses verses dry hay.

• Providing apple cider vinegar which contains probiotics, boosts immunity, and improves disease resistance. ACV creates a slightly alkalized state that maintains healthy enzymes as many bacteria, molds, and viruses will not survive in this environment. It is also a cleanser and detoxifier. It contains high levels malic acid which helps cleanse and heal the liver for better digestion and detoxification of toxins and waste. ​

• Providing Redmond mineral salt, including selenium, copper, manganese, iodine, cobalt, and zinc.
• Providing Redmond conditioner which contains over 60 naturally occurring elements. The conditioner binds toxins and cleans up the digestive system so nutrients can be absorbed utilize more of the free nitrogen that is prevalent in lush growing grass and other high protein situations. 
• Providing kelp which contains high amounts of ultra-trace minerals such as germanium, iridium and rubidium.