The pasture under a wide blue sky, two cattle grazing in the distance

The farm

How the beef is raised.

A pasture in Cherryville, two steers, a dog named Missy who thinks she is helping, and me out there every evening.

Two cattle grazing close to the camera in green grass

On pasture

The cattle live out in our pasture full time. They have the native grasses to graze, and I seeded clover in for some added protein. They also have a shed I built for them, so they can get out of the rain and wind when they want to.

Cattle grazing under a rainbow after rain

Fresh grass, moved regularly

I move them onto fresh paddocks instead of letting them graze one field down to the dirt. They get better grass that way, and the ground they came off of gets time to come back.

Cattle eating hay while Missy watches from the fence line

Hay when the grass is not enough

In winter and through a dry stretch they get round bales. I keep hay in front of them rather than measuring it out.

Two cattle at a full water tank in green pasture

Clean water

I check the trough every day and keep it clean. It is the simplest thing on this list and the one I am most particular about.

Cattle at the water tank beside the shed

Grain at the finish, for marbling

For the last couple of months before processing they get grain along with the pasture. That is what builds marbling, the fat inside the muscle that makes beef tender and rich. Some farms finish on grass alone, which is a fine way to do it. I like the way this tastes better, and I would rather tell you than have you wonder.

The pasture at evening with the shed, a water tank, and cattle — The whole setup, from the house side.

Framing the new shed in the pasture — Building the shed.

A cattle guard set into the dirt drive, tractor parked beyond it — Cattle guard going in at the drive.

Low sun over the pasture with cattle grazing in the distance

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