How and Why We Raise Beef (Slide Show)
Pasture-raised organic beef is delicious and healthy. The meat of 100% grass-fed animals, like our beef cows, has much less saturated fat, approximately 10 times more healthful Omega 3 fatty acids and 5 times more conjugated linoleic acid (an anti-carcinogen) when compared to meat from conventional grain-fed cows. For more information on grass-fed beef check out EatWild.com
Our beef is 100% grass-fed, pastured on a diverse mix of organically-grown grasses and legumes. Cattle (herbivores) have a multi-compartmentalized stomach which is efficient for utilizing grass, but inefficient for using grain. Approximately 70% of the grain grown in the United States is fed to herbivores. The production of this grain accounts for the majority of US agricultural energy, chemical fertilizer, and pesticide use. Farmland used for these crops are eroding and disappearing at record rates. Here in Western Oregon, we are fortunate to live in an ideal environment for growing grass. Feeding cows on pasture is best for the health of the animal, the environment, and you.
Conventionally, cattle have been turned out into relatively large pastures or ranges and moved infrequently, allowing cows to overgraze certain areas while under-utilizing others. Our cattle are kept on small pastures and moved every few days to fresh, clean forage.
On many farms and ranches unprotected riparian areas are favorite gathering spots for livestock, causing severe damage and water pollution. We have successfully protected our riparian ecosystems by fencing the animals out of these sensitive areas. Winter Green Farm is certified Salmon Safe.
During the rainy months, the cows and calves are comfortably housed in roomy, straw-bedded barns. In our area, cattle are usually left out on pasture all year long. Wet Pacific Northwest winters, combined with the weight of the cows, can damage the fragile pasture ecosystem causing irreparable harm to the soil and plants in these pastures.
Cow manure and straw bedding is collected in the barns during the winter and added to other farm-produced ingredients to make the bulk of our compost. The compost is spread throughout the farm to feed and balance the soil with organic matter and microorganisms so that healthy soil processes can feed the crops we grow. Usually, organic farms rely on some form of animal manure for their fertility needs, but most use manure from large operations where it is hard to know exactly how the animals have been treated, fed or medicated. We have chosen to take responsibility for the animals upon which we rely for our farm's fertility needs.
