The cattle in this cow/calf operation are a hybrid strain that has been bred over the past 60 years to tolerate and thrive with the local climate, soils, grasses and pests.  The root breeds include Angus, Brahma, Simmental, Charolais, Shorthorn, and Santa Gertrudis.  Increasingly, we are breeding for cattle that produce tender and lean meat on a grass diet. For instance, we are now testing our Angus bulls for calpastatin proteins and calpain enzymes in our sires, since they appear to be linked to beef tenderness.

Recent research indicates that cattle raised on grass forage produce beef that is healthier in a number of respects than that raised on a grain diet.  For instance, grass-fed beef has lower saturated fat and cholesterol levels, and higher counts of vitamin A, conjugated linoleic acid and Omega-3 fatty acids, which, together, have been associated with reduced diabetes, heart disease and cancer.  For more information about the benefits of grass feeding, please look at the website for the American Grassfed Association.