Walk on the Wild Side with Beef from the Creek
The Ranch on Salmon Creek: As the Sun Rises
Frequent Photo
A little wilder, a little leaner, and a lot tastier, the beef that comes from The Ranch on Salmon Creek is a gourmet’s delight. Last year, Tami and Mark, my neighbors whose ranch can be seen from my home (and who are local bloggers) began selling their delicious beef at the Farmer’s Market. If you got addicted then, now is your chance to buy a half or even a quarter of a beef. They will also be back starting tomorrow at the Garberville Farmer’s Market with individual cuts for sale.
These animals are practically hand raised. In December, we even got on hay wagon and sang them Christmas Carols (this is an innovative technique to soften them up.)
Tami explained to me:
“There probably is no real practical difference between ours and organic.
We looked into getting certified and the problem we have is that we have railroad ties for our larger posts. … they are not permissible for certification. We also supplement some in the winter with hay that is not organic… Our beef is considered natural beef…
We are moving slowly in this process, because every change we make has the possibility to make a big difference to the land. We are cutting our cow herd so that we have enough grass for the calves we keep for the extra year.”
I’ve again put my order in for a half beef (I split with my parents). If you haven’t tried this delicious local product yet, stop by and meet Tami tomorrow (you’ll love her) and buy a package. The young beef grazes on the knee deep green clover that splashes over the hills in the Spring. The local tall grasses have had time to plump the grains which makes the animals fat and the resulting taste is unbelievably mouthwatering.
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Here is Tami on Cost and Corn feeding [which you can choose to add if you prefer to grass fed]: “Pricing is the same as last year: 1/2 or whole animal (We can also do 1/4 if needed, but it is a little more complicated) is $2.00 per pound on the hanging weight. Most of our halves are around 250 pounds and a whole is about 500 pounds, give or take a little. By the time you figure in loss from butchering and the cut and wrap fees the actual cost comes to about 3.75 per pound for all the cuts.”
“I do the corn finishing in an area in and next to the barn, so they
can go inside or outside. I feed them corn twice a day as well as some
grass and or alfalfa hay for 90 days, and it will add about $250 to $300 [extra]
dollars to the animal”
UPDATE: For Prices, times they are at the market etc. read Tami’s post.
I also forgot to mention their firewood. My husband works long hours and we decided a few years ago to allow him more free time by buying our winter heating wood. We started buying from the Chapmans three years ago and have been delighted. Read about their carbon neutral firewood here.
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Note: Eating beef is good for you according to some of the latest research.
Hat tip to Learn something New everyday.
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Gross, dead animal.
At least it is encouraging to see cows being treated a little better.
Are they doing any cow massage like in this video of Kobe Beef??
Gross, dead animal.
At least it is encouraging to see cows being treated a little better.
Are they doing any cow massage like in this video of Kobe Beef??
These guys actually send their cows to the spa and they are emotionally attached to their animals.
These guys actually send their cows to the spa and they are emotionally attached to their animals.
Kym, you are so funny (the spa indeed) and way too kind! Thanks for the PR.
I’m funny? Now where did I get the spa idea from;>
Kym, you are so funny (the spa indeed) and way too kind! Thanks for the PR.
I’m funny? Now where did I get the spa idea from;>
Wish I could buy some. I bet it’s gooood.
Wish I could buy some. I bet it’s gooood.
It IS good, silverstar! I hope we can get some for the next barbeque at the school. If you do eat meat, there’s no comparison between local, grass-fed, well-loved beef and factory-farmed industrial stuff. Apologies to Mr. Nice and other vegetarian-minded folk.
In Douglass Adams’ book, “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, there was a spoof on humanely-raised meat in which the animal to be cooked had been genetically engineered to not only WANT to be butchered and consumed, but was trained to speak to potential diners and personally recommend various cuts of itself…
It IS good, silverstar! I hope we can get some for the next barbeque at the school. If you do eat meat, there’s no comparison between local, grass-fed, well-loved beef and factory-farmed industrial stuff. Apologies to Mr. Nice and other vegetarian-minded folk.
In Douglass Adams’ book, “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, there was a spoof on humanely-raised meat in which the animal to be cooked had been genetically engineered to not only WANT to be butchered and consumed, but was trained to speak to potential diners and personally recommend various cuts of itself…
Beautiful shot, Kym. You must be outside at the crack of dawn every day to capture shots like this one. Stunning! And I love a good steak every once in a while. 🙂
Beautiful shot, Kym. You must be outside at the crack of dawn every day to capture shots like this one. Stunning! And I love a good steak every once in a while. 🙂
No apology needed. I am all for big stretches of open space occupied by domesticated animals. I saw a demonstration last year where some were protesting the grass-fed beef associations free barbecue. I found it a little short-sighted of the protesters… sure, people are addicted to meat, but that didn’t do us any harm until meat production was done in an unnatural way. Grass-fed beef is a very pragmatic solution to both dietary and ecological problems which plague our society. Unfortunately, it tends to get about as much notice as raw milk does.
No apology needed. I am all for big stretches of open space occupied by domesticated animals. I saw a demonstration last year where some were protesting the grass-fed beef associations free barbecue. I found it a little short-sighted of the protesters… sure, people are addicted to meat, but that didn’t do us any harm until meat production was done in an unnatural way. Grass-fed beef is a very pragmatic solution to both dietary and ecological problems which plague our society. Unfortunately, it tends to get about as much notice as raw milk does.
Just wanted to let you know that at least one of your readers stopped by today and he was so very nice. And it easy to remember his name because it is the same as yours!
Just wanted to let you know that at least one of your readers stopped by today and he was so very nice. And it easy to remember his name because it is the same as yours!
I hope he bought some and is enjoying the fruits of your labor for dinner!
I hope he bought some and is enjoying the fruits of your labor for dinner!
Yes, he did and he also ordered a split half (1/4).
Yes, he did and he also ordered a split half (1/4).
Yep he told me to tell you to give me a few steaks and then to buy a polarizer (sp?) with the money I saved. But I still haven’t read the link he sent me to figure out what the heck a polarizer is (I’m supposed to be paying bills but I snuck over here for a break). He says it is like sunglasses for my camera. Next he’ll be telling me to buy Coppertone for the poor sunburnt thing. I’ll tell you what. You buy a polarizer for your camera. Figure out how to use it and then explain it to me in one syllable words. We’ll all come out ahead;>
Yep he told me to tell you to give me a few steaks and then to buy a polarizer (sp?) with the money I saved. But I still haven’t read the link he sent me to figure out what the heck a polarizer is (I’m supposed to be paying bills but I snuck over here for a break). He says it is like sunglasses for my camera. Next he’ll be telling me to buy Coppertone for the poor sunburnt thing. I’ll tell you what. You buy a polarizer for your camera. Figure out how to use it and then explain it to me in one syllable words. We’ll all come out ahead;>
do what you have to too eat
I’m an ignorant beef consumer. Do you have an explanation of the differing tastes?
I’m an ignorant beef consumer. Do you have an explanation of the differing tastes?
Hi all….have enjoyed viewing your web site. Purchased four rib eyes and two t-bone steaks from Mark at the Farmers Market Friday 14th and grilled them the following evening for a family dinner. Absolutely delicious and the best beef we’ve eaten. Will be contacting you for 1/2 beef to split with my sons as well as firewood. Thanks for all your hard work to provide us locals with good meat and wood to keep us warm this winter. pattie watson
Hi all….have enjoyed viewing your web site. Purchased four rib eyes and two t-bone steaks from Mark at the Farmers Market Friday 14th and grilled them the following evening for a family dinner. Absolutely delicious and the best beef we’ve eaten. Will be contacting you for 1/2 beef to split with my sons as well as firewood. Thanks for all your hard work to provide us locals with good meat and wood to keep us warm this winter. pattie watson
man are meat-eaters..that is why we have CANINE TEETH!! bring on the BEEF
man are meat-eaters..that is why we have CANINE TEETH!! bring on the BEEF