Why Natural, Grass Finished Beef?
We are determined to provide the best possible beef product to the community. To us, top quality means that our animals never receive antibiotics, hormones, or grain. They eat their natural diet of prairie grass, and pure spring water. Our animals live a stress free life of roaming and grazing our 1000 acres of native grassland, forests, shrub and riparian areas.
Nutrition is a very complicated science these days. It can be challenging to decide what to eat with so much conflicting information available in the press, on-line, and the arena of public opinion.
As a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Bette Mitchell has shown us the benefits of cattle grazed on grass throughout their lives. On so many levels - human health, animal welfare, range health, even health of the planet - it is important to be conscious of the impact of our food choices.
Our beef is processed locally and dry aged for 21 days. It comes wrapped in quality butcher paper and flash frozen. It can be stored frozen for up to two years.
Good for you:
A complete source of protien
Naturally lean with higher level of healthy Omega 3's when finished on grass
A great source of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), a fat that is being shown to reduce the risk of cancer, obesity, diabetes, and a number of immune disorders.
Loaded with natural minerals and vitamins that separates it from other animal protein sources - especially heme iron and selenium.
All nutrients in a highly bio-available form for us!
Good for the Herd
Because our cattle are not raised in confinement, they are not subject to cramped living conditions, concentrations of manure, and disease pressures associated with feedlots.
Our cattle are free to express their natural herd behaviours and eat their natural diet of green pasture. The low-stress management techniques we utilize maintain a calm and happy herd.
Good for the Range:
Proper range management is paramount for the sustainability, efficiency and all around success of raising grass finished beef.
“There’s a perception, mainly among urban people, that cattle are bad for rangelands. However, grazing is an essential part of a healthy grassland ecosystem.” Amanda Miller, grazing specialist with Alberta Environment and Parks.
Our rangeland is managed as a natural ecosystem. We move cattle around to mimic natural grazing patterns of wildlife while protecting areas of new growth for future grazing.
Environmental Stewardship is defined as the “recognition of a collective responsibility to retain the quality and abundance of land, air, water and biodiversity, and to manage this natural capital in a way that conserves all of its environmental, economic, social and cultural values” (Alberta Stewardship Network)
We are working hard with our neighbours and the industry to determine the best practices of range stewardship and cattle health.
Mitchell Bros worked closely with a Holistic Management Consultant in 2016 to maximize the benefits of rotational grazing and cattle welfare. Work in this area continues.
In 2021 we were very excited to work with Multisar to further promote healthy rangeland for Species At Risk.