From Grass to Grill: How Our Texas Cattle Live Their Best Lives (With Just One Bad Day)
Steers feeding
Here at our Texas ranch, we’re all about raising happy, healthy cattle—and serving up some top-notch beef along the way. There’s plenty of talk these days about how cattle are raised, so let’s take a peek behind the pasture gate and clear up what “finishing” means. Spoiler alert: it’s about giving our cattle a good life, a little extra grain at the end, and the flavor-packed beef you love.
Life on the Ranch: Grass, Grass, and...You Guessed It, More Grass!
Our cattle spend their whole lives grazing Texas grass under wide-open skies, with a little grain supplementation along the way. They’re living their best bovine lives, munching on grass like it’s a never-ending buffet. And if a cute steer could talk, he’d say, “It’s a pretty sweet life.” Grass is the mainstay, and cattle, with their handy four-chamber stomachs, are grass-processing pros, turning what we can’t eat into tasty, tender protein.
The Finishing Touch: A Side of Grains
As our cattle near the end of their journey, we add a bit of grain to the mix. Think of it like a fine-tuning stage. For us, it’s all about distillers grains—a smart, eco-friendly addition to their diet that’s like the cattle equivalent of dessert with benefits. These grains help add marbling to the meat, and that fat is the secret sauce for the tender, juicy beef you crave. Good marbling isn’t just for show; it makes each bite that perfect balance of flavor and melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
Why Fat is Fantastic
Let’s talk about that marbling—those white flecks of fat running through the beef. Not only does it make for more tender bites, but it also has its own nutritional perks, like healthy fats that balance flavor with nutrients. So that beautifully marbled steak? It’s a win for your taste buds and your body (when enjoyed in moderation, of course).
What’s Up with Distillers Grains?
Distillers grains are like a rancher’s magic ingredient. They’re a by-product of ethanol production, meaning we’re not just feeding cattle but supporting sustainable practices by putting every part of the corn to good use. Distillers grains are packed with protein, fiber, and just enough fat to keep cattle happy and healthy. For us, it’s all about making the most of what’s available, so nothing goes to waste. It’s like the ultimate upcycling project—and the cattle are more than happy to help.
Cattle and the Environment: Mother Nature’s Lawn Mowers
Cattle do more than make great steaks; they’re part of a natural cycle that benefits the land. As they graze, they keep pastures healthy by munching down grass, spreading seeds, and adding nutrients to the soil (you get the picture). And when we supplement with grains, it’s just part of a balanced approach to both animal and land health, letting us put every resource to good use.
Taste That’s a Cut Above
In the end, finishing cattle on distillers grains gives us the best of both worlds. Grass-grazed, grain-finished cattle have the tenderness, flavor, and richness that make for exceptional beef. It’s ranch-raised goodness you can taste, and it comes from cattle who’ve enjoyed a truly good life—right up until that last (and only) bad day.
So next time you dig into a juicy steak or burger, you can feel good knowing it came from cattle who lived well, ate well, and brought their very best to the table.