The sunlight is shining through my office window this morning, warming everything it touches. The first rays just peeked over the Eastern ridge of Joy Valley and the whole valley is bathed in soft, rosy light. Out in the pastures, the cattle are already grazing, heads down, their glossy black and brown coats soaking up the sun’s warmth.

Yes, there’s snow, and plenty of it. It’s been cold. After all, it’s winter in Michigan. It’s what we expect. Last night, the air was clear…very clear… you could see stars, stars…oh yeah, and more stars. 

That same clear sky is what makes it so darn cold the next morning. All the heat drifts away during the night.

​So, here we are…morning on the ranch!

The fall season in Michigan offers much to enjoy: crisp weather, brilliant colors, festive gatherings and hearty seasonal foods. 

Well, it’s over. Welcome winter. Merry Christmas!

If geeky, soil and grass talk is not your thing, that's cool. Instead, put a 100% grass fed beef roast in the crock-pot, head to your sofa, read a good book or look out your window, count your blessings and enjoy a super holiday season with friends and family.

Back to my geek-talk.

​Fall is an important time on the ranch. When the grazing season draws to a close, we make careful decisions to prepare the land and livestock for winter. 

BUSTED !!!

That headline was partly to grab your attention.
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​But it’s true, I don’t buy meat at a farmer’s market… unless I personally know the person or team selling it.

I’ve had mixed experiences buying meat at farmer’s markets. It’s not that I’ve ever had anything spoiled or rancid, but I’ve bought meat that just didn’t taste good or was too tough. 

Once, a “gentleman” I knew told me NOT to buy his chicken. In his words, “it’s not good.” 

What? That’s crazy! It’s not for people you know, but you’ll sell it to strangers?  Obviously, his ethics are questionable.

This is one of the most challenging things we do at The North Coast Ranch. Animal welfare is important to all of us.

​Butchering season is here and it’s always bittersweet:

Bitter because our animals make the ultimate sacrifice for each of our families' health and well-being.

Sweet because our freezers are nearly empty, and we still have mouths to feed.

It can be difficult thinking about taking an animal's life for food. There’s a small lump in my throat when they get loaded in the trailer heading to the butcher. However, I believe the animals are here to help nourish us, and their meat helps provide what our bodies need.

Many customers have struggled with the ethical dilemma of eating meat. They know their health suffers without it, but the idea of killing an animal is sometimes hard to reconcile.

2-MINUTE READ

Grass-fed beef is a popular choice if you’re seeking a more natural and sustainable option for your meat consumption. Unlike grain-fed cattle, grass-fed cattle are raised on a diet of grass and forage, resulting in beef that is reported to offer higher nutritional value and supports environmentally friendly farming practices.

While I am not passionate about backyard grilling, I do enjoy it...and I bet you do too. As we are nearing the end of the traditional “grilling season” in Northern climates, there’s no need to stop grilling just because football season has started, the kids are back in school, etc. In fact, temps have cooled slightly…and the days and nights are 100% perfection.

Who would have thought that ground beef, meatloaf, roasts and steaks could taste this amazing?

Creating great-tasting beef requires more than just grass.

Rotational Grazing is a Cornerstone of Regenerative Ranching

Short video rotating the cows from one area of pasture to another. Why? Rotating them keeps them on fresh pasture, away from where they previously were.

You see, cattle don't have bathrooms like humans, so where they stand becomes their bathroom. If they stand in the same place long enough, it becomes their bathroom. It's not healthy...so we move 'em!

This is how we make 100% grass-fed beef for people that prioritize farm fresh food.

Bale Grazing: How We Keep Our Cattle Warm in Winter.

This weekend and next week the temperatures at night are expected to reach single digits, with wind chills making it feel even colder.  After a warm December, it appears that winter has finally settled in here at The North Coast Ranch.


We're often asked, "How do you keep your cattle warm in the winter?" 

Let me tell ya...

The View From a Michigan Cattle Ranch

We've been fielding a lot of questions about mRNA vaccinations and our grass-fed beef. 

First, great to see people are taking an interest in how their food is produced.

However, there’s a lot of misinformation floating around, so let’s set the record straight on mRNA vaccinations from the perspective of this Northern Michigan Grass-Fed Beef Rancher.

Good Old Fashioned, Regenerative, Adaptive Grazing Practices

We raise cattle using old-fashioned, common sense, time tested, regenerative, adaptive farming practices where cattle roam free, daily, for their entire lives.

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​We treat all parts of the cattle raising process with respect and stewardship. After all, happy, stress-free cattle make the best testing beef.

What does this all mean?