We are proud to announce that 2011 will be our fifth year of production. Our herds continue to grow healthy and strong. We
meet many nice people as our customer base keeps growing.
OUR FIRST GRASS FINISHED BEEF
We finished our first beeves on only grass.
I stress this because many people advertise grass-fed beef. All cattle eat grass, at least some. It is important to learn if
the beef you are purchasing
has been totally grass-fed AND grass finished (the last 90 to 120 days).
Our beef is grass FINISHED. We
rotationally graze our cattle. They do not get any grain,
just pasture and our hay in the winter along with mineral supplements and
water.
We are thrilled to tell you the results are unanimous: DELICIOUS!
In addition to the great taste, it is healthy for us AND
the animals. It doesn’t get better than that!
If you haven’t already surmised, my farm is my passion. Therefore the food I produce
and
sell must be the highest quality. You come to my farm. You know me and you see what we do.
OUR PASTURES
After too many years of tenant
farmers practicing conventional, non-rotational mono crop raising, we
have taken the fields back. The previous practice has squandered
immeasurable tons of precious topsoil. To celebrate, Dad, Paige and
sometimes Kyle enjoyed the age old Sussex County practice of ‘pickin
rock’. We seeded 32 of the 35+ former ‘corn ground’ acres with a
pasture mix of grasses, clover and chicory. All of these fields continue
to improve. We have enjoyed watching our earth heal itself and begin
the carbon sequestration process.
‘Google’™ carbon sequestration;
current science is fascinating! Some believe that grass farming can
help mitigate global climate change. We will continue to seed
the remaining acres in the coming years.
I continuously research grass farming methods. I have attended many
seminars,
read many books and spoken with numerous experts on grazing. Farming,
whether pasture-based, organic or conventional is a time consuming,
demanding, year round business. This is why we chose the methodology
that we have. If we are going to work this hard, then we want
to produce the healthiest, most delicious food you can buy.
All good things start with a good, strong foundation. So producing
healthy,
delicious food must start with the healing of the land. American
farmers have forgotten that they are ‘stewards of the land’ as well
as the meaning of ‘animal husbandry’. This means looking at production
methods that benefit the animals, the land and us for the long
term. Abusing resources to maximize profits in the short term carries a
large cost. I am pleased to return to the production methods
of my forefathers and mothers. I believe it is better for the animals,
the environment and all of us.
A letter from the Farmer April 2011
Selecting the Best
For the past 60 years, beef breeders have been selecting animals that
will maximize the profits for Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO).
These animals are tall and long. These genetics don’t work well for
producing good grass finished beef. I have spent considerable time and
money selecting cattle for our breeding herd.
We have a pure Hereford starter herd from western Pennsylvania as well
as a few Devons. Devon cattle are one of the best breeds for grass
feeding. We will be using a Devon bull from New Zealand to father our
Devon calves
2011
As in the past, we are asking our customers (you) to place
their orders early, in advance of the start of our production
season. This will help us plan and better meet your needs. We are
pleased to report that we have received many already. Thank you!
We continue to grow, but we cannot do so without your support! Please help by telling friends and family about what we have
to offer.
Please visit us! We would love to see you. Bring the kids, a picnic lunch, collect your own eggs if you
like!
A very BIG thank you to all who have helped us out. We could not do this without you.
See you soon!
Paul
Plaid Piper
Grass
farmer
Microbe Manager
Steward of the Land
Plaid Piper Farm, LLC