Thursday, December 27, 2012

January 4th beef processing SOLD OUT!

The grass fed beef scheduled to be processed on January 4th is sold out.  The next available beef will be processed in March.  Order now to get on the list for the next one. 

We are scheduled to have two lambs processed also on January 4th; one is already committed, but the other one is available.  For those who enjoy our tender lamb or those who want to try it for the first time, contact us soon! 

Contact info:  monica@pastureplace.com or 765-414-9352

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

We want to thank all of our followers and customers for helping us to have a great year on the farm.  We are so blessed by friends that support and encourage us to continue raising healthy food products for families.  As we look into 2013 let us remember where all our blessings come from, give thanks and continue to trust in God's providence as we move forward into a new year. 

Friday, December 14, 2012

Candy Recommended as a Substitute Cattle Feed During a Drought

Joseph Watson, the owner of the United Livestock Commodities group, recommends feeding stale candy to cattle when corn is scarce or expensive. There are nutritional advantages to this scheme, according to Watson, because candy is higher in fat and sugar, helping to fuel the growth of the animals. In practice, the candy is fed in its wrappers. (It’s expensive to unwrap all that candy.) That’s okay, too, because paper is a bulk filler.
             
Watson told a reporter for Kentucky TV station WPSD. “We’ve already seen the results of it so we’re pretty proud of it.” He added that the stale candy was a problem for candy manufacturers, and the companies are “proud to have a place to go with it.” So far, no one has bothered to measure the nutritional content of meat from candy-fed beef cattle.
Click on this link for a video of the WPSD interview:
http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/ky-state-news/High-price-of-corn-forcing-
farmers-to-feed-candy-to-livestock-166004506.html

Isn't it amazing what people feed their animals?

Friday, December 7, 2012

Bulk Beef and Pork available!

We still have a half of beef available for January 3rd processing date, and a whole hog for January 11th processing date.  Let us know if you are interested at monica@pastureplace.com or 765-414-9352

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Pork available

Tomorrow we have a couple pigs going in for butcher.  They can be purchased by the whole or half hog.  With the prospect of higher meat prices on the horizon, it's a great time to stock your freezer.  The pigs have been raised organically though they are not certified organic.  This meat is very delicious!  I have to be careful or I use pork for every meal.

Whole hog - $2.00/lb. hanging weight
Half hog - $2.10/lb. hanging weight

When you order, all you tell us is how much pork you want.  You take care of the processing cost and cut list with the processor.  On average the cost of processing is $1.00/lb.  This provides you with many varied cuts that cost less than purchasing lesser quality meat at the grocery store.

Contact info:  monica@pastureplace.com or 765-414-9352

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

farmer's market update

Mark and I discussed our farmers' market booth this morning.  The market is normally my project to take care of weekly with the help of some of our children.  Fall time is very busy for us with harvest and our family being in several different places at one time.  I am not able to run our booth yet without the help of our boys so.....today we won't be there again.  Mark fills in on days when he can.  He is busy with his family's business of roofing and siding since the hail storm a few weeks ago.  We also have corn harvest, etc.  Yes, at times we feel like we are running in circles.  I expect most of you can relate.  Some seasons of life are just busy.  We hope to return to the regular schedule at market soon!  Thank you for understanding! 

Until then, if you would like to order product, we would be happy to deliver or meet you at Java Jo'z on Creasy Lane.  Mark makes many trips to Lafayette each week picking up product for the hail damage jobs so the trips could easily be combined.  We have pork that was recently processed plus chicken, turkey, and a few lamb cuts.

We look forward to seeing your friendly faces again soon!  Contact info:  765-414-9352 or monica@pastureplace.com

Blessings on you and yours,

Monica

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

No farmer's market today

Due to the rain today, we won't be at the West Lafayette Farmer's Market.  If you have any meat orders that you need this week, call or email us and we can deliver to Java Jo'z in Lafayette.  We are blessed to have good clients!  Lord willing, we will be at the market next week.

Contact info:  765-414-9352 or monica@pastureplace.com

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Market today!

I am planning on being at the Sagamore West Farmers Market this afternoon.  I will have freshly processed all natural pork cuts (bacon, sausage, ribs, etc), chicken, and turkey.  Pre-order if you know what you want in advance or meet us at the market. 

Saturday, August 25, 2012

New Arrival!!

Del William Hufford was born into our family this past Thursday.  He and momma are doing great, and arrived without any problems.  We have appreciated all your thoughts and prayers over the past few weeks, and look forward to showing him off in the future.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

August 22nd Market, and new inventory of Pork

Valued customers and patrons, we will not be at the West Lafayette farmers market today (August 22nd) due to the future new little blessing to our family.  We will let you know when he has arrived!

We want you to know that we do have a fresh inventory of all natural pork cuts now available.  We have chops, Edge sausage, ground pork, ribs, loins, pork steaks and bacon.  Email us with your order and we will arrange getting it to you asap.  monica@pastureplace.com

We also are planning on processing a beef in a few weeks.  We have some quarters still available for anyone who may want to stock up.  This beef has been fed grass and a very limited amount of grain, so if this is a problem you may want to wait till a later time for beef.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Project Finished!

This past winter and early spring, my dad and boys restored a 1949 John Deere B.  The tractor took lots of work, stripping off the old paint, new seals and gaskets, fixing some broken parts, and finally a new paint job and decal set.  We haven't used the tractor much since the redo, but it has been used to pull our hay rake, mower/conditioner, and powering the log splitter.  The boys' hard work and determination (along with grandpa's humor and coaching) paid off with a "job well done"  Good job boys!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Moving Cattle!



Our cowboys (Ben 14 & Zach 12) are helping move the cattle to better grazing ground.  We are having a little more difficult time with our grazing this year, due to the drought that we are having here in Indiana.  We thank God for all the rain that we can get, and try to utilize our land the best we can without overgrazing it.  For those of you that are considering meat for your freezer this year, you may want to place your order now.  I believe that with the drought that most of the United States is having will skyrocket food prices later this year and perhaps the next 2-3 years on meat.  Livestock owners across the states are unloading animals at a alarming rate due to the lack of pasture grass and the high cost of grain or other feed.  The drought that the southwest and central plains experienced last year already created a shortage of beef cattle, driving animal numbers to that of 1954.  If you take already low numbers and add a drought in more areas of the states and you have combination for expensive food for the future.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Hard work!

Here is a photo of us working together putting up straw for winter.  The wheat had been cut, and we came through with our small square baler and baled enough for our season needs.  We use straw to bed animals in the winter, to keep the chicken laying boxes lined, and for erosion control in some areas.  We thank God for a good wheat harvest!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Life is busy now! Save money, buy in bulk!

Over the past few weeks we have been busy with new baby lambs, making hay for winter feed, and trying to finish a fence project.  Wow! how the hours and days fly by when you do what you love and help others enjoy having something they love, like eating healthy nutritious food. 
Remember that we do sell our pork, lamb, and beef in the bulk.  This is the best value and will keep you and your family stocked up on meat for some time.  Give us a call 765-414-9352 or email monica@pastureplace.com us for additional information and availability.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Where can you find our products?

At times people will ask us where they can find our products.  They are sold at the West Lafayette farmers market.  This market is on Wed. afternoons at 3:00-6:30 p.m. on Salsbury St. We also sell in Lafayette through CityFoods online store, and make deliveries at Java Joz's on Creasy as needed for customer pick-up.

Right now we have several free range chickens (whole bird), pastured pork, and lamb cuts.  Call or email us for your specific needs; we love helping families provide local nutritious food for their family.  Our phone number is 765-414-9352 or monica@pastureplace.com.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Grazing good for soil and environment

USDA Weighs In: Grazing Good for Soil & Environment

Bring on the cattle! says a new study conducted by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For twelve years, soil scientists at the Agricultural Research Service branch of the USDA have been studying the impact that grazing animals have on the land. Compared with grassland that has been undisturbed, areas that have been moderately grazed have more carbon stored in the soil. Stored carbon increases the fertility of the soil and slows global warming.   
Summary of the study: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/mar11/soil0311.htm

Published in Soil Science Society of America Journal, 2010. Volume 74, pages 2131-2141.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

One of our best little helpers!


Friday we were out on the pasture cleaning up some scrub brush that had been cut down.  One of my sons drove the 4-wheeler for me as I loaded the trailer.  What a blessing to work with your children!  I love spending time with each of our children, teaching and learning things together like: seeing God's hand in nature, developing a good work ethic or watching the animals enjoy a sunny day.  Experts told us years ago that children need "quality not quantity time" with their parents.  I disagree with this; our children need both and Lots of it!  Our children need US more than anything else to help and train them into becoming healthy, well-balanced citizens; people who live out character in all they do, who know the value and shortness of life, and who understand the importance of having healthy relationships.  The Bible tells us "Children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward" Ps. 127:3  What a blessing our children are.  Thank you Lord for each one of them!!!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Grass-fed beef gets a number Ten score!

Score Ten for Grass-Fed Beef

Grass-fed beef is better for human health than grain-fed beef in ten different ways, according to the most comprehensive analysis to date. The 2009 study was a joint effort between the USDA and researchers at Clemson University in South Carolina. Compared with grain-fed beef, grass-fed beef was:
  1. Lower in total fat
  2. Higher in beta-carotene
  3. Higher in vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
  4. Higher in the B-vitamins thiamin and riboflavin
  5. Higher in the minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium
  6. Higher in total omega-3s
  7. A healthier ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (1.65 vs 4.84)
  8. Higher in CLA (cis-9 trans-11), a potential cancer fighter
  9. Higher in vaccenic acid (which can be transformed into CLA)
  10. Lower in the saturated fats linked with heart disease
S.K. Duckett et al, Journal of Animal Science, (published online) June 2009

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Two years of production then most dairy cows are turned into hamburger!

The typical dairy cow raised on a conventional confinement dairy farm is injected with hormones to increase milk production. Then after only two year's on the job, she's slaughtered and turned into hamburger because she's either sick, lame, fails to breed, or is a less than stellar producer. The average cull rate in the dairy industry is 30 percent. That means that each year, almost a third of our dairy cows are slaughtered and replaced with new heifers.  Most of these cows go to cattle buyers for large packing companies, and go into your supermarket hamburger, fast food hamburger, or mixed into other supermarket meat products. 
A cow that's treated well, spared the hormones, and raised on pasture can be expected to produce milk for ten years or more. The cull rate in a grass-based dairy can be as low as 7 percent. The money that a farmer saves by not having to replace a third of the herd every year helps offset the fact that a cow free of artificial hormones produces less milk. Bossy gets the respect that she deserves and consumers get hormone-free, nutrient-rich milk.

Friday, February 17, 2012

New term you need to know: "by-product feedstuffs" for animal feed ration

Fresh pasture and dried grasses are the natural diet of all ruminant animals. In factory farms, animals are switched to an unnatural diet based on corn and soy. But corn and soy are not the only ingredients in their “balanced rations.” Many large-scale dairy farmers and feedlot operators save money by feeding the cows “by-product feedstuffs” as well. In general, this means waste products from the manufacture of human food. In particular, it can mean sterilized city garbage, candy, bubble gum, floor sweepings from plants that manufacture animal food, bakery, potato wastes or a scientific blend of pasta and candy.  
Here are some of the “by-product feedstuffs commonly used in dairy cattle diets in the Upper Midwest.”*
  • Candy. Candy products are available through a number of distributors and sometimes directly from smaller plants… They are sometimes fed in their wrappers…. Candies, such as cull gummy bears, lemon drops or gum drops are high in sugar content.
  • Bakery Wastes. Stale bread and other pastry products from stores or bakeries can be fed to dairy cattle in limited amounts. These products are sometimes fed as received without drying or even removal of the wrappers.
  • Potato Waste is available in potato processing areas, and includes cull potatoes, French fries and potato chips. Cull fresh potatoes that are not frozen, rotten, or sprouted can be fed to cows either whole or chopped. Potato waste straight from a processing plant may contain varying amounts of inedible or rotten potatoes. French fries and chips contain fats or oils from frying operations.
  • Starch. Unheated starch is available from some candy manufacturers and sometimes may contain pieces of candy.
  • Pasta is available from pasta plants and some ingredient distributors as straight pasta or in blends with other ingredients, such as candy.
*This list is excerpted from “By-Product Feedstuffs in Dairy Cattle Diets in the Upper Midwest,” published in 2008 by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. 

FYI: I know several beef feedlot producers that are using these same ingredients to feed out their BEEF animals for slaughter.  It is a high energy sugar or fiber source for a cheap price.  This is another reason it is good to know personally the person who is raising your food for your family.   by: Mark

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Fresh California Orange & Grapefruit

A friend of ours has gotten a load of fresh fruit from California.  He has organic oranges at $30.00/box, #1 traditional raised oranges for $24.00/box or traditional grapefruit for $26.00/box.  This is tree ripened fresh fruit.  We have been enjoying the oranges and grapefruit in our house, and we all love them.  Limited quantities are available.  Contact us monica@pastureplace.com or 765-414-9352. 

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Grass-fed meats improve fat levels

Eating moderate amounts of grass-fed meat for only 4 weeks will give you healthier levels of essential fats, according to a 2011 study in the British Journal of Nutrition.
The British research showed that healthy volunteers who ate grass-fed meat increased their blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids and decreased their level of pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. These changes are linked with a lower risk of a host of disorders, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression, and inflammatory disease.
Interestingly, volunteers who consumed conventional, grain-fed meat ended up with lower levels of omega-3s and higher levels of omega-6s than they had at the beginning of the study, suggesting that eating conventional meat had been detrimental to their health.
British Journal of Nutrition (2011) Red meat from animals offered a grass diet increases plasma and platelet N-3 PUFA in healthy consumers. Volume 105, pages 80-89.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Some things for 2012!

As we start into the New Year, I would like to share with you a few things that we are up to:

  1. This year we are adding an apple orchard to our farm.  This is an established orchard with McIntosh, Jonagold, Yellow Delicious and Honey Crisp, to name a few varieties.  We are pruning the orchard now, getting it ready for the coming growing season.  We intend on raising our apples naturally, using very limited spray & maintaining tree health through fertility.  We will be offering apples at the farm or at the market locations along with our existing meat products.
  2. We are growing our sheep flock and cattle herd to better meet our customer's needs. This means that we are clearing more brush to create productive pasture, overseeding existing pastures and always looking for more ground to raise hay on for winter feed.
  3. We are planning on adding another weekly market to our schedule in 2012.  We haven't decided on the location yet, but will be letting you know asap so you can come and visit us.

These are just a few things that we are doing.  As always we appreciate your support and referrals and will try to keep you updated on our progress.