Beef

Truly Pasture Raised Beef

We knew we wanted grass-fed beef that was rotated frequently onto fresh green pasture.

We needed a slower growth breed that would marble well without corn or the sugars and food waste grocery store "grass fed" beef are fed on their feedlot.

We toured lots of local farms and taste tested. What we found was that raising grass-fed beef is really hard; even if a farmer is doing everything right, the end result might not make the cut.

Getting it right took time. Frankly it was an art.

We are exceptionally proud of the beef we offer at TC Farm. There are a lot of reasons that go into why our beef is better.

OUR BEEF STANDARDS

TC Farm Is Better

Tender Dry-Aged Beef

100% of our beef is dry-aged.

In the store, beef is almost always wet-aged. This makes the meat watered down with about 10% extra water content (not such a great value).

We age ours 21-28 days and have found a huge difference in quality with that extra effort. Our dry-aged beef means a fuller flavor and better value.

Rotationally Grazed

We take care of our farms by regularly rotating where our animals graze.

Most conventionally raised beef (and even lots of grass fed beef) is raised on feedlots. Conventional farming practices degrade the soil and pollute Minnesota rivers and streams.

By moving our herd to fresh pasture on a regular basis, we are taking care of the land we farm. In fact, our farming actually builds topsoil, sequestering carbon and protecting local streams along the way.

Actually Grass Fed

Grass fed means our beef is fed hay, pasture, minerals and water. That's it. Exactly what you'd expect.

You'd be surprised to learn what the industry feeds and still counts as "grass fed" (hint: it isn't grass). Cows may be fed industry waste, sawdust, candy -- and they still count as "grass fed".

Most "grass fed" beef in the grocery is actually from feedlot dairy cows or cull cows that are at the end of their productive lives. Since it is not typically raised on actual pasture with fresh grass, the beef doesn't taste as good and is not as healthy.

Slower Growth = Flavor

Others engineer things to raise beef as fast and cheap as possible, usually through cutting corners.

We rely on slower growth and healthier food. Using only slow-growth genetics, combined with the artful care we provide, really makes a difference. Simply put: Our steers take longer to raise.

All the extra time we invest means our beef costs a just little more. We think you'll agree it's worth it.

No Drugs

Zero. Ziltch. Nada.

We never use any type of growth drug.

Raised on lush pasture, our cows are healthy and never would require routine antibiotics like most others which are raised in unsanitary conditions.

I was amazed to learn that 70-80% of beef now uses the growth drug Ractopamine to speed up growth. This drug is illegal in 160 other countries. What's worse, that beef is still marketed here as "hormone free" and their use of the drug isn't disclosed. The grocery staff probably don't even know.

100% Grass Fed - Bulk Orders

Many of our products are offered in bulk quantites which can provide a discount.

Barley Finished Beef vs. 100 % Grass Fed

In addition to our 100% grass fed beef, we also offer barley finished pasture raised beef which has a richer taste and more fat marbling.

Our barley finished beef is raised to the same standards as our grass fed beef mentioned above, only the steers are finished with a small amount of barley (a very natural food when offered in moderate quantity).

Learn more about the barley finished difference by reading the Barley Finished Beef article.

Grass Fed Beef