Even before we began our trip early Wednesday morning, we delivered a breech heifer calf.  The week continued to get better with Paxton showing:

2013 GRAND CHAMPION PROSPECT STEER

Grass Fed vs Corn Fed

Let me begin by saying, I have nothing against grass fed cattle.  It has been a growing trend in America and it has its place in the meat industry.  BUT, I would like those on the grass fed side of the equation to be more careful how you talk about grain fed cattle. Remember Beef Consumers, grass fed proponents are trying to sell you their product and what better way than to put a negative spin on grain fed beef. Don't believe everything you read!

 

I am certain people can argue about taste on both sides of the fence. I, personally, believe there is a fairly significant difference between the two. Grain fed beef has more marbling in the meat while grass fed beef tends to be less marbled, leaner and in general, tougher. Leaner isn't always better when it comes to taste and tenderness. Rarely will you find a grass fed beef in the high choice or prime category. Much of the flavor in beef comes from the fat and marbling and there is a difference between the two. I am well aware that not every grain fed beef is high quality, but in general the above statements are true.

Grass fed proponents like to play the "cows are genetically made for grass" card. True, the anatomy of a cow's stomach (or multiple stomachs) is geared to handle grass much better than other animals. But,that does not mean they can not or should not eat grain. (Horses and Rabbits ought to lay off the grass - they only have one stomach. Actually, God made their digestive system unique, too, but this is not the time or place for that.) I am in agreement, it is dangerous to take cattle directly off grass and move them into a full grain diet. It is also dangerous to let a cow eat green alfalfa (oh no, a green plant) which is very important to the dairy industry. Both of them when mismanaged can cause the animal to bloat and die.

Grain has been fed to cattle as far back as bible times, so the argument that all cows in ages past were grass fed is just not true. We read in both the Old Testament and the New Testament (Deuteronomy 25:4, 1 Corinthians 9:9, 1 Timothy 5:18). "Do not muzzle an ox while he is treading out the grain."  This certainly indicates that grain was a part of the oxen's (cattle) diet way back then. (I am in no way trying to explain those verses but only trying to make the point - cattle have been eating grain for a long, long, long time.)

I live in Iowa where feedlots are a major part of the landscape. I believe there is a place for large feedlots as well. Grain (not grass) is plenty in the Midwest, and it can produce more pounds of meat with less feed. We need this for the ever increasing population around the world. If all cattle were grass fed, people around the world would go without beef, because it would be unaffordable for the majority of the population.

WHAT THEN? What is a good option?

     22 Cattle Company's grain and hay fed Miniature Hereford Beef!  Grain fed beef without the hormones and antibiotics often found in feedlot cattle (given to these cattle to help them grow faster and more efficiently). No implants and specialty growth hormones. These miniatures grow well on a mixture of grains, proteins, and grass hay. Managed well to keep the health of the animal in mind.

WHY 22 Cattle?  Why 22 Cattle Company's Miniature Hereford Beef?

1. No sacrifice when it comes to taste!  Just the right amount of marbling for that incredible taste!
2. Miniature Herefords are naturally lean and tender - shorter muscle length.  Although it is not yet scientifically proven, many Miniature Hereford advocates believe that this beef is more tender because of the shorter muscle length. In addition, it only has to carry weight of up to 750-900 lbs as opposed to 1400-1500 lbs. This in turn keeps the meat more tender.
3. The price is right! Miniature Herefords are impressively efficient in converting feed into quality meat. They may cost a bit more than your average feedlot steer, but they are hormone/antibiotic free. They are also much cheaper than your typically grass fed beef because of the shorter length of time to feed them.

By the way, those who only want grass fed beef - you should consider raising Miniature Herefords.  My cows rarely get any grain and they are well conditioned on grass and roughage. I truly believe Miniature Herefords will grow faster on grass than their larger counterparts which is a huge saving to you, the producer.

Feel free to contact me anytime if you are interested in trying some or starting a herd of your own (grass or grain fed)! dhfarms@frontiernet.net 

Young Miniature Hereford Heifer for Sale

SHF DISCO MARO x JUDKENS BABY GALE

22 Maro's Lil "Suzy"

Click the link below to see a quick video!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVu-XKdtFqg

Iowa State Fair - Fun, Family, and Flash Back

FUN - We had a blast at this year's Iowa State Fair. I realize it has been 3 months since the fair, but this is the first chance I have had to write about it.  The weather is beginning to change, my coaching duties are over, and it gets dark so fast in the evening. Why not do something semi-productive and blog? Paxton and Chadon are showing and doing an incredible job and having fun doing it!

FAMILY - This is most of our family posing for an exciting "Grand Champion" picture. We are missing Dalton - no chance in getting him away from his Senior year of football.  Plaid shirts and boots - we even look like cattle people.  Except for Sandi and her flip-flops - we will make her a cowgirl eventually!  Some awesome memories for our family!

FLASH BACK - Grand Champion Miniature Hereford Bull - very exciting for our first-time showing miniature herefords! As you can tell by the picture he is as gentle as they get. He makes for a warm, comfy couch, too.  He will be 22 Cattle Company's herd sire for quite some time.

I'm excited to introduce to you little "Chase" - named by my fourth grader who already thinks he is going to show this little guy.  Our first bull calf born this year was called "Ace" so the 2nd was naturally called "Chase" the "Ace".  He is square, thick, and quite the cutie!  Let me know what you think of him.  Oh, his mom is a first-calf heifer named "Xita".  

The cattle are lowing. . .what is that?

I realize it isn't close to Christmas and it has been a long time since we have seen any white stuff  to cause me to think about Christmas, but the word cattle conjurs up all kinds of thing in my brain.  So here I am thinking about "cattle" and the 3rd verse of Away in the Manger pops up in my head.  And I have questions!!

Sing it with me. . .

The cattle are lowing
the Baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus
no crying He makes

What does a cow do when he lows?

Is that a sound they make or something they do with their hooves?

Since I have miniatures - are they low(ing) to the ground? (haha)

Is lowing something they used in the lyrics because it sounded better than "mooing"?

Does lowing have some spiritual significance?

So here it is. . .www.Dictionary.com says "to utter the deep, low sound characteristic of cattle; moo-" 


Lowing means - moooooo! 

(Just a tid bit of information not really important to this post, but did you know that this verse wasn't original to the song?  It was added by a methodist minister for a childrens program.all the way back in the early1900's.) 

According to the song, baby Jesus is awaken by this lowing sound.  Let me tell you, I have a few cows that can certainly wake up a baby!  (They have "awaken" my neighbors on numerous occasions!)  They sound more like foghorns!  Anyway, I really have a tough time believing if a baby was woke up by this lowing cow there was no crying.  I have a feeling there was bawl, bellow, blare, caterwaul, hollar, howl, jar, roar, screak, screech , shout, shriek, shrill,  (The thesaurus helped me describe what may have happened.)

See, Christ was a baby and why should we believe he did not act like a baby.  I am not getting into any theological debate on whether or not you think crying is sinful or not, but there is no denying Christ was a baby. 

So what?  What is the big deal that Christ became a baby?

Think about it this way - because God became flesh He can understand the frailties our flesh.  If you are suffering - he understands, if you are tempted - he knows, if you are feeling rejected or betrayed - he understands, if you have joy and praise on your heart - he knows.  Christ has been there. 

But more importantly be reminded. . .


 
Christ became man.  God became flesh.  Christ became a baby - fully God and fully man.  This was God's plan from the very beginning.  God needed someone in the flesh to satisfy His wrath against sin, but that person needed to be sinless - holy like Him.  Christ - fully God and fully man was the only answer.  Christ became the propitiation (big word - I know), "Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people." Hebrews 2:16-18  (This should help you understand and remember what propitiation means, propitiation - wrath swollower - Christ is the wrath swollower)

Maybe the cattle and their lowing had little signficance in the song, and maybe the song itself is not very accurate, but make no mistake - it is a blessed thing to be reminded of Christ coming to earth to satify what we could not do.  In fact, it has eternal signficance!

So, the next time you hear the cattle lowing - be overjoyed and thankful to be reminded that Christ became a man to swollow God's wrath aimed for us - all for His glory!  Amen

Stingray City

Yes, this is the same thing that killed the Crocodile Hunter.  Just a 45 minute slow boat ride off the coast of Grand Caymen is a sandbar where Stingrays and Humans interact. 

Paxton holding a Stingray

Chadon, watch out for the tail - more importantly the stinger!

Dalton and Chadon up close - if you look close the Stingray is on Dalton's chest.