First Nature Farms: Products: Beef

Products » Beef

First Nature Farms: Beef

Beef raised certified organic since 1990.

Happy Cows??

Around 1977 when we first moved to Goodfare, we did not bring with us a whole lot of cattle experience. "Greenhorns from the city" we were but it didn't slow us down from trying out some new ideas at raising cattle. It did not take long for word to spread through the neighbourhood and soon we became known by the locals as "The Home of Happy Cows"! We were honoured by the title and thought the cows would be too. It wasn't until much later the rumor surfaced. The reason our cows were so happy is that we "must be feeding them bales of marijuana"!

During the entire life of the animal (and for three months before birth):

All feed must be certified organic including pastures, hay, and grains and straw. Organic feed contains no pesticide residues and must be produced in a manner which is sustainable using no artificial fertilizers.
All feed must contain no animal by products or GMO's
Antibiotics, medications, insecticides are not allowed in organic production. Animals that must be treated are removed from the organic program and sold conventionally.
Growth hormones are never allowed.
Organic animals are always the first through the plant which offers the lowest stress and the cleanest facilities.
All regulations governing organic production must be followed and the farm must be inspected every year in order to produce a certified product.

What makes beef "organic"?

About the Beef

Our cattle are Angus - certified organic since 1990.
Our beef herd of around 35 cows has a total of 3350 acres of organic land on which to roam.
All of our animals are supplemented with flax meal which not only provides high levels of omega 3 fatty acids but also helps to keep their coats shiny.
Hand feeding of animals keeps stress to a minimum.
Processing takes place in a small federally inspected facility which handles 35-40 head of cattle per week as compared to thousands per day in southern Alberta.
Sam is the "cowgirl" in the family. She handles everything from the birthing to the fencing and is respected throughout the neighbourhood for her medical skills and knowledge of animal behavior.