Question 1

What is the difference between a cow and a bull, and what are those other cow related words?

Accepted Answer

Cattle are domesticated bovines. Cows are female cattle that have had a calf. Calves are young cattle that have not reached sexual maturity. Bulls are male cattle with intact testes. Heifers are female bovines that have not yet had a calf. Steers are male cattle that have been castrated (no intact testes). A yearling is a juvenile bovine that is in a growing stage, and entering maturity.

Question 2

What do your cattle eat?

Accepted Answer

Our cattle have unlimited access to grass and hay, and are supplemented with a feed that includes cotton seed hulls, shelled corn, corn gluten, soy, and molasses, along with other ingredients like trace minerals.

Heifers, and bull yearlings receive a moderate amount of feed to help their growth and development. Cows and breeding bulls receive a light amount of feed known as a maintenance ration. Steers receive a higher amount of feed to help them put on the correct amount of fat to reach the quality level we strive for.

Question 3

Why are bulls castrated? (Yikes!)

Accepted Answer

When bull calves are very young, they will receive a surgery known as castration. This might involve incisions to remove the testicles, or thick rubber bands to cut off the blood to the tissue, which will eventually dry and fall off. This is to prevent the bull from developing secondary sex characteristics such as larger shoulders, neck and head, and thicker connective tissue, as well as prevent the more aggressive behavior mature bulls can develop. This is to ensure a quality meat, and for the safety of the animals and those handling them. Measures are always taken to ensure the safety of the animal.

Question 4

How old are steers before they become beef?

Accepted Answer

In the US, most terminal cattle (steers and heifers not suited for breeding) are 18-24 months old. It is not unusual for Wagyu to be 30 or even 36 months old before they are processed for beef. Since they are managed to deposit fat more slowly, they will be older at harvest.

Question 5

Why not grass fed and finished?

Accepted Answer

Ultimately, the American palate prefers the taste of grain finished beef. It makes it easier to more accurately time how long it will take to reach a desired point in the development of the animals, as well as shortening the time needed to have animals ready for processing. All our cattle are on as much grass and hay as they want, and could be considered grass fed. "Grass-fed" as a term is mainly a marketing term used to serve a niche market. "Grass Finished" is a similar niche term, but means that the animal was strictly on grass, and no  grain to supplement the diet. If you are looking for beef that hasn't been fed a grain supplemented diet, look for the term "Grain Finished".

Question 6

Are they really Wagyu?

Accepted Answer

Our steers are anywhere between F1 (50% wagyu) to F4 (93.75%) hybrid. The breed they are typically crossed with is red angus.

Helpful Answers for Your Cattle Questions

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any questions

Helpful Answers for Your Cattle Questions

Get in touch with any questions

Get in touch with
any questions