Hidden Acres FAQs
Is your grass-fed beef finished on grass?
Yes.
During the spring, summer, and fall months, all vegetation can be nutritious and readily used. Having multi-species of vegetation available as different plants are more nutritious at various times of the year.
We follow a non-selective rotational grazing system that allows for 1-2 days grazing in a paddock before they are moved to the next paddock. This is healthier for both plants and animals.
How do you feed grass in the winter?
We use a process of wet baling, called bailage that allows us to harvest a grass hay crop, the day after cutting. We take the hay and wrap it in the plastic you see in the enclosed pictures. We rotate which fields we will harvest each year, so this bailage has a mixture of grass, legumes like clover and alfalfa, and up to 12-15 species of grass and legumes. We find the wider the variety, the better tasting the meat becomes when fed in the winter. So technically, our animals are not out on pasture during the winter months, we bring the pasture to them.
We are approaching our fifth year of no grain produced on our property, and we see numerous benefits to our soil and terrain.
Why Grass Fed?
I recently read a magazine article, indicating one of the best sources of zinc, which according to the article helps your body fight off viruses, is red meat, especially healthy grass-fed beef!! This included the Covid-19 virus.
Grass Fed Cattle are Health
- Bred, born and raised in Lake City, MN at Hidden Acres, our cattle live a low-stress life
- 100% grown in our beautiful green pastures and grass fed their entire lives
- Grass fed cattle grow at a natural pace
- No hormones, no antibiotics, no GMOs
Grass Fed Cattle Produce Better Beef
- Lower in total fat and saturated fat
- Higher in Omega-3s
- Rich in cancer fighting Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
- Higher in beta0carotene
- Higher in Vitamin A, Vitamin E and the B Vitamins, Thiamin and Riboflavin
Grass Fed Cattle are Better for the Environment
- No harmful run-off
- Small sustainable herd on our property
Health Benefits
Since we do NOT use any growth hormones, antibiotics or feed additives our cattle are lifetime members of the grass fed only community!
Health benefits of eating 100% grass fed and grass finished beef are and not limited to increased amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A,D,E, K2, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), it is also lower in cholesterol, saturated fats, and calories when compared to grain-fed beef.
For more information about the benefits of grass fed beef we encourage you to visit: http://www.eatwild.com/basics.html
Meat Preparation FAQS
Grass fed beef has a different flavor and texture than grain fed beef. Because it is leaner, it cooks faster than grain fed and is best finished at rare to medium-rare temperatures.
Watch your temperature carefully and be sure to check for doneness sooner than you would for grain fed beef. If you prefer your meat more well done, cook it low and slow or try adding a marinade first to seal in moisture.