McCafferty Ranch Beef
McCafferty Ranch Beef
Business Mission
McCafferty Ranch aims to provide high-quality, all-natural beef directly from their ranch to consumers. The ranch emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices and the health benefits of their unique cattle feeding system.
Products and Services
McCafferty Ranch offers all-natural beef that is sprout-finished. Their cattle are fed a diet consisting of barley and pea sprouts grown in a hydroponic facility on the ranch. The animals are finished on this diet for 120 days, consuming 100 pounds of fresh grass fodder each day. This feeding method results in beef that is well-marbled, flavorful, and tender.
Key Practices
- Sprout-Finished Feeding: The ranch utilizes a hydroponic plant to grow fresh barley and pea sprouts, allowing them to feed their cattle nutrient-rich fodder year-round, regardless of weather conditions.
- Gentle Cattle Handling: The ranch prioritizes gentle handling practices, primarily using horseback methods instead of motorized vehicles, creating a less stressful environment for the cattle.
- Grass-Fed Standards: All cattle are grass-finished on the ranch, ensuring that they receive a consistent and nutritious diet that enhances the quality of the beef.
- Processing Standards: The beef is processed at a USDA inspected facility, aged for 21 days to enhance flavor and tenderness, and vacuum-sealed for freshness without additives or preservatives.
Significant History
McCafferty Ranch has been a family-owned and operated business since 1926 and is currently in its third generation of ownership. Located at the base of the Little Belt Mountains in North Central Montana, the ranch's history is tied to the region's rich landscape, which has been recognized for its abundance of wildlife and natural resources.
Recent Developments
The ranch has recently implemented a revolutionary hydroponic feeding system that increases the efficiency and quality of their sprout production. This innovation is expected to enhance the ranch's capability to feed their cattle and adapt to challenges such as drought and feed shortages.
Community Engagement
McCafferty Ranch is dedicated to transparency in its operations, allowing customers to understand where their beef comes from and how it is raised. They encourage direct purchases from the ranch, fostering a connection between consumers and the source of their food.
Future Initiatives
The ranch plans to expand its product offerings, including beef tallow products like soap, lotion, and leather conditioner, which are anticipated to be available in August. They are also focused on educating the public about their hydroponic systems and the benefits of their feeding practices for both human health and cattle welfare.