How We Bring Nutrient Density To Our Products

Contents:

1. 1. Quick Egg Update
2. 2. How We Bring Nutrient Density To Our Beef
3. 3. Product Availability Update

PLEASE NOTE- The market situation with eggs has softened and the $4 surcharge has been cancelled. Additionally, our new pullets have just started laying so we will soon have plenty of eggs. Many thanks for your understanding and support – we have the best customers!!!

How We Bring Nutrient Density To Our Beef – Harry, a relatively new customer, picked up his first order at the Hattiesburg location March 1^st. He had watched the new Joel Salatin documentary published by Angel Studios and was fascinated.

Frankly, I think it is the best documentary of Polyface Farm I have seen as it filled in blanks from before Joel first started farming till now and HOW regenerative farming completely changed a once very degraded farm. Learn more here.

Then, Harry visited me March 28^th. I learned from earlier conversations that he was reading Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma.

When he arrived I showed him around the plant area and listened to him express thoughts on all that he was learning. After a bit I said, “why don’t you come with me to move our cows to the next paddock?” Wow – that sounds exciting (note that Harry is not a farm boy…yet).

Harry was great help. He drove the RTV pulling the water forward while I opened the electric wire. Several times he was up close to some of the cows as they checked him out.” He asked a lot of questions about what and how we do things,

And goofy me forgot to video any of it. UGH!

So, this week when I had another opportunity to be part of moving the cows I took a few videos and pictures that I will share.

The first video is of our yearling herd of about 174 beef. It is a mix of two and one year olds including the 39 replacement heifers and 17 steers purchased last November. Note, I did not have to call them at all (although I always talk to them).

Click this link to watch them move… they never move slowly. It is always FAST.

Later Thursday afternoon I took Eric and Austin to move the cow herd (the ones Harry helped me with earlier).

Before I give you the link let me say a few words about nutrient density. First, what Does Nutrient Dense Mean?

According to heart.org; Nutrient-dense foods are rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients important to our health. Nutrient density is the amount of nutrients you get for the calories consumed.

So, how does the cow provide nutrient-dense meat – well, eating forage rich in vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients – while avoiding toxic chemicals.

Key for nutrient-dense forage is plant diversity and grazing management, i,.e. Move, Mob, Mow, Rest, Repeat. Watch this video demonstrating this strategy on Thursday.

In this picture we are letting the cows into their next paddock. The water has already been moved forward with the RTV and Eric & Austin have installed the hot wire limiting them to about 2.5 acres.

Here is a picture of the cows mowing! You can see in the foreground the work they did in two days to graze. IF they were given access to the complete pasture (about 140 acres) they would never eat or disrupt the grass evenly. There would only be “patches” of area where they would graze and leave the balance alone. Once moved into the new paddock, what was the front fence becomes the back fence to prevent them from regrazing the prior area.

Providing REST is critical in Regenerative Farming. This gives the forages time to regrow and strengthen roots before the cows are moved back. In this case it will be about 50 days before moving back onto this 2.5 acre paddock. Note too that plenty of cover was left in the prior paddock to protect the soil from erosion and heat.

This picture shows a closeup of some of the diversity found. This is vetch. Vetch is a legume that transfers free nitrogen from the atmosphere and deposits into the soil profile. Nitrogen is a key nutrient for plant growth and soil health.

This last picture is a manure pile teaming with dung beetles. Notice the mounds of soil they have brought to the surface which will be replaced with manure for their nest below ground. Not only are they moving nutrients (manure) into the soil structure, but are also loosening the soil for air & water infiltration.

Nature pays many dividends when farmers WORK WITH NATURE!

** Product Availability Update **

NOTE: Restocks are made about 6 PM on the dates indicated below!

Chicken - Restocked March 26th. Next Restock will be April 9th

Turkey - Hatchery cannot provide this year. Developing a new plan.

Eggs - Restock each (NOW) TUESDAY PRIOR to YOUR delivery date. PLEASE NOTE- Egg surcharge has been cancelled

Beef - Restocked March 25th. Next Restock will be April 20th. IF you are interested in a Half or Whole beef please reply to this email with your name and cell number. We are making a list and are planning for May 7th harvest.

Pork – Restocked March 12th. Cured items March 23rd. Next Restock will be April 9th

Lamb - Restocked March 14th and March 27th just in time for Easter. Next Restock will be September 2025.