Restock Dates: Please see our Farm Blog where we post our weekly newsletter for the latest updates

Meet Our Replacement Heifers

written by

Ben Simmons

posted on

July 15, 2022

Last weekend Beth gave an informative update on the status of our hens and egg production. Hope you were able to read it.

Today, I want to show you a few pictures of our replacement heifers. Maybe I should start by telling you what a replacement heifer is.

A replacement heifer is a young female yearling that is typically 15-24 months old that has not had a calf. The objective is to select the best of the best females from our herd and retain them to be future mama cows. Not just any female will do!

Heifers1.jpg

This is a picture of several of the heifers we kept from our herd.

Heifers2.jpg

The heifer "out front" is from our farm. The three orange tag heifers were purchased. They are smaller because they are also 6 months younger.

Bull.jpg

We also purchased this Registered Red Angus bull (tag 114) to breed each of our replacement heifers.

So, some details about the bull & heifers we purchased.

First, one of the best Red Angus forage based ranches is 5L in Montana. We tried several years to pickup both replacement heifers & bulls, but the price (including transportation) put them out of our reach.

So this year we looked to Les in Alabama who has used 5L bulls exclusively for the past 25 years to improve his cow herd. I first meet Les about 5 years ago at his farm. It was the time when he was preparing to attend the annual 5L Spring Bull Sale. By preparing, I mean he was studying the sale catalog of some 400 or so bulls. Studying all the data - looking for bulls with qualities to improve his herd. There is no telling how many hours he spent "selecting" the bulls he intended to be the high bidder on...and he usually was.

This makes us feel very good about the replacements we purchased and look forward to the improvement they bring to our Grass-Finished Beef.

And our new bull - well his Sire is a top 5L bull. This is the second time I have purchased from Ron (and the third bull) and have been pleased with them all.

As you can see, we are moving towards 5L quality Red Angus. We agree with their motto "Bred For Balance" vs. placing emphasis on the latest fad traits. And, they are raised on forage and not grain.

Can't wait to see those first calves in February 2023!!!

Maybe you have been looking for premium ALL NATURAL GOODNESS of beef, pork, chicken, and eggs raised on pasture as God intended - without growth hormones, drugs, chemicals, and antibiotics - and raised humanely then you have come to the right farm. Our delivery schedule and product availability is listed below along with order buttons that will take you to our website where you can browse over 90 product choices and place your order from the convenience of your home. It's that simple!

Yes, I want to Place My Order

Ben & I really appreciate your business and thank you for rewarding our hard work with your trust and support. We look forward to seeing you soon.

More from the blog

Tribute to Tess - our loyal farm dog

A Tribute to Tess- Thursday morning was a very sad time here on the farm. Without going into all the details, a tragic accident first thing Thursday morning involving our beloved Tess that caused her death a few minutes later. First thing in the morning she is typically at the back door waiting for one of us to come out so she can greet us. But, not this day. We are all very sad and heartbroken. Tess was such a joy and loving to all who knew her. It has been especially hard for our son Jared as he and Tess were best friends. Many of our customers who have been to our farm know she always greeted with a big smile and happy spirit.

Health vs. Economics is THE Battle

Health vs. Economics is THE Battle - or maybe health vs. priorities of the general public when you consider that in 2024 the Apple App Store generated $1.3 trillion in sales!!! Vicki, a repeat customer from the MS Gulf Coast, sent me a short 3 minute video from a Joe Rogan Podcast with RFK Jr. discussing pig farms in North Carolina and how the CAFO pig operations got started. NOTE that the big companies own the pigs – the farmers only own the debt and do the work (and take all the risk). Please watch the video here.

"Pasture Raised" Defined

The USDA has officially updated the definition of “pasture-raised” to require that animals spend the majority of their lives on rooted, vegetative pasture, distinguishing it from “free-range,” which only mandates outdoor access. This update became effective March 2025. Here at Nature’s Gourmet Farm that is how we raise our animals – whether it be cows, pigs, meat chickens, egg layers, or turkeys. Pasture raised is our management choice and reflects our stewardship ethos. Frankly, pasture raised is how God created them to be versus. in a Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO). CAFOs represent man’s inhumane wisdom!!!