BEEF • PORK • CHICKEN • LAMB
How Our Cattle Are Raised
Our 100% grass-fed cattle are rotationally grazed on certified organic pastures containing a mix of legumes, naturally growing herbs, and grasses. The grazing season runs from May through November in Eastern Iowa. In the winter, they are given organic hay that is grown on the farm.
We Proudly Feature a Mix of Devon, Hereford, Black and Red Angus Breeds
All our steers and heifers are at least half Devon. We chose the Devon breed for their ability to finish out on grass alone, and for their tender, flavorful meat. When crossed with the other English beef breeds, this produces an animal with excellent hybrid vigor and a moderately sized frame, perfect for 100% grass-fed beef.
Health Benefits of Grass-fed Beef
- Lower in total fat content
- Higher in total omega-3 fatty acids
- A healthier ratio of omega-3 fatty acids
- Higher in vitamin E
- Higher in B vitamins thiamin and riboflavin
- Higher in the minerals: calcium, magnesium, and potassium
How Our Pigs Are Raised
Our pasture-raised hogs have access to the outdoors 24/7 with plenty of fresh air and space to run around. This in turn provides their meat with increased marbling and a vibrant red color. In addition to being on pasture, the pigs are fed a diet of organic grains grown on the farm, including corn, wheat, oats, roasted soybeans, vitamins, and minerals.
We Proudly Feature Berkshire, Hereford, Large Black and Gloucester Old Spot Breeds
We choose these heritage breeds because of their natural mothering characteristics which are helpful during farrowing. They also showcase premium meat quality with their vibrant red coloring and higher fat content, which results in a higher level of marbling in the loins. Because our hogs can better withstand living outdoors, their immune systems flourish. This allows us to raise happy, healthy hogs that pass these traits onto their piglets.
Health Benefits of Pasture-Raised Pork
- Higher omega-3 fatty acids
- Higher in Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
- Elevated vitamin E levels
How Our Chickens Are Raised
At just a day old, chicks come to live at the farm under heat lamps for a few weeks until they are ready to transition to outdoor living conditions. Once chicks are well established to the indoor/outdoor climate, they are permanently housed in a moveable hoop house out in a pasture. There the chickens spend days foraging on a rotated pasture until they are finished out at approximately 10 weeks.
We Proudly Raise the Freedom Ranger Chicken Breed
Our Freedom Ranger birds are shipped in from Pennsylvania. We prefer these birds because they have a slower rate of growth, which results in healthier bone structure preventing leg complications. Freedom Rangers are also naturally apt to excel in foraging and grazing on pastures. Our customers have found that OOA chicken meat has a firmer texture and robust flavor, which can be attributed to the daily exercise they get from foraging all day.
Not only do our chickens thrive in fresh air conditions, but they partner with the cattle after they have grazed off a paddock. We do this so the chickens benefit from the increased insect population after the cattle are moved out of the pasture.
Health Benefits of Pasture-Raised Chicken
- Rich in vitamins & minerals
- Vitamins A, B, & D
- High in potassium
How Our Sheep Are Raised
Our 100% grass-fed sheep are rotationally grazed on certified organic pastures containing a mix of legumes, naturally growing herbs, and grasses. The grazing season runs from May through November in Eastern Iowa. Lambs are typically born in January and February. They are weaned just as the grazing season begins. After grazing our lush pasture through the season, they are butchered in the late fall/early winter as the grazing season ends.
We Proudly Feature a Mix of Dorper and Katahdin Breeds
We chose the Dorper and Katahdin breeds for their meat quality. They are both known as “hair” breeds as they don’t require shearing because they shed their coats naturally. Both breeds are very efficient at converting forage to meat with excellent marbling and flavor.
Health Benefits of Grass-Fed Lamb
- Higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
- Higher in total omega-3 fatty acids
- A healthier ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids
- Higher in vitamin E
- Higher levels of B12
- Rich in Zinc and Iron
