Hearst Ranch Grass Fed Beef

[VLS_GUY]

I have seen the Hearst Ranch close up. They are likely have the best range management on the central coast of California. They are produced on the Hearst family ranch of Castle fame. The ground can not support a high stocking rate as rain fall in most years is scarce and comes in the winter time. Winter is when the grass grows-not the spring and summer.
Most of their cattle are Angus/Hereford/Shorthorn cross. They aim to get a 1200 LB low select YG 3 steer at around 2 years of age. To achieve this native range or improved range is not enough. They use irrigated pasture and a feedlot where they are fed only forage to get enough finish on them just to get to low select.
Some things to keep in mind:
This ranch is a hobby for the wealthy Hearst family. The ranch has to pay its way (break even) on cash expenses only. It has been in the family for 3 generations as a get away.
They have a natural market in the Bay Area and Southern California for a very expensive product the average consumer can not afford to buy. If this was done on a larger scale the market would lower the price on organic grass fed beef to the point it would not be economic to produce as their land expenses to grow the grass needed would be very high particularly in Southern California.

 

[greybeard]

I think Cory has it right. I don't finnish anything with grain as I don't have any, but I'm more than happy to swap my BIL for a greased steer that flares up when it hits the grill.
I like a good grass fed as well, and ate lots of real good grass fed in Argentina. They have done grass finished there because it was cheaper than using the corn that they export. It can be done but we all know it can be screwed up. Lots of non finished or to old stuff that chews like bubble gum.
I think it takes an experienced stockman to do a good job of grassfed. Unfortunatly lots of novices are attracted to it. Kind of like organic. It can be done if done right,but can be a god awfull mess as the novice learns the lessons.
One other thing to keep in mind if you are thinking about all the exta you are going to make off that grassfed premium. Over at Tallgrass they told me they expect a yeld of 56-57%. I'm pretty sure a simmi X steer off grain will do 65% and grade well. You need a 10-15% to make up for those lost pounds.

 

[Northern Rancher]

Trying to grass finish younger cattle up our way is tough but dry heifers as twos fatten pretty easy and eat nice. A neighbor and I did a government test deal where we ultasounded some yearlings off grass then got them slaughtered and graded. Marbling wasn't a part of our grading system back then but they all had adequate fat thickness and colour to grade under the old system. Most grass cattle get marketed now just when they're going to start gaining well-late August/Sept can put some nice gains on cattle.