News and Blog

Youngblood Grassfed Farm Newsletter
March 26th, 2010

Hello Farm Friends,
We are beyond ecstatic with the spring warmth and sunshine.  The "peepers" are singing, conducting their orchestra, it seems, at a near by spring-fed pond.  Spring feels like a huge, fresh breath after being under water too long.  It is a relief to me, as well as restoration.  Welcome Spring!!

The grass begins it's growth, the sun warming the soil.  The rotation of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs begin.  We have mended some fences for the sheep and goats.  We plan to rotate the finishing pigs with them, althought not in the same paddocks, just the same place.  The cattle are starting out the leased place we acquired late last year.  We will keep a few pigs, the sows and boar, here.  We are excited to see what the intensive rotational grazing will produce for this year. 

Last weekend, Andy and I traveled to Fort Payne, AL to go shopping.  For bulls!  We were successful, too.  Andy has researched many breeds and talked with numerous folks about different traits, successes and failures, data, and other general questions.  He came across the Southpoll.  It is a cross between Red Angus, Hereford, Senepol and Barzona.  They are labeled as the southern, grass-genetic animal.  Andy met the founder of the breed, Teddy Gentry at a grazing conference in Franklin, Texas.  Teddy Gentry may sound familiar to you if you were a fan of the southern-rock/country group, Alabama.  He put his money to work!  After many months of studying pedigrees, visits and additional research, we set out for Alabama to shop for bulls.  Our first choice, we found out, Teddy had decided to keep as his herd bull, so we picked the next best!  They are young, but will not have to service the girls for a little while yet.  It was a very pleasant experience, beautiful country and top quality animals.  We saw the sires as well as the mommas' these bulls were raised from.  We got to ride with Dave Roberts who manages Teddy Gentry's herd as well as, yes, Randy Owens.  On a small country lane through the pastures, we met Randy Owens!  He was out checking his cows.  Not an everyday event for folks like us!  No I didn't get a picture, not of him anyhow, but here are the bulls we bought.




The patch of hair missing on their back is due to the ultrasound testing just completed for rib-eye size and tenderness testing.  They check for connective tissue to determine tenderness. You can go to our website to view a few other pictures of the trip.  They will also be posted to our farm facebook page.  Become a fan today!

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We have been selling a lot of product on the Hot Springs, Hot Springs Village and Little Rock on-line markets.  Our goal is to continue this as well as attending the Texarkana market weekly.  We do have a good supply of link sausages left as well as different pork cuts.  We are running low on beef cuts.  We will be taking a few animals in April that will be made into more sausages, bologna and salami.  These products have had rave reviews and they are made without MSG or nitrites!! 

In honor of spring, we are offering a Sampler Grillin' Pack of Link Sausages.  This includes one package of each sausage: German, Smoked Sausage, Fresh Bratwurst, Smoked Bratwurst and Hot Dogs!! 
SAMPLER Grillin' Pack of Sausages
$32.50

Farm Day
As usual, time flies and we find ourselves wondering where it went.  We have had many requests for folks to come to the farm, see what we do, see the animals and maybe get your hands dirty a little!  We decided to set a date or it won't happen.  We will have a Farm Day on Saturday, June 12.  Let us know if you are interested in attending.  We are making plans now.

Education Opportunity
I wanted to pass along some information I have about a new event that is relatively close.  It is called Natural Wellness Expo.  It is in Tyler, Texas.  There are some tremendous speakers from the world of whole-food, natural health and wellness.  The conference features:

Jordan Rubin of "The Maker's Diet," and "Great Physician's Rx" www.JordanRubin.com

- Sally Fallon Morell of "Nourishing Traditions," and founder of RealMilk.org and The Weston A. Price Foundation. www.westonaprice.org, www.realmilk.com, www.newtrendspublishing.com

- Doug Kaufmann of "The Fungus Link," and host of "Know the Cause" www.KnowTheCause.com

- Robert Scott Bell host of the nationally syndicated health radio program "The Robert Scott Bell Show" for health insights and freedoms www.rsbell.com/radio,  www.RobertScottBell.blogspot.com


Let me know if anyone is interested!!

Blessings to you and yours!
Tracy

Hello All!

I have had many requests for sampler packages.  I have finally created some some.  There are great savings by purchasing larger quantities such as this.  They are also on our Product Prices and Availability page.  I am sending this out since I am making deliveries soon.  Enjoy!!

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              Beef Sampler            $50                Pork Sampler        $50

Hello From the Farm!

I have been thinking of warmer days..............but none could be prettier than today.  The sunshine makes the ground happy, I am convinced!  Some spots are a little greener, but ice and snow are forecasted the later part of the week.  But March is right around the corner!! My grandmother would admonish me for "wishing my life away".  Not my life Nana, just wintertime!

Farm Chores and Lessons
The other day we weaned calves.  It was a family-shared task.  We all worked together to move the cows to the lot.  Thank goodness for muck boots.  We needed muck clothes before it was all said and done.  Our son Ben handled the bulk of the work, cutting the calves from the cows in the lot.  He did an excellent job!  Long ago he passed me as second in command, now Andy better watch his back!!  Ben has an eye for the top. The calves were seperated into an adjoining field so they can still see the cows (moms) but can't get to them.  This reduces stress on the calf as well as the mother cow.   They don't loose as much weight and transition to being on their own much easier.  The calves were also weaned onto the last pasture left.  They will eat through that before starting on hay.   Unless you are familiar with farming,  you might not know how big of a deal that is: to still have pasture in January!!  Another benefit of rotational grazing!

Our tutelage of small ruminant animals such as sheep and goats is on-going!!  The other day Andy took a large round bale of hay to the sheep and goats.  Our bull is kept with the sheep and goats when we don't need him to service the cows.  He enjoys throwing his weight around mightly!!  The round bale of hay is usually what he chooses to push around.  He knocked over the bale of hay.  Two days later Andy noticed he knocked it over on 2 goats!  One of which was a favorite.  Some days I would rather have knowledge instead of education.

Farm Club Deliveries and Specials

Wednesday, February 10th 5-5:45 p.m. Mena Farmer's Market location

Thursday, February 11th 5-5:45p.m. Texarkana Gateway Farmer's Market location

Little Rock: nothing confirmed yet, we are looking into joining the online famers' market

Special #1    $20
1 package (approx. 1 lb) pork cutlets (boneless cut out of ham)
1 package beef minute steak (tenderized round)
1 pound ground beef
1 pound pork sausage

Special #2    $30
2 packages pork chops (4 chops) approx. 2 lbs
2 packages pork steaks (4 steaks)
1 package smoked sausage links (4 links, 1 lb)

Be sure to join our Facebook page.  Forward this email on to your friends or co-workers.  We reward referrals!!!



In 2006 we decided to change our farming practices.  The decision was based on health; that of ourselves, our families, our animals and our place here on earth.  Previous to this, I had been intensively studying any and all information about the benefits of grass-fed meats, dairy and eggs, basically whole foods.  Since then, numerous health related stories of risk and death as a result of our industrial food system has circulated.  I no longer study and research to convince myself, as we bear out the benefits daily.  However, we do subscribe to numerous magazine and publications that share this love of farming.  One such magazine is Mother Earth News.  I wanted to include a link to some easy, yummy bread recipes from the latest issue.  Hope this helps for the icy, cold weather ahead. 

Enjoy the week, be blessed and refreshed!
Tracy

Youngblood Grassfed Farm News
December 29, 2009

One of the last greeting of this year will be to you, our friends and supporters!  We would like to thank you for your friendship, support and encouragement.  Thank you for allowing our efforts to grace your tables.  You are the reason we have even greater plans in 2010!

New Year's Harvest
On Monday, Andy and I made the trip to pick up our meat from the processor.  We met with snow and ice that had fallen previously on Christmas Eve, we just didn't expect it to still be there!  We picked up some fresh pork and beef along with some new products, msg and nitrite free:

Bratwurst, smoked or fresh
Italian Sausage links
German Sausage links
Smoked Sausage links
Bologna/Salami lunchmeats
Hotdogs, truly bun length!
Arkansas Bacon (like canadian style bacon)

We also have a fresh supply of pork chops, breakfast sausage, bacon, roasts, steaks, ham hocks and organ meats.  ALSO, we have back in stock BEEF tenderloin filets, rib-eye steaks and much more.  Let us know what we can get for you, you know how the pork and beef goes quickly!

Delivery Dates
Texarkana Gateway Farmer's Market location:
Tuesday, January 12th from 5:00-5:45 p.m.

Mena, Depot location:
Friday, January 15th from 5:00-5:45 p.m.


New Year, New Ideas
As we ponder the new year, we are full of ideas for new opportunites.  Actually, we are never at a loss for ideas or opportunities, just capital and man power to pull it off!  Some of the ideas we are working on are raw milk, eggs/poultry, more Farm Days/activities, starting a Weston A. Price Foundation chapter in Polk County, and a new endeavor for farmers or those wanting to grow their own food supply!  The new endeavor is Grass-Class, a monthly, live teleconference seminar hosted by us in which a pioneer in the grass farming movement will be featured as the presenter.  Grass-based education is now accessible and affordable!

Also, don't forget to find us on Facebook,  Become a Fan!

7 Foods to Watch Out For (excerpts from Prevention magazine)
How healthy (or not) certain foods are—for us, for the environment—is a hotly debated topic among experts and consumers alike, and there are no easy answers. But when Prevention talked to the people at the forefront of food safety and asked them one simple question—"What foods do you avoid?"—we got some pretty interesting answers. Although these foods don't necessarily make up a "banned" list, as you head into the holidays—and all the grocery shopping that comes with it—their answers are, well, food for thought:
20 ways to feed your family for $100 a week.

1. Canned Tomatoes

The expert: Fredrick vom Saal, PhD, an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A

The problem: The resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Unfortunately, acidity (a prominent characteristic of tomatoes) causes BPA to leach into your food. Studies show that the BPA in most people's body exceeds the amount that suppresses sperm production or causes chromosomal damage to the eggs of animals. "You can get 50 mcg of BPA per liter out of a tomato can, and that's a level that is going to impact people, particularly the young," says vom Saal. "I won't go near canned tomatoes."

The solution: Choose tomatoes in glass bottles (which do not need resin linings), such as the brands Bionaturae and Coluccio. You can also get several types in Tetra Pak boxes, like Trader Joe's and Pomi.

14 worst health mistakes even smart women make.

2. Corn-Fed Beef

The expert: Joel Salatin, co-owner of Polyface Farms and author of half a dozen books on sustainable farming

The problem: Cattle evolved to eat grass, not grains. But farmers today feed their animals corn and soybeans, which fatten up the animals faster for slaughter. More money for cattle farmers (and lower prices at the grocery store) means a lot less nutrition for us. A recent comprehensive study conducted by the USDA and researchers from Clemson University found that compared with corn-fed beef, grass-fed beef is higher in beta-carotene, vitamin E, omega-3s, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), calcium, magnesium, and potassium; lower in inflammatory omega-6s; and lower in saturated fats that have been linked to heart disease. "We need to respect the fact that cows are herbivores, and that does not mean feeding them corn and chicken manure," says Salatin.

The solution: Buy grass-fed beef, which can be found at specialty grocers, farmers' markets, and nationally at Whole Foods. It's usually labeled because it demands a premium, but if you don't see it, ask your butcher.

25 ridiculously healthy foods you should be eating now.

3. Microwave Popcorn

The expert: Olga Naidenko, PhD, a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group,

The problem: Chemicals, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in the lining of the bag, are part of a class of compounds that may be linked to infertility in humans, according to a recent study from UCLA. In animal testing, the chemicals cause liver, testicular, and pancreatic cancer. Studies show that microwaving causes the chemicals to vaporize—and migrate into your popcorn. "They stay in your body for years and accumulate there," says Naidenko, which is why researchers worry that levels in humans could approach the amounts causing cancers in laboratory animals. DuPont and other manufacturers have promised to phase out PFOA by 2015 under a voluntary EPA plan, but millions of bags of popcorn will be sold between now and then.

The solution: Pop natural kernels the old-fashioned way: in a skillet. For flavorings, you can add real butter or dried seasonings, such as dillweed, vegetable flakes, or soup mix.

Your nutritional guide to grocery shopping.

4. Nonorganic Potatoes

The expert: Jeffrey Moyer, chair of the National Organic Standards Board

The problem: Root vegetables absorb herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides that wind up in soil. In the case of potatoes—the nation's most popular vegetable—they're treated with fungicides during the growing season, then sprayed with herbicides to kill off the fibrous vines before harvesting. After they're dug up, the potatoes are treated yet again to prevent them from sprouting. "Try this experiment: Buy a conventional potato in a store, and try to get it to sprout. It won't," says Moyer, who is also farm director of the Rodale Institute (also owned by Rodale Inc., the publisher of Prevention). "I've talked with potato growers who say point-blank they would never eat the potatoes they sell. They have separate plots where they grow potatoes for themselves without all the chemicals."

The solution: Buy organic potatoes. Washing isn't good enough if you're trying to remove chemicals that have been absorbed into the flesh.

14 ways to make veggies less boring.

5. Farmed Salmon

The expert: David Carpenter, MD, director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University at Albany and publisher of a major study in the journal Science on contamination in fish.

The problem: Nature didn't intend for salmon to be crammed into pens and fed soy, poultry litter, and hydrolyzed chicken feathers. As a result, farmed salmon is lower in vitamin D and higher in contaminants, including carcinogens, PCBs, brominated flame retardants, and pesticides such as dioxin and DDT. According to Carpenter, the most contaminated fish come from Northern Europe, which can be found on American menus. "You can only safely eat one of these salmon dinners every 5 months without increasing your risk of cancer," says Carpenter, whose 2004 fish contamination study got broad media attention. "It's that bad." Preliminary science has also linked DDT to diabetes and obesity, but some nutritionists believe the benefits of omega-3s outweigh the risks. There is also concern about the high level of antibiotics and pesticides used to treat these fish. When you eat farmed salmon, you get dosed with the same drugs and chemicals.

The solution: Switch to wild-caught Alaska salmon. If the package says fresh Atlantic, it's farmed. There are no commercial fisheries left for wild Atlantic salmon.

Delicious and easy fish recipes

6. Milk Produced with Artificial Hormones

The expert: Rick North, project director of the Campaign for Safe Food at the Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility and former CEO of the Oregon division of the American Cancer Society

The problem: Milk producers treat their dairy cattle with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST, as it is also known) to boost milk production. But rBGH also increases udder infections and even pus in the milk. It also leads to higher levels of a hormone called insulin-like growth factor in milk. In people, high levels of IGF-1 may contribute to breast, prostate, and colon cancers. "When the government approved rBGH, it was thought that IGF-1 from milk would be broken down in the human digestive tract," says North. As it turns out, the casein in milk protects most of it, according to several independent studies. "There's not 100% proof that this is increasing cancer in humans," admits North. "However, it's banned in most industrialized countries."

The solution: Check labels for rBGH-free, rBST-free, produced without artificial hormones, or organic milk. These phrases indicate rBGH-free products.

Don't be fooled by these 11 health food imposters.

7. Conventional Apples

The expert: Mark Kastel, former executive for agribusiness and codirector of the Cornucopia Institute, a farm-policy research group that supports organic foods

The problem: If fall fruits held a "most doused in pesticides contest," apples would win. Why? They are individually grafted (descended from a single tree) so that each variety maintains its distinctive flavor. As such, apples don't develop resistance to pests and are sprayed frequently. The industry maintains that these residues are not harmful. But Kastel counters that it's just common sense to minimize exposure by avoiding the most doused produce, like apples. "Farm workers have higher rates of many cancers," he says. And increasing numbers of studies are starting to link a higher body burden of pesticides (from all sources) with Parkinson's disease.

The solution: Buy organic apples. If you can't afford organic, be sure to wash and peel them first.

Thanks for staying with me till the end!!  Happy New Year, blessings, peace and love!

Tracy

"Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow." ~Edward Sandford Martin

November came beautifully to our area.  We are leaping at the blessing of sun and warmth. 

Farm News
Our sow, Tina K, had 9 piglets last week.  She is proving to be a grand mother.  She has been our best producer so far.  She is also providing us this month with pork from her first litter!  We are taking pigs to the processor this month.  The Tamworth crosses were born about 3 months after the Large Blacks, yet we are taking some of each to the processors within the next couple of weeks.  The Large Blacks do grow more slowly, but make it worth the wait on the plate.  Keep reading for more details.

Andy and Ben spent last Tuesday moving cattle around.  We have moved them from one lease place to another.  They will graze through one more round and then be moved home for the winter.   This year we are leasing my uncle's place close to home.  We are thankful for this opportunity, yet undeniably sad he is gone.  He was a tremendous man of God, cattlemen, husband, father, uncle and friend to all!  I will never forget his laugh! 


We are weaning the lambs this month.  We lost some in early Fall due to such wet conditions and worms.  So come the spring we won't have as many lamb chops as we originally planned.  This has been a blow to us as we hate to lose an animal.  We will keep as many as possible to build up the herd numbers and process the others.  Some could have been possibly saved if we used antibiotics.  However, we feel that is only a temporary fix.  It is also against our beliefs and protocol for animal production.  The animals we have left are a stronger breed without the crutch of antibiotics.  We will be putting the ewes in with the rams this month.  We are doing the same with the goats as well.  Everything is in rut; sheep, goats and deer. 

PORK
As I mentioned earlier, we will be taking pigs to the processor within the next couple of weeks.   A more economical choice for pork would be to purchase a whole or half a hog.  The price for a half a hog is approximately $250.  Processing is about $55-60.   This is only approximate and dependent upon the weight of the hog.  The amount of packaged meat is, again, approximately, 75 pounds per half.  If you are interested let me know, because off to the processor they will go! 

November Buying Clubs
Since November harbors such an important holiday, I will be making deliveries a little earlier in the month.  I will deliver to Texarkana on Monday, November 9th at 5-6:00 p.m. at the Gateway Farmer's Market.  I will deliver to Mena on Tuesday, November 10th 5-5:45 p.m. at the Polk Co. Farmer's Market location.  Please place your order by this Saturday, November 7th. 
If you didn't order last month, but want to this month, Welcome to the Club!

We will NOT have pork this month for buying club members, only those who purchase a whole or half a hog.  We will have individual cuts of pork: chops, loin, roasts, sausage, bacon in December.  Stay tuned!

November Special
#1 Special
One chuck roast and one package of boneless beef tips (stew) for $25. The chuck roasts weigh approximately 3-4 lbs.  If you recieve a roast less than 3 lbs., I will add another package of beef tips to your order.  The beef tips are about one pound.

#2 Special
2 Minute Steak packages and 2 Ground Beef for $20.  (Same as last month.)

We still have New York Strip Steaks, Kansas City Strip Steaks, Minute Steaks, Boneless Beef tips, Chuck Steaks, and Ground Beef!!

If you refer someone who places an order, I will add one package of ground beef to your order. 


Let me say we are grateful for the blessing to know you.  We thank you for the opportunity to provide your family with our meats. 

Blessings, Tracy

"NO GRAIN is harmed in the making of our ANIMALS"

For those of you who are just getting to know us, we raise and sell 100% grassfed beef, lamb and goat. We also raise pastured pork.  All animals are raised without hormones, without antibiotics, without pesticides, herbicides or anything that is not natural for that animal.  They are all raised completely on pasture.

For all of us, there is nothing better!

Orders and Specials
 I will be making deliveries to Texarkana on Wednesday, October 21, 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the farmer's market location of Jefferson and 9th. 

I will be making deliveries to Mena on Thursday, October 22, 5:00-6:00p.m. at the farmer's market location by the Depot.   

If you have anything you would like to order and pick up on that day, please email or call (479-243-5473) by October 19th. Please check out our products page to see availability of meats.  We will hopefully have pork next month!  And more beef soon after that!!

Special: 2 Packages Beef Minute Steaks and 2 Packages (1.5lbs each) of Ground Beef for $20. 

If you are interested in buying meat, but do not live in Texarkana or Mena, give me a call!! We are looking for folks in Little Rock, Fort Smith and Hot Springs!  We are rewarders of those who get the ball rolling!! FREE MEAT


Farm News
We received notification yesterday by email that Andy and I are one of 25 semi-finalists for the National Outstanding Young Farmers Awards for 2010. This award is given by the United States Junior Chamber.  It is an award honoring individuals for personal achievements in the field of agriculture, service to their community, state or nation.   We will continue in the process hoping to be chosen as one of the top 10.  The top 10 finalists get to go to Raleigh, North Carolina for the awards ceremony!!  What a thrill to be chosen as one of the top 25!!  

G-O-N-E
That is what Andy is right now!!  No fears, he will return late Saturday.  He is in Franklin, Texas at the Gourmet Grass on Beef Seminar.  This is an excellent way to further his knowledge and learn from some of the most brillant agricultural minds in the field of grass-farming.  (Pun intended!!)  Ben is getting to go along for this trip.  I can't wait to hear what he has to report!  Since we are not just owners of this farm, but also operators, I had to stay behind to do the chores.  And let me tell you, I will be glad for the troops to roll back in Sunday.  

Remember to order by October 19th!