When you hear “pasture-fed beef,” you probably picture cattle roaming open fields and grazing on grass. That’s how the cattle at Gray Ranch grow up—but there’s one part of the process worth explaining.
Gray Ranch raises cattle on open pasture here in Southwest Louisiana. Around two years of age, they select steers and open heifers—female cattle that aren’t pregnant—for a 45–90-day finishing period with supplemental feed before processing.
Pasture-raised describes how cattle live. Finishing describes what they eat during the final stage before processing. If that supplemental feed includes grain, this beef should not be described as 100% grass-fed.
Giving cattle supplemental feed also doesn’t automatically mean they’re living in the crowded feedlot setting many people picture. The animals’ living conditions and the feed they receive are separate parts of the story.
By selecting steers and open heifers, Gray Ranch isn’t taking nursing mothers away from their calves for this finishing period. It’s one detail that helps explain the care behind the process.
For families accustomed to grocery-store beef, this approach offers a familiar starting point for buying locally. You can keep making the burgers, steaks, and family meals you already enjoy while knowing which ranch raised your beef and having someone to ask about how it was produced.
That’s why we partner with Gray Ranch: to make locally raised beef easier to bring home and help reconnect Louisiana families with the people producing their food.
Ready to try it? Explore our Gray Ranch beef boxes and find the right fit for your family.