inside our operation

The way we raise our cattle is simple: we focus on consistency, animal health, and low-stress care from start to finish. One way we do this is by maintaining a closed herd. From the day our calves are born until the day they leave our farm; they stay with the same group of cattle and are not mixed with outside herds.

Keeping our herd closed helps reduce stress on the animals and lowers the risk of introducing diseases from outside sources. It also allows us to closely monitor their health and well-being throughout every stage of life.

Because we’re involved every step of the way, we know exactly how our cattle are raised and cared for. It’s a hands-on approach that gives us confidence in the health of our cattle.

A healthy animal starts with a healthy diet. During the first six months of life, our calves spend their days on pasture grazing grass alongside their mothers.

As they grow, we gradually introduce a carefully formulated grain ration designed to support digestive health and provide the nutrients they need to thrive. Once they transition from pasture to smaller feeding lots, they are fed a balanced blend of corn, oats, and grass hay.

What makes our feeding program unique is that approximately 90% of the feed our cattle consume is grown right here on our family farm! Much of the corn in their diet comes directly from fields we plant, manage, and harvest ourselves.

Even while receiving a grain-based ration, our cattle always have access to grass hay. This combination allows us to provide a consistent, nutritious diet while maintaining the quality and flavor found in our beef products.

Just like people, cattle sometimes get sick and require medical care. When necessary, we use antibiotics and other medications to treat illness or help prevent disease—always with the health and well-being of the animal as the top priority.

Every treatment administered on our farm is carefully documented through detailed record-keeping systems. We strictly follow all veterinary guidelines and required withdrawal periods—the amount of time that must pass between treatment and harvest—to ensure medications have fully cleared the animal’s system. These withdrawal periods are not only followed on our farm but also reinforced through regulations and inspections within the beef processing system.

The result is beef that is safe, wholesome, and free from antibiotic residues. We believe choosing to treat a sick animal isn’t just good animal husbandry—it’s the right thing to do.

Caring for cattle goes hand-in-hand with caring for the land. The ground we utilize has been in the Matlock family for more than 150 years, and we believe it is our responsibility to leave it better than we found it.

To promote healthy pastures, we rotate cattle between grazing areas rather than allowing them to stay in one location for extended periods. This gives grasses time to recover, develop stronger root systems, and continue producing quality forage for future grazing.

During the winter months, we allow our pastures to rest while cattle graze crop residue left after corn harvest. Because the grass is dormant during this time, resting pastures helps prevent overgrazing and supports long-term soil and plant health.

We also utilize a natural resource that’s produced right on the farm—cattle manure. By returning nutrients to the soil, manure helps fertilize our pastures and reduces the need for additional inputs while supporting a healthy growing environment for future forage crops.

For us, stewardship means caring for the land today while ensuring it remains productive for generations to come.

All of our cattle are processed at a USDA-inspected processing facility that shares our commitment to quality, transparency, and food safety. USDA inspection ensures that strict standards for sanitation, product handling, and food safety are followed throughout the processing process.

The health and care of our cattle begin long before processing. We maintain detailed records throughout each animal’s life and follow all veterinary guidelines for animal health, including any required medication withdrawal periods. These practices help ensure the beef we provide is safe, wholesome, and raised responsibly.

By combining careful management on our farm with trusted USDA-inspected processing, we can confidently stand behind every product we sell.

Every farm and ranch is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to raising cattle. Factors like geography, climate, available resources, family traditions, and business goals all influence the decisions farmers and ranchers make each day. While production practices may vary from one operation to another, most share the same goal: raising healthy animals and producing safe, high quality food.

The practices we use on our farm reflect our values, our resources, and our commitment to the cattle and land entrusted to us. We’ve chosen an approach that allows us to remain involved throughout the process and maintain the standards that are important to our family.

Our hope is that by sharing how we do things, we can help create a better understanding of where food comes from and the people who produce it. whether you’re here to purchase beef or simply learn more about agriculture, we’re glad you’re part of the conversation.