Here’s the weekly roundup from Watson Farms and your direct connection to your farmer. Enjoy the latest edition of Pasture Posts!
This edition will double as another part of our Comparison Series as we show you some first hand footage and photos of our method of grass-finishing cattle versus the feedlot method.
A Visit To West Texas
Kelly and I were able to get away for our 14th anniversary this past week, and we made a visit to the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. We decided to make a day trip to west Texas one day where we were able to visit a feedlot.
As we’ve outlined in many blog posts and on many tours and other opportunities in the past, the vast majority of beef in the U.S. comes from cattle which were finished on a feedlot. These feedlots confine the cattle in dirt pens with a feed bunk where the cattle are brought their entire nutritional needs via a truck multiple times per day. Once they are placed on a feedlot, they never have another opportunity to graze green grass.
The particular feedlot that we visited has a capacity of 85,000 head, and as we had heard could be the case, we were able to smell the feedyard before we could see it – and you can see a long way out there!
After the smell, the first thing you notice is the large feed mill that accompanies every large feedyard. 
We also were quick to notice the lagoon that catches the runoff from the pens. 
This is a massive silage pit where chopped silage is stored. 
The pens just keep going and going. 
An aerial view of the feedlot.
Other than many of the cattle being so fat that moving appeared difficult, they generally appeared healthy, but you must keep in mind that any chemicals, medications, antibiotics, or hormones that are approved by the government are fair game in these type of operations. So while the cattle look good, the downstream affects of these chemical / industrial remedies are rarely considered.
– For example, what is the true effect on humans of hormones in beef?
– Does the overuse of antibiotics in animals for weight gain allow super-strains of bacteria to emerge?
– Is it ethical to confine cattle to an unnatural environment where they cannot express their “cow-ness”?
– What are the downstream effects of the thousands of acres of monocrop agriculture that is used to supply the feed for these gigantic operations?
What questions can you think of that consumers should be asking of these cattle feeding corporations?
For comparison, here’s a video of how we finish our cattle on grass.
Key points of contrast:
- Daily Moves.
- Always on pasture.
- No antibiotics or hormones.
- No grain.
What other differences do you see?
Product Spotlight
Save 💰 with Ground Beef Bundles!
Did you know that we offer Ground Beef Bundles which can save you up to $1/lb over retail? Try our 20lb and 40lb bundles of grass-fed ground beef today!
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Ground Beef (80/20) – 20 LB Bundle$225.00 — or subscribe and save 5%
And here’s a great option for our UPS Customers as well!
Produce is available!
We are happy and know you are too that produce boxes are available again! Please make sure you pay close attention the order deadlines for these (they are different then our normal deadlines).
Ordering Deadlines
Charleston and Columbia Home Delivery – SUNDAYS at 9pm
GSP Home Delivery and Farm Pick Up – TUESDAYS at 9pm
Local Home Delivery – THURSDAYS at 9pm
We’ve received a lot of new reviews lately!
Check them out!
Check out this ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review:
“Watson Farms is beyond good, they are GREAT! The beef is so delicious and tender. Their pasture chicken and eggs are delectable! Professionally packaged. All meals we make with their meats are devoured immediately. I love their delivery service as well! Once a week I have brought to my door everything we need. Purchasing an additional freezer for their whole cow now! Order with full confidence – bon appetite!”
We would greatly appreciate it if you would be kind enough to leave us a review. It helps first-time customers purchase with confidence.
Order Deadlines and Store Hours
Here’s a friendly reminder to get your orders in by the deadline. We have changed our workflow some to help reduce errors, so we have to begin the process of staging orders for the next day’s delivery very soon after the deadlines below. Help us serve you better by ensuring your order is placed in time!
Charleston Area: 12 noon Mondays
UPS Orders: 12 noon Mondays
Columbia Area: 12 noon on Tuesdays
GSP: 12 noon on Wednesdays
Charlotte/Fort Mill/Rock Hill Areas: 12 noon on Fridays
Farm Pickup: Please wait until you receive an email stating that your order is ready to be picked up (usually 1 business day from when you place your order). Farm pickup is done during store hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10am to 6pm
Saturday: 10am to 2pm
Closed Sunday and Wednesday
Tell a Friend!
It’s now easier than ever to Give $15 and Get $15 through our Referral Program. We don’t spend a lot of money of advertising, but rather we focus on producing products that people love and are willing to tell others about. So we depend on word of mouth to find new customers and ultimately to heal more land.
So in an effort to streamline this process we have made it easier to tell others (via email, Facebook, or Twitter) about Watson Farms. And it’s all automated on the backend, so you don’t have to rely on us to issue the store credits manually. Just head over to our Referrals Page and start sharing!
Thanks again for being partners in this endeavor of local, pasture-raised proteins that has truly transformed our farm. We look forward to continuing this transition while serving you long into the future.
Sincerely,
The Watsons
Pasture Posts is written by Matt Watson.