Spring Time

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