Beef Cattle

How We Care for Our Beef Cows

Have you ever asked yourself, why does a cow chew its cud, and what IS cud?

Understanding the answer to this question will help you understand why we feed beef cows the way we do. Cows are ruminant animals. This means that they have 4 stomachs, the Rumen is the first compartment and this is the powerhouse for their digestive system. When a cow chews its cud, it is chewing small balls of softened food. The chewing action helps to secrete saliva which contains an antacid. This process aids indigestion.

Cows have two requirements for nutrition: Water and Energy.
Energy can come from many different sources. For the majority of their lives, our beef cows enjoy a diet of hay grown at our farm, corn silage grown and processed in Massachusetts, and a vitamin and mineral mix. All ruminant animals require what is called forage or roughage (hay, grass, etc.). These foods give them energy and help to maintain their internal body temperature.

Corn Silage and Cracked Corn

Corn silage is just a fancy word for corn and corn stalks that have been harvested and fermented.  Additionally, our cows are fed corn silage. It has a high moisture level, is very digestible for cattle, and provides a lot of energy which is needed during the cold winter months in New England. Finally, our beef cattle are given cracked corn for the last 3 months before harvesting. This helps to ensure a well-marbled (and tasty) meat!

Hubbard’s Farm beef animals are separated by age. They all enjoy the fields and barns year-round. They are free to go in and out as they please. Our animals are not routinely given medications, but if one is sick we ensure it receives the proper treatment to heal and recover.

Learn more about how to identify the various cuts of beef and how to cook it.

BEEF CUTS IDENTIFICATION CHART