Ross Farm

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Simply Clean, Tender, Fresh Tasting, Homegrown and Pasture Finished - that's Why Betsy Ross's Grass-fed Beef is the Place to Buy Beef! Here's How We Do It... Ross Farm Ross Farm is located 11 miles east of Granger ( click for printable directions )in Central Texas. We run an intensified management grazing operation with over 100 paddocks of 2-10 acres. Since 1995 we have worked the farm as a grazing operation, building over 100 paddocks using electric fencing; bringing piped, underground water systems to each paddock; building 'walk-ways' to each of the areas; planting improved species of bermudas, clovers and native grasses; and are now actively developing a Grass-fed meat program. Each paddock is managed as a separate ecological and biological system. Want to see a map of our paddocks or pastures? Improving Genetics for Finishing on Grass Currently at the farm, we run 4 herds of cattle, moving them at least once a day to fresh grazing. We have the grass-fed yearling herd, dairy replacement herd, the beef cow herd and a herd of dairy cows being bred for calves. Joe David ranches in Sutton County, which is in West Texas - about 200 miles from here (no, that isn't a long way in Texas). He raises the steers and heifers we put into our Grass-fed program. Once they are weaned at the ranch we transport them down here to the farm. He is currently using a South Devon and a black Angus bull on the mama cows from which he makes his selection. While continually trying to improve the genetics of the herd, he selects for cattle that do well in all stages of production on grass and at the same time produces more meat and that is tender. Gerald Fry is helping us move to the Red Devon genetics. So what we want for you is a larger steer/heifer, that eats lots of grass, is tender and yields more cuts of meat per head. Remember, we guarantee tender! Animal Health and Handling We have strict protocol regarding herd health. All animals are given their regular immunization shots on an annual basis, such as black leg, lepto, sommonus, vibro, and BRVS. These are preventative shots much like the ones given humans for measles, mumps, etc. Of course, any sick animal is treated with antibiotics should they become sick. If this happens within the 'Grass-fed' herd, we move that animal to another herd not in the 'Grass-fed' program. Our vet, John Holmstrom , is well acquainted with our farm goals and makes regular trips to the farm. We use the 'Bud Williams' style of handling our animals. No rodeos here. Joel Ham , a protege of Bud Williams, came to the farm several years ago and taught us the new method of handling animals. No shouting, no trying to stampede them - just moving to the right place at the right time. It's great knowledge. It gave Betsy a lot of confidence in animal control. You ought to try it sometimes. It reduces stress on the animals, which we think is important. High quality forages We try to put 10,000 to 12,000 pounds of dry matter on the 'table' every day of the year (for the animals)! That can get to be pretty tough to accomplish sometimes.

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