Galloway cattle producers Judy and Bill Decker of Renaissance Farms of Emporia are striving to produce quality beef and to preserve the native prairie at the same time.
Standing in a field early Friday morning with their slightly curly hair and curious nature, the Galloways acted like any other herd of cattle. But they are not like every other herd, being grass-fed instead of grain-fed.
The Deckers began raising Galloway cattle in 1998. They were looking for a breed that would allow them to grass-feed the cattle. Many breeds have been bred to be fed grain, Judy Decker said.
“We got on the trail of Galloway beef,” Decker said.
Galloway cattle are among the purest breeds in the world. The breed originates in southwest Scotland’s Galloway province and is recognized as the oldest breed of beef cattle in the British Isles.
Decker said there is a huge difference in cattle that are grass-fed. Grass-fed beef is leaner, carries a favorable ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids and it’s higher in conjugated linoleic acid, which is said to be an anti-carcinogen. Levels of vitamin E and beta carotene are higher and saturated fats are lower, Decker said.
“You are what you eat,” she said. “And so are cows.”
The cattle also produce a tasty cut of meat, Decker added.
“They produce exceptionally tender and flavorful beef,” she said.
The Deckers decided to go with grass-fed cattle because of their goal to preserve the prairie. They run 120 acres and lease an additional 85 acres.
“It’s a way to interact with the prairie and the ecosystem,” Decker said, adding that they use preservation practices by giving the fields a rest to allow grass to re-grow. “I’m just big on grasslands.”
Galloway cattle fit into the Deckers’ goals because they are non-selective grazers and will eat almost anything.
“They just nibble at everything,” Decker said. “Most years we don’t have to get hay until January. They can be seen nibbling on cedar trees and buck brush.”
Galloway cattle are self-sufficient. The Deckers keep their cattle about 13 miles north of Emporia. Come calving season, this does not pose a problem.
“We calf even our first-year heifers here,” Decker said. “My job is to supply the bulls...and let the cows do the rest. I expect cows to be a good mother from the get-go.”
Cows that do not prove to have good mothering practices are removed from the breeding stock.
For more information or to purchase Galloway beef, go to http://www.renfarms.com. Beef is sold by the side or packaged cuts.