OUR HERD
Long Meadow Ranch Cattle Company is the proud owner of more than 350 head of outstanding heritage-breed cattle. We have acquired some ot the oldest bloodlines in the country in pursuit of cattle that are efficient, flavorful beef producers on an exclusively grass-fed diet. We have diligently sought to find bloodlines that predate the large-scale commercial changes in cattle genetics which were made in support of the nation's corn-fed beef industry.

We own the largest herd, or "fold", of Highland cattle in California . We have acquired outstanding Highland bloodlines and our fold (more than 250 cattle) is now among the finest folds of Highlands in America. We also own a small - but growing - herd of line-bred Shorthorn cattle and we are also experimenting with Lowline Angus bulls. Taken together, we are building a herd with bloodlines that date to the earliest days in the British Isles where cattle were first developed to produce outstanding beef and milk exclusively on a diet of grass.

We focus on raising outstanding breeding stock and on producing exceptional grass-fed beef. Our goal is produce the finest - and most consistent - gourmet-style beef for fine restaurants and discerning consumers. Highland beef is considered by many to be the best in the world and is raised by the British royal family for its own consumption,. Similarly, Shorthorns have been raised for both beef and milk (including cheese) since they 1700s. In keeping with Long Meadow Ranch's organic practices, our grass-fed beef is "all natural" - meaning it is chemical-free, hormone-free and free of any antibiotics.

Our growing operation is based at Long Meadow Ranch where we maintain our bulls and selected cows. We also have several large-scale pasture leases in Ferndale, California (in Humboldt County) where we can provide some of the finest coastal grass in the United States. Here we operate a state-of-the-art rotational pasture grazing system in the bottomlands near Humboldt Bay. Knee deep in nutriutous grass our cattle rotate daily to fresh pastures - allowing them to gain weight healthily -and rapidly - while at the same time maintaining grasslands productivity and virtually eliminating problems with parasites.

While our cattle have historically been succesful in the show ring, we are today totally focused on breeding outstanding beef animals. We are striving for a beef carcass that is consistent in its size and in its flavor and tenderness characteristics. We are selecting for cattle that can efficiently graze on open pastures and that will finish cost-effectively in less 24 months. Our cattle are highly muscled, but are also medium-framed with easy moving joints and sound feet - animals that move comfortably and efficiently across grazing lands.

We select our animals for disposition as well as confirmation. The result is that our cattle retain the original distinctive characteristics of heritage breeds. The cows are exceptionally maternal. They even maintain "babysitting" groups where one or two cows will watch over all of the calves while the other cows graze elsewhere. When giving birth, the other cattle will form a circle around the mother-to-be, horns pointed outward, prepared to defend the cow and newborn.

Our Highland herd includes the bloodlines of numerous National Champion Bulls, including DH White Gold, EZ Acres Nathaniel, and Hannegan Jimbo. Our cows include the 2000 Grand and Reserve Champion cows, the 1999 Grand Champion Cow, and the 1999 Champion Cow/Calf Pair. Our herd also includes the former Highland Spice fold, the 2000 Premier Breeder and Exhibitor at the National Western Stock Show. Herd sires are HS Custom Made and DH Grafton.

Befitting the epicurean nature of the Napa Valley, our cattle are appropriately named. All of the cattle bred at Long Meadow Ranch are named with grape varietal names. The bulls are generally named after red grapes and the cows are named after white grapes. For example, our herd has included LMR Cabernet, LMR Blanc de Noir, LMR Gamay Beaujolais, and LMR Chardonnay. Similarly, the Highland Spice fold included animals having spice-related names, names created by former owner Angie Long. For example, the 2000 Grand Champion cow is named Kale of Highland Spice.

Please attend our Third Annual Highland Cattle Sale on May 3, 2008 from 11 AM to 3:00 PM . We will have top quality heifers and bulls on display for sale at Long Meadow Ranch. Please contact us for directions and parking instructions. Please call (707-963-4555) or send us an e-mail.

You can also visit us next year at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on January 24 - 26, 2009.