Long Meadow Ranch Announces
Grass-fed Beef Program for Trade and Consumers

September 15 , 2006, Rutherford, CA

California's Long Meadow Ranch Cattle Company announced today that - beginning September 22 and continuing through November 10 - LMR Grass-fed Beef will be available fresh to the trade as well as to consumers.

"Grass-fed beef is a seasonal product with the cattle completing their grass-finishing as the summer grazing cycle ends. As a result, we harvest cattle in the early fall," said Ted Hall, family-owner. "While we will continue to pack our beef for year-round use by our customers, we are now also making available fresh beef in half animal increments," he added.

Dry-aged for at least 14 days, the beef is fabricated into boneless primal cuts. All cuts are individually vacuum-packed and identified with cut name and weight. Total weight for a half-animal is approximately 160 pounds.

"This is an ideal program for our restaurant customers who have the ability to cut their own portions," said Chris Hall, family-owner and National Sales Manager. "We have had requests for our grass-fed beef from all over the country. While several Northern California restaurants have used our beef in the past, this is the first opportunity for us to supply beef in meaningful quantities that will allow a restaurant to offer a seasonal special," he added.

"We have had many requests by some of our local customers who are accustomed to buying a whole or half beef to stock the freezer," said Laddie Hall, family-owner and manager of the LMR Farmers Market stand. "Now we have a great program to meet their needs - especially if they like to cut their own portions."

Both Highland and Shorthorn grass-fed beef are available for purchase. LMR has been developing its cattle herd employing some of the world's oldest bloodlines. LMR has selected cattle from these two British heritage breeds because they retain the genetic ability to effectively convert grass and forage into high quality, flavorful - and tender - beef.

At Long Meadow Ranch and on coastal pasture leases, the cattle

are finished on a diet of only grass and the finest hay. No growth hormones or artificial supplements are administered. As a result, the beef has the distinctively rich flavors only a truly natural product can provide. Not surprising, LMR grass-fed beef is naturally high in Omega-3 and Beta Carotene.

Highland beef and Shorthorn beef, while quite similar in overall quality, have slightly different attributes. The Highland beef is richly flavorful and is known for its natural leanness with little outside fat. The meat fibers are somewhat longer and thicker than typical beef, giving the Highland beef its distinctive texture.

The Shorthorn beef has a natural level of intra-muscular fat, giving the beef a somewhat mottled appearance from its light marbling. Sweet and smooth in the mouth, the Shorthorn beef is flavorful and naturally tender. All carcasses are aged for at least 14 days which also enhances flavor and tenderness.

Attractively priced at $5.20 per pound, a half-animal in primal cuts will provide approximately 160 pounds of beef which is packed into 3 to 4 boxes weighing between 40 and 60 pounds.

For a restauranteur or consumer who would prefer to breakdown the carcass, LMR is also offering a half-carcass option with the beef cut into two quarters. Attractively priced, a half-carcass is available at $2.20 per pound for approximately 275 pounds of bone-in beef.

All pricing is FOB Redwood Meat Company in Eureka, CA. LMR will be pleased to facilitate shipping logistics.

Long Meadow Ranch Grass-fed Beef is available in limited supply through November 10. Fresh beef can be ordered by phoning the ranch (Toll-free: 877-627-2645), or through the website at www.longmeadowranch.com.

Shipments will begin on September 22, 2006.

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Long Meadow Ranch is an innovative organic farming operation - and purveyor of fine food - located high above the Napa Valley on the picturesque slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains where it produces extraordinary wines, extra virgin olive oil, grass-fed beef, eggs, and heirloom fruits and vegetables for Napa Valley's finest restaurants. Long Meadow Ranch produces ultra premium wines and extra virgin olive oils, under the Long Meadow Ranch Winery, Ranch House Red, Prato Lungo, and Napa Valley Select labels. Beyond the Napa Valley, America's top chefs have regularly featured Long Meadow Ranch wines and olive oils.

Long Meadow Ranch has been known as such since 1872 when it was established as an original "patent grant" ranch signed over by President Ulysses S. Grant. Having been home to a variety of uses during its long history, Long Meadow Ranch continues to grow and prosper through Ted, Laddie and Christopher Hall's stewardship.

The Halls continue to restore and preserve Napa Valley's oldest olive groves, as well as add new plantings of olive trees and vineyards. They have also brought cattle, poultry, and vegetables back into commercial production. Appaloosa horse breeding, along with an extensive composting operation, round out the integrated farming activities at the Ranch.

"Excellence through Responsible Farming" is the motto of Long Meadow Ranch, bolstered by the belief that world-class products can be produced using sustainable, organic farming methods. Long Meadow Ranch does not use herbicides or pesticides and its products are organically grown and certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers.

Contact: Chris Hall
Phone: 707-963-4555
Email: chris@longmeadowranch.com
 

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