Our Cattle

We try to produce the highest quality beef. The cattle are grass-fed, meaning they openly graze on pastures. In the warmer months, they are shipped to our Summer ranch in the Collbran area. During the Winter, they come back to Mack to graze the hay fields and are fed grass and alfalfa hay. We calf out the cows starting in January. In the Fall, we will wean the calves then keep them in the feedlot during the weaning time, feeding them hay.

Cows have four stomachs. One is more acidic and breaks down food similar to the human stomach. The other three have ph levels more neutral to alkaline; most of the digestion is done here. Their primary job is to act as big fermentation vats, breaking down plant material.

Overfeeding of grains can create problems. Products from grass-fed animals are safer than food from conventionally-raised animals.

Grass-fed animals have an extremely low risk of BSE. That is because their diets contain no animal by-products or other unnatural ingredients. They eat what nature intended: grasses and other green plants.

Our cattle are free of added hormones and other growth promoters, making them the "cleanest" animal food you can buy.

Animals that are fed greens alone from birth until market have no exposure to animal by-products or any other type of unnatural feed. Their diet consists of fresh pasture and stored grasses. Feel free to eat every part of a grass-fed animal, including the hamburger, sausages, oxtails, soup bones, and standing rib roast. We raise our animals in a low-stress, natural environment.

We protect our streams and other natural water sources from harmful animal impact.

We manage the grazing pattern of our animals to enhance the growth of the pasture, the health of the land, and the nutritional value of our products. To do this, we take into account the specific soil conditions, vegetation, altitude, growing season, and temperature range of our climate.

When high-quality pasture is not available, we feed the animals stored grasses, which can include hay, haylage, and grass silage.

We do not treat our animals with hormones.

We do not treat our animals with routine, low-level antibiotics.

We do not confine our animals except for: 1) brief periods prior to and during birthing; 2) to protect them from extreme weather conditions; 3) during weaning to prevent them from wondering off looking for their mother; and 4) to prevent “pugging” of the soil during wet weather.

Currently we have about 70 cow-calf pairs. We started out with a purebred herd, but then purchased a commercial herd from some friends when they got out of the cattle business. Slowly, we are returning to an all-Angus herd. Our herd is about 90% Black Angus beef. The bulls we buy are always Registered Black Angus. In the Bulls, we look for bulls that have been tested and statistical should produce small calves that grow quickly.

We will wean the calves this Fall, then feed them hay. They will mature to about 1000-1300 pounds by March. Then, we will sell the beef whole or sell quarters of beef.

Direct Inquiries to:
Lyle Dechant
Reverse & Over X Cattle Company
Reverse7OverX@aol.com