TIMBER RIDGE CATTLE

OSCEOLA, IOWA

About Us

Several years ago we sold a family owned commercial feedlot. The commercial feedlot was run to maximize cattle gains, optimize pen space, and keep cattle alive and performing well by using an aggressive antibiotic program. It was a daily exercise in crisis management! In 2006 we started Timber Ridge Cattle Co. and devoted a significant proportion of the operation to the production of a more healthy beef product both in terms of the cattle and the meat. Published studies at that time by KSU showed significant improvement in herd health and an increase in the Omega’3 fatty acids in the beef muscle by feeding flax-seed in the ration. We began implementing these feeding practices along with a strict no hormone, no antibiotic, and no feed additive(ionophores) policy. The results have been encouraging. ISU testing of our first flax-fed beef showed a 300% increase in Omega 3’s and a 5 – 1 Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio.

We continue to refine our flax supplement to make more of the flax seed’s alpha linolenic acid available to the cattle’s digestive system. We chose the smoked meat process to deliver our high omega 3 beef to the consumer because of it’s use of low heat. High heat will convert healthy fats into unhealthy trans-fats. We currently offer five delicious flavors of beef sticks, four flavors of summer sausage, brats, franks, and hamburger. We feel as though our pasture raised flax-fed beef program has turned us 180 degrees from the old commercial feedlot days. As word spreads and demand increases, we hope to transition our entire operation to these “healthy beef” practices.

Our Product

We choose the smoked meat process to deliver our high Omega-3 beef to the consumer because of its use of low heat. Exposure to high heat will covert healthy fats into trans-fats. To keep our product lean and to ensure exceptional quality, we take no steaks or roasts from our beef. The meat we use in our products is trimmed to 90% lean. The sticks and summer sausage contain no MSG or sodium nitrite. The products need no refrigeration so they can be safely enjoyed while camping, traveling, or in a packed lunch.

Our cattle are processed at a small family-owned federally inspected facility that handles on average 5-6 head per day. Compare that to the thousands per day processed at large commercial packing plants and you can see why we boast exceptional product cleanliness, safety, and reliability.

Our Commitment

It is important to us, as a producer of food products that the beef we raise and sell not only appeals to the tast buds, but is a benefit to our customer’s overall health and well being.