The Beef Herd
The herd is a mixed-breed beef herd, consisting of mostly "odd duckling crosses" that add some color and spice to the herd (Lineback crosses, Pinzgauer crosses, Belted Galloway crosses, a couple Herefords and crosses, an Angus cross, and a Highlander). Cross bred beef animals tend to thrive on pasture and have strong and healthy physical makeups. We primarily run a cow-calf operation, which means that we have breeding stock that delivers, cares for and raises their own calves.
Our cattle are fed a forage-based diet (meaning grass in some form or another). They are also fed some free choice minerals to help them grow and stay healthy. The calves nurse off their mother until weaning, and are then switched to the adult diet.
We also raise "dairy beef" which means that we raise bull calves born from dairy mothers. In the dairy industry, bull calves serve no purpose and are normally sold at auction. Instead, we buy them from the dairy farm as calves and give them purpose by raising them for meat. Dairy steers make delicious beef that tends to be very lean and very tender. Because of their breed, dairy steers require some grain to grow properly and to stay healthy. They are fed a balanced diet that helps them develop and grow properly.
All of our animals have names and are treated like part of the family. Each and every individual has a name and has a job to do on the farm, be it to raise calves or grow and make beef, each herd member is important.
Our cattle are fed a forage-based diet (meaning grass in some form or another). They are also fed some free choice minerals to help them grow and stay healthy. The calves nurse off their mother until weaning, and are then switched to the adult diet.
We also raise "dairy beef" which means that we raise bull calves born from dairy mothers. In the dairy industry, bull calves serve no purpose and are normally sold at auction. Instead, we buy them from the dairy farm as calves and give them purpose by raising them for meat. Dairy steers make delicious beef that tends to be very lean and very tender. Because of their breed, dairy steers require some grain to grow properly and to stay healthy. They are fed a balanced diet that helps them develop and grow properly.
All of our animals have names and are treated like part of the family. Each and every individual has a name and has a job to do on the farm, be it to raise calves or grow and make beef, each herd member is important.
The Pork Producers
In 2014, we purchased a pregnant sow and a breeding boar, and since then we have been able to breed and raise our own piglets. Raising piglets with their litter mates in small batches ensures that each pig gets the attention and the socialization that they need to be comfortable and happy. Happy hogs = happy farmers.
Our pigs are housed together from a young age which helps minimize stress. They are fed a variety of things ranging from hog-grower grain, to vegetables, to pasture grasses, to bakery leftovers to milk. Hogs like to forage for stuff, so we tend to allow them the space required to allow them to dig around and wallow and do pig stuff.
Our pigs are housed together from a young age which helps minimize stress. They are fed a variety of things ranging from hog-grower grain, to vegetables, to pasture grasses, to bakery leftovers to milk. Hogs like to forage for stuff, so we tend to allow them the space required to allow them to dig around and wallow and do pig stuff.
Meet The Flockers
We primarily raise Cornish X chickens because we have found that they yield the most tender and juicy meat. We raise them also in small batches starting as day-old chicks. The small flock theory allows them to be housed together without having to worry about the stress of competition for food or water while still satisfying their social needs.
Cornish X chickens grow quickly, and ours haven't been terribly interested in the outdoors. We get them out when we can, but they don't seem to have much of a preference as long as their food is within easy reach. When the weather is warm, we like to house them in a "chicken tractor" which allows them to get new grass each day and enjoy the sunshine as much as they can.
We have a mixed bag of laying hen breeds as well. Mostly Golden Comets, with a few Barred Plymouth Rocks, Red Stars and Black Stars too. We adopted a few of them and raised the rest of them from chicks. They live and a fabulous chicken mansion with tons of room to run around, scratch stuff and make noise.
Ben did an experiment with them in 2014 to see what type of nesting box they preferred, and the polls tell us that they prefer wooden veggie crates to several other styles of nesting box (including actual pre-made nesting boxes). So, you guessed it, their space to lay in has been remodeled and is now fully equipped with wooden veggie crates as per popular demand, though we left a few actual nesting boxes available just in case a lady changes her mind.
Cornish X chickens grow quickly, and ours haven't been terribly interested in the outdoors. We get them out when we can, but they don't seem to have much of a preference as long as their food is within easy reach. When the weather is warm, we like to house them in a "chicken tractor" which allows them to get new grass each day and enjoy the sunshine as much as they can.
We have a mixed bag of laying hen breeds as well. Mostly Golden Comets, with a few Barred Plymouth Rocks, Red Stars and Black Stars too. We adopted a few of them and raised the rest of them from chicks. They live and a fabulous chicken mansion with tons of room to run around, scratch stuff and make noise.
Ben did an experiment with them in 2014 to see what type of nesting box they preferred, and the polls tell us that they prefer wooden veggie crates to several other styles of nesting box (including actual pre-made nesting boxes). So, you guessed it, their space to lay in has been remodeled and is now fully equipped with wooden veggie crates as per popular demand, though we left a few actual nesting boxes available just in case a lady changes her mind.
The (other) Flockers
The newest addition to MooShine Cattle Co. is sheep! We now have a small flock of Katahdin and Dorper cross sheep. These ladies (and gent) are very calm and friendly and fit in well with all the other critters on the farm. Katahdin sheep are interesting because they are known to be excellent mothers that grow nice healthy lambs. They adapt well to our climate and forage on pasture well. They also are a "hair breed" sheep which means that we will not need to shear them! Interestingly enough, they shed their hair out on their own (much like a shaggy dog) with the help of some bushes and things to scratch on.
Our sheep will be bred so that we can add lamb to our product list, and will be allowed to raise their own babies on pasture when available. Sheep are a little more sensitive than cattle, and are thus being housed and fed accordingly. Low stress is a must, so we make sure they get all the fresh air, fresh food and fresh water they want.
Our sheep will be bred so that we can add lamb to our product list, and will be allowed to raise their own babies on pasture when available. Sheep are a little more sensitive than cattle, and are thus being housed and fed accordingly. Low stress is a must, so we make sure they get all the fresh air, fresh food and fresh water they want.
Your Farmers (Lizz and Ben McLaughlin)
Both originally from Northern Maine, Ben and I met through working at the University of Maine's J.F. Witter Teaching and Research Farm caring for, managing and handling their herd of purebred Holstein dairy cows.
Ben grew up on his families dairy farm, while I longed to one day become a farmer.
Living our passion, Ben and I raise conventional beef, dairy beef, hogs and meat chickens during our sparse "spare time". We love our animals and love farming. Being a working part of an agricultural community and making it possible to locally purchase meat is important to us.
We believe that it is important to know that your meat came from a happy healthy home. Homegrown meat tastes better anyway!
While we are not "organic" Ben and I strongly believe in proactive prevention (making antibiotics or hormones unnecessary). Keeping our animals healthy and happy is what we strive for.
Ben and I love agriculture and we love farming. We love our animals and love being able to provide good food for local Maine people.
Ben grew up on his families dairy farm, while I longed to one day become a farmer.
Living our passion, Ben and I raise conventional beef, dairy beef, hogs and meat chickens during our sparse "spare time". We love our animals and love farming. Being a working part of an agricultural community and making it possible to locally purchase meat is important to us.
We believe that it is important to know that your meat came from a happy healthy home. Homegrown meat tastes better anyway!
While we are not "organic" Ben and I strongly believe in proactive prevention (making antibiotics or hormones unnecessary). Keeping our animals healthy and happy is what we strive for.
Ben and I love agriculture and we love farming. We love our animals and love being able to provide good food for local Maine people.