Grazing The Uinta Mountains Since 1927
Our family has had the same mountain permit for over 6 generations!
“What’s Most Important”
Why L2 100% Grass-Fed Beef
We provide our customers with our family-raised, 100% grass-fed, and finished beef you can trust. Health is a top priority in our family. The beef we provide to our customers is the same beef we feed to our own children. Because health and responsible animal practices matter so much to us, we vow never to lose sight of what’s most important when raising beef. Our beef is raised on our ranch for the entirety of its life cycle, where we give them the best of the best quality of life.
Q&A: 100% Grass-Fed Beef
Welcome to our Q&A page, where we address some common questions about our 100% Grass-Fed Beef. At L2 Ranch, we pride ourselves on transparency and providing the highest quality products to our customers. Here are some frequently asked questions and our detailed answers.
Q:What type of beef do you raise?
A: 100% Grass-Fed Black Angus
Q:What does "100% grass-fed beef" mean?
A: “100% grass-fed beef” means that our cattle are raised on a diet consisting entirely of grass and forage, from weaning to harvest. Unlike conventional beef, our cattle never consume grain or feedlot by-products. This natural diet not only aligns with the way cattle are biologically designed to eat but also enhances the nutritional profile of the beef.
Q:What makes your beef so good?
A: A few different factors contribute to our beef tasting so good. One being, the genetics we run in our herd are genetics from our grandparent’s and great-grandparents herd from over 100 years ago. We’ve spent the past 100 years fine tuning the genetics in our herd to obtain the highest quality and best-tasting beef. Our cows are also 100% grass-fed beef which results in rich, flavorful, and robust beef. During the summer our cows graze the mountain forests above 8,000 feet in elevation, eating wild native grass and forage, this factor also plays into why their meat is so rich and delicious.
Q:What are the health benefits of choosing 100% grass-fed beef?
A: Studies show that grass-fed beef is known for its superior nutritional benefits. It typically contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been linked to various health benefits. Additionally, grass-fed beef is lower in total fat and higher in vitamins A and E, making it a healthier choice overall.
Q:How does the taste of grass-fed beef differ from grain-fed beef?
A: Grass-fed beef has a distinct flavor profile that many people describe as more robust and earthy compared to grain-fed beef. The natural diet of the cattle contributes to a richer, more complex taste. Some also find the texture to be slightly leaner and firmer. We believe that once you try our grass-fed beef, you’ll appreciate the difference in flavor and quality. It’s not uncommon for us to hear from our customers that our beef is the best beef they’ve ever eaten! As long as you follow our cooking instructions (insert steak cooking tips here) I guarantee you that you’ll feel the same!
Q:Do you raise the cattle?
A: Yes, all of the beef we sell is from our L2 herd that we raise here on the ranch for their entire lifecycle. By doing this, we eliminate any uncertainties or gaps in our beef production which means you can rest assured that the beef you’re getting is of the highest quality.
Q:Is grass-fed beef tougher than grain-fed beef?
A: If cooked properly, it shouldn’t be any tougher!
Q:What do your cattle eat during the winter?
A: We have large hay fields that we spend the summer haying. Haying is drying grass and putting it into bales as a preservation method so that we can continue feeding our cows high-nutrition-profile dried grass during the winter months. Our cattle never receive any supplemental grain.
Q: Do your cattle live a humane life?
A: Absolutely! Our cows live the best of the best life! During the summer months our cattle spend their days grazing the forests and mountain tops in belly-deep grass, laying under thick pines, and drinking all of the ice-cold water straight from the earths natural springs and snow runoff. During the later fall and winter months they live a very similar life but on the ranch in Oakley grazing near the Weber River at a lower elevation. We feel very strongly about giving our animals the best possible life we can give them, and in return, they give us life by feeding us stress-free, rich, nutritious protein. We feel really good about the life our cattle live.
Q: Is your beef organic?
A: In order to avoid red tape and keep our prices as low as possible for our customers, we chose not to certify our cattle and beef as organic. When you are not “certified” organic, legally you cannot use the word organic. We raise what we believe is the best product to feed our own children and share it with our customers.
Q:Do you ever administer antibiotics?
A: We never administer routine antibiotics. However, when we have an animal with a life-threatening illness, we do administer antibiotics. It would be inhumane not to. When this happens, we keep close records, separate the steer from the rest of the finishing herd, and sell it to someone who is informed about the antibiotic given.
Q:Do you use artificial growth hormones?
A: Absolutely not!
Q:Do your cattle receive vaccines?
A: At four months of age our calves are given two vaccines. The first vaccination is for Brucellosis which is required by law across the US because its transmittable to humans. The second is for clostridial infections. Clostridial infections are a potentially dangerous bacteria residue in the soil. After these two vaccines, the cattle never see a needle again! According to the USDA and FDA, after 28 days, all traceable residue of a vaccine is gone. Our beef arent butchered until 20-24 months of age, so the vaccine has no chance of effecting the quality or flavor of your beef.
Q:Do you use the MRNA Vaccine?
A: No! We don’t, and never will.
Q:Is 100% grass-fed beef more environmentally friendly?
A: Yes, 100% grass-fed beef is generally considered more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Grazing cattle on pasture helps to maintain healthy ecosystems, promotes soil health. Our sustainable farming practices at L2 Ranch focus on rotational grazing, which helps sequester carbon in the soil and supports biodiversity.
Q:What sets L2 Ranch's grass-fed beef apart from other brands?
A: At L2 Ranch, we manage the entire life cycle of our cattle, from birth to harvest. This hands-on approach ensures that our animals are raised humanely and sustainably. Our commitment to quality means our cattle are never given antibiotics, unless a life-threatening situation requires us to do so for the well-being of the animal. If so, the animal given the antibiotic is removed from our finishing herd and not sold to our customers. Our beef is never given artificial growth-promoting hormones, and we partner with local USDA-certified processors to guarantee the highest standards in meat quality. This meticulous attention to detail results in a premium product that stands out in taste and nutrition.
Q:Are there specific cooking tips for grass-fed beef?
A: Yes, grass-fed beef is leaner than grain-fed beef, which means it cooks faster. For best results when cooking steak, generously salt each side of your steak and allow the steaks to rest on your countertop until they reach room temperature dabbing each side with a paper towel throughout the warming process to prevent moisture build-up. NEVER USE A FORK when cooking your grass-fed beef. Use tongs. When you use a fork, it results in the loss of delicious juices in the meat that helps obtain the tender, delicious flavor you’re looking for when cooking your beef. Once your steak is done, put a tsp of grass-fed butter or ghee on the top of your steak and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into it. Cook grass-fed beef for a shorter duration than you would with conventional beef. (See our full steak cooking tips here).
Q:Why is grass-fed beef more expensive than grain-fed beef?
A: Grass-fed beef can be more expensive due to the longer time required for cattle to reach market weight on a grass diet, and the additional land and resources needed for pasture grazing. However, the health benefits, superior taste, and positive environmental impact make it a worthwhile investment. At L2 Ranch, we strive to offer competitive pricing while maintaining the highest quality standards.
Q:What is the best way to store and thaw grass-fed beef?
A: Store grass-fed beef in the refrigerator if you plan to use it within a few days, or freeze it for longer storage. When thawing, it’s best to do so slowly in the refrigerator to preserve the texture and flavor. Avoid using a microwave to thaw, as it can lead to uneven cooking and loss of moisture. If you’re in a hurry and want to thaw your meat out more quickly, place your beef in the package in a bowl of lukewarm water. This method works great for ground beef. However, we don’t recommend doing this with steak
Q:What type of beef do you raise?
A: 100% Grass-Fed Black Angus
Q:How old is the beef when its processed?
A: 20-24 months. Once they reach about 1200 lbs in weight.
Q: How is your beef packaged?
A: Cuts are vacuum packaged into BPA and BPS-free cryovak packaging. The beef is hand cut and hand packaged so you may find some variation We hope these answers help you understand the benefits and uniqueness of our 100% Grass-Fed Beef. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us. Thank you for choosing L2 Ranch!
The Entire L2 Cattle Lifecycle
Our L2 herd contains genetics from our grandparents’ herd, dating back over 100 years.
March to April: Giving Berth
From March to April, our cows give birth to their calves under the windbreak benches of Oakley, Utah.
For the first eight months, the calves drink their mothers’ milk and eat native grass.
Early June: Spring Health Checks:
In early June, we brand and perform health checks on all new calves.
The brand and blue tag help us distinguish our calves from neighboring ones if they get mixed up.
Summer Grazing:
In June, we move the herd (mothers, calves, and a few bulls) from Oakley to the Uinta-Wasatch National Forest.
The herd spends four months grazing thousands of acres of forest land.
During this time, the cows are naturally bred by our carefully selected Angus bulls, chosen for their growth rate, carcass size, and fertility potential.
Autumn Return and Weaning:
In October, we gather the herd and bring them back to the L2 Ranch.
The bulls are separated, and the calves are weaned from the cows.
We select which calves will become replacement heifers and which will enter our finishing program.
The herd grazes the river-bottom pasture until the grass is eaten or snow begins to fall.
Winter Feeding:
Once the grass is dormant, we feed the cows a balanced diet of pasture grass mix and alfalfa hay, which we farm during the summer.
Calving Cycle Restart:
In March and April, the calving process begins again.
Finishing Program:
The heifer and steer calves weaned in October are kept separate until they reach 18 months. Selected heifers return to the main herd for breeding. Steers in the finishing program graze wild mountain native grasses. When finishing steers reach around 1200 lbs (at 20-24 months), they are transported to our local USDA-inspected butcher facility for humane harvesting. The carcasses are dry-aged for a minimum of 21 days before being cut and packaged.
Experience the Difference
When you choose L2 Ranch beef, you are choosing a product that embodies our commitment to quality, sustainability, and transparency. Our entire life cycle approach guarantees that you receive beef that is raised with care, processed with precision, and delivered with pride. Experience the difference of L2 Ranch beef – from our family to yours.
