What We Produce

What We Produce

P2P Beef

Our cattle spend the entirety of their lives on the ranch and surrounding range.

The cows calve between May and June so the calves get a good start with warmer weather and nutritious milk from grazing cows. They will spend all of summer and fall on the vast range with their mothers (approximately 160’000 hectares). When the snow flies, most of the herd naturally turns toward home though there are always some who need to be rounded up.

In late fall/early winter, we wean the calves from their mothers. They spend the winter/spring on the ranch eating mostly home-grown hay (although some years we do need to bring in extra hay from other local producers, always spray and fertilizer free). The following summer/fall the now yearlings spend on range grazing and developing their frames. Once again they winter on the ranch. At 2 years of age they are separated into the breeding stock (which join the cattle on summer range) and the ‘fat herd’ which stays behind to graze on our ranch on the more lush, irrigated pastures. The beef we sell is selected on a bi-weekly basis from the ‘fat herd’. Animals are selected based on their ‘finish’. Because of varying genetics and individual tendencies, our cattle reach a proper finish between 24 and 36 months of age. Note that in the commodity beef market, most are harvested at only 12 months old. This ensures that the beef you receive is nutrient dense and has been allowed to grow at a natural pace.

Whether our cattle are spread across vast summer ranges or are home, we ensure they have access to Redmond Salt and Redmond Clay. This is the best way to ensure they have everything they need nutritionally. Amazingly, if a cow feels the need, she is able to eat about 5 pounds of clay in a matter of minutes!  High mineral clay and salt not only keep the animals in optimal health, a lot of the minerals pass through them, nourishing the land, and much of them are stored in the body which ensures  the meat, fat and bones that end up in our shop are highly nutrient dense. The herd always has access to clean flowing water.

Our herd is nourished exclusively on pasture and range throughout most of the year. The herd is hay-fed for 60-90 days each winter as well as fodder (sprouted certified organic grains grown to about 4 inches tall; these are exceptionally nutritious and boost the immune system). When weather is exceptionally harsh (just a few weeks in winter), the fat herd and at times the pregnant cows will receive 2% of their daily food intake in certified organic heirloom grains. This boost of energy helps them stay healthy through really cold spells and ensures they do not ‘drop off’ during harsh weather when they need most of their energy to stay warm. All our animals are free from vaccinations, antibiotics, parasite controlling chemicals and growth promoting implants.

Our animals are harvested at our low-stress, on-ranch facility. 
 
Once harvested, we dry age the beef for 21 days at Chilcotin Harvest (our on-ranch harvest facility) and then once they arrive at our Vancouver store they are aged up to another 21 days. Some specialty cuts such as prime rib roast and beeswax dipped steaks we will age 60-100 days!
 
*After 20 years of strictly grass feeding the ruminant livestock on our ranch, we decided this year to step out of the dogma and give our livestock the additional support when they need it. During extreme cold it is very hard for them to consume enough hay to stay optimally nourished and they begin to suffer; it is not and never will be a tool we use to ‘finish’ our animals, we are only using certified organic grain as a tool to maintain health and energy in very specific situations when the animals welfare is at risk. Grain is not fed in enough volume or for enough time to change the omega-3/6 ratio or to change the digestive system of the animals.

P2P Pork

Our hogs spend their entire lives on the ranch.
Piglets are born in our farrowing barn which allows for year-round safe, warm nesting. In cold months they may spend several weeks in the barn until they are sturdy enough to be outside.

The piglets will spend the first two to three months with their mothers and after weaning will roam the very large forest pasture until they are at least a year old. While in the farrowing barn the mothers eat hay, household scraps, fodder (which are sprouts we grow from certified organic heirloom grains in the winter months when green grass is not available) and certified organic wheat. At all stages of life they have access to clean water and  Redmond Salt/Redmond Clay. This is the best way to ensure they have everything they need nutritionally. High mineral clay and salt not only keep the animals in optimal health, a lot of the minerals pass through them, nourishing the land, and much of them are stored in the body which ensures  the meat, fat and bones that end up in our shop are highly nutrient dense.
 
While in the fattening pasture the pigs receive fodder and whey from Farmhouse Dairy in Aggasiz besides hay and/or pasture.

P2P Lamb

Our sheep spend the entirety of their lives on our ranch. Throughout much of the year they are grazing on irrigated pastures, during the cold season they are hay fed (we do grow the bulk of our hay on ranch) and supplemented with fodder (sprouts grown from certified organic heirloom wheat). Through all seasons our sheep have access to Redmond Salt and Clay which offers up any minerals they are in need of, keeping them healthy, making their meat, fat and bones super nutrient dense and distributing minerals naturally on the land.

During cold spells and for a brief time during lambing season the flock is supplemented with a boost of certified organic heirloom wheat. When the temperatures reach such extremes the animals use so much energy to stay warm that we risk them ‘dropping off’ if they do not receive some extra energy. During the lambing season the ewes use the extra energy to produce milk for their young. A bit of grain during this time reduces greatly the time the new mothers need to spend eating, which gives them much more time and energy to nurture their lambs.

Lambing season is between March and end of April. The ewes and their lambs are outdoors full time and phase slowly into the grazing and off hay as the green grass presents itself. In late fall to November we wean the lamb so the ewes can put their energy into healthy lambs for the coming spring rather than producing milk.

Our lambs become market ready between one and two years old, at which time they are brought to Chilcotin Harvest (our on-ranch low stress harvest facility) as we need them for our Vancouver store.
 
*After 20 years of strictly grass feeding the ruminant livestock on our ranch, we decided this year to step out of the dogma and give our livestock the additional support when they need it. During extreme cold it is very hard for them to consume enough hay to stay optimally nourished and they begin to suffer; it is not and never will be a tool we use to ‘finish’ our animals, we are only using certified organic grain as a tool to maintain health and energy in very specific situations when the animals welfare is at risk. Grain is not fed in enough volume or for enough time to change the omega-3/6 ratio or to change the digestive system of the animals.

P2P Chicken

Hatched from eggs that have not been vaccinated or medicated, our chickens are sheltered during the early stages of development. They are fed BC certified organic heirloom grains, fodder (sprouts), fresh spring water (we add live probiotics to the water when they are small) and have access to Redmond Salt and Clay.

Once our poultry have developed enough feather growth, they are moved onto irrigated pasture where they can seek shelter under portable coops and gorge themselves on lush forage, insects and grains. We provide feed and fresh water and they in turn enrich our soils with their potent manure. 

Around 10 weeks of age the chickens are transported the few km to Chilcotin Harvest. Once harvested the chickens are chilled and then flash frozen so that you can safely re-freeze any parts of the bird you buy at our store. We raise them only seasonally so that the meat is of optimal quality from eating green grass and bugs, then we defrost as needed throughout the rest of the year.
 
*Christianna Zintl of Tatla Lake raises a portion of Pasture to Plate’s chickens and turkeys. She purchases the same certified organic feed for the birds and uses similar outdoor shelter systems while the birds are growing. Because of the poultry quota system and the high labour input nature of raising birds, we are limited as to how many we can raise on the ranch at this point, therefore we are happy to have Christianna take on some of the production. The birds raised in Tatla Lake are also processed at out Chilcotin Harvest facility.

P2P Turkey

Hatched from eggs that have not been vaccinated or medicated, our turkeys are sheltered during the early stages of development. They are fed BC certified organic heirloom grains, fodder (sprouts), fresh spring water (we add live probiotics to the water when they are small) and have access to Redmond Salt and Clay. 

Once our poultry have developed enough feather growth, they are moved onto irrigated pasture where they can seek shelter under portable coops and gorge themselves on lush forage, insects and grains. We provide feed and fresh water and they in turn enrich our soils with their potent manure. 

Around 12-16 weeks of age the turkeys are transported the few km to Chilcotin Harvest. Once harvested the turkeys are chilled and then flash frozen so that you can safely re-freeze any parts of the bird you buy at our store. We raise them only seasonally so that the meat is of optimal quality from eating green grass and bugs, then we defrost as needed throughout the rest of the year.
 
*Christianna Zintl of Tatla Lake raises a portion of Pasture to Plate’s chickens and turkeys. She purchases the same certified organic feed for the birds and uses similar outdoor shelter systems while the birds are growing. Because of the poultry quota system and the high labour input nature of raising birds, we are limited as to how many we can raise on the ranch at this point, therefore we are happy to have Christianna take on some of the production. The birds raised in Tatla Lake are also processed at out Chilcotin Harvest facility.

P2P Eggs

Our laying hand are hatched from eggs that have not been vaccinated or medicated. The pullets are raised like our broiler chickens, eating certified organic, BC heirloom grains, sprouts, fresh fresh spring water (we add live probiotics to the water when they are small) and have access to Redmond Salt and Clay. Hens start laying at around 6 months of age.
 
Once the hens are big enough to go out on pasture, they are kept in protective electric fences and have use of nesting boxes and roosts. They spend their summer/fall outside on fresh grass eating bugs while still receiving certified organic grains. During winter/spring when it is cold out and there is no grass, the hens live inside out farrowing barn. Here they still have access to the outdoors at all times but tend to prefer to stay warm and cozy inside. They receive hay, certified organic heirloom grains, fodder (sprouts), fresh clean water and Redmond Salt & Clay while they are indoors. 
 
We have an egg grading station on ranch where eggs are graded, washed and prepared for sale. 

Merino Wool

Our sheep are shorn each spring. Their wool is processed into many beautiful items, including skeins for home knitting projects. The washed, carded and spun wool is available to order online and is for sale in our stores. See your ‘collaborations’ page for finished products made with our wool!

Deep Litter & Fodder

Fodder is grown for the animals on the ranch during the cold months to supply them with some fresh greens. This is a great way to naturally support their immune systems while also keeping up the high nutritional value of the meat and eggs. Growing fodder is much like growing sprouts at home in your kitchen, only we do it on a large scale. Organic seeds and grains are first soaked, then spread on growing trays. When the sprouts have grown into young plants and are several inches tall, they are fed fresh to the animals.