• Thistle Hill goes “global”….

    ….we really enjoy entertaining visitors at Thistle Hill.  We always learn more from our guests than they ever learn from us.  Just a fresh set of eyes makes us see things we just never focused on. This week we hosted a delegation of cattle and dairymen and women from South Africa and they brought with them an agronomist from Australia, Christine Jones. The group had skipped breakfast and arrived from Washington torn between our pastures and our buffet.  Food won out!  I haven’t had beer for breakfast, much less burgers and brats, since I was flying for SAC, but Thistle Hill meats are perfect any time. Stomachs satisfied, they set out…

  • Round-up (glysophate) is just about everywhere…

    ….we’ve made the point here that genetically-modified foods may or may not pose a health risk, but there’s no doubt that the wide-spread use of Monsanto’s Round-up in raising GMO crops certainly does.  It’s also true that wheat farmers apply heavy doses of Round-up in their fields….and right before harvest….though wheat is not a GMO crop. And Dr. Joseph Mercola believes the increased use of Round-up is linked to the increased incidence of celiac disease. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/09/14/glyphosate-celiac-disease-connection.aspx

  • Commercial Devon herd for sale…

    ….Bill Roberts of 12 Stones Grasslands Farm tells us he’s been asked to market a herd of part-Devon cows and a Devon bull.  There are 26 1/2 and 3/4 Devon in the group (part Angus) and 15 young 7/8s heifers calved earlier this year.  Bill has marketed feeders from this herd and seen tremendous cut-out and carcass quality. This sounds like a good opportunity if you’ve been wanting to get in the grass fed business.  Contact Bill at 12stonesgrasslandbeef@gmail.com.    

  • Thistle Hill Alumni…Tennessee Chapter….

    ….we’re always gratified to see how Regina and Tom Tesnow take our genetics to the next level.  Their Tomina Farm in Waynesboro, Tennessee probably has more Thistle Hill cows…and their progeny…than we do.  Well, not quite.  And they’ve blended to some other great lines, particularly Bill Roberts’ 12 Stones Grassland Beef. Their first big catch was our THF Magic, followed by THF Casino, the brother of our herd bull, Jackpot.  (You beginning sense there’s a theme, here?)  And now, with the real test of a bull, Regina has sent us pictures of Casino‘s progeny.  We’ve included two of his bull calves below.  (We’re currently out of bulls so we suggest you…

  • Customer comments….

    Lori S…. “❤ it!  Best sausage gravy ever!”  And Lori included a picture.  How about the recipe?  Lori “tried” our sausage and has now ordered a half pig. Lindsay S…. “My husband absolutely loves the sausage.  His all-time favorite!” Now about Thistle Hill beef: Dr. Elizabeth M…. “You have the best meat in town.  I love promoting your farm in my waiting room.” If you haven’t ordered your beef and pork for the Fall, don’t delay.  We have just a half-pig available plus a limited number of Beef Boxes and Pork Paks. Pigs are priced starting at $6 per pound with added charges for smoking and for links and patties. …

  • About that “Ice Bucket Challenge”….

    ….our favorite farm consultant, Jim Gerrish, says “no thank you”!  From his Facebook: Gerrish September 3 at 5:33pm ·  I agree with Jordan on my unwillingness to participate in the ALS ice bucket challenge because I do not believe sending funds to any of the so-called medical research foundations will do anything to cure these diseases. The G.A.M.P.I. (government-agricultural-medical-pharmaceutical-industrial complex) created most of our chronic health problems. Supporting them will not bring us any closer to a solution. Healthy soils and healthy foods is what creates our own health and well-being. You can better contribute to a healthier future each time you make a food purchase outside the GAMPI.

  • Move along…nothing to see here….

    So it’s a million pigs….not to worry.  Notice that the story says the farm is owned by Smithfield’s in Virginia….not that Smithfield’s is owned by China as in Beijing!  Besides, our government says the pork is perfectly safe…just like all that ground beef with USDA labels. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/58369640-78/pedv-animal-virus-state.html.csp

  • A breeding viewpoint….

    ….I assume that cattle breeders who read this blog, are also regulars at the Kit Pharo website.  If not, I suggest you should be. This week Kit links to an article in Beef Magazine that should resonate with all pure bred breeders…though it was aimed at the commercial cattleman. http://beefmagazine.com/blog/do-you-want-progress-or-change-cattle-breeding

  • Everybody knows that…..

    ….at least everybody who reads this blog, or any of the others that are built around grass fed meat. Turns out the government and the scientific establishment have been wrong for decades…forget low-fat diets.  Cut out the carbs and eat all the healthy fats you want….particularly on grass fed beef and pastured pork! That’s the conclusion of the latest study: http://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/52562 I couldn’t count the number of times people have told me they’ve cut down on red meat…or cut it out entirely.  Worse they’ve inflicted their “diet” on their family, particularly their kids.  Usually it is in the context of saying they could never use a 15-pound box of our…

  • Look up chutzpah….

    ….and you’ll find the Monsanto logo. The evil genius of this gigantic corporation is demonstrated anew with its campaign to co-opt the National Honeybee Day.  Bees, like butterflies, have rapidly been disappearing from the planet…a critical threat to growers around the world. As reported by Dr. Joseph Mercola, Monsanto moved in (as it has into the White House) to claim it wanted nothing more than to save the bees.  Turns out Monsanto has as much clout with the British ag department, DEFRA, as it has with our own USDA.  It’s clear that they have corrupted the entire regulatory process with the enthusiastic cooperation of universities and government bureaucrats. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/09/02/save-bees-against-monsanto.aspx