We take for granted what’s in our own backyard. Did you know Florida is home to world-class beef that’s shipped internationally? Our reputation for excellence begins with the top-tier grasses our cattle consume in grazing. We’ll explain how it works in today’s blog. To learn more about the importance of buying beef locally, check out this blog. 

Florida has a long history of cattle grazing, and Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch is proud to be part of that. One thing that sets Florida’s beef apart is the grass. If you’re a homeowner in Florida, you’ve probably heard of St. Augustine grass. This grass was first evaluated in 1944 and was determined to be excellent for cattle. 

The Roselawn variety of St. Augustine grass was found to have a greater forage mass than others, meaning its dry weight is heavier per unit of land. It grows low to the ground and has 90% leafy tissue per plant, no matter how mature that specific cluster. This makes it perfect for cow chomping and aids the ranchers who use St. Augustine grass as well. 

St. Augustine grass thrives in the moist pasturelands and swamplands of Florida. It also grows nearly the entire year and thrives on overgrazing. Cows across Florida help control the growth of the grass, particularly around waterways. 

Ranchers have other problems they have to overcome, though. The grass may grow well, but other weeds or pests populate too. Land management, especially using natural or organic methods, is a full-time job by itself. Ranchers rotate their cattle throughout the land, using the cows’ natural aeration techniques (their hooves) to increase soil oxygenation. Using this and other tactics, they create a quality product right to your family’s table.

For more information on Dark Hammock Legacy Ranch’s grass-fed beef or to buy your own for your family, visit our website. We’re happy to answer any questions about our farming practices. We know you’ll agree that we do it better right in the heart of Florida.