April 2026

Spring has officially arrived.

After a mild winter, we’re already seeing summer grasses begin to come on. The ryegrass is still performing well, and April marks that steady transition from winter pasture to summer forage.

This is a working month.

We’re maintaining fence lines, managing weeds, and clipping pastures to push new growth and keep everything moving in the right direction. It’s the kind of routine work that sets the tone for the months ahead.

Diesel prices aren’t doing us any favors right now, but that’s a variable we’ve learned to expect and work through.

The cattle are looking strong this time of year. They’ve been grazing ryegrass for the past several months, and it shows.

This is one of those moments in the season where everything starts to shift — and if you’ve done the work leading up to it, you can see the results in the pasture and in the herd.

Dr. Shannon Gonsoulin

We’re proud to share something special happening right here at the farm store.

Ms. Earline is hosting a raffle to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and every ticket helps support families facing the unimaginable.

Tickets are just $10 each and available now at the Farm Store.

Here’s what’s up for grabs:

1st Prize
2026 Evolution EV Golf Cart
Sponsored by Coteau Carts

2nd Prize
Custom St. Jude Fire Pit
Donated by R3 Foundation

3rd Prize
50" Smart TV
Donated by Kim and Scott Behringer

Drawing Date: November 21, 2026

This is one of those moments where a small action—ten dollars, a quick stop by the store—actually makes a real difference.

If you’ve been meaning to come by, this is a good reason.

Come see Ms. Earline, grab your tickets, and be part of something bigger.

Available now at the Farm Store.

WHAT THE DATA ACTUALLY SAYS ABOUT GRASSFED BEEF

The difference isn’t “beef vs not.”
It’s how the animal lived—and what that does to the biology of the meat.

Here’s where the research is solid, and where it’s still evolving:

FAT PROFILE: THE CLEAREST DIFFERENCE

Grassfed beef consistently shows:

Higher omega-3 fatty acids
Higher CLA (conjugated linoleic acid)
Lower omega-6 : omega-3 ratio

This matters because modern diets skew heavily toward omega-6, which is linked to inflammation. Grassfed beef helps rebalance that ratio.

On average:

Grassfed beef can have ~2–4x more omega-3s
Omega-6:3 ratios closer to ~2:1 vs ~8:1 in grain-fed beef

Lower ratios are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease.

Translation: This is the strongest, most repeatable finding—grass changes fat, and fat drives downstream health.

OMEGA-3s: NOT JUST PRESENT—FUNCTIONAL

Grass-fed systems produce more:

EPA, DPA, DHA (long-chain omega-3s)

These are the same classes of fats associated with:

Anti-inflammatory signaling
Cardiovascular protection
Brain function

Even though beef isn’t a “high omega-3 food” like fish, studies show that regular consumption of grassfed meat can raise circulating omega-3 levels in humans over time.

Translation: It’s not about replacing fish—it’s about improving the baseline of your diet.

ANTIOXIDANTS + PLANT SIGNALS

Grass-fed beef carries compounds that originate in pasture:

Vitamin E
Beta-carotene
Plant-derived phytonutrients

These are linked to:

Reduced oxidative stress
Cellular protection

This is a direct transfer:
diverse pasture → plant chemistry → animal tissue → human intake

Translation: The landscape shows up in the meat.

MINERALS + NUTRIENT DENSITY

Recent large-scale analysis (300+ beef samples, 2025) found:

Higher average levels of iron, calcium, copper, selenium in grassfed beef

But here’s the nuance:

There is wide variation inside both systems
Pasture diversity and grazing management matter as much as the “grassfed” label

Translation: Not all grassfed beef is equal—but the ceiling is higher.

LEANER, BUT THAT’S NOT THE MAIN STORY

Yes, grassfed beef is typically leaner.
But the real shift is fat quality, not just fat quantity.

Grain-fed beef often has:

More omega-6 fats
More monounsaturated fats

Grassfed beef shifts toward:

More omega-3 and bioactive fats (CLA, DPA)

Translation: This isn’t about “less fat.” It’s about different fat.

REALITY CHECK: LIMITS OF THE CLAIMS

Let’s be honest about what the research does not say:

Grassfed beef is not a major omega-3 source compared to fish
Long-term human outcome data (disease reduction) is still limited
Differences exist—but they are incremental, not absolute

Even the newest research emphasizes:

Production practices matter more than labels alone
Some grain-fed systems can overlap nutritionally with grassfed

Translation: It’s better—but it’s not magic.

BOTTOM LINE

Grassfed beef represents a different nutritional pathway, not just a different product.

You’re getting:

A more favorable fat profile
Exposure to plant-derived compounds
Higher potential micronutrient density

All driven by one mechanism:

soil → grass → animal → human

That chain is measurable—and it shows up in the data.