Two Delicious Finishes, One Shared Pasture
Now Offering Grass-Finished Beef: Two Delicious Finishes, One Shared Pasture
At Zabel Cattle Company, we believe in giving families food they can trust—and options that truly meet their needs. That’s why we’re excited to announce the launch of our grass-finished, pasture-raised beef, now available alongside our longtime favorite: pasture-raised, grain-finished beef.
Both finishing styles reflect our shared values of stewardship, quality, and integrity. Whether you prefer a leaner, more robust flavor or a buttery, tender cut with traditional richness, we have an option that suits your family’s table—without compromising how it was raised.
Let’s walk through the differences, the shared principles, and the reasons we believe both are excellent, nourishing choices.
🌾 What All ZCC Beef Has in Common
No matter how we finish our cattle, we start with the same foundation:
Pasture-raised from the beginning, grazing on our carefully managed fields
Low-stress handling, with the animals’ welfare at the center of our practices
Rotational grazing that promotes healthy soil and regenerative land use
Forage diversity, including newly seeded native bluestem, red clover, and creeping thyme—improving both environmental health and the quality of the beef itself
This kind of ranching takes time and care—but it’s the kind of food we want on our own plates, and we’re honored to share it with you.
🔬 Research published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (2022) shows that rotational grazing paired with biodiverse forages improves soil carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and the micronutrient profile of beef raised in those systems.
Whether finished on forage or grain, all of our cattle are raised to thrive—and that translates to better beef for your home.
🌿 NEW: Grass-Finished Beef
This month we’re officially offering grass-finished, pasture-raised beef for those seeking a leaner cut, a stronger flavor profile, or beef that remains 100% forage-fed from start to finish.
What it means:
Grass-finished cattle are never fed grain. They spend their entire lives grazing a rotating mix of grasses and legumes on pasture—including species we’ve specifically introduced for their nutritional value and resilience.
What you get:
A leaner cut with a deep, earthy flavor
A strong nutritional profile, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, CLA, and vitamin E
Ideal for those pursuing clean eating, paleo, Whole30, or heart-healthy lifestyles
📚 A 2010 study in the Nutrition Journal found that grass-finished beef contains significantly more omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants compared to conventional grain-fed, feedlot-finished beef. At ZCC, however, our grain-finished cattle are also pasture-raised, meaning nutritional differences are likely smaller—but still present.
Grass-finished beef appeals to customers who want a more natural, traditional grazing experience reflected on the plate. It’s clean, honest, and packed with nutrients.
🌽 Classic Favorite: Grain-Finished Beef
Our grain-finished, pasture-raised beef is the original favorite of many ZCC customers—and for good reason.
These cattle are raised the same way as our grass-finished herd, but are finished on a thoughtfully balanced grain ration during the final 90–120 days. This encourages marbling and enhances flavor and tenderness.
What you get:
Juicy, buttery texture with richer mouthfeel
Increased marbling and energy content
Familiar, crowd-pleasing flavor perfect for steaks, burgers, and family meals
🍔 Research from Texas Tech University and other meat science programs has consistently shown that grain-finishing enhances beef tenderness and flavor—especially in premium cuts like ribeyes and filets.
For customers who want that traditional steakhouse experience—with the added trust of pasture-based, responsible production—our grain-finished beef offers the best of both worlds.
🤔 How to Choose What’s Best for You
Choosing between grass-finished and grain-finished beef depends on your preferences, goals, and how you like to cook:
Feature
Grass-Finished
Grain-Finished
Flavor
Bold, earthy, slightly leaner
Buttery, rich, traditional
Texture
Leaner, firmer bite
Tender, well-marbled
Nutrition
Higher omega-3s, CLA, vitamin E
Higher in energy and monounsaturated fat
Best For
Health-conscious eaters, lean meals
Family favorites, comfort food, grilling
ZCC Promise
Pasture-raised, forage-fed start to finish
Pasture-raised, responsibly grain-finished
Some families prefer the boldness of grass-finished. Others love the tenderness of grain-finished. And many—honestly—keep both in the freezer and rotate based on the dish.
Not sure what’s right for your household? We’re here to help.
Give us a call or send us a message, and we’ll talk through your cooking style, nutrition goals, and flavor preferences to guide you toward the best fit.
🥩 Taste the Difference for Yourself
We’re proud to offer beef raised with purpose, processed with care, and delivered with integrity. Whether you choose our new grass-finished option or the classic grain-finished cuts, you’re getting:
✅ Pasture-raised, nutrient-rich protein
✅ Transparent, responsible ranching
✅ Flavor you can feel good about feeding your family
📞 Reach out to us today—we’d love to help you build the right box.
🌐 www.zabel.co/contact
With gratitude,
Janelle Zabel & the ZCC Family
