We did (and continue to do) substantial research on cattle breeds. Black Angus is predominate in the commodity-driven prime beef Missouri production. While this breed was originally a British/Scottish breed, it's "Americanization" has produced a large-frame cattle with various traits that mostly have to do with fattening quickly on a corn-based diet after they are weaned. This commodity approach with its feedlot base is unfortunately responsible for most of the bad press that beef has gotten in the last quarter-century.

1. Why our Missouri prime beef is striped...
We did (and continue to do)
substantial research on cattle
breeds. Black Angus is predominate in
the commodity-driven prime beef Missouri
production. While this breed was originally
a British/Scottish breed, it's
"Americanization" has produced a large-
frame cattle with various traits that mostly
have to do with fattening quickly on a
corn-based diet after they are weaned. This
commodity approach with its feedlot base
is unfortunately responsible for most of
the bad press that beef has gotten in the
last quarter-century.
We have been working for the last several
years to move to grass-finished beef. So we looked around for the different breeds which did
best on just grass. In the middle of this, we found that a medium-framed animal was more
efficient in turning forage (grasses, clover, etc.) into muscle. As well, smaller-sized animals fit
into people's freezers and budgets better.
The Galloway is a Scottish breed, raised to survive on just about anything it can find
during those long, harsh Scottish winters. Very similar to the Highland, except they are polled
(no horns). The more commonly found version of this is belted, meaning it has a white belt in
it's middle. This is from their being crossed with the "Dutch Belted" breed some generations
back. They are known as "Belties".
As we found a local breeder of these, I got a bull a few years ago and started him with our all
black Angus/mixed-breed cattle when he got old enough. This has produced a routinely belted
Angus cross which has a medium-large frame and the ability to eat more and better. Our bull
is registered, both parents being prize-winning show animals. His name is "Gene Autry". (But
he mostly answers to Gene, or so I like to think.)
The patterns aren't exact. The one you see here (with the polka-dot) had a mother with a white
face. He's called "Panda". Ugly by the Belted Galloway show standards - beautiful to us and
Visit http://worstellfarms.com for more information.

2. his momma.
Galloways are also known for their quality lean beef. They put on a thicker hair coat
in winter instead of extra backfat. This means that they also are known for higher CLA's and a
better Omega 3:6 ratio - both of which are touted as being more heart healthy.
We are continuing to save back our heifers to replace our older cows and so will soon be
having our own Beltie-Angus cross cows as well as the solid black and a few black-white-faced
momma's.
All this to ensure we can raise the finest beef possible for our local customers, all locally
processed and source-verified.
Just so you can eat better, even though it means our beef is striped.
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For more data on raising pasture fed beef, as well as other information on prime beef as
health food – visit http://worstellfarms.com
Visit http://worstellfarms.com for more information.

3. About Worstell Farms
Our family goes back on both sides with
farmers. As far as we can trace.
And that tradition came to Mexico,
Missouri around 1960 to purchase the
current farming operation.
Jim and Laura Worstell established a
working farm there and then, and raised a
big family of 8 kids, along with several
dogs, cats, and an occasional pet squirrel
or raccoon. And don't forget the llama's
and peacocks...
In 2000, Robert Worstell returned to the
farm to take over operations management
(as well as the day-to-day chores) and
shares these duties with his mother and sister (well, not the chores, so much.)
On approximately 250 acres of land, which is mixed hillsides, bottom, and woods, we raise a
combination of annual row-crops and also our beef. Typical of this area, we have marginal
land which is better suited to cattle than cultivation (which is typical of most cattle-farming).
We've found that where we run our cattle actually improves the soil and its health - as long as
we pay attention and actually manage how long and when they graze where. As we continue to
study and learn about and from our cattle, our daily lessons help us to improve the quality and
quantity of beef we raise.We practice managed grazing and are transitioning over to ultra-
high-density stocking, as this is even better for the land and actually requires more cattle per
acre to keep up with the lush growth and pasture renovation.
All our beef is from local stock. Mostly black Angus cross-bred cows, with our current Belted
Galloway bull named "Gene Autry" is servicing these well.
Ordering Our Beef
We only take local orders, so contact us via the website or call directly. Due to Federal laws,
we cannot sell our beef out of Missouri – you'll have to buy it here. Generally, our beef is
spoken for well before it's ready for processing. However, contact us for what we have coming
up and we can give you an estimate on when the next one is coming available.
We are also offering La Cense beef, which is USDA inspected and can be shipped anywhere
in the US. Please see http://worstellfarms.com for details.
Visit http://worstellfarms.com for more information.

4. Related Articles from the Worstell Farms Web Site:
• Worstell Farms – Finest Missouri Grass Fed Beef
• Raising Missouri Pasture-Fed Beef
• What's All-Natural, Humane, Pasture-Raised?
• How does a Beef Ranch Stay in Business?
• Why our Missouri prime beef is striped...
• Missouri Beef: Heathy is as Healthy Eats
• What are "CLA's" and "Omega 3 and 6's"?!?
• How Missouri Beef is Your Best Health Food
• Missouri Grass Fed Meat For You to Buy
• The Surprising Taste of Grass Fed Meat
• Dry Aged Vs. Wet Aged
• What are the beef cuts?
About the Author:
Dr. Robert Worstell retired from a corporate career in graphic design to the much calmer and
healthier American Midwest, to inherit running the family farm. His constant work and
research has been to improve the sustainability of this Missouri “beef ranch”. The results show
that grass fed beef, locally and directly marketed is the route to profitability, not following
commodity trends.
Dr. Worstell's training in web design has helped him move the operation more online, as well
as giving him new networking opportunities to promote Worstell Farms beef products. He is
also a prolific author and has recently completed research into the all-time best self help
books, with his “Freedom Is – (period).” Out of the 7 books published this year, he's also
produced a fiction work, “The Dreamer Dreamed” - itself a breakthrough use of fiction to
explore the metaphysical aspect of dream meaning. All of these are available at
http://midwestjournalpress.com
Dr. Worstell may be contacted through his several blogs and websites for interviews and
appearances.
Visit http://worstellfarms.com for more information