A plain English guide from our farm to your table.

Food labels can get confusing fast. We see it all the time. You want to buy beef you feel good about, but the wording can feel like a maze.

So let’s keep it simple and clear.

When we say no growth hormones and no routine antibiotics, here’s what that means in real life, on our farm, and what it does not mean.

“No Growth Hormones” in plain English

What it means

It means the cattle in our program are raised without growth promoting hormone implants.

Some beef operations use hormone implants to increase growth and feed efficiency. That is a legal practice in the beef industry. “No growth hormones” means we are choosing not to use them.

What it does not mean

It does not mean the beef has “zero hormones.”

All animals have naturally occurring hormones. People do, too. So do vegetables. When you see “no hormones,” what matters is whether hormones were added during raising, not whether they naturally exist.

Why we choose no growth hormones

We focus on raising cattle with good genetics, good feed, and good care, then letting quality do the talking. If you care about how your food is raised, this is one of those choices that feels straightforward.

“No Routine Antibiotics” in plain English

What it means

It means we do not use antibiotics as a standard, across the board practice.

In other words, antibiotics are not part of the everyday program just because it is easier or more convenient. They are not used as a routine shortcut.

What it does not mean

It does not mean “never treated, no matter what.”

We will always put animal care first. If an animal is sick and truly needs antibiotics, responsible farmers treat the animal. That is part of doing the right thing.

In our program, if an animal needs treatment, that beef is removed from our direct to consumer beef program.

The important food safety note

Even when antibiotics are used in the livestock world, there are strict rules about withdrawal times before harvest. Beef cannot be sold with unsafe residue levels. The claim is about how the animal was raised, not about beef being safe to eat. Any beef you can buy in the United States is safe to eat.

Why these two claims matter to customers

People usually care about these labels for a few reasons:

1) They want less “extra” in the raising process

No growth hormones and no routine antibiotics are two clear ways to be intentional about raising beef. We pride ourselves on raising our animals the old fashioned way. 

2) They value responsible antibiotic use

Using antibiotics only when needed is a part of good stewardship. It is better for the longevity of the cattle industry and not contributing to antibiotic resistancy issues. 

3) They want to know the farm has standards

These claims are about priorities and transparency.

What to look for when you see these labels online

If you are shopping for beef and you see similar claims, here are the follow up questions that tell you a lot:

• What happens if an animal gets sick?

• Is it “no routine antibiotics,” or “never ever,” and how is that managed?

• Can the farm explain the program in simple terms?

• Do they raise their own cattle or buy cattle from multiple sources?

A good operation will have very transparent answers

The bottom line

When we say no growth hormones and no routine antibiotics, we mean we are raising cattle with a focus on quality, care, and common sense. We do not add growth hormones, and we do not use antibiotics as a routine practice. If treatment is needed, we treat the animal and remove it from our beef program.

If you ever have questions about our beef, ask. We’d rather explain it than let you guess.

And if you’re looking for the easiest way to keep beef simple, our seasoning Beef’s Best Friend was made for that. Pull it from the freezer, season with confidence, and get dinner on the table!