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 The principle component in the rearing of our animals is pasture. At present almost 200 acres are used for grazing the cattle, sheep, pigs and even poultry. The fresh air and exercise is an obvious advantage but there are quite a few other reasons for grazing animals. Much of the land here in King Township is rolling, and rolling land is not suitable to cropping because of the potential for land erosion. When kept in hay or pasture however, the plant roots hold the soil in place, and the animals do the work of harvesting.
They also spread their own manure which is vital in maintaining the fertility of the land, particularly on an organic farm, where chemical fertilizers are not permitted.
 Our beef cattle herd is out on pasture from early May until November, weather permitting. The cows all calve in May and June out on pasture in a natural setting and this eliminates many of the health hazards associated with herds confined in small areas. The cattle are never vaccinated and receive no growth hormones or antibiotics.
If an animal becomes sick enough to require an injection it is no longer sold as certified organic beef, but is instead taken to the local stockyards.
We raise a variety of breeds including Hereford, Shorthorn, Angus and Limousin. The two bulls we used this year, Russell and Randy, are Piedmontese, native to northern Italy. The animals are allowed to grow slowly and naturally which reduces the stress on them and improves the flavour of the meat. The animals are slaughtered at a nearby, provincially-inspected abattoir. The carcasses are hung for a minimum of 21 days in the time-honoured traditional way to improve flavour and texture prior to being cut.
 Our pigs are raised very differently than most are in the big factory-farm operations of today. They are not confined to slatted concrete floors in a controlled environment to maximize growth; rather, they are raised with only the highest regard to their welfare. In the summer months they have access to pasture where they root to their hearts' content. Those of you who have seen pigs on pasture know what we mean when we say they are hilarious to watch as they dig their snouts tirelessly into the soil. Even during the winter months, they are kept in large pens with plenty of straw for bedding. Young pigs do not have their tails and teeth cut as is the industry norm.
 They are fed no routine antibiotics and are raised solely on home-grown certified organic barley and oats. They also devour all the market garden excesses such as beet tops and other greens. We do not use artificial insemination with the sows but rather make use of our large boar, affectionately known as "Rocco."
 The broiler chickens, laying hens and turkeys are all raised in much the same way as the cattle and pigs with unrestricted access to our farm landscape. You'll appreciate the difference in the meat compared to the bland grocery store poultry. Fresh air, sunlight, grass and bugs keep the birds both contented and healthy.
In order to bring you a full range of organic meat and a reliable supply, and to protect certain species of livestock from predators around our farm, we have other organic farmers in Ontario raise some animals for us.
While not all of Beretta Organic Farms meat is raised on our farm, the local organic farmers who raise animals for us and whom we help to support are required to meet the same stringent organic production standards as on our own farm, including humane animal rearing practices. In purchasing meat from Beretta Organic Farms, we hope that you will be proud that you are helping to support Ontario organic farmers such as ourselves. Thank you!
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