Our Steer - Meatloaf is Looking Meatier!
You may think it is strange to name an animal you plan on butchering. Strange indeed. My youngest daughter named our steer Meatloaf while licking her lips at the thought of the delicious beef he would be providing us with. It may sound strange, but it works for us.
In another month or two this handsome fellow will be going to the butcher's. He is one happy steer and I really think that makes a difference in the quality of the meat.
Meatloaf demands his breakfast and his dinner. By 8 am, if he hasn't had his breakfast he is moo'ing constantly. By 4 in the afternoon, he is back at it again. He's a heafty boy. He dances for his dinner though, prancing and pawing when we bring the bucket.
He likes scratches and nose rubs. He'll lick you quicker than you can get your hand away.
Here is a shot of him in February just after we bought him:
It may sound unkind of me to think of him as friendly dinner, but I don't think so. I honestly think happy animals make better meat. Meatloaf should provide my family and with about a year's worth of delicious cuts of beef. We have 3 kids including an 18 year old boy who eats like he has a hollow leg.
I will be a little sad when Meatloaf's time comes, but I know he was well cared for and was as happy as a steer can get. We will be getting a bottle calf after we've had him processed and finished.
Thanks for looking! Stay tuned!
What is he? I would guess a mini Herford but size is hard to tell from photos. Looks nice and healthy.
He's just a regular Hereford. It's probably my camera angle. Haha! We are probably looking at butchering him in June or July.
Love a good healthy cow to eat! No shame sister!
Nice! He's a handsome fellow for sure. A deliciously handsome fellow. Haha!
He is coming along nicely, and will hold your family over nicely until the meatloaf #2 comes along. 🐓🐓
Definitely! He's the friendliest cow I have ever known...and also the only cow I have ever known. Haha!
Our first cows came named. Their owner was a Red Sox fan, so our first cow (our foundation cow) was named Red Sox Win aka Winnie. Her daughters (for the freezer) were Red Sox Fenway, Red Sox Willie Mae, Red Sox Wave, etc. I suppose naming them for food keeps it more firmly in mind, but we found it fun trying to think up Red Sox names. After you've called them anything, even a number for a name, it's still hard when the time comes.
Yes, regardless of what the "name" is, we get attached to the animals we care for. It's almost impossible not to. Hopefully after we have him butchered the addition of a bottle calf will help distract the kids. They know he is to be for food and so far don't have a problem with it, but I know there will be some sadness when the time comes. Just gotta prepare them for it. Thanks for stopping by!!!
What is the origin of this dish? It looks tasy AF. I'd love to wash it down with a Porter. I think the two who complement each other very nicely.
I bet...