Filet Mignon with Cherry Balsamic Reduction and Huston Vineyards Wine
From the Pantry -easy meal planning. It's easy to feed your whole family The Food You Can Trust from Cliff's!
Tag: boise-grassfed-beef
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New Owners of Cliff's Country Market
Sean and I bought a grocery store!We are now the new owners of Cliff's Country Market in Caldwell, Idaho. Since the shutdowns in 2020, we have felt called to help be a part of food security and provide local, quality food for the community. Cliff's Country Market focuses on sourcing local, organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free products. Owning a grocery store fits perfectly into our future goals. Cliff has done a fantastic job serving Canyon County and has been sourcing quality produce and food products for over 25 years before organic was cool and popular! Marilyn and Cliff have been a great team in building this business, but as they approach their 80th birthday, it is time to find a new owner who will continue the vision of their store.We officially take over the store on October 1st!We will have a soft opening on Saturday, October 1st, to celebrate the transition. What does this mean for Cunningham Pastured Meats?The first exciting thing about acquiring Cliff's Country Market is that we now have a retail location for our meat! So, if you missed placing your order or need some last-minute meat, you can come into the store to purchase our meat right off the shelf.Secondly, we will have Cliff's Country Market as a pickup location for orders. Right now, the only pickup location we have is at Boise Cold storage, so we are excited to be able to offer another pickup location for those who want to order a smaller order or live outside of our delivery location. (This pickup location will open the first week of October). In due time we plan to offer more quality products through our home delivery services, so keep an eye on our emails in the future! We also plan to bring all our cold storage and packing to the store, but for right now, we will continue our meat delivery out of Boise Cold storage. If you have never been to Cliff's Country Market in Caldwell, Idaho, we highly recommend driving to the store to check it out! (Here's the Google Map Location).Here's a short list of products that the store carries:Cunningham Pastured MeatsRaw Milk! Pasture-raised eggsAll types of quality dairy productsOrganic, local, and low-spray produceA wide variety of gluten-free products, including baked goods made right in the store (a separate bakery for gluten-free products)Large selection of flours and cooking supplies (hard-to-find, gluten-free, cooking flours)And many more products!Please join us on October 1st for our soft opening of Cliff's Country Market. We will be grilling up and sampling our meat!We are thrilled to have a new avenue to serve you and your family on a new level.If you would like to join our new mailing list for Cliff's Country Market, we will offer exclusive email-only offers and coupons.Sign Up Here for Email Exclusive Coupons
How Chickens Poop Money 🐓💩💲
Who would've ever thought you would open an blog about chicken poop? 😉Now since I've peaked your curiosity lets explain where I'm going here...This is the first year that we have raised our pasture-raised chickens here on the ranch. In the past Brian would lease small acerages in the Treausre Valley and raise the chickens close to home. This year all things fell into place for him to bring the chicken operation up to the ranch.We knew that chicken manure was a powerful fertilizer, so we knew there was certainly a benefit to having the chickens here, but we did not expect what a fast change we would see to our pastures.On our ranch we have not used nitrogen fertilizers in over 30 years. Due to our management of our cattle, we get everything we need directly from the cattle and don't need that extra input from outside sources. That doesn't mean the land doesn't benefit from extra fertilizer, but we didn't need it.When there is a concentration of animals in one area it can leave amazing nutrients or it can ruin the ground. This is why moving the chickens every day is absolutely critical. In one day they can leave a significant amount of manure, and leaving them more than 2 days can end up killing the pasture. Here are the chicken enjoying their fresh grass after being moved.Here is their pasture from the the previous days. You can see the concentration of chicken manure they can put down in just 24 hours! The amazing thing is looking further back in the photo you can see how quickly that grass begins to grow again! In this picture you can see the line where we had the first day of chickens on pasture. Look at how lush and green the grass is on the left compared to the grass on the right! We certainly didn't expect to see such dramatic results like that! As ranchers our entire business revolves around growing grass. The more grass we grow = running more cattle = more profitable ranch for our family.The amazing thing about regerative agriculture is that you can build up the fertility of land and the land actually gives back more. It doesn't degrade the land over time, but increases it's health and fertility. This is another reason why diversity on the land is important too. Chicken manure is "hot" which means it has a lot of nitrogen, as well as other minerals like phosphorus and dozens of trace minerals. The grass is able to utilize it very quickly, which is why the grass looks so dramatically different after running the chicken houses across the pasture. The chemical nitrogen that most commercial farmers use also allows for quick growth, but it doesn't have the balance of other minerals that chicken manure has. Because if this lack, chemical nitrogen will cause the grass to suck other minerals out of the soil to fuel the rapid growth. This is why chemical fertilizers diminish the soil over time.By bringing the chickens up to our pastures this year, we are seeing a massive increase in the fertility of our pastures, which will have long-lasting benefits to our ranch fertility into the future. With proper grazing management, these nutrients will be recycled into the soil for use next year and for many years to come.Basically, everyday the chickens are here, they are pooping money all over our pastures!Poop on chickens, poop on.
How We Raise Chickens On the Ranch🐓
Raising chickens on the ranch isn't without trials, but worth it to keep an eye on the how the chickens are raised from start to finish.
Buying Bulk Meat In Boise
Are you looking for a place to buy bulk meat in large quantities in the Boise area? Look no further!At Cunningham Pastured Meats you can purchase all the way down to a single steak up to a whole beef! You can purchase a whole cow in the Boise area.You can purchase a 1/4 beef in the Boise area.You can purchase a 1/2 beef in the Boise areaHow does it work to purchase bulk meat in Boise?Simply go to our bulk ordering page to see the whole process.We are Boise's #1 place for purchasing bulk grass-fed meat!Cunningham Pastured Meats is Boise's #1 place for purchasing grass-fed beef.
New Family Photos For 2021
We were overdue for some new photos, but here are our 2021 photos of our family!Living the dreamA whole family of cowboys and girls!Got my dream-come-true of marrying a cowboy.
A Snow Day On The Ranch
I have to apologize for the tardiness of my normal Saturday email...I didn't have access to the internet for almost 24 hours!!!We had a snow storm come through on Friday evening that knocked out our internet.This might not seem like a big deal, but we don't have cell phone service at home, AND we no longer have a landline, so we depend on the internet for our phones as well.So, there I sat on Friday afternoon... looking at my phone, refreshing my internet, and... nothing happened. It's amazing how many times you will look at your phone when you are not sure when you will get a connection again, but finally, after 30 minutes, it became apparent that the internet was not coming back for a while.Since it had snowed, the temperature had dropped, so we started a fire on our stove. The kids were so excited for the new snow, so they took off outside to play before the sun went down, and Sean and I just curled up in a chair next to the fire and watched the kids play in the winter wonderland outside. (Yes, we still have our Christmas tree up)We then broke some card games, played games the rest of the evening, and called it an early night, about 9 pm.The next morning, I awoke to see that the internet was STILL not working. I once again felt a little frustrated but quickly realized that there was nothing I could do and that I would have to wait until the internet company came out to fix the problem.The kids were super excited to get outside and go sledding, so we all bundled up and headed out into the snow!We actually don't get very much snow here, so when it snows, you'd better get out and play in it because it'll most likely be gone by tomorrow!We all sledded for about an hour until the toddler was cold and the baby was screaming. Then after some hot chocolate, we started up the snowmobiles and did a couple of rounds driving around the valley.These are all things that I probably would not have done if I had my normal access to the internet.I would've told Sean, "Go ahead and take the kids; that'll give me some quiet time to get some work done." Instead, my normal routine was broken, and I spent all evening. All of the next day just being with my family without the interruption of phone calls, text messages, emails, and all other forms of digital distraction.In the end, being without the internet for almost 24 hours was the best thing that could've possibly happened to me.
Mowing the Lawn With Sheep
We lean towards being a little lazy around here on the ranch...If there is a way we can make our life a little easier, we will do it.This includes mowing the lawn.Sheep are amazing lawn mowers and do a great job getting into the areas that are hard to reach with a lawnmower or weed wacker.Not to mention that they fertilize the lawn as they go!Now, we don't let them graze our lawn every time we need the lawn cut, but when they are close to our house, and the lawn is getting pretty tall, we throw up some temporary fence and herd the sheep in.Clean, organic, and free fertilizer, what could be better?Ok, I get it; not everyone has a herd of sheep around that they can use to cut their lawn, so what's a better alternative?Well, if you live in the Boise area, Clean Air Lawn Care might be the solution to your lawn maintenance problem!At Clean Air Lawn Care, they believe there’s a better way of taking care of a lawn. Their customers want clean, sustainable lawn care that protects the environment and their families. That’s why Clean Air Lawn Care offers services that use quiet, zero-emission equipment and organic lawn care products that never compromise on quality. They guarantee that your lawn will look better than it has in years, be safe for your kids and pets, and give you a sense of peace knowing you’re helping reduce noise and air pollution.We want to give a shout-out to Clean Air Lawn Care since they follow our similar values of reducing pesticides and herbicides. Clean Air Lawn Care makes their lawns safer for kids and animals! We hope you can support this great local Boise business.
Why Is Chicken So Cheap At The Grocery Store?
Have you ever picked up a package of chicken at the grocery store and see a big sticker that says:Or what about Costco's famous rotisserie chickens at $4.99 for a whole cooked chicken!It's a pretty magical feat to be able to offer chicken so crazy cheap considering that the chicken had to be hatched, fed for 6-8 weeks, butchered, cut/wrapped, transported multiple times, and then put in a grocery store for its final sale.Who do you think makes the most money in this transaction when the final product is only $0.99/lb on a 5 lb chicken?I can guarantee you...It ain't the farmer.As a typical rule of thumb, the further you are down the line from the final product, the lower your percentage of the price. The chicken farmer is way down the production line and receives very little for that chicken that ends up on the shelf.Chicken is so cheap because people want cheap chicken, so the corporations demand the farmers to raise cheap chicken.Farmers enjoy raising their animals, but they do not want to market their products. Instead, they get into contracts with big corporations like Tyson or Costco that make it "easy" for them to sell their chickens. In reality, it locks them into a long-term contract where they are forced to keep up with the newest technology and equipment or lose their contract. Most chicken farmers are basically enslaved to these big corporations, and often, the only way to get out is to sell the farm. This is due to the high debt loads that are taken on to build the infrastructure required to raise chicken, which doesn't pay for the upgrades. Financially it's a terrible choice for farmers, and that doesn't even address the health of the land, the farmers, and the community when these gigantic chicken houses are built, and their waste is spread back on the land.Cheap Food = Cheap Production = Cheap Labor = Cheap GMO Feed = Broke FarmersThere's just no way around it.If we want farmers to make a living and be true stewards of the land, not just factories on the farm ground, we must be willing to pay higher prices to make a good living raising quality food for our families.Our pricing philosophy is simple at Cunningham Pastured Meats.Allow our producers to set the price that lets them make a good living.We then figure in marketing/shipping costs, and then our final price is determined.We do not beg the producers to get their prices cheaper. We do not beg our processors to offer cheaper processing.We want both the producer and the processor to have a quality life and a good living without sacrificing the quality of our product.Realistically, in the end, Cheap Food = Sick People and Sick Land.All this being said, this is why we create relationships with small-scale producers who want to raise their animals right without sacrificing quality. In fact, that's why we started Cunningham Pastured Meats in the first place. Before, the only avenue we had available was selling our cattle was through an auction that would eventually land them in a feedlot somewhere in the cheap meat cycle. We wanted more stability in our family and our business, and we wanted to provide quality grass-fed beef to people in the Boise Valley. We believe transparency is important for a safe, healthy, and renewable food supply.
What Is Up With All The Hype About Fake Meat?
Would you eat synthetic, lab grown, "meat"?
Chicken - More Than Just Big Breast
Chicken breast is by far one of our most popular selling products.It's easy to see why people gravitate towards this delicious, simple cut. Chicken breast is easy to cook, can be used for various meals, and almost always turns out moist and juicy.But there are more parts to a chicken than just the big breast portion.They have meaty dark thighs and delicious drumsticks. I want to take a minute to reintroduce the rest of the chicken...Let's start with the wonderfully delicious and juicy drumsticks:(click the picture for the recipe)I'm not quite sure why drumsticks are not as popular. They are great finger food, are moist and juicy, and have fabulous dark meat. Drumsticks are a hit among kids since they love eating with their fingers!We cooked up a batch of drumsticks the other day. A super simple meal that made everyone happy. We were all fighting for the last drumstick!Next are the chicken thighs:If you are looking for a very satisfying meal, chicken thighs will fit the bill. Chicken thighs have an abundance of dark, juicy, flavorful meat on them by leaving the skin on your lock in all that moist and savory chicken flavor. Finally, you have the humble chicken wings:Chicken wings have become very popular in the last decade. They are great finger food for game day or a family BBQ. All these cuts are the "forgotten" parts of the chicken. I argue that they are more favorable than chicken breast. And, these are significantly more economical than the popular chicken breast.You are in luck. Right now, all these alternative cuts are nicely discounted as we make way for our new batch of chicken. It is the perfect opportunity to stock up a bit while giving some overlooked cuts of our premium pastured poultry a test drive. You won't be sorry!We are your one-stop shop for pastured chicken in the Boise area.
What In The World Is Going On With the Beef Industry?
The beef packing industry is broken.4 major companies own over 80% of the packing plants in the United States, and 2 of them are foreign-owned.100 years ago, the Packers and Stockyard Act broke up the major monopolies dominating the cattle and packing industry at the time, but 100 years later, we are at the same place again.We here at Cunningham Pastured Meats are not as dependent on the cattle market and packing industry as we used to be, but it still affects our cattle ranch, our neighbors, our community, and in the end, the consumer. The small family ranch is one of the last holdouts of the consolidation of the farming/ranching industry. There are still many FAMILY OWNED cattle ranches in the west, but they are becoming rarer as margins become razor-thin. The cost of raising cattle continues to rise, yet the price of cattle has not risen at the same time. This is largely blamed on the large packing plants that control the industry's end product and are working together to artificially keep cattle prices low while still increasing prices to the end consumer.Even though we have made more direct-to-consumer sales, it is still a very tiny percentage of all beef sales in the United States. Also, USDA laws make it difficult for small producers to open small-scale processing plants due to overwhelming regulation and costs that the average small producer cannot justify.Another part of this problem is that the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) is no longer in place, and meat brought in from out of the country can still be labeled as "Product of USA" even if the cattle were raised their entire life in another country and were slaughtered or packaged in America. We raise the best beef in the world, yet we have thousands of cattle a week being imported from outside country's that can be labeled as "Product of USA" (see my article here about misleading labels on meat). Our mission is to be transparent about everything we do in our business, to build trust, and keep you informed as a consumer.We understand that this is why you choose Cunningham Pastured Meats as your trusted source for meat, but as stated above, this affects several layers of people and not just our business alone.
The Father's Role On The Ranch
What is the father's role on the ranch? We have a big deep love for our fathers!
Meat Shortages, Inflation, and How That Affects Meat Prices
Meat shortages, inflation, rising fuel prices, and rising grain prices in the Boise area...Topics that are not much fun to discuss.The question I'm sure on everyone's mind is...Does this all mean we are going to raise our prices?The quick answer is NO... For right now. Let me explain what I mean.As we know, commodities are constantly in flux. Fuel cost is always up and down, and grain prices are constantly on the move as well. We can certainly agree a wide swing in either or both of those two commodities will have affect livestock pricing. Remember a few years ago when cattle prices went sky high and then came back down? That disparity followed the huge jump in fuel prices that eventually came back down. We see that fluctuation again. What we see at the pump is reflected in prices at the grocery store! At Cunningham Pastured Meats, we are committed to holding our pricing through the Summer. Once grain harvests are complete in the Fall in the Treasure Valley, we will know what happens to our feed cost for some animals. We will address the price issue at that time, adjusting only if necessary to maintain our quality. Speaking of grocery store pricing...let's talk about the increase in beef, pork, and chicken meat prices. The gigantic industrial packing plants are saying the increases are fall out from a cyberattack and lack of labor. While both may be true to an extent, the big packers are still racking in extremely high profits while meat prices are going up; yet farmers and ranchers do not realize any increase in profit on the sale of their products. Hmmm...Something is fishy. This is why we have tried our best to break away from this vicious cycle that most ranchers are stuck in. It is because of amazing customers like you who have decided that you don't trust the big packing plants and labels they slap on their products. Customers like you who are voting against Big Ag using your food dollar.Instead, you have chosen to have a relationship with your rancher. A relationship with transparency and trust, so you know exactly how your meat is raised, processed, and packaged. And a relationship with folks who shop where you shop. We are all experiencing uncertainty with commercial supply chain disruptions of all kinds, from panic buying creating out-of-stock situations on essentials to supposed cyberattacks that interrupt supply, along with the sharp twinge of rising fuel prices. We get it. There is one way we can defeat these large corporations that have a stranglehold on most farmers and ranchers right now. That is a return to smaller-scale direct-to-consumer production and distribution. Buying Boise local. It is the only thing that Big Ag Corporations cannot replicate. It is the only way to have confidence in food safety, supply, and pricing. Hasn't this last year been painful enough, the uncertainty of so much keeping us all awake at night? At Cunningham Pastured Meats, we offer you a relationship with your rancher. So you can rest easy, knowing where your food comes from. Safe food, all-natural products with integrity and full of wholesome nutrition - dare I say healing nutrition - all at a price you can count on. Given what is happening in our global society, doesn't it just make sense to support sustainable production and distribution by voting with your food dollar? Cast that vote with us. You won't regret it.
Spring on the Farm in Treasure Valley
Have you ever wondered what do farmers do in the spring in Boise, Idaho? Spring is one of my favorite seasons on the ranch because new life is abundant. From the grass that is growing to the trees that are budding and even to babies that are being born every day - it’s an exciting time of year!
Benefits of Ecosystem Restoration
It is becoming increasingly difficult to find healthy functioning ecosystems today in our world.We see around us:polluted watererosionlack of diversitythe decline in insects and songbirdsthe decline in wildlife as a wholeIt seems pretty grim...What can be done?Well, this was the topic of a speech Sean and I gave yesterday at the Harvest and Hearth conference at the College of Idaho.We were asked to speak about the Benefits of Ecosystem Restoration.It seems like a complicated topic, but it really means restoring the land around us to a healthy, functioning landscape that includes a diverse mixture of plants, animals, and people.On our ranch, we have been continuing the work Sean's father started (40+ years) with restoring ecosystem function to our ranch after a poor prior history of overgrazing when this part of the country was settled. Proper management can restore degraded landscapes to proper functioning, but it takes more than just management; it also understands and appreciates stewardship.If we are stewards of the land, we realize that this land is not our own; it was given to us by God to manage and care for. It makes us see beyond the short term and look at the long-term health and future of the property we have been called to manage.On our ranch, we have 3 main types of ecosystems:1. Irrigated Native MeadowsImageIrrigated meadows are the backbone of our ranch. They are highly productive, flood irrigated ground that makes amazing feed and forages for our animals.Over 30 years ago, my father stopped using chemical fertilizers on our property. At the time, our organic matter on the ranch was only 3-4% in the meadows, and now today, it is between 5-8% depending on which part of the meadows is sampled. A 1% increase in organic matter increases the amount of water stored by 25,000 gallons per acre. When it rains, the water stays in the ground and does not take off the topsoil and pollute the streams and rivers.Increased Organic Matter > Healthy Soil > Healthy Plants > Healthy Livestock > Health PeopleOur entire business is actually based around soil health, so if the soil is healthy, it directly affects us all the way up to the human person!2. Native RangelandImageThe native rangeland that we are surrounded by was historically overgrazed in the early days of this part of the United States.Since we only get 8-10 inches of rainfall a year, this makes this type of landscape very brittle, meaning if the damage is done to it, it takes a LONG time to recover, thankfully we are at a perfect place now with our rangeland where it has been recovering very nicely for the last 50+ years.Through proper management and stewardship, the rangeland is actually a very productive land that is RICH in the diversity of plants and wildlife.By knowing the critical growing season of the rangeland, we can manage our cattle appropriately to allow the grass to grow to its potential and still stimulate its growth by proper grazing management. We see a very bright future for the rangeland at this point!3. Riparian AreasImageRiparian areas are typically very diverse creek bottoms thick with trees, willows, cattails and support an abundance of wildlife.These areas were also historically overgrazed and had very little willows on them less than 30 years ago.Temporary electric fencing has allowed us to manage these riparian areas and allow explosive growth of willows to happen.This has allowed beavers to move back into our creeks and start making dams. These dams are critical for restoring the water table to a functional height. Instead of a 4-foot deep creek bank, the water is now to the top of them due to the beavers making dams that back the water up.This has been one of the coolest and quickest transformations that we have seen on our ranch since it has only been about 4 years since the beavers have moved in. We used to jump across the creek in most spots to get to the other side. If you want to cross the creek, you have to cross on a beaver dam or go for a swim because the water is about 2-3 feet deep in most spots.By raising the water table, we are less prone to drought and allows our meadows to grow longer even after our water is done for the season. ImageIn the future, all the ecosystems on our ranch are looking very good. As we see more species of plants and animals emerge every year, we know that we are headed in the right direction to restoring our ecosystems to their full function.Through the support of amazing customers, like you, who not only care about your health but the health of the land that makes all this work possible.So thank you for all your support, and you can feel good about eating the meat you have bought from us because you know you are making a direct impact on the health of the land.
Why does pasture raised beef taste so good?
Pasture Raised Meats You Can TRUSTI've been eating grass-fed beef now for 10 years.To say that I'm a meat snob, is sort of an understatement...
Grass-fed Beef At Cunningham Pastured Meats
Take a look at how we raised grass-fed beef at Cunningham Pastured Meats On Pasture At Cunningham Pastured Meats, we take great pride in raising the best grass-fed and finished beef. We move our cattle frequently and use temporary fencing to assure that they have the best available grass to graze on. Our beautiful meadows are diverse in grass, clover, and legumes and naturally fertilized by our cattle. Our Cattle Our animals are handled in a humane and low-stress manner and we find that they thrive under these conditions. When choosing which cattle are ready for harvest, we are very careful in our selection. We look for a broad, thick frame all the way through from the rump to the shoulders. We also look for fat deposits, which is a sure sign that the beef is ready. Our Promise It is important to know where your meat is coming from and how it was raised. Here at Cunningham Pastured Meats you can rest assured that you are getting the healthiest and best-raised beef in the Treasure Valley.
Premium Beef Bulk Meat - What You Get
Here are the basic cuts you get when you order a bulk premium beef: *PLEASE NOTE - Depending on the size of the beef and your order size these quantities can fluctuate!Fillet Mignon: 1-2 packages (2/pkg)Ribeye Steaks: 2-3 packages (2/pkg)New York Steaks: 2-3 packages (2/pkg)Sirloin Steaks: 2-3 packagesAssorted Steaks: 1-3 packagesBrisket: 1 roastRoasts: 3-4 roasts (3-4 lbs)Short Ribs: 1-2 packagesStew Meat: 2-3 packagesCarne Asada (Fajitas Meat): 1-2 packagesGround Beef: 40-50 lbs (1 lb/pkg) (80/20 ground)Bones: 1 BagOrgans: Tongue, Heart, Liver (upon request)Here's a very quick video showing all the cuts you receive from a 1/4 premium beef: Ready to buy? Here is the link to purchase bulk meat - Buy Here
Why Are Pasture Raised Meats More Expensive!?
There's a reason why so many people don't buy local pasture raised meats and it's mainly one thing...
The 3 Most Misleading Labels On Meat!
We all want to buy the best meat for our family...But, with labels on meat products these days being so confusing, how do you know what to buy?Where did the animal come from? What did it eat? How was it raised? These are all good questions that labels can very rarely answer for us. And, it seems as soon as you find a label you can trust, you soon find out it’s just a bunch of lies!
Fall At Cunningham Ranch *Video*
See the fall beauty of the ranch from above!
Meet Our Team Member, James! He Packs and Delivers Your Orders.
It's time to see the hard-working face behind who gets your orders to your door, James!
Introducing the Newest Member of the Cunningham Family!
In June our family grew a little bigger with our newest addition, Brigid!
How We Move 500 Cows Daily
It would seem like a pretty daunting task to move 500 cows on a daily basis, but in reality cows are creatures of habit and get used to being moved daily
Pigs On the Move
Want to see what pigs do while we aren't watching?
Trust Your Local Source - Not Store Labels
Can you really trust the USDA labels at the store? Country of origin? Organic? Grassfed? Learn why it's best to know your local meat producer than just trust labels at the store.
