Brasstown Beef

Brasstown, NC

Brasstown Beef is a farm-based business operated by the Whitmire family. Known for their all-natural, high-quality beef, raised without added hormones or antibiotics, they have received the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Step 4 certification.

Brasstown Beef gets its supply of cattle from its family farm, Ridgefield Farm, which was established in 1954 by E.J. and Genevieve Whitmire. The farm is recognized by the State of North Carolina and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association for its sustainable farming and forestry practices. In 2006, the Whitmire Family placed 867 acres of their 1023-acre farm into a conservation easement to ensure its continued agricultural use.

Steve Whitmire, with a degree in Ag Economics and former President of the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF), continues the family tradition of farming and cattle ranching, which dates to the mid-1700s. He continually strives to improve cattle and beef quality efficiently using technology to select genetically superior animals.

They produce all-natural, pasture-centered, award-winning beef and are certified “Pasture Centered” with a Step 4 Rating from Global Animal Partnership. They also prioritize feed efficiency in their breeding program by utilizing the Grow Safe System to select bulls with efficient genetics, which reduces their carbon footprint.

They have been recognized for their excellence, receiving awards such as “Seed Stock Producer of the Year” from the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association and “Breeder of the Year” from the Braunvieh Association of America. The farm’s innovative practices have been featured in national publications and are part of ongoing research collaborations with the University of Georgia and North Carolina State University.

Their cattle are always on pasture and are never given antibiotics or added hormones. In addition to grass, they provide a forage-based supplement, primarily corn silage grown, chopped, and harvested on-site, which we refer to as "cow kimchi." They also mix probiotics, including cinnamon and garlic, into their rations for optimum animal health. This all-natural approach, from sustainable grasses and farm management to animal welfare and a stress-free environment, ensures happy cows and incredible quality.

And while they don’t have an e-commerce store, they do have two storefronts in Brasstown, NC, and Franklin, NC, if you are ever in the area!

For more details, please visit their website: www.brasstownbeef.com