sunshine beef

We buy weaned calves from local ranchers then grow them out on our lush pastures.  They drink snowmelt water fresh from the mountains, lick salt and mineral blocks and feast on a variety of perennial grasses, legumes and forbes.  Once they are fully fleshed out and "grass-finished" we quickly and quietly take them to a local USDA inspected processor.  Thats it!  No supplements, no grain, no imported feeds.  In the winter the cattle either graze on stockpiled forages at a lower elevation  or we feed the same pasture grass cut, baled and preserved as hay.  While we haven't pursued organic certifications, our pastures and the surrounding environment are as clean as agricultural land can get.  We invite you to  come see for yourself!

 We strive to sustainably produce healthy, delicious food, to contribute to our local community and economy, and to be good stewards of our land, water and livestock.  By frequently rotating the cattle to fresh pastures we build soil fertility.  We share the land with wildlife, preserve open space and sequester carbon in our deep-rooted perennial pastures.   

 The center of our operations is the XK Bar Ranch, a small family ranch in the foothills of the West Elk Mountains near Crawford, CO.  We also collaborate with neighbors and lease nearby land to ensure that we have plenty of pasture for our growing herd.