WHERE HEALTHY CATTLE AND HONEST RANCHING MEET
We raise our cattle the way nature intended — no growth hormones, no antibiotics, no vaccines and no shortcuts. Going hormone-free is the easy part — with a small herd, it’s more trouble than it’s worth. Finding organic, non-GMO feed took more effort, but we made it happen.
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The real challenge? Keeping our animals healthy without relying on medications or vaccines. That means our cattle must be exceptionally healthy, well-fed, and raised in sync with nature. Instead of calving in harsh winter conditions, we calve in late spring — just like deer and other wild animals. This ensures our calves are born into warmth, fresh green grass, and optimal conditions for thriving from day one. We also use “calving ease” bulls that father small calves. That means stress-free births for both cow and calf — no pulling, no complications, just smooth, natural deliveries.
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Healthier births lead to healthier animals. While the beef industry trends toward bigger and bulkier cattle, we went the opposite way. Smaller-framed animals are more feed-efficient, hardier, and — most importantly — they taste better. That’s why people rave about breeds like Wagyu, Highland, Angus, and Galloway. We chose Angus for its incredible meat quality and its ability to thrive in Northern Utah, then selected only the smaller-framed cows to breed. We’ve also built our herd with purpose.
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While Angus is our core breed, we’ve intentionally added diverse genetics for hybrid vigor — the natural health and resilience that comes from crossbreeding. The result? Cattle that grow better, live healthier, and produce rich, flavorful beef you can feel good about. Our grain finished and wagyu cross steers are finished free choice over an extended period of time, as opposed to intensively finished right at the end. Allowing cattle to choose what they eat ensures the cattle are getting a well-balanced diet of the nutrients their body needs, as well as improved marbling, increased levels of beneficial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, providing a more natural finish.
At Cold Water Ranch, the cattle are more than just livestock—they’re family. Especially the calves. To Jordan, every newborn is a precious gift, and every mother is treated with the care and respect she deserves.
The cattle at Cold Water Ranch typically stay with their mothers and their herd from birth to harvest—except for a short period during weaning. This family-based, low-stress approach makes all the difference. Stress isn’t just bad for people—it’s bad for cattle too. Studies have shown that stress directly impacts cattle health, growth, and meat quality. That’s why we ask ourselves one key question before doing anything on the ranch: “How can we make this less stressful for the animals?” Keeping the herd together and providing consistent, positive human interaction is our answer.
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We’re always learning and improving, from reading research to watching the latest handling techniques. (If you haven’t seen the movie Temple Grandin, we highly recommend it!) In most operations, calves are weaned and sold at 6–9 months so the mother can regain condition for her next calf. But we’ve found that, with just a little extra nutrition, a healthy mother can continue nursing all the way up to the next birth—no stress, no sacrifice. This extended nursing period promotes better growth and stronger calves.
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That said, we still do wean before the next calf arrives to ensure that each newborn gets the full benefit of its mother’s colostrum, without having to compete with an older sibling.
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At the end of the day, we do what’s best for the animals—because that’s what’s best for the land, the meat, and you.
