Mastering the Art of Organic Beef
from Pasture to Plate
The Best Beef Academy, built on many years of successful expertise in organic farming, focuses on breeding healthy and vital cattle. We provide guidance on the entire cow-raising lifecycle, from breeding genetics to best practices and beef preparation.
At the Best Beef Academy, ethical cattle raising isn’t just a practice but a passion that has evolved through decades of experience. Here, we cultivate a tradition of respect for our animals, ensuring their well-being is supreme in every aspect of their lives. Fred Zehetner leads the Academy, drawing on his internationally recognized expertise in breeding premium cattle and producing stress-free, natural beef. About 30 years ago, Fred laid the foundation with three Galloway cows and a bull. Since then, his commitment to humane cattle breeding and refined meat production has steadily grown: ‘Every day, we learn more and improve our methods to offer our animals the best possible life.’ Here at the Academy, we teach everything from breeding to the art of preparing finely aged, all-natural beef, resulting in a culinary delight. Our mission is to pass on these skills to a new generation of ethical breeders.
Understanding cattle genetics and breeding strategies is fundamental for enhancing herd performance. By focusing on genetic selection and bull selection, we evaluate bloodlines and interpret expected progeny differences (EPDs) to identify superior breeding candidates that enhance health and productivity. This supports our breeding management practices, including inseminating and synchronized calving, which are particularly vital for the first calving in cows and heifers. Additionally, managing old cows and young bulls is a key part of our strategy, helping to maintain genetic stability and support gradual improvements in our herd. Advancements in embryo technology and careful monitoring of pregnancy characteristics, such as birthweight and weaning weight, are key to improving herd genetics and ensuring farm sustainability. Our strategic alignment of breeding times with natural cycles like the sun and moon optimizes these processes and calving schedules, promoting a sustainable, ethically managed herd.
EMBRYOS. BLOODLINES. READING EPDS. PREGNANCY CHARACTERISTICS. GENETIC SELECTION. BULL SELECTION. INSEMINATING. SYNCHRONIZED CALVING. BREEDING. BREEDING TIME. BIRTH WEIGHT. CALVING TIME. FIRST CALVING. AGE. WEANING WEIGHT. COWS AND HEIFERS. SUN. MOON. OLD COWS AND YOUNG BULLS.
ANIMAL HEALTH & MANAGEMENT
We are committed to ethical cattle management, building on a strong genetic foundation to enhance both animal well-being and meat quality. Our approach integrates humane handling methods, including the use of 22 magnum caliber shots, ensuring a stress-free process for the animals by minimizing the production of adrenaline and cortisol. To support a vibrant ecosystem, we engage in sustainable farming practices, enriching the soil with humus, manure, and compost. We emphasize essential skills like first aid and regular deworming to maintain optimal animal health and productivity. Our handling techniques, including training in castration and the use of handling chutes, adhere to the highest standards of animal welfare, protecting both the animals and our handlers. Central to our operations is enhancing cattle docility, crucial for safe and stress-free handling. These practices are fundamental to our holistic and ethical approach to cattle management.
DOCILITY. HANDLING CHUTE. 22 MAGNUM CALIBER. WITHOUT ADRENALINE AND CORTISOL. DEWORMING. FIRST AID. CASTRATING. HUMUS. MANURE. COMPOST. HEALTH MEAT.
NUTRITION & FEEDING
Proper nutrition is pivotal for unlocking the genetic potential of our cattle. Mastery of cattle diet formulation, including careful selection of seeds and strains for the feeding plan, is essential to optimize feed conversion and improve nutrient utilization, fostering the desired growth. We prioritize natural feed types such as straw, grass, hay, and silage, crafting corn-free diets tailored to meet the specific dietary needs and preferences of different cattle, ensuring they receive all necessary nutrients in a more natural form. To additionally enhance cattle well-being, we implement targeted supplementation strategies that address specific mineral deficiencies. Effective water management, through the maintenance of consistent access to clean and ample water, is fundamental to ensuring the well-being, feeding, and overall health of our livestock. By focusing on these key areas, we effectively evaluate feed quality and manage feeding programs that promote optimal health and robust growth in cattle.
FEED CONVERSION. STRAW. GRASS. HAY. SILAGE. MINERALS. WATER SUPPLY. PALEO. HARVESTING. SEEDS. SORTING. WITHOUT CORN.
MEAT PROCESSING & QUALITY
We place special emphasis on meat processing and quality, providing hands-on experiences that perfect the art of achieving ideal marbling and tenderness in beef. Our training encompasses advanced aging techniques such as wet aging and white dry aging, essential for developing deep flavors and premium textures. We also focus on necessary butchering skills, including deboning and producing special cuts, while providing expert guidance on the optimal methods for cooking and grilling beef, along with advice on the proper salting techniques to enhance the flavor for a refined taste experience. Additionally, students learn to process meat into products such as sausages and are taught to effectively manage fat characteristics in beef. This includes maintaining optimal fat covering and identifying desirable fat yellow traits. Our comprehensive training ensures that aspiring breeders are prepared to meet the highest standards of today’s meat industry, producing top-quality products from farm to table.
MARBLING. TENDERNESS. WET AGING. WHITE DRY AGING WITHOUT A BLACK RIM. 65 DAYS & 45 DAYS. BUTCHERING. SPECIAL CUTS. DEBONE. BONES. SALTING. COOKING. FATCOVERING. FAT YELLOW. SAUSAGES. BEEF. GRILLING.
FARM OPERATIONS & SUSTAINABILITY
At the Best Beef Academy, we blend traditional cattle farming techniques with enhanced sustainable organic practices, incorporating precise barn and slaughterhouse planning to minimize animal stress and maximize operational efficiency. Our year-round pasture management ensures a sustainable feed source, promoting ecological balance and optimal cattle health. We uphold strict hygiene protocols and maintain optimal cooling environments for precise meat temperature control, emphasizing the importance of proper storing for a refined aging process. A key pillar of our sustainability is the humane treatment of animals during slaughter, which not only upholds ethical standards but is key in enhancing meat quality through stress-free practices. Our expertise includes guidance in farm management as well as strategic sales and marketing advice. Our aim is to produce beef that’s both exceptional and fairly priced, reflecting our commitment to quality and sustainability.
BARN PLANNING. SLAUGHTERHOUSE PLANNING. PASTURE. NATURE. SPRING. WINTER. SLAUGHTER. HYGIENE. COOLING. TEMPERATURES. FOOD. SALE. MARKETING. CATTLE FARMING. ORGANIC.
The Best Beef Academy's program transcends traditional agricultural education, promoting a more natural and holistic approach. ‘Every day, we learn more and improve our methods to offer our animals the best possible life.’
