Smith Family Farms Market

In 2013 Craig Smith began raising hair sheep and beef cattle. His research into cattle breeds lead him to British White cattle, a breed that marbles well and struggles less in the heat and humidity of Louisiana. Craig experimented with management methods, settling on rotational grazing of cattle and sheep on seasonal grasses and offering grains daily. This strategy worked well! In 2023 he sold the sheep to a solar farm. For the remaining cattle, Craig learned about other management strategies, including silvopastures and e-collars for cows. His mission is to keep cattle relaxed and comfortable, allowing cows to be cows. The result is meat quality that is superb! We are constantly asked if our cows are grass fed or grain fed. Our response…both! They get the best of both worlds. They are always eating grass - fresh green in spring, summer, and fall and hay during the winter. However, they are supplemented year-round with a hay/brewer’s grain/corn mix that is chopped and blended in a tub grinder. They choose what they want to eat. This practice lowers the stress for the animals when the grass quality is diminished by drought, heat, or excess rain. Supplemental feed makes the animals less greedy for the grasses (which helps lower their parasite load) and provides a natural fertilizer for the soil. It’s a win-win!