Month: September 2024

A traditional roundup on a large ranch involves gathering all the cattle into a set of corrals to separate breeding stock from market-bound beef. As early fall sets in, the slowing grass growth signals the need to reduce the herd size to prevent overgrazing. Modern-day roundups employ a variety of tools: trucks, trailers, horses, ATVs, motorcycles, and sometimes even airplanes.

In my early days visiting the family ranches in northern New Mexico, I was tasked with driving large diesel-powered gooseneck trailers. We’d load up horses and pack the cab full of cowboys, then bump slowly to the far side of the pasture to drop off the horsemen. My instructions were to wait until my cousins were out of sight before following them with the truck and trailer back to the corrals. However, my limited driving experience left me ill-prepared for the big truck I was in charge of. I pushed every button and pulled every knob, cursing and crying alone in the wilderness, bewildered by my failure at this seemingly simple task. Though I knew I was safe from harm, I was terrified of the embarrassment that would come if someone had to rescue me. Thankfully, after no more than an hour of frustration, I found the right combination of key and pedals and made my way to the working pens for the next stage of sorting.

I rode a horse named Sally, the best cutting horse around. She preferred to jump over bushes and cacti rather than go around them. Her jumping prowess was so renowned that years later, when she was stolen, she found her way home and even taught her son how to jump fences and cattle guards. It takes all morning to clear thousands of acres on horseback. Once the cattle are penned up, Granddad would call for a lunch break of bologna and Wonder Bread under the lonely trees surrounding the windmill.

A courteous cowboy had loosened the cinches of the saddles on all the horses while we rested, as horses should rest when we do. Feeling a small sense of accomplishment, I was eager to be the first one back on horseback after lunch. I’m sure it was quite a spectacle to see me climb up into the saddle, only to watch as the saddle and I slowly slid off sideways under the horse. Sally just stood there, knowing full well I was no horseman. My cousins, to their credit, did not laugh… at least not out loud.

As we reminisce about these cherished ranch memories, we’re excited to share that it’s currently an excellent time to consider stocking your freezer for the winter. We’re proud to offer our premium dry-aged beef, perfect for those cozy family dinners and holiday gatherings ahead. Our beef is 100% grass-fed and grass-finished, ensuring the highest quality and flavor in every cut. The dry-aging process enhances tenderness and concentrates the beef’s natural flavors, resulting in a truly exceptional eating experience. Our next harvest will be available in early October. Don’t miss this opportunity to secure your supply of our nutrient-rich, sustainably raised beef – your taste buds (and your family) will thank you!

Stay Nourished,

Kenny

In this ongoing series, we’ve explored how deceptive practices impact different sectors of the food industry. These insights reveal how consumers can easily fall prey to mislabeling and adulteration. For an overview of food fraud and food fencing, see Part 1, and for an exposé on olive oil, the world’s most commonly adulterated food, check out Part 2.

It’s no surprise that 🐝🍯HONEY🍯🐝 is one of the most commonly adulterated foods worldwide, ranking just behind olive oil. In the United States, honey production stands at around 150,000 to 160,000 metric tons annually, while consumption far outstrips this, reaching approximately 400,000 metric tons each year. This gap between production and consumption necessitates a heavy reliance on imported honey, which significantly heightens the risk of adulteration. The high demand creates opportunities for fraudsters to introduce diluted or counterfeit honey into the market. Adulterated honey often contains cheaper sugars such as high-fructose corn syrup, rice syrup, beet sugar and/or cane sugar; compromising its purity and health benefits. Additionally, pasteurizing and filtering honey can eliminate beneficial enzymes, vitamins, and antioxidants, diminishing its health benefits and natural flavor. Filtering also removes pollen, which can be important for identifying honey’s source and maintaining its nutritional value.

In the honey industry, mislabeling is a frequent form of food fencing. Lower-quality or adulterated honey is often marketed as premium or pure, misleading consumers about its true nature. This can involve blending cheaper or contaminated honey with genuine products or falsely labeling imported honey as domestic. Such practices not only deceive buyers but also erode trust in honey products. Therefore, it’s crucial for consumers to remain vigilant about the sources of their honey to ensure they’re getting genuine, high-quality, raw, unfiltered honey.

We are dedicated to offering honey that meets the highest purity standards. For authentic honey, choose products from reputable sources known for their transparency. We advise purchasing only pure, raw honey from trusted beekeepers or local farmers markets, and we recommend avoiding the grocery store. When dining out at New Mexican restaurants, be sure to bring your own honey, as most establishments serve “sopapilla sauce,” a blend of corn syrup, pasteurized honey, and vanilla.

September is National Honey Month! Celebrate with a jar, case, or 5 gallon pail of our pure, raw honey. Visit us at Los Ranchos Growers Market to taste the rich, natural flavor that sets our honey apart. It’s perfect for your favorite recipes or a sweet addition to your day. Come see us and bring home the real taste of honey this month!

Taste the Truth,

Brenna & Kenny