Hess Creek Farms
It all started innocently enough - Anne had secretly coveted a burro.
So, Vincent called Buzz, the local horse trader, and, hoping to conceal it until Anne’s birthday, “hid” the burro in our 87 acre pasture. Despite Vincent’s best efforts to convince Anne that the burro’s braying was really a llama, the jig was up and Guadalupe revealed herself. Magdalena, a donkey from a defunct Nativity pageant, soon followed. It was then that we became owners of large animals.
About a year later, while wine tasting in the Dundee Hills, we noticed a BMW in a ditch alongside the dirt road. Concerned there might be trouble, we slowly drove by only to discover two well dressed couples, pressed up against a barbed wire fence, gawking at herd of Scottish Highland cattle. Mental note: when affluent wine consumers interrupt their day to look at cows, you might want to look into it.
It all made perfect sense: the Yamhill property was a former dairy, the land was well suited for cattle and the Scottish Highland was a hearty breed known for premium beef. The bonus would be that the cows’ unusual appearance might entice visitors to our tasting room………. And so began Vincent’s life as a rancher. Little did he know that he would be “dressing” hypothermic calves in his old Brooks Brothers oxford shirts.
How We Farm
We care about our cows! All our beef is Pasture Raised with plenty of room to roam. The herd is kept purposefully small (20-30 cows) so that we can personally insure that each animal receives the proper care it deserves. No hormones are administered and antibiotics are rarely used - only if an animal is sick and our vet recommends it. Their diet is predominately grass though, during cold weather or when finishing for market, we may supplement the grass feed with small amounts of natural grain.
We believe our customers should be able to make informed choices about the quality of their food and we welcome you to visit our farm! Source matters.
Know your farmer. Know your food.
Scottish Highland Cattle
An ancient breed, Scottish Highlands are best known for their long horns and shaggy coats. We’ve even heard them referred to as a gentleman farmer’s “lawn ornaments.” They are an intelligent cow; some even describe them as deliberately crafty. In cold weather, their long coats provide warmth; reducing the animals’ need to develop a thick layer of insulating fat. This characteristic results in well marbled naturally lean beef. Interested in owning Scottish Highland Cattle? We have cattle for sale year round. Give us a call and we’ll do our best to help you – our advice is free!
Purchase Our Beef
Our beef is processed at a USDA inspected facility and is available in individual cuts or by the whole, half or quarter. Please contact us to make arrangements.