Wookey Ranch Lamb Riblets (Sustainable, Grass-Fed Lamb)

“The main thing is that we are growing our lambs on natural rangeland using no irrigation – super sustainable because the food is produced on land that cannot support more intensive agriculture and we’re not using fossil water (pumped water) to produce the meat. By ranching the way we do, we are able to grow food for people while keeping the landscape healthy, productive, and available for all the wild creatures that need it.

We manage the yearly cycle of the sheep so that the birth, growth, and harvest of the lambs matches the natural cycle of their food source: the grassland. I think that the huge variety of wild plants the sheep eat produces better and more complex flavor in the meat and a delicious, clean tasting fat. Grass-fed is the ONLY way to go with lamb. The animals are healthier and the meat is healthier – less saturated fat and higher quality healthy fats (like CLA, read this great article about it here!)  more antioxidants, an omega 3:6 ratio comparable to wild caught salmon….

Other points:  We don’t use vaccinations or antibiotics. Breeding is done the old-fashioned way, not through artificial insemination. No growth hormones or other synthetics are used. Animals that need antibiotics due to infection (from injury, for example) are treated (that is the humane thing to do) but then are separated out and not sold for meat. We sometimes feed cut and dried forage (hay), but we source from non-GMO farmers (harder and harder to do with the approval of Roundup Ready alfalfa). We are predator-friendly – electric fences deter coyotes and good range management means their natural foods (voles and gophers) are plentiful. We practice low-stress handling techniques: all work is done on foot and animals are given a chance to become familiar with the corral and handling facilities so they aren’t frightened and stressed when we sort or shear or do other work.”

If you want to read more of Baji’s writing about what she does: