Beef Questions & Answers
Q: Where are the animals raised?
A: Currently, the longhorns are being raised on the Tallgrass prairies of the North country in Rock County, Minnesota, Butte County, South Dakota and Vernon County, Wisconsin. As the demand for American Prairie Partners prime longhorn beef products increases, the need for additional ranches and prairie land will arise.
Q: What are the animals fed?
A: American Prairie Partners has strict guidelines specifying that their longhorn cattle be fed a well-balanced, diet of natural grasses, small grains, minerals, vitamins and amino acids.
Q: How does the taste of longhorn compare to conventional beef?
A: It is what we do not do that makes our natural beef products taste so great. Our longhorns are raised in the natural environment of the prairie. They may grow slower than “feedlot” beef, but we consider raising longhorn beef like our ancestors did, the old fashioned way.
Added hormones and antibiotics cause the animal's body to retain moisture that can influence the marbling, change the flavor profile, and even reduce tenderness. All to make that animal grow faster.
Selective, pure longhorn, breeding produces the highest quality beef possible
Genetic based – Oldest cattle breed in America
Consistency and superior product performance
Known origin from birth
Q: Why do American Prairie Partners beef cost more than grocery store beef?
A: Consumers are receiving the best beef products available.
Raising animals 'the natural way' is more costly and time intensive.
Without antibiotics or growth hormones, the growing process takes longer.
Land prices are at all time high prices and prairie restoration is not only a high protocol for raising our longhorn cattle on but restoring the prairie is a strong decision for our ecosystem
Natural feeds cost more than the conventional corn and soybeans.
Intensive labor to maintain the herds of longhorns to their origin of birth. Record keeping, integrated system controls to ensure traceability and ultimately product consistency and performance. The daily care for the animals is a high cost expenditure.
Q: Are real cowboys involved with American Prairie Partners?
A: American Prairie Partners is very much involved with cowboys of today. The daily workings of the longhorn cattle are cowboys, affiliate ranches are cowboys, individual business partners and investors are cowboys and the owners of American Prairie Partners are cowboys!
Q: Are the American Prairie Partners ranches open to the public?
A: American Prairie Partners encourages the general public to visit our ranches and explore the Tallgrass prairie, longhorn cattle and the many wildlife species that live in these unique environments.