Those last few weeks of Summer
Summer vacation always seemed to last for ages as a kid. So many memories made in such a relatively short span of glorious sunlit time. But the back to school ads are up, the fourth cut of hay is the silo, and the cicadas are singing that last-month-of-summer song.
It’s time to jump on those summer activities you haven’t gotten to yet; a picnic lunch at Skinner State Park, husking corn for the heifers at Barstow’s before dinner, ice cream on the porch, farm fresh burgers and steaks on the grill.
Barstow’s beef is born and raised on our family farm. Most of our beef animals are half Holstein (dairy breed) half Angus (beef breed). We feed our cattle from the land we farm. Our dairy and beef animals receive a varied diet that includes grass, clover, alfalfa, corn, and some grain. Thanks to no-till planting and other soil care practices, top of the line equipment, and bunker silo technology, we feed our cattle year round with our crops grown in Hadley, South Hadley, and Granby. Our herd eats local!
Our 600 dairy and beef head are keeping 450 acres of Massachusetts farmland open for wildlife habitat, ground water, clean air, climate resilience, and food security here in the Pioneer Valley. Growing our own crops (rather than purchasing them from the Midwest or abroad) is a priority for us. It’s a lot of work, but it’s a commitment to our rural landscape and to our herd’s health and nutrition. You know what they say: good stuff in, good stuff out. 🥩
Here at Barstow’s Longview Farm we produce high quality milk in addition to top quality meat. Due to the quality diet of our herd, our beef has a slightly higher fat percentage than strictly grass fed beef. This makes Barstow’s Beef ideal for grilling. Much of the fat grills right off and you are left with a delicious, tender, steak or burger.
Our meat is prepared at a local USDA inspected facility in Massachusetts and is exclusively available at Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery. Our beef is frozen after butchering and packaging so that it remains fresh (here are some thawing tips). We send 1-2 steers each month for processing so there’s always something new rotating through our freezer section.
The Meats
Nothing beats Hadley corn on the cob and steaks on the bar-b. Great steaks on the grill are rib-eye, tenderloin, strip steaks, and NY sirloin. These premium cuts require no-marinating; they are juicy, tender, and absolutely delicious as they are, grilled or pan-seared.
We also have kabob meat, steak tips, ground beef, and beef patties. Plan ahead and stock up now for Labor Day Weekend! And mark your calendars: Barstow’s next Burger Night is Wednesday, September 14.
If slow cooking is more your speed, consider Barstow’s roasts, short ribs, brisket, stew beef, or ox tail for a delicious home cooked meal. As fall and the holidays approach, get excited about these flavorful cuts! We also often has beef liver in stock and are happy to take orders for slightly less popular cuts and organs: brisket, ox tail, tongue, heart. Popular for bone broth AND for man’s-best-friend, we also *usually* have beef marrow bones.
We’ve recently increased our freezer storage and have most beef bundles available. We are glad to take advanced orders so you can count on it being ready. Looking to FILL your freezer with local beef at a great price? Consider ordering in bulk! You can find our bulk order menu on our website here.
Eat Local Beef
Local beef, like the amazing cuts you’ll find at Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery, generates fewer food miles, maintains open space in your community, keeps dollars local, and just tastes better! Stop by Barstow’s to celebrate Massachusetts Eat Local Month. We’re delighted to offer local sweet corn, gorgeous tomatoes, green peppers, and squash and zucchini from Four Rex Farm in Hadley; sweet, juicy peaches from Pine Hill Orchard in Colrain, MA; stunning blooms from Full Hands Farm in South Hadley.
And ALWAYS in season: Barstow’s carries local milk from Mapleline Farm in Hadley and McCray’s Farm in South Hadley, ice cream from Maple Valley Creamery in Hadley, eggs from Austin Ridge Acres in Belchertown, Blue Seal kielbasa and hot dogs from Chicopee, Cabot cheese and dairy products from the 600 Cabot co-op farm families in New England in New York, and of course, farm fresh meat from Barstow’s Longview Farm.
There’s always a lot of fresh, fun, delicious, and new things going on at Barstow’s! WWLP’s Mass Appeal recently stopped in for a tour of the farm. Check out their interview with Denise!