Young Farms

Young Farms is made up of 300 acres of rolling pastureland in Washington County, Georgia. Situated approximately 40 miles south of Milledgeville and 60 miles east of Macon, our neighbors include many independent farms and kaolin quarries. The farm was established before the Civil War as a row crop farm which operated a grist mill, cotton gin and mercantile. Through five generations of family stewardship, Young Farms has evolved into a cattle operation with the mission to provide premium, hormone-free, natural beef to a growing market of conscious consumers. In 2001, after 60 years of raising cross-bred commercial cattle, we transitioned to a pure-bred Hereford herd with a Brahman bull. The first generation between these Brahmans and Herefords is known as F1 Braford. We raise these calves to sell directly to the consumer. The calves start on cow’s milk and are offered supplemental feed as soon as they show interest. Our feed consists of ground corn and corn products, soybean hulls and other natural cow feeds. While they are vaccinated against disease at around 3 to 6 months, we never give them any animal by-products, hormones or add antibiotics to their feed. Weaned in mid-summer when they are 7 to 9 months old, the calves spend their entire lives on the pasture. They are never confined to a small lot, but are given freedom to graze. Considering the link between the healthy, stress-free life of the animal and the tenderness of the final product, we handle the calves with gentle care. We offer whole or half steer. Customers can divide the steer as thirds or quarters, but must order as a group. Beef is usually ready to pick up 10 days after slaughter. It has to hang and "age" for around 7 to 10 days before being cut and processed. The meat you receive is double wrapped and will usually last longer than a year when stored properly in a freezer.