Peter Woltz, owner of Timber Ridge Cattle Company, is changing the face, as well as the feed in farming.
Timber Ridge Cattle Company, located in Osceola, is not a typical run-of-the-mill cattle operation. Woltz’s cattle are grass-fed, as well as fed flax.
Timber Ridge Cattle Company sells beef jerky, beef sticks and summer sausage made from their flax-fed cattle. Omega-3-loaded flax boosts the omega-3s traditionally found in grass-fed beef.
Quick refresher: Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to the human body, but because the human body doesn't naturally produce omega-3s, they must be found from outside food sources like grass-fed beef, walnuts or salmon. Omega-3s not only reduce inflammation, but they may also lower risk of chronic diseases. In addition to being high in omega-3 fatty acids, flax is also high in fiber.
With the support of his wife Cindy, Woltz has put a lot of effort into this business venture that he started back in 2006.
“I am passionate about creating a product that has a better health profile than what we’ve been used to,”Woltz said. “I’m passionate about flax seeds.”
Timber Ridge snacks are low in calories and saturated fat, high in proteins and are shelf stable. These snacks may appeal to health conscious people, as well as active people who need snacks that travel easily. Woltz said he is proud his products contain no unhealthy additives or preservatives.
“We don’t use sodium nitrates or msg (monosodium glutamate) in the products, so it’s a good, safe protein snack for kids. Kids seem to love the flavor, too,” Woltz said.
People not only benefit from the flax, but so do his cattle.
“The cattle are more healthy. There’s a dramatic difference in the health of the cattle being fed flax to those that are not being fed flax,” Woltz said.
Woltz’s flax-fed cattle are “Never Ever 3” USDA certified, which means they are never given hormones, antibiotics and feed additives.
Timber Ridge Cattle Company products can be found at Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market and Iowa Food Coop (www.iowafoodcoop.com) or they can be purchased online at www.timberridgecattle.com. Like "Timber Ridge Cattle Company" on Facebook.
For more information contact Southern Iowa RC&D food coordinator, Alexi Groumoutis at 641-782-4033. Like “Southern Iowa Local Food Initiative” on Facebook.