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6 CapitalPress.com December 2, 2016 Rancher learns business from the ground up By MARGARETT WATERBURY While Limousin cows ar- en’t the most food-efficient breed, they are hardy and In 2004, Wapato, Wash., docile, both important con- resident Janelle Moses had a siderations for Moses, as she nasty bout of food poisoning. manages her herd of over 100 Afterwards, she swore animals without any employ- off store-bought meat — but ees. Like many ranchers, she wasn’t willing to give up meat altogether. For Moses, Moses thinks of herself as that meant just one thing: a grass-grower first. Her time to learn how to do things animals are grass-fed and herself. grass-finished, and Moses Although she’d never grows all of her own feed on farmed before, her family has the farm from a custom blend a long history in agriculture, of five grass varieties, as well and Moses was no stranger to as alfalfa. hard work. Before starting her “Cows weren’t born to cattle ranch, Holy Cow, Mo- eat corn,” says Moses. “Be- ses was a truck driver. Before ing able to move around and that, she owned a general con- graze is essential for them.” tracting company. Animal welfare was also a “I think it was having dirt key consideration for Moses. in my blood, being a farmer’s Calves live with their moth- daughter,” says Moses. “At ers their whole lives, and a the age of 50, I said, ‘I can do mobile butcher visits the farm this.’” periodically for slaughter and She began by learning processing. everything she All of Holy could. “I would “Cows weren’t Cow’s beef read anything is sold direct- and everything I born to eat corn. ly to consum- could get ahold ers around the Being able to Northwest, and of,” she laughs. Moses names move around and customers can Wa s h i n g t o n request custom State University graze is essential cuts from their and their Exten- animals. for them.” sion programs as “It’s great for a key resource, customers to be Janelle Moses, rancher and credits her able to trace their veterinarian with food directly helping her gain the first-hand from the farmer, to the butch- knowledge of animal hus- er, to their table,” Moses says. bandry that she needed. Holy Cow’s quality-fo- Motivated by a desire to cused approach seems to be produce exceptionally flavor- working. In 2012, Moses was ful beef, Moses opted for a named Farmer of the Year by combination of certified An- the Wapato Chamber of Com- gus and Limousin genetics in merce, the first woman to re- her herd: Angus for marbling, ceive that honor. and Limousin for structure For Moses, it just goes and docility. to show that it’s never too Known as the “butcher’s late to make a major career breed,” Limousin cattle are change. “I think if you put long-bodied — Moses de- your whole heart into some- scribes them as “a weenie thing, and you dream about dog in a beef body” — which where you want to go in life means they produce more de- and what you want to do, I sirable loin cuts like T-bones think God will open up those and rib eyes per animal than doors and you will be able to do it.” many other breeds. For the Capital Press Courtesy of Holy Cow Janelle Moses selected herd genetics that would produce a long-bodied, well-marbled, docile animal that’s easy to handle. Stock Trailers for all your agri-transport needs. Bumper Pull and Gooseneck models! Allen Hurlburt, inventor of the PERC® 412, says CLEANER FIELDS = SAFER HERDS! PROTECT YOUR HERDS FROM LEG INJURIES! Aluminum Truckbeds from M.H., EBY; and Steel Truckbeds from PJ, Great Northern, Bradford Built and CM Eliminate dangerous gopher holes with the first and only PERC ® (Pressurized Exhaust Rodent Controller) which can substantially reduce rodent populations in a single treatment. NO POISON BAIT! NO EXPLOSIONS! L16-4/#5 Call TOLL FREE 855-667-5181 or call (530) 640-3981 www.hmgophercontrol.com ® Manufacturing & Sales Diamond K Sales is the northwest dealer for ARROW CATTLEQUIP PORTABLE LIVESTOCK HANDLING SYSTEM Diamond Halsey, OR Trailer Sales Your All Service Dealer 541-740-5135 or 541-953-7548 or 541-369-2755 View our inventory: diamondksales.com L16-1/#5