June 12, 2025
Category: Farm Practices
At Brookhaven Farms, our South Poll cattle aren’t just livestock—they’re the heartbeat of our regenerative mission. These cows are more than meets the eye: with their slick red coats and sturdy frames, they’re perfectly suited to thrive on our Virginia pastures. But it’s not just their looks that make them special—it’s their genetics, their role in rebuilding the soil, and the nutrient-dense beef they produce. Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes to meet the herd that makes our farm tick and to show you why these cows are at the center of everything we do.
Bred for the Land
South Poll cattle were born from a vision of sustainability. Developed by Teddy Gentry in Alabama, this breed is a four-way cross of Red Angus, Hereford, Senepol, and Barzona—each chosen for traits that shine on grass. They’re heat-tolerant, thanks to their Senepol roots, which helps them handle Virginia’s muggy summers without stress. Their moderate size—cows around 1,000-1,200 lbs—means they’re efficient grazers, not heavyweights that trample the land. And their gentle disposition makes them a joy to work with, even during the daily moves that define our rotational grazing system.
But it’s their digestive systems that truly set them apart. South Polls have large rumens, or “big guts,” built to break down tough forage into energy. Unlike feedlot breeds like Black Angus, which rely on grain to fatten up, our South Polls thrive on grass alone. They’re 100% grass-fed from birth to harvest, turning our pasture’s bounty into lean, flavorful beef. It’s a slower process—our cows take 24-30 months to finish, compared to 16 months for grain-fed—but that’s why our beef is worth it. Slow growth builds better nutrition and deeper flavor.
Partners in Regeneration
Our South Polls don’t just eat the grass—they help it grow. Through rotational grazing, we move the herd daily to fresh paddocks, giving the land time to rest and regrow. Their hooves lightly till the soil, their manure fertilizes it, and their grazing stimulates root growth, which pulls carbon from the air and stores it underground. It’s a natural cycle that builds topsoil, boosts biodiversity, and fights climate change—one paddock at a time.
And they don’t work alone. Our pasture-raised chickens follow two days behind, scratching through the cow pies to eat fly larvae and pests. In return, they drop nitrogen-rich fertilizer, supercharging the grass for its next grazing cycle. It’s a dance of synergy: cows, chickens, and pasture working together to create a system that’s greater than the sum of its parts. Conventional farms miss this—they confine animals, spray chemicals, and strip the land. We’re building something better, and our South Polls are leading the charge.
Beef That’s Better for You
The proof is in the plate. Our grass-fed South Poll beef is leaner than grain-fed, with less unhealthy fat and more of the good stuff—omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation, CLA to support metabolism, and vitamins like E and A from the diverse forage they eat. It’s also free from the antibiotics and hormones that plague factory-farmed meat. Every bite is clean, nutrient-dense, and bursting with the earthy flavor of pasture-raised goodness.
For families, it’s peace of mind—knowing their kids are eating beef that’s safe and wholesome. For health enthusiasts, it’s fuel—lean protein that powers workouts and recovery. And for eco-conscious eaters, it’s a vote for a food system that heals the planet. Our South Polls don’t just produce beef; they produce possibility—a vision of farming that’s sustainable, ethical, and delicious.
A Day with the Herd
Picture it: the sun rises over the Blue Ridge Mountains, and we’re out in the fields, rolling out the polywire fences. The herd knows the routine—50 head of South Polls ambling into Paddock 14, a quarter-acre of knee-high fescue and clover. Ruby, our lead cow, noses her way in first, while Hank, our gentle bull, brings up the rear. They graze, they rest, they chew cud under the shade of an old oak. It’s peaceful, purposeful, and a little muddy—but it’s home.
Scaling this system isn’t easy. More demand means more cows, more land, more hands—but we’re committed to growing slow and steady, never sacrificing quality for quantity. It’s a grind worth every ounce of sweat, because when you bite into our beef, you’re tasting more than meat—you’re tasting a way of life.
Your Connection to the Herd
Our South Polls are more than cattle—they’re a bridge between you and the land. Every steak, roast, or burger you enjoy ties you to this pasture, this soil, this mission. Want to taste the difference? Head to shop.brookhavenfarm.net to stock up on grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork, and golden-yolked eggs. And don’t forget to join our mailing list for farm updates, recipes, and a front-row seat to the next chapter of our story.
Because great beef doesn’t just happen—it’s raised.