Left to themselves, cows are naturally pasture raised. But humans have a very interesting view of things – not just we who live in Missouri. Humans are unique among all other lifeforms with the ability to think and consider and worry about the life-forms around them. While other animals can readily care for and respect humans, they don't seem to put the empathy behind it that we do.And while that isn't a negative attribute, there are humans among us who prey on others by exploiting this emotional context. "Humane" is actually putting human attributes and attitudes into other species around us, regardless of whether they exist there or not. When people are repeating emotionally-charged phrases such as "inhumanely treated", along with "factory farms" and "puppy mills", in all cases they are stretching things a bit thin.

1. What's All-Natural, Humane, Pasture-
Raised?
Left to themselves, cows are naturally pasture raised. But humans have a very interesting view
of things – not just we who live in Missouri. Humans are unique among all other lifeforms
with the ability to think and consider and worry about the life-forms around them. While
other animals can readily care for and respect humans, they don't seem to put the empathy
behind it that we do.
And while that isn't a negative attribute, there are humans among us who prey on others by
exploiting this emotional context. "Humane" is actually putting human attributes and
attitudes into other species around us, regardless of whether they exist there or not. When
people are repeating emotionally-charged phrases such as "inhumanely treated", along with
"factory farms" and "puppy mills", in all cases they are stretching things a bit thin.
Humans do not know exactly and precisely what is being "felt" by any other species on this
planet. And that is our particular problem, if you will. We can project that "if that (animal)
were human, this is what they'd feel". And that's about it.
Same argument goes for giving anesthetics to animals. Since we don't know their pain
thresholds and even what they actually consider as "pain", we simply don't know how much to
give them or if it even works to the same degree a similar drug works on humans. (And this
data I got from a vet at a University where they generally stay up on their studies...)
For cows, you want them as gentle as possible all the time. Eating, drinking, resting. They gain
weight faster, and stay generally healthier. So you move slow around them and give them the
Visit http://worstellfarms.com for more information.

2. distance they want (unless they want you to scratch their nose or between the shoulder-
blades). As well, animals which are excited when killed have adrenaline in their muscle, which
gives an off-taste to their meat - according to humans, anyway.
In general, you learn about how to handle cattle by watching, listening, and interacting with
them. If you do close observation from day to day and year to year, you'll make the mental
notes of how and when to do or do not do what.
Some books and papers (particularly those by Temple Grandin - and see her TED talk)
contain a great deal of accurate observations about cattle behavior. And these can all be tested
by yourself to see if they work or not.
Raising cattle is an interactive experience. And there is a lot to share which we don't have
space for on this page. The trick is that you take care of them as best you can, and keep them
well fed, healthy, and content as much of every day you are able.
And this means enough shelter, water, and food - plus the occasional vet visit if something
goes wrong.
The rewards are numerous and plentiful.
If you don't eat meat, you may think I make pets out of these - and to a degree, I do. But I also
know that they were put here to do a certain job, just as I am. So I don't have remorse when I
send one off for processing. As humane as I treat my livestock, they still aren't human. I just
don't get into that mindset. It's not one that a farmer would adopt. (They've "proved" that
plants "feel pain" and can even predict your actions telepathically - but does that mean all
grain and fruit harvesting is bad?)
Enough said.
If anyone wants to see how their cattle are raised, they've got an open invitation to come on
out - just call ahead so we can adjust our workload to meet you. (Unattended tours are not
permitted by our insurance.)
Humane is as humane does, to paraphrase Forrest Gump.
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For more data on raising pasture fed beef, as well as other information on prime beef as
health food – visit http://worstellfarms.com
Visit http://worstellfarms.com for more information.

3. About Worstell Farms
Our family goes back on both sides with
farmers. As far as we can trace.
And that tradition came to Mexico,
Missouri around 1960 to purchase the
current farming operation.
Jim and Laura Worstell established a
working farm there and then, and raised a
big family of 8 kids, along with several
dogs, cats, and an occasional pet squirrel
or raccoon. And don't forget the llama's
and peacocks...
In 2000, Robert Worstell returned to the
farm to take over operations management
(as well as the day-to-day chores) and
shares these duties with his mother and sister (well, not the chores, so much.)
On approximately 250 acres of land, which is mixed hillsides, bottom, and woods, we raise a
combination of annual row-crops and also our beef. Typical of this area, we have marginal
land which is better suited to cattle than cultivation (which is typical of most cattle-farming).
We've found that where we run our cattle actually improves the soil and its health - as long as
we pay attention and actually manage how long and when they graze where. As we continue to
study and learn about and from our cattle, our daily lessons help us to improve the quality and
quantity of beef we raise.We practice managed grazing and are transitioning over to ultra-
high-density stocking, as this is even better for the land and actually requires more cattle per
acre to keep up with the lush growth and pasture renovation.
All our beef is from local stock. Mostly black Angus cross-bred cows, with our current Belted
Galloway bull named "Gene Autry" is servicing these well.
Ordering Our Beef
We only take local orders, so contact us via the website or call directly. Due to Federal laws,
we cannot sell our beef out of Missouri – you'll have to buy it here. Generally, our beef is
spoken for well before it's ready for processing. However, contact us for what we have coming
up and we can give you an estimate on when the next one is coming available.
We are also offering La Cense beef, which is USDA inspected and can be shipped anywhere
in the US. Please see http://worstellfarms.com for details.
Visit http://worstellfarms.com for more information.

4. Related Articles from the Worstell Farms Web Site:
• Worstell Farms – Finest Missouri Grass Fed Beef
• Raising Missouri Pasture-Fed Beef
• What's All-Natural, Humane, Pasture-Raised?
• How does a Beef Ranch Stay in Business?
• Why our Missouri prime beef is striped...
• Missouri Beef: Heathy is as Healthy Eats
• What are "CLA's" and "Omega 3 and 6's"?!?
• How Missouri Beef is Your Best Health Food
• Missouri Grass Fed Meat For You to Buy
• The Surprising Taste of Grass Fed Meat
• Dry Aged Vs. Wet Aged
• What are the beef cuts?
About the Author:
Dr. Robert Worstell retired from a corporate career in graphic design to the much calmer and
healthier American Midwest, to inherit running the family farm. His constant work and
research has been to improve the sustainability of this Missouri “beef ranch”. The results show
that grass fed beef, locally and directly marketed is the route to profitability, not following
commodity trends.
Dr. Worstell's training in web design has helped him move the operation more online, as well
as giving him new networking opportunities to promote Worstell Farms beef products. He is
also a prolific author and has recently completed research into the all-time best self help
books, with his “Freedom Is – (period).” Out of the 7 books published this year, he's also
produced a fiction work, “The Dreamer Dreamed” - itself a breakthrough use of fiction to
explore the metaphysical aspect of dream meaning. All of these are available at
http://midwestjournalpress.com
Dr. Worstell may be contacted through his several blogs and websites for interviews and
appearances.
Visit http://worstellfarms.com for more information