top of page
Writer's pictureFarmer Dave

Why Smaller Cattle Make Better Steaks: Meet Tom Tom, Our New Not-So-Big Bull šŸ‚ | your farmer

We're excited to introduce the newest member of the Your Farmer family - Tom Tom, our Square Meater bull! This compact powerhouse is proving why smaller cattle make better steaks.


Small But Mighty: The Science Behind Better Steaks

Why do smaller cattle make better steaks? It's all about efficiency and genetics. Square Meaters are a uniquely Australian breed, developed in the 1990s by Rick Pisaturo, who had the brilliant idea that smaller cattle could produce premium beef more efficiently. Talk about hitting the bullseye!


These compact cattle typically stand about 110-125cm tall at the hip (that's shoulder-height to most of us humans). But here's the real juice on why smaller cattle make better steaks: they mature earlier, marble better, and convert grass to premium beef more efficiently than their larger cousins.


How Our Subscribers Make Better Steaks Possible

Here's where you, our wonderful subscribers, come into the picture! Thanks to your direct support through our subscription model, we can choose breeds based on what makes the best steak, not what brings the highest price at the saleyards. You would think that's the same thing - but it 'aint!


The industry has a bizarre obsession with size. While others chase massive breeds, we're focused on why smaller cattle make better steaks - it's about quality, not quantity. At the saleyards, Tom Tom and his Square Meater mates would actually fetch lower prices because they're smaller than the massive breeds that areĀ bred to eat themselves silly in feedlots - but bigger definitely doesn't mean better steaks!


This is where our subscription model really shines. Because you trust us to make the right choices for quality, we can focus on breeds that produce exceptional meat rather than just impressive size. It's a bit like choosing a small, expertly run restaurant over a massive fast-food chain - sometimes the best things come in smaller packages!


A bull standing in a paddock
Mr Tom Tom - isn't he the cutest!

Meet The Bull Behind Your Better Steaks

At the saleyards, Angus reigns supreme... but there is a funny thing - they rarely win competitions for the tastiest meat. Whereas Murray Gray and Square Meaters - a style of Murray Gray - often take the (Easter) show.


Our new boy Tom Tom brings some seriously impressive genetics to the paddock:

  • Moderate-framed (not to heavy, nice short and stocky)

  • Excellent feed conversion (he's efficient with his tucker! It's been suggested that this relates to less methane)

  • Naturally polled (that means no horns, folks)

  • Known for producing tender, well-marbled meat

  • Calm temperament (he's a real gentle giant)

  • Perfect for our ecological grazing system


Why Size Matters Less Than You Think

Square Meaters are renowned for their ability to produce quality beef on grass alone ā€“ no grain feeding required. This makes them perfect partners in our ecological farming approach. They're essentially the Tesla of the cattle world: efficient, environmentally friendly, and packed with premium features!


Their excellent muscle-to-bone ratio means more meat per animal, while their moderate frame size reduces impact on our precious soil. It's a win-win situation that keeps both our farmers and our land happy.


Better Steaks By Design: Our Breeding Strategy

Adding Tom Tom to our herd is part of our ongoing commitment to ecological and ethical farming. Square Meaters are known for:

  • Superior meat quality with excellent marbling

  • High meat yield per animal

  • Great mothering ability in the females

  • Adaptability to various climates

  • Lower environmental impact due to their size


Plus, Tom Tom's calm temperament makes him a joy to work with. He's already showing himself to be quite the character in the paddock, often the first to come say g'day when we're doing our rounds! Loves a good head scratch.


What This Means for You

For our subscribers, Tom Tom's addition to the herd means you can look forward to:

  • Premium quality, grass-fed beef

  • Excellent marbling for superior taste

  • Good portion sizes

  • The satisfaction of supporting ecological farming practices


And here's the real beef of it: because you subscribe to Your Farmer, we can choose breeds like Square Meaters that prioritize eating quality over size. While the big industrial farms are chasing ever-larger animals to impress at feedlots, we're focused on what matters most - delivering the best possible food to your table.


Two bulls eating pasture
Tom Tom and his buddy Rasmus - They are often inseparable!

Come Meet Our New Star!

If you're a Your Farmer subscriber, keep an eye out for Tom Tom on your next farm visit. He might not be the biggest bull you've ever seen, but we reckon he's got the biggest personality ā€“ and he's already stealing hearts here on the farm!


Remember, good things come in Square packages! šŸ„āœØ


Ā 

Your Farmer: Where ecological farming and premium taste meet... and sometimes moo at each other!

15 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page