Double Check Ranch

This past weekend I had an opportunity to visit a ranch southeast of Phoenix in a small town called Dudleyville. Double Check ranch is owned and operated by the Schwennesens (Paul and Sarah and Jean and Eric.) and their commitment to responsible, small-scale agriculture demands high praises.

The Schwennesen's approach to raising cattle is humane and filled with respect for both the animal and the land. Their cattle live on open range and pasture grass. Double Check's approach is very much a dance between animal and land that mimics nature in her true sense. The pastures, which are separated into sections by fencing, are planted with a number of grasses, a varietal salad bowl, for their cattle to graze. The cows are rotated between these sections to insure that the grass is eaten at its peak and then are moved to the next paddock before they can violate the "law of the second bite." You see, the grass needs time to recover so that the salad bowl of mixed greens maintains itself for continued feeding. Think of herds in nature that are constantly moving...they instinctively know that they must not continue to graze from the same spot in order to promote growth for when they return.

Not only do the cows graze these pastures but their chickens come in after to get their fill, too. Chickens will avoid fresh manure, but bring them in a few days later and they will go to work eating the fly larvae before they have a chance to hatch, hence keeping the fly population down and all the while getting copious amounts of protein. Here is where the dance becomes interesting...chickens cannot navigate well in high grass, so the cows trim down the grass for the chickens, then the chickens come in and scratch the cowpies for their dinner, further aiding in decomposing the manure. This process fertilizes and sanitizes the pastures for Paul and his cattle. It was evident that this system works for there was no dodging of cowpies walking around their pastures. This is nature's way of eliminating the need for parasiticides. This results in cattle that have no hormones, antibiotics, or animal byproducts in their diet.

Another unique aspect about the Double Check Ranch is the operation is full circle from raising the cattle, to processing the beef, and selling to the public. The ability to process your own beef requires a difficult and tedious journey through bureaucratic channels. The Schwennesen's commitment to raising their animals with respect and treating them humanely provided them with the tenacity to work through the proper channels and gain the necessary certifications to process their own beef. By owning the entire beef cycle Double Check utilizes all parts of animal so there is no waste. In fact, Paul is now producing biodiesel fuel for their tractors from the beef tallow. This produces a clean-burning, renewable fuel from animal fat. I just wish we had more ranchers with this type of philosphy and commitment...thank you Double Check!

If you are wondering where you can purchase Double Check Beef you must be in Arizona. They do not sell their beef through a distributor for they feel that the connection to their customers on a personal level is what brings integrity to the table. So, you will not find their beef in the local grocery store but instead you will find Paul or Sarah at the local farmer's markets discussing their philosophies and educating their lucky customers about the qualities that make their beef desirable...the social, environmental and health benefits and the flavor! Or, take a visit to the ranch and pick up your meat there. If you are interested in attending one of their Open Ranch Days visit their website for details at http://www.doublecheckranch.com/.

So, if you live in Arizona consider this beef your primary choice...for you are eating local and supporting a rancher with ethics!