Producer profile
Country Natural Beef
Western United States
Doc and Connie Hatfield
The Hatfield family first came west and started ranching in Oregon in the mid-1800s. Today, the Hatfields are one of more than 40 families that comprise the Country Natural Beef Cooperative.
Country Natural Beef (previously known as Oregon Country Beef) remains based in Oregon, but also now includes ranches in Washington, Idaho, California, even Hawaii. The beef provided to PCC comes primarily from Oregon and Washington.
The Country Natural Beef cooperative is dedicated to raising cattle in harmony and balance with nature. Each and every family takes pride in honoring the principles of sustainable land management and in providing a natural choice.
- Country Natural Beef ranchers follow "graze well" principles for healthy cattle and healthy land, maintaining biological diversity.
- Country Natural Beef does not buy cattle from traders or outside sources to maintain their herds.
- Caring for animals is an ethical responsibility. Country Natural Beef families observe humane standards.
- Country Natural Beef ranchers never allow growth-stimulating hormones, antibiotics, or animal by-products in the feed. Every effort is made to restrict genetically modified grains.
- Country Natural Beef declares it "ecologically indefensible to feed excessive amounts of grain to fatten up an animal past the point of health - both for the animal and the consumer.
Cattle graze on open ranges with a shorter "finishing" period in a feedlot than the industry norm. Grain is only 30 percent of the diet, while hay and high-energy food products from potato processing and flour milling replace part of the typical corn and barley ration.
PCC Natural Markets and Country Natural Beef have enjoyed a partnership since 1988.
Visit the Country Natural Beef Web site for more information.