Deck Family Farm (Friends Farm)
| Rating |  |
| Product offerings | Retail cuts, ground |
| Website | deckfamilyfarm.com/ |
| Market area | Farm direct, CSA |
| Location | Junction City, OR |
| Participated in Survey? | Yes |
| Total Score | 1030 |
They say: “Our cows are raised and finished the way nature intended – on 100% grass, herbs, and clover. During the winter months, our cattle are fed balage, a method for fermenting sprint-time forage which provides a high quality diet and consistent rates of gain throughout the year. This results in a beef product that has more beneficial fatty acids (from the 100% forage based diet), is higher in flavor, and maintains tenderness.”
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1100) | 1030 | 5-Steak |
Farms that participated in Cornucopia’s research providing full transparency receive the most points. Transparency and Disclosure | 100 | Superb transparency |
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Family farms and farmer cooperatives that market their own beef receive the most points. Corporations that do not directly produce any beef receive the fewest points.
Ownership History | 100 | Family farm/ranch |
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Beef sourced from a single operation receives the most points. Beef of unclear origins and/or with poor oversight receives the fewest points. Beef Supply | 100 | Single farm/ranch source |
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Farms that are 100% certified organic receive the most points, farms/brands that are split conventional and organic receive fewer points. Commitment to Organics | 50 | Sells both certified and non-certified beef |
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This category is non-scoring and provided for information purposes. Organic Certifier | OTCO | |
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Animal Welfare Approved, Real Organic Project, and Biodynamic certifications receive the most bonus points. Producers are not penalized for not having additional certifications beyond organic.
Other Labels and Standards | 80 | American Grassfed Association, Salmon Safe |
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100% grass-fed and finished or cattle finished with site-grown supplement receives the most points. Cattle finished exclusively in a feedlot receive the fewest points. Beef Finishing | 100 | Finished on pasture not in feedlot. 100% grass fed; only fed grass forage, bailage, and hay in winter |
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Points are awarded for quantity of time cattle are on pasture above and beyond what the USDA requires, and for the quality and care of the pasture. Pasture and Grazing Management | 100 | Rotational grazing during season. Diverse species re-seeding |
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Brands that closely monitor and manage for health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Stewardship | 100 | Significant work in environmental stewardship. Waterways in restoration program and not grazed, soil testing, vegetation monitoring, erosion controls, etc. Does not use public lands |
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Cattle finished on pasture or on feed that is grown on-farm or procured locally receive the most points. Feed of unknown origin, or known to be imported, receives the fewest points. Feed Sourcing | 100 | Produces 100% of its feed ration on the farm/ranch |
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Lower cull and death rates recieve more points. Cull and Death Rates | 100 | Less than 5% annually |
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More points are given for greater frequency of contact and close management with cattle and closed herds. Oversight | 100 | Live on-farm, daily interaction |
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Brands may receive extra credit for above and beyond transparency, or special practices not otherwise covered in the scorecard (see description for an explanation). Extra credit | 0 | None |
