McCluskey Brothers Organic Farms (Shillelagh Glen Farms)
| Rating |  |
| Product offerings | Retail cuts, gound, bones |
| Website | www.mccluskeybros.com |
| Market area | Locally in WI, online, shipped, farm direct |
| Location | Hill Point, WI |
| Specialty labels | Real Organic Project, 100% grass fed, diversified |
| Participated in Survey? | No |
| Total Score | 715 |
This brand did not participate in Cornucopia’s survey. Also doing business under the name Shillelagh Glen Farms, McCluskey Brothers Organic Farms is a small, diversified, 100% grass-fed, certified organic family farm in southern Wisconsin offering beef, cheese, and maple syrup. They are certified by the Real Organic Project, which ensures they are exceeding the minimum set by the organic standards.
Cornucopia’s investigation found some information about this brand and associated farming practices, but was not able to confirm everything due to the brand owners not participating in our survey. If you are familiar with this brand we encourage you contact the brand owners and ask for them to participate in Cornucopia’s research.
This farm is certified by the Real Organic Project:
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1100) | 715 | 4-Steak |
Farms that participated in Cornucopia’s research providing full transparency receive the most points. Transparency and Disclosure | 50 | Did not participate; investigation found some reliable information |
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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 | 80 | Appears to be farmstead, dairy that also produces beef |
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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 | 80 | Likely single business/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 | 90 | Appears dedicated to organic label (ROP certification) |
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This category is non-scoring and provided for information purposes. Organic Certifier | ICS | |
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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 | 100 | Real Organic Project |
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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 | 50 | Finished on pasture, cannot confirm total diet |
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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 | 80 | Exceeding minimum requirements for pasture care, rotational grazing |
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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 | 20 | Some indication of good land stewardship |
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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 | 75 | Likely produces 100% of feed on-site |
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Lower cull and death rates recieve more points. Cull and Death Rates | 0 | Unknown |
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More points are given for greater frequency of contact and close management with cattle and closed herds. Oversight | 90 | Appears to have close oversight; likely closed herd |
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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 |
