Locally famous “Oreo cows” are a Napa Valley landmark, 100% sustainably raised, and provide delicious, flavorful beef by KARI RUEL photos by ART & cLARITY Mand the inevitable question, “What are those black and white striped cows?”any views greet locals and visitors alike when they drive up Highway 29 ontheir approach to Napa, but one iconic sight brings smiles, curious looks Locally nicknamed the “Oreo cows” after the dark chocolate cookie with the white frosted center, the cows are a Scottish breed of the Belted Galloway cattle. Over ninety head of the unique breed roam between the 100-acre Stewart Ranch on the west side of the highway and 90-acre leased land off Highway 12 between Napa and Fairfield. Paul and Ailene Pritchett Tarap manage the current stewardship of the ranch. Both Paul’s and Ailene’s families have been in the Napa Valley cattle business since the early 1900s. Ailene is the great-granddaughter of Charles Stewart, who immigrated Paul and Ailene Tarap, from Scotland with the intent of purchasing his own property. Paul’s grandparents owned with Belted Galloway calf Pridmore Dairy in Capell Valley. The couple met five years ago through 4-H. At the time Paul was managing his own commercial herd and had the philosophy that beef was beef, but Aileen converted him over to realizing how delicious and flavorful the Galloway beef was. The Belted Galloway was introduced to the Stewart Farm in 1987 with a small herd. “We were attracted to the low-fat, full flavor that the ‘Beltie Beef’ offered,” said Ailene. “They have the highest ranking in flavor and juiciness over other beef cattle breeds in consumer satisfaction rankings.” Throughout history the Galloway has been noted for its fine-textured meat, its hardiness and foraging ability. Its unique markings have spurred many to wonder about the origin of the breed. With black, red or dun (mousy grey) color sandwiched around a white middle, they have become known as “Belties” among breeders of the animals. Precisely when and where the selected breed of the Belted variety of Galloway began is shrouded in mystery. Though there were references to the animal in eleventh century literature, the Belted Galloway’s first recorded history came in the sixteenth century in the Galloway District of Scotland, where hardy ruggedness was needed for survival in a hilly, cold seacoast region. The British Isles then and now raised solid-colored, polled, shaggy- coated Galloway cattle, generally considered to have evolved from an early Celtic breed. “The ‘Belties’ have a double coat,” said Ailene. “The top coat is two inches thick, with a fuzzier coat underneath to keep them warm.” When Paul and Ailene married, Paul sold his herd and invested in expanding the Beltie herd. With ninety head of cattle and thirty calves, Stewart Farms now has the largest Belted Galloway herd on the West Coast. The breed is better known on the East Coast. “Up to two years ago, we would sell heifers to other breeders, but now we are concentrating on growing the herd,” said Paul. “We seek out only the best bloodlines and we have pride in our cows.” The Stewart Ranch believes in raising happy, healthy cattle that are able to roam freely in their natural environment from the time of their birth until market. “We want them to have a good life,” said Ailene. “We give them the best pastures and lots of love, and keep them stress-free. A stressed animal releases adrenaline called ‘black cut,’ which can toughen the meat.” “Our Belted Galloway cattle are guaranteed 100% sustainably raised,” they both said. “We implement a high standard of care that facilitates a high quality life for our animals in which they are happily able to carry out their natural daily behaviors. We ensure that our cattle are born and raised on rich, nutritious Napa Valley forage and travel just thirty minutes to be processed, so they endure minimal stress. Our customers can rest assured that our Beltie Beef is always all natural and free of added hormones and antibiotics.” Continued on next page J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 215J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 2
NVLife_JulyAug_2012
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