the quick and dirty

Bluewater Beef is an alliance of family farmers right here in Lambton County. We have been farming and caring for our cattle for several generations, allowing us to continue to improve traditional farming methods with environmentally sustainable farming practices. Bluewater Beef is from cattle raised on our own family farms, fed a healthy diet of locally grown grasses and grains. We never, ever use artificial hormones, and never, ever feed any animal by-products.

Because our cattle are born and raised right here on our farms, we have 100% control. From breeding, to birth, to weaning, to finishing- everything our cattle eat, which pastures or pens they are in, all animal health events, and everything else you can think of- are all controlled, monitored and implemented by us.

From our farm, to your fork- quality food you can count on. This is Bluewater Beef.

the details

  • History
    THE WAY WE'VE ALWAYS DONE IT

    Bluewater Beef was founded on the idea that family farming is the best kind of farming, and that the best kind of farming could produce the best quality of beef. We came together as neighbours knowing the care each family had put into their animals for generations, and decided to form the Bluewater Beef alliance to help communicate that caring and deliver the best possible products to our friends all throughout Lambton County.

    We raise our beef the way our grandparents did, while integrating modern techniques for more thorough management, environmentally friendly practices, and overall best quality of life for our animals.

  • Feeding
    locally grown grasses and grains

    In Ontario, we have healthy grasses available for 4-6 months a year, depending on weather. So on our farms, the cattle are on green pastures as long as the grass is available to eat. While having them on grass 100% of the time would be ideal, it is simply not feasible in Lambton's climate. After much research and consultation with nutritionists and veterinarians, we have found what we believe to be the perfect mix between conventional feeding and a grass-fed natural program.

    All of our animals start out on an all-you-can-eat buffet of pasture and hay, and after being weaned- they are slowly transitioned onto a diet that includes hay and forages, as well as corn for the last couple of months. This leads to a much more tender beef product, and adds marbling, which significantly increases the juiciness and adds a wonderfully unique flavour to the end product. We do this slowly, giving their stomachs time to adjust. Just like with people, feeding cattle 100% of the same feed all the time would not be healthy, so with the input of a nutritionist, we balance their rations with all of the forages, grains, minerals, and more than they need to be healthy.

    We never, ever add hormones to our cattle, and we never feed antibiotics, either. When a young calf is suffering from an illness or infection, we'll treat it with antibiotics under the consultation of our veterinarian. This decision is made the same as we would make it with our children- if it will end or reduce suffering, then it's an easy decision. In the event that we need to administer antibiotics, that calf goes through a lengthy withdrawal period to ensure there is no chance of residue in the meat. This method keeps both the animal and the consumer safe.

  • Management
    full traceability from their very first day

    All of our beef is born and raised on our own family farms, giving us unparalleled insight into the animals we raise. We utilize multiple tracing and animal management systems that give us all the information on every animal right from our farm to your fork, but we also know the importance of seeing it for yourself- so we walk our fields every day to make sure that every animal is healthy, happy, and wholesome.

    With the crucial guidance of our veterinarians, nutritionists, agronomists, and yes- even our parents- we work every day to give the animals the care and respect they deserve, while ensuring the quality and excellence that our customers have come to know as a standard at Bluewater Beef.

  • processing
    locally cut and wrapped

    Bluewater Beef is aged for a minimum of 14 days. This means our beef is stored under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity before being processed into retail cuts. We know aging beef significantly increases tenderness, and have picked this timeline for the best taste and texture possible.

    Our beef is processed at a local, family owned and provincially-inspected butcher shop. Bluewater Beef is frozen immediately after being cut to lock in freshness and ensure that you always receive the finest beef we have to offer. Bluewater Beef freezes extremely well, giving you the convenience of being able to enjoy it at any time.

  the People     bluewater beef

  • "I can honestly say that I have never to this day tasted any beef as good as yours. I would consider myself a connoisseur on steak dinners because of my extensive travel, but realistically, if you ever get the chance, Bluewater Beef raises the best beef by far and you don't even have to leave town."

    bruce weatherby
    Team Industrial Services

  • "Bluewater Beef literally has the best meat I have ever had in my life.
    The hamburger is melt-in-your-mouth tender and breaks apart so nicely for cooking."

    Stephanie VANDEVENNE

  • "Bluewater Beef is absolutely the best beef we’ve ever tasted and
    will be the only beef we purchase from now on."

    LOUISE & DOUG OGILVIE
    Brigden

  • "Kelly & I and my boys enjoyed the B Burgers - "Chronic, Awesome, Fantastic, & DeBest" were the words echoed around the Elnicki kitchen this evening. Just the best burgers around!"

    steve elniki
    Corunna

Gallery

Check out some pictures from our Instagram below, and follow us @BluewaterBeef

    Pic
    THE EYRE FAMILY
    Owners

    Ralph and Brenda were both raised locally on family farms. Both of their families have farmed locally for multiple generations. Brenda’s father and uncle owned and operated a local abattoir and meat shop for 44 years before retiring a few years ago. Both Brenda and Ralph’s fathers were, and continue to be, valuable resources for our farming decisions and day-to-day operations.

    Ralph and Brenda have three boys- Reid (22), Riley (20), and Colin (17). Reid is currently pursuing a Specialist in Interactive Digital Technologies at the University of Toronto, while Riley studies Environmental Geoscience and Geomatics at the University of Guelph. Colin continues to work on his OSSD from SCITS, where he is participating in the Lambton College STEM Program. All three boys help in various farm activities- caring for cattle, processing orders, technical support, and more.

    The farm operation is mixed- we grow a variety of field crops, including soybeans, corn, winter wheat, oats, and alfalfa. In addition, we have an 80-head cow-calf operation where all of our calves are born and raised on our farms until market age.

    Ralph and Brenda appreciate having the opportunity to provide your families with the same high quality, additive-free beef that they have raised for their families and friends for more than 20 years. 

    Pic
    the shaw family
    Owners

    Murray and Sandi Shaw both come from farm families. They operate the farm where Murray was born and raised. However they have been expanding and updating since they purchased it from his father, and are currently working with a 90-head cow-calf to finish operation. The family raises pure-bred Limousin cattle, along with their cross-bred herd, and have been selling freezer beef to customers for over 25 years.

    Murray and Sandi have four children. The two oldest boys, Clayton (17 yrs) and Cameron (15 yrs) both work on the farm in their spare time with the cattle and crops. The two younger children, Lilian (11 yrs) and Logan (8 yrs) like to help on the farm too and are often recruited when we’re boxing up beef orders!

    All four of the kids are involved in 4-H where they learn more about agriculture in general and build skills to help them today and later in life. Our farm is truly a family operation with Murray, Sandi, the kids, as well as Murray’s brother and Dad, managing all of the farm tasks on each of their farms co-operatively.

    As with all products from Bluewater Beef, the Shaw’s cattle are grown on grasses and legumes and finished with the addition of corn to their diet. All of our cattle are born and raised on our farm by our family. We take pride in our family, our farm, and the beef we grow, and hope to provide our customers with the peace of mind that comes from knowing where your food comes from.

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