About
Grass-Fed. Grass-Finished. Nature-Raised.
​
At Malachite, we are committed to raising beef with integrity—nourishing animals and land alike through thoughtful, ecologically sound practices. Nestled in Southern Colorado, our ranch is both a working landscape and a living ecosystem. We honor ancestral land stewardship methods, including pasture rotation and seasonal grazing, while embracing regenerative techniques that restore soil health, sequester carbon, and support biodiversity.
​
Our cattle are 100% grass-fed and grass-finished—never fed grains, corn, or soy. They roam freely across 62 acres of rich pasture, with access to fresh river water and forest shade. We rotationally graze to mimic natural herd movement, allowing the land to rest and regenerate. This system builds stronger soil, prevents overgrazing, and promotes nutrient cycling. As our cattle graze, their hooves aerate the soil and break down organic matter, continuing an ancient cycle of renewal.
We raise a small, hand-tended herd of 11 Angus steers, prized for their marbling and rich flavor. Each animal is cared for daily, enjoying a diet of native grasses—blue grama, timothy, orchard, and more—along with apples, mineral supplements, and plenty of Colorado sunshine.
​
Malachite beef is single origin, sustainably raised, and rooted in reverence for the land.
The Soil
We start with the soil—because healthy soil grows stronger grass, and stronger grass leads to healthier cattle and a healthier planet. Our ability to raise cattle in SouthernColorado depends entirely on the resilience of the natural ecosystem that surrounds us. The native prairie grasses here have evolved over millennia to store water and carbon deep in the soil, and our ranching practices are built to support that ancient wisdom.
We protect and enhance our soil by planting cover crops, supporting native wildlife and bird populations, and practicing regenerative methods that work in harmony with the land. We don’t fight nature—we follow its lead. Everything we do is aimed at building a natural balance that sustains the earth, nourishes our animals, and provides exceptional beef to our customers.
This isn’t just good stewardship—it’s good business. When our pastures store more water, carbon, and nutrients, they become more productive and resilient year after year. That means healthier prairies, better forage, and more sustainable cattle production. It’s a living cycle: the land feeds the cattle, the cattle feed the land, and we take care of both. Because when we care for the soil, everything else thrives.
The Cattle
At Malachite, our cattle are 100% grass-fed and grass-finished—no grains, ever. We use holistically planned grazing with rotational and intensive techniques, moving cattle across pastures year-round based on weather, soil, and forage conditions. This allows for optimal pasture recovery, supports biodiversity, and mimics the natural movement patterns of grazing animals.
This system enhances soil structure and health, as cattle hooves aerate the ground, break down organic material, and fertilize naturally. Properly managed grazing is one of the most effective tools for improving soil carbon, water retention, and forage resilience.
Unlike operations that finish cattle on grain—often in confined feedlots (CAFOs) to accelerate weight gain—our cattle remain on pasture for their entire lives. Finishing on grass, not grain, preserves the nutritional integrity of the beef and avoids the use of hormones, antibiotics, and unnatural confinement. The result is healthier animals and a more ecologically responsible product.
Finishing is critical—those final months determine the flavor, texture, and nutrient density of the meat. By staying true to a fully grass-fed model, we preserve both the quality of our beef and the integrity of our land. At Malachite, we believe good beef takes time—and it's worth doing right.
.
