Swanton Pacific Ranch - Livestock

Livestock

Livestock raising is another major activity that happens on the Swanton Pacific Ranch. One of Swanton's newest operations is the natural beef program, run by the Animal Science Department at Cal Poly SLO. The department raises all natural grain-fed and grass fed beef in the meadowlands at the ranch, selling it twice a year on campus. Watching over the herd of livestock is livestock manager Gordon Claassen, who oversees the 500 plus head of cattle. He constantly monitors the herds, moving cattle from pasture to pasture based on the condition of the grasses they eat. The natural beef project fits the "sustainable agriculture" character of Swanton Pacific Ranch.