How We Farm
Built on Better Practices
Grass-fed. Solar-powered. Rotationally grazed. Every decision we make is guided by the long-term health of our land, our herd, and our community.
Responsible Stewardship of Land and Herd
At Andrews Farms, we believe great cattle begin with responsible stewardship of both the land and the herd. Our focus is on raising healthy, productive Black Angus cattle with strong bloodlines and genetics designed to perform in real-world conditions.
Every practice on this farm — from how we graze our pastures to how we power our water system — reflects our commitment to quality, sustainability, and the future of the beef industry.
Grass-Fed from Pasture to Sale
Our Black Angus cattle graze on native Virginia grasses year-round. We do not finish on grain — every animal sold from Andrews Farms has been raised exclusively on natural forage from our highland pastures.
Grass-fed cattle produce beef with superior marbling, a richer flavor profile, and a healthier omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. More importantly, it is the way cattle were designed to eat — and it shows in the health, structure, and disposition of every animal we raise.
Our pastures are managed to maintain species diversity and year-round forage availability, ensuring our cattle always have access to high-quality, nutrient-dense grass.
12+
Forage Species
12
Grazing Months
None
Grain Supplemented
Rotational Grazing
We practice intensive rotational grazing across our pastures — moving cattle through a series of paddocks on a carefully managed schedule. This mimics the natural movement patterns of wild grazing herds and gives each paddock adequate rest and recovery time.
The result is healthier, more productive pastures with deeper root systems, better water retention, and higher organic matter content. Our land is measurably healthier today than when we started — and we intend to keep improving it.
Rotational grazing also reduces parasite loads naturally, improves cattle body condition, and eliminates the need for chemical inputs on our pastures.
8
Paddocks Managed
30–45
Rest Period (days)
Zero
Chemical Inputs
Solar-Powered Operation
Andrews Farms runs entirely on renewable solar energy. Our operation — from water pumping and fencing to lighting and equipment — is powered by the sun. This makes us fully energy independent and dramatically reduces our carbon footprint.
We made the investment in solar not just for environmental reasons, but because it makes long-term economic sense. Lower operating costs mean we can invest more in the quality of our herd and the health of our land.
Our solar setup also powers our water distribution system, ensuring cattle always have access to fresh water across all paddocks without relying on grid electricity.
Zero
Grid Dependency
Solar
Energy Source
8,400+
CO₂ Offset (lbs/yr)
Soil Health & Conservation
Healthy soil is the foundation of everything we do. We practice conservation tillage, cover cropping, and compost application to build organic matter, improve soil structure, and increase the biological activity that drives long-term fertility.
We test our soils annually and adjust our management accordingly — never applying more than the land needs, and always working to leave it better than we found it. Our soil organic matter has increased every year since we began tracking it.
Healthy soil holds more water, supports more diverse plant life, and sequesters more carbon. It is the single most important investment we make in the long-term productivity of this farm.
Yes
Annual Soil Tests
↑ YoY
Organic Matter Trend
Minimal
Synthetic Fertilizer
Water Stewardship
Scott County, Virginia is blessed with clean mountain water, and we take our responsibility to protect it seriously. We maintain vegetated buffer strips along all streams and waterways on the property, preventing runoff and protecting water quality.
Our solar-powered water distribution system delivers fresh water to every paddock, eliminating the need for cattle to access streams directly — which protects both the waterways and the cattle.
We also manage our farm pond as a wildlife habitat and emergency water reserve, maintaining healthy aquatic vegetation and water quality year-round.
All
Stream Buffers
None
Direct Stream Access
Solar-Pumped
Water Source
Genetic Selection & EPD Management
Every breeding decision at Andrews Farms is driven by data. We use Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) published by the American Angus Association to select for balanced, real-world performance — not just one or two traits.
We prioritize calving ease, growth, maternal ability, and carcass quality in that order. Our goal is to produce cattle that are easy to raise, easy to sell, and easy to eat — animals that perform at every stage of production.
Dr. McKenna Andrews leads our genetic planning, bringing professional veterinary expertise and a deep understanding of breed data to every sire and dam selection decision.
AAA
Breed Registry
6+
EPD Traits Tracked
Dr. McKenna
Genetic Advisor
See These Practices in Action
We welcome serious buyers and fellow producers to visit Andrews Farms. Come walk the pastures, see the cattle, and experience our operation firsthand.