Brandon and Danielle Toews own and operate Route 304 Cattle Co. based near Linden, Alberta. The mission at Route 304 is to provide you with nutritious, high-quality proteins raised on pasture at a price families can afford. While caring for the land and animals is a huge part of their mission, establishing long lasting relationships with their customers is also of utmost importance!
AOTP: How did Route 304 Cattle Co. come to be?
R304: We were born into the the ranching way of life and have have made it our goal to continue the lifestyle.
AOTP: What does your operation look like now?
R304: The family ranch has many different enterprises from cow calf, grassing yearlings, developing forage genetic bulls, and producing a safe sustainable product that our many customers & friends can eat with confidence. Route 304 Cattle Co. was started in the fall of 2019 in a effort to connect our lifestyle and farm products to people that are concerned were their food comes from, how it’s raised, and aren’t able to live the same as us.
As a goal to keep on learning, Brandon attends the local grazing association to better understand the grass, soil health, and better ways to implement the livestock on the land. Danielle manages the website, delivering orders, stocking the farm store, and connecting with customers.
In a world with little confidence in anything, we want to be there for you- to provide you with a product you can feel confident to feed your family.
AOTP: What is a favourite memory you have as a farmer?
R304: Early memories from growing up usually involved checking cows, feeding, and playing with the farm dog. Family was always important to us and we were never sent to do a tough job alone.
AOTP: What products do you sell?
R304: We offer pasture raised beef by the 1/2, 1/4, package deals, or individuals cuts as well as whole pasture raised chickens and free run brown eggs. What makes us unique from the average producer is the 21 dry age on our beef, we don’t give any added growth hormones, sub therapeutic antibiotics, and finish our cattle on grass based ration supplementing with green feed and a natural mineral tub. Our truly pasture raised chickens are only available during the summer months and into fall as our inventory lasts. Route 304 laying hens are raised outdoors as the weather permits and the green grass in their diet during the summer months gives the beautiful brown eggs a dark golden yolk.
AOTP: How can restaurants and consumers purchase your products?
R304:You can reach out to us through our website, where you can view all our products, pricing, drop offs near you, & where else you can find our products. Our tiny farm store is operating on a self-serve basis for those nearby that want to skip ordering online & pick up their products at the farm!