Healthy Planet, Healthy Animals, and a Healthy You
"Our Story" is the underbelly of the operation. The motivation behind Hobbled Farms. It's healthy living - including our personal health and the health of the land and our livestock. It's a tie to family roots. And it's why we choose grass-fed Wagyu beef and pasture-raised pork.
"Hobbled" Farms
Although his parents were raised by farmers, and many of his extended family and ancestors were ranchers, Troy grew up as a normal child “in the city.” After a healthy childhood, in his early 20’s he began to experience unexpected health challenges. Troy has a rare form of an adult-onset neuromuscular disease.
Neuromuscular challenges brought a deep evaluation of his own personal health, starting with his diet. Discouraged by the lack of transparency in the commercial food supply, and seeing the realities of the process such as confined living conditions, heavy grain-fed diets, and the use of steroids, hormones, and antibiotics to unnaturally “fatten” animals, he knew change was needed.
So, with his own health as a driving motivator, Troy started Hobbled Farms, a fitting name for someone with an unnatural walk, or a “hobble” as he calls it.
Early in the process of clinical evaluations, a specialist warned him that he’d be in a wheelchair by 2014. To date he has fought off that prediction thanks in part to taking control of his diet and food source.
In addition to his passion for land management and livestock, he also actively participates in the rare and undiagnosed diseases community. His work there includes being a founding member of a non-profit organization and has participated in the raising of millions of dollars aimed at research and therapeutics for rare and undiagnosed diseases.
Family Roots
In the late 1870s, Alva Murdock, a young man driven by a passion for animal husbandry and livestock welfare, embarked on a pioneering journey becoming one of the first to graze cattle in the lush Strawberry Valley, now submerged beneath the waters of Utah's renowned Strawberry Reservoir.
Over 150 years later, Alva's legacy lives on through Troy, his great-great-grandson, who shares the same deep-rooted commitment to land stewardship and animal welfare. Our family has upheld this tradition, working to preserve a connection to the land and its inhabitants.
For Troy, raising livestock isn't just a livelihood—it's a way of strengthening familial ties across generations. His story is one of reverence for the past and a vision for the future—a testament to the enduring legacy of Alva Murdock's pioneering spirit.
Personal Health
Troy's own mysterious health journey has been enlightening for him. Amid medical uncertainties, he's found empowerment in the realm of diet and nutrition. Every meal becomes a conscious choice, a potential source of relief or exacerbation of symptoms. Through this journey, he's learned firsthand the transformative power of healthy protein and its profound impact on his well-being. It's not just about sustenance; it's about reclaiming control over the health narrative.
And his experiences have ignited a passion for advocating for greater transparency with our food supply. We believe that every individual deserves to know exactly what they're putting into their bodies, especially when health hangs in the balance. This has fueled a commitment to informed choices and transparency with animals born, raised, and processed locally. Ensuring you know exactly what you’re eating and where it comes from. Unraveling the mysteries of our food supply can aid in unraveling health mysteries.
Why Grass-Fed Wagyu?
Heart-healthy fats
Wagyu beef has a higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), which can lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol. Clinical trials have shown that highly marbled Wagyu beef doesn't increase LDL cholesterol.
Essential fatty acids
Wagyu beef is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation, support brain health, and improve lung health. Additionally, sme studies show grass-fed beef has as much as three to six times the omega-3's vs grain-fed beef making grass-fed Wagyu the healthy choice.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
Wagyu beef has a higher concentration of CLA, which can help with fat loss, improve lean muscle mass, and support the immune system.
Protein and iron
Wagyu beef is a good source of protein and iron, which help the body transport oxygen and maintain weight and energy.
Digestion
Wagyu beef has been shown to improve digestion
Nutrients
Grass-fed beef has more omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin E, and linolenic acids. It also contains more antioxidants, which can help prevent cell damage that may lead to cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Inflammation
Grass-fed beef's higher omega-3 and antioxidant content, as well as its lower fat content, can help reduce inflammation.
Superbugs
A 2015 study found that grass-fed beef contained fewer "superbugs", which are bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics, than grain-fed beef
Grass-fed Wagyu beef stands apart as a premium choice among beef options, boasting a myriad of superior qualities that elevate it to a league of its own. Nourished by a natural diet rich in grasses, Wagyu cattle experience a lifestyle that aligns harmoniously with their biological needs. This results in meat that is exceptionally tender, marbled with fine veins of intramuscular fat, and an abundance of rich flavor that is unrivaled. The unique genetics of Wagyu cattle contribute to the unparalleled tenderness and melt-in-your-mouth texture that defines Wagyu beef.
Unlike conventionally raised beef, which may be finished on grain-based diets, Hobbled Farms' grass-fed Wagyu beef is free from added hormones and antibiotics, ensuring a more wholesome and natural product.