We believe food
brings family and friends together
for nourishment of body, mind, and spirit.
Our mission is to raise animals humanely, offering superior proteins and never sacrifice environmental sustainability.
We offer high quality beef, pork, poutry, and eggs to fill up your freezer and your life with the best that nature has to offer.
Our animals recieve the best possible care that is good for the environment, their health, and yours.
In addition to our beef, pork, and eggs we now offer fully prepared meals to bring your family and friends together when Suppers Ready!!!
Southern Rhythm is owned and operated by Brian and Katie Bates.
5th
Generation in training
The Tradition Continues
Both 4th generation farmers raising the 5th generation on a bicentennial farm in Wilson County, TN.
What’s the Southern Rhythm Difference?
Traceability
It all starts with genetics. Just as you can trace your family tree we can do the same with our animals. In our herd we know their parents, grandparents and even great grandparents. We are able to use these records to determine tenderness, marbling, yields, and performance as well as many other factors that all influence your eating satisfaction.
Here at Southern Rhythm we also exhibit cattle from coast to coast. This allows us to meet, visit and converse with farmers and ranchers as well as see cattle from all over the United States. We discuss what works for each operation depending upon environmental factors and trends.
Handling
All our cattle are pasture raised, grain fed and never kept in confinement. We hand feed our animals with a custom formulated ration (healthy diet) provided by our local feed mill and forage raised right here on our farm. Hand feeding allows us to monitor exactly how much each animal is eating and how they are finishing.
Finishing is a term used to describe the 2-3 month stage before they become the nutritious protein we love.
Quality
All of our cattle will grade choice or even prime. Our traceability and handling practices play an essential part in our overall quality. Seeing our animals at least twice a day allows us to pinpoint when each animal is properly finished and at optimum harvest stage. Animals that are rushed to harvest are not typically finished adequately and do not grade as well and animals that are finished properly. Animals can also be “greasy”: as we like to call them. This means they are overly fat and became inefficient for us and consumers. This is why we only harvest animals when they are at their best stage for greatest quality.
We will never sacrifice quality for quantity.
This is what truly sets us apart
We believe in raising animals humanely with traceability and with known genetics that directly correlate to the highest eating satisfaction. We are just as concerned with how the animal looks on the outside because it all matters on the inside. We utilize records to build a herd capable of handling the Tennessee climate, terrain, and southern forage. We are practicing sustainable farming. Sustainable farming, for us, means leaving the environment and the land better each year we farm.
Why is this so important to us? Because it’s a family heritage we strive to uphold and a legacy we hope to pass to future generations.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Please see below for a list of questions most often asked by our customers. If you have a question that is not addressed below please don’t hesitate to ask.
GENERAL
Does Southern Rhythm practice sustainable farming?
Yes. Two things we take very seriously are animal welfare and being good stewards of the land. We rely heavily on multi-species rotational grazing. We move the chicken tractors daily so they control pests as well as fertilize pastures. We use an old fashion harrow to drag pastures so we maximize the fertilizer quality of the manure. Most of our pasture is not suitable for growing crops. It's just too steep, therefore we utilize the land best by putting animals on it.
Do you sell to the public?
Yes! We sell to individuals, restaurants, and food trucks. All our products are USDA inspected for resale.
Do you feed genetically modified organisms (GMO’s)?
We use non GMO grain as much as possible.
Do you feed grain to your animals?
Yes!! Grain is what produces fat and marbling in the meat, the basis of the flavor. We source our grain locally. We hand feed our animals grain and a ration formulated with all the nutrients they need to thrive and finish so our products provide superior quality for the consumer.
Are your products local?
Yes! Our beef and laying hens spend their days on our farm in Wilson county right here in middle TN. Our pork is raised by our friends and partners on their farm, Fanchers’ Mill Farm and Provisions in Sparta also in middle TN.
Do you process your animals on the farm?
No. All our products are USDA inspected, therefore they are harvested and processed in a USDA facility. We work with processors here in Middle TN and Southern KY known for their attention to detail, cleanliness, and packaging.
Where can I buy your products?
We invite you to shop at our store front inspected for resale. Many of our ;loyal customers call or message us orders and set up a time to pick them up and they never even have to leave their car.
Do you have minimum orders?
No. While shopping at our store front, you may buy as little as 1lb of ground beef or a whole beef.
How are your products packaged?
Our ground beef is in 1lb or 2lb tubes. Bulk sausage (Breakfast, Italian) come in 1lb tubes. Everything else is in vacuum packed. All packages contain weight, price, and safe handling instructions.
How long will my product last?
This totally depends on your eating habits. The shelf life is well over 1 year if stored properly. General care should be taken to avoid puncturing packaging for best quality.
BEEF
Is your beef grassfed?
Yes! Its grass fed and grain finished. All cattle eat grass at some point during their lives. Our cattle have access to free choice grass, fresh water, and free choice hay their whole life and are never kept in confinement.
What breed of cattle do you raise?
Most of our cattle are Angus based and black. We also breed Simmental cattle and love combining the two to get the best of both breeds, also known as hybrid vigor. Beef raised by our family is from known superior genetics and we can trace back generations.
Do you sell sides and whole cows?
Yes. We offer 1/4 , 1/2 and wholes based on availability. A 1/4 comes in a standard cut, the same as we sell in our meat market. A 1/2 or whole is completely customizable.
When will my side of beef be ready?
Approximately two weeks from harvest appointment. Our beef is allowed to hang a minimum of 10 days to age. This is a culinary process commonly used to improve the flavors by allowing the natural enzymes in the meat to break down the tissue during this aging. This process allows the water in the meat to evaporate, thus concentrating the flavor. The side of beef is then cut, packaged, and frozen. We are notified of pick up.
What do I need to pick up my side?
If you live close and are willing to bring our coolers back, we can make arrangements for “loaners”. We let you take our coolers home, unload your product and get it put away properly. Then you can drop the loaners back off within a couple days. If you don’t live close or want to bring our coolers back you will need adequate coolers to hold several hundred pounds of meats.
How many pounds are in a side of beef?
Each animal is different. However, we feed for a specific finishing weight and charge by the pound. Therefore, you pay only what your animal weighs. The heavier the animal the more yield of meat.
1/4 Beef will yield approximately 90-120lbs
1/2 Beef will yield approximately 180-240lbs
How much freezer space will a side of beef take up?
General rule of thumb is 1 cubic foot will hold 35-40lbs 1/4 beef 4 cubic foot 1/2 beef 8 cubic foot
PORK
Do you sell sides and whole pigs?
Yes. We offer halves and wholes. This option will depend on availability.
How many pounds are in side or whole pig?
Each animal is different. Just like our beef, we aim for a set weight and charge by the pound. Also, just like the beef, you are only paying for your animal’s weight. 1/2 pig will yield approximately 72-80lbs Whole pig will yield approximately 144-160lbs
POULTRY
How are your chickens raised?
They have a great life. They have access to pasture 24/7. We have multiple portable coops also known as “chicken tractors” where they can roost and be protected from predators. These “tractors” are moved daily so the chickens always have access to fresh pasture and the nutrients from their natural diet of insects.
What do you feed your chickens?
In addition to getting lots of nutrients from the bugs in the ground, we also offer a ration of corn and soybeans to provide the proper nutrients for laying tremendous eggs. We also feed any household vegetable peelings that are “treats” to the chickens.
What breed of chickens do you raise?
Buff Orpingtons, Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds are our brown egg layers. We also have a few Ameraucanas that lay the different variation of blue colored eggs.