Sampinos Livestock Company is based in Carbon County, Utah and is owned and operated by the Sampinos family (Nick, Toni, and John).  We have been in business since 1988 primarily raising cattle and maintaining a small farm flock of sheep.  Most of our cattle graze year round on private and public land.  A rotational grazing system has been implemented to meet our animals’ grazing needs and to improve the land.  Rotation improves livestock distribution in each pasture, evenly distributes nutrients, reduces weed invasion, and allows native plant species to flourish.  Generally our pastures are grazed once a year allowing for abundant regrowth time, which improves the overall health of the soil and forage.  Healthy plants provide favorable habitat for many types of insects, birds and wildlife which all add to the beauty, diversity and productivity of the landscape.

Black Angus cows, crossed with SimAngus bulls, make up the breeding of our cattle herd.  This cross has created well-adapted animals that are suited to their environment and are able to produce high quality calves.  They graze high altitude pastures in the summer and arid deserts in the winter.  Our cattle have been selected to efficiently convert the forage available into pounds of beef reducing the amount of resources needed to sustain themselves.  We also grow hay to feed our cattle during inclement weather, as well as feed our calves after they are weaned.  The cattle sold to and marketed by Opa Meats are grass fed and grain finished.  Grass fed only can be arranged with advance notice.   

Animal health is of the utmost importance to us.  Our animals are hormone free and are never fed animal by-products.  They are raised in a humane, low stress environment and are always provided abundant feed, water, and space.  Corrals are well maintained to prevent injury and they have been designed to utilize the animals’ natural instincts.  Through strict selective criteria our cattle have become less susceptible to sickness, but a small percentage will get sick each year.  When that happens, the affected animals are given an antibiotic to help them recuperate.  Ear tag numbers of treated animals are then recorded and a second ear tag is installed, creating a two-step tracking system.  This ensures that all treated animals are clearly identified and marketed through appropriate channels.  Treated cattle are NEVER sold to Opa Meats or other buyers who want antibiotic free animals.  This system allows us to take the best care of our animals while still maintaining the ability to offer antibiotic free animals to our customers.

The dedication of Sampinos Livestock to our customers goes beyond our good word and hand-shake.  Each year, we hire IMI Global, a USDA approved company that specializes in third party beef verifications.  They perform an all-inclusive audit consisting of visual inspection of animals, corrals, feed stored on the ranch to ensure its natural integrity, and an in depth review of all animal related records.  This audit verifies that Sampinos Livestock meets or exceeds the requirements to market third party verified natural beef. The verification guarantees the age and origin of the animals, that they have not received growth hormones, antibiotics, or animal by-products, and that our operation meets the criteria of IMI’s five step Animal Welfare Program, which verifies that our animals are raised in a humane fashion.

Our small herd of sheep remains on our farm throughout the year grazing irrigated alfalfa/grass pastures during the growing season and stock piled forage during the winter.  Our sheep receive the same animal health protocols that are used on our cattle.  Lambs are weaned in the fall and are kept in adjacent fields until they are harvested.  Our lambs do not receive any grain or supplemental feed and go directly from the field to the butcher.  

We strive to produce high quality beef and lamb and are committed to the well being of our animals and sustainability of the land.  We are confident you will like our beef and lamb and encourage you to contact Opa Meats.