Livestock

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Heritage Breed Livestock

Dutch Belted Cattle

The Dutch Belted cattle at Virginia Gold are the heart of our pastures—a heritage breed celebrated for both its beauty and its utility. With their striking white “belt” and deep mahogany or black coats, these cattle are as distinctive in appearance as they are in character. Originating in the Netherlands in the 1700s, Dutch Belteds were prized for their dual-purpose excellence: producing rich, creamy milk and exceptionally flavorful, well-marbled beef. Unlike modern industrial breeds bred for rapid gain, the Dutch Belted thrives on what the land provides—lush grasses, clean water, and open space—converting sunlight and soil into nutrient-dense food through natural grazing cycles.

Their beef is celebrated for its deep, old-fashioned flavor, fine-grained tenderness, and balanced marbling that comes naturally from a slower, grass-fed life. Nutritionally, it’s richer in Omega-3s and CLAs, lower in unhealthy fats, and loaded with trace minerals that come directly from the soil they graze. The Dutch Belted is now one of the rarest heritage cattle breeds in America, with fewer than a thousand registered animals remaining. By raising them regeneratively, we’re not only producing beef that’s healthier and more flavorful—we’re actively helping to preserve the genetics of a breed that represents a living link to a time when farming and nature worked hand in hand. At Virginia Gold, every animal is a step toward restoring that balance—sustaining both the land and the legacy.

Idaho Pasture Pig

The Idaho Pasture Pigs at Virginia Gold Ranch are a perfect example of what happens when thoughtful breeding meets regenerative farming. Developed in the United States, this rare heritage breed was created by blending the best traits of the Duroc, Old Berkshire, and Kunekune to produce a pig that thrives entirely on pasture. Unlike commercial hogs bred for confinement and rapid weight gain, Idaho Pasture Pigs are natural grazers—using their short, upturned snouts to gently forage grasses, clovers, roots, and acorns without destroying the soil. This makes them ideal partners in our regenerative ecosystem, where their movement helps aerate the land, cycle nutrients, and improve fertility for future growth.

Their pork is renowned for its rich marbling, deep rosy color, and naturally sweet flavor—a result of their slow, pasture-based diet rather than industrial feed. Nutritionally, it’s higher in Omega-3s, Vitamin D, and trace minerals, while being lower in inflammatory fats, making it both delicious and wholesome. By raising Idaho Pasture Pigs the way nature intended—on sunlight, fresh air, and lush Virginia grass—we’re not only producing extraordinary meat, we’re safeguarding the future of a breed that embodies sustainability, flavor, and the art of farming in harmony with the land.

Security

Meet Duke and Lila, our energetic Pitbull-Terrier mixes and vigilant guardians of Virginia Gold’s orchards, pastures and forests. With their sharp instincts, boundless energy, and deep devotion to the land, they play a vital role in protecting both our livestock and our fields.

Their keen sense of smell and quick reflexes make them excellent at detecting and deterring groundhogs and other burrowing pests that can create dangerous holes—hazards capable of breaking a tractors axle or a cow’s leg.

Loyal and fearless, Duke and Lila are always alert, patrolling the edges of the orchard and open pasture with purpose and enthusiasm. Yet, beneath their muscular build and determined focus, they’re affectionate companions who love being part of the daily rhythm of farm life. Their courage and intelligence reflect the same values that guide our farm—care, protection, and harmony between animals and the land they help preserve.

Managment

Meet Coco and Dixie, our loyal farm guardians and beloved members of the Virginia Gold family. These Great Pyrenees and Cane Corso mixes embody the perfect balance of gentle temperament and steadfast strength—traits that make them ideal partners in managing our livestock. The Great Pyrenees lineage gives them calm patience, intelligence, and an instinctive sense of guardianship, while their Cane Corso heritage adds courage, athleticism, and unwavering loyalty.

Together, these qualities make Coco and Dixie exceptional managers of our pastures—alert and watchful over our cattle and pigs, yet kind and affectionate with visitors and farm staff. Whether guiding animals during rotations, deterring predators from the fields, or resting under the orchard trees after a day’s work, they play a vital role in the natural rhythm of the farm. More than just working dogs, Coco and Dixie represent the spirit of Virginia Gold itself—strong, nurturing, and always devoted to the land and the life it sustains.