Farmers Ray and Linda Buck, producing Grass Fed Beef from Archer Angus, Local and Delicious!

We are lucky enough to have Ray Buck as our Premiere Farmer for our local grass-fed Angus beef. One taste of his buttery luscious beef and we knew the Savenor’s customers would love this. Ron met with Ray last year and started working on our whole animal program and we are now bringing in 5 head at a time!

Farming doesn’t get more authentic than Ray and Linda Buck’s Archer Farms.

Ray’s family dates back to the 1600’s and are the namesakes of Buckfield and Bucksport, Maine. Both his homeland and livelihood are deeply ingrained in Ray’s blood; he and his wife regard the joy of farming as “resonating in their souls,” so much so that their doctor attributes exquisite health (in their mid-sixties) to a deep, lifelong love of agriculture.

The Bucks breed and raise Angus beef. There are 100 mother cows (150 after September birthing). The Angus bulls are used to stud by way of artificial insemination. Among the cows is “Gabby,” whom Ray calls “3105”, which means Gabby falls into the top 1% of all Angus cows in the nation, a criteria consisting of heritage as well as the marbling of the beef.

Additionally, Linda takes care of seven heritage Large Black Hogs, a rarity considering there are only 1700 left in the U.S. To preserve the breed, Linda rotates the boar and also cross-breeds with another local farmer who’s lucky enough to have a few Large Black Hogs of his own.

The Bucks’ breeding and housing methods are a true mix of art & science. The cow is fed grass & hay and adheres to a strict mineral program to ensure optimal health. They are put out to pasture in the summer, and then a rotating pasture, and then in winter they are housed on a concrete pad/foundation in the barn. The beef is raised from 24-28 months before processing, which takes place in Maine.

The success of the beef is the result of Ray’s unwavering respect for his line of Angus cattle. They are bred for the quality of their beef and for their ability to thrive on the alfalfa that is grown on Ray’s land and the foraging fields where they roam in the north-lands of Central Maine.

Ron and Ray Buck show off Grass Fed Brisket

The integrity and undisputed success of Ray and Linda Buck’s breeding program has earned national acclaim, as well as overwhelming pressure to increase the quantity of their herd. They have been working with Ron Savenor for years now, a relationship of mutual value & respect as they both know the ultimate goal is the consumer, who wants the absolute best product out there. And it starts every day with Ray and Linda & a love of farming.