A Stockman’s Date Night: Pastures & Passion
By: Katy Wolff When I first met my future husband, three things sealed the deal on our relationship: our mutual love for eating peanut butter out of the jar, Star Wars and a passion for livestock. In fact, my grand marriage proposal was in the lambing barn on a cold January Saturday night. I know, […]
The Weaning Way: Weaning Lambs on the Ranch
By: Megan Landes-Murphy It’s the loudest time of year on the ranch—weaning day. Weaning separates the ewes (female sheep) from their lambs (baby sheep). While it may seem harsh, it’s essential for the well-being of both the ewes and the lambs. It’s a bittersweet time when the lambs are ready to go out independently, and […]
Meat MythBusters: Beef Quality Grading
Walking up to a meat counter can be a daunting experience, even for the most experienced grocery purchaser. A person could get flustered and starry-eyed quickly between the various types of protein and the endless cuts of meat and topped off with the overwhelming number of label claims. Label claims, in particular, are a tricky […]
How Cattle Turn Pasture Into Protein
Most beef cattle spend their lives grazing on pasture grasses and forages. Regardless of breed, cattle are ruminants, which means they graze on vegetation and store their food in a specialized stomach for microbe fermentation before digestion. Fun fact: other animals in this category include giraffes, goats, deer and sheep. Cattle have the unique ability […]
Pasture Lambing
By: Susan Littlefield Imagine two different lambing scenarios. In the first scenario, it’s dark outside, the wind is blowing, and snow is falling. You have to bundle up for the late-night or early-morning lamb check. You head out the door and remind yourself to grab barn towels just in case there are new babies; then […]
It’s Calving Season
It’s currently calving season on our farm, and many other farmers have either begun or are approaching the start of their own calving seasons! Although it involves hard work, this period is exceptionally rewarding for every cow-calf producer. This is the moment we’ve been eagerly anticipating – the time when our calf crop arrives. It […]
Beef in a Healthy Diet
January is a time when we often focus on self-improvement. Let beef be a part of your healthy 2024. When my father-in-law was recovering from heart surgery years ago, we received information and a heart-healthy cookbook that included beef. Beef is packed with 10 essential nutrients, making it one of the best items on your […]
From Pantry to Pasture: A Rancher’s Guide to Cattle “Meal Planning” and Feeding Methods
I’m sure that many of you have sat down to begin creating a meal plan. It can feel overwhelming at first, but once you get into a rhythm, it is a great way to provide a tasty meal, help with your budget and make the best use of your pantry items. However, there isn’t a […]
Nurturing the Land & Livestock on Our Farm
Rotational Grazing: Nurturing the Land & Livestock on Our Farm On the farm, farmers utilize a method of cattle grazing that not only benefits the livestock but also contributes to the long-term health of the land. It’s called rotational grazing, a practice that has become a cornerstone in sustainable farming. In this article, we’ll explore rotational grazing and […]
Is That Garlic I Smell?
When you scoop up a handful of cattle feed normally, you will smell scents of molasses, bread (from the distiller’s grain) and hay. However, during fly season you might smell garlic. Fly season is one of many seasons farmers and ranchers have in addition to the traditional four. From late spring through fall, we are […]
