While the last few months of 2020 have been anything but normal for most Americans, there is a special group of people that often go un-noticed and rarely get the credit they deserve. With the shift in demand for higher quality proteins moving from the massive scale commodity packing houses often owned by overseas corporations to the local, trusted butcher in the last 2 months, these very people that we depend on really deserve a pat on the back...thats the family and team at Crescent Meats who is our processor. The family of Wayne and Stacy Lautsbaugh along with their son Vance, daughter Sam and the 20+ other employees that call Crescent Meats home have been working 5am to 5pm almost 7 days a week to help keep us all supplied with good quality meat and keeping the supply chain moving for the farmers and ranchers that depend on selling their livestock to stay afloat. With the Covid-19 induced bottle neck that has been happening in many of the larger packing plants, which has been drastically effecting already stressed farmers and ranchers, Crescent Meats has stepped up, put their personal lives on hold and put in more hours to help move as many of those animals as they can, helping both the rancher and the end customer that may be struggling to find the proteins they desire. This family is the reason that we have been able to step out on our own and take control of our ranch and business, without their help and support it wouldnt be possible, and this story is happening all over rural america, so if you know a local meat cutter or have access to a local butcher shop, take a few minutes to stop by, tell them thanks and show them some support by purchasing from them or from a rancher or farmer that relies on them, after all, if there is one thing we have learned..its that we need these guys now more than ever...
Reflecting on Our Story with DeliveryRank
We sat down with the good folks from DeliveryRank to reflect on our story thus far. Their introspective questions required us to reflect on how and why it all started. Diving back in was reinvigorating and fitting as we wrap up 2024 and look forward to a killer year ahead of us!
Christmas week on the ranch.
Christmas week here on the ranch in Wisconsin means many things...kids are off from school, families & friends are coming together and usually the ground is covered with snow which means we finally get to have some fun snowboarding & snowmobiling.
The important things...
If there is one positive that has come out of 2020 and its events its that I have realized its not always important to race and complete the next task. Sometimes you just need to slow down and enjoy the moment.
Life explodes!
Here in Wisconsin we see some very drastic seasons. Deep snow and bitter cold is replaced by waist high lush green grass and clovers in a few months time frame.
Red dogs!
In mid April we will start to notice a random cow or two off on her own, away from the herd and normally seeking out the wooded or secluded parts of the pastures...this means calving season is upon us!
The transition season...
The transition from winter to actual spring is probably the most stressful time for rancher. Here in Wisconsin it seems like it can last for months, and sometimes it does.
Making the most of the short days...
Even though it seems like the work never ends here on the ranch, and with the shorter amounts of daylight available in the winter, the pressure is even higher to get everything done before you need headlights
Winter is here!
Bison are built for the cold, and there's nothing quite like seeing a dark herd contrasted against fresh white snow — but Wisconsin winters, from 30-40 below zero to over 120 inches of snow in a single month, can be tough on ranchers and their equipment. The bison seem to prefer 10 below zero over 35 degrees and rain, and honestly, we agree!