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. Many times we call it "Mud Season" due to the high amounts of moisture from the winters melting snow and the usual rain that comes during this time. Any stockpiled forage is normally all gone or diminished to do winter grazing and the freeze thaw cycle that breaks down the cell structure of the plants...so the herds are reliant on us 100% for winter feeding since no grass is growing yet. Ever try feeding hundreds of ruminants on pasture when the ground is as soft as cake batter?...its not fun! Once the snow is finally all gone and the ground starts to dry out and firm up, its usually only a matter of weeks and we start to see the first signs of green life breaking out of the rich & fertile soil. Seeing green grass and the first new calves hit the ground gives a rancher a sigh of relief after a long winter.
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.
Daylight to dark because thats what they do.
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...
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!
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!