WHAT WE ARE DOING TO BE SUSTAINABLE

We believe that food is important. We also realize that raising food changes the environment and that we have the ability to make sure those changes are for the better.

Our responsibility for the care of our animals naturally extends to the land they are raised on. A healthy environment helps foster healthy animals and biodiversity gives us the ability to provide for them in adverse conditions.

We are always learning and implementing different methods that enhance and protect the lands we use to raise our stock.

Grazing can be beneficial in many ecosystems and can improve marginal lands. Our cattle are pastured in varied environments from grassy meadows to aspen forest. Maintaining pasture health is key to protecting many aspects of healthy ecosystems by increasing soil fertility and water retention as well as preventing weed overgrowth. We use rotational grazing methods to keep our pastures flourishing while building soil health.

Grass & Soil

We live in an area with abundant water sources. From creeks to lakes to springs, we are rarely left wanting for water. Protecting our water sources is extremely important if they are to continue to support us in the future. We have begun a riparian protection project that fences off our extensive riparian areas along the creek running through our property to prevent grazing. The vegetation saved from grazing will help stabilize the creek banks, filters run off to keep the water clean and creates a rich habitat for wildlife. We are also working to protect our springs and dugouts in the same way.

Water

It is winter for a significant portion of our year. This means we have to provide feed for our cattle for much of the year. The waste from the hay and animals helps to build soil health so we identify areas or pastures with poor production and feed our cattle on them over the winter to help increase organic matter and nutrients in the soil. We feed by either bale grazing or rolling out bales. Either way, both the cattle and soil are fed.

We also spread manure from our chicken coops and corrals in marginal areas to help build soil nutrients where they are deficient.

Winter Grounds

Living with other animals in our ecosystem is a constant balancing act. We work hard to co-exist with the wildlife in our operation.

We use various methods to deter predators from impacting our animals. We use our large animals such as horses or cattle to keep the barnyard grazed down so foxes and coyotes have little cover to approach our chickens. The large animals also work well to discourage predators from approaching due to their size. We provide cover in our barnyard for the hens to hide under to avoid birds of prey. We also lock them up securely at night. We do our best to avoid tempting predators as the first and best step. We make sure calving areas are kept clean and well monitored and we have generally found that as long as predators are not showing interest in our stock, they are holding space against the ones who might.

We also have to consider the impacts of deer and elk. They are as attracted to our winter feeding areas as our cattle are. We place our stockpiled feed in areas that are away from cover so they are less inviting. We will also limit the amount we are feeding our cattle so that deer and elk are not able to compete for the cattle’s rations.

Predators & Wildlife

FAQ

  • We have an Environmental Farm Plan in place and work with various agencies to meet our sustainability goals and industry best practices. While we are not currently certified sustainable but we are working to achieve that goal.

  • We do not have organic certification. We pasture our cattle on land that we do not own and do not have 100% control of. We also believe in the judicious use of antibiotics as well as vaccines and dewormers as tools to help keep our animals healthy.