| We are full time farmers, relying on farming alone to make our living. Our hope is that we will be able to keep our family farm small yet profitable, and pass it on to our children... so that they can carry on our tradition of honorable land stewardship and raising the highest quality natural beef. Being well informed of the latest developments in calf care and herd management is important to us, as well as practicing sustainable crop, nutrient & soil management when planting our fields. Grassed waterways handle run-off in our fields. A grassed waterway is an area where grass is left to grow permanently to drain runoff into designated outlets, without exposing bare soil to erosion. We plant with contoured rows, which reduces erosion up to 50%. By reducing sediment and runoff, and increasing water infiltration, contouring promotes better water quality. By using a no-till method for our corn, soybeans and winter wheat, the soil is left undisturbed from harvest to planting. Planting or drilling is accomplished in a narrow seedbed or slot created by disk openers. Coulters, residue managers, seed firmers, and modified closing wheels are used on the drill or planter to ensure adequate seed to soil contact. In no-till systems, pest (weeds, disease, and insect) control is accomplished primarily with the following cultural practices: rotation, sanitation, and competition. Spreading manure on our corn fields gives our soil enough nutrients so we do not need to use any commercial fertilizers. We test our soil every three years to make sure that the nutrient levels are where they should be.
We are constantly working towards improving the quality of our land, water and the health of our cattle - just as we have done for the last four generations.
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