The Craft of Cattle
Photo provided by Owens Farms
The Craft of Cattle
Exploring the Unique and Shared Experiences of Ranchers Across the Region
BY MORGAN MARIERaising cattle is not for the faint of heart. The recipe for a successful operation requires a wealth of knowledge, land, muscle, patience, equipment and infrastructure, a genuine passion for the craft and continuous learning. Perhaps above all else, a significant investment of time is a key ingredient.
Unlike factory farm operations, independent ranchers typically operate on a smaller scale and are often family-owned. They commonly have fewer cattle and may focus on specific breeds or niche markets. As the name would suggest, large-scale operations owned by corporations or agribusinesses frequently have thousands of cattle in confinement for efficiency. Independent ranchers often start with a handful of cattle, growing their herds through land leases, sales and experience.
The overall approach to cattle production varies greatly depending on size and scale. Many consumers that wouldn’t typically consume beef reconsider with the knowledge that independent ranches rely on natural grazing and forage as the primary source of nutrition for their cattle. Conversely, factory farm operations often use formulated diets consisting of grains, corn, soybeans, and other feedstuffs that are optimized for rapid weight gain and cost efficiency.
Differing from a centralized distribution network and supply chain, serving larger retail and food service markets, local ranchers focus on serving the immediate community we all reside in. Because of the many differences and lack of resources that larger operations have, local ranchers describe the work as anything but easy.
Despite these challenges, all of the ranchers we spoke to wouldn’t give it up. These cattle are part of their family and raising their herds is as rewarding as it is demanding.
“I was born into it and don’t know any better” says fourth generation rancher Ron Ensor of 4E Farms with a laugh. “It’s hard work for little money but at the end of the day watching the cows graze in the pasture or sharing an amazing sunset with your family makes it all worth it.” A visual we can all take a moment to appreciate as seen in the accompanying images.
As with many independent farming operations, some of these ranchers hold secondary jobs in order to support their commitment to their cattle. Derek and Honey Smith of Dalkena Highlands serve as a firefighter and school nurse by day. They value regenerative agriculture enough to balance it all. The Smiths say “if we can learn something new and share it with you, that's our goal,” while encouraging other families to farm.
Justin Owens from Owens Farms Piedmontese says that one of the main aspects of ranching is planning in advance. “It takes two to three years to deliver the beef on your plates. From cow selection to breeding, gestation, birthing, weaning, feeding and finishing, and processing.”
It has always been important to understand where our food comes from but now more than ever, Owens says “after years of drought and herd culling across the country, inflation and aging out have added to the downsizing of the American cattle herd.” We have an incredible amount of local ranches and farms that have been preparing for generations.
Attempting to understand the many facets that go into ranching is nearly impossible without experiencing it firsthand. Over the past few months, I have been fortunate to both visit and converse with many regional ranchers and in turn, share their insight with you. Learning what it is like behind the curtain was both eye-opening and lifestyle changing. I am excited to share this new-found appreciation for the craft of cattle ranching with you.
Please enjoy the exploration of the varying breeds, practices and passions through the eyes of five of our local ranches. As stewards of the land, these families carry forward the traditions and knowledge passed down from their ancestors. Their land and cattle tell stories through laughter and tears, rooted in a connection that transcends time and distance, while also honoring the prior generations that made this all possible.
With love,