We have a treat for you today. You get a cameo appearance from Jeff about his work.

I like hearing from Jeff...I think he's funny and I love the way he relates a story. If you know him, then you can imagine the wide smile and spark in his eye as he tells it.

A customer asked what a "day in the life" of feeding during the winter looks like...

Here's what Jeff told me:

 
The light appears and there is a little bit of grumbling about the coming day. 

Figure out how many layers to put on in order to not freeze your butt off.

5 minutes later, realize that you've greatly underestimated how cold it is and regret not having put on another layer in your laziness.

Ponder for a moment where your "good" gloves are. 

Hear the voice of your wife ask you why you leave everything in the truck or tractor (hence nothing is clean or ready to go).

Get to the hay barn. Realize that the bales of hay that you should be feeding are still stored outdoors and are covered in ice, thus making the removing of strings an arduous task.

(each bale is wrapped with a heavy duty twine to keep the 1400 pounds of mass rolled up nicely)

Finally get the tractor and trailer loaded up and head out to feed the cows. 

Get out of the tractor in the swarm of 120 hungry cows (they wait patiently...not like a crazy mob. They know I'm their man and I'll get them fed).

You reach for your pocket knife in order to cut the strings off the bale and realize it's at home (you wonder to yourself where your "good" pocket knife is).

At this point you try to find your sharpest wrench...or you walk back to the shop and sharpen some random piece of scrap metal into a blade. 

Now you're back at the tractor and ready to cut the strings and finally feed. 

If everything else goes well and there's no major breakages or hydraulic issues, the feed auger fluffs the hay and lays it out in beautiful lines so the cows may enjoy their buffet. 

As they are busy eating, I usually take this time to get out of the tractor and walk down the row of cows in order to check their body condition and status.

If one has an ailment, it will be laying down and not feeding or I may see someone not breathing well. I'll just keep an eye on them or bring them into the corral to be monitored more closely. 

After the chaos of the morning, it is a wonderful time to stand there and enjoy the peace while listening to one of my favorite sounds: happy cows noisily chomping on the beautiful hay that I worked all summer to produce...

SATISFACTION!

(Disclaimer: Ok, all those mishaps probably won't happen all in one day, but usually one of them occurs...now you get the idea of winter ranching).

We hope that you get to stay nice and warm today!

Get your order in TODAY to fill your table with well-fed and well-cared-for PREMIUM GRASSFED BEEF.

Jeff is a "sucker" for his cows and they are probably some of the most well-fed cows around here. 

While other ranchers try to limit the feed as much possible in the winter in order to cut expenses, he has a soft spot for his babies and always makes sure they are fat and happy. 

 

FROM OUR CUSTOMERS:

 

Jenika,

Wow! That is the best steak I have had. Unbelievable.

I will be putting a deposit down when you open up for this year. Put me on your list! I can really taste the care that you folks put into raising the beef.

Cheers, Dan (TX)

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to be your ranchers!

Jeff and Jenika Downs

PS--If you're ready to ditch the mystery meat at the grocery store and connect with a local rancher who ships direct to your doorstep:

Reserve a Beef Share or Shop our Bundles