Kansas

I love the fact that a 3 oz. serving of lean beef provides 48% of the Daily Value for protein in 150 calories. Studies I have read have shown that protein can help maintain a healthy weight, build muscle and fuel physical activity, which I need to keep up with my kids and their activities. It makes me feel fuller longer and satisfies my cravings faster!

Tags: Beef, Cattle, Family Farms, Food Production, Grilling, hamburger, healthy lifestyle, lean beef, Kansas, May is Beef Month, Nutrition, Ranch, Steak

Our calves, which range from three months to three days old, will be transported to grass pastures in the Kansas Flint Hills alongside their mothers in starting April 15. The mother-baby pairs will graze through the spring and summer months. The calves will return to our farm weighing close to 500 pounds and the mothers will, hopefully, return pregnant with their next calf.

 

My husband and his father are responsible for a large portion of the trucking duties, spending days on the road moving cattle from our farm to pastures we have leased for the spring and summer months.

 

While the cattle may be out of sight for the summer, they are never out of mind, as we travel frequently to check on them and ensure they are getting the minerals and nutrients needed to thrive.

 

In the midst of all the cattle duties, we also must be present in the field, preparing the soil for fall crops and planting corn on hundreds of acres. And this year, April will be extra, extra hectic as we prepare for the arrival of our first child. The official due date is May 1 but we have a nursery to arrange, a crib to assemble and doctor appointments to attend before “Bull” arrives.

 

April is guaranteed to be a hectic but enjoyable month with several busy days and a lengthy to-do list but it’s all part of life on our family farm.

 

Tags: Animal Welfare, Beef, Cattle, Cowboy, Family Farms, Farmers, Food Production, Kansas, Ranch

Lately, I have been tremendously proud of several beef farmers around the state for stepping up to the plate and telling their beef stories. In fact, Kassie did a great job on the last post highlighting all that the Peterson Farm Bros have been up to lately, including the launch of their new mini-series.

But look out; they might have some competition down the road. Check out the latest parody video – Ranching Awesome! A spin on Thriftshop by Macklemore; posted this week by Klingenberg Farms.

This video is hilarious. It’s ranching and it’s Awesome! Word of caution…be prepared to laugh. Not only is the video comical, it packs a punch in terms of information about their ranch. The video  gives viewers an inside look to everything from different cuts of meat, nutrition aspects such as Omega-3’s,  the importance of prescribed pasture burning and so much more! But I’ll let you see for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRXyqHMK4Tg

What do you think makes ranching so awesome?

Kiley

Tags: Beef, Cowboy, Cattle, Animal Welfare, Family Farms, Food Production, Kansas, Ranch

The month of February has seen much more moisture than we have seen in a long time in Kansas. While this most recent snowfall that covered the state brings much-needed moisture, it has also caused ranchers to go above and beyond the call of duty to care for their land and livestock. Even when it is freezing cold and many people are wrapped up in a blanket on the couch, ranchers sacrifice to do whatever they have to do to care for their animals in the snow, ice, sleet, and rain in these cold temperatures. Keeping their cattle healthy is the top priority throughout the year, but during winter storms it takes even more effort from the ranchers to ensure the warmth, safety, and health of their animals.

Tags: Animal Welfare, Beef, Cattle, Cowboy, Family Farms, Farmers, Food Production, Kansas, Ranch

 

Tags: Animal Welfare, Beef, Cattle, Cowboy, Family Farms, Farmers, Food Production, Kansas, Ranch

 

This commercial hit me hard, and I’m certainly not one to be influenced by commercials on during a sporting event. But, Paul Harvey holds a special place in my heart, as my family listened to him on the radio every morning and every lunch hour. During these lunches we weren’t allowed to speak, as my dad needed to know what was happening in agriculture (the markets, the weather, the bean crop in Argentina, etc.) But, I was probably too busy eating my peanut butter and jelly sandwich with the crusts cut off to even notice then.

 

Now, I watch my dad work hard everyday - finishing his 40-hour week during planting and harvest on Tuesday.

 

I am applauding Dodge, and I am mostly applauding the American public for welcoming this message – without anything degrading, vulgar or sarcastic in the dialogue. We, the American farmers are very hard working, and thank you Dodge for acknowledging that with a $4 million dollar commercial.

 

On top of it, the imagery used in the commercial is beautiful.

 

This blog from NPR encourages conversation on the commercial, and I have read some of the comments. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/02/04/171056911/-god-made-a-farmer-and-the-super-bowl-made-him-a-star Here is your chance to stand up to agriculture, again.

 

Until next time,

Robin

Tags: Beef, Cattle, Cowboy, Family Farms, Farmers, Food Production, Kansas, Ranch

For many, the countdown to Christmas is in full force in homes throughout the community and every family has their own traditions that they share with one another during this special holiday. Today I thought I would take a moment to share a little about my favorite family tradition.

My parents have raised their kids much like their parents raised themselves; on a family farm. But in order for my parents to carry on this family tradition, they are dedicated to leaving the environment in better shape for my brother and I. Cattle farmers take extra steps to accomplish environmental goals such as preventing erosion and conserving water. My family does our part to protect our land and improve the environment all while providing food for families.

Caring for cattle is our family tradition and a commitment handed down from generation to generation. Raising cattle is not just a “job” to us, it’s our livelihood and defines the way we live our life. Even as early as I learned to sing my ABC’s or tie my shoes, I learned what it meant when my father would say “we don’t eat until all the cows have ate.”  That might have made us a few minutes late to the big family get-to-together, but what my parents were teaching us was the value of respect, responsibility and the act of giving, especially during the Christmas season. And what about Christmas morning after Santa had stopped? We patiently wait until all the chores were done before we could open our presents that sat under our live, usually straight out of our pasture…Christmas tree.

A lot of things will change over the years. Our family will grow and new traditions will be introduced. But one very important tradition will always remain the same. The pride and dedication we feel for our family farm when it comes to providing delicious, wholesome beef that feeds not just our family, but yours this holiday season.

Season’s Greetings.

Kiley

Tags: Beef, Cattle, Family Farms, Kansas, Nutrition, Ranch

 

While this picture was clearly taken in the summer months, we hope to have more happy, healthy calves like this born this winter!

 

Snow is on its way to Kansas, so please say a little prayer that all the farmers, ranchers and livestock survive the holiday season, as well as you on your travels to places near and far.

 

Cheers,

Robin

Tags: Beef, Cattle, Family Farms, Food Production, Kansas, Ranch, Animal Welfare

Tags: Beef, Family Farms, healthy lifestyle, Kansas, Ranch, Nutrition

I am a runner. I have been since seventh grade. I’m not sure what inspired me to lace up my sneakers for the first time but since my middle school years, running has become more than an activity, a form of exercise or a routine. It is a lifestyle. Despite the rising popularity of running, many people are still perplexed by my desire to rise before the sun each morning only to pound the pavement and endure the heat, wind, cold and snow Mother Nature blesses us with each morning.  

At least once a month, someone questions my love of running. Why, they ask, do I insist on running and how do I find the will power to forgo sleep for an hour of monotonous exercise? I never have a great answer for them but simply respond with, it’s just part of who I am.

Running might have gained a few new fans in the past decade but it definitely has not won over all of rural America.

But I have my reasons to continue moving. Running keeps me sane, it gives me an hour to think, reflect and connect with nature and God and it allows me to continue my often less-than-healthy eating habits that I just can’t seem to kick.

In addition to my usual selfish reasons, I now have a new reason to keep on keepin on.

In late August, my husband and I learned that we would be welcoming the fifth generation to the Sawyer Family Farm in May 2013.

From the moment I learned the news, I swore to myself that I would keep running as long as possible. I even went as far as selecting a doctor that I knew supported and encouraged her active mommies-to-be.

I made it through my first trimester with my running routine still intact. I am now in my fourth month and still hitting the pavement each morning. My stride has changed some and my pace is a bit slower but I’m still out there and enjoying every minute of my runs.

Today I continue to run for myself but now also for my little one. Research shows that mothers in motion gain fewer pounds during their pregnancy, have easier labor and raise children that are more likely to be able sooth themselves. I have become a healthier eater and devoted vitamin popper since I learned the big news, but I truly believe continuing my running habit is one of the best things I can do for myself and my baby.

People remain amazed that I not only continue to run, but want to continue run as long as possible through my pregnancy. Yes, I want to be that front-heavy lady shuffling down the road. Giving up running is giving up my “me” time and think time. And it would also leave me wondering what to do with myself at 5:30 a.m. each morning.

So until I just can’t get my shoe laces tied or my doctor finally puts her foot down, I intend to continue to hit the road, dogs in tow, and run through this pregnancy and again after the little one is here, and then with a stroller in front of me.

I am a farm wife, a social butterfly and a runner and none of that will ever change.

Tags: healthy lifestyle, Family Farms, Running, Ranch