A Crash Course in Cattle (and More!) with One of Our Favorite Farmers
Steve Olander has been farming longer than some of you (okay, many of you…) have been alive.
With decades of experience under that perpetual Western hat, and three generations of knowledge collected before him, Farmer Steve is one of this country’s most valuable treasures: a veritable encyclopedia of lived agricultural experience. Well-versed in everything from barley, to corn, to irrigation systems, and tractor repairs, Farmer Steve can do it all…but given a little free time, it’s likely you’ll find him behind the farmhouse hanging out with his “ladies.”
Cattle have long been a passion of Farmer Steve’s. So much so that it’s earned him the nickname of Beefy Steve and a reputation for selling the best farm-fresh beef around.
But in a high-quality farming system, cattle aren’t just for T-bones and hamburgers. They’re an integral part of a healthy ecosystem; and a lot of thought, science, and care goes into raising them.
We’ve mentioned cattle many times before on our posts and on our socials, but we’re going to partner with Beefy Steve himself to do a deeper dive into all things bovine at Olander Farms.
So, let’s begin…at the very beginning:
Beefy Steve’s Bovine Count:
The herd has grown by a good bit this year!
The Carr Herd:
Beefy Steve acquired 53 bred cows this year which means exactly what it sounds like: 53 pregnant mommas. Those mommas are calving right now, so soon we anticipate that number…well, doubling!
Because everyone loves baby pics, here’s our first calf of the year.
Name suggestions, anyone? Look at that little spot on its head. Spot! Too obvious?
This herd is a mish-mash of different breeds: Red Angus, Black Angus, Hereford, Black Baldies, and probably a few others mixed in. Beefy Steve’s take, “They’re a motley crew, but they’re cool!” This herd is referred to as the Carr Herd, and you’ll hear a lot more about them, soon.
Billy’s girls:
The home herd, affectionately referred to as “Billy’s Girls” for Billy the Bull, are 16 bred cows that live right out the back door of the farmhouse. (When they’re not meandering about grazing fields, anyway.) The ladies are Angus, Billy is Wagyu, and this herd has been responsible for Beefy Steve’s high-end beef sales. If you haven’t tried a Wagyu-cross steak yet, you haven’t lived.
the rest of the mob:
Over the course of the year, an additional 270+ cattle will graze our farm fields under grazing leases. An easy food source for the ranchers owning the cattle, the grazing is also actually a key part of our farming operation as it helps us regenerate and improve our fields. More on that, soon!
What’s next for Beefy Steve’s cow corner?
We’re planning our upcoming posts! In April and May…calving updates! Lots of them. Stay tuned to learn from the Beefy Master himself.
And, as the weather to from winter to warmer, if you’re looking to get grilling and support a local farm, you can always order Olander Beef directly from Steve! Give him a call or text at 970-217-2342 to order.
