The Steers Slept In . . . But the Heifers Went to School
What’s Happening at the Ranch
After the big Stampede last week, when 33 steers and our new bull decided to turn the middle of the night into a track meet through a broken gate, Thanksgiving itself was beautiful.
Still, you won't want to miss what else went on, so grab a Christmas cookie, pour a cup of coffee, and spend a few minutes at the ranch with me. I’d love for you to visit.
Once everyone was back where they belonged, the steers were wiped out from their all-nighter and extra miles. They spent Thanksgiving flopped out on their corn stalks, bellies full, and their buddies all around them.
Here’s what a few extra miles and a sleepless night will do to a bunch of teenage boys:
Pretty much paradise in steer language.
From Sunshine to Snowstorm
Black Friday, a front started moving in.
By Saturday, we were feeding in the snow, and it was time to move the cow herd off the butte to lower ground.
They weren’t too sure at first, but as soon as they figured out lunch was part of the deal, an alfalfa bale, they all came in just fine.
By Sunday morning, it was -5°, the ice on the tanks was thick as a dinner plate, and Al was back to chopping ice.
Cows don’t care what the calendar says. If they’ve got feed, friends, and water, life is good.
A Big Week for the Heifers
This storm was the heifers’ first real winter lesson, learning to graze with their mothers through snow, wind, and cold.
It’s an important milestone.
A heifer who learns to work through weather becomes a reliable cow for the next decade or more.
And we’ve got a good bunch this year.
Steak Boxes, Bundles, and Trail Sticks… Heading Out
While the wind howled outside on Sunday afternoon, we were inside getting Holiday Steak Boxes, Ground Beef Bundles, and Trail Sticks ready to ship.
By Monday, everything was packed, labeled, and stacked on a pallet for Cory, our UPS driver, to pick up.
This week, boxes are headed from North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Georgia, Colorado, and California… and across Montana — 7 states.
It’s pretty special to think about Montana beef showing up under Christmas trees all over the country.
On top of all that, Al had cataract surgery on Monday and Tuesday — after foot surgery two weeks ago.
I told him we’re slowly turning him into the Six Million Dollar Man. If he starts running in slow motion with sound effects, I’ll let you know.
A Fun Note From the Food World
I read a national chef article yesterday about “the best undervalued steaks in America,” and it made me grin…
Bavette, Flat Iron, Coulotte, Skirt, Sirloin Flap — almost ALL the steaks the chefs recommended are already included in our Holiday Steak Box.
Kind of fun to see the pros talk up the very cuts you all will be unwrapping soon. My next post will include more of what they had to say.
Christmas Shipping Countdown
We have just a few days left to guarantee Christmas delivery.
📦 Orders must be placed by Monday at 8:00 a.m. We ship Monday and Tuesday only, so everything stays frozen solid.
If you’re planning to send Montana beef to someone special, now’s the time.
🎁 Order Your Holiday Steak Box Here
From Our Ranch to Your Table
Stay warm out there, and thank you, truly, for supporting our ranch during one of the busiest, coldest, most meaningful weeks of the year.
P.S. Monday at 8 a.m. is the FINAL window for guaranteed Christmas delivery. We ship Mondays and Tuesdays only, so everything stays frozen solid. If you want a Holiday Steak Box under the tree, now’s the time. You can order yours here:
In honor of those who served —
Feeding Montana veterans with every beef share.
