Farm Focus
Ogle County Newspapers, Thursday, March 13, 2014, Page C2
Grass-fed herd thrives despite nature’s challenges By Vinde Wells Editor
“It’s not just to be different. I think it’s important to work with the natural ecology of things.� — Despite two very dry Dan Dietrich summers and a long, frigid winter Dan and Erin Dietrich’s herd of grass-fed beef cattle are thriving. Dan Dietrich, 35, Mt. Morris, said his herd of Devon-Angus cross cattle has grown even through the drought-like conditions in 2012 and 2013 and the current snow and cold. “We’ve definitely had some challenges,� Dietrich said with a grin. While the drought had little effect on his herd of cows and calves, this winter’s ice was a different story. “2012 was the drought, and last summer was very dry near the end, but we weren’t too affected by that. We never ran out of grass. I stock-piled forage throughout the drought,� he said. “But the ice storm Dec. 20 ended grazing. I’ve had to buy hay.� For the last few years Dietrich has been raising and feeding his beef herd on grass in pastures, rather than the more common practice of feeding corn in feed lots. His cattle graze on pastures on the land he farms with his father, Steve, and grandfather, Bob, in Rockvale and Mt.
Morris Townships. Dietrich said his method produces healthier cattle, which in turn produce meat that is more nutritious and safer for the people who consume it. The method also works in harmony with nature and is better for the environment. “It’s not just to be different,� Dietrich said. “I think it’s important to work with the natural ecology of things.� After growing up on the farm Dietrich became interested raising grass-fed beef when he attended the University of WisconsinMadison where he completed the two-year farm and industry short course. “About 20 years ago farming changed from small family diversified farms to monocultures with corn and soybeans,� Dietrich said. “We’re starting to see negative effects. Nature likes polycultures, not monocultures.� In the last decade, he said, farmers have seen more insect invasions, and more
pollution in the water supply from fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. “What I’m trying to do is keep the family farm, not only for my family, but also for the environment,� Dietrich said. “I want to do something that builds rather than depletes.� With the somewhat reluctant blessing of his father and grandfather, Dietrich converted 106 acres from conventional cropland to pasture where he planted a variety of grasses including orchard grass, Kentucky blue grass, brome, timothy, alfalfa, red and white clovers, tall fescue, and festolium. Feeding strictly grass enhances the natural microbes in the cow’s digestive tract, which boosts their immunity and reduces stress. For his herd, Dietrich chose Devon-Angus cross cattle, a breed noted for its ability to digest and utilize grass. The Devon breed, which originated in England, has not been genetically altered like some breeds to digest corn more easily, he said. Embryo transplants in
Dan Dietrich and his daughter Coralynn keep an eye on their herd grazing on chemicalfree pastureland.
the last decade or so have brought “grass genetics� to the U.S., he said. The Devon-Angus cattle are smaller and have a somewhat different body configuration than other beef breeds. The cows are smallerframed and typically weigh 1,000 pounds compared to 1,200 pounds for more wellknown breeds. “You look for a big barreled body,� Dietrich said.
“You want them to maximize forage intake. You want them to have a big gut so they can eat more.� Dietrich recently purchased a purebred Devon bull as his herd sire. Finishing cattle on grass for market takes approximately two years, he said. Besides his 22 cows, he has 16 cattle he is finishing and 24 calves born last year. Part of managing the herds and pasture is to keep the herd in a relatively small area and move them frequently using an easily moved electric fence system. “Cattle naturally will graze in a tight group to protect themselves from predators,�
Dietrich said. “The electric fence acts as the ‘predator.’ We ‘mob’ them up and move them often because we want them to eat just the top of the grass. The energy is in the top third of the grass.� The method is also good for the soil, he said. The cattle’s hooves help “plant� the grass as it goes to seed, replenishing the pasture. Their droppings fertilize the soil, feeding the naturallyoccurring microbes in the soil, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers. Flocks of bird follow the cattle, eating parasites, which might otherwise bring disease Turn to C3
Dietrichs direct market beef to customers
Dan Dietrich, Mt. Morris, moves his beef cows and calves across a country road to a new pasture last summer.
Anyone interested in buying beef that is nutritious, flavorful, and safe to eat can purchase directly from Dan and Erin Dietrich at Dietrich Farms south of Mt. Morris. “What we’re selling is extremely high quality and economically priced,� Dan Dietrich said. The Dietrichs are raising strictly grass-fed beef on land not treated with chemical pesticides or herbicides. Their cattle are not injected with antibiotics, hormones, or even vaccinations. Those who want to see how the operation works can see for themselves. “We offer farm tours just so people can get a sense of what we’re doing,� Dietrich said. The couple direct markets to customers, offering quarters, halves and whole beefs as well as smaller packages. To find out more call 815-973-6879.
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