The Farm
Lazy I Ranch is an 80-acre grass centralized farming model. We maintain native grass pastures, and grow and harvest hay for our herd of purebred Scottish Highland Cattle. The cattle graze in a rotation of pastures, to build soil health and sequester carbon. We use regenerative and sustainable farming practices. We compost and spread only natural fertilizers (manure) with an emphasis on soil building.
At the time the land was purchased in 2006 it had been farmed "to death". Years of abusive farm practices had taken its toll on the land. Repeated cycles of herbicides and harsh chemical fertilizers had left the soil virtually void of organic material.
A sustainable farm is dependent on good soil health. We started the healing process with a couple years of strategic crop rotation consisting of edible beans and wheat. A minimal till over-seeding of a pasture grass mix came next. Then, in 2010, cattle were added providing natural fertilizer. The concentrated application of natural fertilizer has soil building benefits both to the pasture ground and the hayfields.
GRASS FED SCOTTISH HIGHLAND CATTLE
Scottish Highlands are a hearty, heritage breed. Having evolved and adapted to the conditions of their native Scotland, they are naturally suited to the climate here in Wisconsin. They do well on hay and other marginal forage such as wooded areas, etc. 100% of their nutritional needs are met by grass or hay and simple mineral supplements. The breed is considered very calm, social, and they are known for their breeding longevity and nurturing mothers. At Lazy I Ranch we breed for health and temperament. Smaller cattle are much more efficient producers and foragers than larger breeds. It is better for the land, the animal, and the farmer to have ten 1,000 lb. animals than five 2,000 pounders on the same acreage.
Our farm plan is constantly evolving. As a result, the “to-do” list never ends. There is always equipment to acquire or upgrade, always something to build or fix. There is always something new to learn, and there are always ways to do things better. Every year we look at the previous year and say “That worked good” or “Darn, that failed miserably”. We live by the rule, “If you don’t fail once in a while, you aren’t trying hard enough.” We are continually learning from our experiences and seeking to improve as we go.
Contact us for more information on animals we currently have available for sale.
Find out more about how to reserve a beef share for our next butcher date.