Strauss Brands
Brenda and Dave Meyer ( seated ) and all five of their sons are involved in the family business headquartered in Flasher , ND .
only bulls that aren ’ t expected to handle two breeding seasons a year are the two-year-olds , who only go through one season the first year . Then they get a little rest to help ensure longevity as younger bulls tend to wear down quicker .
“ We don ’ t need as many bulls as most people , so we ’ ll pay a little bit more for ours ,” Dave adds . “ We ’ re able to use these bulls in a way that keeps expenses down .”
When you ’ re supplying cattle for niche markets , as Meyer Ranch does , those customers need a year-round source of product . So , they switched to year-round calving , which has provided several benefits . For one thing , spreading out calving helps spread out the labor . It also helps insulate them somewhat from risks beyond a rancher ’ s control — bad weather , market volatility , black swan events , etc . Not to mention , they get paid more than once a year , unlike many cowcalf folks .
“ April 1 is the date when the majority of producers around here start calving ,” Dave explains . “ And that ’ s one of the reasons we don ’ t like to calve them all at the same time as everybody else . There is demand
Photo courtesy of Strauss Brands . continued on page 52
Like Meyer Ranch , Strauss Brands is a multi-generational , family business . Their story goes back to the 1880s , when a German immigrant named Ludwig Strauss worked in the Milwaukee Stockyards . Strauss Brothers Packing was formed in 1937 to supply the neighborhood with high-quality meats and eventually grew into an internationally recognized brand . Today , the company still prides itself on providing farm-fresh meats raised by family farmers .
In 2008 , the North American Limousin Foundation signed a formal partnership with Strauss to promote their natural veal product line featuring Limousin genetics . In 2014 , Ray Krones , a livestock buyer for Strauss , was named the Limousin Promoter of the Year .
Currently , the company ’ s product lines included Free Raised Beef , which is 100-percent grass-fed and finished ; Chiappetti Organic Beef , Veal and Lamb ; Strauss Veal ’ s New Direction and American Lamb ; as well as Dos Mamacitas Authentico and Pork Free Chorizo and Taco Meat , which use veal instead of pork .
Veal Producer Raising Protocols :
• Never administered antibiotics
• Never administered growth hormones
• Raised on open pastures – never confined to feedlots
• Vegetarian-fed
• Born and raised in USA
Requirements Include :
• 425- to 525-lb . calves
• Source- and age-verified
Free Raised Beef Protocols :
• 100 % grass-fed and grass-finished
• Never administered antibiotics
• Never administered growth hormones
• Raised on open pastures – never confined to feedlots
• Born and raised in USA
Requirements Include :
• Cattle that are bred and suited for grass finishing
• Preference given to high-marbling type , medium-framed , English breeds
• Target carcass weight 700 lbs .
• All finished cattle must be 30 months or younger at time of harvest
• Access to high-quality forages
For more information visit www . straussbrands . com
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