Thundering Hoof Ranch
Offering grass fed beef, pastured pork, and lamb since 2006
"Preserving Tomorrow One Pasture at a Time"TM
- ABOUT US -
Thundering Hoof Ranch LLC
is a family owned and operated farm located within the beautiful and gentle rolling hills of Green Lake County. At The Ranch we have a strong tie to the land as we are 4th and 5th generation farmers.
We work to preserve and restore habitat for wildlife by replacing once highly eroded row crop land with sustainable forage based farming, restored windbreaks, and set aside habitats. We also believe animals should be treated with respect and be able to live in a more natural environment with a healthy diet.
Rotational grazing is a large part of what we do to preserve the land and ensure it is not overused. Rotational grazing is a livestock production system where livestock graze in one portion (a paddock) of a pasture that has been divided into several paddocks. Livestock are systematically moved from paddock to paddock based on the stage of growth of the plants. While one paddock is being grazed, the rest of the pasture rests.
Benefits of Rotational Grazing
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Improved plant health
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Improved rainfall infiltration
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Reduced runoff
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Improved soil health
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Reduced soil erosion
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Diverse wildlife habitat
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Reduced fuel and machinery use
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Carbon sequestration
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Reduced fertilizer and pesticide use
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Improved animal health
Our quest is to be a zero footprint farm. Every year we look for more ways to be even more sustainable,
We wish everyone could see the tremendous difference a few short years of working with nature can make.
We hope you will come see us soon!
John, Stephenie, Aiven, & Blake
Ranch Principles
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Not treated with hormones
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No Routine Antibiotics because of clean, healthy environment
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Forage Based Farming – no chemical fertilizers, permanent ground covers to protect soil from erosion and ground water contamination, sustainable agriculture
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Animals are raised in a low stress natural environment; no unnecessary confinement
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We raise all of our own products
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We allow the animals to express their natural instincts; pigs are allowed to root, sheep are allowed to frolic, chickens are allowed to scratch, and cows are allowed to keep their young by their side. We strive for heritage/heirloom breeds in everything we do so the animals can take care of themselves and have healthier immune systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What quantities do you sell in?
A: We sell quarters, halves, of whole beef. We no longer have an on-farm store.
Q: What does Hanging Weight mean?
A: Basically Hanging Weight means no hide, hooves, or entrails. It is the carcass of the animal
Q: Are you 100% Grassfed Beef ?
A: Yes, we do not feed our animals corn.
Q: Do you use chemicals sprays or fertilizers?
A: NO! We never use chemicals. We've been on this land since 2015 rebuilding the soil and landscape. We have over 120 acres in rotational grazing and have restored wind breaks by planting 20,000+/- trees and bushes to prevent further erosion. When we bought the property it had been crop farmed for 16 years. We've witnessed a restoration of biology where earth worms, butterflies, birds, and other creatures have returned and we are not about to mess that up!
Q: Do you practice rotational grazing that is healthier for the environment and the animals?
A: Absolutely!!!
Q: How can I send you an email?
A: The "Contact Us" form will send an email directly to our inbox. We do not post our email address because web-crawlers pick-up email addresses and send SPAM.
Q: I have some items that could be reused, do you take them?
A: We recycle a lot of things! Clean egg cartons, paper bags, scrap lumber, water hose that has good sections left, ice cream pails are just a few of the things people frequently bring us! We also redistribute to our farm community anything we don't use.