Photo by Fritz Busch Valerie Hsu of Stormy Creek Beef Farm, second from right, talks to women in agriculture and government farm agency leaders at the University of Minnesota Extension Women in Ag Network Summer Tour Tuesday.

NEW ULM — A herd of Angus, Shorthorn, and Hereford cattle munched on native prairie grasses at Stormy Creek Beef Farm several miles northwest of New Ulm Tuesday.

Beef farm co-owner Kay Steffl and her daughter Valerie Hsu told the story of Stormy Creek to women in agriculture and government farm agency leaders on the University of Minnesota Extension Women in Ag Network Summer Tour Tuesday.

“Thank you so much for coming out. We’ve actually never had people come out to the farm so far,” said Hsu, who is also a Ramsey County marketing specialist.

She said the unique business began about 10 years ago when Keith Boettger brought out a dozen grass-fed, bred heifers to a grass pasture that stood dormant before it was rented to farmers.

“We have about 50 cattle with a mixture of breeds, based on how well they do eating grass in Minnesota. They’re a mix of Angus, Shorthorn, Hereford and Gelbvieh without hormones of antibiotic,” said Hsu.

“Most of the calves are born on the farm and spent their whole lives here, on about 30 acres of pasture with lots of native Minnesota prairie grasses. The pasture is really a bio-diverse place with a creek and birds singing,” she added.

Hsu said a nearby 75-acre hayfield has a mix of hay, Italian rye, Timothy grass and orchard grass and alfalfa.

“One of the things we feel that sets us apart is that we grow the grasses with quality seed and test of nutrition quality every cutting,” she added.

Hsu said sometimes people tell her they don’t really like grass-fed cattle.

“Some people say grass-fed is anything that was fed grass ever in it’s life or that cattle were fed CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) hay. We don’t do that,” she added.

Steffl said the farm once had 60 cattle but it was decided 50 cattle were more comfortable, especially with the heat.

“Our cattle are very spoiled. We actually have barn pants for them,” said Steffl.

Hsu said cattle can go under roof in inclement weather if they choose to.

“We don’t confine them or keep a bull on site either,” she added.

Hsu said the farm sells about 20 beef cattle or about 12,500 pounds of meat a year through small orders, shares, often delivered locally and to the Twin Cities area. Beef is sold at the New Ulm Community Market and Cooperative. It is also part of a Bistro Burger, featured on the Lola’s menu in downtown New Ulm.

Stormy Creek grows five fields with 91 acres of rye, Timothy grass, orchard grasses and more that naturally suppress noxious weeds with more organic matter.

A walk through the farm fields is full of monarchs, bees, insects and critters that thrive in grassland.

Steffl worked as a business manager at a nearby school. She now works as a barista at Lola’s in New Ulm but in the back of her mind, she always wanted the farm to be a big part of her life again.

“Growing up on the farm, there were some hard times, but it was always family time. With our small family, we always worked hard. We knew raising cattle 100% pastured and grass fed was the right way. We are seeing we don’t have to deal with concerns that farmers raising cattle on grain do,” Steffl said.

“We don’t have large vet bills. Calving is easier because our cows aren’t heavier than they should be. They give birth on grass and aren’t confined. They are all around just really healthy. There is absolutely no need for antibiotics,” she added.

Steffl said raising grass-fed cattle provides income allowing them to get away from raising row crops and artificial fertilizers. She said grasses don’t require tilling.

She said she’s seen how fields have eroded from years of tilling and row crops.

Steffl said although its a lot of hard work, there are other elements she likes about sustainable agriculture.

“I think its the connection with people that’s important. It’s like a family. We take pride in everything we do. It’s so rewarding to hear people tell us that our beef is the best the have ever had,” she added.