The Crown vs The Brady Bunch: Our two cow families

Most often, traits are heightened through a register herd to improve the overall genetic quality in a commercial herd.

2020, in Hindsight

We're mere days away from 2021 - the new year is in sight. And while we're all cautiously optimistic, us in the ag industry remember how excited we were for 2019 to be done and 2020 to arrive. Oh, what little we knew. We are fortunate though - our family started the year on the … Continue reading 2020, in Hindsight →

How To Be An Informed Voter

Politics isn't always fun or exciting or even that entertaining. But it's important and impactful and if we have learned anything from this pandemic, it's that elected officials, at all levels, play very important roles in our lives. Farmers and ranchers are especially impacted by the decisions at the local, state and federal level. From … Continue reading How To Be An Informed Voter →

Week 10: So Much to Be Thankful For

I've tried really hard during these past 10 weeks to document what I'm thankful for. It's a simple list I keep on my phone that I add to in the evening before I go to bed. It's an easy way to remind myself that despite our adverse conditions, I have A LOT to be thankful … Continue reading Week 10: So Much to Be Thankful For →

Social Distancing on the Farm

Editor's Note: This is my weekly update on life on the farm amidst the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak. When we wake up Monday morning we will be under a state-wide, stay-at-home order. Not much will change from our current routine, but things have certainly become more real, more sobering and more uncertain. The farm didn't stop … Continue reading Social Distancing on the Farm →

Farming in the Time of Coronavirus

Like nearly every American family and business, Sawyer Land & Cattle is feeling the effects of Coronavirus. We are a fourth-generation farm family that raised crops and cattle in Central Kansas. The virus is nearby but not in the county - yet. However, the governor has officially closed all public K-12 schools for the remainder … Continue reading Farming in the Time of Coronavirus →

Why yes, we put our cows in barns

For everyone who believes cows should only exist on pastures of green grass and far away from feedlots and barns, let me introduce you to our calving barn. On a Saturday night - after enjoying dinner with fellow farming friends - the hubs and I stopped in to check on our heifers. These ladies are … Continue reading Why yes, we put our cows in barns →

The Value of Animals

I didn't grow up with pets. For a few years we had a goldfish that I'm pretty sure was actually a dozen different fish my parents rotated through after one died off or we starved it to death. We finally adopted a dog when I was in middle school and I remember being frustrated by … Continue reading The Value of Animals →

The Winter That Won’t End

Keeping our cows and calves safe and healthy in the cold and snow It's snowing AGAIN here at Sawyer Land & Cattle in Central Kansas. It's been years since we've dealt with this much snow in one winter, but Mother Nature has decided that we need to live like Canadians (no insult to those north … Continue reading The Winter That Won’t End →

Girl Power and Girl Bosses

I participate in a lot of tours. Normally I'm planning a tour for my boss or I'm hosting a tour on my farm for city folks. But today I sat back, relaxed and enjoyed touring Phillips County, Kansas, with a group of smart, caring and awesome ladies who simply want to make their businesses and … Continue reading Girl Power and Girl Bosses →