Finishing Steers - Moving toward the Plate

[@CashisKingtrucking]

Thanks to all the farmers and ranchers. I sure do like eating

[@BeeHus2256]

Another reason why demand slacked off is because freezers are not available to buy. The insulation used in freezers comes from one of two plants in the US that went offline during the deep freeze that hit the southern US last Feb. Production is now way behind... causing a lag in freezer production as well. There is literally a 4-5 month wait list in my area to buy a freezer. I already owned two so yes, I bought a side of grass raised, grain finished holstein steer and it was delicious! Got another half purchased for October pick up. Highly recommend everyone do this if they can... you won't believe the improved meat quality. Thank you Mike, and all the cattlemen like you who feed us.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thats crazy, I had to buy 3 new freezers this year. Home Depot had to order them, took a few weeks but we got them :) Thanks!

[@joewrosenthal00]

The key concept: “…feed their local community…”. That’s why I started shopping for food at my local Farmers Market. And the bonus was PREMIUM meat and produce!

[@robertreznik9330]

In my area of Texas there are millions of fed cattle killed each year. It is a multi billion dollar boost to our economy. There are 4 major packing plants here within 100 miles. The one next to me processes 5,000 head a day. Also a pork processor 30 miles away from my farm for many thousands on hogs each day. That is thousands of truck loads a day. No wonder so many drivers are in being hired whenever meat or cheese needs to be moved. This meat is shipped all over the World.

[@GORT70]

I will have to re-investigate this….

[@AmaTXLori]

In our area of Texas, we have multiple options for local produce and meat. We have our farmers market, area meat producers and/or processors as well as local dairies. We do our best to support them and are very grateful for the work they do for providing our community.

[@alixwhite4054]

Miss you Mike. Made the ranch life so educational and Yuen for my farm upbringing from the dakotas. Have a good one

[@eddeetz493]

You could pick any restaurant local that sells your beef and direct market with them. Put up a ranch photo and also give the catering company a cut sheet to order. If they serve your products it would be surprising how much business they would do on a Mike's Special. Rinse and repeat until your finishing all your steers and using refer containers for shipping.

[@OurWyomingLife]

We have had resturants come to us in the past. Problem is they want all steaks :)

[@susiessoapstuff1459]

@@OurWyomingLife That's a shame, because I want all ground, stew meat, and if available, roasts. But I am way too far from y'all to make it worth shipping.

[@Doesitreallymstter]

Mike takes such great care of his cattle. The problem seem to be the feeder lots where they pump them full of antibiotics and growth hormone. It's bad for the steer and us

[@garywilson9640]

We also finished them off with the 3-way grain. But we found better weight gain with the molasses addition.

[@lauradittman8471]

Steers( heifer to)look really good. My " heart" goes out to all the ranchers that are dealing with the historic drought. Especially, the painful decisions of cutting their herd. Keep up the good work, Mike👍👍👍👍👍

[@funnyfarmdad9997]

Just gotta say I LOVE that T-shirt!! You really got my attention when you said Belle Fouche, SD. Rapid City is my adopted hometown even though I haven’t lived there since 89.

[@Murdocmiena]

I totally agree with you, I actually call my cattle with whistles and the words " Come mummy" and all of them come running like crazy, even the wild ones.

[@NadoriKaija]

I told my hubby it's on my bucket list to go see you all and buy from the store. We're struggling to get anything going for ourselves, and I would love to show more support to those of you who sell to the public. I also long to go out west and see what it's like out there. I live in the east, close to the mountains...."mountains"....just need to get out and see more.

[@pmchamlee]

The teriyaki jerky is Superb, Mike!

[@rosalinaannpabelico7983]

@Pete Chamlee Hi how are you?

[@pmchamlee]

@@rosalinaannpabelico7983 Livin' the dream, thank you. I bid you well!

[@pmchamlee]

@@rosalinaannpabelico7983 Fine with me.

[@rosalinaannpabelico7983]

@@pmchamlee Glad to hear. My pleasure meeting you on here. Can we be friends if that’s ok with you so we get to know ourselves off here

[@xtctrader1467]

A lot less stress by enticing them instead of forcing them to move. I know that works for me.

[@henrymorgan3982]

Thanks Mike. We are praying for any rain for you guys!

[@paulprigge1209]

Excellent job of explaining From a disabled country boy Northeast Missouri. Wished we had a way economically to get you hay.And others as well. We are all in this together directly or indirectly

[@charleslynch7274]

Always like these type of videos learning how u get cows ready for the dinner plate

[@workingmansrevolution]

I’m really enjoying your channel and content

[@helodriver20]

Btw, 197,000 subscribers and counting!!! 🐄❤️🇺🇸

[@sandibeu2259]

I would love to be able to order beef from you, we mainly have dairy around here. I've ordered your jerky and my daughter and I loved it! We are looking forward to helping and getting your wonderful beef!

[@johnemillermiller2802]

love this channel !

[@OurWyomingLife]

thank you!

[@bladestoe6568]

As do I especially since he sounds like my uncle exact same calm smoothing voice ! That’s not all my uncle RIP 🪦 was uncle mike ! ! God bless and god speed on your journey @our Wyoming life

[@johnpaulhenry2566]

Keep us up to date on your ability to sell beef interstate. The last good roast I had was at my aunt place in Lusk Wyoming. The roast came from her family ranch that is located near Harrison Nebraska (30 mile east of Lusk).

[@davidrobertson606]

Good information. When our children were at home we used get one beef and two pigs a year from area farmer. Hamburger was very lean and meat was very tender. We had them hang beef for 14 to 21 days. Best beef was a virgin bull we got once. No idea why it was offered. It was bigger than what we got normally. When children left home we went back to store as the two of us could not eat that much a year and there were no local place like you that sold by the cut. Nice to see you have customers and they come back.

[@rosalinaannpabelico7983]

@David Robertson Hi how are you?

[@davidrobertson606]

@@rosalinaannpabelico7983 Calgary Alberta

[@CattleHauling50]

Great information. I haul for a small local packing plant and the cattle I pick up in the SE are from the small community farmers. Thanks for sharing the story

[@calebmanuel17]

Hey Hey Lonestar

[@BeyondTheFly]

Hi Mike, thank you for the time and education about the beef industry this morning. It further drives home the importance of knowing exactly where your food is coming from. Keep up the great work with the animals, information, and videos. The entire family enjoyed the experience. 🇺🇸🐮

[@jameskolczak6268]

Damn! A short little ride in the trailer scared the crap right out of them.

[@Lynnkrieg22]

The steer with white strips on his face so cute 🥰

[@ernestdougherty3162]

And we are off and running welcome back

[@micahhammac1242]

You should let us buy hay bails and you put our name on it. And when you use it you mention us and where we from! I’ll buy two!

[@esmelario8288]

Man I wish more people would buy locally. Hard working farmers and ranchers like you deserve more recognition. Instead consumers buy their food from factory farms which are so unethical 😕

[@jamieadisneyfan8317]

We move cows with food too. Much easier on us and cows as well as less stress for them and us! We can shake a bucket with feed and most will come running. Praying for rain. Thankfully we've gotten some but could use more.

[@OurWyomingLife]

That is awesome!

[@wykeishacraft6820]

Good Evening to Our Wyoming Life and all others too. Great to see you all again😊

[@bigschaf]

We used to use feeders like you are using for grain. We now use the feeders made by Tarter, they are much stronger and better made. Just a little bit more money.

[@LabRat14]

When I was a kid, my dad would go to Sterling CO to buy our beef! It was great! When I moved out I did realize how different store bought beef was!

[@karbear26]

Went up to Wisconsin last week for vacation and saw bales $65 each in a field and thought of you!! I hope you find some affordable hay!

[@waynegilchrist1596]

I guess the easiest way to express the steers' potential would be to say that, it's not unreasonable expectations for them to gain another couple hundred pounds. Very informative video. Of course I learn something from all of them. Couldn't help but notice that you are a man of many vehicles.

[@BBKERNSALLNhomestead]

One day in the future you will see how all the hard work you put into the ranch will pay off.

[@tiffkais2574]

Should paint that barn there next to that horse red!! That would look cool next to that busy Hwy.

[@triciaadamson2285]

Great video Mike, loved it. Y'all Take Care and God Bless. Cranberries & beer!

[@deanmagnuson2993]

Good morning from Grand Forks

[@nadinefroderman157]

We buy our beef from a local farmer and have for many years. Better taste, less fat than you can get at a supermarket, and you know how they've been raised. Sure do hope y'all got some rain. We're hoping we'll get some from that same system. We canned green beans tonight. Our "farm" garden. lol Tasty, to say the least.

[@SestraVixen]

I work in logistics - you'll get a better rate with UPS but FEDEX express is more careful so there's the trade-off. Packaging would be simple, just various box sizes and use a stamp or sticker for the logo. Interior packing materials can be as cheap as box in a box with buffering between and inside, to custom made to the "Auto fill" expanding foam bag packing.

[@mkhuntstreasure3192]

When I was a kid on our old family homestead we used to make our own COB. 1# each of corn, oats and barley mixed with about 1 cup of molasses. The molasses would come in small wooden kegs ( I think maybe 25#) my job was to mix it all together in buckets! Loved the smell.

[@charlescharles6239]

I have really enjoyed watching your videos thanks to you and your wife may you All ways come out in top 🤠

[@CharlesLScofieldJr]

Mike... I have a question, does "Cake" have a scent? Because you were like the Pied Piper with the steers. It is like they knew there was something in the bed of the Gator they would like.

[@xzor2101]

I can help answer: yep it does to me, the aroma is similar to dry grass clippings or an alfalfa field.. it’s a nice scent and the cows and horses will know it’s in your shirt pocket too

[@rosalinaannpabelico7983]

@Charles L. Scofield Jr. Hi how are you?

[@iraschmelkin2927]

Thank you for all you do in educating all of us. How many pounds of grain per head do you get up to, and do you have an approximate top limit assuming the poop is not too loose? I started finishing Angus steer approximately 5 years ago and love it. I am a hobby farmer as my main career is medicine. I am a gastroenterologist and follow my steer "output" carefully!

[@cherylcampbell7495]

Darn I was hoping you would get a lot of rain your way. We finally got some in AZ.

[@15yearsdylan56]

Excellent guy.🙏🏻🇬🇧

[@jlgriess1986]

I hope you gave Blonde Cow some cubes as you were filling the Gator! 😁🐮

[@billmandaue2168]

I like your "Wyoming isn't real" T-shirt. It reminds me of when I used to do a lot of work in Wyoming back in the 1980's and 1990's. If you commented on the wind blowing, people would invariably say, "It's because we are so close to South Dakota." When questioned what that had to do with the wind, they would answer, "The wind doesn't blow in Wyoming. South Dakota sucks." Just another way of saying that Wyoming is more a state of mind than anything. Residents are very proud that they live in the great state of Wyoming.

[@stevehairston9940]

Reminds me of the old saying we've got here in Texas. " What keeps Texas from falling into the Gulf of Mexico? Oklahoma sucks! 😁

[@erichurst6948]

Just wanted to drop in and say hi. I really like your videos. Thanks for taking the time to share your life for everyone to enjoy. Thanks again from NW Missouri.

[@69zenos1]

I bought some of your jerky and I could tell immediately the difference in the quality from the garbage bought at the 7-11.

[@williammatzek4660]

When I was a boy dad used Milo to finish steers. You called it cake. Here in Kansas we call it range cubes or cow candy. Deer made a mess of my hot wire. I had cubes in a bucket. Shocked the bucket a time or two. Put 1 or 2 cubes in their mouth they followed back into their lot.

[@libertyBuilders]

What part of Kansa?

[@rosalinaannpabelico7983]

@William Matzek Hi how are you?

[@williammatzek4660]

@@libertyBuilders south central

[@Token_Civilian]

If I could send you, and all the ranchers currently suffering drought, a semi full of hay, I would. Here's hoping it works out. Great vid, as always.

[@lindagentile2380]

Great Vlog from a Beach girl in California... GBY ALWAYS 🙏✝️

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks so much

[@kaydewinter3588]

Great informative video ,many thanks

[@karenspeer7378]

Very informative!! We live in Spokane Valley Washington and get our beef from a couple in Bonners Ferry Idaho! We usually just get hamburger from them, but we asked them if they were going to try doing other cuts of beef. They asked if we were willing to be guinea pigs and we said of course! It is really good but we will let them know it needs a little more fat/marbling. 😉

[@fuzzylop9164]

I used to get Highland beef at the farmers market for a great price. Loved it. I wish that they were still farming but none of the kids wanted to farm and they were to old to continue. I am looking local here but the prices are just to high for my income.

[@timandersonhorsetraining]

Great videos! I run a direct to market beef operation in Mississippi. It's a much different market and easier to do here than there. I learn a lot from watching your videos and helps me run a better operation. We've already had our average total rain for the year, 70 inches! We are having trouble getting hay here because of too much rain. I wish I could send some of our rain to you.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Good stuff!

[@lindalambe7252]

You have inspired us to buy local beef, chicken and produce

[@janetyoung6097]

Using cake is probably less stressful on the cow.

[@Anthony-gi7jv]

Cake is for cows what Cheetos are for my boys. They will do jobs around the house for Cheetos.

[@easttxredneck]

I bought local beef from a friend and it sure is hard to eat the store bought stuff. They live in a different town so getting it is not always easy. Grass fed grain finished is money.

[@sherryswafford4561]

Thanks for sharing what you do to finish your steers off for Market always enjoy watching your Channel

[@unitabob]

I have been projecting rain to you and yours and my buddy at POW weather says it is coming

[@kathyk479]

I Asked about the roadieo of the cows once but honestly the science of the ranch has evolved and is much better now! It treats the animals better ended they end up having an all around better life!

[@amonraphoenix]

If I didn't live so far away in Eastern Canada, I would happily buy half a cow from you. You take amazingly good care of your cattle. I can just image how good the meat and bone marrow would taste :)

[@petruzzovichi]

Great video Mike in fact many of your videos should be mandatory watching and testing for AG students or anyone interested in the art and science of farming/ranching. Another job well done. Many thanks from the panhandle of Idaho, USA.

[@j.b.caldwell7420]

Why dont you have two plastic milk carton crates attached to the front ATV rack ? Five gallon buckets fit perfect in them

[@rosalinaannpabelico7983]

@J.B Caldwell Hi how are you?

[@lynnclark4208]

Best Roundup I've seen yet!! 😀

[@vickyburton2434]

I really love the taste of grass fed/grass finished beef. It is all we eat. This is why we raise our own steers.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Right on

[@nicholasweinert5111]

I love your channel. My family as a farm on the east side of South Dakota

[@iancoffee13]

I like your channel. I will purchase Beef online from your ranch. I just purchased jerky from your store. I’m all for supporting ranchers and small farms!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@safetymikeengland]

I sure enjoy seeing your videos.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Glad you like them!

[@huskersue5123]

Interesting and educational video Mike.

[@DJ-bh1ju]

LOVE those little hills. How were they formed? Do you ever just sit up there and chill out?

[@OurWyomingLife]

They are actually volcanic formations, vents from a long time ago.

[@cguercia311]

Formed from glaciers. Called "Kame"

[@jangrahame4891]

I never thought much good came out of chasing stock either. Used to whistle them up with a feed reward when they came.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Great point!

[@garywilson9640]

My lj ate Uncle used to hold back a bull calf and not castrate him to a steer. Then raise it to yearling state. Usually 800#. Then ALL of it made into hamburger. He had a locally owned restaurant that would take it ALL. And in the menu for his hamburgers he identified it ranch specific and yearling bull. He estimated that close to 50% of his business was sales of that item.

[@rufusblair7623]

Selling to the public hell yes all in

[@carleyranch9984]

Just the video I’ve been wanting!! Thanks Mike!

[@ruthtroyer9513]

U guys do a great job it was interesting seeing u guys and your beautiful home

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you so much!

[@helodriver20]

Tonight, after a hot day in the helicopter in West Texas...join me as I enjoy my ribeye...from plate to my mouth! Great video Mike! Let's go! P.S. Everyone will always remember where they were during the 2020 Toilet Paper Scare.

[@gangoffour6690]

Hello Mike. Shout out from Steve in New Hampshire. I love that country out there, I used to live in Montana. I'm guessing there is always work to do on the ranch. Hope you get some rain and be safe my friend. Really love your channel 👍

[@hughstephenson2957]

I used to buy my finishing mix in Kansas. Used to haul them some bentonite superbags and then go pick em up when they were done. Sold it to local ranchers to cover the cost of mine

[@snarky_farmer]

Side by side, golf cart, whatever, with a little food beats saddling up a horse any day, especially in crap weather. Was it Wyoming that relaxed the regulations/restrictions as far as farm to end consumer sales? Here in SC, as long as we have a meat handlers license and use USDA processor, shipping is possible across state lines. Hopefully it's as "easy" there and it turns out to be economically feasible for y'all to do. Will open great possibilities. 🤞

[@OurWyomingLife]

I agree

[@tkilg7169]

Hopefully shipping of beef to Florida won't be too expensive. If not, sign us up.

[@johnjaco5544]

Round bales here are $300.00 per ton,if you can't get em.How's your water holding out?????

[@genewileyopa]

Always enjoy your videos. Boy that Highway that goes by there sure is busy. So was your family from this ranch before you Mike? Still dry here in Iowa 99degrees two days this week. Thanks for sharing

[@randyhufstetler5007]

Many years ago, my family and I while on vacation out west, came through Wyoming. As we came over a slight hill, in a community called " Star Valley". It was so beautiful and it was evidently round up time. Cowboys and cows had the road blocked. Are you familiar with this area??

[@bartpowers9972]

Nice video 👍

[@roberthakeman9822]

I bought bottle calves back in the mid 90's till 2014 and then got out cuz we moved to town. But I was buying crossbreds and Holstein cross and got bull calves from some local diary's and the state of Washington as they had big milking herds. But we have them all there shots and banded them if needed and we got 15-20 calves every 2 weeks and after a month they got sized and 2nd to last ration they went on a self feeder and free choice round bale feeder and I had a few guys tell me that my calves dressed out really lean even though they were on corn in there rations from day 1 till they left at a 1000 lbs cuz I didn't have enough room to feed them all out and a guy bought them and it fit out good for his feeding program.

[@horsesrulestheword]

Got some rain in utah as well hope you get some relief

[@lynnatwmahalfsteading6139]

Love the shirt..... Sending a Windmule Acres WMA to you soon.

[@danielrandolph9170]

Is the corn you feed them the last 60 to 90 days is that the left over from making ethanol fuel ? Good video Daniel from central Mississippi

[@lostincyberspaceIII]

Probably not in that area. There is very little ethanol processing in that area. I used to live in south eastern Wyoming and there are a couple but not enough to make it the priority.

[@rosalinaannpabelico7983]

@Daniel Randolph Hi how are you?

[@JustMe-pu3xm]

That’s right Mike work smarter not harder 👍🏾

[@jamesgray89]

Well done Mike. How much hay from for an antelope hunt?

[@farmperfect]

I am curious if you ever priced a train car for hay from anywhere vs tractor trailer load.

[@rosalinaannpabelico7983]

@Jason Miller Hi how are you?

[@stugotswins]

Would be nice to know where and how my steaks come from hopefully you get that online thing going....you know another way you could market that would let people buy the steer and sell them the the process packaged meat back to them

[@a.anderson8850]

Thank you for explaining everything is helping me I watch you alot I would like to learn more but in California there isn't much rancho anymore And the one that are here all Mexican

[@Lachlan2002]

You may not see my comment but what do you have the horses for ??

[@virginiareid5336]

Fresh is always the best. When I could get it I bought 90/10 ground beef. That way when I needed two pounds, after frying it didn’t loose much weight. Yes, it was and is more expensive, but raising three boys on a teaching salary made it the better buy. Take Care

[@billyj.swain4sranch718]

🙏🏼🙏🏼for rain…💙 from Texas

[@jeepxj]

you ever consider doing some dry aged stuff? you got plenty of space in the barns there for a DIY fridge setup.