Thanksgiving - What It Means to Stock and Steeds

As we head into this special time of year, Thanksgiving always brings a mix of emotions here at the ranch. The holiday season can be difficult for us, as we’re busy preparing for the cold winter months ahead. As we work tirelessly to get everything ready, the holidays sneak up on us like ninjas in the night. The workload may feel overwhelming, but we are forever grateful to have our family by our side, and we know it all pays off in the end.

Preparing for Thanksgiving at Stock and Steeds can be a stressful task, and while we aren’t the ones hosting the big feast, it's something we hope to do in the future. For now, we gladly leave it to our elders to take the lead and patiently wait for the day when we’ll have the honor of carrying the torch.

At the ranch, our Thanksgiving preparations look a little different than most. For us, Thanksgiving marks the near arrival of winter, which means ensuring the shelters for our beloved animals are in pristine condition. As the snow starts to fall here in Wisconsin, we know that the ground will soon freeze, making certain chores much more difficult. By preparing early, we aim to avoid working in blizzards—something that can quickly turn chaotic in the harsh Wisconsin winter.

Typically, we let our horses out to pasture in the spring, but there are a few older ones who need to come back inside when the weather turns windy and cold. This year, we’re preparing the stalls for them due to some ongoing construction. Some might ask, "Why not sell these high-maintenance animals?" But the truth is, these horses are dear to our hearts, and letting them go just isn’t what this time of year is all about, is it?

When it comes to our cattle, we make sure the lean-to is thoroughly cleaned out and lay down fresh bedding for them. While cattle don’t need to be kept indoors, we want to make sure they have a comfortable place to escape the wind and snow if they wish. We also set aside a stall or two in case any of our cows are due to calve early in the year, ensuring they have a safe, warm space to bring their calves into the world. Here in Wisconsin, January and February can be brutally cold, and we want to do everything we can to maximize the survival rate of our calves.

Thankfully, our families aren’t too far away, so we only need to prepare for one day away from the ranch. Trying to get everything ready before Thanksgiving sneaks up on us is always a challenge, and we don’t always get it done on time. But, no matter what, we get it done—and we're always thankful that we can still handle our daily chores, even on Thanksgiving Day. We’re notorious for arriving late to the table, but we wouldn't trade it for the world. We can’t imagine what it would be like to travel overnight or spend an entire week away just to see our loved ones, and we’re grateful that our family is close by.

This year, we’re especially thankful for YOU, our customers. Without your support, we wouldn’t have the drive to continue our mission of providing you with high-quality, grass-fed beef that contributes to a healthier lifestyle. As a token of our appreciation, we’re excited to announce that we’ll be offering a new product of beef to be available soon. We will also be offering an exclusive deal available only in December. Stay tuned, as next week we’ll dive into the many health benefits of grass-fed beef and how it can make a positive impact on your life.

As always,

Savor, Flourish, and Enjoy the ride—and don’t forget to close the gate!

Trevor Moller, April Johnson 

And the team at Stock and Steeds