Our Work &
What We Manage For
First and foremost, we’re a working cattle ranch—but thriving livestock don’t happen in a vacuum. To be truly successful, we manage for healthy soil, resilient land, with a passionate team that brings it all to life.
Mission and Vision
Grazing forward—Regenerating land, livestock, and livelihoods.
People and Priorities
Thriving Land, Livestock, & People
At Redwing Ranch, we manage for the sweet spot—where land, livestock, and people all thrive together. Our work is rooted in the belief that ecological health, animal performance, and human well-being are deeply interconnected. We don’t just aim for productivity; we aim for vitality. That means stewarding landscapes that pulse with biodiversity, raising livestock that flourish in harmony with the land, and cultivating a team culture grounded in joy, purpose, and care.
We believe that a successful ranch isn’t just measured in pounds or profit—it’s measured in the health of the soil, the resilience of the ecosystem, and the sense of pride and connection our team feels every day. Our management decisions are shaped by this holistic vision. We strive to create workflows that support both business viability and emotional sustainability, designing systems that regenerate the land while energizing the people who steward it.
Grazing With Intention
Grazing is our most powerful tool for shaping landscapes and supporting livestock health. We use it with precision and care—balancing forage utilization, weight gain, and pasture recovery to create a system that’s both ecologically sound and economically viable. Every move is mapped with intention, guided by soil data, pasture conditions, and animal needs. Our grazing plans are dynamic, adjusting to rainfall, forage growth, and herd behavior. We aim for short-duration, high-impact grazing that mimics natural patterns and supports plant diversity.
With over 40 pastures and strategic use of polywire fencing, our cattle are moved every 3–5 days to optimize forage use and weight gain. Salt and minerals are positioned to encourage full pasture utilization, and we maintain 26+ water sources to support uniform grazing. In 2024, our steers gained an average of 2.1 lbs/day—a reflection of the success of our adaptive approach. Whether custom grazing or managing our own cattle through a Sell-Buy framework, we match livestock to seasonal forage and market conditions to maximize both performance and profitability.
Livestock and Grazing
All Redwing Ranch team members that work with livestock are Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified. This certification involves topics on: cattle health, stockmanship, marketing, emergency planning and meat quality. We also apply low-stress stockmanship here at Redwing Ranch. The combination of classroom time and in-the-field practice has improved our ability to safely move animals in a variety of contexts (corrals, pastures, timbered areas). We are committed to safety for both our team and livestock!
We believe that calm cattle are productive cattle, producing more weight gain per day. That’s why we design our handling systems to minimize stress and maximize safety—for animals and humans alike. Whether we’re moving to fresh pasture or checking water tanks, we approach every interaction with patience and care. It’s not just good management—it’s good stewardship. Our team’s consistent presence and gentle handling create a low-stress environment that supports both animal performance and crew safety.
Low-Stress Connection
Performance Through Adaptation
Our grazing system is designed to support consistent weight gain while regenerating the land. We use polywire fencing to create flexible paddocks, position salt and minerals to encourage full pasture use, and maintain a diverse network of water sources to support uniform grazing. Our adaptive approach allows us to respond to changing conditions—whether it’s a dry spell, a flush of forage, or a shift in market dynamics.
We custom graze for partners and manage our own cattle through a sell-buy framework, matching livestock to seasonal forage and market conditions. This flexibility allows us to optimize performance while staying responsive to ecological and economic shifts. Whether we’re backgrounding calves or finishing steers, our goal is the same: healthy animals, healthy land, and a healthy bottom line.
Soil and Species
Monitoring for Regeneration
Soil is the foundation of everything we do. We use Snaplands monitoring and Web Soil Survey data to guide our decisions and track progress toward healthier ecosystems. Our goals include increasing species diversity, improving soil cover, enhancing water retention, and supporting long-term productivity. Every grazing move is an opportunity to build resilience from the ground up.
We monitor changes in plant composition, ground cover, and infiltration rates to assess our impact and refine our approach. By adjusting stocking rates and timing, we maintain body condition while regenerating the land. It’s a slow, steady process—but one we’re deeply committed to. Because when the soil thrives, everything else follows. Our grazing plans are designed to support plant recovery, reduce bare ground, and increase the presence of deep-rooted perennials that stabilize soil and store carbon.
Wildlife-Friendly & Habitat-Conscious
Redwing Ranch is more than a working landscape, it’s a living one. We’ve removed decades of debris and outdated fencing to create safer spaces for livestock and wildlife alike. All new fencing is wildlife-friendly, and game cameras help us understand animal movement across the ranch. We’re located in the Central Migratory Bird Flyway, and our grazing strategy is designed to support grassland bird habitat by maintaining diverse forage structures and minimizing disturbance.
We believe that ranching and conservation can go hand in hand. By integrating habitat goals into our grazing plans, we support biodiversity while maintaining productivity. It’s not about choosing between cows and critters—it’s about designing systems where both can thrive. Our short-duration grazing and varied timing help create a mosaic of habitat conditions that benefit nesting birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Stewardship isn’t a side project—it’s woven into every decision we make.
