A farming Legacy six generations and counting
The Grote Family
Joe and Emily Grote represent the sixth generation of the Grote family's farming legacy on their historic homestead, established in 1856. Alongside Joe's parents, Fred and Barb, they play a pivotal role in the day-to-day operations of their farm, which has deep roots in the rich agricultural heritage of Nerstrand, Minnesota. Originating from Wilhelm Grote's vision after migrating from Germany in 1852, the farm has witnessed substantial growth and evolution across six generations, from its initial homesteading to its current diverse agricultural practices.
The Grote family farm has seamlessly transitioned through various agricultural phases, from its original dairy operations to a comprehensive farrow-to-finish hog enterprise. Today, the farm boasts a modern 2,400-head hog nursery facility, expanding its capacity to 3,600 nursery hogs, and emphasizing a cycle of nurturing piglets every eight weeks from 12 to 50 pounds. Alongside their hog operations, the Grote family dedicates their efforts to cultivating essential cash crops such as corn, soybeans, and alfalfa, benefiting from the fertile Minnesota soil. These crops not only serve as the backbone of the farm's sustainability but also contribute to local industries, from turkey feed production at Jennie-O Turkey Store in Faribault, Minnesota to ethanol production in Claremont, Minnesota. The farm's alfalfa, meticulously baled, supports local livestock needs and nourishes the Grote's cattle during the winter months.
This enduring commitment to agriculture and community involvement, coupled with their innovative approaches to farming, underscores the Grote family's significant contribution to local agriculture and their dedication to sustaining the legacy of their homestead. Through their continued involvement in local institutions and their commitment to agricultural excellence, Joe and Emily Grote and their family epitomize the spirit of American farming, nurturing the land and their livestock with unwavering dedication and forward-thinking practices.
The Big Woods Beef Herd
In 2013, the Grote family embarked on a new venture, establishing their own beef herd with an initial group of 12 cows and 3 heifers. Over the years, this dedicated effort has flourished, with the herd expanding to over 40 head, primarily consisting of Black Angus cattle, complemented by Red Angus and a select few cross-bred cows. This diverse genetic makeup ensures a robust and high-quality beef offering.
We strive for the best quality of beef on the market. One way we believe we are constantly improving our cuts of beef is by selecting which heifers we keep in our breeding herd. We take a small DNA sample from all our heifer calves and send those results in to be compared with a database of all beef cattle in the country. The heifers are then compared and scored based on the DNA sample in a variety of categories. We then keep the heifers that score the best in the meat quality categories. This is a way that we can constantly improve our herd to provide the best possible cuts of beef to our customers.
The birthing season on the Grote farm is a time of renewal and meticulous care, occurring from March to May each year. During this crucial period, the Grotes maintain vigilant oversight of the calving process, ensuring the health and well-being of both cows and calves. Each calf is promptly given an ear tag for easy identification, with heifers receiving white tags and bulls blue, alongside a unique number denoting their birth year and order. Post-calving, the herd is moved to lush pastures from June 1st, where they graze freely throughout the summer, with regular checks and nutritional supplements provided by the Grotes to ensure their optimal health.
As autumn arrives, a significant transition occurs; calves are weaned, and the diet of the herd shifts to include corn, specifically a premium Enogen variety cultivated by the Grotes. This corn is not just feed but a strategic choice to enhance the cattle's efficiency and the beef's marbling, elevating the quality of the meat. Committed to sustainable and responsible farming practices, the Grotes ensure their cattle are raised without added hormones, guaranteeing a wholesome and superior beef product for consumers.