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The Quest for Liberation
Overcoming struggles, perception and pursuing passions
By Del Ficke
PLEASANT DALE, Neb. – The theme of this newsletter is the quest for liberation and the courage it takes to get there.
The inspiration comes from a Crow Nation pow-wow I was blessed to attend recently on a trip to Billings, MT. There I witnessed a people pushed aside because of cultural competition and severe misunderstanding, misrepresentation, malice as well as complete ignorance of what natives offered in terms of wisdom regarding the lands, plants and animals of this great nation. At the pow-wow I saw a culture still alive – it was a sobering, angering and inspirational experience all at the same time while the battles and triumphs continue for these amazing people.
In Montana I was also able to go to the site of the Battle of Little Big Horn and read these words by Sitting Bull who died for their cause, “In order to heal our grandmother earth, we must unify in peace.”
Never before have we needed more people to stand up for the true cause that expands all cultures – the cause for what’s right for the land, its plants, animals and people.
This newsletter features some of those standing for this cause despite life’s obstacles. We look forward to telling more stories in the future about those who are on the quest to be liberated too.
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Never Take it for Granted
By Del Ficke
Myself and Johann Zietsman in Montana. Using the appropriate breed combinations and selection criteria for southern Africa where he hails from, Johann developed the Veldmaster breed. It was very inspiring for the Graze Master herd to be connected with the Veldmaster herd.
BILLINGS, MT. - Johann Zietsman says it saddens him that he no longer owns land or cattle in his country of birth due to the actions of politicians. It also saddens him even more that his children and grandchildren, who are fourth and fifth generation Zimbabweans, may never have the privilege to work and improve their land. He said he takes solace in the following quote from the Jonathan Swift novel Gulliver’s Travels: “Whoever can make two blades of grass, or two ears of corn, grow where only one grew before deserves more of mankind than all the politicians put together.”
I recently traveled to Billings, MT. to a Profitable Ranching Seminar to meet Zietsman from the veld of South Africa and Jim Elizondo from Mexico. I was excited because they are real cattlemen and innovative leaders who share my beliefs about using composite cattle genetics suited for specific environments along with ultra-high-density grazing (UHDG) practices.
Zietsman is turning trials into triumph by sharing his years of cattle genetic and grazing knowledge with the world. From Zimbabwe, he is credited as the first in the world to pioneer UHDG on a ranch scale in 1995. His stocking rate was doubled in the first year and two years later the stocking rate was tripled. When Zietsman’s ranch was expropriated by the government in 2002 the stocking rate could have been quadrupled to one livestock unit (LU)/hectare (the norm is one LU/four hectares).
Jim Elizondo and I visit outside of Billings.
Elizondo has been using regenerative grazing to heal the environment with cattle for many years. When he met Zietsman, he was already producing double his county's average in terms of production. With Zietsman’s knowledge on composite cattle and non-selective grazing he was able to double his stocking rate again without suffering low performance.
These two men drove it home for me. I can no longer take for granted one inch of soil that I am a steward of. Here’s an example. Jim is running cattle in a 10-inch annual rainfall area, much like Western Nebraska, and is averaging 2.4 cow/calf pairs per acre using these grazing and genetic practices. If we use the Nebraska Department of Agriculture statistic that Nebraska’s farms and ranches utilize 45.3 million acres, (92 percent of the state’s total land area), using the example I gave from Jim, we could run 90 million cows in the state alone - that is equal to the entire U.S. current cattle inventory overall.
UHDG principles are universal. These men have practical, real-world knowledge about what works and what doesn’t. The only way we are going to effectively build the soil in a natural way is with species (in this case cattle) grazing intensely and non-selectively across the land. It was rewarding to have the affirmation from a global perspective that we are on the right track with our genetics and grazing practices.
UHDG is the process of grazing plants in a non-selective manner with a large amount of animals in a small area for a short period of time. We are somewhat mimicking what the bison were doing on the plains. They grazed in large groups, in a small area, for a short time, moving across the plains until predators moved them on. Now it’s me moving my Graze Master herd and in turn moving Ficke Cattle Company forward into the future.
It was humbling to meet both these incredible teachers and cattlemen improving the world by sharing their knowledge. I keep thinking about Zietsman, who in an instant lost his ranch due to the politics of his country. I know it deepened my desire to not waste one more second maximizing every bit of potential within the resources and gifts God has given me. I pray my family honors the quote that gives Zietsman hope and that due to our efforts far more bounty springs up for our neighbors where less was before.
I urge you to please learn more at profitableranching.com
This is a group of Graze Master cattle that is grazing uniformly across a new paddock. This is an example of our start in utilizing UHDG practices.
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Our Liberators
Clayton Hergott of Hergott Simmentals
This is a young cow/calf pair that goes back to the first registered Red Angus cow Clayton purchased from Ficke Cattle Company years ago. Both cow and calf are Red Simmental and half Red Angus.
HEBRON, Neb. - Clayton Hergott doesn’t want you to feel bad for him, but he’s got quite the story to tell and an obstacle that would break a lot of us. But not this cattleman.
Clayton was born breech in the Hebron, Neb. hospital on July 17, 1981. During the birthing process, his spinal cord was stretched and that led to a severe injury. At 14 months old he went to the Shriner's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn. He went there repeatedly until age 22. He started with crutches, then wore braces, then a back brace and ankle braces. While a lot of kids were playing baseball in the summer, Clayton was in surgery or in a cast.
Clayton loved the farm and grew up much of his life next to his father’s side in a sale barn. He started his cattle herd in the third grade with one bucket calf. He sold his first bucket calf and got another one the next year with the money he earned. He was literally obsessed with learning about cattle. In fact, Clayton would stay up to the wee hours of the morning studying subjects like pedigrees and expected progeny differences.
Today, Clayton owns and operates Hergott Simmentals and he also works as a cost-accountant at Reinke. He does all this and he can’t walk. I met Clayton through Nebraska AgrAbility (a program helping farmers and ranchers with disabilities continue working in the industry they love) – a program we are proud to support at Ficke Cattle Company. Clayton is a true friend and a true inspiration exemplifying what the phrase, “no excuses” really means.
Myself and Clayton during one of our many cattle conversations.
Q&A with Clayton
Why do you believe in the Graze Master movement?
The movement to me is about faith, family and going back to our roots – raising livestock in a holistic manner. Beef cattle earned their acceptance with our ancestors many years ago because of their ability to convert forage into a tasty, nutrient-rich consumable product. Due to a variety of factors, agricultural “experts” have bred this unique ability out of a lot of our nation’s cattle. Within this movement is an increased focus on selecting genetics that will efficiently produce pounds of beef with fewer inputs. With more holistic management and livestock care, the animals will in turn be healthier and as a result the meat they provide will be healthier for us to consume as well.
What have you learned from Del’s philosophy and by working with him?
I have worked with Del and his family for many years now and what I appreciate most is the friendship. Del and I have had many challenges, not just in the cattle business, but also in life and he is always a phone call away. I feel we have both benefitted from our many conversations, trips to look at cattle of our own or cattle to purchase. He has taught me many things about life and livestock but the thing that constantly comes to mind is, “breed the cattle that are right for you and work for you because you are the one feeding them and looking at them every day.”
Why do Graze Master Genetics™ work for you?
They have been a good fit for Hergott Simmentals because of the great compliments the Red Angus breed provides in making highly-sought-after Red Sim-Angus cattle. Graze Master Genetics specifically bring forth the traits of calving ease, structural correctness, body depth and efficiency of a moderate frame. They really click with Simmy cattle with an extra shot of performance and muscle. You could breed those Sim-Angus bulls to any kind of cow and make your calf crop better. Del has helped me tweak my operation to make my genetics more commercially friendly and I have been able to provide him with some elite genetics to further advance his Graze Master approach.
Connect with Clayton at:
http://hergottsimmentals.com/
Learn more about Nebraska AgrAbility at:
http://agrability.unl.edu/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nebraska-AgrAbility/112434582164525
To find out more about The Liberator concept check out: http://www.fickecattle.com/ or call Del direct at (402) 499-0329.
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We Love Graze Master Beef!
Lisa Burkey, with her boyfriend Randy Roti and Logan Roti, at an event where she utilized Graze Master Beef in her famous chili recipe. Lisa and Randy operate Nebraska Freedom Farms outside of Nebraska City. Lisa served her nation in the U.S. Marines and is also an accomplished chef. We are proud that Lisa and her family have chosen to use Graze Master Beef in many of their recipes.
NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. - Graze Master beef reminds me of my first food memory that I carried with me all over the world – Nebraska beef. Now that memory has been replaced specifically with recipes using Graze Master Beef including; the Graze Master Beef burger, smoked Graze Master meatloaf, Graze Master Indian Fry bread tacos and now my awarding-winning Graze Master Beef meatballs in rhubarb and onion sauce.
In order to create amazing dishes with food memories that last generations you have to start with the best ingredients. My beef tastes have matured from when I was a kid to that of a refined palate of a world-traveled chef – that’s why I choose Graze Master Beef.
The inspiration for the award-winning meatball recipe was using the most local ingredients in my first cooking demonstration for the Nebraska City Farmer's Market. I decided to promote Graze Master Beef along with rhubarb and spring onions from our farm. I was so proud to win the Nebraska Cattlewomen Father’s Day Beef Recipe Contest with my Graze Master beef meatballs in rhubarb and onion sauce.
At Nebraska Freedom Farms we are so proud to support Graze Master Beef and their holistic, healthy approach.
We also want to invite you to join us September 18-20, 2015 at the Nebraska City Apple Jack Celebration. We will be featuring 40-plus vendors at our location below. Watch our Facebook page for more information.
Nebraska Freedom Farms
6611 Ivy Road
Nebraska City, Nebraska 68410
Phone: 402-570-0732
nebraskafreedomfarms@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/nebraskafreedomfarmslincoln
Lisa’s Graze Master Beef meatballs in rhubarb and onion sauce.
Nebraska Cattlewomen Award-Winning Recipe
Ingredients:
4 teaspoons melted butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 - 1 1/4 pounds Graze Master Beef
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup bread crumbs
2 farm fresh eggs
1 large sweet onion, sliced
2-4 tablespoons water
2 cups diced rhubarb
1/4 cup red wine vinegar or wine
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup minced fresh garlic or chives
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Mix 1 teaspoon oil, coriander, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Combine Graze Master ground beef with melted butter, salt and pepper, minced garlic, bread crumbs and eggs. Form into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to crock pot or deep pot.
Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally until browned, 7-8 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons water, continue cooking, stirring often until the onion is soft - 5-7 minutes more. Add water a tablespoon at a time if necessary to prevent burning.
Stir in rhubarb, vinegar and brown sugar. Cook, stirring often until the rhubarb has broken down - about 5 minutes.
Graze Master Beef is available in the following options directly from the farm:
- One-pound hamburger packages
- Quarters
- Halves
- Wholes
Contact Del at (402) 499-0329 to make your order today.
Become a Graze Master Neighbor today:
sign up here
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American Plains Artists Visit Ficke Cattle Co.
We were so proud to host the American Plains Artists recently at Ficke Cattle Company. We were connected with the group by agrarian artist Mark Moseman and his wife Carol. Below is an article written by Kerry Hoffschneider featured in the York News-Times regarding this Nebraska and American treasure. You can view his artwork at markmoseman.com. You can learn more about the American Plains Artists (APA) at www.americanplainsartists.com. The APA show chairman was Judy McElroy.
Mark and Carol Moseman
Meet Mark Moseman – Agrarian Artist
SEEDS - York News-Times
By Kerry Hoffschneider
If you have never seen Mark Moseman’s artwork, you need to. He’s a Nebraska treasure. And, while he is an artist, he is also a story teller. His art is telling the most important story of our time and all time. It’s a story on a critical brink that needs all of us to take a critical eye, heart and mind in consideration of what has been lost and what could be lost for all of time. The agrarian story in this nation is at its tipping point and Mark knows this, because he’s lived it and given his life to the priceless subject.
I met Mark after hearing about him from a volunteer at the Bone Creek Agrarian Art Museum in David City. That is when I learned that Mark was instrumental in establishing this museum, the only one of its kind in the nation, nestled in the heartland. But I learned something more too after I was able to meet Mark face to face. I learned I had met a kindred spirit with a passion for what rural really means. I knew it because I saw truth and passion in his paintings and heard it in his words.
If you are a Nebraskan, you can connect to Mark’s artwork in some way. You will see a sister, a father, a grandfather, a friend, a husband or brother. You will see a time, before the big change hit. You will see a time before the 1980s and you will also see after that time. You will see a time that you were able to be a part of or you will also experience an empathy for being outside of it.
Mark Moseman is legit because he grew up living and breathing agrarianism. He stood by his father and worked with him. He saw the family farm lost in the 80s. The subject is in his soul and it shows.
Mark Moseman and his wife Carol (who has often been the subject of his artwork) both know rural history well. The couple’s personal collection, that includes incredible pieces by renowned agrarian artists from across the world, is a tribute to the greater human connection that all peoples have with the land. It’s a story thousands of years in the making. It’s a personal story and it’s a cultural story. It’s a story of triumph and trial. Carol and Mark’s collection is not merely nostalgic. It’s reflective but based in reality.
Mark’s artwork is already widely-popular, but it needs to be known about even more and shared throughout the state and nation with those who care about the future of agriculture from all walks of life (even those who may not typically be interested in the art world at all). You can learn more at markmoseman.com. As equally valuable as his artwork are Mark’s words and thoughts about agrarianism. It’s this combination of mind, heart and art that makes Mark and Carol’s collection and his own personal paintings come to life.
In a time when so many are trying to paint their slanted view of what agriculture means – Mark shares the entire story because he has experienced it from all angles. He can do what so many cannot – he can capture reality in paint and evoke feelings from therein – feelings and facts about agrarianism that are imperative for this time in history.
If we are to shape a truly more inclusive, healthy system of agriculture in the future that is family and community-centric, we must learn from prophetic voices with a real message like Mark. There’s much talk of “retaining” the farm. Mark lived through the 80s when we lost so much of the family part of that farm. The question should not be merely about retaining. It should be about restoring, reigniting and revitalizing rural in a new way. Some who went through the 80s were beneficiaries of an unfair chaotic systemic solution in a time of crisis. Some call being a beneficiary a blessing, others see that some portions of that “blessing” has been a curse on the countryside.
Mark’s art and his humble, passionate message is a reflection of who we once were and who we could be if we take back and recreate for the better what agrarian truly means. Flawed government policies were one of the many contributors that helped create the scenario we are in today. People, even with our flaws, acting as neighbors can build a better country. People, like Mark. People, like all of us, if we learn the whole story and move forward with that big picture painted firmly in our minds.
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There's no "Emyism" this month because Miss Emily Ficke is busy in her first weeks of school. She'll be back next month with more Graze Master Emily-style wisdom. In the meantime she is off to school to promote Graze Master Beef (and to study of course).
Thank you for reading! See you next month Graze Master Family!
Stay connected at fickecattle.com
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