Flexsenhar Farms
The Bryan Flexsenhar family in Buchanan County opened their home and shared their family values of growing things.
Following Grandpa's Footsteps Into the Beef Business
The Bryan Flexsenhar family of Winthrop, Iowa in Buchanan County shares their family values and story of growing things. Bryan and Jessica own and operate their northeast Iowa farm with beef cattle, swine, and row crops and have four children. Bryan offers, “Growth is the most important thing here. Everything has to grow. Kids grow, garden grows, corn grows, soybeans grow, hay grows, gotta grow that stuff to feed to the cattle so they can grow. Growing things is number one here.”
Learning
Responsibility
One Chore at
a Time
Through daily chores and caring for calves, Brian's children are learning responsibility and where their food comes from.
"The farm serves as a classroom where children learn firsthand about animal care, food production and the commitment it takes to raise livestock." - Bryan Flexsenhar
Flexsenhar Farms
Winthrop, Iowa
Cow/Calf Ranch
Cows are bred and calves are born and raised every year on cow-calf farms and ranches, spending time grazing on grass pastures within sight of their mothers.
Backgrounding
Between 6-12 months of age, cattle spend time at stocker and backgrounder farms and ranches where they graze on a variety of pastures. Here they gain weight and convert forage and grass into lean protein.
Feedyard
Cattle spend their final 4-6 months at a feedyard being fed a scientifically-balanced diet and receiving daily care.