Beef it up this May
Article by Kari Lyn
May brings a lot of joy for ranchers around Elko county
The days are longer, the cold winter months are behind us. The expectation is of that one hard freeze we get right before Mothers day. Ranchers are finishing up with the calving season and are moving on to one of the most looked forward seasons for a cattle owner, Branding Season.
At Brough Ranch there is nothing we love more than gathering with friends and family to work hard, get dirty,and laugh when someone falls down, especially if it’s your brother who falls! We all look forward to branding cattle.
I don’t know if there is anything we could do to express our appreciation to all the help we get during this season. Most of our friends and family show up without the inkling of ever getting paid for their time and talents. It takes many different skills to get this big job done, from the ropers and their horsemanship , to the ground crew, and even those who stay on the sidelines keeping the kids safe, and let us never forget those who are putting together the meal.
After a long day of dust and burning hair, sitting down with a cold drink and home cooked meal consisting of some sort of beans, bread, and, you guessed it-beef, is just the cure to that long day of hard work Now,serving chicken at brandings, at least around here might get you disowned, so “Beef, Its What’ for Dinner”! Usually, we like something easy to eat, because well, after tagging 300 calves your hands can be a bit sore. But in the end everyone is happy, tired, and full. It makes sense to us cattle ranchers in Elko country why National Beef Month is celebrated in May.
To help us celebrate this momentous month, here are four more ways to celebrate National Beef Month.
Start your Grills!
If a branding is not happening in your neighborhood one easy way to celebrate is gathering with friends for a beef barbecue. This offers a fantastic blend of social connection, delicious food, and enjoyable outdoor experiences. Some benefits of gathering with friends are strengthening social bonds, stress relief and relaxation, basking in a culinary experience, enjoying the outdoors and creating fun memories. All are wins in my book!
If you are looking to elevate your barbecue, may I suggest the following:
Choose Quality Cuts: Go beyond basic burgers and consider options like tri-tip, brisket, flank steak, ribs, or even a prime rib roast for a special occasion.
Try holding a sample party: if available, gather the same cut of beef but from different breeds of cattle. Lightly season and see if you can spot the differences in taste, marbling, and eating ease. Then choose your favorite.
Marinate or Dry Rub: Prepare your beef in advance with flavorful marinades or dry rubs. Experiment with different spice combinations and ingredients.
Master the Grilling Technique: Research proper grilling temperatures and techniques for your chosen cut. Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness. Consider using different wood chips for smoking to add unique flavors. Remember some cuts of beef can take upwards of 13 plus hours, I’m looking at you Brisket!
Offer Variety: If you’re having a larger group, consider offering a couple of different beef options or look into adding an all beef chorizo to add some spice.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
There is nothing more American than baseball and all American beef, and celebrating both, especially during National Beef Month, offers a unique blend of community spirit and satisfying flavors. Attending a baseball game, whether it’s a local high school matchup or a major league showdown, provides a fantastic opportunity to strengthen community bonds by cheering alongside neighbors and friends, fostering a sense of belonging and shared excitement. Indulging in classic ballpark fare like all-beef hot dogs and hamburgers not only enhances the quintessential American experience but also offers nutritional benefits, as beef is a great source of protein, iron, and other essential nutrients that contribute to overall health and energy. Fueling both the fans in the stands, the athletes on the field, and of course supporting the farmer and rancher who provided the toppings and the beef.
Shop Local or at a Farmers Market
Elko County is a region deeply rooted in cattle country, where you likely know someone raising cattle;from a few head in their backyard to vast ranching operations. Choosing local beef offers a wealth of advantages that extend far beyond the dinner plate. Supporting local farmers markets and ranchers directly fuels our community in numerous ways. Beyond significantly cutting down carbon footprints by reducing transportation distances, you actively bolster the local economy, keeping your dollars within Elko County and supporting the livelihoods of your neighbors. This also nurtures the local ecosystem by encouraging sustainable land management practices often employed by smaller, community-focused producers. The fresher options available are undeniable; often, the beef you purchase has traveled mere miles from pasture to plate, retaining optimal flavor and nutrients. However, perhaps the most significant benefit is the traceability and knowledge of where your beef comes from. You gain the invaluable peace of mind knowing how your food was raised, often having the opportunity to speak directly with the rancher about their practices and commitment to animal welfare. In a community as connected to its cattle industry as Elko County, embracing local beef is an investment in our environment, our economy, our health, and the very fabric of our community. And for those who may not yet have a connection to our local beef producers, let me introduce you to a few…
• Heguy Ranch – full, half, and quarter of Black Angus with cut dates in April or May To order contact Rhonda Heguy at 775-934-5794 or by emailing cheguyranch@gmail.com
• The Fourth Child Ranch – a first generation ranch family providing local quality Angus Beef in Full, Half or Quarters- Dustin Allen 775-394-1475
• Steninger Ranch Local Angus – offering full and half beef shares www.steningerbeef.com 775-753-6446
• Brough Ranch Beef – My favorite but I am biased, offers quality Wagyu and Angus beef. You may purchase whole, half, quarters, individual cuts of beef, jerky and all beef hot dogs, offered year round. For a full line up of products shop online at www.broughranch.com or call at office 775-752-2689 or cell 775-407-0039 – Shipping available.
We also have a few wonderful Farmers Markets in Elko County
• Elko Farmers Market 2-4th Saturday at Sherman Station 8am-Noon
• Lamoille Farmers Market 1st Saturday of the month 8am-Noon at the old Lamoille School house
• Wells Farmers Market Every Thursday from 4-?
• 2 Wild Poppies Thursday Evening Market – Starting in June 5-8pm
Celebrate the Most Important Person in Your Life
While we celebrate the delicious versatility and community connections that beef provides, let us not forget the paramount importance of Mother’s Day. A truly special occasion to honor the incredible women in our lives. Are you looking to show your appreciation for a mother or special woman in your life? Planning a nourishing meal can be a wonderful gesture, and incorporating lean beef options like a flavorful New York steak or Bacon wrapped tenderloins can offer significant health benefits for mothers along with all women and men. Beef is a rich source of ten essential nutrients such as iron, crucial for energy levels and preventing anemia, especially important for busy moms. It also provides high-quality protein, vital for muscle repair and overall strength, as well as zinc and B vitamins, which support immune function and nervous system health.
Husbands, task the kids with helping to choose and prepare a meal featuring wholesome beef. This is a thoughtful way to demonstrate care and ensure your wives receive the nourishment they need to thrive. Yes, while I am all about celebrating Beef Month, let us unequivocally state that mothers are the heart of our families and deserve to be celebrated and prioritized above all else, not just in May, but every single day! Remember Mothers Day is May 11th!
Whether it’s the time-honored tradition of a ranch branding, where community and hard work culminate in a shared meal often featuring beef, the quintessential American experience of scarfing down an all-beef hot dog at a lively baseball game, fostering camaraderie and shared enthusiasm, or the deeply cherished celebration of mothers, where a thoughtfully prepared beef dish can symbolize nourishment and appreciation, undeniably offers a versatile and flavorful way to elevate your gatherings throughout the year. From its rich cultural significance to its nutritional contributions, incorporating quality beef into your events, big or small, adds a touch of genuine American spirit and satisfying sustenance, creating memorable moments and strengthening the bonds we share. This National Beef Month, I encourage you to celebrate by trying one of these suggestions and supporting our local ranchers!”
Happy Beef Month and Mothers Day!!!
For more information on the health benefits of beef check out the following
https://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/nutrition#