Wiese & Sons, Good Doin' Bulls

Since 1904, four generations of Wieses have made their livelihood in farming and the beef cattle industry. With the selection of top genetics and active use of responsible conservation and land management practices, our family has had a lifelong objective of producing top quality beef cattle that are efficient and profitable. Our goal is to develop productive cattle that will grow well on forage and in the feedlot, with a nominal amount of maintenance and input.
The opportunity to share our resources and learn from customers, cooperator herd owners, American and foreign students and visitors has helped us stay focused on what the beef industry goals are. The diversity of our products and services help us understand the scope of the industry - from the seedstock producer, to the commercial producer, to the feedlot operator, to the packing industry, to the consumer. We are aware of many issues each facet of the industry faces and hopefully are a piece of the puzzle that contributes to the solution.

We are a generational farm - making an effort to improve the land for the next generation is an important challenge to us and enhances the quality of life for our family as well as our community.
Soil conservation and land fertility is a priority and has been achieved through the use of good soil and pasture management practices. Our conservation program started with early involvement with contour farming. Extensive terraces (32,000 ft.) have been built on acres that were considered highly erodible. On our cropland, we use a sod-based rotation - our crop sequences are rotated with meadow. Minimum tillage practices are utilized, which contributes to the retention of moisture, as well as erosion control. Land with the least amount of slope is considered tillable crop production land - with the exception of land adjacent to steams. Filter strips are used extensively. Pastures surround all streams and ponds. Contouring strip cropping, field borders and extensive use of grass outlets and waterways have helped us obtain our goals - decreased erodibility and increased fertility and productivity.
Forage is our principal crop and the quality and care of this crop is directly related to cattle productivity and efficiency. Several of our pastures we know have been in continual grass since 1904. Plant diversity has been achieved by interseeding a variety of legumes and grasses. Rotational grazing has been practiced since 1982. Weed management is an important part of pasture care and has been achieved by the interseeding of legumes and grasses to offer active competition to weeds and clipping. Limited spraying is practiced. The evaluation of our pastures regarding plant population, diversity, vigor, number of legumes and usage helps us make our decisions regarding fertilization, interseeding, weed management and herd rotation.
Water management practices have been accomplished through the use of water collection systems. 4 pond systems have been built and streambank protection has been achieved by the use of rip rap, grasses and limited cattle access to natural water areas. Establishing wetland areas has improved water quality in the ponds, protected wells, and significantly retarded soil erosion and flood damage.

Our tree planting program began with the development of our first pond in 1964. Over 300 trees have been planted annually for more that 15 years in an area of Iowa that was virtually free of trees. In 1993, a nursery of 600 trees was started to provide a source of deciduous and conifers to be transplanted in shelterbelts.
We feel that areas devoted to fish and wildlife habitat contribute to the beauty and diversity of the rural landscape. Our grasslands, water systems, wetlands and shelterbelts provide habitat for deer, pheasants, ducks, geese and other small animals indigenous to Iowa. Numerous fenced tree bands provide habitat for a variety of birds and small animals. Free public fishing is allowed most times of the year. Access may be limited to protect water fowl during nesting times. The use of sound environmental management has increased our efficiencies of production.
Caring for, developing, and improving the environment is a part of our heritage that we are very proud of, and a legacy that we take very seriously. We are sensitive to the value of our natural resources and are personally committed to the goal of continued improvement of our resource management program, which includes:

Continued improvement of soil conservation and land fertility by interseeding of more legumes, expanding our rotational grazing program, using a sod based crop rotation and intensifying our manure management program.
Continued improvement of water conservation and quality.
Continued improvement of wildlife habitat by developing and increasing natural wildlife sites and planting of trees.
Continued improvement of an economically viable and efficient beef cattle operation.

The Wiese organization has worked with Nelson Irrigation Corporation of Walla Walla, Washington placing emphasis on environmental concerns such as waste management issues, feedlot dust suppression and livestock comfort concerns.