In the debate over sustainable food systems, beef production often faces criticism. But not all beef is raised equally. This exploration of KL Beef Co.'s practices reveals how a sixth-generation Nebraska ranch is proving that locally-raised beef can be part of the environmental solution rather than the problem.
The morning mist hangs over Cedar County's rolling pastures as Kyle Lammers moves a group of Black Angus cattle to fresh grazing land. The scene is almost timeless—a practice that has nourished the soil and sustained the Lammers family for six generations, since 1857.
"Our cattle are part of this ecosystem," Kyle explains, gesturing to the diverse grasses swaying in the Nebraska breeze. "They've evolved to convert these plants—which humans can't digest—into protein. When managed properly, this relationship benefits the land as much as it does us."
At a time when industrial food production faces increasing scrutiny for its environmental impacts, small-scale, locally-focused operations like KL Beef Co. offer a compelling alternative. Their approach demonstrates how traditional ranching methods, combined with modern understanding of ecology, can create a more sustainable food system.
Beyond the Headlines: Understanding Beef's Environmental Footprint
Conversations about beef and sustainability often focus on alarming statistics about water usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and land use. But these figures typically reflect industrialized, commodity beef production—not the practices employed by family ranches like KL Beef Co.
"There's a world of difference between how we raise cattle and how the industrial system works," Kyle notes. "When people talk about beef's environmental impact, they're usually describing a model we don't use."
The Local Difference: Reduced Transportation and Energy Usage
One of the most significant environmental advantages of buying from KL Beef Co. is the dramatically shortened supply chain.
In the conventional beef system, cattle might travel hundreds of miles to feedlots, then to processing facilities, then to distribution centers, and finally to retail outlets—each step consuming fossil fuels and generating emissions.
"Our cattle are born here on the ranch," Kyle explains. "When it's time for processing, they travel to local USDA-inspected facilities within two hours of Hartington. The beef then goes directly to our customers, either through local delivery or efficient shipping methods."
This direct ranch-to-table approach eliminates numerous energy-intensive steps in the conventional supply chain. For Nebraska customers especially, choosing KL Beef Co. means their food travels significantly fewer miles—sometimes as little as 30-40 miles from ranch to table.
Carbon Sequestration: How Well-Managed Pastures Capture Greenhouse Gases
Perhaps the least understood environmental benefit of operations like KL Beef Co. is their ability to help capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through proper grassland management.
"Healthy grasslands are one of the most effective carbon sinks on the planet," explains Morgan Rhea, who handles marketing for KL Beef while also maintaining a career in Agricultural Lending. "The deep root systems of native grasses can store significant amounts of carbon underground, where it stays even during droughts or fires."
The Lammers' rotational grazing practices enhance this natural carbon capture:
- Planned Grazing: Moving cattle strategically through different pastures mimics the natural movement patterns of wild grazing animals.
- Root Development: When grasses are grazed and then given time to recover, they develop deeper root systems, increasing carbon storage underground.
- Soil Building: The combination of animal impact and plant recovery builds organic matter in the soil—essentially storing atmospheric carbon in the ground.
"We're not just raising beef," Kyle notes. "We're tending an ecosystem that captures carbon, supports wildlife, prevents erosion, and filters water—all while producing nutritious food from land that can't be used for growing crops."
Water Stewardship: A Nebraska Priority
In Nebraska, where agriculture and water are inextricably linked, responsible water management isn't just environmentally sound—it's essential for survival.
"Water has always been precious here," Kyle explains. "My ancestors knew that protecting water sources was protecting their future. We've inherited that mindset."
KL Beef Co.'s approach to water stewardship includes:
Strategic Water Systems
The ranch has developed watering systems that prevent cattle from damaging sensitive riparian areas while ensuring they have consistent access to clean water.
"By controlling where cattle access water, we protect stream banks from erosion and keep waterways cleaner," Kyle notes. "It's better for the environment and healthier for the animals."
Soil Health as Water Management
Healthy soils act like a sponge, absorbing rainfall and reducing runoff and flooding. The organic matter built through rotational grazing significantly increases the water-holding capacity of soil.
"For every 1% increase in soil organic matter, an acre of land can hold approximately 20,000 more gallons of water," Morgan explains. "That's water that doesn't run off, doesn't cause erosion, and remains available for plants during dry periods."
Reduced Chemical Use
By maintaining healthy pastures through grazing management rather than chemical interventions, KL Beef Co. minimizes potential water contaminants.
"When you work with natural systems instead of fighting against them, you need fewer external inputs," Kyle says. "That means fewer potential pollutants entering the watershed."
Biodiversity: The Overlooked Environmental Benefit
Drive past a well-managed ranch like KL Beef Co., and you might notice something surprising: an abundance of wildlife. Birds swoop through the pastures, catching insects stirred up by grazing cattle. Native plant species thrive in the mosaic of grazed and resting areas.
"One of the biggest misconceptions is that cattle and wildlife are in competition," Kyle explains. "In reality, proper grazing creates habitat diversity that many species need."
The Lammers family has observed this firsthand:
Bird Populations
Grassland birds—one of the most threatened groups of birds in North America—find habitat in their diverse pastures. Different species prefer different grass heights, which rotational grazing naturally creates.
Insect Diversity
The absence of chemical insecticides allows beneficial insects to flourish, from pollinators to dung beetles that rapidly recycle manure back into the soil.
Plant Communities
By preventing any single plant species from dominating, cattle grazing maintains diverse plant communities that support equally diverse animal populations.
"We've had wildlife biologists visit who are amazed at the plant and animal diversity," Morgan notes. "They often point out that our grazed pastures have more species diversity than ungrazed areas."
Antibiotic Stewardship: A Human and Environmental Health Issue
The overuse of antibiotics in livestock production has raised concerns about both human health and environmental impacts. KL Beef Co. takes a fundamentally different approach.
"Our cattle are only administered antibiotics when they're sick or injured," Kyle emphasizes. "Very few of our cattle ever receive antibiotics. We focus on prevention through good management rather than routine medication."
This approach has multiple benefits:
- Reduced Antimicrobial Resistance: By using antibiotics sparingly and only when necessary, KL Beef Co. helps prevent the development of resistant bacteria.
- Minimal Environmental Residues: Limited antibiotic use means minimal antibiotic residues entering the environment through manure.
- Healthier Animals: By focusing on prevention through proper nutrition, low-stress handling, and appropriate stocking densities, the animals maintain better natural immunity.
Waste Reduction: The Whole-Animal Approach
In an era of staggering food waste, KL Beef Co.'s approach to utilizing the entire animal represents another environmental advantage.
"When you buy a quarter or half beef from us, you're participating in a whole-animal approach that minimizes waste," Morgan explains. "It's a return to how people have related to food for most of human history."
This waste reduction happens in several ways:
Complete Utilization
By offering bulk beef options that include everything from premium steaks to ground beef, roasts, and even organ meats upon request, KL Beef Co. ensures that virtually all edible portions of the animal are used.
Extended Shelf Life
The vacuum-sealed packaging used for all cuts extends freezer life to 2-3 years, dramatically reducing the likelihood of spoilage and waste.
Byproduct Utilization
Even parts of the animal not used for human consumption find purpose—from hides to tallow used in their Harvest & Haven product line.
"In the industrial system, if consumers only want certain cuts, the less popular parts might go to waste or be significantly devalued," Kyle notes. "Our direct relationship with customers allows us to educate them about different cuts and how to use them, which reduces waste tremendously."
Economic Sustainability: The Third Pillar
Environmental sustainability cannot exist without economic sustainability. For the local food system to thrive, farms and ranches must remain financially viable.
"Being good stewards of the land has always been important to us," Kyle reflects. "But to continue doing that work, we need to maintain a business that can support our family and contribute to our community."
KL Beef Co.'s direct-to-consumer model helps ensure this economic sustainability in several ways:
Fair Pricing
By selling directly to customers, KL Beef Co. receives a fair price for their premium product while still offering customers better value than they would find for comparable quality in specialty markets.
Community Investment
The money spent with KL Beef Co. remains in the local economy, supporting not just their ranch but the network of local businesses they work with—from processors to equipment suppliers.
Future Generations
The economic viability of the ranch makes it possible for the next generation to continue the family's stewardship of the land—something that's becoming increasingly rare in American agriculture.
"When you buy from us, you're not just getting beef," Morgan says. "You're investing in a multi-generational approach to caring for the land—one that can only continue if it remains economically viable."
Making Choices in a Complex Food System
For consumers trying to make environmentally responsible food choices, the issue can seem overwhelming. Is local always better? How do you weigh different environmental factors?
"I think the most important thing is building a relationship with the people who produce your food," Kyle suggests. "Visit farms and ranches if you can. Ask questions. See for yourself how they operate."
For those unable to visit, Kyle emphasizes transparency:
"We're completely open about our practices because we believe in what we're doing. Anyone can contact us with questions about how we raise our cattle or manage our land."
This transparency extends to their website and social media, where they regularly share glimpses of daily life on the ranch.
The Bigger Picture: Building a Resilient Local Food System
While individual purchasing decisions matter, the Lammers family sees their work as part of a larger effort to create a more resilient local food system in Nebraska and beyond.
"The COVID pandemic showed the vulnerabilities in our centralized food supply chains," Morgan observes. "When large processing facilities shut down, there were meat shortages in supermarkets, but our customers never missed a delivery."
This resilience comes from:
Scale and Adaptability
Smaller operations like KL Beef Co. can adapt quickly to changing conditions without the inertia of massive infrastructure.
Direct Relationships
When challenges arise, direct communication between producer and consumer allows for creative solutions rather than system-wide failure.
Regional Processing Capacity
By supporting local USDA-inspected processing facilities, KL Beef Co. helps maintain critical infrastructure for regional food security.
"We're part of rebuilding a food system that can withstand disruptions," Kyle explains. "That's not just good for our customers—it's essential for our national security and well-being."
Experience the Difference: Sustainability You Can Taste
The environmental benefits of KL Beef Co.'s approach don't require sacrificing quality—in fact, they enhance it. The same practices that care for the land also produce beef with exceptional flavor and nutrition.
To taste the difference that sustainable, local production makes:
- Explore their premium steaks for a sample of their quality
- Consider their bulk beef options for the most economical and low-waste approach
- Contact the ranch to learn more about their environmental practices or arrange a visit
By choosing KL Beef Co., you're not just enjoying premium Nebraska beef—you're supporting a model of food production that works in harmony with the environment rather than against it.
KL Beef Co.: Sustaining Nebraska's land, water, and ranching traditions for six generations—and counting.