On the outer edge of Cedar County, Nebraska, where the hills lean into sky and the fence lines stretch farther than the eye can track, KL Beef Co. is practicing a kind of ranching that most people only read about. Here, open range beef Nebraska isn't just a keyword—it’s a way of life that spans six generations and nearly two centuries of soil-stained boots, seasonal rhythms, and unshakable integrity.
Inside the ranch office, tucked behind the saddle shed and hay barn, a wall-mounted photo catches the morning light. It’s black and white—John Lammers, the original patriarch, stands beside a wagon and a tight-horned steer. “1857,” Kyle Lammers notes with quiet pride. “That’s when our story here started. He knew this land had potential before most even arrived.”
And today, the Lammers family continues that story, raising beef the old way—honest, unhurried, and in step with Nebraska’s enduring cattle culture.
A Return to Real Ranching
In a modern food system engineered for speed, open range beef Nebraska offers something profoundly different: time, space, and connection. At KL Beef Co., cattle roam freely across native pastures, grazing on tall fescue, bluestem, and orchard grass under a wide Nebraska sky. There are no feedlots. No grain silos towering overhead. Just open land, seasonal cycles, and a ranching ethic rooted in observation and care.
“This isn’t a place where animals are numbers,” Kyle says, brushing dust off his chaps. “We check every pasture, every day. We know every cow. That’s how it’s always been.”
It’s not efficient by corporate standards. But that’s never been the point.
Why Nebraska Was Made for Open Range
There’s a reason Nebraska is known as the Nebraska beef state. Long before highways or city lights, cattle grazed the prairies here, drawn by the same things that draw ranchers today—clean water, nutrient-rich grass, and room to move. KL Beef Co. benefits from all three.
The landscape here is what ranchers call “forgiving ground”—deep-rooted pasture plants that survive dry spells, mineral-rich soils that nourish forage, and a climate that encourages slow, steady growth. The result? Healthier cattle and more flavorful beef.
“Our grass has history in it,” Kyle adds. “What we’re doing now echoes what our ancestors did—letting the land lead.”
What Open Range Beef Really Means
Too often today, “open range” gets used as a marketing term. But at KL Beef Co., it’s literal. Their pastures stretch across hundreds of acres. Cattle move through rotational systems designed to mimic natural grazing behavior. No feed bunkers. No forced growth. Just cattle, grass, and time.
That time is crucial. Unlike commercial beef, which often moves from feedlot to processing in under two years, KL Beef Co. cattle grow at their own pace. This slow approach allows marbling to develop naturally, and supports a more ethical, stress-free life.
That’s the foundation of open range beef Nebraska—animal welfare, land stewardship, and honest food.
Nebraska Angus Beef, Raised with Purpose
KL Beef Co.’s herd is primarily Angus, selected from trusted genetics like Pearl Creek Ranch in Montana and Wagonhammer Ranch in Nebraska. But good breeding isn’t enough. What makes it Nebraska angus beef is how it’s raised.
“We raise cattle we’d want our family to eat,” Morgan Rhea explains. “Because they do.”
The calves spend their early months on grass, rotating through fields of clover and native prairie. In the winter, they’re supplemented with hay and silage sourced right from the ranch’s own fields—no feedlot imports, no mass-market additives.
This approach produces beef that’s rich in nutrients, beautifully marbled, and reflective of its environment—true to Nebraska, and true to its ranchers.
The Nutritional and Ethical Edge of Grass Fed
Consumers today want more than flavor—they want values on their plate. And grass fed beef Nebraska delivers both.
KL Beef Co.'s cattle never see grain. Their forage-based diet results in beef with higher Omega-3s, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), and vitamin E—nutritional markers associated with heart health and inflammation reduction. But it’s not just about health benefits.
“Grass-fed, open range beef Nebraska isn't just better for people,” Kyle notes. “It’s better for the land, too.”
The rotational grazing system KL Beef Co. uses helps sequester carbon, reduce erosion, and build soil biodiversity. It’s a regenerative model—one that honors Nebraska’s land while producing premium beef.
A Heritage Worth Reading About
KL Beef Co.’s story isn’t just about cattle. It’s about family. About continuity. About knowing where your food comes from—and who’s behind it. You can read the full account of that journey in Beef State Legacy, a tribute to the Lammers lineage and their enduring role in the Nebraska beef state.
From John Lammers’ 1857 arrival to Kyle’s leadership today, each generation has added its chapter—with shared values as the throughline.
“Same land, same mission,” Kyle says. “Raise good cattle. Leave things better than you found them.”
The Experience Behind Every Cut
From pasture to plate, every detail matters. That’s why KL Beef Co. dry-ages their beef for 14–21 days in a controlled environment before it’s custom cut by USDA-inspected butchers. The result? Tenderness, complexity, and unmatched flavor.
Their shipping process is equally meticulous. Whether you’re ordering steaks, roasts, or bulk shares, your beef is vacuum-sealed, flash-frozen, and packed in insulated boxes with gel ice to maintain peak condition during transit.
“This isn’t just beef,” Morgan says. “It’s our family’s reputation.”
How to Taste the Land
You don’t need to live in Cedar County to experience open range beef Nebraska. KL Beef Co. ships across the region and offers:
- Individual cuts (ribeyes, strips, filets, sirloins)
- Bulk options (whole, half, quarter, and eighth shares)
- Beef boxes and seasonal specials
They also partner with local families to help fill freezers ahead of holidays, harvest season, and winter prep.
Raising More Than Cattle
KL Beef Co. is also raising the next generation. Their children are learning calving schedules, pasture rotation, and the unspoken signals of herd behavior the same way Kyle did—by doing.
“When our kids help sort cattle or tag calves,” Kyle says, “they’re not just learning a job. They’re learning values.”
And that’s the essence of open range beef Nebraska—a relationship with the land, the livestock, and the legacy that connects past and future.