In northeastern Nebraska's undulating landscape, the Lammers family doesn't just raise cattle—they're preserving a living heritage that spans 160 years and six generations. Their story illustrates how traditional values combined with modern innovation are creating a sustainable model for American agriculture.
The morning sun casts long shadows across the pasture as Kyle Lammers points toward a weathered white church on a distant hill. "That's Lammers Chapel," he explains. "My great-great-great-grandfather helped build it after he arrived from Germany in 1857."
The chapel—formally known as Immaculate Conception Catholic Church—stands as a testament to John Lammers' faith and his commitment to creating something lasting in his new homeland. It's a fitting metaphor for the family ranch that continues to evolve more than a century and a half later.
"John was known as the 'Cattle King' of Cedar County," Kyle says with understated pride. "He was actually the first person to ship fat cattle in this area." He pauses before adding, "Twenty kids between two marriages—I guess he was busy in more ways than one."
This blend of reverence for history and dry humor characterizes the Lammers approach to ranching: respectful of tradition yet practical and forward-looking.
From Germany to Nebraska: The Origin Story
The KL Beef Co. story begins not in Nebraska but across the Atlantic Ocean, when a young man named John Lammers left Germany in 1857, seeking opportunity in America. Eventually settling in northeast Nebraska, he practiced his cooper's trade (barrel-making) while establishing what would become a significant cattle operation.
While many immigrant stories ended with the first generation, the Lammers family created something remarkable: an unbroken chain of agricultural knowledge passed through six generations.
"Each generation has faced different challenges," Kyle explains. "My ancestors dealt with settlement-era hardships. My grandfather navigated the farm crisis of the 1980s. We've had droughts, floods, market crashes—but the land and the cattle remain."
This continuity provides KL Beef Co. with something money can't buy: accumulated wisdom about their specific land, cattle, and climate that can only come through decades of direct experience.
The Making of a Modern Rancher
Kyle's journey to becoming the sixth generation at the helm of the family operation hasn't been without challenges. At age 13, he lost his left arm in a farming accident while helping milk cows.
"There were definitely moments when I wondered if this was still the path for me," Kyle admits. "But ranching isn't just what I do—it's who I am. So I figured out new ways to work with what I had."
After numerous surgeries and relearning everyday tasks, Kyle refused to let the accident define his future. His resilience earned recognition from AgrAbility, an organization that helps farmers with disabilities continue their agricultural work.
"I can feel my overall health and posture improving because of the things AgrAbility has done for my operation," Kyle notes in a testimonial on their website. These adaptations have allowed him to maintain independence as a rancher despite the challenges.
Today, Kyle works alongside his father, cultivating family land and raising corn, soybeans, and alfalfa to support their cattle operation. His wife Morgan Rhea brings additional expertise to the business, managing marketing for KL Beef Co. while running their Harvest & Haven product line and maintaining a career in Agricultural Lending.
"On our ranch, it's all hands-on deck," Kyle says. "Between Morgan, our kids, and our parents, I have unwavering support and help day in and day out."
Raising Cattle the Lammers Way
While the family's ranching methods have evolved over generations, certain principles remain constant: attentive care for each animal, responsible land management, and emphasis on quality over quantity.
The Breeding Program
KL Beef Co. sources their replacement Angus heifers from Pearl Creek Ranch in Montana and their bulls from Wagon Hammer Ranch in Nebraska. All breeding takes place on the Lammers' ranch in Hartington by BQA (Beef Quality Assurance) certified family members.
"We calve twice a year," Kyle explains, "running a late Fall and Spring herd. This creates a more consistent workflow throughout the year and allows us to supply premium beef year-round."
From Pasture to Plate
The calves spend a minimum of five months rotating through grassland and corn stocks, developing naturally before entering the feed yard. There, they receive an all-natural ration including roughage, corn silage, grain, and modified distillers—a byproduct of ethanol production that would otherwise go to waste.
"People often ask if our beef is grass-fed or grain-finished," says Kyle. "We believe in giving our cattle a diet that closely resembles what they would naturally seek out—a mix of grasses and grains. This creates optimal marbling and flavor while maintaining the animals' health."
When ready for harvest, the cattle are transported ethically to local USDA-inspected meat lockers for processing. All lockers they use are within two hours of Hartington and Cryovac vacuum seal their product for maximum freshness.
"We can trace every package of beef back to our ranch," Kyle notes. "That level of transparency is becoming rare in the food system, but for us, it's just how ranching should be done."
Sustainability Across Generations
Long before "sustainability" became a buzzword, the Lammers family practiced it out of necessity. When your family has worked the same land for six generations, preserving its productivity isn't just an environmental choice—it's a matter of survival.
"My great-grandfather couldn't Google how to rotate pastures or manage soil health," Kyle says. "They learned through observation and passed down what worked. They understood that if you take care of the land, it takes care of you."
Today, KL Beef Co. employs modern sustainable practices like:
Rotational Grazing: Moving cattle strategically through different pastures allows grassland to recover and promotes biodiversity.
Water Conservation: Carefully managed water systems prevent waste while ensuring cattle have access to clean water.
Responsible Antibiotic Use: Cattle receive antibiotics only when sick or injured, never as a preventative measure. "Very few of our cattle ever receive antibiotics," Kyle emphasizes. "We focus on keeping them healthy through good management rather than medication."
Ethical Transportation: Minimizing stress during transportation maintains the animals' well-being and improves meat quality.
These practices aren't just good for the environment—they result in superior beef and a business model that can sustain future generations.
Passing the Legacy: The Next Generation
The Lammers' children are already learning the family business, helping with show calves for county fairs and understanding the responsibility that comes with raising animals.
"Sharing our love of farming and ranching with the next generation is one of our favorite parts of being parents," Morgan shares. "Everyone gets a part in raising the animals."
This early involvement isn't just about teaching skills—it's about instilling values that have sustained the operation through six generations: hard work, integrity, respect for the land and animals, and pride in producing food that nourishes others.
"Our summers are full of getting our show calves ready for county fair," Morgan explains. "Having animals of their own instills major responsibility in the kids from an early age."
This approach seems to be working. When asked about their future, the Lammers children speak enthusiastically about their roles on the ranch—potentially setting the stage for generation seven.
Building Community Through Agriculture
Beyond their own family, the Lammers are committed to strengthening the broader agricultural community in Nebraska.
"Farming and ranching can be isolating," Kyle notes. "We believe in creating connections—between producers, between farmers and consumers, between rural and urban communities."
This philosophy is evident in how they've structured KL Beef Co., creating direct relationships with customers through their bulk beef and individual steak options.
"When someone buys from us, they're not just getting a package of beef," Kyle explains. "They're getting a relationship with the family that raised it. They can ask questions, visit the ranch, and understand exactly where their food comes from."
This transparency builds trust and helps bridge the growing gap between food producers and consumers—a gap that concerns many in the agricultural community.
Meeting the Rancher: Kyle's Outreach
Despite his busy schedule, Kyle makes time to connect with customers and community members, sharing his story and educating people about modern ranching practices.
"There are a lot of misconceptions about how beef is raised," he explains. "Rather than complaining about it, I'd rather invite people in, show them what we do, and answer their questions honestly."
This openness extends to Kyle's personal story. He speaks candidly about losing his arm and how he's adapted, hoping his experience might inspire others facing their own challenges.
"Hard work and determination can get you through just about anything," he says. "Sometimes you have to create a new norm for your life, but that doesn't mean you can't achieve your dreams."
Experience the Lammers Legacy
The sixth-generation heritage of KL Beef Co. isn't just a marketing angle—it's embedded in every aspect of their operation and reflected in the quality of their beef.
To taste the difference that 160 years of ranching expertise makes:
- Explore their bulk beef options (whole, half, quarter, and eighth shares)
- Try individual cuts from their premium steak collection
- Contact the Lammers family to learn more about their story or arrange a ranch visit
Each package of beef that leaves the ranch carries with it not just exceptional flavor and nutrition, but the living heritage of a family that has dedicated six generations to perfecting their craft.
KL Beef Co.: Where Nebraska ranching tradition meets modern quality in every bite.