Pasture-Based Forage Systems: Schuette Farm

Using Illinois Forages Based on Pasture Based Systems

Schuette Farms is a family farming operation of 200 row crop acres and 220 permanent pasture acres located in Clinton County near Breese, IL. Cliff Schuette took over the family grain farm in 1996 and began focusing the farm on commercial beef production. Schuette Farms currently utilizes an Angus and Simmental crossbreeding program where steer and the bottom 25% of heifer calves are early weaned between 45 and 120 days of age. Calves nursing first calf heifers are also early weaned to ensure rapid rebreeding of young cows. Calves are fed out on farm and sold to 6 local grocery stores where carcass data are collected.

The goals of Schuette Farm’s are to be profitable, environmentally friendly, and conservation minded, while producing a product meeting the needs and demands of local consumers. To accomplish these goals Cliff has transitioned to a year round grazing program that has reduced stored feed needs from 5,000 pounds to fewer than 1,000 pounds per cow per year.