Scott Hoffman Soldiers Grove, WI

 J. Scott Hoffman is the owner of J&S Angus Farms in Northwest Richland County where he is a cow/calf and seed stock producer.

Explain your business and or hobby.  J&S Angus Farms is a cow/calf operation that raises registered and commercial Angus cattle.  All of his cattle are performance tested.  The farm income is derived from selling beef from the drift less area of Wisconsin. Scott is Beef Quality Assurance certified, a past president of the Wisconsin Cattleman’s Association, and long time member of National Cattleman’s Beef Association (NCBA).

What made you get involved with the beef industry? With the farm being in the drift less area the property is too rough to raise row crops.  Cows and calves grazing the steep slopes of SW Wisconsin is the most responsible and economical way to continue on as a 5^th generation farmer that was homesteaded in 1868.

How do you want others to view the beef industry? Farmers and Ranchers are the true definition of “active environmentalist”.  We are working 24/7 to produce a nutritious safe protein product while being stewards of the lands to future generations

What is one important thing you want consumers to know about beef or the industry?  Beef is a nutritious, safe product that most of the farms are family owned.  Beef is one of two commodities that are not subsidized by federal government.  I am proud to be a beef producer and proud to be a member of county, state, and national beef organizations.

David Wilke Ripon, WI

My name is David Wilke. Our home farm is near Ripon, WI and I am a full-time dairy beef and cash crop farmer.

Explain your business and or hobby.  My wife, son and I run a 1,200 acre crop and 600 head dairy beef farm. We grow corn and hay for our steers and also grow canning peas, green beans, sweet corn, wheat and soybeans as cash crops.

What made you get involved with the beef industry?  I have been a lifelong farmer and had beef steers as 4-H projects at the local fair. I always enjoyed feeding and growing steers, heifers and cows on my father’s dairy farm.

How do you want others to view the beef industry?  The beef industry has evolved over the years. Some producers still pasture on the open range, but most feed in a more friendly environment to protect the animals from the weather elements, have the ability to feed the animals a completely mixed ration, balanced by a local nutritionist and have the ability to contain and spread the manure residue for the next year’s field crops which is much more environmentally friendly.

What is one important thing you want consumers to know about beef or the industry?  The beef industry provides a comfortable environment for our animals. We feel it is very important to grow a good wholesome product for consumers.

Any other comments you may have.  I have not always been a full-time farmer. Many beef producers have off-farm jobs. I have had jobs in a local feed mill, canning factory and milk hauling jobs to provide me more experience to become a full-time farmer.