Unexpected Farm Weekend: From Weaning Calves to Rendering Tallow

This past weekend at Weise Farms started with a clear agenda: Tim and I planned to wean our wagyu calves. We were ready, armed with knowledge and enthusiasm to help our calves transition to the next stage of their life without momma. However, Mother Nature had different plans. Heavy rains transformed our cowpen into a soggy mess, making our original plans impossible. The mud was thick, and the calves were frisky, setting the stage for a change of plans.

Weaning Calves can Wait

We were saddened when we found out about the flooding in other parts of Texas. And then our hearts sank thinking about the moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, friends and cousins who would never see their loved ones again. That is when we realize that our small plans of weaning calves could wait.

Our prayers go out to all of the families affected by the floods on Independence Day.

The Importance of Weaning Calves

Weaning is a critical stage in raising beef cattle. It involves separating the young calves from their mothers to give the mothers enough time to recuperate before their next baby is born. The process can be challenging on any day, but it is especially challenging when weather conditions complicate matters. The calves are looking robust and ready, but as we stood outside watching the rain fall, we realized that we needed to postpone weaning until another time.

The cowpen was an impassable quagmire. Each step would be in muck, making even simple tasks seem daunting. Furthermore, the rain makes calves more energetic and unpredictable. If we had pressed on, we could have faced injury from slippery footing or at the least, thoughts of losing our boots as they suction in the mud made it was clear that we needed to pivot.

Muddy cowpen at Weise Farms after heavy rains. Weaning calves was not an option.

Transitioning from Weaning Calves to Rendering Tallow

Rather than letting the weekend go to waste, we decided to focus on rendering tallow instead. Rendering tallow is the process of melting down beef fat to create oil for frying and a variety of other products. It's an old-school skill that not only reduces waste but also provides us with useful materials for cooking or making facial creams and soaps.

This allowed us to utilize resources from our farm in a practical and sustainable way.

Understanding Tallow and Its Uses

Tallow is primarily made from the fat of cattle. It has a high smoke point, making it an excellent cooking fat for frying or sautéing. Additionally, tallow is gaining popularity for its use in making soap and skincare products because it is all-natural and long-lasting.

While rendering tallow takes time, it isn't complex. All you need is a large pot, heat source, and, of course, the fat itself. The process allows you to create long-lasting products while minimizing waste.

Beautifully rendered tallow from Weise Farms

The Tallow Rendering Process

As the fat melted, we kept a close watch to ensure it didn't scorch. This process took several hours. We stirred occasionally, allowing the fat to render down fully. As we waited, we reminisced about past weekends spent weaning calves and discussed plans for the upcoming months on the farm.

It was a relaxing atmosphere, a nice contrast to the initial chaos. When the fat had fully rendered, we were left with clear liquid tallow and small bits of leftover solids, known as cracklings, which we set aside for later.

After straining of the bits, we then poured it through a cheesecloth and ladled into quart containers.

Benefits of Rendering Tallow

Rendering tallow has several significant benefits beyond just producing cooking fat. It allows us to make the most of our resources. Additionally, homemade tallow is more nutritious than many store-bought alternatives, which often contain preservatives and other additives.

Using tallow in cooking is not just practical but also economical. A single batch can provide enough fat for various needs, eliminating the need for multiple products. Furthermore, tallow's natural properties make it suitable for many household uses.

Enjoying the Fruits of Our Labor

Once the rendering process was complete, we decided to use some of our fresh tallow to cook dinner. It was time to put our labor to the test. Tallow makes an excellent base for sautéing vegetables or frying meats, and we couldn't wait to see how it turned out.

As we prepared the meal, the aroma of the tallow filled the kitchen, inviting nostalgia and comfort. It was a lovely way to finish our unexpected weekend. The food was not just nourishing but also a reminder of the work and effort we put into our farm.

Beef cooked with rendered tallow at Weise Farms

Thinking back on our Unexpected Weekend

Despite the challenges we faced with heavy rains, our unexpected weekend on Weise Farms led to replenishing our shelf with tallow. While we may not have weaned calves as planned, we practiced the importance of adaptability in farming life.

The realization that plans can change quickly reminded us of farms' rhythms and unpredictability. Just as we were about to wrestle with mud and slippery calves, we transformed our weekend into a productive session of skill-building and creativity.

This experience not only brought us closer to our farming roots but also reminded us that every challenge has the potential to lead to new opportunities.

What We Learned

This weekend was a real lesson in flexibility. Instead of pushing our agenda of weaning calves despite the weather conditions, we made the decision to render tallow. We were amazed by how one challenge could lead to another rewarding experience.

1. Adaptability is Key: Life on a farm is unpredictable. Being able to adapt quickly is essential. Whether it's bad weather or the antics of lively calves, flexibility will make your farming journey smoother.

   
   

2. Utilize Resources Wisely: Rendering tallow is a powerful reminder of the importance of using what we have on the farm. Sustainable practices can yield benefits both in terms of cost savings and resource management.

   
   

3. Enjoy the Process: Farming is not just about the end result; it's about the experiences along the way. Enjoying the tasks, even when they deviate from the original plan, enriches the farming journey.

   
   

As we wrap up this unexpected weekend, we carry the memories of a fun and productive time spent together, learning, and growing with our farm. Here’s to more unexpected adventures at Weise Farms!