Splitlimb Ranch is in the eastern half of Texas County near Raymondville, Mo. This sprawling ranch has an “end of the road” location that makes it perfect for this diversified farm operation. Andy and Kelly Dietsch bought the ranch and moved here from New Jersey in 2009. They were looking for a turn-key operation with two houses. Andy said, “We could not continue to make a living farming in New Jersery, because the property taxes were high and there were continuous over-regulations incurred on farmers by the state.” He further stated they liked the property values in Missouri along with the beauty. The farm they selected was just what they were looking for with a house and a hunting cabin. They loved the wildness and isolation for themselves and the animals they wanted to raise.
Andy and Kelly raise Beefalo cattle and have a good-sized herd. This is the only breed developed from a Native American animal – the American Bison. A full blood Beefalo is 3/8 bison x 5/8 bovine; the bovine content can be any breed. Andy said, “These cattle have no wild, aggressive traits and during calving season you never know what color calf you will get.” They have a white bull named Gabriel and a black bull named Diablo, however, they do some AI with well-known sires.
The Beefalo has the bison influence of a hardy, healthy, fertile animal that produces a vigorous calf with a low birth weight, but is fast growing. They have a small stomach and a smaller but dense bone structure. In other words you are producing more meat than bone with less fat than the average breed of beef. The most important asset of the Beefalo breed is the end product – lean red meat. It contains less fat and cholesterol than other breeds of choice beef. Beefalo browse as well as graze and are very efficient at converting roughage to gain. Andy said, “It takes a shorter amount of time to get them to reach slaughter weight.” The shorter finishing period and efficient use of a high roughage ration is a definite advantage in the feedlot.
Andy and Kelly are working to improve the Beefalo breed by purchasing full blood breeding stock from other parts of the country. They believe it is necessary to introduce new blood lines so local herds do not get too closely related.
In addition to Beefalo the Dietsch’s raise Elk, deer, chickens, goats, hogs and rabbits. Splitlimb Ranch was originally an exotic animal hunting ranch so it was equipped with 8-foot fences to contain the animals. The Elk herd today consists of six cows, four calves and three bull Elk. They have Whitetail deer as well as Sika and Fallow deer, which they have as an attraction for people who come to stay at their guest lodge. Andy and Kelly believe in being self-sufficient and grow their own meat and eggs. Kelly said, “We want the cleanest and best food available and when we grow our own we know what we are getting.”
Kelly also raises Flemish Giants, a breed of rabbits, which have been around since 1860. It has a docile personality and is known as a universal rabbit for its multi purposes of pet, show, breeding and meat.
The rabbit hutch is built in and literally around trees, so even in this hot weather the rabbits are in a shady environment. Kelly said, “We try to keep them comfortable, clean and cool. Rather than cut down trees to add on to our rabbitry, we just built around the trees to keep the shade.” The chicken run, the hog pen, and the goat pasture are all constructed in the same way. Rather than taking out trees and native vegetation they built fences and housing around them so nothing is crowded or artificial. The goats and hogs are primarily for table use.
In addition to the various livestock they also have a guest lodge for rent. Splitlimb Ranch Guest Lodge is more than a bed and breakfast – it is a home away from home.
Guests can explore the 650-acre ranch by walking or taking one of the ranch vehicles and cook their own breakfast from food produced on the ranch. They can enjoy the various animals in their natural habitat and observe their growth all the way from young in the spring to full rut in the fall. It is a unique experience to see the chickens that produced your breakfast eggs and be right in the middle of a full-fledged farming operation. Andy and Kelly said their customers like their place and come back again and again at different times of year to experience all the seasons of the Ozarks on the ranch.
In summary, this couple and their two boys from New Jersey are right at home here in the Ozarks and have settled in raising and improving the true American breed of beef – the Beefalo. Andy and Kelly have a comfortable, quiet place at the end of the road with clean, chemical free meat, eggs and produce for their family. They are willing to share this way of life with others with the guest lodge. An American Dream accomplished.
