Shell Lake cattle company committed to community

SHELL LAKE — Taking care of the land, the well-being of his family and a commitment to the Shell Lake area is what inspired Adam Wabrowetz to create the Sawyer Creek Cattle Co. An example of this commitment is shown by his donation of 200 grass-fed angus beef hamburgers for the Great Shell Lake Get Together coming on July 14.

“We primarily raise angus beef cattle for breeding purposes, but there’s room for some beef sales, too,” said Wabrowetz.

“I grew up with a strong interest in agriculture and animals. My first recollections of farming were of my grandmother milking cows and former Shell Lake Mayor Chuck Lutz’s entertaining auctions. I have fond memories of both. This transitioned to my realization of the importance in taking care of the land. At Sawyer Creek, we practice regenerative agriculture as a way to build up the soil so it retains the moisture and organisms stay in it, locking in carbon,” said Wabrowetz.

The key to this process is rotating where our cattle graze so the grasses aren’t taken down too low. By doing this, the soil retains the nutrients it needs from the cattle, so it continues to produce nutritious grass for them. This management philosophy decreases both fossil fuel use and fertilizer usage.

Wabrowetz also said Sawyer Creek is active in the Northwest Grazers Network and the Yellow River Watershed Council. The nonprofit Shell Lake–Yellow River Watershed Council includes Spooner Lake and the river’s headwaters, around Shell Lake and as far west as where the river crosses County Hwy H in Burnett County.

“These nonprofits work to improve soil health and water quality in the lakes and rivers within the watershed by decreasing field run-off into area lakes and rivers, so besides improving sustainable agriculture in the area, they work to protect the environment,” Wabrowetz said.

The Northwest Wisconsin Grazers Network has also played an important role in Sawyer Creek Cattle.

“Northwest Grazers has been an important part of our company’s growth. Every year, there’s a spring and fall conference in Shell Lake designed to help farmers learn more about regenerative agriculture,” said Wabrowetz.

Sawyer Creek Cattle intends to be a part of the Shell Lake area specifically and in generalities, all of northwest Wisconsin.

“I see Shell Lake as a growing community; there’s so much potential here and this is where I want to raise my family in a rural, agricultural environment. My plan is to insure Sawyer Creek Cattle is part of this,” he said.

More information on Sawyer Creek Cattle is available online at www.sawyercreekcattle.com.