Wurdeman brothers produce high-quality hay
Niobrara County brothers Carson and Garrett Wurdeman, sons of Neal Wurdeman of Lusk and Cindy Wurdeman of Hastings, Neb., have a longstanding connection to the agricultural industry.
This shared connection brought them closer together and led to the establishment of Wurdeman Brothers LLC in 2020.
Wurdeman Brothers LLC is dedicated to raising high-quality hay and cattle near Node.
The brothers, in collaboration with their father and sister Lainey Wurdeman, proudly contribute to the efforts of 5W Livestock LLC which consist of a backgrounding feedlot and both a farming and ranching operation.
Family business
“My dad moved from eastern Nebraska about 30 years ago to Duck Creek Ranch and started the family business about 12 years ago,” Carson states. “We are very involved in the family business. We moved back to the ranch during COIVD-19, then decided to start our own hay business.”
The brothers were fortunate to obtain a lease nearby from a neighbor which consists of three irrigation pivots where they raise alfalfa-orchardgrass mix, orchardgrass and dryland hay.
“We strive to raise horse-quality hay, but depending on the Wyoming weather, we have excellent cow hay. Large round bales and three-by-four squares are primarily the types of bales we make,” Carson adds.
During the third cutting, the Wurdeman brothers bale little squares for the locals to fill their barns the winter.
Their premium products are not only sold directly to horse enthusiasts, they also re-bale and distribute hay in Colorado, ensuring top-notch quality for a wider market.
Carson says, “We have seen the market slow down, but we always keep a good supply of inventory on hand in the hay shed.”
The Wurdeman brothers store approximately one year’s supply of three-by-four square bales in the hay shed to fulfill customer demand throughout the year.
“Cow/calf producers are beginning to try straight orchard hay and are finding it to be high-quality feed,” Carson notes.
Family history
The brothers have a long history with 4-H, having shown swine, horses, crossbred steers and breeding heifers over the years.
The two found their niche in the show ring early on when Garrett won grand champion with his market steer and in showmanship at the Niobrara County Fair in 2014.
He was declared the best in state during the Champion of Champions Market Beef Class at the 2013 Wyoming State Fair (WSF), where he also won the Overall Beef Champion.
Carson states, “We started our 4-H careers very young and began attending the WSF as soon as we could. It was a goal of ours, and together we have won several state and county titles.”
Carson continued participating in 4-H throughout high school and graduated from Niobrara County High School in Lusk in 2015.
“Lusk did not have an FFA chapter when I was in high school, but Garrett, who is three years younger, was able to participate in FFA before he graduated,” Carson states.
After graduation, Carson attended Casper College in Casper where he studied ag business and transferred to University of Wyoming (UW) to study animal science.
Carson notes, “While attending Casper College and UW, I was a member of the livestock judging team. I truly enjoyed my experience.”
Judging at the collegiate level allowed Carson to make lifelong connections with not only his teammates but producers as well.
“I intended to eventually return to the family operation as well as growing my own operation, but when COVID-19 shut everything down, Garrett and I returned home from UW and have been working on both operations,” Carson continues.
Today, the brothers continue to actively contribute to the family operation which serves Niobrara County and surrounding areas.
For more information, visit @WurdemanBrothersLLC on Facebook.
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
