Checking Back in with Lillie Beringer: Conservation at the Heart of a Thriving Beef Farm
SWOF Farmer Spotlight: Lillie Beringer, Iowa
About a year ago we introduced you to Lillie Beringer, a determined and enthusiastic young farmer enrolled with the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund (SWOF). Since then, Lillie’s commitment to sustainability and innovation has continued to shine—earning her the title of Iowa’s Conservation Woman of the Year in 2024.
Lillie is a third-generation farmer and young entrepreneur who has transformed her family farm in Cascade, Iowa over the past few years. With a passion for conservation, she has successfully transitioned her acres from conventional tillage to 100% no-till, adopted a corn-bean rotation, and integrated cover crops across all her fields for livestock grazing.
Her primarily Angus cattle herd has grown significantly to about 250 cows. They have a spring and fall calving herd on the operation and they also custom feed about 500 head of cattle. Finally, Lillie sells their home raised 21-day dry aged Angus beef as individual cuts directly to consumers through her online store, BFF Beef.
To celebrate her incredible work, we visited Lillie on her farm before harvest this past fall to learn more about her approach and better capture her fields.
Embracing Conservation
Lillie has always had a passion for cows and a strong willingness to learn. As she began to slowly take the helm of her family’s operation after graduating from college in 2018, this is where she chose to focus her attention. Eager to explore new approaches, find efficiencies, and involve her cows on their land, Lillie started attending conservation meetings and learning about the benefits of cover crops. She began experimenting with cereal rye, radishes, turnips, and oats, working them into her rotation and using them to feed her cattle.
The shift to conservation practices has had tangible benefits. Not only do the cover crops help supplement the feed for her cattle, but it’s also improved the health of her livestock. “I really love grazing our mama cows and newborn calves in the spring out on the rye. Not only does it feed the cows, but it also provides a very clean, healthy environment for the newborn calves to just thrive. We didn’t have to treat a single sick calf. It has been fantastic!”
Lillie utilizes cover crops and rotational grazing to help feed her herd.
The Ease of Program Enrollment
Lillie found the SWOF and other helpful programs through her county farmer to farmer community group. For farmers considering conservation practices, Lillie encourages them to take a closer look at the many program options. “The process with the Outcomes Fund has been really easy,” she explains. “I worked with my agronomist to come up with a plan. He was also familiar with the program, so we worked with the local SWOF representative to submit practice changes, then reviewed and approved the offer.”
As a young producer, Lillie acknowledges how much efficiencies matter when land and input prices are so high, and margins are so tight. The savings in fuel, labor, and the benefits to her herd from conservation have helped her grow in a very difficult industry. “It rewards people trying to think outside the box and do things different. To have some sort of compensation for trying something new is very beneficial for us and our operation."
A Deep Connection to the Land
At the heart of everything she does is a deep appreciation for the land, her family’s legacy, and the responsibility of stewardship. “Being a steward of the land is so important to me,” Lillie says. “This land has been passed down for generations, and I believe it’s our duty to take care of this land that God has blessed us with in the best way possible.”
While farming comes with its challenges, Lillie finds it incredibly rewarding. “Knowing that we raise a safe, healthy product that feeds families is something special,” she says. “This lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but for those of us who do it, it’s a privilege.”
Lillie’s dedication to conservation, her cattle, and her community makes her a standout voice in agriculture. As she continues to innovate and advocate for sustainable practices, she’s setting an example for future generations of farmers.
Lillie says her yields have held strong, even improving a bit, since implementing no-till and cover crops.
Want to learn more about Lillie or support her small beef business, BFF Beef? You can find more info at Beringer Family Farms website and you can also follow along with her journey on Facebook and Instagram.
If you’re interested in reducing your tillage, adding cover crops, or more on your own farming operation, please reach out. Our helpful and knowledgeable field staff is spread out across our program’s geography to provide quality, localized service to our farmers. Programs like SWOF can help you maximize the benefits of conservation with financial incentives.