Boettcher's Brookview Acres

“Every generation that has farmed here has added something,” Brandon reflects. “More land, new ideas—and always, a deep love for raising cattle.” 

Brookview Acres began as a dairy and sheep operation. Over the decades, it adapted to changing times and weathered shifting markets. When the dairy cows left in 1972, beef cattle and sheep became the farm’s focus. By 1989, following a severe drought the year before, the sheep were phased out and the operation turned fully toward beef—bringing in Shorthorns to complement their longtime Hereford herd. 

Today, Brookview Acres is a diversified beef and cash grain operation. Brandon and his family raise registered seedstock for breeding, finish their own steers for harvest, sell cattle through local sale barns, and direct market beef to customers. They also sell show calves to 4-H youth and breeding bulls to fellow producers. 

This hands-on approach means the Boettchers are involved in every step of the process—from calving to feeding to customer conversations. 

“We’re conventional farmers who vaccinate regularly, use antibiotics responsibly when needed. If a customer has a question, we’re an open book,” Brandon says. “We believe in transparency and trust.” 

And trust runs deep—both with their buyers and their veterinarians. Brookview Acres maintains strong relationships with local animal health professionals, ensuring cattle are cared for to the highest standard. 

“My motto is simple,” Brandon says. “The better we treat the animals, the better they’ll treat us.” 

That care shows in everything from their feeding programs to bedding and shelter. Cattle are kept comfortable year-round, with ample space, clean bedding, and fresh water. Brandon adds, “while they’re here, it’s our responsibility to give them the best life possible.” 

Beyond livestock, Brookview Acres is committed to conservation. The farm’s hilly terrain features highly variable soils, making erosion control a top priority. The legacy of stewardship began in the 1940s when Brandon’s grandfather worked with the Jackson County conservation office to establish some of the first contour strips and terraces in the area. 

“Having come through the Great Depression, this farm, like most farms, was in kind of tough shape because of the conditions they had come through. When my grandfather came home from Farm and Industry Short Course in Madison, he knew he was going to have to change things to make this a viable, productive operation.” 

Today, that conservation ethic remains strong. The Boettchers maintain those same original terraces, along with added waterways and buffer strips. Most of their corn and soybeans are grown using 100% no-till practices, preserving soil structure and nutrients for the next generation. 

“The key,” Brandon says, “is to keep the soil—and the nutrients it holds—right here where it belongs.” 

Brookview Acres is also a farm built on memories and family connection. Brandon didn’t originally plan to farm full time. But while studying animal science at UW–Madison, he realized that his future—belonged on the family farm. 

“I still don’t want to do anything else so I think I’ve made the right decision,” he said. 

As he watches nieces and nephews care for calves, help with chores, and show cattle at local fairs—just as he and his siblings once did—Brandon sees not just the continuation of a business, but of a way of life. 

Brandon hopes consumers know that no matter where they buy their beef—whether from a local farmer, a butcher shop, or a grocery store—they can feel confident about the safety and quality of their food. 

“Be very confident that we have a safe food supply. Whether you are buying it direct from a producer off farm, through a local locker plant, or whether you're buying it from the meat case in your local grocery store or the large chain stores. There are a lot of hard-working producers out there that are really proud of the product that they’re providing for our consumers. Please continue to support us because we want to continue to supply it to you.”