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Farm Filosophies
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We have 6 Programs and our philosophies regarding each are detailed
below - Rotational Grazing, Crops, Shorthorn Cows, Katahdin Sheep, Chickens and Horses.
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Rotational Grazing: All of our animals are part of the rotational
grazing program, and approach of using intensive grazing on small plots of pasture for short
periods of time, on a rotational basis for more effective use of the grass resources.
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- Animals are moved frequently, thus reducing the tendency they have to congregate in "pleasing" locations which results in killing the grass and leaving dirt/mud patches
- Ecologically friendly by keeping erosion to a minimum
- Highly efficient use of grass by confining the stock (for 2-3 days) to a smaller area so they eat more of the grass at any given time, wasting less
- Grazing Cows (preferring longer grass), with Sheep (eating closer to the ground and some browsing) for more efficient use of the grass
- After grazing period, pasture can be cleared of fence and completely cut with equipment to save time
- Less fence trimming required, reduces manual labor and still keeps the farm looking neat
- Reduces noxious weed growth due to grazing and cutting prior to the weeds going to seed
- Manure is distributed by the animals and further spread during the cutting process
- Larger animals provide safety for the smaller animals
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Crops: We are practicing re-generative agriculture which
means leaving the ground in better shape each year. We accomplish this by primarily using
manure for fertilizer, but selectively using other fertilizers such as high calcium lime, soft
rock phosphates and potassium sulfates (rather than harsher commercial fertilizers) as needed
to keep the soil in ideal condition. Optimally the soil should be balanced for the best plant
and animal growth. In addition, we strive to increase the level of organic matter in the soil,
and balance the minerals so that no harm comes to the worms, beneficial bacteria and microbes
in the soil.
- Primarily we raise grass and harvest grass for hay
- Use selected plant growth for fixing the soil appropriately such as seeding with clover to fix nitrogen.
- Planting open pollinated corn because it uses the soil minerals more effectively than hybrid corns, it has higher protein content, and the cost is lower since we can produce our own seed for the following year. Colored, open pollinated corn is used to liven up the picking of the ears – which we normally do by hand. The animals seem to prefer the colored, open pollinated corn as well, eating it preferentially to the hybrid corn.
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Shorthorn Cows:
- One of the oldest breeds of cattle known in the world
- Shorthorn cattle originated in the Tees River valley in North East England in the late 1700’s
- Evolving from the Teeswater and Durham cattle, Shorthorns were originally a dual purpose beef and dairy breed.
- The first documented importation of Shorthorn cattle into North America was in 1783. Shorthorns became favorites of the American Pioneers because of their ability to produce milk, meat and power.
- Shorthorns have evolved over time and in 1948 became separated into two distinct breeds, the Dairy Shorthorn and the Beef Shorthorn
- Beef Shorthorns have an ability to efficiently convert their forage into tender, marbled beef, and are an ideal choice of breed for intensive grazing and organic farming systems.
- Shorthorns have distinctive coloring and are either red, red and white, white, or roan. The Shorthorn roan color, when it occurs, is a particularly close mixture of red and white found in no other breed of cattle.
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- We have all of our cattle genetically tested using the GeneSTAR® Tenderness test. This test uses the cow’s DNA to identify which animals are more likely to produce tender beef.
- GeneSTAR® testing along with American Shorthorn Association calculated EPD’s are what we use to make herd stock decisions. These types of data help to make data driven decisions about which cows we keep, and how we breed them to make improvements in the overall herd quality.
- Our herd goals currently are:
- birth live calves
- breed good mothering ability and docile temperaments
- frame size of 4-5 (which is a standard way to measure a cow - medium) so they are more compact and fatten more efficiently on grass
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Katahdin Sheep:
- Sheep have been domesticated by man, longer than any other animal except dogs.
- Sheep are used primarily for either meat, wool or fat (which is used to make cooking oil in some desert regions of the world).
- What is a Katahdin Hair Sheep?
- Michael Piel of Maine began development of the breed in the 1950’s naming the sheep for Mount Katahdin in Maine.
- His breeding was originally a cross between a hair coated Virgin Island Sheep and a meat sheep from the island of St. Croix In the 1970’s Mr Piel’s flock was bread with Wiltshire Horn shedding sheep from England.
- So, why Katahdin Hair Sheep?
- Wool production after the end of government subsidies has not been economically viable for most farmers. As labor costs to shear sheep have steadily increased, and the price of wool has steadily declined resulting in more farmers leaving the wool raising industry.
- If meat is your primary purpose for sheep, why grow wool at all. Meat is considered superior market quality and is mild in flavor.
- In cold weather they grow a heavy, thick winter coat, but that coat then sheds in the spring when warmer weather comes. Thus they tolerate cold, heat and humidity well.
- The breed is considered to be hardy, low maintenance, adaptable, efficient to raise in a variety of management systems including management intensive grazing.
- Mothering capability is considered to be excellent – requiring a minimum of housing and lamb management/segregation during lambing. Lambing is done inside or on pasture as ewes usually have little trouble and are good at caring for their vigorous lambs immediately.
- Average gestation is 145 – 148 days and lambing rates are good at 175 – 200% lamb crop each year (younger ewes rates are slightly lower). The normal breeding season for sheep is between August and January; however, they will breed out of season.
- What is KHSI?
- Katahdin Hair Sheep International is a breeders organization dedicated to registering and recording Katahdin sheep performance, assisting promotion/marketing and encouraging the research and development of the breed.
- KHSI has a statement of ethics that members must adhere to which requires demonstration of a high standard for integrity, animal husbandry, orderly sheep identification, record keeping and registration of the animals. They are dedicated to the education of customers about the breed
- Registration requirements include:
- Animals that are the offspring of two registered parents
- Plus animals born before 1 Jan 1998 must be classified with an "A" or "B" coat type by a certified inspector.
- Recording can be made of animals 50% or more Katahdin, and then registration can occur for:
- Females, with inspection, that are at least 7/8ths Katahdin blood and both parents registered.
- Males, with inspection, that are at least 7/8ths Katahdin blood and who’s dam has been given an "A" quality coat".
- Frank Stahl is a certified KHSI hair inspector.
- Our herd goals currently are:
- live births, consistency in birth weights of 7-8 pounds and weaning weights of 100 pounds in approximately 8 months.
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Chickens:
- Araucana (Easter Egg) Chickens
- Buff Orpingtons
- Gold Laced Wyandots
- Silver Laced Wyandots
- Barred Rocks
- All breeds lay a Large to Jumbo heavy shelled egg
- Eggs are brown except for the Araucana which lays any shade of egg from light green/blue to brown
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Nearby Attractions
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Amish Country
(Holmes County)
The Colonial City
(Mount Vernon)
Dennison University
and Granville
Indian Mounds
(Newark/Heath)
Zanesville Potteries
Kenyon College
(Gambier)
Roscoe Village
(Coshocton)
Covered Bridge
(Fallsburg)
National Rd. Museum
(Zanesville)
Longaberger Baskets
(Dresden/Frazeysburg)
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