| Agriculture, Economy not all ‘gloom and doom’ |
The Keys to surviving tough economic times in agriculture include improving farming efficiency,
adapting to tighter markets and preparing for unexpected opportunities.
“Invest in yourself and invest in your community ” Do not wait for the government to come bail
you out. Get more education in soil and water management, agricultural enterprise, financial
and market opportunities and efficient production.
Watch what the national economy is doing, listen to what the people are saying in terms of
trying to solve this crisis. The national economy impacts the local economy somewhat, but not
to the extent a lot of people think on a daily basis.
adapting to tighter markets and preparing for unexpected opportunities.
“Invest in yourself and invest in your community ” Do not wait for the government to come bail
you out. Get more education in soil and water management, agricultural enterprise, financial
and market opportunities and efficient production.
Watch what the national economy is doing, listen to what the people are saying in terms of
trying to solve this crisis. The national economy impacts the local economy somewhat, but not
to the extent a lot of people think on a daily basis.
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Our Farm Policy:
- Ensure the health and
humane treatment of our
animals - No use of hormones or
non-therapeutic
antibiotics. - No genetically modified
livestock - Protect soil and water
quality - Protect and enhance
wildlife habitat - Continuously improve
management practices
| Georgia Boers Located in Dewy Rose, GA |
Very few people talk about it. You can be as green, and as sustainable as you want to be but if
there is no profit, there will soon be no farm.
Most people concerned with sustainability try to avoid all negative environmental impacts
without regard to the fact that yields maybe less than their conventional counterparts and there
will not be enough profit to sustain the family's needs as well as meet the farm expenses. The
current sustainable farming methods maybe insufficient to provide for a profitable farm industry
and a growing global population. No profit, no farm.
We suggest taking a local approach to creating a sustainable agricultural system -- one that is
ecologically sound, economically viable, socially just and humane and profitable. Not all are
methods are practical or economically feasible in today's economy. In practice, there is no
single approach to sustainable agriculture. Precise goals and methods used must be adapted
to an individual's farm, budget and location.
From a choice few to an economical starter herd the goats or calves you are looking for may
already be here. Call or email today!
there is no profit, there will soon be no farm.
Most people concerned with sustainability try to avoid all negative environmental impacts
without regard to the fact that yields maybe less than their conventional counterparts and there
will not be enough profit to sustain the family's needs as well as meet the farm expenses. The
current sustainable farming methods maybe insufficient to provide for a profitable farm industry
and a growing global population. No profit, no farm.
We suggest taking a local approach to creating a sustainable agricultural system -- one that is
ecologically sound, economically viable, socially just and humane and profitable. Not all are
methods are practical or economically feasible in today's economy. In practice, there is no
single approach to sustainable agriculture. Precise goals and methods used must be adapted
to an individual's farm, budget and location.
From a choice few to an economical starter herd the goats or calves you are looking for may
already be here. Call or email today!
| The Secret you need to know about Sustainable Agriculture |
| Is Bigger Better? Sustainable Farming Practices |
As the search for grass and feed continues, as prices continue to rise for hay, gas and diesel,
producers need to start thinking about your cow and goat size. Is bigger better? Are 1,000-
pound cows better than 1,300-pound cows? How big is a good cow? Are 200 pound goats
better than 150 pound goats? How big is too big?
The simple answer is that one size does not fit all operations. Just how big are the animals
you are turning out to pasture is the real question.
My herds are probably not unique for the south east. Cows are a combination of Angus and
Angus cross breeding; my goats are predominantly Boer and Boer crosses with the lighter-
weights showing the influence of Georgia native composite breeding.
Heat, humidity and drought in the south east means the livestock that works best for my farm
must be a moderate frame size for feed efficiency. Droughts, hay shortage, high feed costs
require that our animals excel in feed efficiency, parasite resistance and raise a calf or kid with
less input. We try to keep what profit the cows and goats generate on the farm rather than give
it to the feed stores.
While sorting does and kids, cows and calves for spring and summer pasture, one needs to
make sure your plans for stocking rates are compatible with your area and biology. This is
especially important in dry areas.
The quantity and quality of daily intake is a factor and the amount an individual animal eats is
influenced by total body weight. Overstocking of total body weight is a serious concern for
pasture and browse managers.
Every producer needs to know the weight of the animals that are turned out to graze and
browse. Your decision making requires knowledge. Size and weight is one of the crucial
pieces of information needed for good management. Don’t guess; know your animals’
weights. Monitor weight and adjust the stocking rate based on weight, age, nutritional
requirements and pasture quality and forage availability.
producers need to start thinking about your cow and goat size. Is bigger better? Are 1,000-
pound cows better than 1,300-pound cows? How big is a good cow? Are 200 pound goats
better than 150 pound goats? How big is too big?
The simple answer is that one size does not fit all operations. Just how big are the animals
you are turning out to pasture is the real question.
My herds are probably not unique for the south east. Cows are a combination of Angus and
Angus cross breeding; my goats are predominantly Boer and Boer crosses with the lighter-
weights showing the influence of Georgia native composite breeding.
Heat, humidity and drought in the south east means the livestock that works best for my farm
must be a moderate frame size for feed efficiency. Droughts, hay shortage, high feed costs
require that our animals excel in feed efficiency, parasite resistance and raise a calf or kid with
less input. We try to keep what profit the cows and goats generate on the farm rather than give
it to the feed stores.
While sorting does and kids, cows and calves for spring and summer pasture, one needs to
make sure your plans for stocking rates are compatible with your area and biology. This is
especially important in dry areas.
The quantity and quality of daily intake is a factor and the amount an individual animal eats is
influenced by total body weight. Overstocking of total body weight is a serious concern for
pasture and browse managers.
Every producer needs to know the weight of the animals that are turned out to graze and
browse. Your decision making requires knowledge. Size and weight is one of the crucial
pieces of information needed for good management. Don’t guess; know your animals’
weights. Monitor weight and adjust the stocking rate based on weight, age, nutritional
requirements and pasture quality and forage availability.
| Sustainable Agriculture |
| "Join countless others in helping to save the environment.” |
Given the finite supply of natural resources at any specific cost and location, agriculture that is
inefficient or damaging to needed resources may eventually exhaust the available resources or
the reduce the farmer's ability to afford and acquire them.
Small farms, large farms, family farms, corporate farms; without agriculture, there is no future.
The house you live in, the chair you sit on, the clothes you wear, the food you eat, and the job
where you work. The agricultural industry directly employs 20 percent of America's workforce,
approximately 21 million people. It doesn't count those who cook and serve agricultural
products, builders and factories who use agricultural products, stores that sell agricultural
products, etc.
How to become sustainable is the key that needs to be used by everyone to insure we can find
ways to adapt to a changing climate.
Raising Boer goats on our other farm was the first phase and foundation of our agriculture
strategy. We liked that goats were love and income in one terrific package! Adding grass fed
cattle helps us build on that foundation for a sustainable and diverse farm program.
inefficient or damaging to needed resources may eventually exhaust the available resources or
the reduce the farmer's ability to afford and acquire them.
Small farms, large farms, family farms, corporate farms; without agriculture, there is no future.
The house you live in, the chair you sit on, the clothes you wear, the food you eat, and the job
where you work. The agricultural industry directly employs 20 percent of America's workforce,
approximately 21 million people. It doesn't count those who cook and serve agricultural
products, builders and factories who use agricultural products, stores that sell agricultural
products, etc.
How to become sustainable is the key that needs to be used by everyone to insure we can find
ways to adapt to a changing climate.
Raising Boer goats on our other farm was the first phase and foundation of our agriculture
strategy. We liked that goats were love and income in one terrific package! Adding grass fed
cattle helps us build on that foundation for a sustainable and diverse farm program.
| Bloodlines Steeped in Tradition, Focused on the Future |