Who We Are
Background
Some people are blessed to grow up around cattle; I am one of them. My grandparents mostly ran commercial Brangus. My parents started out with commercial Brangus, but my mother hand milked Jerseys and Brown Swiss as well. We always liked the low-maintenance features of the Brangus, but sometimes their disposition left a little to be desired. The dairy breeds were great mothers but always looked thin.
Why Maine Anjou
Maine Anjou cattle seem to combine the best features into one breed. They have a large frame and easily keep their condition. They are good mothers, easy calvers, and good milkers. They are docile and easy to handle, but also healthy enough that they don’t require a lot of handling.
Akaushi
In addition to the Maine herd, we also have Mainetainer cows out of full-blood Maine Anjou cows and a registered Akaushi (Red Wagyu) bull. According to the American Akaushi Association, Akaushi beef has not only a high fat content to make the beef extremely tender, but also a higher proportion of monounsaturated fat relative to saturated fat.
Nutrition
The best cattle are no good without good nutrition. Good grass is the foundation for a good nutrition program. Next is good quality minerals developed to go along with local forage. At some stages of life they might need a little extra supplementation; whatever it takes to have the healthiest cattle imaginable, I am on board.
The Pasture
Currently our herd is grazing on Goshen Farm in southern Lincoln County, Tennessee, south of Fayetteville and North of Huntsville, Alabama. They are happily munching fescue, orchardgrass, and occasionally some ryegrass pastures. In the summer they enjoy crabgrass and other warm season annuals.
Pasture supplements
To make sure the girls have all their nutritional needs filled, VitaFerm ReproMaxx mineral is available free choice in a mineral feeder. They also have free choice access to Pro-Lix liquid feed in case they need a little extra protein. We make sure they always have plenty of hay and clean, fresh water. Replacement heifers and weaned bull calves we are feeding Co-op Beef Generator for optimum frame and development.