We visited Multiple Counties/towns/farms (14 in all !) in NY, June 16th - 21st of 2003, and found only 1 that was in "move-in" condition. If your interested in relocating your operation to NY we recommend doing your homework, and be sure to take a comfortable vehicle (preferably something 4 wheel drive). Contact David Posson at POSSON REALESTATE at: 1-(607)-334-9727. He'll take good care of you because he is very knowledgable when it come to farming. He's a Dairy farmer, not just a Real Estate Agent!
We'll be "grazing" BEEFALO & JERSEY CATTLE in either NY, Montana or Wisconsin!!!
We know what we're going to do, we just can't decide which state to do it in!
The possibilities are endless just about everywhere but Pennsylvania!!
Why are we relocating?
On November 20, 2002 we lost the lease on all our farmland.
(everything but the 4.25 acres that our home is on).
There is NOTHING available in our area. We tried to work out a partnership with 2 of our neighbors in Feb. of 2004, but the younger of the 2 farmers "wasn't too keen on the idea". What we proposed was that for the next 5 years (until the older of the 2 farmers was ready to retire at 65), we would work with them for little - no payment so we could learn all their farming practices. That way when retirement age came and he was planning to just "walk away from it" (farming), we could step right in and continue to run the bussiness for him and his wife.
Unfortunatly when land or an entire farm is available for sale around here, it's priced so high that there is no way anyone could justify farming on it.
That's why there is re-zoning of Agriculture land to residential, commercial, and industrial. It's happening at an alarming rate! Can you justify growing corn or beans on land that cost's $30-$60K an acre? I think not!
PA is doing a good job of FARMLAND PRESERVATION in the southern part of the state (Lancaster), but only for current farmland owners.
What about people who want to get into farming, what about people that want to grow a "Family Farm" starting with this generation? It seems that if you didn't inherit a family operation there is no help available in PA to get going!
Unfortunatly most of today's families that inherit a "Family Farm" are seeing $$$$$$ (fast cash) from Industrial and Residential Developers, and throw away an American/Family tradition for up-front money.
What about our heritage? When you ask most school age children (and unfortunatly even their parents), where does your food/next meal come from? The common response is "THE STORE". Scary, if you think about it!
Here's what we have planned.
B E E F A L O !
and lot's of 'em
WHY? Because BEEFALO meat has less than 3% fat content and a cholesterol content that is lower than that of Beef. Weight Watchers recommends BEEFALO Meat.
Our BEEFALO will also be classified as an Organically grazed food because we will NOT use antibiotics or hormones. Due to their extreme hardiness, they won't need them!
Our BEEFALO will be a cross of Bison & Red Angus.
Why Red Angus? Because it is the most popular color of cattle breeds world wide.
Red Angus provides a continuity and uniformity of color to any crossbreeding system.
Red is more heat tolerant than black, and the bronze pigmentation gives great resistance to cancer eye and sun burned utters. The majority of the world's cattle are in areas that need heat tolerance, so the red color is a definate advantage when we look at breeding for other producers/ranchers.
Being crossed red always breeds true. Red Angus carry no diluter genes and thus avoid the grays that result when crossbreeding with Black Angus.
Angus in general have lower birth weights as do Jersey Cattle (as compared to other cattle), so birthing difficulties even for a first time cow are very small.
We will also be raising a few Jerseys' (4-6 at a time) for their milking quality. They can calf at a younger age (24 months), as opposed to Brown Swiss and Holsteins which have to be 26 & 27. Jerseys' also have a higher butter fat and protein content.
For cheese production you can't beat a Jersey.
Jersey Cattle have differences you can see...High wide rear udders, good feet and legs, HARD black hooves, and they keep working through the heat of the day.
