The Guernsey Trip (and Pics)

[Judy in IN]

OK! We just got home from Sedona Guernsey Farm. All of the little bitty heifers are gone. So, if you decide to go down there, take a trailer; I wish I had, lol.

Ron's brother has Jerseys. They are purebred, but not registered. On the milking cows, the Jerseys need their hooves trimmed pretty bad. It's been two years since they've been trimmed, but hey, they're for sale, and they belong to his brother.

They have several itty-bitty Jersey heifers and bull calves. But these belong to brother, so Ron's not concerned with selling them, lol.


He has two little Guernsey bulls that are not banded yet. They are de-horned.

I asked him what he intended to do with the calf stalls. They are really nice. He hasn't thought that far ahead. The excess hay has been spoken for by a neighbor.

He has a really nice Guernsey heifer that he's not been able to AI. They don't have a clean-up bull. A fellow might be able to get her real cheap. Otherwise, she's going on the truck.

No. 52 is due around March 1st. This will be her third lactation. Look at that topline and udder!

[Judy in IN]

No. 65 is due Feb 22nd.


He has production records on everything but the heifers. Like I said, the little calves are sold. The next size up are sold. (except for the Jerseys)

The next size is what I brought home. He has 9 Guernsey heifers left in this group. However, take a trailer! I wish I had. The backs of the smallest heifers was right against the top of the camper top. I could hear the fiberglass flexing. There was one Guernsey heifer in that group that I would have loved to get. She just kept coming up for scratches and was really friendly, but she was BIG. I think that's her on the far right.


The last group is breeding-age heifers that haven't been bred yet. I forgot to count them. but I'd say there was at least 6 or 8.



I asked what they were going to do with the parlor, but he hasn't thought that far ahead.

SO! There it is! We got home safe and sound, although the last heifer didn't lay down until we reached Terre Haute. We got a bad tank of fuel near Princeton, but were able to get some 911 for the water. Now I get to change the fuel and water filters on the next day above freezing.

Pictures of MY girls later. The one with the triangle on her forehead in one picture came home with me.

[Rosepath]

Aren't those the greatest girls? I would have loved to bring home the little Jersey bred heifer.
So, did you bring home anyone? Pics? So exciting.

[Rosepath]

Oops, just saw where you told of getting some home, congrats!!
It's a good thing I have limited hay, or we'd be in the cow bid'ness here.

[Judy in IN]

Yes, he said that little Jersey had a sweet disposition. If it were me wanting her, I'd turn on the charm and see if he'd sell me that girl and enough hay to get through to spring. You've got to use your feminine wiles!

His Mom came out because she wanted to meet me. I brought her some honey from my hives, and a dozen eggs. It turns out her Leghorns aren't laying that well.

His father raised a cow 25 years ago that he sold for $3500. The fellow that bought her took her to the national show, won, and sold her for $22,000. I'm sure selling the cows is bittersweet for him. You can tell that HE really loves them. He's still milking. Mom is 74, so I'm thinking Dad is a little older.

Yep, it's a good thing I didn't bring a trailer. There were about three big cows that I would have LOVED to have.

[Miss Kay]

Love those cows. What a life those folks must have had, spending it working with such beautiful cows. I would just be sick to see them go. Judy, I'm just curious. How old are those calves before he lets them out of those stalls onto pasture?

[springvalley]

What a nice looking setup, such a shame they don`t have someone to take over. So many older farmers loose everything they have worked their life for to retirement and old age. Nice looking bunch of animals. > Marc

[SueMc]

My two heifers are still in that mid-sized group. #210 and 211. I can't wait to get them home.
Judy, did the Amish buyer who wanted all the milkers, fall through?

[Judy in IN]

Well, Ron told me that he had sent the production records to the addy the Amish fellow provided, but they bounced back. So then he called and left a message, but hasn't heard back yet. So who knows? He asked if I were interested in no.11. Actually his Dad did. I think he wanted her to go to a good place. She is a bred cow, so I think there's wiggle room there.

If I had taken the trailer, I would have come home with a fresh cow.

[Judy in IN]

Originally Posted by Miss Kay

Love those cows. What a life those folks must have had, spending it working with such beautiful cows. I would just be sick to see them go. Judy, I'm just curious. How old are those calves before he lets them out of those stalls onto pasture?

Miss Kay, The calves in the 2nd barn pen had to be 5 months old, I'm thinking. I'm just going by size.

[Judy in IN]

Originally Posted by springvalley

What a nice looking setup, such a shame they don`t have someone to take over. So many older farmers loose everything they have worked their life for to retirement and old age. Nice looking bunch of animals. > Marc

Well Marc, they have two sons, but the one works a job in town, and Ron works construction. The tractors I saw were 4020's, so the milk check has not kept pace with cost of living, I'd say. They have a really nice farm. I'd say they can sell $7 corn and do better, probably.

They've got to have a bigger tractor, because they have a big square baler, but I guess the boys choose to stop milking on top of their off-farm jobs.

[SueMc]

Thanks Judy

[G. Seddon]

What a nice group of cows and heifers, and they appear to be well cared for. Need more photos of the lucky one you got! Hope you get the fuel thing fixed without too much trouble.

[francismilker]

Have I missed something in a previous thread Judy? What's up with the farm? Is it just an older couple calling it quits with no kids to take over? Or, a smaller farm finally getting squeezed out?

[LittleRedHen]

What a bunch of beautiful looking girls!

[oregon woodsmok]

Those are some very nice looking cows.

[Judy in IN]

Francis,

I'd say Dad is getting too old to milk. The farm will provide for them, with corn going for $7 a bushel. I guess the boys don't want to milk anymore. They aren't being compensated for their milk components there. The creamery up the way closed down years ago. They can't compete with Holstein production, with 10 gal a day of watery milk.

There are tow sons at least, so it's not someone getting old with no heirs. It's a beautiful farm.

[Judy in IN]

Here are a few photos. It's been a DAY, so not very good ones.

I think this is Pet, because Ronnie told me she was a pet. He said she comes from high producing lines.


This one is Lacey. She is very docile.

I've got one of Ruby, the other reddish one.

Sorry, didn't get a good shot of Peaches.

[Rosepath]

oh so pretty! glad they're yours, what sweet girls!

[BlackWillowFarm]

Nice! Glad you got your Guernseys Judy!