|
barn. Over the next five years, the double four herringbone was renovated into a double nine parabone. A feeding barn with a loose housing area was constructed to accommodate 180 head. A few years later, the housing barn was remodeled again to a free stall barn.
“ Cow numbers jumped to over 300 in the milking herd alone,” Tim said.“ Currently, total milking cow numbers are just above 200. Approximately 20 % are milking shorthorns, 15 % Jersey, 15 % red Holstein, 5 % brown Swiss, with majority being Holstein.”
Focus has returned to intensive rotational grazing for the milking herd. To supplement the pastures, the milking herd is fed a total mixed ration consisting of purchased grain and mostly home-grown forages. Forages grown on 350 owned and 140 rented acres include, rye, wheat, ryegrass and triticale baleage. Replacement heifers are raised on pasture and hay that is supplemented with grain.
Jessica is now 27 years old and lives in the house that her great-grandfather, Clifford, built just after World War II. She graduated from College of the Ozarks in 2019, where she met her husband, Robert Graves. They welcomed Waylon Lee in November 2023, the sixth generation to live on the land.
“ Both Robert and Jessica work nearly
|
full time on the farm, as does Waylon most days,” Tim said.“ Jessica is herd manager and handles all the reproduction, while Robert is keeping everything running and managing the equipment breakdowns. They plan to continue the farm and diversify to keep up with an ever-changing demand. Jessica still shows cows at state and national levels and hopes that Waylon will develop a love for showing milking shorthorns, as well.”
Brittany and her husband, Christopher, live in Minnesota and are considering moving back to help run the farm to continue the legacy. Other family members have remained active participants in the farm operation. Russell is retired and helps out on an as needed basis for tractor work.
|
Dennis provides nutritionist services for the dairy herd. Tim’ s nephew, Evan Crawley, has helped keep things going during a couple of heath scares.
“ Crawley’ s Valley View Farms was named DFA’ s Southeast Area Members of Distinction in 2020,” Tim said.“ We care deeply for our land and the history that has been made on the ground we are still fortunate to call ours.”
|
Photos by Faith Brown |