Farm Highlights

Greg Brann, owner and operator of Big Spring Farm, held a pasture walk on October 17, 2014 at his farming operation in Adolphus, Kentucky which is located on the Kentucky/Tennessee border. Around 120 people from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee were in attendance at this event. His operation is 320 pasture acres and he has a diversified herd of 55 beef cows, 275 sheep, and 2 donkeys. He has several additional acres in the CREP program to help protect the streams, wildlife and prevent erosion.

Bill Payne, of Stanford, Kentucky owns and operates Knob Lick Farm. In the past, Bill ran a drylot dairy with his father but now custom raises dairy heifers. After his father retired, Bill decided to disperse the dairy and beef herd. Bill aspired to change to a business which would provide more free-time than the dairy offered.

The Landis farm, owned and operated by Jim and Baker Landis, is a 120 acre farm which raises beef cattle with a pasture based system. The Landis’s use a rotational grazing method which Jim explains has allowed him to increase livestock numbers while providing better quality forage.

When Gene and Marcy Dobbs purchased Shady Meadows in 1971, the 65 acre farm located in Campbell County consisted of 2 large paddocks with many briars, bushes, and rocks.  Their now successful cow/calf operation has 8 paddocks which are used for both hay and grazing.

Greg Brann, owner and operator of Big Spring Farm, emphasizes overall diversity on his farm which is located on the Kentucky/Tennessee boarder. His efforts to increase farm diversity not only apply to forages, but also to livestock. Greg rotationally grazes cattle, sheep, and goats in one large herd.

Buddy Smith owns and manages a beef cattle and hay operation on over 400 acres in Anderson County and does an exemplary job of managing his unique grazing program. A graduate of UK’s Master Grazer, Master Stocker, Master Cattleman, and Advanced Master Cattleman programs, Buddy often participates in grazing schools, field days, and other programs to share his knowledge and experience with others. Buddy raises registered Angus cattle for seedstock as well marketing some animals as freezer beef. He also produces and sells quality hay.

Known as a leader in agriculture, Russell C. Hackley has not only integrated a profitable beef operation, but also highly enjoys his work and involvement in the industry. He recognizes the value of high quality forage and is willing to try new things to better utilize forage.

This summer the Master Grazer Educational program conducted several demonstrations across KY for producers to see best management practices in place, and the benefits they possess. One of these demonstrations was implemented in Anderson County by David Burge. He had always utilized a continuous grazing system but was looking for ways to improve his grazing management and maximize land utilization.

The Turpin farm, owned and operated by Billy Glenn and his son, Scott Turpin, is a 155- acre farm stocked with a herd of spring and fall calving Angus/Simmental cattle. This farm has been family owned and operated for over 100 years. Billy Glenn Turpin retired from the Madison County school system as an agriculture teacher for 31 years.

By: John Thomas - This past winter the Grazing for Cash program conducted several demonstrations across KY for producers to see best management practices in place, and the benefits they possess. One of these demonstrations was implemented in Madison County by producer John Thomas. Mr. Thomas utilizes recommended management practices such as forage improvement, rotational grazing, extending the grazing season using small grains and mak-ing timely hay harvests. His operation consists of a commercial Hereford cow/calf herd with spring and fall calv-ing seasons.