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Buckeye Grove Farm - Herd Facts:
We are a "Closed herd" facility: A program used by animal breeders to reduce the risk of disease transfer from man and animals by respectively limiting human/cow contact and only using animals that are raised on a single farm. Our farm and barns are closed to visitors between November 1st through April 15th, do to our strict herd health standards and vaccination program. Visitors are require to have with them when visiting the farm and herd, clean, washable, and sanitizable rubber or disposable boots. Occasionally a bull from outside the herd may be included after it is health tested, although most of our herd is serviced through artificial insemination using privately owned and collected bulls, this is to prevent inbreeding which can weaken the genetic strength of the herd. Also, no animal once sold can ever return back to the farm or herd. Only occasional show animals are allowed to return to the farm and herd once they are tested and inspected.
We keep: Birth To Death Health Records: For 70 years every animal in the herd has carried its individual permanent ear tattoo which is carried onto a written health record. All health measures are recorded daily on an individual file from the animals birth to its disposal when leaving the herd. This is filed with the animal's extended family members. We feed whole mother's milk to calves.
We do: Yearly Herd Testing: Our ENTIRE herd is Bruccellosis (Undulant Fever) vaccinated as babies and herd certified TB Free since 1960. The herd is also enrolled in Ohio's program for Johnes (yö-nees) and Leukosis (a form of bovine cancer) testing every year. NOTE: The entire herd is registered, Brucellosis(BANGS) Certified, Tuberculosis(TB) Accredited, Johnes Negative and Leukosis(BLV) Free as of our yearly herd testing done on January 10th, 2006. All the above tests are conducted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. We also vaccinate for the common bovine diseases in Ohio.
We use: No Added Hormones: The only hormones our cows have are the ones naturally produced by the animal. NO BST or Growth Hormones are ever used to force them to produce above their natural ability. No hormones are used in our feed or routinely in our breeding program. Only, if an animal is determined to be cystic is any type of hormone given in order for her to come in heat and be bred.
We produce: Grade A Milk: Grade A Milk is the highest hygienic milk produced under USDA inspection standards. Only Grade A milk can be used for fluid consumption in Ohio. Only a portion of our milk is used in cheesemaking by Buckeye Grove Farm Cheese, the majority of it is sold to a pasturized milk processing plant(currently, United Dairy of Martinsferry, OH). Before milk is picked up by a large truck a sample is taken and checked for bacteria, antibiotics, added water, foreign material, and somatic cell count (microscopic exam to determine if the udders producing the milk are healthy). Also, Bruccellosis and TB yearly tests are taken on the milk itself. Large fines may be imposed on farmers shipping adulterated milk.
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