The_Ledger_Fall_2019

Barbour Farms Serving the Northeast and Beyond Through Education and Quality Genetics

BY EMILY STRIBLING, FREELANCE WRITER

T hird-generation dairy farmer Jim Barbour returned to his Halstead, Penn., roots in 2009 after serv ing 23 years in ministry. With the family dairy no longer in operation, he and his wife, Kim, began growing vegetables on the farm, all the while knowing they would like to raise cattle again. To make the best use of their land, the couple was interested in a smaller-framed beef breed. “With our love of animals and genetics, we tried some miniature breeds that didn’t work out for us,” Barbour says. “That’s when we got to looking at Aberdeens and were fas cinated with them.” With “more woods than useable pastureland,” Barbour boasts the American Aberdeen’s great feed efficiency and smaller size make them a more attractive and feasible op tion for producers located in the Northeast. Barbour quickly became involved in the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, serving on the Susquehanna County Farm Bureau Board, just as he did in 1979 at the age of 19. His involvement with Farm Bureau grew to greater state and national participation, specifically on the Promotion and Education Committee, which resulted in a great deal of travel throughout the country. “Everywhere I went in the country for Farm Bureau, we started looking at Aberdeen cattle. Their size, efficiency, docility – it all fascinated me,” he recalls. The couple spent more than three years visiting produc ers, building relationships and viewing cattle across the country. Their travels spanned from Tennessee to Florida, Arizona to Wisconsin and everywhere in between. Their goal was to find their ideal source for American Aberdeen genet ics – more traditional, and smaller in size and stature.

“After three and

a half years, we knew what we were looking for. Our goal is [to produce] our own high quality genetics,” he says. “I often tell people, ‘if this was just about ham burgers, I’d spend a lot less money.’” The Barbours bought their first set of American Aberdeen cattle in November 2017

Jim and Kim Barbour’s love of animals brought them back to their farming roots after serving 23 years in ministry.

from a breeder in Ohio. They currently run 20 cows but are working toward transitioning the old dairy facilities to ac commodate a larger herd. Utilizing rotational grazing, they eventually hope to grow their breeding herd to 50 cows and be able to feed and finish their own grass-fed beef. How ever, they are not losing sight of their main goal, which is being a source for great American Aberdeen genetics in the Northeast. “We’re hoping to have some really great bloodlines in stock to help others get started with their own amazing Ab erdeen herds,” he says. “Most places in the Northeast have very limited animals compared to further west. ... We hope to have great herd sires available to them [closer to home].” With such heavy involvement in agricultural promotion and education, it only seems fitting the Barbours enjoy using their docile cattle for educational purposes as well.

Whether it’s taking the cattle to church events or the local fair, they love to share the American Aberdeen story alongside their four grandchildren. “We had an absolutely wonderful time at the fair,” Barbour says. “Being able to talk to people, including farmers who have never seen this breed before, people who have never seen cows before and just getting to share the story of the American Aberdeen breed. [Specifically] all the pluses: the grass fed conversion efficiency, [easy] calving, friendliness and ribeye area per hundred weight.” One thing that attracted the Barbours to the American Aberdeen breed from the very beginning was the size and docility of the cattle, not only for efficiency purposes, but for the ability to confidently share their love of cattle with their grandchildren. “I’ve never had any problem at all putting my grandkids out in the pasture with them,” he says. “Our grandson just showed a 4-H steer that was half Aberdeen... They love

The Barbours spent more than three years visiting producers and researching genetics before building their cow herd.

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