Thursday, April 26, 2012 there are.

Eric and Kayla both desired to have cattle that were easy to handle. The couple said that, with many of their cattle, you can just walk up to them in the field and touch them or put a halter on them. Kayla said, Once theyre broke, theyre like that for ever. The Moores chose to have a docile herd for many reasons, but the primary reason was that they dont have the time to wrangle cattle. Both Eric and Kayla work full-time. Eric said he doesnt want to be chasing cattle all evening when he gets home if he needs to do work with the cattle. The couple said the Shorthorn cattle are ideal for them because they dont require that time. The Moores have also developed ingenious set-ups to make things quicker and easier on the farm. Eric and Kayla showed me the head locks they have installed in the barn. All they have to do is call in the cattle and give them some feed. When they put their heads through the metal slot, it automatically locks until released. This keeps the cattle in one place when vaccinations, ear tags, or tatoos need to be implemented. The Moores also established a way to save hay. Instead of just laying the hay out in the field, where the cattle bed in it and trample it, they established a manger in the barn. The hay is stored in the loft and then is dropped down into grids down below. The wooden grids hold the hay in place but allow the cattle to access it. According to Eric, they were putting out a bale every two days before installing the manger. Now, they only have to put out one a week. Many of the Moores decisions were based around saving time and money. It was a huge investment for the couple to establish a farm. Eric said, fortunately, the lumber taken off the farm during clearing has funded most of the pasture preparation. The Moores plan a return in their investment through establishing the Moore Cattle Company as a prominent Shorthorn breeder. While the Moores have sold some of their cattle to 4-H kids, their main goal is to sell breeding stock and herd builders to other farms. Eric said, We want a reputation that, if someone buys a cow from us, they come back and buy again and again because theyre happy with what they get here. The latest effort made by the Moores to establish a desirable herd has come through embryo transfer. Eric described the process as being similar to artificial insemination: the vet comes and puts eggs from donors into the Moores cattle. This process must be done when the heifer is seven days into her cycle. While it is a rather scientific process, Eric compared it to organ transplants: Sometimes it takes, and sometimes it doesnt. Those that do take will help the Moore Cattle Company establish a better bloodline for a better future for their herd. While the ultimate goal is to have a profitable operation, it is obvious when speaking with the Moores that they love having a farm. Eric said it has been a family bonding experience as his parents (Delmas and Jane Moore) and his sister have helped a lot. He also noted the helpful nature of several neighbors who have helped the rookie farmers with plenty of tips. Both Eric and Kayla were all smiles when they talked about their farm and the cattle that populate it. In the young couple and in those who have helped them along the way, it is easy to see the character instilled through rural farm living.

Farming in Monroe, Monroe County Beacon, Woodsfield, Ohio Page 7 ~High Tech Watering System~ When the Moores started their farm, there was no good water source for the cattle. The couple had county water brought to their land. They then installed these watering systems. The waterers have a bowl on top thats filled with water. When the water goes down to a certain level, it automatically fills back up. The system uses geothermal technology to keep the water from freezing.

A calf had just been born the night before I toured the Moores farm. Unfortunately, mama wouldnt bright the calf very close since a stranger was present. I asked Eric how the calf turned out to be pure white. He answered, Two roans make a white. Many Shorthorn cattle are roans which means they have a white base speckled with red almost as if someone had splashed paint on them. The calves mother must have been very protective because she was the only cow willing to pass up on the grain that Eric fed them to get them within photograph range.

Seebach Hidden Acres Brings Farming to Lewisville

Page 8 Farming in Monroe, Monroe County Beacon, Woodsfield, Ohio Darin Brown Staff Writer For those of you who drive along SR 78 through Lewisville (as I do everyday), you may have noticed a farm spring up in town. After just building their house a few years ago, Jordan and Adriane Seebach began to work on building up a farm. Jump to present day, when, as you drive through Lewisville, you are presented with lines of fence, a handsome wood-sided barn, and a herd of goats roaming between two rolling hills. The Seebachs have had goats since 2009 when they began to rent land at the edge of town for pasture. Recently, the goats were moved to their proper home next to the Seebachs house onto the farm the couple has named Seebach Hidden Acres Colored Boer Goats. While Jordan is new to the business of raising goats, Adriane has been around goats for at least 13 years and took goats to the Monroe County Fair through 4-H for eight years. According to Adriane, the couple now owns 46 goats after a kid was born shortly before the interview. All of the Seebachs goats are Boer goats, a breed brought to the United States from Africa in 1993. The herd at Seebach Hidden Acres is a playful and tame bunch. Immediately after we entered the pasture area, some of the goats came running. One named Ellie was particularly friendly. She ran up and began to chew on my pants. Her fur was covered with bits of hay. Adriane said she had just brushed her before I came because she knew she would be one of the ones in pictures since she would be around us. As she brushed off some of the hay with her hand, Adriane laughed and said Ellie had already rolled around in the hay to get herself messy. After I met Ellie, Adriane took me to the barn to show me the kid that had just been born the night before. The kid bleated for its mother as Adriane held it in her arms like a baby. The presence of the kid spurred a conversation about the breeding practices the Seebachs follow. Adriane explained that they always make sure the kids will be born in early spring (Feb./March) or in the fall (Sept./Oct.). By being born during those two time periods, the kids are given the best chance to grow quicker and healthier. Adriane said if they are born in the winter or summer, they dont grow as fast. The Seebachs also concern themselves with the age of their goats when they are Continued on Page9

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Seebach Hidden Acres Colored Boer Goats is the proud home of a herd of 46 Boer Goats. Boer goats were brought to America from Africa in 1993 and have become a very popular breed in the states. Jordan and Adriane, along with their son Jared, reside on the farm found in Lewisville. Adriane has years of experiences with goats and was successful in showmanship at the Monroe County Fair during her years in 4-H. Jordan is new to goat farming but seems to enjoy them. Like the Moores, the Seebachs built their farm from nothing in recent years. Photos by Darin Brown

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Thursday, April 26, 2012 bred. Adriane said the standard is usually that a doe is bred when she is eight months old and 80 pounds, whereas, the Seebachs wait until the does are a year old and 100 pounds. Adriane also explained that their herd is mixed between those that are full-blooded Boer goats and those that are not. She said the full-blooded ones are bred to kid in the fall, while the others are bred to kid in the spring. The reason that the two times are chosen is to keep a separation and to make sure the kids are being born during times that would better serve their purpose. The Seebachs use those goats that are not full-blooded for two separate purposes: for 4-H wethers and for brood does. Adriane described a wether as being the goat version of a steer (a castrated male). By breeding for spring births, the Seebachs ensure they will have a good amount of goats available to sell to 4-H kids. Adriane said they also sell brood does from that group: does that can breed but do not have show-quality characteristics. The full-blooded line of Boer goats at Seebach Hidden Acres are used for show purposes and to sell as herd sires and show does (does that have a correct bite, good hoof and leg structure, and well-formed udders). According to Adriane, they only own a few registered goats, and goats have to be registered to participate in shows. The Seebachs do travel to sanctioned American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) shows. Seebach Hidden Acres participates at shows in Old Washington, Zanesville, and Dover. Adriane explained if a goat wins or places at these shows, it gets points towards its registration. If a certain number of points are received, the goat reaches ennoblement status. This is the ultimate goal because kids born to ennobled goats will be more valuable. Adriane said the farm has no goats with such status, but she said some of their goats come from an ennobled bloodline. After she talked about the ways they sell their goats and fund their farm, I asked Adriane if it was a good source of income or more of a hobby. After a bit of contemplation, she answered, Its more of a hobby, and its an addictive hobby. When I asked the couple about their favorite goats, Adriane pointed out Sneak-a-peak, a polka-dotted doe. Adriane said the polka-dot pattern is rare in Boer goats. Jordan said his favorite goat was Spunky because he is one of the tamest herd members. Jordan said hell climb on your back sometimes when theyre in the field. While Jordan and Adriane both show a joy for goat farming, the family member with the most enthusiasm is their nearly two year-old son Jared. Adriane said, Jareds out here all the time. It was obvious that he was comfortable with the goats. As much of the interview took place with Continued on Page10

Farming in Monroe, Monroe County Beacon, Woodsfield, Ohio Page 9

Ellie was the ham of the bunch. When I entered the enclosure, she was the first to greet me. Without hesitation or fear, she came right up to me and began to chew on my pants. I stepped back a couple of times, and both times she came forward to chew on my pants again. Later on, she decided to roll in a small pile of hay. She would go to the top, then roll down. Adriane said she knew that Ellie would be one of the goats that would be around, so she brushed her before I came. But, within minutes, Ellie was filthy again from clowning around.

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