KENTUCKY BEEF NETWORK
EDEN SH A L E FA R M PRACT IC ES SPOT T E D I N SA N D ER S, K EN T U C K Y MACKENZIE MILLER Office Manager
Conservation District. Christin learned about Eden Shale through her role in the Extension Service. Q: What project did you implement on your farm and why? A: Fenceline Feeder with a roof, gravel/ fabric base, and metal panels. This project was installed in Fall 2018 in a small field used to wean calves. It was reasonably priced to build, and was also the right thing to do for the farm to preserve the land and improve the wellbeing of the livestock. Q: Is this the first project you have implemented from Eden Shale Farm? A: Yes. The next Eden Shale Farm project being installed on this farm is the Bo Renfro winter feeding structure for the herd. Q: Is there anything you changed when implementing this practice? (i.e., layout, design, size, any additions, etc.) A: No, we followed the recommendations
A: What we like most is not needing to enter the field to feed, keeping the hay dry, the heavy use pad keeping calves out of the mud, and its location near the barn for easy access feeding hay and grain. Changes include raising the metal panels off the ground slightly to prevent rust in the future. Overall, this is a great structure that makes feeding easier. Q: What would you recommend for other producers that wish to implement this practice? A: Take the time to actually visit Eden Shale Farm to look at their examples of fenceline feeders to see what works best for you and your farm. Also, weaned calves can only reach their head in so far, so moving the remaining hay closer to them is necessary so they can finish the bale. Q: Would you recommend Eden Shale Farm resources to others? If so, why? A: Yes! The farm offers excellent resources that are practical, with the farmer in mind.
Q: If you have used this practice, what do you like most? What would you change?
EDEN SHALE FARM FALL VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE Saturday, October 10, 2020 • 10:00am EST In the August issue of Cow Country, I highlighted a producer out of Fredonia, PA and his feeding structure that is similar to Eden Shale’s large bale feeder. This month, I decided to feature another structure that has been very popular at Eden Shale – the fence-line feeders. The video of the fenceline feeders is one of top three videos for the most views on Eden Shale’s Facebook page. We first shared this video in 2017 and since then, the video has reached over 36,000 people and continues to be shared and viewed today. This feeder was sent in by Christin Herbst and is located on the farm belonging to Carole Hackett. Carole grew up in Carroll County, but now lives in Frankfort. Christin has been renting the COW COUNTRY •
OCTOBER 2020
house on the property since 2016 and her neighbors – Mike & Suzanne Kelley and Terry & Debbie Cauley, – manage the cattle and hay. Christin says, “The farm has become a labor of love for Carole, Mike, Terry, and myself.” Name: Carole Hackett (farm owner), Christin & Raylan Herbst, Mike & Suzanne Kelley, Terry & Debbie Cauley City, State: Sanders, KY – Carroll County Herd Size: 53 cows Class of Cattle: cow/calf operation
Scan the QR code to register Open camera on your phone. Point your camera at the QR code. A link will appear, click to register. Or visit http://bit.ly/edenshalereg
Q: How did you first hear about Eden Shale Farm? A: Carole first visited the farm with her parents in the 1980s. Both Mike and Terry had heard about it growing up, and learned more about the farm and visited through the local Extension Service and
• A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E K E N T U C K Y C AT T L E M E N ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N
TOPICS WILL INCLUDE: Eden Shale Production Report Q&A with Dr. Steve Higgins
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