| Herd Health |
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, once they are tested and inspected, are
allowed to return to the farm and herd .
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 Brucellosis (Undulant Fever)
vaccinated as babies and herd certified TB Free since 1960. The herd is also enrolled
in Ohio's program for Johne's (yö-nees) and Leucosis (a form of bovine cancer)
testing every year. NOTE: The entire herd is registered, Brucellosis(BANGS)
Certified, Tuberculosis(TB) Accredited, Johne's Negative and Leucosis(BLVE) tested
as of our yearly herd recertification testing. All the above tests are conducted by the
Ohio Department of Agriculture. We also vaccinate for the common bovine diseases in
Ohio.
We do not use 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 pasteurized milk processing plant(currently,
United Dairy of Martins Ferry, 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, Brucellosis and TB yearly tests are taken on the milk itself. Large fines
may be imposed on farmers shipping adulterated milk.
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, once they are tested and inspected, are
allowed to return to the farm and herd .
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 Brucellosis (Undulant Fever)
vaccinated as babies and herd certified TB Free since 1960. The herd is also enrolled
in Ohio's program for Johne's (yö-nees) and Leucosis (a form of bovine cancer)
testing every year. NOTE: The entire herd is registered, Brucellosis(BANGS)
Certified, Tuberculosis(TB) Accredited, Johne's Negative and Leucosis(BLVE) tested
as of our yearly herd recertification testing. All the above tests are conducted by the
Ohio Department of Agriculture. We also vaccinate for the common bovine diseases in
Ohio.
We do not use 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 pasteurized milk processing plant(currently,
United Dairy of Martins Ferry, 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, Brucellosis and TB yearly tests are taken on the milk itself. Large fines
may be imposed on farmers shipping adulterated milk.
| Buckeye Grove Farm Cheese - Herd Facts: |
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