Family farm continues to change after more than 80 years

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Still Evolving After 86 Years

By Daniel Bereznicki Eaves Simmental Farm has embraced technology with a new generation of cattlemen

Eaves Simmental Farm in Gentry, Ark., has changed over many times. opens ESF to more advanced breeding practices like ET and AI. “We’ll send tissue samples into the

What was a dairy farm 86 years ago is American Simmental Association that now a Simmental-influenced cow/calf use NEOGEN labs for parentage and operation. Terry and Lesa Eaves own defect testing while putting the calf’s ESF and oversee the overall operation DNA on file for future testing,” Justin of the farm. With their sons-in-law explained of their ET and AI program. – Justin Holloway and Davy Smith – These DNA reports tell ESF key they raise roughly 40 Simmental cows traits in the calf’s DNA and the doon 90-plus acres. Like two sides of the nors it came from. This is a safety same coin, Justin and Davy’s back- measure for cattle producers, especialground come together to push ESF to ly when using selection pressure. It’s more technological advancements. By all about the right genes passing on using the genetic technology and land the right traits. management practices available to- “You’re just trying to play on that day, ESF will continue to flourish for and see what works with the genetics many years to come. we have currently and what Genetics can be a complex process, which demands Gentry, Ark. we could have in the fu ture,” said Davy. consistency and patience. ESF recognizes their It takes practice and train- strengths and implement them ing, but it’s an investment into their breeding program. many cattle producers pur- “We focus on the maternal cow sue. Justin’s AI certification families. Some people just look at

Three generations of the Eaves family work together at Eaves Simmental Farm. Pictured, on the front row from left, are Rhett and Ryker Holloway. On the back row, are Terry Eaves, Justin Holloway, Preslee Holloway, Davy Smith, holding Barrett Smith.

the bull. Yeah, he can give you a calf, but the maternal side is where is comes from for us. We try to drive the maternal power in the cows we have,” said Justin.

By focusing on the maternal traits in their cattle, ESF shoot for 70- to 85- pound birth weights. These weights breed stronger calves, which are beneficial right after birth.

“They jump right up and start nursing the cow for us; they get that colostrum. They get up and have vigor,” said Justin. “We also find they grow better than those 50-pound [calves].”

By having heavier calves, they’ll have the strength to nurse as quick as possible to ensure they start a healthy and productive life.

All these advancements have taken ESF to new levels. Along with genetics, they use land management practices – like rotational grazing and soil testing – to maximize the quality and growth potential of their land.

“We have to have quality forage to graze or they don’t grow to the potential genetics hold,” said Davy.

Justin said it all comes down to this: “The better calves that we can put on the ground, the more profitable we’ll be.”

While all these advancements benefit the farm. To Terry, his real assets are the people he surrounds himself with and the interest they share. All the workers at ESF agree that – while technology is important – the epitome of a successful farm is “the interest of future generations.” And Terry sees a bright future ahead of them.

“We’re starting to get to the process where they take over,” Terry said.

Even Terry’s grandchildren, Ryker Holloway (9) and Rhett Holloway (6), shoulder responsibilities like haying and feeding the cattle. The boys even have registered cattle of their own. Justin has another child with his wife Lesa, Preslee Holloway (2) who helps “Papa” drive the tractor. And Davy has a newborn son, Barrett Smith, with his wife, Ashley.

“These boys, I see them following up the interest and taking it over,” Terry said. “Because interest is there. That’s the thing about family farms. ‘Is there an interest for the future?’ Well, we have got a good interest for this farm’s future.”