work is never finished on a farm
Fall means working cows, weaning calves, harvest, fence...
It's a busy time of year, but that doesn't mean we are too busy to answer your questions or entertain a guest.
Farm visits are always welcome if you have the time. This year we are moving up and will be keeping most of the heifers back. Our reason? We are moving up to selling bred heifers, not just yearlings. A very limited number of bulls will be available, because we only hold back the very best.
Our herd is registered with the Barzona Breeders Association and we are actively participating in the feed efficiency testing and harvest results via Texas A&M University.
Barzona - the breed for busy people
The Havens Family
The Havens Family
The Havens Family
Alvin & Karen Havens started their herd in 1989. Barzonas were specifically chosen because of their maintenance free operation, and overall profitability. Alvin was too busy for babysitting heavy calvers and pinkeye. Karen runs her own accounting firm and knows what it takes to make money on the farm. Alvin & Karen strive to keep their herd producing under worry free management.
Golden Hz Farm
The Havens Family
The Havens Family
Alecia Heinz, Alvin & Karen's daughter, now keeps the records on the cattle herd, and her husband Matthew brings 6 generations of family farming and cattle background to the operation. They have purchased and raised their own Barzonas, and also try different crossbreedings to provide data for commercial producers.
Measuring vigor
Colostrum intake and mothering ability
A calf's entire immune system comes from passive transfer via colostrum intake. Research has proven that most of this intake needs to happen in the first 2 hours of life. Typically, 1 out of 3 beef breed calves fail passive transfer tests. In our first year of testing, 100% of our randomly tested calves passed and 64% of those were rated "Excellent". In our second year, 12/13 calves passed, all rating excellent with only 1 coming back "failed". A large majority of our second year testing was on our 1st calf heifers.
SAY GOOD-BYE TO PINK EYE
Barzona cattle have a deeper set to their eye socket, and have coloration that helps prevent pink eye from forming.
