The Story of Highcroft

Location

Highcroft Holsteins is a 40 cow dairy farm nestled in the hills of Western New York State.  The farm consists of 237 acres along with 100 acres of rental land.  The original barn at the farm was built in the early 1900's with additions to the barn being added later.  This is the same barn that houses the animals and is where the cows call "home." 

 

The Beginning

The homestead farm was purchased May 1, 1943 by Lyle Smith.  Lyle, the father of Jerry, began his dairy operation on the farm by milking 12 cows and doing the field work with his pair of horses.  Eventually he purchased an adjoining farm to bring the farm to the size where it is today.  

                    Through the years

The first registered holstein on the farm was a calf that Jerry received from his uncle.  This began the registered holstein business and eventually lead to the entire herd being registered once Jerry took over the farm.  The original barn was added on so that it could house a total of 38 milking cows in the late 70's.  Another addition was added in the late 80's to house calves and heifers.  In 1981, the milking herd was dispersed and a group of bred heifers started a new herd at Highcroft.  In March 2003, the herd was once again dispersed.  Many young stock and a few of the cows were kept as a foundation for the new milking herd.  

 

 

The Philosophy

Highcroft animals are not pushed for milk production.  They are fed a ration of corn silage, dry hay, bailage hay in the spring and fall, and grain.  Currently, Highcroft has a rolling herd average of 19,000 on a twice a day milking schedule.  The philosophy at Highcroft has always been breeding for type instead of milk production.  High milk production is only an added bonus that we get from breeding these animals for type.  

 

Showing

The showing aspect of Highcroft has really accelerated in the past few years.  Highcroft has been showing at the local county fair for the past seven years along with showing at the Allegany-Steuben Club Show for over two decades.  Also, there have been various years where Highcroft has shown animals at the NY State Fair .  In the past few years, Highcroft has joined with Reese Run Holsteins and Exemplar Holsteins in showing.  This has allowed us to attend more shows and show more animals at these shows.  The last two years we have shown at the regional show in Penn Yan, NY as well as the Chemung County Fair and Club Show.  This year's show results.   

 

Today

Today, the Highcroft herd consists of 30 milking cows, both dry and lactating, and 30 head of young stock.  Currently there are 3 excellent, 10 very good, and 9 good plus cows on the farm.  The BAA stands at 107.9 %.  Having a good supply of young stock has allowed us to sell many animals in the past few years both privately and through various sales.  Highcroft has always been a big supporter of the local Allegany-Steuben Club both through sales, shows, and special events.  Jerry has been a board member of the club for over 20 years, serving as sale chairman at numerous spring and fall sales.  The local sales have offered a good place for people to examine the type of cows that we breed at Highcroft as well as giving them a chance to purchase such animals.  This is the philosophy that we strive to up live everyday and the reason why Highcroft keeps going.  Stop in someday to view our philosophy for yourself.  Visitors are always welcomed here, no matter how busy we are.  We are never too busy to talk cows!!!