HDRider
Well-known member
If farming is a heritable trait, Travis is definitely a carrier. He is a seventh-generation farmer working alongside his father, uncle, and brother. They farm approximately 3,500 acres of row crops, not including custom work they do for a neighbor. The family also runs a backgrounder business of about 1,800 dairy-cross steers, which they raise and sell to a feedlot.
Travis also operates a feedlot of his own. He has 200 cattle that are grain-finished, processed and inspected locally, and sold direct-to-consumer. The meat products are being sold in nearby butcher shops as well.
Marissa obtained her doctorate of veterinary medicine from Michigan State University, where she and Travis first met. Her animal health expertise is a valuable asset to the operation. She also currently works as the animal welfare director for fairlife LLC, a national milk processing company. She oversees the welfare programs for all the company's providing dairies. When Marissa is not on the home farm, she can be found traveling to fairlife suppliers in various states, including Arizona and New Mexico.
A unique pasture calls for unique cattle, and the Hakes' herd of British White Parks meet that description. Animals of this breed are known to have bright white bodies, which seem to glow against the green hills of the golf course. When a cow or calf lifts its head from grazing, two black ears and a black nose appear to greet any bystanders.
"I really like the look of the breed — that's what initially drew me to them," Marissa said. "Then we really started looking into it and found they are efficient on grass, are good mamas, and are pretty docile. That is exactly what we wanted."
Docile is an understatement. Many of the cows kindly approach anyone who comes to visit, or at least they don't run with tails raised for the par four ninth hole.
Travis also operates a feedlot of his own. He has 200 cattle that are grain-finished, processed and inspected locally, and sold direct-to-consumer. The meat products are being sold in nearby butcher shops as well.
Marissa obtained her doctorate of veterinary medicine from Michigan State University, where she and Travis first met. Her animal health expertise is a valuable asset to the operation. She also currently works as the animal welfare director for fairlife LLC, a national milk processing company. She oversees the welfare programs for all the company's providing dairies. When Marissa is not on the home farm, she can be found traveling to fairlife suppliers in various states, including Arizona and New Mexico.
A unique pasture calls for unique cattle, and the Hakes' herd of British White Parks meet that description. Animals of this breed are known to have bright white bodies, which seem to glow against the green hills of the golf course. When a cow or calf lifts its head from grazing, two black ears and a black nose appear to greet any bystanders.
"I really like the look of the breed — that's what initially drew me to them," Marissa said. "Then we really started looking into it and found they are efficient on grass, are good mamas, and are pretty docile. That is exactly what we wanted."
Docile is an understatement. Many of the cows kindly approach anyone who comes to visit, or at least they don't run with tails raised for the par four ninth hole.
Taking a shot at the grazing game
While I have stepped onto many pastures before, I have only ever set foot on a golf course once.
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