Jeffrey on tractor Jeffrey, the eldest of the young Kennedys, is currently working fulltime on the farm. BY DONNA McCONAUGHEY Staff Correspondent BUTLER While specialization is evident on some farms today, diversification is the management philosophy seen on the Butler County farm of the James Ken nedy family. Diversification is the philosophy and excellence is the standard on Four Seasons Farm. Jim represents the third generation of Kennedys to farm using those standards. Jim notes that even in the 1930’s his grandfather was breeding the “dual purpose cow,” one which would both show and milk. The Kennedy family’s Brown Swiss have proven their ability to do just that. Rita Kennedy supervises the show string along with her five children, all of which are in 4-H this year. Under her guidance and with their hard work, many awards have been brought home to hang on the office walls. These 4-H’s have taken grand champion honors at district competition for three years and have gone on to place in the top three at the State Junior Show. In addition, championships and premier exhibitor honors have been won at the Farm Show. The winning this family is most proud of is a recent announcement that Jeff’s 5-year-old has been named Reserve All-American in the National Contest. She had previously won first in the Eastern National Brown Swiss Show in 1983 and was the Supreme Champion at the Western Pa./Canton Show in August of 1983 where she topped more than 500 milk cows of all breeds. Holding to the philosophy of the “dual purpose cow,” Fancy has records of 21,181 pounds of milk and 902 pounds of fat. Also in December 1983, Fullerton Perfection Marie was named high producing 3-year-old in the nation for protein with 22,530 pounds of milk, 780 pounds of protein and 859 pounds of fat. In the aged cow division, the Kennedys claimed twelfth and sixteenth places in National Competition for protein production. Their rolling herd average on 56 cows is 14,700 pounds of milk and 619 pounds of fat with a 4.5 percent test. Excellence is evident in the Brown Swiss herd, but it can also be found in the other aspects of this diversified farm operation. The crops aspect includes com, oats, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa and grass hay on the 657 acres owned and 55 acres rented. The grain produced that is not needed for livestock feed is sold in the Philadelphia area and locally. However, Jim notes that The Kennedy's price advantage to marketing exists in the East. In support of his philosophy of diversification, Jim notes that during the grain church he “would have lost it.” That year, putting corn in the ground cost him $2, and he sold it for $1.60 a bushel. On top of that, interest rates went up. So, in addition to dairy and grain farming, this family is involved in a Farmer’s Market near Pitt sburgh. They have a 34-foot stall from which they sell beef, vegetables, poultry and sweet corn. This is now a seasonal market but is open every Saturday morning, 52 weeks a year. This necessitates much preparation. “We work all day Friday to get ready and get up at 2:30 a.m. in order to get to the market by 5 a.m.” Rita says. In addition to these aspects of their operation, son Jason has started a small flock of Ram bouillet sheep after being given an orphan lamb. Santa Claus also helped to add one more facet when he brought son John two pigs for Christmas. Their family is very important to Jim and Rita. They believe that their children should be given an opportunity to try new things. When a child is interested in a particular species of livestock, they provide the opportunity. like most farm families, they would like to see their children stay on the farm, but “we try not to make decisions for the kids,” Jim says. They hope by providing opportunities and teaching their children to take responsibility that those decisions will be wise ones. In 1977, Jim joined his brothers m purchasing a 700-acre farm of which he received 385 acres. One of his major goals with this purchase was to have enough land “to take the kids into the operation” if they choose. “All of us go through the same thing, wondering are they or are they not going to want to stay here,” Jim says. The Kennedy’s oldest son, Jeff, is currently facing that decision. After graduation, he had the op portunity to enter college but felt he needed “a year off.” He has decided to spend that year working on the farm as he determines what he will pursue in the future. Rita and Jim Kennedy are proud of their Brown Swiss herd which combines out standing type with top production. The moreyou expect from your milk feed money the more you’re our kind of dairyman. Whatever your plans are today to produce more, less or about the same amount of milk as last year one thing’s for sure. You want the most possible income from the dollars you spend for feed. And the key is choosing a milk ing ration that best balances any roughages and grain you may have; that fits your kind of cows - and that will produce the amount of milk you expect. A iversi Lake Lance Fancy C, owned by the Kennedy's, is the Reserve All-American 5-year-old. As Jim talks about his farming operation, he quickly points out that he and Rita are truly partners. Not only does she manage a home Outstanding type-top production feed that will do all this most efficiently. More and more dairymen, in cluding some of the best in the business (like those featured here), find the answer at their Purina Dealer. Purina offers over 200 different milking rations to make sure there’s one that will fit your herd. And 63 separate mill locations assure the feeds needed for your area are available. Ask your Purina Dealer to help you select the best ration for your needs. ication is the philoi Reserve All-American DHI rolling herd averages in the top 5% earned them Distinguished Dairyman of America Awards.* A third generation dairyman, David Roth of Loysvillle, Penn sylvania, uses the total Purina dairy ration program - from nursing, starting and growing feeds through High Octane® Cow Chow* brand 36% concentrate. His DHI rolling and five children, but Rita is also totally responsible for the show string. She is one of six coor dinators for the Pennsylvania if V
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