Vern Beichner remembers the horrors of the day back in 1987 when the
heifer bam built down on the Sandy Ridge Farm. But with the help of the local
Holstein club, the PFA, local Amish neighbors, and friends and family, the
“barn raising” restored the farm and a new freestall barn was in place. In
1990, Sandy Ridge, operated by Vern and Mark Beichner, purchased a near
by farm, which brought tillage acreage to 200. Another 228 acres include
some rented land and about 200 of them are in woodlands. Much of the loca
tion Is “real sandy, gravelly ground,” said Vern, from which they have to try
to make haylage. The cattle Includes 66 milking registered and grade Hols
telns and 66 heifers. Milking ls,from a freestall bam, stanchions to a pipeline.
The farm also includes a 100-hog farrow-to-finish operation. The farm, a
dairy since 1909, bottled and sold milk for a few years in the 19705. Vern
farms with wife, Diane, and children Vallery, 10; Lora, 8; and Bradley, 5, “who
likes to help a lot,” said Vern. Also, Mark’s family helps, with wife Theresa
and children Joshua, 5; Bethany, 3; and Lyssa, 2 mos.
Dairy
of m
Distinction
CLARION
Congratulations To All The
Dairy Of Distinction Winners
Dairy of Distinction Supplement, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August I,l992—Page
' i. HV S
A new manure holding pit was recently installed for Knob Farm, operated
by Jeff Wriglesworth in partnership with father, Robert. The 210-acre farm
(Included rented land) Is home to about 60 head of registered and grade
Holstein (about 50 young stock). The Wriglesworths operated a double-4
milking parlor, and average 22,000 lbs., 800 f, 691 p. The farm, in the family
since 1864 (a Century Farm application is In the works), switched from
Guernseys In 1950 s to Holsteins. Dale McCracken helps on a part-time basis,
and Jeff’s son, Brian, 10, helps on the farm. About 100 acres of the farm are In
alfalfa, 80 acres are in corn, and 20 acres are in small grains, with the rest for
haymaking.
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Dairy
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Distinction
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