The Rural Voice, 1991-12, Page 30THE FISHERS OF GREY COUNTY:
MAKING IT ON MIXED FARMING
larOnl 14 n ci Ima Fisher have kept their Fisherlea Acres diversified, saying it gives their farm stability and variety.
Farming is a mixed bag for Aaron and Ima Fisher. While
many farmers have specialized into one of the major com-
modities, the Fishers have remained diversified. Beef, pork,
dairy, and, until 1989, laying hens, are all kept on their
Fisherlea Acres farms, located in the picturesque, rolling
countryside midway between Clifford and Neustadt. The
425 market hogs, 240 head of cattle, including 30 dairy
cows, 60 beef cows, and all their offspring, are raised on the
320 acres they own plus 75 acres of rented land. They sold
their quota for 1,600 laying hens when the last of their four
children left home to attend college.
The decision to remain as mixed
farmers while others specialized has been
the right one for this hard working man
and wife team, providing stability and
variety. "We don't like to carry our eggs
always in one basket," Ima says. "If pig
prices fall, then there's milk to pull us through. When prices
arc low, one will pull you through, " Aaron adds. Lately
though, with low beef and pork prices, the dairy cows seem
to be doing most of the pulling, but the Fishers haven't
considered specializing in milk production. They like the
variety that mixed farming has to offer. "I wouldn't want
to milk cows all day," says Ima, who does the milking and
testing. "I couldn't stand it all day in a pig barn," says
Aaron, who does the feeding.
The Holstein dairy herd and dairy cross calves, 50 fat
cattle, and bred dairy and beef heifers are kept on the 200
acre home farm. A second 120 acre farm located about a
mile up the road houses the pigs, some weaned calves, and
dry cows. Late calved cows and their calves, and the re-
maining dry beef cows, are kept on the
75 acre rented farm adjacent to the home
farm.
With the exception of an occasional
good cow bred AI, the dairy herd is bred
with a beef bull. Holstein replacement
heifers are brought in, usually from farm
auctions. The Fishers look for a good quality grade cow
with a good udder. "Grade Holsteins give just as much
milk as registered, and you don't have the paperwork to go
with it," Ima says. "We don't buy a top producer cow,
stories and
Mary -Lo
Ham
photos by
u Weiser-
ilton
26 THE RURAL VOICE