The Rural Voice, 2019-03, Page 48Sprucecho dairy cows continue to earn points as
they produce milk and dairy calves in other
farms. That allowed Gary and Debbie Oxby of
Moorefield to earn one last Master Breeder shield, a
final reward as they adjust to semi-retirement by raising
dairy heifer replacements.
The couple bought the dairy farm from Gary’s
parents, Jim and Bonnie Oxby, who farmed under the
prefix Sunny Spruce. Jim and Bonnie earned two
Master Breeder shields while they farmed and Debbie
says it was always her and Garry’s goal that they could
do the same.
“We won the first one in 2002 and it was nice to win
another because we feel we had bred a lot better cattle,”
says Debbie.
Dairy farmering had been their lives until 2016
when a combination of several factors combined to
make the decision to disperse the herd. Tax issues, an
old barn, an inability to expand land base and kids
grown with their own careers were among those issues.
44 The Rural Voice
Becoming Masters in the dairy scene
The Master Breeder Shield recognizes dairy farmers
who have mastered the art of breeding balanced cattle
Gary and Debbie Oxby of Sprucecho farm near Moorefield kneel in the pen with Sprucecho Astronomical
Lila Ex-94 7E 4* at 14 years of age with her last calf. The couple earned their second Master Breeder
Shield (their first one was awarded in 2002), a nice reward for the end of a long career as dairy farmers.
The family dispersed their herd in the fall of 2016 and now raise replacement dairy heifers.
• By Lisa B. Pot. •
Dairy