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Ajrmistead
From Page A1
breeds. He credits his success to the land grant colleges, veterinarian Pat Comyn, and extension agents like Kenner Love, who share so much information with him. “The colleges can tell you how to make a better animal and better beef,” he stated.
Love “has been a tremendous help to me. I don’t do much without bouncing it off of him. He knows a whole lot more than Ido.”
Armistead is especially thankful to the experienced friends and neighbors who have advised him and taken him under their wings. John Marshall Clark, Billy Wayland and Newbill Miller, among others, have all been generous with their help over the years. “In 1992, at Newbill’s suggestion, we went to a purebred Angus sale to look for a quality cow. There were 55 for sale. He recommended only one. That cow has become the head mama of our herd,” and bred back to Ginger Hill bulls, improved the herd quality tremendously.
According to Armistead’s research, the average cattle farm in the state owns fewer than 30 cows. This leaves farmers at the mercy of market fluctuations. By increasing his herd size and applying different market strategies, Armistead sees ways to maximize profits.
“Jim Johnson of the VA Cattlemen’s Association reported a lower than 80 percent production rate in beef cattle in Virginia. That means, that of every 100 cows bred each year, only 80 raise a calf to sale age. The numbers are close to that nationwide,” said Armistead. His production rate is 95 percent. By using hormones to bring the entire herd into heat
97.2%