The Best Way He’s Found to Feed
By Laura L. Valenti, OFN Contributor

Joe Hardcastle on the best way he’s found to feed his Angus and Brangus crossed with horned Hereford cattle: Using GoBob’s hay feeders

When Joe Hardcastle took home a new insert for his GoBob hay feeders, he did not expect to be quite as impressed as he was. “I saw them at a Springfield show and brought one home to try,” he stated while standing in his barn, surrounded by trucks from his main business, JH Excavating. “After working with their demonstrator, I liked it so well, I immediately ordered four more.”

As Bob Studebaker, owner of GoBob Feeders explained, “we were one of the first to offer a hay conserving feeder and the first to offer a square-shaped feeder for round bales. Sometimes something new is difficult to get accepted by the public so we offered an unconditional money back guarantee, if the customer did not feed 25 percemt less hay than they were previously feeding with a ring feeder. This winter (2008-2009) we have surpassed over 6,000 feeders sold since its inception. We now confidently offer the same money back guarantee and have upped the anty to 30 percent less hay fed. Joe Hardcastle was the very first to purchase one and then called back to
order more.”

“I run about 140 cattle, on three different pieces of property,” Joe Hardcastle continued. “I came to
Lebanon 40 years ago, working in the lumber industry, and now I run this.” He waved an arm to take in the lot in front of the barn, filled with trucks of varying sizes and descriptions, all associated with excavation and construction. “I grew up on a farm in Ozark County, along the Missouri- Arkansas line. I did 4-H as a kid, and that life is something I’ve always loved. My wife,” he laughed. “She doesn’t care for the cows, but I do.” Sherrill Hardcastle runs her own monogramming business, all on the same property as Joe’s excavating business and the majority of his cattle. “This is a hobby that I love. That’s the best way I can describe it,” Joe continued. “I moved to Lebanon from Springfield in 1969 and worked in the lumber yards for 26 years. You know, you’d go to work every day, with all the hustle, and have people yelling at you about this or that, but then to come home and work with the cows, now to me, that’s relaxing. The only problem now, with these cell phones, is that they can find you anywhere, even out in the field. The only way you can truly find any peace is if you shut this thing off,” he added, as he pulled his cell phone out of his coveralls front pocket. He shook his head, with a smile. “I run a Brangus-Angus mix and breed them to horned Hereford bulls, which I get out of Kansas, and that gets you black baldy calves. I’ve been doing it that way for years. I feed straight hay in the winter, with salt mineral range cubes and they winter real well that way. And the GoBob feeders, all I can say is that they really do save on the hay. There’s not a lot of money in the cattle these days, but well, they really are my therapy at the end of the day.”

WESTERN U.S. 'continuous' fence idea worthwhile in Kentucky
by Keenan Bishop, Agriculture Extention Agent

Cattleman Buddy Smith looks on as Carl Willard of Peach Lumber loads his order of continuous metal pipe fence. The Cattleman's Association went together to fill a semi trailer for a discounted price.

One benefit of being a Cattlemen's Association member is the trips taken to other parts of the state and nation to see various aspects of farming and livestock production. One develops a better understanding of the food system, makes networking connections and learns new tips and ideas.

The trips out west have had several members curious about their continuous fencing system. Seems that the oil boom created miles of used steel pipe that was surplused. Since farmers are innovative by nature, they were soon transforming the pipe sections in to fence.

This recycled product made for strong, long lasting animal containment, especially around corrals and handling facilities.

Local cattlemen figured that the fence, which usually comes in 20' sections and couples together for "continuous" fence, would be ideal for handling facilities here.

The sections come in various heights and pipe diameters. They are either welded to steel posts or clipped to wooden posts. Out west they may or may not be painted but they also have much less rainfall than we do (except for this past May, the 11th driest on record!).

Local Cattleman Kerry Redding was looking for a source and discovered GoBob Pipe and Steel in Oklahoma (http://www.gobobpipe.com).

The association made contact with Bob Studebaker, owner of GoBob Pipe and Steel, who was very helpful and explained the history and uses of continuous fence.

After discussing the options and potential, the Association was able to work out a group buy.

By joining for a group order, 14 cattlemen were able to get a discount on the fence, gates and feed bunks they would use in their farm operation.

When Bob was asked the lifespan on the panels his remark was "I couldn't tell you, they've only been making them for a little over 30 years." No longer are used drill pipe utilized, but brand new pipe instead. The final product is an attractive, long lasting and practical fence. When you consider that it may never need replacement, then it becomes much cheaper than wood or wire.

Another local member, Charlie Jones, worked with Brad Peach to help facilitate the delivery.

Brad Peach of Peach Lumber was gracious enough to allow the association the use of his forklift, lumber yard, and employees to unload over 45,000 pounds of fence systems from the semi.

The Peach employees went out of their way to accommodate the group order and assist the farmers with sorting and unloading.

This bulk buy would have been impossible if not for the efforts of the Peach family.

Some of you who have traveled west may be familiar with this type of fence. Those that haven't seen it and are curious can see it in operation at this years Field Day on July 12 at the Mucci Farm in Woodlake.

The Muccis will have it installed along crowding alleys and other areas that receive heavy livestock pressure.

Be sure to mark your calendar for the Field Day to see this as well as other interesting educational stops.