Conservation Stories

 

FOR THE LIDDLE FAMILY, dairy farming is more than their profession; it’s their passion.

 

Established in 2000 by the recently wed Adam and Nicole Liddle, Liddleholme Farm was originally comprised of a 39-acre property in Argyle that still includes their home, milking parlor, milking herd, pastureland and cropland. Over the years, the Liddle family grew to include three children while the herd size also grew to its present size of 150 registered Holsteins.

 

Looking to secure more control over their feed volume and quality, as well as the future of their herd and family, the Liddles purchased additional properties—first, a 165-acre farm in Greenwich followed by an 80-acre parcel in Argyle. These acquisitions reduced their dependence on rental lands and outside feed suppliers which had previously served as the source of 20% of their feed. Presently, the Greenwich property also provides a place to house their heifers and dry cows while the remaining cows graze at the original Argyle property.

 

 

For as long as he can remember, Adam has always had passion and a knack for Holstein genetics. As his son Anthony matured into a young adult, he demonstrated the same passion and gift. Their combined talent and efforts has earned the farm some of the highest breeding averages in the country. “Lu” (short for Liddleholme Resur Lu-RED-ET), a Liddleholme-bred cow received an “Excellent 97” ranking, the highest possible ranking for points, making it one of only 38 cows in the nation to ever receive a score that high. Thanks to their pedigree, health and overall quality, Liddle stock is sought after by farms all over the world. The sale of live animals and frozen embryos accounts for a significant portion of the farm income.

 

 

With their children now grown and Anthony working full-time in the family business, the Liddles recognized they need to secure their land to make the farm viable for years to come. Working with ASA, they opted to conserve the 165-acre Greenwich property. The financial stability the easement provides will allow them to give more time and energy to their breeding efforts and increase the farm income from breeding sales. The family anticipates income from embryo and animal sales becoming a bigger part of the farm business and the future, thus allowing the Liddles to diversify and sustain the dairy farm during fluctuations in milk pricing.