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| There are around 200 acres of Tift 44 and
Coastal Bermuda hay fields at Sweetwater. We cut between 1000
and 1500 bales a year depending on the rain. We also purchase
peanut hay from local growers. We feed 1800 bales a year to
our herd. |
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The main working pens at Sweetwater are constructed of guard
rail and pressure treated 6x6's posts. There are eleven sorting
pens at the barn. The pens at the barn have the capacity of
holding every cow on the place if need be. |
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| Ultrasound is a tool used often here at the ranch. In this
photo, Andy Meadows DVM and owner of Springwood Livestock
Management Services is carcass ultrasounding our Angus heifers
to check their ribeye size and marbling. The information gathered
is sent to the Angus Association to be added to each animal's
performance record. We also use ultrasound for pregnancy checking
and fetal sexing. |
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JD is our pet wild hog. He showed up three years ago when
he was just a little piglet we have been feeding him ever
since. His favorite foods are Oatmeal Little Debbie Cakes
and Krispy Cream Donuts. He weighs close to 400 pounds, is
solid black in color and does not realize he is a pig (he
thinks he's a cow). |
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| We freeze brand the cattle using dry ice and isopropyl alcohol.
Our holding brand and the cows tattoo number is branded on
the back right hip. This procedure kills the color producing
cells in the hair follicle making the hair grow back white.
It works will on black or red cattle and is a permanent form
of identification. |
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Last February an ice storm covered Sweetwater in a layer
of thick ice. We lost a few trees and our power for the day
but all the cattle and calves were fine. We are happy ice
and snow is a rarity this far south. |
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| For the past four years the Tour De Georgia cycling race
has rolled pasted Sweetwater's Gates. The Tour De Georgia
is North America's premier, professional cycling event. Each
spring 15 of the best national and international cycling teams
compete in the tour. Last year Lance Armstrong was one of
the competitors. |
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We maintain a small flock of Buff Orpington chickens at
Sweetwater. Buff Orpingtons are large chickens with full golden
plumage. They are stately birds with quiet dispositions. The
chickens supply fresh, organically grown, brown eggs. In exchange
for the eggs the chickens are provided with a large, clean
chicken house and grain to eat. |
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