Long before the first snow of the season, High Lawn Farm in Lee had already completed the work of getting the farm ready for winter. Their heifers were moved into the barn where they will spend the season housed in groups with optional access to the outdoors. The pregnant cows will keep each other company in their barn until they give birth. The calves have been moved into their own heated barn where they are fed fresh milk for the first three months of their lives.
With regard to food, feed corn has been fermented, ready to be mixed with chopped grass and grain, and a winter’s worth of hay is stored. A nutritionist will continue to balance the ratio of corn, grass, and grain monthly throughout the winter as was done year-round. “And we do not use, nor have we ever used, rBST growth hormone,†reported Dave Klausmeyer, the High Lawn Farm general manager.
While the seasonal changes at High Lawn Farm are considerable, they have not interrupted the care given the cows or the production and running of their business.
High Lawn Farm has been in operation for more than a century. Their Jersey cow herd dates back to 1918, with official milk production records continuous from 1923. In 1935, proprietorship of High Lawn Farm was assumed by Colonel H.G. and Marjorie Field Wilde, from Mrs. Wilde’s family.
Certain cow families in the present herd trace direct lineage across some 15 generations to the original animals of 1918. Currently, there are 170 heads of cows being milked on the farm, with a projected increase to 190 heads by the end of 2002.
The processing and distribution of high quality Jersey cow milk has been the mainstay of High Lawn Farm’s business operations for many years. At present, more than 1,100 residential customers, 100 restaurants, 40 stores, and other local establishments receive delivery twice each week. All milk is produced and processed on the premises in a facility which meets all applicable health and sanitation standards.
High Lawn Farm’s Jersey cows have always been bred for high milk production and strength. Emphasis is placed on developing individuals capable of sustained high milk production over many years, and with the ability to transmit these traits to succeeding generations.
“We keep a ‘closed’ herd, meaning that we use our own breeders,†said Klausmeyer. “Breeding is very much a science and we pay a lot of attention to that here.â€
Recognition of the contribution of High Lawn Farm’s Jersey cows to the genetic progress of the breed has come from many sources, both nationally and internationally. The American Jersey Cattle Club’s Master Breeder award was presented to Colonel Wilde in 1960, and then to Mrs. Wilde in 1977. In 1978, Dairy Shrine, an organization representing all dairy breeds, recognized Colonel and Mrs. Wilde with their annual Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder award. “Family members still continue to oversee the herd,†said Klausmeyer.
High Lawn Farm’s Jersey cows are highly sought after by dairy farmers with Jersey cattle herds desiring to improve their stock. According to Klausmeyer, “Jersey cow milk provides extra health benefits above milk produced by other breeds. “Jersey milk has 20 percent more calcium and seventeen percent more protein that normal milk.â€
The National All Jersey Milk organization supports this claim, reporting that average milk sold in the United States is considered to be milk that contains 3.69 percent milk fat and 3.21 percent protein.
They state that it is well established that varying breeds of cows produce milks of different composition. Jersey cow milk composition, compared to the other major dairy breeds, contains the highest levels of both protein and milk fat. Jersey cow milk also contains greater amounts of milk’s important minerals, particularly calcium — 20 percent more — than other milks. Jersey cow milk has been shown to contain more Vitamin A and B1 per liter than Holstein cow milk. In addition, Jersey milk has the highest concentration of B2 (riboflavin) than milk produced by other breeds.
Klausmeyer stressed the fact that High Lawn Farm does not only strive to maintain the high quality of its products, but also to be a supportive part of the Berkshire County community. In the past, the farm has supported the work of Berkshire Grown and various land trusts throughout the county, as well as hosted community programs with many different area schools.
“We’re not a ‘milk factory’, we’re a dairy farm. There’s a very important distinction there,†said Klausmeyer.
In addition to their farm fresh Jersey cow milk line, High Lawn Farm also delivers Otis poultry eggs, Gould Farm maple syrup, Berkshire blue cheese (made from their milk), orange juice, lemonade (seasonal), and Crowley cottage cheese.
For further information on High Lawn Farm and their products, write to them at 535 Summer St., Lee, MA, 01238, or call 243-0672 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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