Calving bring new life to the farm

Our Registered Texas Longhorn breeding program has 3 objectives: Chronological calf production: March 4, 2023 – Linebacker is “springing” but having great difficulty delivering the calf. Eventually, we had
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East Texas Weather…the good, bad and ugly

Weather has to be one of the most fascinating observations we can experience as humans situated on this rock hurling through space. Unless you are looking at the sky
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3. Zimmerman’s Gothic High Tunnels

The two of the first three high tunnels have been constructed using a wonderful all metal solution manufactured by Zimmerman’s Welding in Missouri. https://zimmermanshightunnels.com/ This project was partially funded
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2. Solar power for the farm

From the beginning our plan was to build infrastructure to support all aspects of the farming and ranching aspects of the operations. Buying a 85 year old farm house
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1. Starting with no prior experience; but, driven by a vision

When Taylor was young and still not able to walk, recommendations poured in from many suggesting we enroll her in hippotherapy (horse therapy) which we did.  For serval years
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Therapeutic offerings and concepts

While I am not a certified therapist in any discipline, I do have 30+ years hiring, utilizing, planning and coordinating with therapists including: music, massage, speech, rec, PT/OT, hippo,
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2024 Herd update

The herd stands at 31 cattle including 3 bulls, 18 cows and 10 calves. We are currently in our active breeding season where we expect our cows and heifers
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Longhorn herd expansion

From Jefferson We got a call from the Texarkana sale barn that some registered longhorns were arriving. Mike asked if I wanted to buy them. My answer was obviously
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Making Hay

Making hay is the foundation for breeding cattle. Grass fed beef requires good grass year round. While we are still in the planning and design phase for our pasture
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Camp fire…a simple way to relax

At the end of most days we sit down, light a camp fire and wait for the painted sky to appear. Never are two evenings the same and throughout
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Wagyu cattle herd

Black Forest Reserve Cattle Company, AWA Member I.D. NO. 5891, Henry A. Thomas, Breeder/Farmer Our Wagyu beef program began May 31, 2024 with the purchase of 1 bull, 1
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Registered Texas Longhorn herd (1st arrivals)

Member, Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America TLBAA # 88189 Our registered Texas longhorn herd began on January 13, 2023 with the rescue of 5 emaciated cows.   Honestly, we
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Our Chicken Coop

On the farm we call it the Taj Mahal chicken coop.  This coop started from a welded pipe structure we found deep in the trees that lined the seasonal
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Ponds for the farm

In Texas, water is arguably the most important resource to have and manage. The farm had one 1/2 acre pond situated near the original farm house.  Knowing that more
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Constructing a pole barn

Everything at the farm needs a cover from the elements.  We started with the original 30 acres,  an 85 year old farm house, a pavilion and a barn.  We
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Building a shed row

Our equine members of the farm began when Johnny the donkey came to us from Stephanie.  Next came Jack, a wonderful former rodeo horse, which was a gift to
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There is an implement for that…

As an engineer, and a beginning farmer, I often times find myself pondering one of these questions: When we first arrived we did not have many tools that would
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