Middle Gate Farm Herefords

04/30/2026

Everybody has different opinions about EPD’s and what makes a good animal. These opinions are valid because it ultimately depends what the goals of the operation are. For we want to know YOUR thoughts on this chart? Things you like? Dont like? Could this animal work in your operation?

04/27/2026

👀 These calves are coming along great! Ready to get them weaned and see them develop. Make sure to follow and like so we keep showing up on your timeline. You dont wanna miss the post announcing these guys are ready to go❗️

04/25/2026

🌾🔥 With dry conditions tightening their grip across the region, we rotated the cattle to a different pasture this week. Sacrificing some potential hay ground to make sure the cattle and ground stay as healthy as possible.

👉 What strategies are you putting in place to protect your cattle and stretch your resources during this drought?

Some folks are:

• Rotating pastures more aggressively
• Prioritizing culling decisions
• Hauling water or improving access points

💬 Drop your drought‑management tips, adjustments, or lessons learned in the comments.

04/20/2026

We moved heifers to a new pasture for spring. Unloaded them in the “bottom” with feed bunk up top near the building. We got feed to put in troughs just to make sure they settled in. Tried calling them up and every time they walked further away.
After scratching my head for a minute, I realized these heifers had been fed inside the corrals at the previous field and the corrals were in the bottom here. Sure enough, we drove down and they were waiting on the feed.

Do you have your cattle trained? (Or does the cattle have you trained?) 🤣

02/16/2026

❗️Announcement❗️

Farm Fresh Eggs Available! 🥚

Our hens are keeping busy, and we’ve got farm‑fresh eggs for $5/dozen right here at Middle Gate Farms. These eggs come unwashed, just the way nature intended — which means they keep their natural protective bloom.

Simply wash before using and enjoy rich, golden yolks from happy, pasture‑raised hens.

Message to reserve yours or swing by the farm while supplies last. Fresh doesn’t get more local than this. Shipping not available.

01/31/2026

❄️ What a week! When the winter weather decided to hit the farm, it hit hard! A rough week navigating ice and snow. While making sure cows and chickens were warm and fed, we took time to also appreciate the beauty of nature. Praying for our friends and neighbors who were hit harder by winter storm Fern than us. Still not thawed out enough to assess all the damage, but livestock is good and family is safe.
What were tips/tricks you used to help your livestock during the storm?

01/23/2026

❄️ Winter Weather Tips for Beef Cattle Producers ❄️
With prolonged cold temps and a major winter storm on the way, here are a few quick reminders:

Plan Ahead
• Set out multiple days of hay before the storm.
• Make sure cattle have consistent access to clean, unfrozen water - tanks can freeze quickly in single digit temps. Have a backup plan for delivering water if needed!
• Check water sources frequently; reduced water intake leads to reduced feed intake, which increases risk during cold stress.

Understand Lower Critical Temperature (LCT)
• Dry winter coat: LCT ≈ 18°F
• Wet winter coat: LCT ≈ 55°F
• When cattle get wet, they expend more energy to stay warm.
Energy Needs Increase in the Cold
• For every 1°C below the LCT, cattle require +1% more maintenance energy.
• Example: If LCT is 55°F (12.8°C) and it’s 25°F (–4°C), that’s a 17% increase in maintenance energy requirements.

Feed Quality Matters
• Poor quality hay is high in fiber, which limits intake, cattle simply can’t eat enough of it to meet higher winter energy needs.
• Consider energy supplementation, especially for lactating cows and those in late gestation.
• In cold stress, calories (energy) matter more than protein.
• Options include corn, soyhulls, high fat supplements, etc.

Shelter & Bedding
• Provide wind breaks or natural shelter.
• Use dry bedding (or unrolled hay) to reduce heat loss and prevent frostbite.
• Barns with poor ventilation or wet bedding make it harder for cattle to maintain body temperature and can do more harm than good.

Water & Frozen Pond Safety
• If water sources freeze, cattle may seek water at ponds and step onto unsafe ice.
• Ice thickness is highly variable; cattle can break through thin ice, leading to hypothermia, injury, or drowning.
• If possible, limit access to frozen ponds and ensure a reliable alternative water source is available.
• Producers should never walk onto a frozen pond to rescue livestock — use equipment with reach (ropes, boards, loaders) from solid ground.

Producer Safety
Your safety counts too:
• Avoid icy areas.
• Use caution when traveling or operating equipment on snow or ice.
• Dress for wind chill. And keep an extra set of dry clothes with you just in case.
• Always let someone know where you will be when working alone!

01/21/2026

❄️Winter Storms and Your Livestock❄️
Prepare now to protect your livestock during winter storms!

🌟Like, Comment and Share to help spread the word!

01/21/2026

01/03/2026

We had a good day yesterday working 2025 calves. Good crop of bull calves for the future. Always striving to improve.

❗️Reminder❗️

🐂 Hereford Heifers Available Now! 🐂

We’re excited to share that we have a select group of quality Hereford heifers ready for private treaty sale — and they are eligible for Kentucky CAIP reimbursement.

✅ Docile temperament
✅ Strong genetics for herd improvement
✅ Raised with care right here in Burkesville, KY

This is a great opportunity for local producers to invest in cattle that add value to their operation while taking advantage of CAIP cost-share benefits.

What’s one improvement you’re planning for your farm in 2026? Share below — we’d love to hear how you’re growing your operation!