- 24 - believed that they are good milking cows and grazing animals. He built his personal residence at Goose Hill Farm with the intent to raise cows. In 2000, Zane also purchased the Columbus Dairy, consisting of 225 acres and located 15 miles from Goose Hill Farm. A milking parlor and dairy operation were built at the Columbus Dairy, and calves were raised on the Goose Hill Farm property. After purchasing the Columbus Dairy, Zane worked to reclaim the pasture land for grazing. He studied and researched the various types of cattle that could be bred. Zane recognized that family dairy farms were not doing well, and he decided that, to be profitable, his cattle activity had to find a niche in the market that would let it compete as to product and price. After much research he decided to raise Normande cattle. The Columbus Dairy became an organic dairy farm. At the Columbus Dairy, Zane built a milking parlor and other buildings for the milking operation. Milking started sometime in 2002. Normande cows are good producers of milk in France but are largely used for beef consumption in the United States. After visiting many farmers and ranchers throughout the United States, Zane acquired a herd of Normande cows that he believed would be the best milk producers. He intended to further breed the acquired herd so his activity could become competitive in the dairy farming industry.Page: Previous 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 NextLast modified: March 27, 2008