Gray owl farms
Don & Sandy Vaughn Sean, Becky & Sedonia Vaughn 52556 Juno Ave Rush City, MN 55069 Contact: 320-358-4040 don@ grayowlfarms.com 320-358-3128 sean@grayowlfarms.com |
Gray Owl Farms is located 5 miles Northeast of Rush City, in East central Minnesota. Sitting within the St. Croix River valley on mostly wooded-rocky ground; our original family property functioned as a gravel mining operation for over 100 years. After several land acquisitions within the last 2 decades, the property is now comprised of 614 acres. Part of the property has served a commercial business since 1995, a cattle operation was made possible with the purchase of an adjacent discontinued farm parcel in 2004.
The farm was named after the Great Gray Owl migration that occurred during the winter of 2004 - 2005 when thousands of the majestic owls moved into Minnesota from Canada in search of food. Several of the owls stayed on our property for the winter feeding on meadow voles and mice in the abandon pastures. The pastures on the farm are no longer abandoned. Machinery and Scottish Highland Cattle revitalized the property’s original pastures.
Since the first delivery of 5 Highland cows in December of 2005 from John Rieman, we grew the herd to over 60 Highland Cattle of various ages and colors. That herd growth was made possible with additional breeding stock purchased in subsequent years from Cobblestone Farm, Schön Boden Farms, Wadsworth Farms, Dundonald Farm, Glen Haven Farm, Trafalgar Square Farm, and Drover Hill Farm. Recognizing that 50% of our herd genetics is in our bulls, Gray Owl Farms has used quality bulls with champion backgrounds as part of our natural breeding program since our first breeding season in 2006. Our herd sires have included GH Mr. Chips, GH Mr. Roberts, Schon Boden’s Jabari, Gray Owl’s Mack, CBS Gradee, Gray Owl’s Broderic, Gray Owl’s Gus, and Gray Owl’s Fernando. The heritability of performance traits from these champion and quality bulls are recognized throughout the progeny of our herd. From their calf prospects we produce cattle with great dispositions by halter breaking all calves and managing the herd with a lot of hands-on care in a low stress environment. The genetics of these exceptional animals have helped us develop a foundation herd of registered Highlands producing quality offspring for the show ring, beef production, and breeding stock
Gray Owl Farms is an all-natural, grass-fed, grass-finished, cow-calf operation specializing in high quality, purebred Highland Cattle for show, brood stock, and beef production. Our cattle excel on “grass” in open pastures during the growing season and on hay in the winter. To ensure we have high quality hay we grow our own hay for winter feeding. Whether its native forages or cultivars such as planted grasses and legumes, our beef cattle gain and finish naturally without hormones, antibiotics or grain.
We always have quality registered Highland Cattle of all ages for sale who love guests. Please call to schedule a visit.
The farm was named after the Great Gray Owl migration that occurred during the winter of 2004 - 2005 when thousands of the majestic owls moved into Minnesota from Canada in search of food. Several of the owls stayed on our property for the winter feeding on meadow voles and mice in the abandon pastures. The pastures on the farm are no longer abandoned. Machinery and Scottish Highland Cattle revitalized the property’s original pastures.
Since the first delivery of 5 Highland cows in December of 2005 from John Rieman, we grew the herd to over 60 Highland Cattle of various ages and colors. That herd growth was made possible with additional breeding stock purchased in subsequent years from Cobblestone Farm, Schön Boden Farms, Wadsworth Farms, Dundonald Farm, Glen Haven Farm, Trafalgar Square Farm, and Drover Hill Farm. Recognizing that 50% of our herd genetics is in our bulls, Gray Owl Farms has used quality bulls with champion backgrounds as part of our natural breeding program since our first breeding season in 2006. Our herd sires have included GH Mr. Chips, GH Mr. Roberts, Schon Boden’s Jabari, Gray Owl’s Mack, CBS Gradee, Gray Owl’s Broderic, Gray Owl’s Gus, and Gray Owl’s Fernando. The heritability of performance traits from these champion and quality bulls are recognized throughout the progeny of our herd. From their calf prospects we produce cattle with great dispositions by halter breaking all calves and managing the herd with a lot of hands-on care in a low stress environment. The genetics of these exceptional animals have helped us develop a foundation herd of registered Highlands producing quality offspring for the show ring, beef production, and breeding stock
Gray Owl Farms is an all-natural, grass-fed, grass-finished, cow-calf operation specializing in high quality, purebred Highland Cattle for show, brood stock, and beef production. Our cattle excel on “grass” in open pastures during the growing season and on hay in the winter. To ensure we have high quality hay we grow our own hay for winter feeding. Whether its native forages or cultivars such as planted grasses and legumes, our beef cattle gain and finish naturally without hormones, antibiotics or grain.
We always have quality registered Highland Cattle of all ages for sale who love guests. Please call to schedule a visit.