We purchased a second bull calf, Buck from the same farm where Clovelly came from (he’s on the left). He is Henry’s cousin. They will be trained to pull sleds, plows, logs and carts.
Cow News
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News about the cows themselves.
Our future oxen
Thursday, December 15th, 2011Belted Galloways on the Pasture
Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
Belted Galloways on the Pasture
Annual Cow Pie Bingo, Saturday November 5th at 4:00PM
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011The Breakneck Hill Cow Fund will hold its annual cowpie bingo fund raiser Saturday November 5th at 4:00 PM in the Community Garden. There will be 100 squares sold. First square a cowpie lands in wins $200. Squares are $20. Money raised will go to help feed the cows this winter. We still have plenty of squares available. Squares can be purchased online or by calling 508-330-7216 or emailing paul.bourdon@gtc-bio.com. Henry, our new Milking Devon calf will be available to pet and lead on a halter. Hope to see you there.
Henry with his milk mustache.
Annual Cow Fund Update
Friday, October 14th, 2011It’s hard to believe that the Breakneck Hill Cow Fund (BHCF) was established 10 years ago! The BHCF, a non-profit, 501c3 organization was formed to buy hay for the belted galloway cows previously owned by Farmer Ray Davis. In 2002 the BHCF assumed ownership of the cows and has an expanded mission not only to care and maintain a community herd of cows in Southborough, but also to promote and celebrate Southborough’s agricultural history and the importance of local farming.
Over the years we have strived to improve the overall health and genetic diversity of the herd. We have invited impressive bulls such as Zeus, a Nationally registered bull, George, and most recently Ferdinand, to spend summers with our lovely belted ladies. Presently, our herd stands at 12 belted galloway cows, 5 steers, 1 Milking Devon and her 1 month old bull calf named “Henry”.
The cows have enjoyed their summer home on the rolling fields of the Breakneck Conservation land. 6 paddocks have been created in the pasture to help the cows better maintain the grasses and support grass regeneration. Rotating the herd through these paddocks also ensures that the cows have access to a healthier food supply. They will soon cross over to their winter paddock at the Breakneck Hill Farm in early November.
The BHCF continues its dedication to community outreach and education. We depend on volunteer work from youth groups and enthusiastic adults looking for an opportunity to connect with their “inner farmer”. We thoroughly enjoy our visits from preschool groups, scout troops, and people passing by. We greatly appreciate the help from local groups and individuals in helping to feed the cows throughout the winter, putting up fences, and many other cow related activities. Without your help, we could not continue to have the herd of belted galloway cows here in Southborough.
The BHCF raises money to purchase hay and maintain the herd through a series of fund-raising events; all money raised goes directly to this purpose. Hay prices have soared and are over $6/bale. The cows ate over 1700 bales last year! A booth at Heritage Day helps us raise awareness of the cows in Southborough and serves as one of our most consistent ways to raise funds to support our cow cause. On Saturday, November 5th at 4pm, we will hold our annual Farm Day. This is a family outing that takes place at the Breakneck Hill Community Gardens and includes a family hike, local treats and sweets, and our exciting “Cow Pie Contest” which is one of our biggest fund raisers and most exciting events!
For more information please visit our website at www.southborobelties.org
Please donate and help us keep our belted galloways healthy and happy!
Thank you!
Laurie Bourdon-President, Chris Molinaro-VP, Joyce Greenleaf-Secretary/Treasurer, Paul Bourdon-Operations Mgr, Russ Devlin-webmaster
New Milking Devon Calf
Sunday, September 25th, 2011
Our Milking Devon heifer, Clovelly had her little bull calf about 8AM on Aug 20th.
Henry was born on August 20th. 
Home for the Winter
Saturday, December 11th, 2010As of Sunday, December 5, the Belted Galloway herd has once again made the transition from their pastures on the Breakneck Hill Conservation Land to their winter home at nearby Breakneck Hill Farm. Your webmaster wasn’t around to take pictures this year, but the Southboro News web site was on the case and has some pictures — you may need to scroll down (or search the archives) until you see the “The Great Roundup” entry from December 5.
This, of course, means the cows are eating hay full-time, and if you can spare a donation to the cow fund, they will low approvingly. The Paypal links throughout the site are handy way to do so online.
Summer 2010 Breakneck Hill Cow Fund Update
Friday, July 2nd, 2010Note: If you’d like to donate to the cow fund, the Paypal link on the upper right of this page makes it easy. You can also mail a check to Breakneck Hill Cow Fund, P.O. Box 343, Southborough, MA 01772.
Thank you for visiting the Breakneck Hill Cow Fund (BHCF) website and update. Almost 10 years ago the BHCF, a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization was formed to buy hay for the belted galloway cows owned by Farmer Ray Davis. Now, the BHCF owns the cows and has an expanded mission not only to care and maintain a community herd of cows in Southborough, but also to promote and celebrate Southborough’s agricultural history and the importance of local farming.
Over the years we have strived to improve the overall health and genetic diversity of the herd. In the past we have invited summer visitors, like Zeus, a Nationally registered bull, to impregnate our cows. Last year, George, a less physically impressive bull but with good references, came to summer on the Breakneck Hill Conservation land and we are please to write that we have 7 new calves this season with 3 more expected. They join 12 cows and 1 steer that graze on the hills of the conservation land.
The cows enthusiastically went over to the conservation land from their winter paddock, in late April where they graze throughout the warm weather. The rain and optimal growing weather has made keeping up with the grasses a struggle. 4 paddocks have been created in the pasture to help the cows better maintain the grasses and support grass regeneration. Rotating the herd through these paddocks also ensures that the cows have access to a healthier food supply.
The BHCF continues its dedication to community outreach and education. We depend on volunteer work from youth groups and enthusiastic adults looking for an opportunity to connect with their “inner farmer”. We thoroughly enjoy our visits from preschool groups, scout troops, and people passing by. We greatly appreciate the help from local groups and individuals in helping to feed the cows throughout the winter, putting up fences, and many other cow related activities. Without your help, we could not continue to have the herd of belted galloway cows.
The BHCF raises money to purchase hay and maintain the herd through a series of fund-raising events; all money raised goes directly to this purpose. Last year, we hosted a poker tournament, sponsored a “Cow Day” in October holding a race through the conservation land and a “Cow Pie” contest, and had a booth at the annual Heritage Day Celebration. We are finding that the economic conditions are resulting in a reduction in donations. We just sent out a postcard fund-raising campaign to over 2,000 local residents and businesses. We find ourselves with less than $300 in our account at a time when we need to secure winter hay.
The Breakneck Hill Conservation land is a Metrowest treasure with winding pastoral trails, varied wildlife, and summit views of Mt. Wachusetts. The belted galloways grazing on the hills offer families and hikers so many benefits; please help us keep them healthy and happy!
Thank you,
Laurie Bourdon, President
Chris Molinaro, Vice-President
Joyce Greenleaf, Secretary & Treasurer
Paul Bourdon, Operations Manager
Russ Devlin, Website Manager
Pictures of Our New Calves
Tuesday, April 27th, 2010The belties have been multiplying lately, and Southborough News has pictures. If they have scrolled off the main page, you can find them by searching the site archives.
Breakneck Hill Farm Milking Devon
Monday, March 15th, 2010
Clovelly our American Milking Devon
Here is a long overdue picture of one of our latest additions.
Her name is Clovelly a rare Milking Devon heifer from the farm of John and Bonnie Hall in Westbrook Ct. Come by and say hi to her.
For Sale: Bred Heifer
Monday, January 11th, 2010
Breakneck Hill #38
Breakneck Hill #31
We are looking to sell 2 bred heifers. both out of Aldemere stock but not registered. Sire: Blackstone George.
$1800 b/o
please call or email:
508-330-7216
paul.bourdon@gtc-bio.com