Melvern Simmentals – The Armstrongs

Melvern Simmentals is owned by Bill and Richard Armstrong.

The Armstrongs began farming in Melvern Square (Spa Springs) when Bill’s father George bought the farm in 1950. At that time the family milked cows for cream. Bill took over the farm in 1971 and switched to the beef industry with 30 Hereford Shorthorn cross cows. He started breeding Simmentals to add more growth, registering the farm’s first Simmentals in 1975. In more recent years, they have added Angus breeding to the herd. Bill and Richard currently keep about 225 cows, calving between January and March. They finish all the feeder calves to sell to Atlantic Beef Products and local abattoirs. They keep replacement heifers, and they also have some breeding stock available for sale each year. Richard manages the breeding program using some herd sires raised on the farm and purchased semen.

Bill and Richard grow the majority of what they feed keeping them busy from Spring to Fall. They have a tractor operator they can call on when needed and Richard’s brother pitches in during silage season. They grow forage, oats, wheat, and corn and put in both grass and corn silage.

Richard’s wife Megan works off the farm but does the bookkeeping and helps when needed. Their son Hayden is following in Richard’s footsteps and does quite a bit of work on the farm when not in school. Their daughter Rylee is a bit younger but helps during the summer. Hayden and Rylee are both in the Beef project in 4-H.