BRJPaperturnReduced - Flipbook - Page 27
A Farmer9s Life
By C.G. Wolfe
Photos by Stacey Roessler
The rugged Angus cattle of northeast Scotland have been thriving in this
green valley along the North Branch of the Raritan River for over 100 years.
T
he valley smelled like spring showers and muddy cows,
and the deep murmur of lowing cattle greeted us long
before we caught sight of the Angus herd at River Bend
Farm in Far Hills, New Jersey. As we drew nearer, their rich basses
and baritones were joined by a chorus of several hundred trilling
hens and the harmony of their contented vocalizations was only
interrupted by the off-key crowing of a puffy-chested rooster,
who continually heralded our presence and strutted along behind
us for most of the afternoon.
The farm was enjoying a sunny respite in a rainy week and a
farm to table luncheon for area chefs was just winding down. A
linen draped dining table with potted daffodil centerpieces
stretched in front of a split-rail fence bordering a green pasture
of black, grazing Angus and their sturdy month-old newborns.
Motherly Angus cows usually deliver calves that hit the ground
running and there9s not much drama on the farm during calving
season, which wraps up in mid-April.