GHA SPOTLIGHT:

Heidt Family Farm

By Carole Hicks

With deep roots in Effingham County, Heidt Family Farm is exactly what the name implies – a farm that’s heritage extends through five, going on six, generations of Heidt’s. In the late 1990’s, the Heidt Family Farm was awarded the title of “Centennial Farm” for being a 100 year old working farm. The farm, which is centered at the family house, was established around the 1890’s. Then it was a commercial cattle operation that, up until the 1950’s fence law, practiced open range grazing. During the 60’s, Phillip, with the loving support from his parents Eddie and Libby Heidt, was awarded an exchange club Hereford heifer and began showing. During the mid 70’s, they purchased their first group of Hereford heifers from Mr. Sam Zemurray of HoneyRidge Plantation in Guyton, GA, which became the foundation for the Heidt Family Farm Hereford herd. For the last five years, the herd has been strictly Hereford cattle.

The Heidt family home place, the focal point of the farm, was built in the 1890’s

Today, the Heidt family and herd have grown. Phillip and his wife, Linda, have three sons, Chris, Craig, and Carey, and five grandchildren. Chris and his wife Annika are expecting the sixth. In the summer of 2002, Phillip’s father, Eddie, passed away, but Mrs. Libby stills lives on the farm in the central family house. The farm includes about 100 acres of pasture and additional timber land. They run 55 brood cows and have retained 12 replacement heifers to put back into the herd. Through the years, the Heidt’s have purchased cattle from around the southeast to establish their herd. Their cattle are predominantly Victor bred, but they have begun to outcross with various A.I. sires, including CS Boomer 29F, Remmita Highway 157H, and HE Embracer 8E 8006. They have recently purchased two bulls from Star Lake Cattle Co. in Skiatook, OK; Star Rockin Bogie 316M ET, who is a Boomer 29F grandson out of the popular Star Rockin Erica, and Star 19D ETU C&L HVH 45N, who is a Wrangler 19D son. They also have raised HFF Lightning Rod 218 4032 598, who they utilize as a natural service clean-up bull. His bloodlines include names like 103T, 218, and High Voltage. He has become one of their best female producers. The Heidt’s have flushed some of their outstanding females to bulls including “Bogie” and “Platinum”, and utilize some of their Hereford cattle as recipients. They market their cattle primarily through private treaty and the GHA sale.

Group of show heifers that Heidt’s loaned to local youth for exhibition around southeast Georgia.

Heidt Family Farm is a whole family operation. Phillip, along with son Chris and grandson Josh, take care of most of the farm responsibilities. Chris handles the day-to-day farm management, while working as an engineer for Gulf Stream Aerospace. When he has some spare time, he is an avid hunter and a certified trapper. Phillip is a successful real-estate broker and developer. Josh and his sister, Jessica, have begun exhibiting Hereford heifers at local and state shows. The Heidt family has a deep love for the land and cattle and is striving to produce quality efficient Hereford cattle and also to pass on a tradition rich in agriculture to the sixth generation of Heidt’s!

Fall heifer sired by HFF Lightning Rod 218 4032 598