livestock

(Graph/Makenna Reavis)

(Graph/Makenna Reavis)

Fewer young farmers could threaten industry

Makenna Reavis and Jacob Harper
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
For Travis Legg, farming isn’t just a profession, it’s a legacy.  Legg is a third-generation farmer who lives in Smithonia, where he has been producing cattle, poultry and hay since 1995, but he was introduced to the industry by his grandfather and dad.
Sara Micale/The Oglethorpe Echo

Sara Micale/The Oglethorpe Echo

Ag census: Number of county farms on the rise

Sara Micale
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Farming in Oglethorpe County has grown in the past five years despite a national and statewide decrease in the number of farms.  Oglethorpe County’s 2022 Census of Agriculture County Profile saw significant increases in number and average size of farms and net cash income.
Ben Brubaker (from left), his son Benji and his father Dale gather around the wheel of a combine. The Brubaker family, which grows crops on their farm on Comer Road, could see a third generation of farmers if Benji decides to continue the tradition. (Submitted photo)

Ben Brubaker (from left), his son Benji and his father Dale gather around the wheel of a combine. The Brubaker family, which grows crops on their farm on Comer Road, could see a third generation of farmers if Benji decides to continue the tradition. (Submitted photo)

Row croppers on decline

Sara Micale and Lesley Randall
Friday, March 29, 2024
Wheat is growing on 600 acres of row cropping land along Comer Road, but it’ll soon bear corn and soybeans.   The farm belongs to Ben Brubaker, who said he believes he is one of two or three others row cropping in Oglethorpe County. His father, Dale, also works on the farm with him.
Judge Tyler Arnold talks to Scarlett Harris about her breeding doe during the Oglethorpe Area Winter Livestock Show on Saturday. The event included a contest between six local "celebrities." (Photo/Sara Micale)

Judge Tyler Arnold talks to Scarlett Harris about her breeding doe during the Oglethorpe Area Winter Livestock Show on Saturday. The event included a contest between six local "celebrities." (Photo/Sara Micale)

Brubaker, students winners of livestock show

Sara Micale
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Oglethorpe County youth weren’t the only ones competing in the Oglethorpe Area Winter Livestock Show on Saturday — six Oglethorpe County celebrities also competed for the title of Champion Celebrity Showman.
GARRETT KICKLIGHTER/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

GARRETT KICKLIGHTER/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

County weighs livestock burial fee

Garrett Kicklighter
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Oglethorpe County workers have buried more large animals than usual this year.    As of March 1, the county had buried 30 cows, six horses, one pig and two goats since the beginning of the year, Public Works director Adam Nation said.   “That’s unusually high,” he said.
Naomi (left) and Cam McPeake pose with their award winning animals on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022 at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia. (Photo/Katie Tucker)

Naomi (left) and Cam McPeake pose with their award winning animals on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022 at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia. (Photo/Katie Tucker)

Local students win livestock awards at state fair

Erin Kenney
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Oglethorpe County Elementary School fourth-grader Cam McPeake won state champion showman for his grade level at the Georgia National Fair last weekend.    The award is the culmination of many hours of hard work preparing his goat for competition.    “It feels like an honor,” McPeake said.