A New Generation of Cattlemen

An international cattle purchase and mobile app creation are just part of farming for this 22-year-old.

With only $100, but plenty of determination and ambition, 12-year-old Mason Faulkner purchased his first calf. 10 years later, Mason’s herd may look different than that first black calf he raised, but his passion to be a successful cattleman is still evident.

Mason also knows that it takes more than passion to be successful. He’s banking on a unique breed, has his sights set on an ag-centered CPA career and has created a mobile app to allow himself, and fellow ranchers, to run their businesses more efficiently.

Mason is a full-time accounting student at Harding University and will graduate in May 2019. He plans to become a Certified Public Accountant and work within agriculture, helping other farmers maximize profitability.

“I like accounting because it’s the language of business. You can see behind operations, how they work, understand the tax law and how to save money,” he said.

Mason Faulkner's breed of choice is Fleckvieh cattle. A dual-purpose breed developed for both dairy and beef production.

Lindsey Holtzclaw | Farm Credit of Western Arkansas

He commutes between the family farm in Center Ridge and Searcy three times a week so that he can remain on the farm and care for his animals. He relies on his parents’ and professors’ support as he balances school and farm work.

“It’s definitely unique balancing your time with academics and coming back to the farm, but my teachers understand that I’m young and I’m trying to start a business and run a cattle operation and they definitely support me,” Mason said.

Mason raises registered Fleckvieh cattle, a dualpurpose breed known for their beef and dairy production. The breed is not common in Arkansas, but sparked his interest at age 14 when he visited Dollars Diamond D Fleckvieh Cattle in Russellville, owned by Kent Dollar.

He was intrigued by the breed’s uniqueness and traits that still captivate him today. His favorite features are their markings and color. Pigmentation varies greatly from animal to animal and he says the surprise of discovering the color and markings is what makes calving season exciting for him.

His supporters came together most recently as Mason planned a trip to Canada to purchase additional cattle for his Fleckvieh herd. This meant traveling hundreds of miles, missing classes, and meeting a strict deadline for transporting the cattle across the US-Canadian border.

Why travel to Canada for Fleckvieh cattle? The breed was originally imported to Canada and many of the original genetics still exist there. In Canada, the breed is larger, bigger boned and more genetically powered, he explained.

Lindsey Holtzclaw | Farm Credit of Western Arkansas

Mason selected two bred heifers and two cow/calf pairs from 1,000 head of Fleckvieh in Canada. He’ll use them in an embryo transfer program as he grows his herd.

Transportation across the border was one of the biggest challenges in purchasing Canadian cattle, he explained. The dilemma required special funding coordination with Farm Credit loan officer, Hank DeSalvo.

“When I bought them, there was a specific time frame for crossing the border,” Mason explained. “We needed to speed up the loan process by transferring money electronically, and Hank and Farm Credit made it happen overnight.”

Vice President Hank DeSalvo works with Financial Services Specialists Donna Payne and Alison Baker in Western Arkansas’ Morrilton branch office.

“The best part of my job is doing what I can to help young people get started in farming,” said Farm Credit loan officer Hank DeSalvo (right). “I admire Mason’s ambition and ability to think outside the box. Creating a mobile app to make tracking cattle easier shows just how differently the next generation is approaching farming. That’s exciting.” -Hank DeSalvo

Lindsey Holtzclaw | Farm Credit of Western Arkansas

While he’s had Farm Credit loans with his parents in the past, this was Mason’s first loan in his own name. He says he enjoys working with Farm Credit because the staff values their customers.

“In business, I believe you have to take risks and in order to take risks, you need people to help you,” Mason said. “Farm Credit has been awesome to help me and I see them as a resource I can count on as I grow my business.”

Mason’s belief that technology is an important tool for farmers and ranchers led him to create a mobile app. His idea came after seeing farmers and ranchers with mounds of loose paperwork and lack of organization. Recruiting his uncle who develops computer software, the duo designed the app which allows producers to record information about their herd on a mobile device. Problem solved.

Lindsey Holtzclaw | Farm Credit of Western Arkansas

“Every cow is recorded into the app along with its registration information and paperwork,” Mason said. “Then, when you have a client come out and ask about your cattle, you can pull it up right there in the field using a phone or tablet.”

They’re currently fine-tuning the app and hope to have it on the market within the next year.

At age 22, Mason has a great start as a cattleman. Farm Credit is proud to assist him, and others like him, as they work to become western Arkansas’ next generation of successful farmers.