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Farm & Ranch

CASSVILLE

Democrat

The Monett Times

Page 2 • Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Farm & Ranch Guide

Farm & Ranch Guide

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SPRING FARM & RANCH | NEW LIFE

Farm & Ranch Guide

Welcoming New Animals

Springtime is a busy time of year for farmers. In addition to getting their crops in the ground, livestock managers spend the season welcoming new animals to the world.

Animals born in middle-land latitudes are afforded higher chances of survival during warmer temperatures, as frigid temperatures and winter storms can be life-threatening to a newborn.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac also suggests that spring animals fare better because the extended daylight gives parents more time to find food for their young. Mammal mothers count on the freshly grown grass and plants to provide nutritious milk for their babies.

Find out more about why spring is an opportune time to welcome new livestock and how to take care of them in their infancy.

SPRING FACTS

In addition to warmer temperatures, experts recognize air pressure as an essential factor involved in animal birth. For instance, spring calves tend to be born when the barometric pressure is high, discouraging rainfall.

We can notice the springtime birthing phenomena in farm animals and non-domes-

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ticated wildlife. For instance, the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation reports that deer rut occurs in October, November and December.

During this period, the males reach peak testosterone levels and begin searching for mates. Since this species’ gestation period generally takes about 201 days, a pregnancy in the fall results in spring births.

their living grounds to stepping in to help distressed females or babies, the job requires rigorous preparation.

One of the essential factors for expecting animals is a quality food source. As livestock PREPARE FOR THE enter the third trimester, the BIRTHING SEASON Livestock managers have the fetus experiences significant responsibility of preparing the growth. farm for the debut of newborn The nutritional demand animals. From composing placed on a mother requires Experts believe that since the spring conditions are ideal for successful birthing, animals have naturally evolved to accommodate the cycle.

that they take in a high quality and quantity of food. If the spring grass isn’t flourishing during this time, consider investing in supplementary dietary aides from your local feed shop.

It’s also essential to stock your birthing first aid kit with items like latex gloves, clean blankets, a halter and lubricant to help deliver.

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Farm & Ranch Guide

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Mark Fellwock and his youngest son, Hudson, stand in the milking barn at Fellwock Dairy. Contributed photo

Educating the next generation

Fellwock Dairy invested in youth, promoting milk

BY KYLE TROUTMAN editor@monett-times.com

The Fellwock family operates 300 head of cattle on a dairy farm north of Monett, but one thing, especially during National Dairy Month in June, sticks out to the family more than the milk or the money — education.

Mark and Johna Fellwock, owners of Fellwock Dairy, recently invited nearly 7,000 school children to their farm for a virtual tour, fielding more than 360 questions during the

45-minute event and educating the youth on everything from calf care to cow comfort and the milking process to sustainability.

“I have been on the Midwest Dairy Division Board for several years now, and I’m heavy into promoting dairy,” Mark Fellwock said. “I don’t know if you remember the milk mustache commercials, but our promotions are a little different now.

We deal more with dietitians and with food companies that can show the nutritional value in our products. Midwest Dairy asked me if it was possible for us to teach people about our farm in a tour.

“Generations have become four to six times removed from farms, so many kids don’t under-

The Fellwock farm north of Monett has a total of 880 acres, 80 of which is on the family’s homestead. Contributed photo

stand where milk and meat come from. They just think it comes from the grocery store. So, this event had 6,500 to 7,000 kids watching live from their classrooms.”

As Fellwock showed the children how the process works, he came across one of his favorite things — a teachable moment.

“On the tour I was going to milk one of our cows, and she had a bad foot that required antibiotics,” he said. “So, I administered the antibiotics live on camera, then milked the cow and showed how we separate that milk so none with antibiotics ends up in the out production line. It shows that we take care in making sure our milk is safe, healthy and CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

The Fellwock family, from left, includes: Bailey, Hayden, Riley, Hudson, Johna and Mark. Contributed photo

Farm & Ranch Guide

SPRING FARM & RANCH | LOOKING AHEAD

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Crop Projections for 2021 The entire world was hit hard during the lockdown of 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the farming industry was no exception.

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, there was a dramatic drop in demand from food service, restaurants, schools and universities. A report in April also showed that milk prices were down a whopping 40% from January 2020.

Fortunately, after a tough year, experts are projecting growth in specific sectors for the Fiscal Year 2021. Check out some of the hopeful forecasting provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.

• United States agricultural

exports in FY2021 are projected at $140.5 billion, increasing by $5.5 billion from the previous year.

• The export market will be driven by higher demand for soybeans and corn.

• Soybean volume is expected to rise by 26 percent.

• Corn is forecasted to rise $700 million to $9.0 billion.

• Horticulture exports like tree nuts should be up by $500 million to $35.0 billion.

• Animal products like livestock, poultry and dairy exports

are also forecast up by $500 million to $32.3 billion.

• The United States gross domestic increase is expected to be about 4%.

• Corn crops are expected to accumulate 14.890 billion bushels, the second-largest haul on record.

• Soybean output should see a record-breaking harvest with 4.465 billion provided bushels.

Expected costs of $10 per bushel would be the highest since 2014/15 when it was $10.10.

• Corn prices are also expected

to be at their highest rate in seven years, at $3.65 per bushel.

• Wheat production will rebound from a record low, rising to 1.890 billion bushels.

• Soybean acreage is expected to increase by nearly 6 million acres or 7% from 2020. If it meets demands, in 2021, the crops will represent the third-highest acreage on record.

The coronavirus pandemic has encouraged the federal government to create operation-saving programs to give aid to farmers.

Show support for your hometown harvesters by buying locally at independent grocery stores, butchers, farmer’s markets and other retailers.

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While spring is a busy time for farmers and ranchers, consider scheduling a field trip with your local schools. Regardless of the student body’s age group, a visit to your operation can provide educational opportunities and ignite their passion for participating in the industry.

SPRING FARM & RANCH | EDUCATION

Farm & Ranch Guide

Host a Field Trip

As schools begin to open in the spring, owner-operators can work with local teachers to set up a day of fun and information.

Check out these tips from the Rutgers Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education department that guide farmers and education professionals to a successful farm field trip.

FARM AND RANCHER TIPS

Before advertising your operation as a field trip destination, you should consider what types of events you can include and figure out the logistics. When drafting a plan, be sure to include these factors in your blueprint.

• Cost. Decide what to charge for students to visit.

The fee should be affordable while also benefiting your

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bottom line.

• Attendees. Should you set a minimum/maximum for the number of visitors for field trips? Speak with your insurance provider to determine if your policy limits the number of guests due to liability concerns.

• Parking. Ensure that you have ample room for parking for school buses and passenger cars.

• Activities. Load your field trip schedule with fun activities like wagon rides, animal observing, seed planting and thorough tours of your operation.

You must also analyze your property for safety issues before small children are present. Put away sharp items in your facilities and make sure tractor operators know that a field trip is scheduled.

TEACHER TIPS

As a teacher, you can help show children how the food on their dinner plates comes to fruition. You should be firm with your expectations of students’ behavior and etiquette while visiting a farm or ranch.

Ensure they understand the intentions of the trip and what they will learn. Create a fun quiz to wrap up the lesson.

When signing up for a field

trip, give parents a dedicated outline of the adventure.

Children should be prepared with the right clothing, sunblock, water or snacks to last for the visit’s duration.

Don’t forget to check the weather a few days before the scheduled trip. Since spring storms can pop-up with little warning, guests should be prepared for rain showers or have a secondary plan in place.

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SPRING FARM & RANCH | EMPLOYMENT

Farm & Ranch Guide

Find a Job on the Ranch

If you don’t have the capital or space to open your own ranch, consider becoming familiar with the operation by beginning a career at an established operation.

After learning the ropes and networking with experts in the industry, a career as a rancher can be a bountiful professional path.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for those in this role was $71,160 in 2019.

Check out a few of the lesser-known roles of ranching that helps the destination operate seamlessly.

RAISING CATTLE

Ranches that specialize in livestock require a farmhand that offers care to young animals, specifically cattle. In this occupation, people must understand and track the breeding and birthing seasons.

You may find yourself assisting heifers who have difficulty giving birth and supporting the calves as they grow accustomed to the new world. Cow-calf specialists are often required to treat animals who are hurt during birthing and create a dedicated schedule to feed and care for the cattle.

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GENERAL MAINTENANCE WORKER

Most ranches feature numerous facilities, fences and land to maintain to keep things running smoothly.

General maintenance tasks may include repairing perimeter barriers, repairing and painting buildings on the site and general groundskeeping.

Those with experience operating equipment such as

tractors and crawlers may have an edge on getting the job, as machinery is essential for some ranch projects.

You also should understand how to identify dangerous plants or animals that may threaten the livestock’s safety.

TOUR GUIDE

A tour guide must be friendly, professional and knowledgeable about the

great outdoors and their respective ranching operation. This exciting opportunity allows experts to show visitors extraordinary views and create adventures in the wild.

Many ranches serve their own niche regarding what is available on their property.

Check out a few subjects you may want to brush up on, depending on the type of ranch you’re pursuing.

• Wineries and winemaking.

• Horseback trail riding.

• Fishing tours.

• Facilities and livestock discussions.

Once you land the job at a ranch, don’t be surprised if a standard nine-to-five desk job never fits your itinerary.

Ranches are excellent places to get in touch with the outdoors and gain tremendous respect for nature.

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Farm & Ranch Guide

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Father-son team Mark Fellwock, right, and Hayden work the Fellwock Dairy farm.

Contributed photo

Hayden Fellwock, 17, has become a jack of all trades at his family’s farm, specializing in running tractors and equipment. Contributed photo

Educating: Fellwocks encourage people to ‘ask a farmer, not Google’

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wholesome to drink.”

Fellwock and his wife homeschool their four children, so they are not short on teachable moments, but he said doing the virtual tour was a new experience for him.

“It was definitely different,” he said. “It was really neat to be able to reach that many kids at one time. We are always open to school tours if they call, and we try to talk to kids as much as possible, talking to them like they are kids and like they are consumers because they are the ones consuming the most milk right now.”

Johna Fellwock said for her especially, teaching youth about dairy is important.

“We do a lot of work to educate kids,” she said.

“Even on that tour, one kid asked if the brown cows made chocolate milk. We have a saying, ‘Ask a farmer, not Google.’ People make a lot of assumptions about farms, and we have to engage in education to dispel a lot of those myths.”

The Fellwock name has been active in farming for a long time, as the family

owns 500 acres and rents another 300, and they have 300 dairy cows that supply about 70 pounds of milk per day.

“We are fifth generation-owned, and the fourth generation with a dairy,” Mark Fellwock said. “My dad passed 17 years ago when I was 27, and my wife and I helped my mom, then took over.

Back then, we only had 50 cows.”

The dairy sits on the century farm, originally comprised of an 80-acre homestead the family bought from the railroad company. The Fellwocks grow a majority of their own forage, like wheat, rye and oats, and they use 250 acres for corn silage.

“We crop about 600 total acres, with wheat to combine for grain and straw, and soybeans for a cash crop,” Fellwock said.

“We sell off our baby bulls and raise all the heifers for replacements. We calf mainly in August, September and October to get the milk production in the fall and winter, before it starts getting too hot for the gals.”

The Fellwock cattle are

primarily Holsteins, which produce well, and they also have some Jerseys, which have better fat, and a few Guernsey crosses.

The milk itself goes to Dairy Farmers of America, with the majority contracted to the Chipotle chain of restaurants for use in butter production.

“We have a contract that stipulates our cattle have 24-hour access to pasture on top of our total mixed ration feed, which consists of alfalfa-sudan bailage, ground corn, distillers and wet brewer grain, and soybean meal,” Fellwock said. “Some of our milk goes to Hiland, but most goes to make butter for Chipotle.”

The Fellwocks have four hired staff at the Dairy, but they also pay their older children to work on the farm, as well.

“Bailey is 21 and is our calf raiser and breeder,” Fellwock said. “Our son, Hayden, is 17 and is my right-hand man. He does a lot of field and tractor work. Our other daughter Riley is 15 and likes to be in the barn milking and doing outside chores.

And, our youngest son is

Riley Fellwock, left, and her sister, Bailey, pet one of the many calves at Fellwock Dairy. Bailey focuses on breeding at the farm, and Riley is often found in the barn milking. Contributed photo Hudson, who is 5.”

The Fellwocks both said the success of the farm is due to one main reason — determination.

“The funny thing is, I built houses right out of high school and did construction,” Fellwock said.

“My wife and I met in high school and married shortly after, and I always told her we would never own the dairy farm. I had to eat that one.

“When my dad got sick that brought me back to the farm, and at that point, we just felt like God was telling us to be here. And, we had to grow to be successful. Even at 300 dairy cows, we’re still considered small.

“We aren’t here for the money. This is no way to get rich. It gives us the opportunity to teach our kids the value of hard work, how to treat animals and

how to be good stewards of our land. We’ve had a few setbacks on the farm along the way, but we’ve worked through them.”

To watch the full virtual tour hosted by Midwest Dairy, people may visit www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Nfti294NLQs. To set up a school tour or for more information about the dairy, people may email Fellwockdairy@ gmail.com.

Farm & Ranch Guide

SPRING FARM & RANCH | BUSINESS PRACTICES

Wednesday, June 23, 2021 • Page 15

Marketing your Farm

Whether your farm is already a thriving enterprise or only beginning to become profitable, marketing the operation is an excellent way to attract more customers.

Consider reaching out to a consultant who specializes in promoting local businesses. They use their expertise to take your brand to the next level and bring it front and center of social media conversations, and craft efficient advertising campaigns.

You should also think about recruiting a qualified web designer. A pro can create an online destination that portrays your mission statement and keeps you in touch with customers.

Try to highlight your farm’s most important aspects, like dedicated care for livestock, being family operated or offering guidance on general farming information. Make sure you receive the analytics of the website to track visitors, find out what increases traffic and more importantly, find out where activity is lacking.

When developing a marketing plan, here are other factors to consider.

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CREATE A LOGO AND TAGLINE

An effective logo makes your brand instantly recognizable and gives new customers inspiration to check out your operation or website.

You can incorporate the type of farming you excel in by drafting a logo representing its main subject. For instance, if you raise horses, consider using a bold, majestic font. In contrast, flower or produce farmers should consider using natural colors and soft-toned imagery.

Once the promotion campaign rais-

es your revenue, invest some profits into displaying your logo on different keepsake items like clothing, business cards and giveaway cups.

While the logo can tell interested customers a little about your farm, a quality tagline paints your mission statement in black and white. In a line or two, brag about what makes your operation stand apart and the farming

elements that give you pride.

IDENTIFY YOUR MARKET

To efficiently advertise to the correct audience, you should identify your customer base. Keep track of who is visiting the farm and spending the most money. Here are some factors to consider when analyzing your clientele:

• Are they mostly men or women?

• What is the age group — young, middle-aged or retired?

• Is there a specific ethnic group that is more relevant to your location?

• Which income level do your regulars belong to?

Use the data to target a wider audience while including your current demographic.

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Farm & Ranch Guide

Farm & Ranch Guide

SPRING FARM & RANCH | INCOME STREAMS

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Make Money with Extra Land

If you have unused land on your property or land that could be resurrected by clearing trees or debris, you may be missing out on supplemental income.

Once you have extra plots with habitable conditions, consider advertising the space for rent or use it to further your operation with exciting tourist attractions.

Check out some creative ideas on using additional land that you already have from the experts at Ranch and Farm Properties.

START A HONEY OPERATION

While raising bees will take considerable research to be performed efficiently and safely, a well-running establishment can provide significant income.

In addition to becoming a “honey-pot” of revenue by harvesting and selling honey, the location can become a prime spot for tours and school field trips.

According to the York County Beekeepers Association, a single pound of honey requires about 10,000 worker bees. Fortunately, a single queen can lay up to 2,000 eggs per day during her busy season.

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PLANT A FRUIT OR VEGETABLE GARDEN

samples to consumers before they purchase. Not only will you make a few extra bucks, but you can also network with locals and advertise the other great things your ranch can offer.

Service shows that nearly 65,900 acres of pumpkins are If you have an unused plot harvested in the United of land on your property, conStates. If you live in an area sider restoring it and cultivatwhere the staple of fall can ing it for a small garden. Try thrive, consider clearing a to plant items that are popusection of your land for a lar in the community and profitable patch. identify their most in-demand PLANT A While pumpkins will be the seasons. driving force to attract cusPUMPKIN PATCH After harvesting, bring it to Data from the USDA tomers, think of other fun farmer’s markets and offer National Agricultural Statistics activities for them to interact

with together. Things like hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin smashing competitions and a play area for children are excellent revenue builders.

Try to include different species of pumpkins and become knowledgeable about their purposes. Your enthusiasm for the subject can excite visitors and encourage them to make additional purchases.

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