OFN March 28, 2022 by Eric Tietze

FEED, FIELD & CROPS • POULTRY • PRODUCTION SALE

More Than Dollars and Cents MARCH 28, 2022 • 28 PAGES

VOLUME 16, NUMBER 2 • WWW.OZARKSFN.COM

Grace Archer has turned her love for sheep into a business

Still Evolving After 86 Years Eaves Simmental Farm has embraced technology with a new generation of cattlemen

Growing for the Next Generation The Bradfords started their farm with laying hens

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Howard retires: After more than 20 years, Luke Howard has retired as a professor of food science for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the U of A System Division of Agriculture, and the U of A’s Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. His research focused on identifying and quantifying bioactive compounds in plant-based foods and finding ways to use them to improve human nutrition.

The Ozarks Most Read Farm Newspaper

MARCH 28, 2022

Veteran farmer organization begins in Oklahoma: Farmer Veteran Coalition of Oklahoma, Inc. has been formed as an official chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) through a joint effort between the Oklahoma Department of Veteran Affairs and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, as well as private citizens. The FVC is a national nonprofit that helps military veterans pursue careers in agriculture. For more information, contact Maj. (Ret) Doug Christerson, vice president, Farmer Veteran Coalition, Oklahoma Chapter, (417) 389-0980, dchristerson@hotmail.com. Century farm applications being accepted: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2022 Arkansas Century Farm program. The program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. For more information, visit go.ozarksfn.com/vzb

Know a Good Rumor?

4 5

10 12 13 16 19

The trusted comforter Jody Harris – Rural living Julie Turner-Crawford – The days and weeks ahead

MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS 7 Family farm continues to change 8

OzarksFarm @OzarksFarm

Do you have a rumor you would like to share with our readers? Mail them to: PO Box 1514, Lebanon, MO 65536; fax them to: 417-532-4721; or email them to: editor@ozarksfn.com

VOL. 16, NO. 2

JUST A THOUGHT 3 Jerry Crownover –

Costello awarded scholarship: Brooke Costello of Rogers County, Okla., was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. In all, nine scholarships were awarded, one recipient from each OKFB district. Education program launched: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has announced the Harvest of the Season promotional program. It is a free educational campaign that includes materials for schools to feature locally-grown products in their cafeterias. The goal of the Harvest of the Season program is to teach children about Arkansas-grown foods. The program makes available local and seasonal food posters, materials featuring Arkansas farmers and distributors, and social media resources highlighting local Arkansas fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains and dairy products. Program materials are offered at no cost to public and private K-12 schools, early childhood education facilities, and alternative learning environments. For more information, visit go.ozarksfn.com/b3a

after more than 80 years

Grace Archer began raising sheep when she was a youngster Rabbit Studios showcases the talent of Bill and Traci Rabbit Eye on Agribusiness highlights Tri-County Farm & Ranch Supply Town & Country features Mandy Villines Bradford Valley Farms is building for the future Youth in Agriculture spotlights Taylor Henley

FARM HELP 19 Rising rates 20 The basics of EPDs 21 Improving egg quality 22 Understanding soil types 23 Litter and fertilizer

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MARCH 28, 2022

just a

thought

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PO Box 1514, Lebanon, MO 65536

Toll Free: 1-866-532-1960 479-846-1002 • Fax: 479-846-1003 E-mail: editor@ozarksfn.com

Eric Tietze Publisher

Administrative Amanda Newell, Marketing Manager Eric Tietze, Accounting

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ost farmers who raise livestock have revoninside worC ytheir rreJ yB had a newborn animal house at one time or another. For those of us who calve, lamb, farrow Jerry Crownover is or foal in early spring, that probably a farmer and former equates to many newborns in our homes over the professor of Agriculture years — and we most likely have a routine that has Education at Missouri been perfected with experience. My wife and I make State University. He is a use of an old comforter. native of Baxter County, It was early February of this year, and the first real Arkansas, and an snow of the winter had the ground covered in 6 inches author and professional of powder. The temperature was in the 20s when an speaker. To contact Jerry, old, red cow had given birth to a fine, little heifer calf. go to ozarksfn.com and Unfortunately, the calf had become entangled in some click on ‘Contact Us.’ brush when it exited its mother and had been unable to stand, or be licked clean by mom. Luckily, I found it within a couple of hours of birth and was able, with the help of a neighbor, to get it loaded into the heated cab of the UTV. On the way to the house, I phoned my wife. “We’ve got one chilled to the bone. Be there in 5 minutes.” I don’t remember how we came to have the thick, plush comforter. I can only assume it covered the bed of one of our boys many years ago, but it has remained in a closet for some 30 years, and is used only to warm newborn calves in our house. It fits perfectly between the oven and dishwasher in our kitchen, and is directly in front of a furnace vent. Judy had the comforter bed prepared when I arrived with the baby girl. The calf was wet on the outside, cold on the inside, and unable to even open its eyes. With the furnace cranked up to high, Judy began rubbing the calf with a series of old towels while I fetched the hand-held hair dryer to blow hot air onto the calf-sicle — Continued on Page 6

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About the Cover Rhett and Ryker Holloway are the fourth generation on their family farm, Eaves Simmental Farms. See more on page 7. Photo by Daniel Bereznicki

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor accepts story suggestions from readers. Story information appears as gathered from interviewees. Ozarks Farm & Neighbor assumes no responsibility for the credibility of statements made by interviewees. © Copyright Ozarks Farm & Neighbor, Inc., 2022. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.

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We have applied one quart per acre in spring and one in fall on our pastures for many years. Earthworms are very active in those pastures today. The onions are from the same Arkansas garden the same day. The big one was grown on soil treated with N-ZYME.

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s it spring yet? I have been busy working on a project for several months. This project had me on the road in southern Washington and Crawford counties. I have had the most wonderful Jody Harris is a freelance opportunities to meet people who live in rural communications Arkansas. Many of these folks are also raising chilspecialist, gardener, dren and farming. I have had an opportunity to speak ranch wife and mother of to fellow Arkansans about taxes, education and of four. She and her family course agriculture. raise Angus beef cattle My husband and I have lived on Round Mountain and other critters on near Elkins for almost 17-years. He grew up in Norththeir northwest Arkansas west Arkansas, out in Goshen. I grew up in Southwest ranch. She is a graduate Missouri. When we returned to Northwest Arkansas, of Missouri State University. we lived in Springdale in a subdivision. For two years To contact Jody, go to after we got married, we looked high and low for a ozarksfn.com and click on place to call home out in the country. ‘Contact Us.’ His mother was our Realtor and we had made offers on properties that slipped away because a higher offer had come in ahead of us. We were getting frustrated with the market at the time. We had grown up in the country raising cattle and horses and wanted the same environment for our children. When my husband’s mother told us about a place with 40-acres and a shop with a creek running through it, we did not waste any time. We loaded up the 4-wheeler and took it out and drove around the property. We never really inspected the house. The two of us knew it was older and would need some fixing up, but we were enchanted by the beauty of this little farm near Elkins. We made an offer that was accepted quickly, and we were ready to get moved. When we finally got inside of the house, we discovered it would need some work to prepare to live there. We were waiting for the people who purchased our home in town to sell their place, so we felt like we had some time. Little did we realize, their home sold quickly, and we were going to move into the little farmhouse while fixing it up. We were also surprised with the news that our first baby was on her way. I am sure I have shared this adventure before. And it was just that – an adventure. Our well went dry and the central air conditioning quit working that first summer. We persevered like a couple of pioneers. We have grown to love our Elkins and Round Mountain community very much. We have wonderful neighbors all round us. It is a blessing to be raising our family here. I did not know too much about the differences in school zones when our first child went to kindergarten. Where we lived, we were zoned for Fayetteville Public Schools. That would be where we sent them, we did not question it. As our children have gotten into the older grades, we have discovered some things that are taught in their district that do not align with our family values. Thankfully, in the state of Arkansas, we have a school choice law in place to allow for students to transfer to the school district of their choice. We are hopeful about a transfer to a more rural school district this spring for 2022-23. We have had so many wonderful teachers for our children and hope this continues in a new school close by our farm, neighbor.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MARCH 28, 2022

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ince I have been at Ozarks Farm & Neighbor, I try very hard to be a cheerleader for agriculture. I want farmers and ranchers to look on the bright side of bad news. These days, howJulie Turner-Crawford ever, it is becoming more and more challenging is a native of Dallas to try and be the “sunshine girl.” County, Mo., where Input prices are soaring with no end in sight, and the she grew up on her prices paid to producers aren’t getting any higher. family’s farm. She is a Some folks are considering selling their livestock because graduate of Missouri of fuel, fertilizer and feed prices. State University. To The profit margin is small to begin with for many, so contact Julie, call 1-866when it costs double to produce the same product as it did 532-1960 or by email at the year before and your returns are dwindling, it makes editor@ozarksfn.com. sense to sell before the bleeding really starts. However, it’s still not an easy decision to make. Farming and ranching is more than a job; it’s a way of life and a family tradition for many. If there is a bright side to today’s world, American farmers and ranchers will always be needed. We might have to change the way we do business, but the industry will continue to provide food, clothing and shelter, just as it has for thousands of years. Change, however, is difficult for some producers because the way they’ve done it for 50 years is the way they will always do it. If you’re one of those producers, it’s time to think of other ways to produce your product and ways to market it.

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just a thought Across the Fence Continued from Previous Page Want more per pound for your livestock? Add a little value to them, or try selling directly to other producers. Have some heavier-weight calves? Try selling halves and wholes of beef. Planning your garden? Consider farm sales of your excess produce. There are a few ways to reduce fuel costs. Did you know if your bulk fuel tank sits in the sun, you could lose up to 120 gallons of fuel a year due to evaporation? Try making fewer trips across the same piece of ground. In some cases, producers can mix their pre-plant or pre-emergence herbicides with their fertilizer and apply with one trip. Take advantage of free loyalty programs to reduce fuel costs offered at some convenience stores. I’ve done that for a few years with one chain and those points can add up, points that can be used toward fuel discounts. Have you checked with your local grocery store about picking up produce, baked items or other food that will be tossed? Those are items livestock can consume.

According to a report published in the Angus Beef Bulletin in 2016, retired University of Georgia professor Mark Froetschel studied the use of recovered retail food as feed for Holstein steers. He fed the product at zero, 20, 40 and 60 percent of a total mixed ration. His findings showed food intended initially for humans was nutritious with 80 percent total digestible nutrients on a dry-matter basis and was a cost-effective way to put gain on cattle. Plus, it reduces food waste. As we trudge into the days and weeks ahead, I encourage everyone to try to be an optimist and to think of one or two ways to save your operation money. Trying to get a handle on the situation now may save your operation in the future.

Life Is Simple Continued from Page 3 as quickly as possible. After a couple of hours of EMT work by my wife and me, the youngster opened its eyes and we took that as a sign to provide nourishment. It wasn’t able to suck, but the esophageal feeder provided a quart of warm colostrum that seemed to be welcome. By bedtime, the calf was able to stand on the comforter, and walk around a little, so we moved the calf and comforter to the garage for the rest of the night. The next

morning, I returned the baby to its mother and everyone lived happily ever after. Last week, Judy and I were watching an episode of my favorite YouTube farmer in South Dakota when he was assisting a cold newborn by placing it in a factory-made calf warmer. Not knowing such a device even existed, Judy enthusiastically stated, “We need one of those!” “I don’t think so; they cost around $800, and we have a free comforter.”

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Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MARCH 28, 2022

Still Evolving After 86 Years

meet your

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By Daniel Bereznicki

Eaves Simmental Farm has embraced technology with a new generation of cattlemen Eaves Simmental Farm in Gen- opens ESF to more advanced breeding try, Ark., has changed over many practices like ET and AI. times. “We’ll send tissue samples into the What was a dairy farm 86 years ago is American Simmental Association that now a Simmental-influenced cow/calf use NEOGEN labs for parentage and operation. Terry and Lesa Eaves own defect testing while putting the calf’s ESF and oversee the overall operation DNA on file for future testing,” Justin of the farm. With their sons-in-law explained of their ET and AI program. – Justin Holloway and Davy Smith – These DNA reports tell ESF key they raise roughly 40 Simmental cows traits in the calf’s DNA and the doon 90-plus acres. Like two sides of the nors it came from. This is a safety same coin, Justin and Davy’s back- measure for cattle producers, especialground come together to push ESF to ly when using selection pressure. It’s more technological advancements. By all about the right genes passing on using the genetic technology and land the right traits. management practices available to“You’re just trying to play on that day, ESF will continue to flourish for and see what works with the genetics many years to come. we have currently and what Genetics can be a complex we could have in the fuGentry, Ark. process, which demands ture,” said Davy. consistency and patience. ESF recognizes their It takes practice and trainstrengths and implement them ing, but it’s an investment into their breeding program. many cattle producers pur“We focus on the maternal cow sue. Justin’s AI certification families. Some people just look at

Photos by Daniel Bereznicki

MARCH 28, 2022

Three generations of the Eaves family work together at Eaves Simmental Farm. Pictured, on the front row from left, are Rhett and Ryker Holloway. On the back row, are Terry Eaves, Justin Holloway, Preslee Holloway, Davy Smith, holding Barrett Smith.

the bull. Yeah, he can give you a calf, but the maternal side is where is comes from for us. We try to drive the maternal power in the cows we have,” said Justin. By focusing on the maternal traits in their cattle, ESF shoot for 70- to 85pound birth weights. These weights breed stronger calves, which are beneficial right after birth. “They jump right up and start nursing the cow for us; they get that colostrum. They get up and have vigor,” said Justin. “We also find they grow better than those 50-pound [calves].” By having heavier calves, they’ll have the strength to nurse as quick as possible to ensure they start a healthy and productive life. All these advancements have taken ESF to new levels. Along with genetics, they use land management practices – like rotational grazing and soil testing – to maximize the quality and growth potential of their land. “We have to have quality forage to graze or they don’t grow to the potential genetics hold,” said Davy. Justin said it all comes down to this: “The better calves that we can put on

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

the ground, the more profitable we’ll be.” While all these advancements benefit the farm. To Terry, his real assets are the people he surrounds himself with and the interest they share. All the workers at ESF agree that – while technology is important – the epitome of a successful farm is “the interest of future generations.” And Terry sees a bright future ahead of them. “We’re starting to get to the process where they take over,” Terry said. Even Terry’s grandchildren, Ryker Holloway (9) and Rhett Holloway (6), shoulder responsibilities like haying and feeding the cattle. The boys even have registered cattle of their own. Justin has another child with his wife Lesa, Preslee Holloway (2) who helps “Papa” drive the tractor. And Davy has a newborn son, Barrett Smith, with his wife, Ashley. “These boys, I see them following up the interest and taking it over,” Terry said. “Because interest is there. That’s the thing about family farms. ‘Is there an interest for the future?’ Well, we have got a good interest for this farm’s future.”

meet your neighbors

More Than Dollars and Cents By Sarah Teubner

Grace Archer has turned her love for sheep into a business

Submitted Photo

Raising sheep is a great love of my first sheep. She instilled in me a drive Grace Archer. She started her flock in and a love for raising them. I’m grateful 2019, 30 miles north of Harrison, Ark., for the time that I got to have with her.” and has slowly grown from her first sheep Driven by Jolene’s memory, she plans to to 21. Most of the sheep are on Clay Creexpand her operation in the future, hopager’s, her boyfriend, farm, but she keeps ing to reach 100 head. She currently runs some of her pet sheep on her parents’ the flock on about 30 acres but wants farm. Her parents and Clay care for the to fence in more land for them and any sheep while she is at work or when she is more sheep she acquires in the future. at college at Southwest Baptist University The main issue she faces with expansion in Bolivar, Mo. is the cost of the specialty fencing, which Grace finds her sheep at the sale barn she said is the most expensive part of and through Facebook or Craigslist. raising sheep. Many of these sheep need special treatDespite the challenges, Grace is excited ment or just some tender loving care, to grow her sheep flock. something she is happy to provide. Grace In the flock, Grace keeps both haired said she chose sheep because “they’re easand wool sheep. ier and more inexpensive to work than “I actually love the wool for their dispocattle.” sition and to sell wool but I’m not a great “I enjoy being around them, they have shearer,” Grace explained. “And they sell great personalities, and they’re not danworse at auction because they have to be gerous like the larger animals,” she said. sheared.” Grace’s first ewe was a Dorper named As a result, she primarily sells haired Jolene she got from her vet as a lamb. sheep for the improved profit and keeps “Our vet told me if I could catch one of the wool sheep as her pets and shears the lambs in his field that I could have them herself. Since wool does not sell one,” Grace recalled. “That was easier well in the Ozarks, Grace sells most of said than done. What ensued was an her wool online through Etsy and occahour of me and Dad running around the sionally to locals who want to spin or field like chickens with our heads cut off craft with it. In the past, she has sold trying to catch a lamb.” whole fleeces, but that is rare. One year, Jolene quickly adapted to the Archer she said the wool was worth nothing, and family on the car ride home and became she used it as insulation in her barn. a family pet and the first of many sheep “Wool is bug proof and fireproof beto follow. cause of the lanolin,” Grace said. “I hate Grace said the lamb reminded her of having to shear a whole ewe just to use Grace Archer’s first experience with sheep was with a Dorper ewe she “the Biblical analogies of lambs being so the wool as insulation.” named Jolene. Today, Grace’s flock consists of both hair and wool innocent and trusting.” Jolene loved her Because she keeps both haired and sheep, which she sells to other breeders as replacements or through new home and her new people, thriving wool sheep, Grace’s breeding focus is livestock markets. in the happy environment. more for the comfort of the mothers and “Jolene was special, she was friendlier quality of the lambs. She prefers to keep a than any dog, had such a good personalsmaller ram for first-time mothers. Grace ity, would sit with me in the lounge chairs on the porch,” Grace recountcurrently runs a Shetland ram with the first-time mothers to encourage Bergman, Ark. ed. “Sheep were like potato chips after that; I couldn’t just have the one.” smaller lambs to make giving birth easier. With the experienced ewes, she The story of Jolene had an unfortunately sad ending as Grace lost her in runs a Merino ram because he breeds big lambs which sell better. Except January to a ruptured uterus after giving birth to twins. for her ram, Grace doesn’t have a strong preference on the sheep she buys. “I guess that’s the part that sucks the most about farming,” Grace said. Instead, she likes to find sheep that need a little TLC. “You learn to do most everything yourself and in Jolene’s case, I’m not a “I accumulate a lot of ‘project sheep.’ I’ve got a soft heart,” she said. “So, I surgeon and I couldn’t save her. But it’s not all bad. I’m grateful she was wouldn’t say I have a strict breeding program, but I try. I keep the best ewes

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MARCH 28, 2022

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she knows or at a monthly sale at a livestock market. “If I know someone that’s looking, I’ll sell them for a lot cheaper because I know where they’re going,” Grace said of her lambs. “That’s the only way I sell ones I’m attached to.” Through these means, her sheep have sold well. Well enough, in fact, she’s able to consider expanding in the future to add more to her herd. For Grace, there is something more in sheep production, however, than dollars and cents. “I have livestock for the same reason I do art, not because I plan to get rich off of it, but because I find it fulfilling,” she said. “It has its bad and its good days but overall, I’d never give it up.”

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for my flock. I sell or eat any that have problems.” She noted such problems include being prone to prolapse, bad mothers or having bad wool. She said many people don’t like the larger wool breeds for meat because of the “gamey taste,” but she enjoys all varieties of lamb and mutton. Grace waits until her lambs are around 50 pounds and 2 months old before she sells them. She said that time is the best time to wean them as well, so it works out perfectly. Feedlot buyers, which are Grace’s primary buyers, like them around that age and size to fatten for butchering. Other farmers looking for lambs to increase their herds also like them around that age. Her sales are usually local: either to farmers

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50 LADINO, “JUMBO” Inoc.,

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50 LADINO - Rampart,

90% 3.98 3.88

50 WHITE CLOVER, Ivory 2

90% 4.08 3.88

Not Coated, Giant Leaf, Equivalent to $3.16 coated seed Inoc. Not Coated

50 50 50 50 50 50 50

Intermediate, Innoc. WHITE CLOVER, Durana Coated, 65% Purity WHITE CLOVER, “Nitro” 90% White Dutch ALSIKE, Raw, Perennial 90% SWEET CLOVER, Yellow Blossom SWEET CLOVER, Coated White Blossom ARROWLEAF, Yuchi Winter Annual, 99% Pure CRIMSON, Winter Annual 90%

ALFALFA

ASK 4.98 4.78 3.68 3.48 2.98 2.78 3.98 3.78 2.82 2.62 2.14 1.94

60 COMMON SENSE

90% 3.56 3.26

50 HAYGRAZER

90% 3.56 3.26

50 CIMARRON VL400

90% 3.56 3.26

3 Way Blend, Haygrazer, Cimarron 400 & 500, Inoc./Not Coated Cert., Inoc./Not Coated

Certiﬁed, Inoc./Not Coated 50 GENUITY, Roundup Ready® L446RR Coated, 65% Pure

7.96

Roundup Ready® Willcross WXR7878, 3.5’ Tall Liberty Link® Willcross

Enlist® Willcross, 2, 4-D, Liberty, Roundup 80K CORN, Roundup Ready® Lewis RB110RR2 168.50 80K CORN, Roundup Ready® Silage R1315 VP2 224.00

50 50 50 50 50 50

GRAIN ADDITIVES

SPRING PEA, Little Giant, 0.76 Mix TURNIPS, Purple Top TURNIPS, 7 Top Forage RADISH, Daikon COWPEAS, Iron & Clay COLLARDS, Impact Forage

LESPEDEZA

0.96 1.78 1.88 1.98 1.32 2.48

0.74 1.58 1.68 1.78 1.12 2.28

Cow/Horse

“A non-bloating legume” Summer Annual. Spring Plant.

50 KOBE/KOREAN MIX, Inoc/Not Coated 1.84 50 KOREAN, Inoc/Not Coated 90% 1.96

ORCHARD GRASS Germ.

$ Lb.

50 ARID “DR”

90% 2.96

50 ARID “DR” / RED CLOVER MIX

90% 2.98

50 POTOMAC

80% 2.72

50 HULLED ORCHARD, VNS, Limited 50 FAST PASTURE MIX

85% 3.28 90% 2.36

Disease + Drought Resistant 75%/25%

Disease Resistant

No Cover Needed, 63% Endophyte-Free KY-31 Fescue, 14% Hulled Orchard Grass, 19% Best-For Plus Ryegrass & 4% Timothy

SAVE YOUR SEED SAMPLE • SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE

Nixa Hardware Company warrants to the extent of the purchase price that seeds sold are as described on the container within recognized tolerances. Seller gives no other or further warranty expressed or implied. Prices/Germination subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to limit quantities.

510 W Mt Vernon, Nixa, MO 65714

nixahardware.com

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

ozarks

roots

the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home Submitted Photos

The Legacy of Art By Michael Kinney

Rabbit Studios honors the talent of the late Bill Rabbit and his daughter Traci Rabbit There doesn’t seem to be a time Traci Rabbit doesn’t remember her father painting. From her early childhood to his final years, Bill Rabbit seemed to be always creating something. Traci especially remembers how much pleasure he took in projects focused on Native American cultures. “I would have to say from watching him paint, he was at maybe his happiest painting the brightly-colored figures of Native Americans, mostly the Plains design,” Traci said. “Plains Tribe imagery, I guess is how maybe you might say that, because growing up in Newcastle (Wy.), that’s what he grew up with the Shoshone, Arapaho, Cheyenne. I would say he enjoyed that style probably the most.” It’s those paintings and artwork that became the building blocks to the Rabbit Studios, which Bill ran with Traci until his death in 2012. Rabbit Studios is located in Pryor,

Okla. It has been in the same location at 231 S. Taylor for 35 years. What was once just a studio where Bill and Traci Rabbit worked has transformed into something much more. “It is an art studio where we create original art, but we also have a showroom where we have a full line of gift items that we produce here in our studio by my family, which consists of art tiles, coffee mugs, mouse pads, coasters, matted prints, and then I have a whole line of textiles,” Traci said. Bill’s art career began when he was still a young boy. According to family legend, his artwork was entered into a statewide competition in Colorado. At the age of 4, he won and pocketed $20. Bill Rabbit continued to teach himself to paint and create artistically. He had earned a full scholarship to the Art Institute in Santa Fe. But he ended up turning it down so he could volunteer to join the military, where he fulfilled two tours in Vietnam.

Bill served for 18 months in the 25th Infantry Division. One of his fellow soldiers was filmmaker Oliver Stone. After he was honorably discharged, he and his wife Karen moved to Pryor and he resumed his art career. For the next 43 years, Bill created art that spanned the spectrum. While he focused mainly on Native American themes, he also spread into other areas. “His style is mostly the bright colored things, and he was half Cherokee, but he was raised in Newcastle, Wyoming,” Traci said. “He was initially influenced by Remington, so his style of work really covers the gamut of Native American subject matter from the Plains Indian to Cherokee to the Southwest Pueblo tribe. He just did a variety of subject matter.” According to Traci, her father’s diverse subject matter is one of the reasons he was able to build a strong following. “I would say that my dad’s style continually evolved over the years. He was nev-

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

er stagnant in one style. He would learn a new technique and then that evolved into another style. So on, so forth. He was ever-evolving in his style,” Traci said. “Being a self-taught artist, he never had restrictions placed on him telling him what he could do, what he could paint and in what colors. I would say my father was about five artists in one body.” For Traci, it wasn’t a foregone conclusion growing up that she would be an artist. Even though her artistic talents were discovered at an early age, she wasn’t anxious to follow in her father’s footsteps. “I enjoyed drawing from an early age, just like my dad, but I never thought of being a full-time artist when I was young,” Traci said. “I think with any child that has a parent who is prolific or well-known in what they do, a child growing up possibly has the in the shadow syndrome, thinking they could never compete in that same arena as their parents. But when you come to find out, as you grow older, MARCH 28, 2022

ozarks roots you don’t compete with them, you’re able to stand on your own.” It wasn’t until the 1990s that Traci gave in to the inevitable and decided to make creating art her career. “It took me a while to figure out that’s what I wanted to do. When I graduated college with a bachelor’s in business administration, when I got out, that business degree served me well in running the business and then doing our own gift line,” Traci said. “In 1993, I decided to jump off the bridge myself and become a full-time artist, and I’ve been doing that ever since.” Like her father, Traci has focused on Native American subject matters. “Especially, Native American women showing their strengths and their beauty and everyday life,” Traci said. “That’s really, my main in my work right now, and empowering young women to stand on their own two feet and know that they are of value, and they are important, and they can do anything that they set their mind to.” Now with more than three decades in the game, Traci finds it hard to pinpoint her favorite piece of art. Like most artists, her pat answer is to say her favorite artwork is the next one. However, when pushed, it’s really not a contest on which ones Traci values the most. “I would say the pieces me and my dad did together before he passed, which all of those pieces are owned by the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. To me those personify who we are as individuals and who we are as a people,” Traci said. “Indian Summer, Common Value, Common Ground, Land of My Heart and Long Journey.” Bill passed away in April 2012 at the age of 65. According to his daughter, he died of Agent Orange, which he contracted while serving in Vietnam. On the Rabbit Studios website, the first content a visitor sees is a video labeled “An Artful Legacy.” Right next to it is a highlighted quote from Bill Rabbit: “Life has been kind to me. I’m thankful I’ve had the opportunity to see the things I’ve seen and do the things I’ve done. But if I died tomorrow, I would feel so blessed and I hope God puts me in charge of painting rainbows.” MARCH 28, 2022

Berryville • 344 Hwy. 21 North 870-423-4245 Yellville • 801 Hwy. 62 West 870-449-4966 Flippin • 9095 Hwy. 62 East 870-435-4400 Huntsville • 304 Labarge St. 479-738-6814 Green Forest • 181 West Main 870-438-5184 Harrison • 502 Hwy 62/65 N. 870-741-0855 Siloam Springs • 1629 East Main 479-524-3511 Imboden • 5564 Hwy 63 East 870-869-264

Proud Supporter of Future Generations of Ag Business through the Future Farmers of America

NORTH ARKANSAS LIVESTOCK AUCTION, INC. Call 870-438-6915 For Sale Information & For Special Sales For on Farm Appraisal or Hauling Contact One of the Following:

“We Know Cattle, and we Know the Markets”

Kirk Powell (870) 654-2205 • Kooper Logan (870) 654-3911

Community Owned and Operated with Consistency, Uniformity, and Convenience • Online Auctions with bidding • Hay and Water pens • On Farm Appraisals

• Free Parking • Hauling and Delivery • Professional staff and services

• Cattle sorted by size, weight, type • Receiving day before and day of

Auctions on Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. Special auctions to be announced.

Restaurant on Premises

304 West Main Street • Green Forest, AR 72638 Ofﬁce (870) 438-6915 • Fax (870) 438-5223 www.northarkansaslivestock.com

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

Macs ’

VET SUPPLY

Animal Health Supplies

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$13,500 $14,500 $18,000 $22,000

Open Mon-Fri 9am to 4pm Call In Your Order Today & You’ll Receive It Tomorrow!

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SPRING SPECIALS

WORMERS Agrimectin Pour-On, 5.0 Liter Cydectin, 5.0 Liter IMPLANTS Cydectiin, 10.0 Liter Synovex Cart Dectomax, 500 ml. Ralgro Eprinex 5.0 liter Noromectin, 500 ml. ANTIBIOTICS Safeguard Dewormer Agrimycin 200, 500 ml. Noromycin 300, 500 ml. VACCINES One-Shot, 10 Dose Ultrabac 7 Som, 50 Dose Bovi-Shield 5 ViraShield 6, 50 Dose

Springﬁeld Livestock Marketing Center, Exit 70 I-44 & Hwy. MM

417-863-8446

Benton County Sale Barn, Inc.

Great Service, Low Rates!

Listen Friday a.m. KURM 790 Sale Barn Report!

SALE EVERY THURSDAY AT

10 A.M.

Covered Pens Easy Unloading Cattle Received Wednesday & Thursday Comfortable Seating with Good Views of Sales Arena Hauling Available Business Manager : Cody Vaughn 479-790-3432 Ofﬁce Manager: Cammy Whorton 479-524-2371 ext. 1 Field Representatives: Kevin Ruddick 479-790-9272 Cary Bartholomew 479-409-0133 Mitch Bartholomew 479-263-9302 Doug Isaacs 918-696-1558

3870 Highway 412 East, Siloam Springs, AR • 479-524-2371 www.bentoncountysalebarn.com

agri-business meeting the needs of farmers

Tri-County Farm & Ranch Supply By Julie Turner-Crawford

Check Out Our Monthly Specials

Celebrating 30 years of Serving the Tri-State Area.

eye on

Submitted Photo

History: Tri-County Farm & Ranch Supply was founded in 1995 by n Location: Ash Flat, Ark. Brad and Carol Hopkins. n Owners: Larry Forschler As the couple began looking at retireand ment, the Forschler Family of CompaMatt Forschler nies was looking at a new business idea. “Tractor Supply came to us at our other business location and were looking to see if we were interested in selling our building so they could put in a Tractor Supply. The deal fell through, but we started thinking if they are moving in, we needed to be in that business,” Matt Forschler, vice president of FHC, Inc. His father Larry serves as company president. The Forschler family took over in the fall of 2017. Forschler family, Matt said, has been in business since 1902, offering clothing, hardware and other items to customers. Still, the purchase of Tri-County Farm & Ranch Supply is the first step into agriculture. Products and Services: Matt said things have changed at Tri-County Farm & Ranch Supply, but farmers and ranchers can still expect to find animal health items for livestock and pets, garden supplies, bedding plants and flowers, equine supplies and tack, seasonal decor items, farm toys and much more. “We offer pretty much the full gamut of feed,” Mark said. “We have feed from some of the local manufacturers, like Powell Feed and Hirsch Feed and Farm Supply, and feed from ADM and Cargill.” Feed is available for all livestock species, as well as for pets. Livestock feed, at this time, is only offered in bags, but Matt said they are hoping to begin bulk delivery in the future. Unfortunately, Tri-County was unable to carry bulk fertilizer this year due to cost, but other areas have expanded. “I think most people are surprised at the quality of our clothing,” Matt said. “As a western store, we have always carried a little, but we are getting back to our roots. Our store now is 25 percent clothing and footwear and about 30 percent of the business. It’s an area that has seen strong growth.” Future plans: A complete remodel is underway at Tri-County Farm & Ranch Supply.

“We will have a lot more plumbing, hardware and electrical,” Matt said. “Before there was just a focus on the farm products, but we will offer much more to make it a one-stop-shop.” In addition to adding bulk feed, Matt said he hopes to one day add a livestock nutritionist to the staff of Tri-County Farm & Ranch Supply. “We want to figure out how to get it all in, but not get too far too fast,” Matt said.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MARCH 28, 2022

town &

country B/B BRADLEY & MCBA CATTLE

in the field and in the office

Mandy Villines

Photo by Terry Ropp

By Terry Ropp

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2022 • 3:00 PM

SPRINGFIELD LIVESTOCK MARKETING CENTER • SPRINGFIELD, MO

• RED ANGUS BULLS & CHAROLAIS SIMMENTAL • ANGUS FEMALES

In Town: “I began styling hair when I was 17 and have been an independent contractor for the last four years at Fresh Hair Salon in Fayetteville, Ark. My husband Trey and have been married for four years, and Trey is the head salesman for Reliable Poultry in Springdale.”

INCLUDING AN

In the Country: “My early years were on a fruit farm in California but we left when I was 7 to live in Cave Springs, Ark. Trey has had cattle since he was very young. We searched for our Huntsville farm for a long time because location was key. Our 57 acres is located 30 minutes from where I work, 20 miles from Trey’s parents my parents and 30 minutes from Kingston where we take care of 600 acres belonging to his grandma Mona Villines. In exchange for caring for the land and Trey’s father’s cattle. We keep most of our 100-head herd there, but also have one bull plus 10 mommas and their babies on our home acreage. Our mixed commercial beef herd is predominantly Red and black Angus because the market likes them and they do well in our climate. At the moment, bulls stay with the n Hometown: Huntsville, Ark. herds all the time. We work cattle at least twice a year, and I run the head n Family: Husband, Trey Villines gate as we vaccinate, band and treated for flies. Our biggest health concerns are flies and pinkeye, which we treat with an eye spray. We supplement grass with protein lick tubs that also contain mineral and other important components. The winter tubs have 20 percent protein plus urea, while the summer tubs have 15 to 18 percent protein and are of less interest to the cattle who prefer the fresh grass. They also receive loose mineral, which changes with the season, as well as cubes every three or four days to keep them accustomed to our presence and docile. Calves are weaned at 400 pounds and gathered twice a year with weight variation due to the exact birth date of each calf. They are sold at the Green Forest Sale Barn. “When we purchased the farm, the pastures were almost entirely sage grass. We have the soil tested annually and have determined the amount of fertilizer and what kind needs to be used each year. So far, we have only needed chicken litter, which has all but eliminated the sage grass. Our pastures are mostly fescue, with some Bermuda and red clover. We reseed by carefully rolling out hay during the winter which saves time because we are both so busy.” MARCH 28, 2022

SPRING BULL & FEMALE SALE

ELITE COMMERCIAL HEIFER OFFERING

50+ LOTS

REQUEST YOUR SALE CATALOG TODAY! SALE DAY CONTACTS: WES CHISM 281-761-5952 BRUCE BRADLEY 417-848-3457 DAVID HOBBS 913-515-1215 Missouri Charolais Breeders Assn President: Chris Peuster 816-529-2190

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

SALE MANAGER: JWC MARKETING LLC WES CHISM

WES@JWCMARKETING.COM

slaughter

market sales reports

bulls

(Week of 3/13/22 to 3/19/22)

85.00-103.00 †

Arkansas Cattle Auction Ash Flat Livestock Auction

Benton County Sale Barn - Siloam Springs Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction Cleburne County County Line Sale Barn - Ratcliff 80.00 † Decatur Livestock Auction

beef

70.00-125.00 †

cattle

Midwest - High Plains Direct Slaughter Cattle

96.00-131.00 † 95.00-130.00*

2/28/22

Replacement Goats: Families - Selection 1-2 w/<20 lbs kid (per family): 280.00420.00. National Sheep Summary

3/18/22

5 Area (Tx-Ok, Ks, Neb, Ia, Colo, Nm, Mn) Live Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice Steers: 138.00-143.00; wtd. avg. price 139.56. Heifers: 138.00-142.00; wtd. avg. price 138.66. Dressed Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice Steers: 219.00-222.00; wtd. avg. price 220.49. Heifers: Not Reported; wtd. avg. price Not Reported.

Compared to last week slaughter lambs sold mostly steady to as much as 50.00 lower. Slaughter ewes were mostly 54.00-98.00 † 10.00-30.00 lower. Feeder lambs not well tested. At San Angelo, TX 6,539 head sold. Equity Cooperative Auction Not Reported* sold 600 slaughter lambs in Colorado and 310 in Oregon. Vinita Stockyards 98.00-119.00* In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not Not Reported* Farmers Regional Sale Barn tested. 3,510 lamb carcasses traded with no trend due to Fort Smith Stockyards 63.00-113.50* confidentiality. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) Four State Stockyards 89.00-116.00* unless specified. I-40 Livestock - Ozark 90.00-112.50 † Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3: Joplin Regional Stockyards 80.00-128.00 † San Angelo: wooled and shorn 120-150 lbs 160.00-200.00; Mid-State Stockyards 120.00* 150-170 lbs 170.00-198.00. Diamond, Mo. • TS White Sheep/Goat 3/17/22 North Arkansas Livestock 78.00-121.00 † New Holland, PA: wooled and shorn 100-140 lbs 260.00Receipts: 880 91.00-118.00 † OKC West - El Reno 302.00, few 315.00-340.00; 150-185 lbs 205.00-225.00. Compared to the last sale 2 weeks ago, slaughter lambs Ouachita Livestock Auction - Ola 74.50-111.00 † traded 30.00-60.00 lower. Slaughter ewes traded steady to Ft. Collins, CO: wooled and shorn 105-120 lbs 260.00Ozarks Regional Stockyards 73.00-132.00 † 20.00 lower. In the goat portion of the sale, feeder kid goats 272.50; 170 lbs 197.50. Not Reported* Stilwell Livestock Auction traded steady with slaughter kid goats trading 9.00-12.00 South Dakota: wooled and shorn 110-150 lbs 201.00Tulsa Livestock Auction 96.00-115.00 † lower. Slaughter nannies traded steady. Supply was mod- 216.00; 155-165 lbs 201.00-206.00. Welch Stockyards 100.00-136.00* erate with good demand. Supply included: 60% Slaughter Kalona, IA: wooled and shorn 100-145 lbs 210.00-325.00; 150-155 lbs 200.00-230.00. 30 50 70 90 110 130 150 Sheep/Lambs (1% Wooled & Shorn, 80% Hair Breeds, 5% Billings, MT: wooled and shorn 120-140 lbs 161.00-183.00. Ewes, 15% Hair Ewes); 14% Feeder Goats (100% Kids); 25% Slaughter Goats (38% Kids, 27% Nannies/Does, 11% Bucks/ Missouri: wooled and shorn 132 lbs 150.00. Equity Coop: wooled and shorn 155-170 lbs 189.50-190.00. Billies, 15% Wethers, 9% Wether Kids); 1% Replacement Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2: Goats (100% Families). San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 310.00-340.00; 60-70 lbs 304.00(Week of 3/13/22 to 3/19/22) Slaughter Sheep/Lambs: 332.00, few 334.00-348.00; 70-80 lbs 276.00-338.00; 80-90 lbs Arkansas Cattle Auction 44.00-87.00 † Wooled & Shorn - Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 150.00. 260.00-294.00, few 318.00-320.00; 90-110 lbs 230.00-270.00, Ash Flat Livestock 30.00-98.50 † Hair Breeds - Choice and Prime 1-3 (per cwt): 280.00few 300.00. wooled and shorn 70-80 lbs 288.00-309.00; 81 Benton County Sale Barn 39.00-86.00 † 350.00. lbs 290.00; 93 lbs 278.00; 110-115 lbs 234.00-250.00. Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction 65.00-91.00* Hair Breeds Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 250.00-280.00. New Holland: wooled and shorn 40-50 lbs 402.00-425.00; Cleburne County Livestock 36.00-97.00 † 3 Hair Breeds - Good 1-2 (per cwt): 185.00-210.00. 50-60 lbs 390.00-430.00, few 445.00-465.00; 60-70 lbs 360.0055.00-81.00 † County Line Sale - Ratcliff Ewes - Good 2-3 (per cwt): 145.00-200.00. 405.00, few 410.00-425.00; 70-80 lbs 355.00-390.00; 80-90 Not Reported* Decatur Livestock Auction Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per cwt): 105.00-140.00. lbs 340.00-370.00; 90-100 lbs 322.00-345.00. hair 40-50 lbs 70.00-120.00* Vinita Stockyards Hair Ewes - Good 2-3 (per cwt): 175.00-275.00. Not Reported* Farmers Regional Sale Barn Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per cwt): 120.00-165.00. 410.00-430.00; 50-60 lbs 390.00-425.00; 60-70 lbs 350.00365.00; 70-80 lbs 345.00-365.00; 80-90 lbs 340.00-365.00; 30.00-90.00* Fort Smith Stockyards Hair Ewes - Cull and Utility 1-2 (per cwt): 65.00-105.00. 90-100 lbs 275.00-305.00. 10.00-97.00* Four State Stockyards Feeder Goats: Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 70-80 lbs 315.00-320.00; 93 I-40 Livestock - Ozark 49.00-90.00 † 4 Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 365.00-480.00. lbs 305.00. hair 90-100 lbs 230.00-295.00. Joplin Regional Stockyards 40.00-98.00 † Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 265.00-355.00. Kalona: wooled and shorn 40-50 lbs 360.00-390.00; 50-60 Mid-State Stockyards 98.00* Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 230.00-245.00. lbs 347.50-390.00; 60-70 lbs 347.50-385.00; 70-80 lbs 340.00North Arkansas Live 30.00-93.50 † 3 Slaughter Goats: 370.00; 80-90 lbs 350.00-375.00; 90-100 lbs 313.00-339.00. OKC West - El Reno 59.00-107.00 † Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 350.00-395.00. hair 40-50 lbs 355.00-370.00; 56 lbs 380.00; 66 lbs 357.50; Ouachita Livestock 30.50-86.50 † Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 235.00-295.00. 70-80 lbs 350.00-355.00; 86 lbs 355.00. 29.00-100.00 † Ozarks Regional Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 145.00-295.00. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 78 lbs 285.00; 89 lbs Stilwell Livestock Auction Bucks/Billies - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 150.00-240.00. Not Reported* 185.00. Tulsa Livestock Auction Wethers - Selection 2 (per cwt): 275.00-290.00. 63.00-95.50 † Wethers - Selection 3 (per cwt): 130.00. Welch Stockyards 50.00-109.00* Wether Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 345.00-360.00.

sheep &

slaughter

goats

cows

100

Billings: wooled and shorn 53 lbs new crop 225.00; 70-80 lbs 215.00-230.00; 90-100 lbs 185.00-216.00. hair 79 lbs 260.00. Missouri: hair 40-50 lbs 285.00-375.00; 50-60 lbs 280.00370.00; 60-70 lbs 290.00-370.00; 70-80 lbs 300.00-350.00. Slaughter Ewes: San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 100.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 120.00-152.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 140.00-182.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 120.00-170.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 114.00-130.00; Cull 1 100.00110.00. New Holland: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 120.00-195.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 100.00-160.00; Cull 1 no test. Ft. Collins: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 120.00-152.50, hair 160.00-170.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 125.00-165.00, hair 130.00-172.50; Utility 1-2 (thin) 125.00-140.00, hair 90.00; Cull 1 77.50-93.00. South Dakota: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 111.00-136.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 110.00-144.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 111.00-135.00; Cull 1 45.00-135.00. Kalona: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 95.00-125.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 115.00-175.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 125.00-155.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 90.00. Billings: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 87.00-106.00; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 122.00-140.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 144.00-159.00; Cull 1 130.00-144.00. Missouri: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) 145.00-275.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 110.00170.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 65.00-105.00. Equity Coop: no sales. Direct Trading: No sales. Feeder Lambs: Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: 60-70 lbs 301.00-304.00; 70-80 lbs 292.00296.00; 84 lbs 244.00. Ft. Collins: 55 lbs 330.00; 70-80 lbs 300.00-335.00. South Dakota: 45 lbs 320.00; 56 lbs 340.00; 60-70 lbs 320.00-340.00; 97 lbs 210.00; 103 lbs 202.00; 128 lbs 196.00; 176 lbs 172.00. Kalona: no test. Billings: 62 lbs 262.50. Missouri: 30-40 lbs 317.00-345.00. Equity Coop: no sales. Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2: San Angelo: mixed age hair ewes 100-140 lbs 190.00208.00/cwt. Ft. Collins: no test.

Heifers, Med. & Lg. 1 300-400 lbs. 400-500 lbs. 500-600 lbs. 600-700 lbs. 700-800 lbs.

So 24 18 12

prices

Decatur Livestock*

3/15/22 2,045

---------

3/16/22 -----

Farmers Regional Sale Barn* ---------

1-15 Higher

-----

Uneven

St-23 Higher

-----

3-5 Higher

6-15 Lower

St-10 Higher

173.00-207.00 170.00-205.00 155.00-180.00 146.00-169.00 139.00-154.00

150.00-227.00 176.00-210.00 173.00-208.00 150.00-168.00 -----

160.00-222.00 155.00-213.00 150.00-205.00 145.00-188.00 138.00-157.00

171.00-200.00 170.00-192.00 142.00-174.00 141.00-160.00 158.00

180.00-195.00 174.00-218.00 154.00-183.00 154.00-171.00 136.00-150.00

---------------------

131.00-178.00 132.00-181.00 144.00-177.00 139.00-178.00 135.00-159.00

---------------------

155.00-214.00 157.00-223.00 132.00-214.00 136.00-183.00 118.00-156.00

180.00-230.00 180.00-229.00 176.00-213.00 167.00-183.00 148.50-161.00

177.50-210.00 167.00-207.00 160.00-200.00 152.00-175.00 139.00-150.00

200.00-225.00 197.50-223.00 192.00-212.00 165.00-189.00 154.00-162.00

150.00-178.00 163.00-180.00 125.00-180.00 135.00-146.00 129.00

162.00-166.00 170.00-180.00 143.00-168.00 140.00-143.00 125.00

140.00-227.00 160.00-197.00 150.00-184.00 136.00-152.00 123.00-135.00

---------------------

170.00-171.00 120.00-180.00 142.00-168.00 120.00-138.00 -----

--------140.00-165.00 139.00-147.00 125.00

---------------------

161.00-213.00 150.00-211.00 148.00-183.00 123.00-154.50 125.00-137.00

--------142.00-161.00 142.00-156.00 123.00-134.00

---------------------

130.00-187.50 130.00-175.00 130.00-155.00 120.00-140.00 120.00-128.00

155.00-179.00 150.00-183.00 139.00-181.00 130.00-145.00 136.00

130.00-185.00 147.00-182.00 130.00-158.00 131.00-140.00 123.00-124.00

145.00-183.00 140.00-174.00 130.00-164.00 125.00-152.00 120.00-145.00

141.00-175.00 130.00-184.00 130.00-150.00 130.00-138.00 131.00

146.00-158.00 146.00-159.00 128.00-149.00 115.00-146.00 138.00-140.50

---------------------

125.00-167.00 120.00-162.00 139.00-156.00 133.00-148.00 116.00-135.00

---------------------

135.00-180.00 127.00-173.00 127.00-176.00 106.00-147.50 -----

162.00-191.00 154.00-172.50 144.00-164.50 140.00-158.00 130.00-142.00

140.00-180.00 141.00-172.50 141.00-162.50 136.00-151.00 125.00-140.00

170.00-182.50 160.00-177.50 158.00-175.00 148.00-158.00 143.00-144.00

Cattlemen’s Livestock*

3/18/22 807

Benton Co. - Siloam Springs✝ 3/17/22 1,575

2-8 Higher

5-20 Higher

192.50-230.00 175.00-220.00 144.00-197.50 138.00-170.00 134.00-149.00

Vinita Stockyards*

NOT REPORTED

300-400 lbs. 400-500 lbs. 500-600 lbs. 600-700 lbs. 700-800 lbs.

County Line Sale Ratcliff✝ 3/16/22 331

Ash Flat Livestock✝

NOT REPORTED

Bulls, Med. & Lg. 1

Cheese: Ba $2.1300. T (-0.0435) a Fluid Mil across the I demand parts of th education in the com strong in skim cont condense that findi producers the count supplies. F -1.38 in th 1.28 in th SPOT PR POUND Midweste

Cleburne County Livestock✝ 3/14/22 304

Ark. Cattle Auction, LLC - Searcy✝ 3/15/22 526

NONE REPORTED

300-400 lbs. 400-500 lbs. 500-600 lbs. 600-700 lbs. 700-800 lbs.

National Dai

120

stocker & feeder

Steers, Med. & Lg. 1

South Dak Kalona: n Billings: m 135 lbs 13 Missouri: y Sheep and week to da and 39,000

Fort Smith Four State I-40 Joplin Mi Stockyards* Stockyards - Livestock Regional Stoc Exeter, Mo* Ozark✝ Stockyards✝ 3/15/22 3/17/22 3/14/22 3/14/22 3 1,999 830 5,604 1,212

✝ USDA Reported * Independently Reported

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MARCH 28, 2022

150. 110.0 115. 100 100

100 100 100 95. 90.

$240 $200

dairy sales

100

Soft Wheat

Corn

17.31

18 12

st.

10.43

7.81

Hele

Elain

17.17

7.71

eola

Osc

Little

May 21 June 21

July 21 Aug. 21 Sept. 21

steers 550-600 LBS.

Ash Flat Cleburne El Reno Green Forest Joplin Ouachita Ozark Ratcliff Searcy Siloam Springs West Plains Tulsa

Oct. 21 Nov. 21

Ash Flat Cleburne El Reno Green Forest Joplin Ouachita Ozark Ratcliff Searcy Siloam Springs West Plains Tulsa

*** 148.26

158.00 191.21

166.01

***

197.64 * *** **

171.35 147.84 *** **

178.67

157.00

***

197.45

2600

pairs

159.17 160.82

156.30

920.00-1000.00 † 1150.00-1250.00 †

1450.00 *

900.00-1325.00 †

600

Not Reported *

None Reported * Not Reported *

196.46 168.33 176.37

172.37 146.19 158.16 156.30

140.97

153.90

1175.00-1825.00 *

180.89

156.60

188.21

150.93

198.44

163.06

None Reported *

650.00-1625.00 † Not Reported * 950.00-1425.00 †

182.39

2100

158.89

184.51

None Reported †

1600

158.05

176.68

1225.00-1275.00 † 760.00-1175.00 †

1100

165.60

186.02

1900.00 *

750.00-1550.00 † 1075.00-1325.00 †

Welch Stockyards

100

187.30

600.00-1600.00 †

OKC West - El Reno Ouachita Livestock Ozarks Regional Stilwell Livestock Auction Tulsa Livestock Auction

st We phis Mem

133.29

2600

prices

192.00 187.13 165.23

144.99 163.22 135.85 141.49 139.12

157.00 190.00

Ozarks Regional West Plains✝ 3/15/22 2,815

Higher

6-15 Lower

St-10 Higher

-----

St-9 Higher

3-8 Higher

Uneven

St-6 Higher

-230.00 -229.00 -213.00 -183.00 0-161.00

177.50-210.00 167.00-207.00 160.00-200.00 152.00-175.00 139.00-150.00

200.00-225.00 197.50-223.00 192.00-212.00 165.00-189.00 154.00-162.00

150.00-230.00 110.00-205.00 115.00-190.00 100.00-169.00 100.00-155.00

200.00-209.00 182.00-224.00 164.00-197.50 152.00-176.00 150.00-151.00

205.00-232.00 195.00-220.00 182.00-210.00 154.00-186.00 151.50-168.00

205.00-206.00 181.00-200.00 160.00-175.00 157.00 -----

205.00-220.00 197.50-224.00 184.00-209.00 168.00-189.00 152.00-166.00

-213.00 0-211.00 -183.00 -154.50 -137.00

--------142.00-161.00 142.00-156.00 123.00-134.00

---------------------

140.00-206.00 174.00-196.00 135.00-182.00 140.00-163.00 134.00-135.50

----185.00 170.00 175.00 -----

186.00 167.00-179.00 131.00-145.00 ----127.00

----175.00 150.00-155.00 145.00 -----

170.00-182.50 160.00-177.50 158.00-175.00 148.00-158.00 143.00-144.00

MARCH 28, 2022

100.00-185.00 100.00-172.00 100.00-160.00 95.00-153.00 90.00-135.00

150.00-182.00 147.00-171.00 138.00-160.00 131.00-147.00 121.00-135.00

200.00-212.50 174.00-192.50 157.00-180.00 146.00-160.50 135.00-151.75

151.00-166.00 140.00-156.00 140.00-148.00 130.00-138.00 121.00-126.00

170.00-175.00 166.00-183.00 149.00-168.00 147.00-154.00 136.00-144.00

Stilwell Livestock Auction* ---------

Tulsa Livestock Auction✝ 3/14/22 2,198

Welch Stockyards*

-----

St-8 Higher

-----

---------------------

205.00-233.00 194.00-219.00 190.00-206.00 153.00-183.50 134.50-153.50

190.00-215.00 180.00-216.00 170.00-212.00 150.00-183.00 145.00-155.00

---------------------

182.50-205.00 171.00-197.00 161.00-186.00 128.00-138.00 128.50-129.00

170.00-200.00 160.00-200.00 140.00-154.00 130.00-155.00 90.00-130.00

---------------------

136.74

165.02

138.93 148.51

192.48 189.35

3/15/22 742

152.59

169.83

141.01 142.62

159.25 185.77

165.17 146.23

190.86 196.47 * 171.00

Week of 3/13/22

Ouachita Livestock Ola✝ 3/15/22 307

Week of 3/13/22

OKC West - El Reno, Okla.✝ 3/15/22 9,409

NOT REPORTED

State I-40 Joplin Mid-State N. Ark. yards - Livestock Regional Stockyards* Livestock er, Mo* Ozark✝ Stockyards✝ Green Forest✝ 5/22 3/17/22 3/14/22 3/16/22 3/14/22 999 830 5,604 742 240

140.00-180.00 141.00-172.50 141.00-162.50 136.00-151.00 125.00-140.00

Dec. 21 Jan. 22 Feb. 22

heifers 550-600 LBS.

***

730.00-1550.00 †

Mid-State Stockyards North Arkansas Livestock

7.76

Roc

2100

Apr. 21

800.00-1325.00 †

Fort Smith Stockyards Four State Stockyards - Exeter I-40 Livestock - Ozark Joplin Regional Stockyards

10.28

7.66

1600

Mar. 21

Week of 2/27/22

Arkansas Cattle Auction Ash Flat Livestock Benton County Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction Cleburne County Livestock County Line Sale - Ratcliff Decatur Livestock Auction Vinita Stockyards Farmers Regional Sale Barn

17.21

10.23

1100

$80

(Week of 3/13/22 to 3/19/22)

Sorghum

17.01

600

cow/calf

62.50. bs 317.00-345.00. sales. wes: Medium and Large 1-2: ed age hair ewes 100-140 lbs 190.00-

$120

202.47

avg. grain prices Soybeans

650.00-1225.00 †

Ash Flat Livestock 700.00-990.00 † Benton County Sale Barn 825.00-1450.00 † Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction 1250.00 * Cleburne County 650.00-790.00 † County Line Sale 800.00-1275.00 † Decatur Livestock Auction Not Reported* Vinita Stockyards 700.00-1500.00 * Farmers Regional Sale Barn Not Reported * Fort Smith Stockyards None Reported * Four State Stockyards - Exeter 1050.00-1400.00 * 800.00-1350.00 † I-40 Livestock - Ozark Joplin Regional Stockyards 860.00-1600.00 † Mid-State Stock 650.00-1350.00 * North Arkansas Livestock 875.00-1085.00 † 1250.00-1300.00 † OKC West - El Reno 770.00-980.00 † Ouachita Livestock Ozarks Reg 600.00-1425.00 † Stilwell Livestock Auction Not Reported * Tulsa Livestock Auction 950.00-1300.00 † Welch Stockyards 800.00-1170.00*

Week of 3/6/22

ood 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 3/18/22 95.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 100.00-160.00; Cull National Dairy Market at a Glance Cheese: Barrels closed at $2.0300 and 40# blocks at $2.1300. The weekly average for barrels is $2.0090 d 3-4 (very fleshy) 120.00-152.50, hair (-0.0435) and blocks, $2.1135 (-0.0945). ood 2-3 (fleshy) 125.00-165.00, hair Fluid Milk/Cream: Milk production is steady to higher tility 1-2 (thin) 125.00-140.00, hair 90.00; across the country as the spring flush advances. Class 00. Good 3-4 (very fleshy) 111.00-136.00; Good I demand is mixed throughout each region. In some parts of the country, Class I demand has declined as 0-144.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 111.00-135.00; educational institutions have spring break scheduled .00. in the coming weeks. Demand for Class III milk is -4 (very fleshy) 95.00-125.00; Good 2-3 strong in the East and Central regions. Condensed 75.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium .00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 90.00. skim contracts are steady in the West. In the Midwest condensed skim is available, though contacts report -4 (very fleshy) 87.00-106.00; Good 2-3 40.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 144.00-159.00; Cull that finding transportation is a challenge. Ice cream producers are increasing their schedules across 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 (fleshy) the country and pulling heavily on regional cream tility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) 110.00- supplies. F.O.B. cream multiples for all classes are 1.30 -1.38 in the East, 1.20-1.33 in the Midwest, and 1.00Utility 1-2 (very thin) 65.00-105.00. 1.28 in the West. sales. SPOT PRICES OF CLASS II CREAM: $ PER No sales. POUND BUTTERFAT, F.O.B., producing plants, Medium and Large 1-2: Midwestern U.S. - $3.4442 - $3.6356. 0 lbs 301.00-304.00; 70-80 lbs 292.004.00. s 330.00; 70-80 lbs 300.00-335.00. 5 lbs 320.00; 56 lbs 340.00; 60-70 lbs 7 lbs 210.00; 103 lbs 202.00; 128 lbs 196.00; Daily Report 3/21/22

Arkansas Cattle

$160

Prices reported Prices reported per per cwtper Prices reported cwtcwt

Week of 2/20/22

od 3-4 (very fleshy) 100.00; Good 2-3 52.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium .00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 120.00-170.00; Cull very thin) 114.00-130.00; Cull 1 100.00-

cows

(Week of 3/13/22 to 3/19/22)

Week of 2/27/22

0-50 lbs 285.00-375.00; 50-60 lbs 280.00290.00-370.00; 70-80 lbs 300.00-350.00.

replacement

South Dakota: middle age 175-180 lbs 125.00-155.00/cwt. Kalona: no test. Billings: middle age 155-215 lbs 122.00-155.00/cwt; aged 135 lbs 134.00/cwt; ewes with lambs 400.00/family. Missouri: young hair ewes 170.00-275.00/head. Sheep and lambs slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 32,000 compared with 34,000 last week and 39,000 last year.

Week of 3/6/22

and shorn 53 lbs new crop 225.00; 70-80 0; 90-100 lbs 185.00-216.00. hair 79 lbs

Week of 2/20/22

les reports

-191.00 -172.50 -164.50 -158.00 -142.00

550-600 lb. steers

12 Month Avg. -

✝ USDA Reported * Independently Reported

167.85

170.00-188.00 160.00-183.00 140.00-171.00 130.00-145.00 130.00-140.00

The&Ozarks Most• www.ozarksfn.com Read Farm Newspaper Ozarks Farm Neighbor

147.95 140.81

157.64

139.18

181.96

147.17

194.01

157.73

190.36

168.00-187.00 158.00-184.00 150.00-174.00 134.50-148.00 118.50-140.00

160.42 *

120 143 166 189 212 235 * No price reported in weight break **USDA Failed To Report *** No Sale - Weather Prices Based on Weighted Average for Steers and Heifers 550-600 lbs.

154.31 100

120 140 160 180 200 * No price reported in weight break **USDA Failed To Report *** No Sale

Prices Based on Weighted Average for Steers and Heifers 550-600 lbs.

meet your neighbors

Growing for the Next Generation

Submitted Photo

By Julie Turner-Crawford

Greg and Kinsey Bradford started their farm with laying hens, but now are a multi-species operation Bradford Valley Farms began when Greg and Kinsey Bradford wanted to settle down and raise their family, but Kinsey got the ball rolling on the farming operation. “Kinsey got into the health side of food, so we looked up some information on Joel Salatin and got about 25 or 50 chicks our first time, seven or eight years ago, and just started,” Greg said. Greg grew up on a farm and worked for nearby dairy farms as a teen, but Kinsey had no farming background when they began their Damascus, Ark., operation. “I grew up in the middle of the city,” Kinsey said. “I grew up in Oregon, and just thinking about marrying a country boy and raising three girls on a farm was the last thing I ever thought I would be doing, but it fits us perfectly. We’re blessed to be able to do this. Greg and Kinsey Bradford are working to build and improve their fam“She has long surpassed me,” Greg said of Kinsey’s farming experience today. ily farm for the next generation, their daughters Tucker, Ellis Mae and Bradford Valley Farms is about 150 acres in total and is a pasture-based, multi-speOllie. cies operation that markets its products directly to consumers through on-farm sales, and it all started with laying hens. They had about 600 layers at one time, but they now manage about 200 layers, including some belonging to Greg’s father, and In anticipation of expansion, they doubled their herd. provide eggs to a few local restaurants and stores. They have utilized IAS Browns “It’s a long process,” Greg said. “We want to have a couple of calves every three in their laying flock the last couple of years. months because you have to be consistent and have beef available.” “We like them, but they are not as hardy as we would like them to be,” Kinsey Beef not sold as a half or whole is sold through individual cuts. explained. “We would like to get to where we run a full flock for two years. That Animals for the beef program are typically processed at about 900 pounds. No would be ideal for us because we have small children and work off the farm. They heifers are retained at this time because of the time required to put a heifer into a have been great for us for production.” breeding program. Thus, any additional females are purchased. While the laying operation is year-round, broilers produced at Bradford Valley In addition to pasture and forages, cattle receive salt, kelp and a basic mineral. Farms are seasonal. Broilers, eggs and beef are the biggest sellers for Bradford Valley Farm, but the “We do boilers when the grass is green,” Kinsey said. “We have about 1,000 chicks in family also offers grass-finished lamb and pastured pork. the brooder now. For the last three years, we have raised between 2,500 and 5,000; it “I grew up with pigs,” Greg said. “Right now, we have six sows and a boar. We have depends on our market. We can scale down as we see fit and when we want to. We have about 30 or 40 meat pigs a year, and then we sell piglets. We have a lot of people who will been successful with it, and it is amazing how much more popular this has become in come and get pigs to raise themselves; then, we have a little niche market with a group the last couple of years. We love having people out to the farm and show them where out of Little Rock that does a lot of barbecuing. They like them at about 100 pounds.” their food comes from.” Sows at the farm are Tamworth and are bred by a Berkshire boar. Broiler chicks are Cornish-cross, Cobb500 and/or Ross 308 purchased from “They are both good pasture pigs; they will eat grass, nuts and seeds,” Greg said. Keith-Smith. “The Tamworth do well on pasture and the Berkshire are just great, long pigs. They “They all grow well on pasture,” Kinsey said. “We have the capacity for 1,000 go good together and make great pigs.” birds in our hoop houses, and we time it to where we will have 1,000 more coming Meat pigs are raised to about 300 pounds at about 8 to 9 months. Pigs receive freeout of the brooder when we process those from the houses.” choice pellet and are rotated as often as possible to new pasture. While they are pasture-based, poultry at Bradford Valley Farm does receive spe“Demand is good, and we try to have pigs ready throughout the year,” Greg said. cialty-formulated, non-GMO rations from Powell Feed. Feed is offered free choice, “We like to have a big group ready in November because that’s what our communi24 hours a day. ty is used to from tradition. Kinsey has done an out-standing job marketing them, “We also have a grit, which is practically a rock, for their gizzards,” getting our bacon out in stores and things like that.” Kinsey said. The distribution of Bradford Valley Farms pork varies according to Farm-raised, grass-fed beef is another portion of the farm’s enterprise. Damascus, Ark. availability. The family currently has commercial Angus cattle and began beef about Lambs came to the farm when the Bradford children – Tucker (10), Ellis two years ago. Mae (6) and Ollie (3) – began showing. “We mainly sell halves to individuals,” Greg said. “There are a lot of “They are really good for our daughters, and they can handle them,” people looking for grass-fed now. This year, we had 25 people wanting Kinsey said. “We had goats, and that just wasn’t for us.” halves and could not even tap into that because we aren’t to that point.” The Bradfords obtain the majority of their lambs as orphans from Heifer

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MARCH 28, 2022

meet your neighbors International. This Arkansas-based non-profit organization distributes animals and agricultural-based training to families in need around the world to providing self-sufficiency. “Our girls do it all,” Kinsey said of the sheep operation. “The give them bottles in the morning, then in the afternoon, rotate them and do it all, then they get the money when we sell them. It’s a good thing for them to have a little success with that and give them the responsibility.” The lamb portion of Bradford Valley Farms is smaller, but three lambs were recently processed and are mostly sold. All animals sold for meat are processed through USDA-inspected facilities. The Bradfords are working with the NRCS and have received funding to install a rotational grazing system with cross fencing and waters for additional grazing paddocks. Greg added that NRSC funding will also improve forages and allow them to implement other forage species. “It’s really exciting for us,” Kinsey said. “Animals can work together, and it’s interesting. The cows can graze grass down to a level that a chicken or a lamb can then follow and eat, then it will all grow back up. We have tried to implement a

MARCH 28, 2022

Submitted Photo

grazing program, but without the fencing and the irrigation, it was difficult. This will make such a better product for us, our customers, and our kids. Ideally, we would have our cattle and lambs graze together, or the lambs fol-low cows and that is a goal.” The Bradfords believe allowing their animals, no matter what species, room to roam and fresh grass keep them healthy, so working with the NRCS, Greg said, will enable them to keep those animals healthy and naturally improve soil health. As Greg and Kinsey grow their farm, they have a few goals in mind, but one of them is not leaving their full-time jobs to become full-time farmers. Kinsey is a firefighter in Little Rock, and Greg is in administration at the South Side Bee Brand School District. “We want to make this a generational farm, and we want to establish this for our kids, so if they want to do this full-time, they can,” Kinsey said. “We need a lot of things right now, but we are looking at what our kids might need down the road. “We want to set them so they can work the land with good, healthy, thick grass, which will raise the best animals, the way we think they should be raised. We want it to be as natural as possible because we want it to last.”

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

FINANCING AVAILABLE

youth in Submitted Photo

HORSE BARNS WORK SHOPS

GARAGES

agriculture tomorrow’s ag leaders

HAY BARNS

“We Custom Build To Fit Your Needs” BradfordBuildings.com • 877-303-3737

Free Portable Corral Use for Customers • Hauling Available • Covered Pens

Decatur Livestock Auction Inc. Serving the Tri-State Area

On Farm Appraisal Receiving: Mon.: 8 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Sale: Tues., 12 p.m. Owners: Chris Buffer 479-531-2962 Shawn Sperry 479-957-1387

479-752-8499 • Hwy. 59 South • Decatur, AR

Taylor Henley By Billie Collins

The voice of the

Ozarks

n Age: 15 n Hometown: Flippin, Ark. n Parents: David and Gretchen Henley n Siblings: Blake Henley and Daphne Martin n FFA Chapter: Flippin FFA n 4-H Club: Marion County Livestock Club What is your involvement in agriculture?

“I show steers at county, state and jackpot shows. I help on Monstrom’s Farm. There I help with shots and keeping records for cattle. I am part of the Arkansas Junior Cattlemen’s Association (AJCA). I am vice president of District 8.”

What is your favorite part of being involved in agriculture/ living on a farm?

“My favorite part of being involved in agriculture is learning and being around livestock.”

What are your future plans?

“My future plans are to own a cattle ranch and be a veterinarian. They both involve in the livestock part of agriculture.”

What is the best advice about agriculture you have received from adults? “This isn’t for the lazy. You need passion, the will to work and patience. That is what my mom says.” www.radiospringﬁeld.com

Awards: Won Junior showmanship at Marion County Fair; crossbred division state winner; and grand champion at Marion County Fair. Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MARCH 28, 2022

the ofn

ag-visors

Advice from

the professionals

In the Business of YOU.

Coping With Rising Rates

By Jessica Allan

You Need A Lender Who’s Been Where You Are

ne question that has been asked in every conversation with my customers lately is – what are rates going to do? We all know that Jessica Allan is an rates are going to move (the Federal Reserve agricultural lender has made every indication that multiple and commercial hikes should be happening this year), but the main quesrelationship manager tion is how soon and how high? at Guaranty Bank in What most fail to realize is that a changing rate enviCarthage and ronment is actually considered normal. Historical data Neosho, Mo. She may on Wall Street Journal Prime (the base rate used by most be reached at banks), shows rates moved 131 times in the 1970s, 109 jallan@gbankmo.com. times in 1980s, 25 times in the 1990s, 43 times in the 2000s, only 12 times in the 2010s and twice since 2020. Although the number of rate changes has slowed considerably, the stagnant rate environment we have mostly been in since 2008 is not normal. When things stay the same, we get used to that, so when change does occur, it’s a shock. For many borrowers today, we have known nothing but a stagnant environment, which leaves us unsure how to navigate this changing rate environment we find ourselves in. Having heard the horror stories from our parents and grandparents of the rates they faced in the 1970s and 1980s, we start to panic when we hear talk of rates changing. However, when you look at the historical Wall Street Journal Prime rate, the cumulative average is 6.82 percent (since 1947). As of the date of this writing, the rate is 3.25 percent, less than half the historical average. One needs to go back to 1955 to find rates lower than today. This is not to make light of rate changes today. Those of us in the lending industry are fully aware of how changes one way or another can affect an operation or industry. However, it does go to show that we have weathered higher rates before and are still here today. The big question still is how do we cope with rising rates? There are a few things we can consider. One, remember that rate is not the only factor in determining payment; amortization plays a significant role in that. While a higher rate does have an effect, if you are able to amortize the loan over a longer period of time, your payment may actually end up being lower. For some, that might mean it is time to explore the idea of a government guaranteed loan through the Small Business Administration (SBA) or the Farm Service Agency (FSA), among other entities. Lending institutions can use these tools to work with customers who might need a longer amortization than the institution traditionally provides. Secondly, a changing rate environment does not necessarily mean rates continually move up. It should also be noted that throughout the multiple historical changes noted above, rate changes were both up and down. Depending on what your operation can handle, it might be advantageous to explore an adjustable as opposed to a fixed rate, to take advantage of rates when they move down without having to redo your loan in full. Thirdly, for some operations, times like these might mean it is time to tighten the belt and take a good, hard look at your income and expenses. When times are good, we tend to live a little bit higher and are okay with things costing more. When things taken a different turn, however, it is harder to adjust our living expectations and operating expenses. Regardless of how we chose to cope with this rate environment, the agriculture industry has been through it before and survived. We will continue to stay resilient and live to fight another day.

MARCH 28, 2022

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The Numbers Game By Cheryl Kepes

EPD basics and must knows

Evaluating an animal’s pedigree may feel like an assignment in a statistics or accounting class. The numbers, pluses and minuses, abbreviations, and accuracy indications could make one’s head spin. But in the end, Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) are simply another tool to help producers compare and select animals.

What are EPDs?

Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) are genetic tools that can be used to try to predict the performance difference of the progeny of two different animals. “The numbers themselves actually don’t mean anything unless they are compared to other numbers,” Earl Ward, NE Area Livestock Specialist with Oklahoma State University Extension, said. For instance, if a producer wants to look at the EPDs of two bulls, bull A and bull B, then the EPDs help a producer understand the differences between the two. If bull A has a birth weight (BW) EPD of +8.0, that number doesn’t give a producer a lot of information on its own. However, it does allow producers to compare bull A to another. In this example, assume bull A is going to be compared to bull B which has a BW EPD of +2.0. This means that bull B’s progeny would be 6 pounds lighter (8 pounds – 2 pounds) at birth, than the offspring of bull A. EPDs also allow producers to compare a bull to the breed average. Each breed has its own average EPDs. For example, if these were Angus bulls, the average BW EPD for the current sires is +1.2, which means that bull A’s offspring would be 6.8 pounds heavier at birth on average than the average of the breed.

Evaluate Accuracy

EPDs are calculated from the genetic data that has been collected on that bull and the data from his progeny. “Since we are dealing with data there will be some errors, but this is adjusted for by looking at the bull’s EPD accuracy,” Ward stated. “The accuracy of the EPD and the EPD itself will change over time when more data is sent in from that bull’s progeny.”

what do you say? What do you do to improve the yields of your crops or forages?

“You have to leave a little residue on the ground. When it comes to grazing cattle, I leave 4 to 5 inches of forage at all times. You can never have too much grass.” Kenneth Doyle Delaware County, Okla.

The accuracy EPD is on a scale from 0.0 to 1.0. The closer to 1.0, the more confidence producers can have in the EPD reported. “So, if I am looking for a bull to put on my small heifers and I need him to be a bull with low birth weights, then I definitely would not pick a bull that is so young that he has not had data reported,” Ward said. “I would pick a bull with an EPD within the range I am comfortable with and had a considerably high accuracy.”

Understanding the Numbers

The EPD numbers represent a variety of factors. Some EPDs are based on pounds such as birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), yearling weight (YW) and Milk. However, other EPDs are simply reference numbers like calving ease direct (CED) or docility (Doc). Additionally, some EPD indexes are a combination of several performance factors. One example of this is dollar beef value ($B). Dollar beef value is the expected average of the progeny’s post-weaning performance and carcass value. It is important to keep in mind the numbers are for comparison. Some animals will be above or below the breed average. Producers should check with their breed to understand what the average is, because the breed average may not be 0.0. For years, producers could only compare EPDs between animals in the same breed, but that is no longer the case. “A newer development is that now we have the ability to compare EPDs across breeds,” Ward shared. “Until this tool was established there was no way to compare bulls from two different breeds.”

Look at Variety of Traits

Which EPDs producers focus on, depends on what they want to accomplish. Livestock experts recommend understanding the breed averages and use the EPDs as a tool to compare animals. The traits that are most important to the producers, would be the areas they want to pay the most attention to. Livestock extension experts encourage producers to study and do their homework when it comes to EPDs. Then producers will be best equipped to choose animals that fit the perimeters and goals for their operations. For information about calculating EPDs, visit go.ozarksfn.com/irn

“You need to make sure you have the right soil and the right seeds. I can choose a different variety of seed and get higher yields.”

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“For our blueberries, we do a yearly pruning of the old canes. For weed control, we use our steam machine, and regular irrigation, and proper pH levels in the soil help improve the fruit size and the yield.” Megan Varoz Washington County, Ark.

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“Managed grazing is a big thing. If overgrazed, yields will be will minimized. You want to leave enough forage to collect solar energy and have enough rest to regrow, and increase root depth.” Daniel Keisler Franklin County, Ark. MARCH 28, 2022

farm help

It’s All in the Eggs By Ayden Massey

Improving the quality of eggs produced in a small-scale poultry operation Raising hens for egg production in backyards is an agricultural practice that has been on the rise and the importance of proper nutrition and flock management is imperative to quality egg production. The first step in developing a good egg-laying flock is to ensure that they have a balanced diet. This is a crucial factor for the hen’s entire life cycle. When a bird receives the proper nutrition in the early stages of life, they are more likely to grow into productive egg-layers. “The diets of egg layers are incredibly important as each egg she lays requires a large amount of nutrients from both her diet and even from her body,” Sara Orlowski, an associate professor of poultry science at the University of Arkansas, explained. When discussing diet, one of the most important components is protein. Orlowski said their feed should consist of approximately 15 to 18 percent protein and should have a higher amount of calcium than traditional chicken feed. The calcium in a hen’s diet is used to develop the eggshell, making it a crucial element in egg production. Stepping away from diet, it is also important to look at the quality of the shelter given to the flock. This shelter protects them from potential predators and the weather. According to Orlowski, both MARCH 28, 2022

nest boxes and roosts may be necessary in the coop. The correct amount of light within the shelter is another factor that impacts egg production. “Going into the fall months, as days are getting shorter, if a hen is not given artificial light in her coop, her body will stop laying and enter into a molt,” Orlowski said. The importance of good biosecurity practice in a small-scale operation is essential to keeping the flock healthy. Prioritizing the health and safety of the birds will ensure the quality of the eggs received from the flock. Orlowski emphasized this by listing off a few biosecurity practices. Producers should be cleaning and disinfecting feeders regularly. Orlowski also said quarantining new birds, separating the flock from wild birds, and showering after exposure to birds that are not your own will prevent any diseases from infecting your flock. It is also important to deal with mortalities within the flock correctly by determining the cause of death or contacting a local veterinarian. For beginners or anyone interested in egg-laying production, it is important to ask questions and be well-informed. This can be done by reaching out to the local county extension office or people with experience in the industry.

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Get the Dirt on Pastures By Cheryl Kepes

Understanding soil type and condition Producers looking to improve forages for their livestock can make big strides by understanding what type of soil they have and knowing its fertility content. As producers face increasing fertilizer costs and other escalating inputs, maximizing their land for grazing and/or hay is key to a successful operation. Dig into Soil Survey Information: If farmers are looking for in-depth information about their soil, it is right at their fingertips. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) operates the Web Soil Survey (WSS), a soil data base with soil information on 95 percent of the counties in the country. Producers can access the information through the WSS website or with the help of a local NRCS representative. The soil survey shows what soils are on a producer’s farm and the dividing lines between the different soil types. The WSS information tells landowners the characteristics of the soil, the soil profile, and its drainage features. The data may also indicate the relative productivity between hay, pasture, crops and forestry. The information allows producers to get an idea of what the production capacity of their property might be regardless of the soil’s fertility. For instance, a deep, well-drained soil will have a better capacity to produce forage regardless of its fertility, compared to shallow and rocky soil. Understanding the different characteristics of soil allows producers to determine which soil on their farm can most effectively produce certain forages and what time of year the soil will perform its best. “It (WWS) really answers a lot of questions, and you don’t have to do a lot of experimentation on your own,” John Jennings, Ph.D., extension forage specialist at the University of Arkansas, said. “You can look that up and really start fine-tuning your management style or practices to match what your resources are.”

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Get a Soil Test: Extension experts recommend producers get a soil test at different locations of their property. The soil test will give producers information on the soil’s fertility, and provide farmers with a guide to which fields need to be fertilized and what fertilizer should be used. Due to the rising costs of fertilizer, producers can save a significant amount of money by utilizing information about their soil to target specific areas with fertilizer tailored for that soil’s needs. Jennings encourages producers to analyze the soil survey information and soil test data to assist them with fertilizer decisions. “Producers can look at all the information and decide if I cutback, where can I cutback and still get a decent yield,” Jennings explained. Utilizing Soil: Specialists suggest producers implement a management system that gives their livestock something to graze every season. This requires producers to plan at least a season ahead and may require changes in management practices. If a gap between seasons exists, planting cover crops will help fill the forage void. Another management practice that can improve soil quality is rotating where hay is fed. “The more you move it, the more you distribute the nutrients across your farm,” Jennings said. Jennings suggests producers start feeding hay in the areas with the lowest fertility, then moving on to other parts of the property. “There is roughly the equivalent of 100 pounds of triple-17 fertilizer in every 4-by-5 round bale of hay,” Jennings stated. “So, if they consider it from that standpoint; they can ask themselves, “Where can I spread all these 100-pound sacks of triple-17 fertilizer back on my farm when I feed hay?’” Jennings said. Other practices to improve soil quality include spreading poultry litter for fertilizer, stockpiling fescue, and strip grazing. Jennings recommends producers not let their livestock overgraze in the summer, because it can promote weed growth. MARCH 28, 2022

farm help

Consider Litter By Astrid Gonzalez

Poultry litter is a viable alternative to conventional fertilizers Before planting, farmers need to prepare the soil and ensure the soil has the essential nutrients for crop production. Poultry litter can be used by itself or in combination with conventional fertilizers to supplement the nutrients the soil and plants need. “Because the soil stores nutrients, we first need to know what is in the soil, what is the crop nutrient requirement and what is the difference that will be provided in the form of poultry litter or inorganic fertilizers,” said Kristofor Brye, professor of applied soil physics and pedology at the University of Arkansas. Brye said poultry litter contains essential nutrients for plants. “For plants, poultry litter provides nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and potassium,” said Brye. “Poultry litter is an integrated organic fertilizer that has all of these different plantessential nutrients, including macronutrients and some micronutrients.” Brye said fertilizers are a little less beneficial than poultry litter, because they would take longer to improve the soil physical properties. “Fertilizers do not add the organic materials that poultry litter does, so they do not provide the instant carbon source and food source for crops,” said Brye. For an accurate application of poultry litter or fertilizers, the soil needs to be tested to determine the crop nutrient needs and fertility level of the soil. According to Brye, the amount of poultry litter or fertilizer to be used depends on the crop and what the nutrient demand is.

“Someone who is going to use poultry litter really wants to have it analyzed, so they can figure out what is the concentration of nutrients in it,” said Brye. “Producers will need to take a sample of that material, and they will submit it to a soil and plant analysis lab that will process manure samples.” Poultry litter can be a low-cost fertilizer. Brye said the distance of transportation can determine whether the material is economically beneficial to use or not.

“

nutrients can result in soil phosphorus buildup, which may runoff from the land and cause water contamination. “Excess phosphorus is bad in the environment,” said Brye. “Poultry litter is usually applied on the soil surface, and then if it rains that material can runoff and the phosphorus can go to nearby streams or lakes and cause eutrophication.” Often times fertilizers and poultry litter can be mixed together for better results. “Sometimes poultry litter does not supply all of the nitrogen required but instead supplies all of the phosphorus,” said Brye. “So, producers calculate how much poultry litter to use based on the phosphorus, and then they will supplement it with fertilizers for the extra nitrogen.” There is a lot of variation in the composition of poultry litter due to the management practices that a producer uses. “One of the things that causes the variability is that poultry producers use different organic materials for bedding, such as rice hulls, wood shavings or cotton gin trash,” said Brye. Brye said that if poultry litter is correctly use, it can be very sustainable and environmentally friendly. This is an organic source that recycles chicken manure and provides nutrients to the land. “There are a lot of benefits to the soil for using an organic material like poultry litter,” said Brye. “Adding organic matter to the soil is very useful because that improves the soil physical properties, alleviates compaction, makes the soil more porous for water to enter and be stored better and provides food for microorganisms.”

Poultry litter is an integrated organic fertilizer that has all of these different plant essential nutrients, including macronutrients and some micronutrients.” — Dr. Kristofor Brye

MARCH 28, 2022

“I think that if you do not have to transport poultry litter very far it can be very cheap – like applying it in your own fields,” said Brye. “But if you are someone whose source is far away, it is not going to be economical to transport it, and it might be better to use inorganic fertilizers.” While too little application will not provide sufficient nutrients for desired crop production, excess amounts of

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MARCH 2022 29 Lunch and Learn – All about Pollinator Plants and Natural Control of Pests – noon-1 p.m. – Tulsa City-County Central Library, 400 Civic Center, Tulsa, Okla. – for more information 918-746-3701 or tulsamastergardeners.org 29 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – UACCM, Morrilton, Ark. – 501-354-9618 31 Ag Sense – Livestock Strategies That Make Cents! – 6 p.m. – Tulsa County Extension Office, 4116 E. 15th Street, Tulsa, Okla. – register by March 28 – for more information, contact Gus at 918-746-3725 or gus.holland@okstate.edu

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April 2022 5 Hop into Spring – 7 p.m. – Online via Zoom – backyard photography with outdoor Oklahoma magazine – register at www.bit.ly/OHCEspring 5 Lunch and Learn – Native Plants in Oklahoma’s Tough Climates – noon-1 p.m. – Tulsa City-County Central Library, 400 Civic Center, Tulsa, Okla. – for more information 918-746-3701 or tulsamastergardeners.org 6 Is Your Estate Prepared For The Future? – 6-7:30 p.m. – in-person or Zoom option –Tulsa County OSU Extension Office, Tulsa, Okla. – space is limited, register by March 30 – to register call 918-746-3725 or email gus.holland@okstate.edu 7 Ag Sense – Livestock Strategies That Make Cents! – 6 p.m. – Tulsa County Extension Office, 4116 E. 15th Street, Tulsa, Okla. – register by March 28 – for more information, contact Gus at 918-746-3725 or gus.holland@okstate.edu 12 Lunch and Learn – Saving Heirloom Seeds – noon-1 p.m. – Tulsa City-County Central Library, 400 Civic Center, Tulsa, Okla. – for more information 918-746-3701 or tulsamastergardeners.org 14 Faulkner County Extension Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – Faulkner County Extension Office, Conway, Ark. – call 501-329-8344 to reserve your seat 21 Ag Trade Show – Fairgrounds, Poteau, Okla. – call 918-647-8231 for more information 23 Small Ruminant Study Tour – 10 a.m.-noon – 4415 North 2nd Street, Rogers, Ark. – for more information call 479-271-1060 27 Private/Commercial Pesticide Applicator Lunchtime CEU Training – noon-1 p.m. – Adair County Extension Office, Stilwell, Okla. – to register call 918-696-2253 28 Beef Quality Assurance and UA Animal Science Field Day – Starts at 9 a.m. – Savoy Beef Unit, 18001 UA Beef Farm Road, Fayetteville, Ark. – for more information call 479-271-1060 May 2022 10 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – UACCM, Morrilton, Ark. – 501-354-9618 25 Private/Commercial Pesticide Applicator Lunchtime CEU Training – noon-1 p.m. – Adair County Extension Office, Stilwell, Okla. – to register call 918-696-2253 June 2022 3-4 Annual Quilt Show – Kiamichi Techonology Center, Poteau, Okla. – for more information call 918-647-8231 8 Private/Commercial Pesticide Applicator Lunchtime CEU Training – noon-1 p.m. – Adair County Extension Office, Stilwell, Okla. – to register call 918-696-2253

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MARCH 28, 2022

— ZONE A AUCTIONS —

4/2 Personal Collection and Business Closing Auction – Jay, Okla. • Treasure Chest Auction II 4/2 Public Auction for Jerry & Lavonne Hastings – Proctor, Okla. • K&D Davis Auctions LLC

— ZONE B AUCTIONS —

4/2 Sam Stubblefield Retirement Auction – Stigler, Okla. • Wright Way Auctions 4/9 Poultry Farm Auction – Ozark, Ark. • Reading Auction Service 4/16 Real Estate & Estate Auction – Mulberry, Ark. • Contrail Auction Service

— ZONE C AUCTIONS —

4/2 Del & Martha Estate Auction – Lead Hill, Ark. • Bailey Auction Service 4/2 Edward Young Estate Auction – Everton, Ark. • Double Diamond Auction 4/2 Estate of Jim Snow Auction – Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R Williams 4/2 Stewarts Automotive & Towing Annual Impound Auction – Rogers, Ark. • S&S Auction Service 4/9 Edward Young Estate Auction – Harrison, Ark. • Double Diamond Auction 4/12 Outstanding Farm Equipment Auction – Huntsville, Ark. • Arkansas Professional Auctioneers MARCH 28, 2022

4/23 Ken Grinwald Estate Auction – Yellville, Ark. • Double Diamond Auction

4/16 Guns, Fishing, Recreational & Tool Auction – Harrison, Ark. • Bailey Auction Service

— ZONE D AUCTIONS —

— OUTSIDE AREA — AUCTIONS

4/2 The Estate of The Late Rudy & Sue Hardy – Mountain View, Ark. • Swafford Auctions 4/2 Huge Warehouse Auction – Damascus, Ark. • Hutch Auctions and Recovery 4/2 John Deere Like New Mower and Tools Public Estate Auction – Mountain Home, Ark. • Walker Auction Service 4/2 Public Auction – Yellville, Ark. • Sims Family Auctions 4/2 Spring Consignment Auction – Van Buren, Ark. • Faucher Auction & Realty 4/9 The Estate of Ken & Joan Bell – Heber Springs, Ark. • Frank Orr Auctions 4/9 Gene Bradley Estate Tractor Collection Auction – Mountain Home, Ark. • Walker Auction Service Nowata

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March 2022 29 Missouri Shorthorn Association Online Sale – amsonlinesales.com – 417-880-6873 or 816-716-4614 or 402-641-4696 30 Schmidt Cattle Company Production Sale – Sheridan Livestock Auction Company, Rushville, Neb. – 308-327-2406 or 308-282-1350 31 Watkins Cattle Company 6th Annual Spring Herd Builder Sale – Harrison, Ark. – 870-688-1231 or 870-741-9795

9 9 9

April 2022 1 Meyer Cattle Company Performance in the Pasture Sale – Meyer Cattle Sale Facility, Bowling Green, Mo. – 573-808-0624 – 573-694-1622 2 Ade Polled Hereford Annual Production Sale – Amsterdam, Mo. – 765-583-4875 2 “The Andras Kind” Red Angus Bull Sale – at the Farm, Manchester, IL – 217-473-2355 or 217-473-2320 2 Bennett, Biggs & Switzer Production Sale – Green City Livestock Market, Green City, Mo. – 660-973-3925 – 660-654-4630 – 660-734-0510 2 B/F Cattle Company Annual Bull Sale – Butler, Mo. – 660-492-2808 2 Double A Land & Cattle Commercial Female & Bull Sale – Three Cedars Event Center, Nevada, Mo. – 913-558-7966 or 417-684-0881 2 Four State Angus Association Sale – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 940-531-1851 2 43rd Annual Gardiner Angus Ranch Production Sale – at the ranch, Ashland, Kan. – 620-635-2156 2 Hebbert Charolais Ranch Annual Bull Sale – Hyannis, Neb. – 308-458-2540 2 Magness Beef Bulls Western Slope Annual Bull Sale – Loma Livestock, Loma, Colo. – 402-350-3447 or 320-267-0751 2 Ridder Farms Bull & Female Sale – at the Farm, Hermann, Mo. – 281-761-5952 or 573-680-4692 or 573-280-5795 2 Show Me Classic Bull & Female Sale – Windsor, Mo. – 660-527-3507 3 Hassebrook Charolais Farms 6th Annual Production Sale – Albion Livestock Market, Albion, Neb. – 402-678-2517 or 402-367-8222 3 Ridder Farms Online Sale – Hermann, Mo. – 573-943-6462 or 573-680-4691 4 Brockmere Farms Inc. Annual Performance-Tested Angus Bull Sale – New Cambria Livestock Auction, New Cambria, Mo. – 660-258-2901 or 660-375-2155 4 Green Garden Angus Annual Production Sale – Lorraine, Kan. – 785-472-3752 4 Weber Charolais & Red Angus Farm Annual Production Sale – Weber Sale Facility, Lake Andes, SD – 605-384-3300 5 44th Annual Coleman Limousin Ranch Production Sale – Five Valleys Livestock, Missoula, MT – 402-350-3447 or 320-287-0751 5 Hubert Charolais Ranch 43rd Annual Bull Sale – Monument, Kan. – 785-672-2540 or 785-871-7760 6 2J Angus Annual Production Sale – Dunlap Livestock, Dunlap, Iowa – 515-230-0580 7 Hunter Angus Sale – Fair Grove, Mo. – 734-260-8635 7 Pharo Cattle Company Missouri Spring Sale – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 800-311-0995 7 Wulf Cattle Opportunity Sale of 2022 – Online Only – 320-392-5802 or dvauction.com 8 Howard County Angus Association Sale – Boonville, Mo. – 660-728-3700 9 Berti Limousin Hidden Gems Production Sale – at the Farm, Sullivan, Mo. – 573-468-5511 or 402-350-3447 9 Central Missouri Polled Hereford 119th Annual Sale – Interstate Regional Stockyards, Cuba, Mo. – 660-834-4678 9 Dybdal Charolais 11th Annual Bull & Female Sale – Laurel, Neb. – 402-692-3704 or 402-841-9784 or 402-841-0995 9 Fink Beef Genetics Bull Sale – Randolph, Kan. – 785-293-5106 or 785-532-9936 9 Hebbert Charolais Ranch 40th Annual Bull Sale – Hyannis, Neb. – 308-458-8812 or 308-458-8823

9 9

11 11 11 12 12 12 12 14 14 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 22 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 30 30

New Day Genetics Sale – Cunningham Livestock, Salem, Mo. – 573-453-0058 Ozarks and Heart of America Beefmaster Sale – Springfield, Mo. – 210-415-4530 Prairie Valley Farm Charolais Annual Bull Sale – Platte Livestock Auction, Platte, SD – 605-680-0780 The Renaissance 30th Anniversary Edition Sale – Chappell’s Sale Arena, Strafford, Mo. – 405-246-6324 Texas Charolais Association Spring Innovation Sale – Cooke County Fairgrounds, Gainesville, Tx – 903-754-0764 or 281-761-5952 Tweedy Cattle Company Angus Production Sale – Imboden, Ark. – 870-892-8766 Eggleston Charolais Bull Sale – at the Ranch, Wessington, SD – 605-883-4602 or 605-350-3117 Hillside Angus Ranch Winner’s Choice Sale – Online – 734-260-8635 Raile Charolais & Red Angus Sale – St. Francis Auction Market, St. Francis, Kan. – 785-332-2794 or 785-332-0180 Checkerhill Angus “Ladies With Style” Sale – Online – 734-260-8635 16th Annual Hager Cattle Company Bull Sale – at the Ranch, Karlsruhe, ND – 701-525-6363 or 701-626-2345 Ridder Farms Bull Sale – Hermann, Mo. – 573-943-6462 or 573-680-4691 Sydenstricker Genetics Influence Sale – New Cambria Livestock, New Cambria, Mo. – 573-581-1225 Capitol Angus Bull Sale – Mort Livestock Exchange, Canton, Tx. – 630-675-6559 or 816-244-4462 Sonderup Charolais Ranch 40th Annual Bull Sale – at the Ranch, Fullerton, Neb. – 308-536-2050 or 308-550-0254 Bittersweet West Back to Grass Sale – Daviess Livestock Market, Gallatin, Mo. – 785-547-6781 Bradley Cattle & MCBA Spring Bull & Female Sale – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 281-761-5952 or 417-848-3457 or 913-515-1215 East Central Missouri Angus Association Sale – Cuba, Mo. – 734-260-8635 Four States Classic Replacement Female Sale – Hope Livestock Facility, Hope, Ark. – 870-703-4345 Lindskov-Thiel Ranch 41st Annual Bull Sale – at the ranch, Isabel, SD – 605-466-2392 or 605-848-1840 McBee Cattle Company Braunvieh Production Sale – at the Ranch, Fayette, Mo. – 573-228-2517 Owen Brothers Cattle Company Diamonds and Spurs Production Sale – Bois D’ Arc, Mo. – 405-780-0372 or 417-830-8150 The Power Performance Pedigree Registered Angus Sale – Wright County Livestock Auction, Mountain Grove, Mo. – 417-293-8002 NextGen Cattle Company Spring Bull Sale – Paxico, Kan. – 785-213-1753 or 785-580-6883 or 785-640-1243 American Brahman Breeders of Arkansas Area 13 & Friends Inaugural Sale – McDaniel Livestock Exchange, Valliant, Okla. – 870-223-2063 or 870-223-2076 Belle Point Ranch Production Sale – at the Ranch, Lavaca, Ark. – 479-782-5579 17th Annual Central Kentucky Classic Sale – United Producers Livestock, Bowling Green, Kentucky – 270-617-0888 or 270-257-8861 11th Annual Highland Cattle Auction – Mid Missouri Stockyard, Lebanon, Mo. – 417-345-0575 or 309-251-5832 Leachman Spring Ozark Sale – I-40 Livestock, Ozark, Ark. – 970-568-3983 Missouri Red Angus Association Show Me Reds Bull & Female Sale – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 417-327-7870 Thomas Farms Production Sale – Pruitt’s Mid-State Stockyards, Damascus, Ark. – 501-745-8484 Wall Street Cattle Company Production Sale – Lebanon, Mo. – 417-288-4444 Wienk Charolais 53rd Annual Bull Sale – at the Ranch, Lake Preston, SD – 605-860-0505 or 605-203-0137

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MARCH 28, 2022

Cattlemen’s Seedstock Directory

Farm Equipment

Vets

Website

BALANCER Rumfelt Farms Phillipsburg, Mo. 417-664-6936 brumfelt7556@gmail.com

Country Veterinary Service Tim E. O’Neill, DVM

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Looking for freelance writers for Ozarks Farm & Neighbor NCE • FARM FINA K MARKETS LIVESTOC

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PAGES 2021 • 24 RKSFN.COM .OZA AUGUST 9, BER 8 • WWW

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Mid Missouri Stockyards, Lebanon, MO Saturday, April 27, 2019 2pm Mid Missouri Stockyard,Oﬀ Lebanon, MO 44 at Exit 123 Interstate

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OFN March 28, 2022

Articles inside

Improving egg quality

Bradford Valley Farms is building for the future

Jody Harris Rural living

Grace Archer began raising sheep when she was a youngster

The basics of EPDs

Family farm continues to change after more than 80 years

Rabbit Studios showcases the talent of Bill and Traci Rabbit