Hearing on black vultures: State Sen. Blake “Cowboy” Stephens held an interim study on Oct. 10 to look into the significant harm done to livestock and property by predatory birds. Stephens, R-Tahlequah, said the most destructive is the black vulture. “Most people have no idea how deadly and vicious black vultures can be for livestock. They will attack baby calves as they are being born and eat them alive, and they’ll attack the mother as she’s giving birth,” said Stephens. “It is a gruesome situation that can cost a family thousands of dollars in lost livestock, but their hands are tied by federal law.” Oklahomans can get a permit to take up to five birds each year, but Stephens said that’s inadequate to address the exploding population. Testimony was given by Chuck Roberts with Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance; Neal Boatwright, a farmer from Cherokee County; Dr. Dwayne Elmore with Oklahoma State Uni versity; Scott Blubaugh, president of American Farmers and Ranchers Insurance; and Scott Alls, state director at the United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Services. The livestream of the full hearing can be viewed at oksenate. gov/live-chamber.
Garden of the Year awards presented: At the recent Arkansas Farm to School Month celebration, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas presented awards to winners of the 2022 Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest. In the Best Start-up School Garden Proposal division, two schools from the Ozarks region were each honored with $500 awards. Wonderview Elementary School, Hattieville, Ark., in Conway County, was honored in the Best Start-up School Garden Proposal division, and Conway High School, Conway, Ark., in Faulkner County was recognized in the Best Education Based School Garden. The contest was available to public and private K-12 schools, early childhood education facilities, and alternative learning environments. Awardees were schools that had a school garden open during the 2021-2022 school year or planned to start a garden in the 2022-2023 school year.
Funds allocated: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt recently signed a bill designating $20 million for an Emergency Drought Relief Fund, helping farmers and ranchers pay for alternative water sources. HB 1006 went into effect immediately upon the governor’s signature. “This year’s ex treme drought conditions have created unprecedented challenges for our agricultural producers and as governor I will always do everything I can to support Oklahoma’s great farmers and ranchers,” Stitt said. “I am proud to have partnered up with the Legislature to deliver this much-needed re lief.” The Emergency Drought Relief Fund, which was established during the 2022 regular legislative session. The $20 million is in addition to the $3 million in relief funds the Emergency Drought Commission allocated across the state’s 77 counties previously. Funds will allow them to implement conservation practices and provide essential water and forage to livestock to withstand this drought and be prepared in the future.
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
Farm &
Ozarks Most Read Farm Newspaper OCTOBER 24, 2022 | VOL. 16,
12
Jerry Crownover –Competing for rewards
Jody Harris –Watching them all grow
Julie Turner-Crawford –All that glitters
Jerry “Coach” McPeak continues to mold young people
Irish Black cattle roam the hills of Seven Springs Cattle Company
The Mother Road continues to draw adventurers
Eye on Agribusiness spotlights Rice Custom Meat Processing
Town & Country features Susan Anglin
Family raises Wagyu-based beef for customers
Youth in Agriculture spotlights Chance Harber
Having the difficult discussion about finances and death
Time to prepare for spring calving
Finding a balance between wildlife and livestock
We have a new puppy at the farm, and my wife is doing a great job of training the youngster. Evidently, the little dog will do anything my wife asks for nothing more than a peanut-butter flavored treat that’s no bigger than a pencil eraser and a kind word of praise. Seeing the pint-sized puppy take on a 2,000-pound bull for a simple treat reminded me of a young kid.
ByJerryCrownoverJerry Crownover is a farmer and former professor of Agriculture Education at Missouri State University. He is a native of Baxter County, Arkansas, and an author and professional speaker. To contact Jerry, go to ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’
When I was in the first grade at the one-room school house, the county-wide school district sponsored a field day each year that allowed students from all of the rural schools to compete in various academic and sporting competitions. My teacher entered me in the reading contest, where the individual contestants read aloud from a book as far as they could before encountering a word they could not recognize. Penny was the word I didn’t know, but it was several pages into the book, and it was the farthest any first grader in the county had gotten, save little girl named Louise from the big-city school of Gainesville. We tied, and both received a blue ribbon: a piece of silk-like material that had been fashioned with a pair of pinking shears. From that point forward, I was hooked on ribbons, medals, plaques and framed certificates.
For the next several years, I would enter any kind of competition imaginable, as long as I could foresee some award at the end that would recognize me as a winner.
In the second grade, everyone in my tiny school was promised something called a reading circle certificate if they would read a minimum of 20 books during the school year. I read over 100, thinking I might get five certificates.
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
Amanda Newell, Marketing Manager
Eric Tietze, Accounting Advertising
Pete Boaz, Display & Classified Sales
Amanda Newell, Production Sales
Eric Tietze, Circulation
Julie Turner-Crawford, Managing Editor
Jerry Crownover, Columnist
Jody Harris, Columnist
Amanda Newell, Production
Colton L. Holland, Cheryl Kepes, Michael Kinney, Brad Pistole, Marissa Snider, Sheila Stogsdill and Pam Willard Lamb
Jerry “Coach” McPeak started the Be A Champ Show Cattle and Lamb Camp in 1982. See more on page 7.
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.
By Jody Harris
By the end of 2022, there will be three teen agers in our household. I have no idea where the time went but sometimes the days are long, and the years are short. We just wrapped up another busy week celebrating our older daughter’s high school homecom ing. We have entered the phase of parenting that includes dating. This is terrifying.
Our daughter is nearly 17 and has a good friend who is a boy. What is particularly extraordinary about her friend is this – he’s been working on get ting his private pilot’s license for the past four years. He did this by hustling. He has worked in foodservice and found jobs to make money to fund his flight lessons. It has been impressive to watch this young person carve out an entrepreneurial business detailing vehicles and airplanes. He has helped us around the farm and has an impeccable work ethic.
Jody Harris is a freelance communications specialist, gardener, ranch wife and mother of four. She and her family raise Angus beef cattle and other critters on their northwest Arkansas ranch. She is a graduate of Missouri State University. To contact Jody, go to ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’
On his 17th birthday, our daughter’s friend completed his check ride and received his private pilot’s license, a dream he had held since middle school. He is currenlty the youngest pilot in Arkansas. His passion for aviation is contagious to all his friends – young and old.
Our daughter told us he had asked her if he could go up in a plane with him one afternoon after he had received his license. After much parental debate, we agreed to let her fly with him. My husband, the family protector, sent him a text message asking him to make the flight short and get back on the ground by dark. I think he was nervous. This is what the beginning of an improved prayer life looks like.
They chose a gorgeous day for flying. He had orchestrated a scenario where his mother and brothers made a banner to layout in the Elkins baseball fields. As they flew around the local area, they pointed out things they saw to one another. As they flew over our farm, our boys were waving at them in the sky. He pointed out something on the ground in Elkins and asked her what it was. Her reaction was surprise and joy as she noticed a sign that said, “HOCO?” on the ground. He asked her to the high school homecoming dance up in the air. It was a fun and precious memory for all of us.
Homecoming consisted of a pep rally, a spirit week and funny dress up days, a pa rade around the city of Fayetteville square, homecoming court, a football game and of course, a high school dance. It has been wonderful to see the students be returned to normalcy this school year.
They flew again on the day of the homecoming dance and indulged us in some photographs at the Air Museum at Drake Field. They were dressed sharply and looked like they were all set for a night of dinner and high school dancing. It is wonderful to see young people with passions and goals that will carry them through adulthood, neighbor.
Ihave these “great” ideas sometimes, but I usually drop them because I realize they are little too farfetched. Not this not this time, however. Several months ago, Bill got me this machine that cuts vinyl. It was mostly so I could do things for him, like make stencils for him to use for his cerakote work.
It took a while, but I got the hang of the machine and can make whatever he wants in vinyl. I’ve made a calf decal for my car and some small signs, but that’s been about it. A recent trip to a local discount store, however, changed everything.
I saw all the cool craft items, and all these bells started going off in my head. I’m not a “crafter.” The last time I tried to use a glue gun, I had hot glue all over me, what I was trying to hot glue, and the table it was on. I’m not good at matching, arranging or envisioning things.
Julie Turner-Crawford is a native of Dallas County, Mo., where she grew up on her family’s farm. She is a graduate of Missouri State University. To contact Julie, call 1-866532-1960 or by email at editor@ozarksfn.com.
I can’t even wrap a present very well. I’m not “that” person who has great ideas or skills in that area. Looking at all of the cool craft items, I decided, however, I could take that little machine and make farm-themed holiday items for friends and family.
I did a test run, and things worked out well, so I went to a “real” crafting store to get the “real” crafting supplies. I figured six dozen blank ornaments would be more than enough.
— Continued on Next Page• 2 C shredded Cheddar cheese (8 ounces)
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 can (4.5 ounces) diced green chilies
• 4 green onions, sliced, white and green parts separated
• 1 pound barbecue pulled pork in sauce
• 1/4 C diced dill pickles, patted dry
• Tortilla chips, for serving
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In medium bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese, the cream cheese, green chil ies and green onion whites. Spread evenly in baking dish. Top with pork. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until hot and bubbling at edges. Top dip with pickles and green onion greens; serve with chips.
I also needed glitter, not a lot, but enough to do a few dozen. Bill went with me to the store and after a few minutes of roaming in unfamiliar territory, he decided he would be better off waiting in the truck.
I worked all weekend cutting vinyl, glu ing, and adding glitter and bows to some of the ornaments. I proudly showed Bill my first creations.
“Those look pretty nice,” he said.
“Do you think people would like them?” I asked.
“I don’t see why not,” Bill said.
“Do you think people would buy them?” I said.
Bill said he was sure they would. Later that night, after Bill went to bed, I compiled some of my creations, took a picture, and wrote a little advertisement for my ornaments to post on social media. I posted it on my page, and a couple of other pages.
I got compliments about how cool the ornaments looked and other positive reactions. One longtime friend even called wanting six ornaments featuring her mother’s “favorite bird” – a pink flamingo. It was my first order.
As I went to bed that night, I thought I should head back to the craft store to pick up a few more ornaments because it looked like I might have some folks interested; I was pretty proud of myself.
Continued from Page 3
In the third grade, the school would have ciphering matches every Friday af ternoon, complete with a promise of hav ing the winners’ names written on the top of the blackboard for all the next week. I won my share of those math contests until a smart little girl named Kathy found that she could always beat me when she chose multiplication by 22.
The next few years found me trying to win every 4-H pin and award the organization offered, followed by membership in the FFA, which seemed to offer even more medals, plaques and certificates than 4-H.
At around 5 a.m. the next morning, I walked into the kitchen to start the day, and the notifications were going off on my phone. It turns out farm-themed Christmas ornaments are in hot demand, especially if you know the difference between Boer and a Nubian goat, a dairy cow and a stock cow, a wooled sheep and a haired sheep, a Tennessee Walker and a mule.
Orders came in from friends as far away as Texas and Nebraska, and from total strangers in Canada, Illinois, Montana, and other states. The orders are still coming in. Some want all cattle. Some want cattle and pigs. Some want rabbits and goats; others want just chickens. Everyone who ordered was excited that someone was thinking about farmers and ranchers at Christmas time.
When Bill got up a little later, I was sit ting at the dining room table making my lists. After I explained how many orders I had, he shook his head and wished me good luck. He doesn’t know it yet, but he will soon become a glitter wrangler.
If no one sees me in the coming weeks, don’t worry, I’m fine. I think. Maybe. Just follow the trail of glue, glitter, and pieces of craft vinyl, and bring Diet Coke.
By the time I reached high school, I had become fully addicted to the endorphins that were released by earning trophies, pictures in the paper, and public recognition of almost every kind.
My compulsion to win awards continued, well after my college days, with coaching judging teams and public speakers, as an ag teacher and FFA advisor. The success of my students was just as satisfying as winning them myself. Even later, the trophies, ribbons and awards won by my sons show ing cattle and participating in 4-H and FFA continued to allow me to live vicariously through the success of my boys.
Luckily, the people at the school field day 65 years ago didn’t reward me with candy treats like my wife provides for the puppy.
By Michael Kinney
In his more than seven decades of life, Jerry “Coach” McPeak has worn several occupational hats.
Everything from military service to teach ing to State Representative to livestock judge to agriculture reporter could appear on Jerry’s resume if he had one.
Those do not even include the titles of husband, father and grandfather, which he values even more.
The 76-year-old said he has lived his life on his terms. He doesn’t make plans or look back in regret.
“Unlike some people who say ‘Boy, I wish I could live my life over again so I could do such and such,’” Jerry lamented. “In my life, every time something came up and I thought it looked interesting, I just went ahead and did it.”
Jerry’s Google searches are a testament to that mindset. It seems like the Checotah (Okla.) native has dabbled in almost every kind of enterprise associated with agriculture.
Yet, Jerry says that none of that was ever his intention. Coming out of high school, he had no idea of what he wanted to be. All he knew was what he didn’t want to become.
“My dad was a school superintendent, and sitting on the front porch when I had just graduated from high school, we were talking about what I was going to do,” Jerry remembered. “He said, ‘Well, you could be a teacher.’ I said, ‘Well if I can’t do anything else. I’ll teach.’ I know that hurt his feelings.”
More than a half-century later, Jerry‘s life has been all about teaching. Not just about agriculture and livestock but also life itself.
Four years after he started teach ing at Connors State College and working as coach of the livestock
judging team, Jerry founded the Be A Champ Camps in 1982.
“The Be A Champ Camp is by far the largest portion of our lives now,” Jerry said of him and his wife Veda. “It’s also by far the longest-lasting portion of our lives. This is going to be our 42nd year having Be a Champ camp. Originally, I did it because I was judging shows and I saw such poor showmanship, and I thought we can help these kids. And I hadn’t been teaching at Connors very long, and I thought that’d be good for Connors too to do that. But Connors didn’t want to do it. They didn’t want to put out any money to, you know, do advertising or anything. So, we just did it ourselves. Otherwise, Connors would own that instead of us. But that was 42 years ago. We were just going to do it one year, one time.”
The one time turned into four decades as Jerry saw how the camp was affecting the campers. Fifty-five kids showed up in the first year. That has expounded to 500 kids from all over to be part of Jerry’s camp.
Jerry uses techniques that have become out of style in some places. Discipline, hard work and tough love have become the camp’s foundation.
“We really started out just purely to teach them how to show and groom their cattle and sheep,” Jerry said. “We do sheep and cattle and how to fit clip and shear and do all those kinds of things.
Then, of course, with that came along the health stuff, and we just evolved. It was just every year, it went to something else. And then it’s admit tedly become a motivational thing as well, but mostly we just remind them of Warner, Okla.
who they are and what they can do and show them how much greater they are than what they can perceive that they are. We believe that every kid can be a champ.”
While running the camp, Jerry took on other roles at Connor’s State as well. They included Connor’s judging team coach, dean of men, psychology instructor and agriculture instructor.
The college even dedicated the McPeak Agriculture Hall of Fame in his honor. It is located on the Warner (Okla.) campus.
“You will not find a person, who believes in their kids, more than he does,” said Blake Nelson, Executive Vice Pres ident for the American Maine-Anjou Association. “There are many coaches who teach how to be successful in contests, but there are only a few who teach kids to be successful in life.”
Jerry’s life outside was just as busy. School board member, Little League coach, National Livestock Coaches Association Secretary and 4-H leader were just a few of his outside interests.
Despite being in his 70s, Jerry is still a busy man. He finds time to dabble in politics and Be A Cham Camp. He also raises livestock strictly for show.
“I personally only run just a few cows. I only have about 35 cows there. Every one of them is dedicated to raising for show,” Jerry said. “My older son runs a much larger operation. He runs a cow/ calf and a stocker operation. I only have about 30 cows that we are totally dedicated to being show calves.”
After all these years of being around al most every breed of cattle, Jerry doesn’t
have a favorite. When it comes to shows, there is something special about all of them.
“If you can go in my pasture and not find one of the colors and breeds you like that, then I have messed up,” Jerry said. “My granddaughter right now is showing mostly Shorthorns. I raised mostly Simmental and Maines (Maine-Anjou), Chi (Chianina), some Herefords We never found a breed we didn’t like. Never found a breed we couldn’t find something good about.”
Jerry gives all the credit for whatever public life success he has obtained to his wife and children (Jeff, Jason, Jinger and Joris).
It was Veda who encouraged him in 2004 to run for office despite not having a single dollar for the campaign. But the entire family had to vote on whether he should do it or not. At the time only 9-year-old Joris voted no.
“My family has made much more sacrifices. You know my name and knew who I was, but it’s only because my family made sacrifices and my name got out there and was the one that got stuck on doing the things,” Jerry said. “But my kids and my wife made by far the greater sacrifices, they’re the heroes of the deal and I’m not being humble.”
Because of them, Jerry has been able to lead a life without having to worry about making plans. He just takes every day as it comes and goes from there.
“I’m going to do what the good Lord gives me to do tomorrow, but I got to get done today,” Jerry said. “I got to do it just as hard and as fast and as good as I can.
And tomorrow I’m going to do what’s put out there in front of me. I don’t know for sure what that is. I just know when it shows up, I’m supposed to do it the best I can.”
In Pea Ridge, Ark., on the border of Missouri and Arkansas, is Seven Springs Cattle Company, owned and operated by the Wiechman family. The farm is named for the many springs found there, including one that produces more than 100,000 gallons a day.
The 800-acre operation is home to a 300-head commercial operation and a growing herd of registered Irish Black cattle.
Family patriarch Tom Wiechman has been in the cattle industry for decades, but he considers the Irish Black cattle breed to be ideal.
“I always wanted to produce the best cattle possible,” Tom explained. “About 10 years ago, I did some research and found Irish Blacks. They are the best, solid cattle I’ve ever been around, and I’ve been around cattle all my life. We had a large commercial oper
ation and tried every bull under the sun, from Salers to Simmental to Limousin; we’ve tried them all. Irish Blacks are just good cattle.”
The family currently has 95 head of breeding age Irish Black females, five bulls of service age, and about 17 recently weaned bulls.
They started with 20 head, and through AI and other means, the herd has grown. Tom plans to have more than 100 regis tered females in two years.
Since 1969, Tom explained, only cattle that meet more than 30 genetic criteria can be registered as Irish Black. Even if a calf is born to a registered dam and sire, it must meet the genetic markers established to be registered.
Pea Ridge, Ark.
“There are fewer than 5,000 of these Irish Blacks, and they must meet the criteria for birth weight, weaning weight, marbling, tenderness, and so many other things,” he explained.
— Continued on Page 16
The U.S. Highway 66 also known as Route 66, the Mother Road, Will Rogers Highway or Main Street of America was one of the original highways in the United State Numbered Highway System. Route 66 passes by or across more than 250 buildings, bridges and other sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Route 66 crosses through the heart of the United States beginning in Chicago, Ill., ending in Los Angeles, Calif., passing through countless small towns and communities along the way.
Along its path are Lake Michigan, the Mississippi River, the Arkansas River, the Colorado River and the Pacific Ocean. Route 66 crosses the southern reaches of the Rocky Mountains, passes through the hills of the Ozarks and the flat prairies of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas winding through the pines of Arizona, the Ozark woods and the Mojave Desert.
The National Museum of American History in Washington D.C. features Route 66 as a part of its “America on the Move” Exhibition.
The exhibit contains a portion of pavement taken from Bridgeport, Okla homa. A car and truck of the type driven on the road in the 1930s are also on display in the exhibit. A neon sign that used to hang over Hamons
Court gas station and tourist cabins in Hydro, Okla., and a neon sign saying cabins which pointed to Ring’s Rest tourist cabins in Muirkirk adorn the exhibit. Postcards a traveler sent to his sweetheart while touring Route 66 can also be seen at the exhibit.
The origins of Route 66 began with government legislation for a public highway system in 1916, was revised in 1921 and finally passed in 1925. Entrepreneurs Cyrus Avery of Tulsa, Oklahoma and John Woodruff of Springfield, Missouri were the first to lobby for a roadway which would eventually become Route 66. Established in 1926, Route 66 originally ran from Chica go, Illinois through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona before ending in Santa Monica, California covering 2,448 miles.
Public road planners tried to connect the main streets of rural towns and urban communities to provide those communities to a major national thoroughfare. Route 66 served as a primary route for migration west supporting economies all along its route. The essentially flat geography of Route 66 made it a popular truck route. The 1930s Dust Bowl sent many farming families from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Texas along Route 66 heading west for agricultural jobs
in California. Route 66 gave some relief to communities along its path during the Depression giving rise to gas stations, restaurants and motor courts.
Cyrus Avery wanted to promote the paving of Route 66. As a result, the U.S. Highway 66 Association was established in 1927 with John Woodruff elected as the first president of the association. The Associations first attempt at publicity was a footrace from Los Angeles to New York City starting along Route 66 called the Bunion Derby. Several dignitaries including Will Rogers greeted runners along the way. Ending at Madison Square Garden, the prize was awarded to a Cherokee citizen runner from Oklahoma named Andy Hartley Payne.
An advertisement in the Saturday Evening Post invited people to take Route 66 to the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The Association served as a voice for businesses until 1976.
John Steinbeck called Route 66 the Mother Road in his poignant book the Grapes of Wrath about a family following the highway in the hope of a new beginning in 1939. More migration along Route 66 occurred when migration to war related industries and moving military equipment during World War II. Route 66 became a main highway for vacationers in the 50’s traveling to Los
Angeles passing through the Painted Desert, near the Grand Canyon, Arizo na’s Meteor Crater and more. The hit song Get Your Kicks on Route 66, the CBS television series Route 66 and the Pixar film Cars all popularized Route 66.
Having been replaced by the Interstate Highway System in 1985, portions of Route 66 passing through Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona have been communally designated a National Scenic Byway named Historic Route 66. The U.S. Bicycle Route System developed in 2010 has started redeveloping Route 66 into part of the system.
The Mother Road flourished without an association contributing until a revival of Route 66 began in 1987 with the first new Route 66 Association founded in Arizona. Missouri would found an association in 1987. Other states would follow with associations in Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and California. The National Route 66 Preservation Bill signed in 1999 provided grant funding for preserving and restoring historic features along Route 66. The World Monuments Fund added Route 66 to the World Monuments Watch bringing attention to the gas stations, motels, cafés, trad ing posts and drive in movie theaters threatened by development or decay.
Cows are
Sing
and
their cud.
Enhances breedback, milk production, and weaning
Self-fed,
Liquid Feed & Fertilizer
boss cow
Ridge,
s Location: Rudy, Ark.
s Owners: Richard and Treva Rice s Office manager: Nichole Lovejoy
History: Three years ago, Richard and Treva Rice took over Cockrums Meat Process ing in Rudy, Ark., and launched Rice Custom Meat Processing.
Products: Rice Custom Meat Processing offers custom processing of beef, hogs, sheep and goats.
Office manager Nichole Lovejoy said about 200 animals are processed monthly, with beef and pork processing being the greatest demand. Around 15 sheep and goats are processed a month. This time of year, deer season brings a great deal of business to Rice Custom Meat Processing, with about 3,500 deer passing through.
Rice Custom Meat Processing began a retail store two years ago.
“We buy boxed beef from Missouri, and we cut it up, make what our customers want and sell it in our store,” Nichole explained, adding that specials are offered weekly. “We also have pork and poultry as well. We have our specialty items too, like our summer sausage and German sausage.”
There is also the Rice line of beef jerky, which features three flavors. This year, thanks to licensing through the Arkansas Fish and Game Department, the business will be selling venison.
“That’s new this year,” Nichole said. “Used to, if someone didn’t pick up a deer, we had to donate. Now, we can sell it and try to recoup the processing costs.”
Rice Custom Meat Processing recently completed a renovation of the penning area, making the unloading of live animals a little easier.
A dozen people work at the Rudy, Ark., processor.
Plans: Nichole said she isn’t aware of any plans to expand, but said business has been steady, and she expects to see growth in the future.
By Marissa Snider
s Hometown: Bentonville, Ark.
s Family: Husband Ryan; and sons Cody and Casey.
In Town: Susan Anglin serves as a Justice of the Peace for Benton County, Ark., an elected position she has held for the past 10 years.
Susan serves in an elected position who works to make important budgetary decisions for community development. She ensures that public facilities have adequate resources or providing insight for big decisions that might impact the agriculture community.
In the Country: On the farm, Susan embraces the demands of the family farm, a 300-plus head cattle ranch in Bentonville, Ark., that has primarily served as a dairy and beef cattle operation for the past 100 years. Now, the fourth generation — Susan’s sons Cody and Casey – are letting go of the dairy business and turning their focus to beef cattle.
Susan, a Bentonville native, married into the farm. But after decades of life on the farm she can’t imagine any other way of living. It’s a life she love and a passion that she is eager to preserve.
As a former Farm Bureau board member, Susan got involved in agriculture outreach. It was her involvement in the organization that lead her to run for Justice of the Peace. On top of a busy life raising her sons and working the farm with her husband, Ryan, she’s also a registered nurse. It seems nurturing might just be in her nature. There was a spark in her eye as she talked about taking care of the younger calves on the farm. Her nursing background in the medical field opened the door to opportunities to advocate for agriculture in nutrition and human health.
Ark. Cattle Auction, LLC - Searcy✝ 10/11/22
St-5 Lower
Steers, Med. & Lg. 1
lbs.
lbs.
lbs.
lbs.
lbs.
Bulls, Med. & Lg. 1 300-400 lbs. 400-500 lbs.
lbs.
lbs.
lbs.
Heifers, Med. & Lg. 1 300-400 lbs. 400-500 lbs.
lbs.
lbs.
lbs.
135.00-190.00 125.00-192.50 120.00-184.00 115.00-172.00 141.00-151.00
140.00-182.50 115.00-172.50 107.50-165.00 129.00-137.50 129.00-130.00
115.00-157.50 110.00-152.50 100.00-157.00 122.00-158.50 125.00-151.00
151.00-180.00 150.00-182.00 130.00-171.00 140.00-156.00 130.00
150.00-171.00 131.00-160.00 120.00-153.00 120.00-149.00 115.00-125.00
130.00-146.00 120.00-150.00 115.00-149.00 110.00-140.00 115.00-132.00
164.00-191.00 154.00-196.00 140.00-169.00 143.00-161.00 126.00-157.00
151.00-173.00 145.00-170.00 135.00-159.00 120.00-147.00 136.00-145.00
Midwest - High Plains Direct Slaughter Cattle 10/16/22
beef cattle 5 Area (Tx-Ok, Ks, Neb, Ia, Colo, Nm, Mn)
Live Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice
Steers: 145.00-151.00 ; wtd. avg. price 147.57.
Heifers: 145.00-150.00 ; wtd. avg. price 147.45.
Dressed Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice
Steers: 230.25-232.00 ; wtd. avg. price 231.64.
Heifers: 228.00-232.00; wtd. avg. price 231.55.
Compared to last month feeder lambs traded 10.00-16.00 lower with slaughter lambs trading 25.00-32.00 lower. Slaughter ewes traded steady. In the goat portion of the sale feeder kid goats traded 8.00-12.00 lower with slaughter kid goats 4.00-7.00 lower. Slaughter nannies and billies traded steady to 7.00 higher. Replacement nannies were in demand and traded 8.00-10.00 higher. Supply was moderate with good demand. Supply included: 8% Feeder Sheep/Lambs (100% Hair Lambs); 39% Slaughter Sheep/Lambs (2% Wooled & Shorn, 73% Hair Breeds, 6% Ewes, 17% Hair Ewes, 1% Bucks); 2% Replacement Sheep/Lambs (100% Hair Ewes); 14% Feeder Goats (94% Kids, 6% Wether Kids); 34% Slaughter Goats (36% Kids, 32% Nannies/Does, 13% Bucks/Billies, 12% Wethers, 7% Wether Kids); 2% Replacement Goats (100% Nannies/Does).
Feeder Sheep/Lambs: Hair Lambs - Small and Medium 1-2 (per cwt): 162.50-255.00.
Slaughter Sheep/Lambs: Wooled & Shorn - Good 1-2 (per cwt): 90.00.
Hair Breeds - Choice and Prime 1-3 (per cwt): 145.00-232.50.
Hair Breeds - Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 120.00-205.00.
Hair Breeds - Good 1-2 (per cwt): 102.50-110.00.
Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per cwt): 90.00-95.00.
Hair Ewes - Good 2-3 (per cwt): 140.00-175.00.
Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per cwt): 120.00-135.00.
Hair Ewes - Cull and Utility 1-2 (per cwt): 60.00-80.00. Bucks 1-2 (per cwt): 95.00.
Replacement Sheep/Lambs:
Hair Ewes - Small and Medium 1-2 (per cwt): 160.00-165.00.
Feeder Goats:
Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 285.00-360.00.
Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 205.00-267.50.
Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 120.00-177.00.
Wether Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 345.00.
Wether Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 155.00.
Slaughter Goats:
Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 285.00-325.00.
Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 205.00-277.50.
Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 140.00-190.00.
Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 80.00-225.00.
Buck/Billies - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 145.00-320.00.
Wethers - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 205.00-265.00.
Wether Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 315.00.
Wether Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 215.00-272.50.
Replacement Goats:
Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 300.00-400.00.
Buffalo, Mo. • Buffalo Livestock Sheep/Goat 9/27/22
Receipts: 1,044
A large crowd was on hand for this September Buffalo Livestock sheep and goat sale. Compared to last month feeder lambs traded 50.00-90.00 lower. Slaughter lambs traded 10.00-30.00 lower. Slaughter ewes traded 10.00-27.00 lower. In the goat portion of the sale feeder kid goats traded 40.00-50.00 lower with slaughter kid goats 20.00-29.00 lower. Not enough slaughter nannies last month for a comparison. Supply and demand was moderate. Supply included: 4% Feeder Sheep/ Lambs (100% Hair Lambs); 70% Slaughter Sheep/Lambs (5% Wooled & Shorn, 69% Hair Breeds, 3% Ewes, 22% Hair Ewes, 2% Hair Bucks); 10% Feeder Goats (88% Kids, 12% Wether Kids); 16% Slaughter Goats (54% Kids, 35% Nannies/Does, 3% Bucks/Billies, 2% Wethers, 5% Wether Kids); 1% Replacement Goats (100% Nannies/Does).
Feeder Sheep/Lambs:
Hair Lambs - Small and Medium 1-2 (per cwt): 232.50-300.00.
Slaughter Sheep/Lambs:
Wooled & Shorn - Choice and Prime 1-3 (per cwt): 161.00.
Wooled & Shorn - Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 127.50-139.00.
Wooled & Shorn - Good 1-2 (per cwt): 85.00-100.00.
Hair Breeds - Choice and Prime 1-3 (per cwt): 172.50-255.00.
Hair Breeds - Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 110.00-200.00.
Hair Breeds - Good 1-2 (per cwt): 92.00-144.00.
Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per cwt): 85.00-90.00.
Hair Ewes - Good 2-3 (per cwt): 134.00-162.00.
Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per cwt): 92.50-120.00.
Hair Ewes - Cull and Utility 1-2 (per cwt): 75.00.
Hair Bucks - 1-2 (per cwt): 94.00-122.00.
Feeder Goats:
Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 280.00-302.50.
Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 200.00-265.00.
Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 150.00-187.50.
Wether Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 297.50.
Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 300.00-360.00.
Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 220.00-282.50.
Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 150.00.
Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 115.00-185.00.
Bucks/Billies - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 215.00-255.00.
Wethers - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 310.00.
Wether Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 217.00.
Replacement Goats:
Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 157.50.
National Sheep Summary 10/14/22
Compared to last week heavy slaughter lambs sold mostly steady to 10.00 lower. Slaughter ewes were mostly steady to 20.00 lower. Feeder lambs mostly steady to 15.00 lower. At San Angelo, TX 4,115 head sold. Equity Cooperative Auction sold 350 slaughter lambs in Wyoming. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested. 3,415 lamb car casses traded with no trend due to confidentiality. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless specified.
Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3 San Angelo: wooled and shorn 120-145 lbs 103.00-117.00. New Holland, PA: wooled and shorn 100-145 lbs no report. Ft. Collins, CO: wooled and shorn 100-140 lbs 140.00170.00.
South Dakota: wooled and shorn 100-150 lbs 110.00-121.00; 150-160 lbs 106.00-108.00, few 120.00.
Kalona, IA: wooled and shorn 100-140 lbs 112.50-134.00, few 148.00-150.00; 150-160 lbs 120.00-142.50.
Billings, MT: wooled and shorn 100-130 lbs no test.
Missouri: wooled and shorn no test.
Equity Coop: wooled 140 lbs 114.25.
Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2: San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 253.00-295.00, few 300.00-301.00; 60-70 lbs 237.00-285.00, few 291.00; 70-80 lbs 197.00-259.00; 80-90 lbs 189.00-231.00; 90-100 lbs 167.00-170.00. wooled and shorn 67 lbs 260.00; 93 lbs 157.00.
New Holland: no report.
Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 52 lbs 207.50; 62 lbs 167.50; 89 lbs 165.00. hair 40 lbs 220.00; 50-60 lbs 199.00-231.00; 7080 lbs 152.50-172.50; 80-90 lbs 165.00-170.00; 92 lbs 155.00.
Kalona: wooled and shorn 40-50 lbs 195.00-205.00; 50-60 lbs 220.00-255.00; 60-70 lbs 160.00-180.00; 70-80 lbs 155.00185.00; 80-90 lbs 120.00-155.00; 90-100 lbs 110.00-137.50. hair 40-50 lbs 210.00-230.00; 50-60 lbs 240.00-280.00; 77 lbs 172.50; 88 lbs 145.00; 98 lbs 110.00.
South Dakota: lbs 120.00-130.00. 150.00-152.50.
Billings: no
The weekly blocks, $2.0455 Fluid Milk/Cream: farm milk say they are milk access up, as grocers milk demand an increase week, spot Class III. Current as well, but Cream availability hurricane the potentiality become more of the nation. East, 1.23-1.32 SPOT PRICES BUTTERFAT, - $4.1893 -
160.00-202.00 145.00-190.00 142.00-182.00 140.00-183.00 150.00-173.00 140.00-166.00 138.00-164.00 132.00-171.00 130.00-163.00
Cleburne County Livestock✝ 10/10/22 310 St-10 Lower
Farmers Regional Sale Barn* Decatur Livestock* 170.00-182.00 153.00-180.00 150.00-161.00 133.00-158.00 131.00
151.00-185.00 110.00-164.00 108.00-150.00 105.00-135.00 128.00
142.00-160.00 110.00-155.00 109.00-148.00 130.00-136.00
County Line SaleRatcliff✝ 10/12/22 216 Uneven
143.00-159.00 132.00-139.00 134.00 135.00-140.00 126.00-151.00 136.00-149.00 131.00-139.00 125.00
139.00-200.00 134.00-195.00 121.00-170.00 124.00-169.00 123.00-162.00 119.00-170.00 126.00-169.00 110.00-159.00 113.00-160.00 135.00-166.00
St-11 Higher 190.00-217.00 180.00-199.00 168.00-189.00 157.00-178.00 155.00-172.00
150.00-193.00 146.00-187.00 145.00-175.00 140.00-160.00 130.00-147.00
150.00-177.00 150.00-179.00 145.00-172.00 141.00-167.00 139.00-161.00
167.50-190.00 157.00-185.00 154.00-190.00 155.00 130.00-160.00
136.00-160.00 121.00-141.00 129.00
Fort Smith Stockyards* 10/10/22 1,530 195.00-215.00 183.00-190.00 173.00-196.00 179.00-194.00 171.00-185.00 167.00-171.00 160.00-172.50 158.00-175.00 162.00-175.00 157.00-166.50
140.00-162.50 135.00-167.50 132.00-156.00 130.50-147.00 120.00-126.00
Joplin Regional Stockyards✝ 10/10/22 4,972 St-11 Lower 152.00-228.00 111.00-206.00 115.00-201.00 100.00-172.00 100.00-155.00 108.00-186.00 100.00-176.00 100.00-162.00 95.00-153.00 90.00-135.00
(per cwt): 300.00-360.00.
(per cwt): 220.00-282.50.
(per cwt): 150.00.
Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 115.00-185.00.
Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 215.00-255.00. Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 310.00.
Selection 2 (per cwt): 217.00.
Goats: Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 157.50.
week heavy slaughter lambs sold mostly lower. Slaughter ewes were mostly steady to Feeder lambs mostly steady to 15.00 lower. At 4,115 head sold. Equity Cooperative Auction slaughter lambs in Wyoming. In direct trading and feeder lambs not tested. 3,415 lamb car with no trend due to confidentiality. All sheep weight (CWT) unless specified.
Choice and Prime 2-3 wooled and shorn 120-145 lbs 103.00-117.00. PA: wooled and shorn 100-145 lbs no report. wooled and shorn 100-140 lbs 140.00wooled and shorn 100-150 lbs 110.00-121.00; 106.00-108.00, few 120.00. wooled and shorn 100-140 lbs 112.50-134.00, 148.00-150.00; 150-160 lbs 120.00-142.50. wooled and shorn 100-130 lbs no test. and shorn no test. wooled 140 lbs 114.25.
Choice and Prime 1-2: 40-60 lbs 253.00-295.00, few 300.00-301.00; 237.00-285.00, few 291.00; 70-80 lbs 197.00-259.00; 189.00-231.00; 90-100 lbs 167.00-170.00. wooled 260.00; 93 lbs 157.00. report. wooled and shorn 52 lbs 207.50; 62 lbs 167.50; hair 40 lbs 220.00; 50-60 lbs 199.00-231.00; 70152.50-172.50; 80-90 lbs 165.00-170.00; 92 lbs 155.00. and shorn 40-50 lbs 195.00-205.00; 50-60 60-70 lbs 160.00-180.00; 70-80 lbs 155.00120.00-155.00; 90-100 lbs 110.00-137.50. 210.00-230.00; 50-60 lbs 240.00-280.00; 77 lbs 145.00; 98 lbs 110.00.
South Dakota: wooled and shorn 89 lbs 185.00; 90-100 lbs 120.00-130.00. hair 70-80 lbs 165.00-180.00; 80-90 lbs 150.00-152.50.
Billings: no test.
National Dairy Market at a Glance 10/14/22
Cheese: Barrels closed at $2.1250 and 40# blocks at $2.0500. The weekly average for barrels is $2.1830 (-0.0440) and blocks, $2.0455 (+0.0305).
Fluid Milk/Cream: As autumn brings cooler temperatures, farm milk output is starting to grow. Bottlers and end users say they are beginning to notice a tangible difference in milk access from week to week. Bottling demand is picking up, as grocers prep for the upcoming busy season. Class III milk demand is mixed. Midwestern cheesemakers reported an increase in prices after last week’s $2 discounts. This week, spot milk prices ranged from $1 under to $.25 over Class III. Current condensed skim availability is mixed, as well, but expected to grow alongside milk production. Cream availability is growing, as well. Plants in the hurricane effected areas are now back online, and despite the potentiality of cream displacement, loads have actually become more accessible for end users throughout the rest of the nation. F.O.B. cream multiples are 1.34-1.45 in the East, 1.23-1.32 in the Midwest, and 1.09-1.34 in the West.
SPOT PRICES OF CLASS II CREAM: $ PER POUND BUTTERFAT, F.O.B., producing plants, Midwestern U.S. - $4.1893 - $4.2537.
Stockyards
167.50-190.00 157.00-185.00 154.00-190.00
OKC West - El Reno,
10/11/22
136.00-160.00 121.00-141.00
140.00-162.50
132.00-156.00 130.50-147.00 120.00-126.00
152.00-228.00 111.00-206.00 115.00-201.00 100.00-172.00 100.00-155.00 108.00-186.00 100.00-176.00 100.00-162.00 95.00-153.00 90.00-135.00
191.00-200.00 170.00-192.00 159.00-179.00 150.00-158.00 158.00-170.00
167.00-176.00 156.00-159.00 134.00-160.00 140.00-142.00
176.00-186.00 165.00-187.50 162.00-179.00 162.00-181.00
149.00-176.00 145.00-162.00 132.00-145.00 132.00-140.00
140.00-168.00 140.00-164.50 158.25-165.50
3,038
Higher 214.00 196.00-206.00 165.00-206.00 181.00-195.00 173.00-186.00
153.00-175.00 154.00-160.00 177.00
162.00-168.00 152.00-165.00 152.00-172.00 159.00-165.00 147.50-149.50
St-10 Lower 195.00-219.00 174.50-208.50 163.00-196.00 153.00-174.00 139.00-169.00
180.00-195.00 159.00-186.00 139.00-183.00 149.00-163.00 138.00-140.00
145.00-169.00 155.50-179.50 141.00-167.00 141.00-158.00 135.00-148.00
170.00-207.00 170.00-210.00 150.00-199.00 150.00-187.00 150.00-173.00
160.00-200.00 150.00-174.00 130.00-162.00 130.00-147.00 100.00-142.00
150.00-184.00 140.00-174.00 130.00-163.00 130.00-160.00 130.00-155.50
Continued from Page 9
They keep DNA data on all cattle, and the breed is closely monitored to ensure no crossbreeding.
Irish Black cattle have a moderate frame, with mature females weighing about 1,100 to 1,200 pounds and mature bulls topping the scale between 1,650 and 1,900 pounds. The steers finish at about 12 to 13 months of age. According to Tom, Irish Black cattle finish very quickly compared to many other breeds, and they do it on grass.
“That’s another reason why I got into them,” Tom said. “We just weaned 50 head; they are plump little calves and have never had creep feed. They are just little butterballs and average about 600 pounds.”
Tom considers the Irish Black breed more economical than other breeds because the calves gain well and finish earlier. An average daily rate of gain of 4 pounds is not out of the question for Irish Black cattle.
“Irish Blacks convert feed better than any cattle I’ve ever been around,” he said. “The backfat on these calves isn’t going to be one-eighth of an inch.”
All cattle at Seven Springs Cattle Company are pasture-based, consuming the grass and hay grown on the farm, along with mineral supplements, with just the calves getting a small amount of grain in the winter. Tom said the farm has Bermudagrass and fescue, and they will be planting perennial ryegrass in the future. The fields and pasture also contain clover.
“I know some people are scared of
bloat, but with the cost of nitrogen these days, we let them graze it,” Tom said of the clover in his forages. “We haven’t had a cow with bloat for at least five years.”
The Wiechmans have incorporated their Irish Black herd sires into their commercial herd, and the results have been outstanding.
“The first year I did this, I went to Ne braska and bought two Irish Black bulls; I didn’t even think they would make good steers when I got there. The first calf crop out of those bulls averaged 100 pounds heavier than I had ever weaned. They carry a lot of carcass weight. Also, these bulls are just so fertile; young bulls will breed 70 to 100 cows on the first cycle.”
The Irish Black herd is bred for spring calving, and both AI and natural cover are utilized. Females are early maturing and have a high fertility rate. Tom said heifers failing to produce a calf by the age of 2 are subject to being culled.
Tom appreciates the mild-tempered and hardiness of the breed, calving ease and maternal traits. Birthweights average about 60 to 70 pounds, and the dams are heavy milkers.
Seven Springs Cattle Company has a signature grass-finished beef line, offering customers wholes or halves. The beef program is the idea of his wife, Lisa, and about 30 to 40 head are sold each year. Cattle for the market are from his F1 crosses and in dividuals not suited for breeding.
Tom’s goal is to eventually phase out the commercial herd, replacing it with just
Irish Black cattle and expanding his seedstock operation.
“I haven’t sold a single female born on my land, and I don’t intend to until I phase out my commercial cows,” Tom said. “I’ve been selling bulls for five years. Right now, I have 17, but I will cull those down three different times, so I don’t know what we will have by the time they are breeding age. If a bull has one thing wrong with him, I will castrate him because I don’t want a bad bull on the market.”
As Tom develops his herd of Irish Black cattle, he feels his plan to expand is coming at the right time, especially as more producers see what the breed’s genetics can do for their herds.
“With the limited number out there and the demand, I think this is a good time to be in the business,” he said. “You put an Irish Black bull in with a generic herd of cattle; those heifers are so beautiful and uniform, you want to keep every heifer you get.”
A piece of “perfect” property in Delaware County, Okla., adjacent to the Missouri border was the key to lure Jack and Krista Sampson from the busy Tulsa lifestyle.
“Jack’s grandfather was a dairy farmer and his father raised beef cattle,” Krista said. “He had a desire to rerun to the cattle business and raise our boys –Mack, Coy and Cy – on a ranch.”
The decision to move from Tulsa was about 12 years ago. Jack has a passion for nutrition and Krista has a background as a regis tered nurse. Jack also has had an interest in water and land conservation and is now part of the Lake O’ the Cherokees sub-water shed association.
Raising three boys, Jack and Krista soon realized the value of quality nutrition.
“Quality of the beef and the docile nature of the animal are top priorities for us,” Krista said. “We are a fourth-generation ranching family and we know what good beef is supposed to taste like.”
After a brief stint of operating Forage, a health food store offering locally-grown products and chef prepared food, the family switched from a physical loca tion to an online sales and delivery of farm-raised beef, local chicken, milk and other offerings.
Grove, Okla.
They offer eights, quarters, halves and whole beef packages. The one-eighth ends up being ap-
proximately 50 pounds of packaged beef, Krista explained.
The family farm has 50 cows that are used for breeding stock and then approximately 50 calves of various ages, she said.
“The steers we keep to feed out, the heifers we either retain to replace aging cows or we sell them,” said Krista. “Our goal is to raise the best, healthiest beef possible. We have strong beliefs about how the best way to raise beef is, and it is often counter to common practices.”
The Sampson’s don’t put their ani mals in feedlots.
“We believe the best beef comes from a mixture of grass and grain,” Krista said.
“Our animals are always on open pasture and have access to feed the last 120 days.”
The family has been fine tuning the herd’s genetics for 12 years and definitely consider it a work in progress.
“We have been working on our genetics for years; cross breeding Angus, Here ford and now we have a Wagyu influence as well,” said Krista. “The result has been
hearty animals with good growth and calm temperaments.”
The cattle operation has used a little AI over the years but have for the most part stuck with letting the bulls do their job.
“We have found it to be less stress on the animals and more efficient,” said Krista.
The bulls are pulled off the herd in or der early so has not to have calves in the dead of winter.
“Other than that we let them cycle naturally,” said Krista.
The Sampson don’t use animals hormones or antibiotics.
“This is something we would not feed our own kids so we have chosen to raise our entire herd free from them,” said Krista.
Other practices the Sampson’s use include rotational grazing and mowing instead of spraying pastures.
“Doing away with herbicides has al lowed natural grasses and clover to thrive on our land,” said Krista. “The animals have responded well to this and we are continuing to educate ourselves on improving pastures and being good stewards of the land.”
The cattle are wormed and vaccinate routinely, she said.
“Having a closed herd- where we don’t introduce new animals- has made a big difference in limiting illness on the ranch,” Krista said.
Berryville
Flippin
344 Hwy. 21 North 870-423-4245
9095 Hwy. 62 East 870-453-4400
Green Forest
181 West Main 870-438-5184
Harrison
502 Hwy 62/65 N. 870-741-0855
Huntsville
Imboden
Jasper
304 Labarge Ave. 479-738-6814
5564 Hwy 63 East 870-869-2644
402 E. Court Street 870-446-5381 Salem • 115 Mill Street 870-895-3249
Siloam Springs • 1629 East Main 479-524-3511
Yellville • 801 Hwy. 62 West 870-449-4966
Experience in agriculture preferred, but not required. Some photography skills needed. Freelancers should have excellent organizational and time management skills, the ability to produce news stories following AP style and a strong initiative. Must be able to meet deadlines and follow through with projects.
By Julie Turner-Crawfords Age: 16 s Hometown: Wiseman, Ark. s Parents: Doug Harber and Kim Harber s Siblings: Kylie Bell Harber and Suzanne Harber s FFA Chapter: Salem FFA s Advisor: Wayne Neal
“My family has about 300 head of commercial cows and a 20,000-laying hen chicken house. I help around the farm, feeding and caring for the animals, working cows, fixing fence and whatever needs to be done. I really like our Hereford cattle because they are docile and good mommas. That’s what I’ve been raised on and I really like them a lot.”
“Just the work and involvement you have on a farm. Living on a farm, you develop a good work ethic.”
“The connections you make. I have met a lot of people in FFA who I think will benefit me later in life. This year, I’m the chapter vice president.”
“I plan on going to college, getting a degree and then go to work somewhere. After that, I want to come back home and run some cows of my own.”
“Young people should be involved in ag because the number of farmers is dwindling down, so we need to help out.”
By Brad Pistole
In my line of work, I have the unfortunate job of dealing with the passing of someone’s spouse, parent or sibling.
In these moments of grief, I know how, if the details aren’t thought of ahead of time, the pain can be compounded with the frustration of navigating through the messiness of financial matters not thought of ahead of time.
Recently, this aspect hit home recently when a close friend quickly passed away, leaving his spouse and friends to deal with the remaining chaos. Deal ing with finances at the time of grieving adds another level of stress and confusion.
I advise my clients to keep a list of all their accounts (checking, savings, CD, annuities, life, mutu al funds, etc.) in their trust folder. If they don’t have a trust and own any property, that is the first thing they must do, along with their advisors’ names and phone numbers for each of those accounts. For the checking, savings, CD’s, etc., those accounts should have a POD (Payable On Death), and their pass words should be given to someone they trust.
Brad Pistole of Ozark, Mo., is farmer and a Certified Financial Fiduciary®, Certified Annuity Specialist®, and CEO of Trinity Insurance & Financial Services, INC.
The reason I say giving the password to someone they trust, you ask? What hap pens if the mortgage needs to be paid and yet the death certificate is not available yet? Even though the account may have the POD, until the death certificate is produced, only those on the account have the authority to access the accounts to take care of any necessities.
When it comes to a spouse having to deal with the financial decisions, the grief can cloud their choices, and that is why having a plan written out and discussed with the family and the advisor can take away one less decision to make since it has already been made. This is especially true when it comes to planning the funeral.
All the proper planning in the world will not be beneficial if the information cannot be found during the crucial days and weeks following the loss of a loved one or if not having a written-out plan and discussed with an unbiased advisor and attorney to help carry out those wishes.
While the topic is maybe challenging to discuss, it is essential.
Dealing with finances at the time of grieving adds another level of stress and confusion.”
Now is the time to get things prepared for calving to ensure a positive outcome
Ready or not, calving season is just around the corner. Preparing in advance will position producers to successfully and immediately address the needs of the cow and the calf.
One way to prepare for calving season is to evaluate potential calving locations. Areas should be clean and dry. Consider providing shelters for animals to escape the weather, especially if the calving season will begin in cold weather. However, remember as animals congregate in shelters there can be an increase in disease contamination.
Be prepared if a female presents with calving difficulty. Heifers that labor in Stage 2 of parturition for longer than an hour and cows that labor longer than 30 min utes should be examined immediately. Develop a plan to transport the animal to a veterinary clinic or have excellent onsite facilities to address calving difficulties.
In addition, have the truck and trailer hooked up and ready. Early intervention at the first sign of a problem is critical for both calf and dam survival.
Remember to discuss the calving plan with the herd veterinarian. Producers should develop a relationship with their veterinarian well before a 2 a.m. emergency calving call. Due to high demand, many veterinary practices will only accept emergencies from existing clients. Veterinarians can work with producers and their team to develop protocols, so everyone is on the same page when a problem occurs.
Be certain calving equipment is clean, functional, and readily accessible. A producer’s veterinarian can also make suggestions for essentials to include in a calving kit. Items to consider in a calving kit may include:
o Veterinary emergency number in cell phone
o Breeding dates and due dates with associated sire
o Calving book
o Thermometer
o Flashlights with batteries
o Ear tags with marker
o Tag applicator
o Iodine for navel
o Catch pen and functional chute
o 5-gallon bucket
o Calf puller in working order
o Obstetrical chains and handles o Calf sled
o Syringes and needles
o Exam and obstetrical gloves
o Obstetrical lube
o Clean towels
o Straw or hay for bedding
o Esophageal feeder
o Colostrum or colostrum replacer
o Medications prescribed by your veterinarian such as pain medications
o Halter
o Lariat
o Sorting stick
o Large trash bags
o Disinfectants
AFTER DELIVERY: Following delivery, the goal is to see the calf up and nursing as soon as possible. If a calf re quires stimulation, especially to breathe, be careful about the approach. Positioning a calf upside down or hanging the hindlegs over a fence is not effective. In fact, it moves all the abdominal organs towards the lungs and applies pressure making it more difficult to expand the ribcage and take a breath. Gently rubbing a piece of hay in the nostrils can be helpful. It may also be worth discussing acupuncture points and other techniques such as the Madigan Squeeze with a veterinarian.
Ideally, a calf should receive colostrum within the first two hours of life. Administering colostrum to calves without a suckle reflex using an esophageal feeder should be done with extreme caution due to the increased risk of aspiration pneumonia.
Milking the dam or maintaining a supply of frozen colostrum are the best options for colostrum replacement. Commercially-prepared colostrum replacer is acceptable if a cow-derived source is not available. If a cow loses her calf during delivery, consider taking the time to milk the cow and freeze the colostrum for future use.
Monitor a calf’s temperature with a rectal thermometer. Inexpensive digital thermometers work well. If a calf’s temperature falls below 100 degrees, gradually raise it. Bring the calf indoors if needed. When used appropriate ly, warm water baths, blankets and warming boxes are all options. Be careful not to damage the skin of the animal by rubbing too vigorously or placing the animal close to heaters. Do not wash off the odor of amniotic fluid; this helps prevent rejection by the dam. Warm oral or intra venous fluids as advised by a veterinarian can also make a big difference. Once a calf is warm and has been fed colostrum, return it to its mother.
It is important for producers to work with their veter inarian to develop protocols before calving season, this can reduce stress and lead to more successful outcomes if an emergency arises.
Rosslyn Biggs, DVM, is assistant clinical professor, director of continuing education and beef cattle extension special ist with Oklahoma State University
“You have to move your product. My product is perishable, so I have to move it before the quality goes down.”
“Market ing your farm allows you to communicate the bounty that you can provide to your end customer.”
Kimberly Jepsen Craig County, Okla.
“Just for the simple fact that marketing is how you get the word out about your farm and about your products.”
Talisha Lawallen Cherokee County, Okla.
“The more money your animals and products bring, the more you make. The better the market and marketing, the better off you are.”
Kevin Lynch Washington County, Ark.
James O. Hanna Sebastian County, Ark.
While many producers enjoy the wildlife that coexists with their livestock, in some cases wildlife can be menaces or nuisances at best.
There are situations in which wildlife compete with livestock for similar types of food such as grasses, forbs and browse. Yet, there are practical and recreational reasons producers work to strike a balance between caring for their livestock and managing wildlife.
Extension specialists state producers can create an environment conducive for both livestock and wildlife. The key to the two living in harmony involves proper wildlife management practices.
In fact, there are many farmers who find benefits to managing the wildlife on their property.
“While most farmers and ranchers utilize wildlife management practices for hunting, others enjoy viewing and having the wildlife around,” Joe Massey, district conservationist with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Baxter and Marion counties, Ark., said. According to Massey, most of the producers in his region practice some sort of wildlife management along with their livestock.
Some producers may be concerned about trying to manage wildlife, such as deer, with their livestock operation due to possible health risks. However, extension specialists state there is no need to be concerned. “While Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a serious threat to our deer and elk populations, there is no evidence currently for spread to humans or livestock,” Massey explained. “It is best to have your deer tested before consumption if the an imal came from an area where CWD is present.”
However, migratory birds can pose risks to poultry operations. “There have been documented cases of avian influenza (bird flu) transferred from migratory birds to domestic flocks; in my area, we have been fortunate to not have to deal with that yet,” Massey said. “However, it is best if you have a poultry operation to avoid contact with migratory bird hunters.”
One way for livestock producers to supplement their income is to lease land to hunters. Extension specialists encourage producers who lease property to establish clear boundaries and expectations with the lessees.
“While leasing their land for hunting purposes is an excellent way to diversify their income, it should be clearly understood by the hunters that the livestock operation is the primary function and should be treated as such, and the land should be left in as good or better condi tion than they found it,” Massey stated.
Wildlife management practices to con sider include the food selection and the placement of food plots for wildlife.
Though there are no obvious food choices that producers should avoid utilizing in a food plot due to potential harm to livestock, common sense in this area is key. Extension specialists recommend producers be mindful of food plot placement with respect to livestock access, be cause livestock also find food plots tasty and will consume large amounts.
By Cheryl Kepes
One of the biggest challenges facing producers in recent months is keeping cattle in good body condition. No doubt the combi nation of drought and input costs make it increasingly difficult to maintain cows in good flesh.
Livestock specialists recommend pro ducers evaluate body condition yearround to make sure all the animals in the herd are meeting the recommended body condition score (BCS) at the appropriate time in their production cycle.
Now is a good time to appraise body condition, particularly with winter right around the corner. “BCS is one of the greatest tools a producer can use to evaluate the nutritional and health status of their animal,” Earl Ward, northeast area livestock specialist with Oklahoma State University Extension, said. “BCS is evaluating the flesh of the animal, which is what is important to ensure the animal can handle the cold weather of winter.”
When assessing an animal’s body condition this time of year, there are a few general guidelines to keep in mind. “Fall calving cows will be approaching breed ing in the winter months, so for optimum pregnancy rates they should be in a 5 to 6 body condition score,” Patrick Davis, Ph.D., livestock specialist with the University of Missouri Extension explained. “Spring calving cows that are just weaned could be in a body condition score of 4 and 5, which is alright
because they should have ample time to return to an optimum body condition score prior to the next calving season.” After a cow’s calf is weaned, the cow can focus her energy on building her flesh back to a BCS of a 5 or 6 before the next calving season.
In addition, livestock specialists en courage producers to keep a close eye on heifers and bred females. Heifers should maintain a BCS of a 6. Heifers have an elevated nutrition requirement compared to a mature cow because they are still growing and maintaining production.
When it comes to bred females, they also need monitoring, so their condition doesn’t fall off a producer’s radar. “It is not uncommon to let cows slip down in BCS if they are confirmed bred, but I would caution that when coming into the winter because they need fleshi ness to maintain body heat,” Ward ex plained.
Drought conditions create an environment that sheds light on cattle that can easily maintain a proper body con dition. “I always say that good nutri tion masks bad genetics,” Ward stated. “So, during a time of nutritional stress we will see the animals that are more efficient or “easy keepers” if you will because the others will be dropping off fast.” Producers can use this information when making culling decisions.
However, livestock specialists point out BCS is only one factor to consider when deciding whether a female should stay or go. “I would also look at if the cow is bred and her previous performance,” Davis advised. “I would also consider age, temperament, and other
blemishes the cow might have such as structural soundness and udder issues.” Culling should also be based on avail able feed resources.
Livestock specialists offer some management practices to keep in mind with cows that are newly weaned. First, con duct pregnancy checks and cull any open cows. Next, determine each cow’s BCS and group cows into feeding groups based on condition. Thin cows will have a BCS of 4 or less and moderate cows will have a BCS of 5 and greater.
“Evaluate feed resources and determine if resources are available to feed thin cows to a body condition 5 or 6 prior to the next calving season, which poten tially means they may need to gain ap proximately 100 to 200 pounds,” Davis explained.
If resources are available, livestock specialists recommend feeding the thin cows. However, if the resources are not available producers may want to consider culling the lower performing females and females that may have temperament, structural and udder issues.
When it comes to moderate condi tion cows, Davis advises producers to feed them to maintain their condition.
“Also, if resources are limited then look at culling lower performing, poor struc tured, and bad udder bred females with moderate condition,” Davis added.
Livestock specialists state it is beneficial for producers to keep excellent records of their cows’ body condition scores. “Years like this one show us that we need some sort of measurement to evaluate our animals on,” Ward said.
“Always make note of a cow’s BCS at calving, weaning and pre-breeding.”
10/26 Online Farm Equipment Auction – Jay, Okla. • Hendren Auctioneers
10/29 Estate Auction – Cookson, Okla. • Tucker & Crozier Auctions
10/30 Raymond Miller Living Estate – Park Hill, Okla. • Tucker & Crozier Auctions
11/5 Fall 2022 Classic & Collector Car Auction – Muskogee, Ark. • Tailpipe Events & Consignments
11/12 Real Estate & Estate Auction – Ft. Smith, Ark. • Contrail Auction Service
10/24 Johnson, Schrock Living Estate Auction – Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams
10/27 Elliott Living Estate Auction –Russellville, Ark. • Miller Time Auction
10/29 Estate Auction – Berryville, Ark. • Williams Auction Service
10/29 Estate Auction – West Fork, Ark. • Reading Auction Service
10/29-30 Mr. & Mrs. Gary Brummer Two Day Farm & Gun Auction – Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams
10/29 Sam Maddox Estate Sale – Harrison, Ark. • Double Diamond Auction
10/30 Je Fields Farm Auction – Centerton, Ark. • Dwayne Craig Auction Service
10/31 Wilson, White Living Estate Auction –Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams
11/5 Darrell Beaver Estate Auction – Everton, Ark. • Double Diamond Auction
11/5 Debbie & Late Dennis Lichti Personal Property Auction – Huntsville, Ark. • omas Auction Service
11/5 Linda Davis Auction – Harrison, Ark.
Bailey Auction Service
11/5 Living Estate Auction – Harrison, Ark. • Cornett Auctions
11/7 Jack Olmstead Living Estate Auction
Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams
10/29 Antiques Auction – Dongola, Ark. • Gatton Auctions
10/29 Doyle Moving Auction – Mountain View, Ark. • Lock Auction Service
10/29 Geneva C. Taylor Revocable Trust Auction – Heber Springs, Ark. • Frank Orr Auctions
11/19 Joe Norcross Estate Auction – Mountain Home, Ark. • Walker Auction Service
12/3 Multi Estate Auction Extravaganza –Flippin, Ark. • Double Diamond Auction — OUTSIDE AREA —
10/23 JJs Auction – Hot Springs, Ark. • JJ’s Auctions and Resale LLC
10/25 DLJ Machinery Consignment Auction
Galena, Mo. • DLJ Machinery
10/26 Equipment Auction – bidding closes 10/26 at 10 a.m. – bigiron.com
Big Iron Auctions
10/29 Fantastic Estate Antique Auction
Branson, Mo. • Coon Ridge Auction Company
10/29 Real Estate, Furniture, Tools, Misc Auction – Cape Fair, Mo. • Melton Auction & Realty Co., LLC
11/2 Equipment Auction – bidding closes 11/2 at 10 a.m. – bigiron.com
Big Iron Auctions
11/3 Larry Biehler Retirement Auction –bidding closes 11/3 at 10 a.m. – bigiron. com • Big Iron Auctions
11/5 Living Estate Auction – Monett, Mo. • McKnight Auction Company LLC
11/9 Equipment Auction – bidding closes 11/9 at 10 a.m. – bigiron.com
Big Iron Auctions
11/16 Equipment Auction – bidding begins 10/26 at 7 p.m., bidding closes 11/16 at 10 a.m. – bigiron.com
Big Iron Auctions
27 OSU Extension Ag Program for Veterans – Tulsa, Okla. – for more information call 580-332-7011 or email jj.jones@okstate.edu
7 thru 3/27/23 Master Cattlemen Program – Mondays at 6:30-8:30 p.m., no classes on holidays –Northeast Tech Auditorium, Afton, Okla. – Cost: $150 per person or per couple – for more information contact the Delaware County OSU Extension at 918-253-4332 or the Ottawa County OSU Extension at 918-542-1688
10 Pesticide Applicator Training – 2 p.m. – Bogle Family Public Services Building, 1204 SW 14th Street, Bentonville, Ark. – Cost: $20 – 479-271-1060
10 Private Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – Fulton County Fairgrounds, Salem, Ark. – to register or for more information call 870-895-3301
16 Private/Commerical Pesticide Applicator Lunchtime CEU Training –noon-1 p.m. – Adair County Extension Office, Courthouse Basement, Stilwell, Okla. – must pre-register prior to meeting – 918-696-2253
28 Spur Ranch Performance Herd of the Heartland Sale – at the ranch, Vinita, Okla. – 918-256-5850
29 Cattlemen’s Preferred Sale – Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction, Harrison, Ark. – 205-270-0999
29 Fox Hollow Farms Fall Production Sale – at the ranch, Hulbert, Okla. –918-409-6068
29 Nipp Charolais Production Sale – Wilson, Okla. – 580-668-3332
29 Plyler & Son Get the Brand Volume 7 Bull Sale – Southern Arkansas University, Story Arena, Magnolia, Ark. – 870-703-1394
29 Wall Street Cattle Company Fall Production Sale – Lebanon, Mo. –417-288-4444
29 Ward Brothers Livestock Production Sale – at the farm, Plattsburg, Mo. –816-261-0891 or 816-261-7238
29 Wild Indian Acres Bull Sale – De Soto, Mo. – 636-586-2299 or 636-236-0306
31 Southwest Missouri Performance Tested Bull Sale – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 417-293-8002
1 ECP Cattle Online Production Sale – Adair, Okla. – 918-864-6567
4-5 GenePlus Brangus Production Sale – Chimney Rock Cattle Company, Concord, Ark. – 1-877-436-3877
4 Meyer Cattle Fall Sale – Bowling Green, Mo. – 573-808-0624 or 573-694-1622
5 B/F Cattle Company Maternal Integrity Balancer Bull & Female Sale –Bulter, Mo. – 660-492-2808
5 Henke Farms Fall Female Sale – Salisbury, Mo. – 660-676-6233
5 Seedstock Plus Red Reward Fall Edition Bull & Female Sale – Wheeler Livestock Auction, Osceola, Mo. – 1-877-486-1160
5 Worthington Angus 4th Annual Fall Bull & Commercial Female Sale – at the farm, Dadeville, Mo. – 417-844-2601
5 Wright Charolais Fall Event Sale – Kearney, Mo. – 816-776-3512
7 Sandmeier Charolais Matriarch’s of the Midwest Female Sale – at the ranch, Bowdle, S.D. – 605-281-1259 or 605-281-1564
12 Four State Shorthorn Association Sale (Sale Canceled) – Diamond, Mo.
1 Private Applicator 2 Credit CEU Course – Ottawa County Extension Office, Miami, Okla. – for more information call 918-542-1688
2 Pesticide Applicator Training – 2 p.m. – Bogle Family Public Services Building, 1204 SW 14th Street, Bentonville, Ark. – Cost: $20 – 479-271-1060
7 East Central Pesticide Conference – 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. – Sequoyah County Fairgrounds, Sallisaw, Okla. – for more information contact Jace at the Sequoyah County Extension Office 918-775-4022 or 918-775-4838
8 Private Applicator Credit Course – Miami, Okla. – for more information contact the Ottawa County Extension Office at 918-542-1688
13 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6:30 p.m. – First National Bank Community Center, Paris, Ark. – 479-963-2360
13 Pesticide Applicator Training – 1 p.m. – White County Extension Office, 2400 Landing Road, Searcy, Ark. – for more information or to register call 501-268-5394
14 Private/Commercial Pesticide Applicator Lunchtime CEU Training –noon-1 p.m. – Adair County Extension Office, Courthouse Basement, Stilwell, Okla. – must pre-register prior to meeting – 918-696-2253
12 Thomas Farms Limousin & Limflex Production Sale – Mid-State Livestock, Damascus, Ark. – 501-745-8484 or 501-757-1088
12 Valley Oaks Fall Registered Angus Female Sale – Oak Grove, Mo. –573-280-2351
17 Runft Charolais Complete Herd Dispersal – Belleville, Kan. – 785-527-1269
18 Show Me Select Replacement Heifer Sale – Joplin Regional Stockyards, Carthage, Mo. – 417-276-3313 or 417-345-7551
19 Heart of Missouri Limousin Sale – The Exchange at Wall Street Cattle Company, Lebanon, Mo. – 402-350-3447 or 320-287-0751 or 256-962-0256
19 Sydenstricker Genetics 44th Annual Production Sale – at the farm, Mexico, Mo. – 573-581-1225 or 573-473-9202
21 Green Springs Bull Test – Nevada, Mo. – 417-448-7416
26 Galaxy Beef Production Sale – at the farm, Macon, Mo. – 816-244-4462 or 660-254-1337
3
Heartland Highland Cattle Association 6th Annual Fall Highland Auction – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 417-345-0575
3 41st Annual Oklahoma Select Bull & Female Sale – Atoka Livestock Auction, Atoka, Okla. – 580-597-3006
3 Ridder Farms Family Values Female Sale & Annual Bull Sale – at the farm, Hermann, Mo. – 573-680-4692 or 573-280-5795
10 Shepherd Charolais 2nd Annual Female Sale – Cow Palace, Anita, Iowa –515-321-6870 or 402-880-5179
15 Glendenning J Bar J Holiday Classic – L365auctions.com – 402-350-3447 or 417-588-6121 or 417-664-0913
17 Bradley Cattle Bred Heifer Sale – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 417-848-3457 or 765-376-8784
31-1/14 Cattlemen’s Congress – Oklahoma City, Okla. – 405-235-0404
2 2023 National Limousin Sale – Oklahoma City, Okla. – 303-220-1693
10 Magness Land & Cattle Mile-High Elite Sale – L365auctions.com – 402-350-3447 or 970-396-3584
Rumfelt Farms Phillipsburg, Mo. 417-664-6936 brumfelt7556@gmail.com
Horsehead Ranch Talala, Okla. 918-695-2357 www.HorseheadRanch.net
Rumfelt Farms Phillipsburg, Mo. 417-664-6936 brumfelt7556@gmail.com
Glendenning J Bar J Lebanon, Mo. 417-588-6121 417-664-0913 417-664-1186 jack@jbarjlimousin.com www.jbarjlimousin.com
Watkins Cattle Company Harrison, Ark. 870-741-9795 870-688-1232 watkinscattleco@ windstream.net
Horsehead Ranch Talala, Okla. 918-695-2357 www.HorseheadRanch.net
