OFN November 14, 2022

Surrounded by

Dylan Kildow has a diverse background Advocating

Teachers receive books: Three area teachers were among 13 in Oklahoma selected to receive a basket of accurate agriculture books as part of Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Bushels for Books program. The program is a collaboration between the OKFB Foundation for Agriculture and the OKFB Women’s Leadership Committee. Pre-K through eighth-grade teachers across the state submitted applications to receive a basket of books for their classrooms, and the winners were selected by the WLC state board. Each basket includ ed books selected from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s accurate agriculture book database. Teachers from the Oklahoma Ozarks selected are: Ronna Dunigan , Shady Point Public Schools in Shady Point; Whitney Crase , Poteau Public Schools in Poteau; and Susana Jackman , Oklahoma School for the Blind in Muskogee.

Two honored by OSU: Patsiann Nix Smith and Elizabeth Logan were recently honored at Oklahoma State University Agriculture Honors as 2022 Distinguished Alumni and Champion for OSU Ag riculture awards. Smith of Tahlequah was honored as 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. Logan of Haskell was honored as a 2022 Champion for OSU Agriculture.

New app launched: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment have announced the launch of the Arkansas FireSMART mobile application. This app, created with funding from the Environmental Protection Agency, offers row crop producers and forest landowners an easy way to check conditions and report prescribed burns. With the new app, producers can select the area they plan to burn on a map and the application will generate real-time weather data, letting producers know if current conditions align with the state’s Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines. Under Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines, producers and landowners report prescribed burns to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Dispatch Center. The FireSMART app also streamlines this process, making the app a one-stop shop for reporting and information. Access the Fire Smart app at arkfiresmart. com.

Ward elected to officer position: Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward has been elected second vice president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) for 2022-23 at their annual conference in Saratoga Springs, New York. Ward served as the 2020-2021 President of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (SASDA), one of the four NASDA regions, and chairman of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee from 2020-2021 and Secretary-Treasurer of NASDA from 2021-2022.

Know a Good Rumor?

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.comOzarksFarm

The Ozarks Most Read Farm Newspaper NOVEMBER 14, 2022 | VOL. 16, NO. 13

JUST A THOUGHT

Jerry Crownover –Fixing fence and a ‘smart’ watch

Jody Harris –Fall, family and Crock Pots

Julie Turner-Crawford –Finding a place in the herd

MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS

What’s On Your Mind, Ozarks?

just a thought Life Is Simple

By Jerry Crownover

Life

isSimple

Last year, after my heart surgery and subsequent complications, my wife purchased one of those new-fangled smart watches for me. This high-tech gadget measures my heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, heart rhythm, and a whole host of other health-related measurements. Even my doctor concurs that the readings performed by my wrist watch are extremely accurate, and encourages me to wear it and pay attention to what it tells me. Even after wearing it for a full year, I’m still amazed at what it does and continue to be surprised by its mes saging. For instance, it has started sending me messag es after I wake up and before I go to bed, instructing me to appreciate the little things in life and be thankful for what I have. Good advice – but a little too hippie-dippy for this old codger.

ByJerryCrownover

Jerry 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.’

A couple of weeks ago, one of my bulls decided to swap cow herds with one of my neigh bor’s bulls. There was about 50 feet of fence completely flattened, with several cow/calf pairs confused and in the wrong pasture. My neighbor, and good friend, alerted me to the problem and told me that he would be over that afternoon and fix the fence. Evidently, he felt sorry for an old man and instructed me, rather firmly, not to attempt to fix it by myself. Later that morning, I happened to notice that almost every one of the cows and calves had gone back to their correct pasture. Even the bulls had gone home. I loaded up the fencing material and headed to the downed enclosure. This was the perfect opportunity to repair the breach. Driving the steel T-posts into drought-hardened, rocky soil was akin to trying to sink them into old concrete. I drove a total of six posts into the sun baked ground, having to stop and rest at least 10 times. I felt like the old man that I am,

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 Advertising

Pete Boaz, Display & Classified Sales Amanda Newell, Production Sales Circulation Eric Tietze, Circulation

Editorial

Julie Turner-Crawford, Managing Editor Jerry Crownover, Columnist Jody Harris, Columnist

Production Amanda Newell, Production

Contributors

Kacey Frederick, Cheryl Kepes, Chad Pittillo, Terry Ropp and Marissa Snider

About the Cover

Dylan Kildow’s farming background is very diverse, and includes cattle, hay production and ag mechanics. See more on page 14.

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.

Photo by Terry Ropp

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Freshly Picked

By Jody Harris

We recently hosted some friends and their families at the farm for dinner and a fall bonfire. Our kids’ football season is over. We had an afternoon to enjoy company and catching up. One of our friends’ farms is up in Northeast Arkansas. He was able to come because harvest was finally finished. It is always interesting to see each farmer’s take on the end of harvest season. In Iowa, the end of harvest is almost always celebrated with some version of Oktoberfest in the rural towns. Here in Arkansas, there are a lot of small-town fall festivals to celebrate the change in the season.

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.’

One of my favorite things about fall food, is that it is easy to make a batch of chili or chowder and put it in a slow cooker until it is time to eat. It is not fussy food but always delicious. We enjoyed watching our children play football and outdoor games in the cool fall air. The adults were able to visit without any drama. Kids of all ages can always seem to find something fun to do out at our farm.

When Halloween rolled around, we had to plan for where we were going to take the kids trick-or-treating this year. When you live in the country, the decision is more about which friends were we going to ask if we could crash in on their neighborhood for the night. This year was strange because our children were planning to go all different directions. Our older kids were going to host trunk-or-treat out of the back of one of our vehicles at a local church. Then they planned to go over to a friend’s house to finish off the night with scary movies. I was happy to see they still wanted to dress up and act like kids again.

My husband and I took our younger children into town to a neighborhood where some of our friends live. All the kids gathered up in their front yard for the big trek through the hilly neighborhood in Fayetteville, Ark. The costumes ranged from a cowboy to a shark and a minion to a motocross driver. They were cute and not too scary. After we parents had adequately documented the occasion with some group photographs, they were turned loose.

My husband stayed at their home and helped the other dads pass out candy while enjoying a football game on an outdoor TV. I jumped in the golf cart and followed the children with another mom through the neighborhood. We had a costume malfunction and had to go back and make repairs with some safety pins. There were constant reminders to look before crossing the street. All-in-all it was a fun evening that ended with a pick-up game of football in their front yard.

The kids were starving and thirsty after all that walking. I noted that the house host had also broken out her slow cooker and made tacos that were warm and ready. They piled in to eat dinner. There is just nothing better than a fix-it-and-forget-it meal situation when families get together. There are so many things I am thankful for this

I am thankful for family, freedom, and of course, my Crock Pot, neighbor.

just a thought Across The Fence

By Julie Turner-Crawford

This is Ozarks Farm & Neighbor’s annual Youth in Ag edition, where we celebrate the next generation of agriculturists. I enjoy doing this edition each year, sharing the stories of these future agriculture leaders. Here in the Ozarks, we have some great young people involved in agriculture with wonderful ideas and goals for their future in the industry. As I have written before, we older folks should encourage younger people to follow their agriculture passions, offer advice, and help out when needed. Not supporting young people, whether they are in volved in agriculture or not, is like leaving an orphaned

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.

MAIN DISH

Apple Cider-Glazed Chicken Thighs

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 C apple cider or unfiltered apple juice

• 1 (2-inch)

•

•

•

•

•

•

Smash garlic cloves and place in a small saucepan. Add apple cider, rosemary sprig and Dijon mustard. Stir and bring to a boil, uncovered, over medium-high heat. Boil until reduced to 1/4 C. While boiling, pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Place the chicken skin-side down and cook until the skin is browned and the chicken releases easily from the pan, adjusting the heat if the skin begins to burn. When the glaze is ready, whisk in butter until melted; remove from heat. When the chicken is ready, transfer it to a plate. Pour off all but 1 Tbsp of the fat in the pan. Return the chicken to the pan skin-side up and spoon the glaze evenly over it. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 5 minutes at 350 de grees. Spoon some of the glaze in the pan back over the chicken, then baking until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Turn the oven on to broil, and broil until the skin is dark golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.

Know a Good Recipe? Send in your favorite recipe 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

OFN Staff Favorite

just a thought

Across the Fence

Continued from Previous Page newborn calf alone in a wide-open field and wishing it luck fending off predators, hunger and Mother Nature. The outcome will not be a positive one. Like that newborn calf, young people need nurturing, support, and someone who will have their backs if the coyotes come howling. They need a herd until they can get their feet un der them and learn to care for themselves.

I’ve been involved in my local FFA alumni group for several years. I joined when my niece was in FFA to support her and the chapter. I cooked chili, made desserts, asked for donations and sold cookbooks; I did whatever I was asked because I wanted to show my support for the cause. Fast forward to today, my niece has graduated high school and college, gotten married, moved and is teaching in a nearby school district, but I’m still involved in the alumni organization. It would have been easy just to be done after Madison graduated, but I found myself getting even more involved. I continue to help where I can and volunteer when I can. When it was 10 degrees outside one early March morning with the windchill in the negative factors as I was trying to get seven classes of cattle and sheep lined out at my local fairgrounds for a dairy cattle and livestock contest, I questioned my dedication and my sanity, but I was there until the last kid loaded back onto a bus, and the last cow was on a trailer because that’s one of the ways I can show my support. I have also become very close with a few people in the alumni association. They are

people I consider some of my closest friends because I have spent so much time with them. Plus, they get me and my little ticks, which sometimes takes a special person sometimes. I am often asked who my child or grandchild is in my local FFA chapter. When I say I don’t have any, the next question is always, “Then, why do you do it?” My an swer: “Why shouldn’t I?”

Bill tells me I need to slow down on a few things, and he is right (never tell him I said so), but I feel like I’m going to let a young person down if I don’t help somewhere. I am stepping back from a few responsibilities, but I’m sure I’ll still be around when needed.

I challenge each of you to look at how you are helping youth in your communi ty, and you can’t use the excuse that you don’t have kids or grandkids in the area. There’s always something an adult can do to support or mentor a young person. You never know when that few minutes of time or a pat on the back might change a kid’s destiny for the better.

All you have to do is find your place in the herd and help a young person find theirs.

but, by golly, I got them driven. Upon fin ishing the job, I sat down on the ground to dry the sweat and rest enough to make it to the UTV. All of a sudden, my watch began to vibrate, and make a sound I had never heard. Looking at the watch, it dis played the following message: “It looks like you’ve taken a hard fall,” followed by two different prompts: “Emergency SOS,” or “I’m OK.”

I pressed the one that indicated I was OK when the watch immediately responded, “Are you sure?” Geez, is my wife hiding in the little timepiece?

I suppose I should be thankful that a piece of technology is assisting me to stay healthy, but my question is, “Did the first five posts drive so easily that the watch wasn’t concerned about anything?

meet your neighbors Getting into Goats

By Marissa Snider

The Powers siblings have added goats to their family farm

The COVID-19 pandemic was a time of change. As the Powers family of Bentonville, Ark., stepped back from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, they decided it was time to pour themselves into something productive.

It all started with a floppy-eared Nu bian goat. The oldest child, Belvia, Via for short, and her two younger brothers, Declan and Faelan, decided to pick up a new 4-H project. What started as a flick ering interest in a docile breed of smaller livestock quickly blossomed into a hobby filled with American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) shows, breeding, milking, and testing out a variety of goat milk rec ipes.

Today, their family farm, Infinite Farms, is home to a small herd of Nubian and Saneen dairy goats.

“We chose Nubians as our primary stock because they have a mild-flavored, slightly sweet milk,” Via said.

However, Nubians don’t produce the most significant volume so they’ve added Saanen to the herd for volume.

Since purchasing their first goat a couple years ago, the Powers family has experimented with different feeding and management practices to optimize the taste profile and production of their goat milk. On the farm, they keep about four goats in production. Declan highlighted the importance of having multiple goats because dairy goats are prone to mastitis infections.

“Right now, we have one goat at home

that we’re treating for mastitis,” Declan said,and at just 10 years old, detailed how this type of infection affects milk quality and what they are doing to treat it.

Learning good animal hygiene and re cords management practices can help reduce the occurrence of mastitis. These are both key skills the Powers kids are learning with hands-on activities through their 4-H projects. The 4-H program em phasizes record keeping, encouraging participants to log animal care activities and complete record books.

Although their herd is small, it’s a man ageable size for three kids just getting start ed in the dairy goat business. With help from their parents, Robert and Kimee, the Powers family is jumping into the dairy goat business feet first with quality milk from well-managed Nubian goats which, in their opinion, make the best milk.

“Their milk has the highest butterfat content so it’s really creamy,” Declan explained.

The Powers family has been focusing on choosing strong breeding stock.

The family looks for three things. First, a bright, healthy-looking, alert animal. Sickness can impact the entire herd and negatively impact milk production, Declan and Via explained.

The second is a good temperament. Nubians are known for being a docile breed. The

Via, Faelan and Declan Powers add ed dairy goat production to their 4-H projects and are active in shows.

siblings said so most of their herd are “pretty good,” but there’s always one. “We do have one goat that really doesn’t like boys. We have to be careful with her because she has been known to chase my brothers and friends around,” Via said. “We try not to choose goats that are hard to handle because we’ll be working with them a lot to milk them and show them.”

Then, the third factor is breed characteristics and confirmation.

“We want a soft, shiny coat and smooth knees. Nubians should also have an up right tail,” Via said “Some of these faults might not directly affect milk production, but since we’re breeding to keep our animals in production we want to promote good genetics.”

So, what is the Powers family doing with all that milk? They drink it, they cook with it and they sell it.

that they’ve added an agriculture project, there’s enough to keep them involved in club activities.

Via and her brothers aren’t new to livestock. Their family has raised an assort ment of animals for meat, but the goats are different. They’re a chance for these kids to be hands-on with everything from daily chores and animal management practices to sales and production both on and off the farm.

Via loved showing the goats at the Benton County Fair and was proud she was of the ribbons that hung on her goats stall. “I just like being part of the experi ence at the ADGA shows and the county fair,” she said.

Declan said he chose a larger goat specifically, because he was impressed with the milk production.

Bentonville, Ark.

Kimee and Robert have tested out doz ens of goat milk-based cheeses and other recipes. Combining a flair for culinary adventures with their family adventure in agriculture helps bring the family’s Bentonville hobby farm full circle.

The family is active in 4-H, which has been great for all three kids. Via said she enjoys the culinary competitions and the leadership opportunities, and now

“Did you know that some dairy goats can produce up to 3 gallons of milk per day?” he asked. “That’s why I like Saneens because they’re the ones that can make that much milk.”

He is focused on learning how to optimize dairy production through his 4-H project experience.

Faelan prefers to stick to bucks, which means he didn’t show at the county fair, but he was happy to pitch in with chores.

The Powers family might be newcomers to raising dairy goats, but they are busy building skills today that will stick with them.

Photo by Marissa Snider

meet your neighbors Advocating forAg and Youth

By Julie Turner-Crawford

Ayden Jowers says farming and 4-H are shaping his future

There are two things Ayden Jow ers considers a part of his family heritage – farming and 4-H.

The 17-year-old from Gravette, Ark., is proud to be a fourth-generation 4-H member and a multi-generation farmer. Thanks to 4-H, he has become an advo cate for youth and agriculture as first vice president of the 2022-2023 Arkansas 4-H Officer Team.

“I just enjoy being involved in agriculture; agriculture makes the world turn,” Ayden, the son of Greg and Nicole Jowers, said. “Only 1.5 percent of Americans feed the entire U.S. population, and then some. Agriculture keeps me on the ground but lets me know that I’m a part of something as well; this is something I want to uphold.”

Ayden said his family’s Gravette, Ark., farm is primarily utilized to produce food for their family.

“It really started as a hobby,” Ayden said. “Where we went, the farm went. On my dad’s side, they only ate what they produced, and my mom grew up on an ex periment station, so my family has always been farmers.”

While their farm might not be large, Ayden said the experience is shaping his future.

“Farmers provide the necessitates, even your shirt. I want to have an impact, be it the one producing the product or representing those producers,” he said. “Representation is important for that 1.5 percent of Americans who keep everyone happy.”

Ayden has been involved in 4-H since he was a Clover Kid and is currently a member of the Gravette Gleamers 4-H Club.

“It’s not something you do; it’s bred into you,” he said. “It’s something in you that

gives you a subconscious need to do something like that. I felt my responsibility was to uphold this great tradition so that I, and my future children, can continue improving my community.”

The Jowers family moved from Louisi ana three years ago. Ayden said his new Arkansas club was welcoming and helped to lay the groundwork for his bid for state office, starting at the local level.

“It’s a three-year process to show that you are dedicated to this position,” Ayden said. “I feel like I’m on the right track to making the best out of the time I still have in 4-H. I was able to transition very smoothly, and I was able to do that threeyear process. I couldn’t have done it if it weren’t for my two agents, Janice Shofner and Jessica Street. They were fundamental in getting me here.”

In addition to a family connection to 4-H, Ayden believes in the organization’s mission.

“I love to inform people and make sure people are better off,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of miscommunications about 4-H. When you join 4-H, it’s about life skills, from sewing to farming, raising animals, public speaking to life sciences. It gives you an opportunity to do what ever you’re good at and to excel in it. It gives you an opportunity to be a jack of all trades and be a master of the ones you choose. I started with animals but went on to do public speaking, but I also have my roots with my agriculture base.”

Through 4-H, Ayden has developed a strong sense of leadership.

Gravette, Ark.

“I see what I can do to make a difference in my community,” he said. “Not only in my small community but throughout Arkansas. My position has given me the ability to talk with the governor, people with Farm Bureau, and other

organizations that keep me in touch. I can be a part of developing my 4-H, my community and state for the future and be a positive change.”

He has been selected to serve as a “stu dent council” member for U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.).

“4-H has taken me to so many places in just a short time,” Ayden said. “Where else can a 17-year-old with no connec tions meet people of high status and be an influence?”

Ayden began exhibiting livestock in the fifth grade, showing Boer goats.

“I originally wanted to have sheep, but when I got home and told my mom, she was like, ‘No,’” Ayden recalled. “I picked the next best option, and that was goats; they were small, and I was small. As luck would have it, Mom knew some people who could get me started.”

Ayden brought his herd to Arkansas, but since he has gotten older, he thought it was time to move up and add cattle.

At the recent Benton County Fair, he participated in the Pasture to Plate class, earning first place on-foot and second for rate of gain and overall reserve champion with his steer. The competition ac tually started long before the fair.

“We raise it and will do scan times where we will meet up and have them scanned,” Ayden explained. “Based off their tailhead and the width of their

barrel, it will tell us their target weight. With my steer, it meant he was going to hit 1,500 pounds before he was ready to be (processed). Our job, as the exhibitors, was to document the timestamps of prog ress, how much we feed them, vet trips, and all of the other things you did as an animal owner. That was all converted into a book. The main goals are to keep a good record book, show them, the rate of gain and their carcass. It gives recognition to the end product and the time it took to get to that end product.

“It shows you how good you are as a facil itator of an animal and the work you put into it. When you show, someone can just hand you a lead, but this shows you took the time to raise it properly and that you are the caretaker.”

Sticking to the family’s tradition of producing their own food, award-winning Simmental will be beef in the family’s freezer.

Ayden plans to continue his involve ment in agriculture after he finishes his education and begins his career.

“I might not be a big producer, but I will be a small cog in the greater machine that gets us to the final product,” he said. “Hopefully, in my future as a veterinarian, I can take care of these animals before they go to slaughter, or be a representative for agriculture, giving a better representation of the industry through an organization.”

Ayden Jowers is the Arkansas 4-H First Vice President and hopes to become a large animal veterinarian or work within an ag-based organization.

eye on agri-business meeting

the needs of farmers

CornerClaytonFarm

By Julie Turner-Crawford

s Location: Afton, Okla. s Owners: Jeremy and Kim Clayton

History: When Jer emy and Kim Clayton moved to their property in Afton, Okla., in 2016, it had a chute and working system. However, that system didn’t work well for their horned Scottish Highland cattle.

“It was very difficult,” Kim said. “The alleyway that was there, we couldn’t use it or the chute. That put us on the hunt for a chute that would work.”

Jeremy found 4 Rivers Ranch Equipment, which is manufactured in Gilmer, Texas. “We went down to check out the chute in person and found out we loved it,” Kim said. “It’s a fully galvanized chute, and the bars are horizontal so the cows can get in the chute even with their horns. It’s also designed for one-person operation. With our old squeeze chute, I could not operate it by myself. I wasn’t strong enough to pull up the tailgate, and it had ropes and such. With this squeeze chute, I can operate it all by myself and stay behind the cow through the chute and catch their head.”

Kim, who had limited farming experience before moving to their Afton farm, added the system is simple but safe for the cattle and the operator.

“I’m protecting the cows, and myself, by handling them safely and effectively,” Kim said. The quality of the product and the ease of operation prompted the Claytons and Clayton Corner Farm to become distributors of the 4 Rivers Ranch Equipment line about six months ago.

“In visiting with the owner, we found out it wasn’t available in our area, and that’s when we decided to become distributors,” Kim said.

Products and services: Jeremy and Kim offer delivery and set up of 4 Rivers Ranch Equipment, including chutes, tub systems, panels, full corral setups, load-out ramps and other 4 Rivers-made products.

In addition to offering their fellow producers a quality product, Jeremy and Kim have enjoyed meeting new people from across the region.

“We have met some great people,” Kim said. “Having good equipment is something we are passionate about, but it’s all about the people; we love getting out and meeting people.”

The couple is open to offering other products in the future but plans to focus on the 4 Rivers Ranch Equipment line.

ozarks roots

Free Range Music

By Terry Ropp

Musical duo who hail from the Ozarks travel the world to bring a little joy to audiences

The musical duo Trout Fishing in America has lived in Northwest Arkansas since 1992. As a youngster, Ezra Idlet was not a good student and often in trouble and in his room. Coming from a family with diverse musical tastes of classical, folk and rock combined with wanting to make those hours pleasant rather than torturous, Ezra taught himself to play guitar. He, however, does not read music. Keith Grimwood, on the other hand, was a good student and “pretty much a good kid” who earned a degree in music and played in the Houston Symphony. Differences between the two abounded, especially their difference in height, with Ezra being 6 feet 8 inches, and Keith Grimwood at 5 feet 4 inches. What tied them together forever was a passionate and intimate relationship with mu sic.

In 1976, Keith played double bass for the Houston Symphony when his favored musical group, St. Elmo’s Fire, came to Houston to perform the Shakespearean Tempest-based rock ballet Caliban, a composition they had commissioned to write. One day Keith and Ezra’s paths crossed while rehearsing in the same location. Keith was thrilled, and an instant friendship blossomed. Then a few months later, the symphony had a union lockout and fired Keith. Coincidentally, St. Elmo’s Fire’s bass player had just quit, and Keith knew what he needed to do. He went on the road with the band and planned to return to the Houston Symphony. However, he readily admits he “nev er went back to work.”

In a sense, Keith and Ezra traveled very different roads that intersected with Robert Frost’s and thereafter went down the road less traveled by. Even though they were nominated for four Grammys, they never joined a record label but did create their own – Trout Recordes.

St. Elmo’s Fire traveled in two vehicles, with Keith and Ezra leaving days earlier be cause Ezra wanted to go fishing and Keith wanted to get out of the house and see the world, with both enjoying the companionship. During that time, the two began playing as a duo on their nights off and sometimes opened for St. Elmo’s Fire under the name Trout Fishing in America, a nod to a novel of the same name. Then they started a career of their own traveling throughout the country and Canada.

Very early on, a music teacher asked the duo to play for a classroom in order to teach the students that music came from real people. At the time, they didn’t know any “kids’ songs” but played the Beatles and blues in addition to the song “Short People Got No Reason to Live” by Randy Newman, a humorous and popular song writer. They still go to schools and will use their songwriting workshop in both Bryant and Hot Springs in January.

“Whether on stage or in the classroom, we are an exaggeration of what we really are,” Ezra explained. “It’s good for kids to see and know they don’t have to be good at everything.”

“Onstage he really is a big kid, and I have to keep him under control because I’m the adult,” Keith quipped.

At the heart of their unique relationship are respect and an eagerness to take advantage of their huge differences. Keith is attributed with coming up with most of the lyrics and Ezra with most of the music. The truth is far more complex. Keith is in tuned to language and constantly writes down phrases or thoughts that cross his mind. An example is a new phrase, “sad gladiolus” with the sound similarity between sad and glad. Keith recognizes the tension between the two words and their potential. As soon as a phrase or a thought is expressed, Ezra hears their rhythm and sound. In working together, Keith loves his lyrics to be finished by Ezra, and Ezra craves Keith’s input and adding elements from his musical background to deepen the instrumental impact.

In 1992, Ezra and Keith moved to Northwest Arkansas with their families. The common-sense reasons for picking Arkansas were that it was in the center of the country, making traveling distances much shorter, and that land was affordable. Not surprisingly, their reasons were very different. Ezra was captivated by the friendliness of the people, including local artists and the beauty of the land with endless fishing opportunities on easily assessable lakes and rivers. Keith wanted town life and culture and was drawn to Fayetteville because it was the home of the University of Arkansas.

Today, categorizing performers by a type of music is becoming difficult because they cross genres with a western singer singing gospel and a gospel singer singing blues. Ezra and Keith don’t cross lines; they don’t even see them. Their music ranges freely among styles and generations. Perhaps the most frequent commonality is quirkiness, rather like Burl Ives but with their own instrumental superiority. Children love “My Hair Had a Party Last Night” and “Big Trouble,” while adults, after laughing and enjoying the chil dren’s songs, are drawn to songs like “Someone Your Age” and “Safe House” from the newest album of the same name.

Keith’s favorite song is always the last one they have created, while Ezra is most moved seeing five generations of a family in an audience and an adult child leaning close to a parent as the duo plays “Lullaby” and memories of hearing that song surround them with their love for each other. The simple fact is everything Ezra and Keith do is entertainment at its best, and tear is only a heartbeat away from a laugh.

Trout Fishing in America travels the U.S. and Canada for concerts, festivals and school visits where they educate youngsters through joy and music and entertainment.

the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home

Submitted Photos

Calvin Tackett

By Terry Ropp

In Town: “I have worked at Farm Bureau for 40 years as an insurance agent and love it just as much now as when I started because it gives me an opportunity to help people. My wife Melia was a kindergarten teacher in West Fork until she retired five years ago.”

In the Country: “I was raised on a small farm on the east side of Fayetteville but my grandfather John Goucher had a farm on the Kings River in Madison County, a place I spent as much time as possible. Being a country kid, I learned a very strong work ethic from my father Dave, a work ethic that has served me well throughout my life. Between the two locations, I had a rural childhood, but not a complete education on raising cattle so when I started, I had a lot to learn. I remember being only 10 when I was dropped off at a sale barn to buy two heifers with money I had saved. I sat next to a man who understood what I was doing and told me which two to buy. I wish I knew who he was today so I could thank him.

“When I was considering starting my own farm 23 years ago, my dad made all the difference because he told me I would do just fine and needed to jump in and go for it. He knew I would learn what I needed to know when I needed to know it. When Melia and I decided to buy a small farm, we selected 86 acres close to the West Fork. The land has three pastures: two with ponds and one that serves as a hayfield and meets all my hay needs, with a little extra to sell.

“Troy Stout and Donnie Napier have been my friends and cattle advisors through the years. I run a heavily Angus-influenced herd mixed with some Hereford blood. I have 18 mommas that are bred by a Simmental bull that stays with them year-round. At one point, I was without a bull for almost eight months so my herd is somewhat synchronized, with calves being sold usually once a year. I also work my cattle once a year with a typical vaccination protocol. The cattle are grass fed, though I do feed range cubes once a week to keep them easy to manage. Loose mineral is always available in a trough, and I purchase a good supply of fly spray which I use as needed, generally from mid-May until mid-October.

“As I am approaching retirement, I plan to maintain my herd at about the same size, which is enough to keep me happy and not overuse the land. At this point, none of my children really have any interest in the farm so I question whether or not they will keep it, but who knows because that decision will hopefully be a long time from now.”

Photo by Terry Ropp

Steers, Med. & Lg. 1

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

Bulls, Med. & Lg. 1

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

Heifers, Med. & Lg. 1

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

Ark. Cattle Auction, LLC - Searcy✝ 11/1/22 1,432 St-8 Higher

172.50-210.00 150.00-220.00 142.50-210.00 140.00-177.00 135.00-163.00

160.00-210.00 157.00-202.50 142.00-177.50 135.00-146.00 120.00-138.00

125.00-175.00 120.00-172.50 120.00-167.50 127.00-164.00 132.50-145.00

Ash Flat Livestock✝ 11/4/22 806 Uneven

185.00-208.00 170.00-206.00 150.00-204.00 150.00-181.00 140.00-155.00

166.00-202.50 155.00-193.00 140.00-163.00 143.00-146.00 127.50-132.00

150.00-160.00 140.00-150.00 130.00-150.00 135.00-145.00 134.00-140.00

Benton Co. - Siloam Springs

204.00-235.00 183.00-220.00 169.00-193.00 160.00-174.00 177.00

186.00-211.00 175.00-212.00 150.00-180.00 140.00-163.00 128.00-136.00

160.00-177.00 150.00-175.00 140.00-165.50 134.00-152.00 119.00-137.00

market sales reports

beef cattle

Midwest - High Plains Direct Slaughter Cattle 11/6/22

5 Area (Tx-Ok, Ks, Neb, Ia, Colo, Nm, Mn)

Live Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice

Steers: 145.00-155.00 ; wtd. avg. price 152.75.

Heifers: 149.00-155.00 ; wtd. avg. price 152.65.

Dressed Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice

Steers: 240.00-242.00; wtd. avg. price 241.93.

Heifers: Not Reported; wtd. avg. price Not Reported.

sheep & goats

Receipts: 1,073

Feeder Sheep/Lambs:

Hair Lambs - Small and Medium 1-2 (per cwt): 290.00-325.00.

Slaughter Sheep/Lambs:

Wooled & Shorn - Choice and Prime 1-3 (per cwt): 155.00185.00.

Wooled & Shorn - Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 145.00.

Hair Breeds - Choice and Prime 1-3 (per cwt): 142.50-315.00.

Hair Breeds - Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 150.00-230.00.

Hair Breeds - Good 1-2 (per cwt): 137.50.

Hair Ewes - Good 2-3 (per cwt): 125.00-155.00.

Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per cwt): 95.00-130.00.

Hair Ewes - Cull and Utility 1-2 (per cwt): 75.00-95.00.

Hair Bucks - 1-2 (per cwt): 130.00-145.00.

Replacement Sheep/Lambs:

Hair Ewes - Small and Medium 1-2 (per cwt): 150.00-177.50.

Feeder Goats:

Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 310.00-405.00.

Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 197.50-305.00.

Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 180.00-225.00.

Wether Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 205.00-280.00.

Slaughter Goats:

Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 280.00-355.00.

Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 245.00-302.50.

Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 135.00-195.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 118.00-255.00.

Bucks/Billies - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 160.00-257.50.

Wethers - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 290.00-300.00.

Wether Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 295.00-345.00.

Wether Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 260.00-287.50.

Replacement Goats:

Nannies/Does - Selection 1 (per cwt): 435.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 230.00-340.00.

Buffalo, Mo. • Buffalo Livestock Sheep/Goat 10/25/22

Receipts: 946

Feeder Sheep/Lambs: Hair Lambs - Small and Medium 1-2 (per cwt): 225.00-272.00.

Hair Lambs - Small and Medium 2 (per cwt): 162.00.

Slaughter Sheep/Lambs:

Wooled & Shorn - Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 108.00-160.00.

Wooled & Shorn - Good 1-2 (per cwt): 90.00-112.00.

Hair Breeds - Choice and Prime 1-3 (per cwt): 151.00-235.00.

Hair Breeds - Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 125.00-205.00.

Ewes - Good 2-3 (per cwt): 135.00.

Hair Ewes - Good 2-3 (per cwt): 120.00-130.00.

Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per cwt): 94.00-112.00.

Hair Ewes - Cull and Utility 1-2 (per cwt): 65.00-70.00.

Bucks - 1-2 (per cwt): 80.00.

Hair Bucks - 1-2 (per cwt): 95.00-114.00.

Hair Ewes - Small and Medium 1-2 (per cwt): 137.00-223.00.

Feeder Goats:

Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 310.00-315.00.

Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 225.00-285.00.

Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 171.00-207.50.

Slaughter Goats:

Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 267.50-310.00.

Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 215.00-267.50.

Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 160.00-200.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 124.00-155.00.

Bucks/Billies - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 185.00-232.50.

Wethers - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 245.00-265.00.

Replacement Goats: Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 171.00-245.00.

Norwood, Mo. • Producers Auction Yards Sheep/Goat 10/22/22

Receipts: 1,111

Feeder Sheep/Lambs: Hair Lambs - Small and Medium 1-2 (per cwt): 240.00285.00.

Slaughter Sheep/Lambs: Wooled & Shorn - Choice and Prime 1-3 (per cwt): 180.00-225.00.

Hair Breeds - Choice and Prime 1-3 (per cwt): 160.00275.00.

Hair Breeds - Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 100.00-240.00.

Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per cwt): 70.00.

Hair Ewes - Good 2-3 (per unit): 130.00-150.00.

Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per cwt): 85.00.

Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per unit): 100.00130.00.

Hair Ewes - Cull and Utility 1-2 (per cwt): 80.00.

Hair Ewes - Cull and Utility 1-2 (per unit): 100.00.

Hair Bucks - 1-2 (per cwt): 100.00-130.00.

Replacement Sheep/Lambs:

Hair Ewes - Small and Medium 1-2 (per unit): 135.00290.00.

Families - Small and Medium 1-2 w/<20 lbs lamb (per unit): 270.00-450.00.

Hair Bucks - Small and Medium 1-2 (per unit): 350.00.

Feeder Goats:

Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 300.00-325.00.

Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 220.00-280.00.

Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 155.00-200.00.

Wether Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 185.00.

Slaughter Goats:

Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 255.00-285.00.

Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 210.00-275.00.

Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 135.00-215.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 100.00-135.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2 (per unit): 100.00-130.00.

Bucks/Billies - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 150.00-220.00.

Wethers - Selection 2 (per cwt): 210.00.

Wether Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 275.00.

Replacement Goats:

Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2 (per unit): 120.00-280.00.

dairy sales

National Dairy Market at a Glance 11/4/22

Cheese: Barrels closed at $1.9750 and 40# blocks at $2.0100. The weekly average for barrels is $1.9645 (-0.0145) and blocks, $1.9835 (-0.0200).

Fluid Milk/Cream: Overall milk production is steady to higher across the country. In some warmer states, such as Florida and Arizona, temperatures are cooling. In the former, milk output is already trending higher, while contacts are optimistic that milk production will increase soon in the latter. In the Northeast, processing facilities say milk is steadily available to meet their current production needs. In the Mid-Atlantic, Class I sales are pulling on available milk supplies. Southeast contacts report stable bottling demand. Fluid sales are showing signs of flattening in Florida as retail outlets have satisfied orders that were backed up due to the recent hurricane. In the Midwest, Class I demand is steady and Class III processors are more

stocker & feeder prices

Cattlemen’s Livestock* 11/1/22 1,108 St-6 Higher

170.00-213.00 164.00-212.00 158.00-190.00 144.00-182.00 140.00-171.00 155.00-176.00 145.00-167.00 138.00-161.00 133.00-152.00 125.00-150.00

182.50-210.00 162.00-194.00 139.00-177.00 153.00-164.00 146.00-155.00

153.00-200.00 140.00-171.00 137.00-164.00 140.00-147.00 141.00

156.00-171.00 130.00-169.00 128.00-142.00 120.00-149.00 131.00-140.00

County Line SaleRatcliff✝ 11/2/22 327 Uneven

181.00 150.00-176.50 156.00-168.00 156.00-166.00 155.00

Decatur Livestock*

137.00-155.00 123.00-151.00 113.00-130.00

140.00-146.00 135.00-150.00 140.00-157.00 142.00 127.00

NOT REPORTED

Farmers Regional Sale Barn* 10/31/22 461

Fort Smith Stockyards*

Four State StockyardsExeter, Mo* 11/1/22 1,805 5-10 Higher

I-40 LivestockOzark✝ 11/3/22 978 Uneven

Joplin Regional Stockyards✝ 10/31/22

5,692

Uneven

actively seeking processing milk remains from other Meanwhile, Northwest Colorado. moving loads is tighter. In Contacts in week; some prices due cream is readily this week. demand has of condensed condensed Cream multiples 1.23 - 1.30 SPOT PRICES

BUTTERFAT, - $4.0390 -

166.00-206.00 174.00-220.00 163.00-191.00 155.00-164.00

151.00-162.50 148.00-180.00 147.00-167.00 147.00-163.00 89.00-104.00

139.00-156.00 148.00-178.00 140.00-173.00 110.00-133.00

200.00-250.00 190.00-246.00 186.00-204.00 175.00-188.50 160.00-175.50

160.00-215.00 155.00-190.00 146.00-178.00 135.00-160.00 129.00-143.50

160.00-184.00 156.00-187.00 152.00-178.00 147.00-170.00 140.00-163.00

160.00-185.00 155.00-175.00 159.00-186.00 161.00-174.00 144.00-161.50

142.50-160.00 135.00-150.00 132.50-139.00

142.50-159.00 140.00-159.00 140.00-160.00 135.00-162.00 130.00-145.00

220.00-225.00 200.00-218.00 185.00-215.00 175.00-186.00 170.00-179.50

Mid-State Stockyards* 10/31/22

600

152.00-200.00 111.00-180.00 115.00-180.00 100.00-172.00 100.00-155.00

176.00 159.00-164.00

175.00-198.00 167.00-186.00 163.00-194.00 162.00-172.50 161.00-169.50

108.00-160.00 100.00-155.00 100.00-150.00 95.00-153.00 90.00-135.00

Diamond, Mo. • TS White Sheep/Goat 11/3/22

and Utility 1-2 (per cwt): 80.00.

and Utility 1-2 (per unit): 100.00. (per cwt): 100.00-130.00.

Sheep/Lambs: Small and Medium 1-2 (per unit): 135.00-

and Medium 1-2 w/<20 lbs lamb (per 270.00-450.00.

Small and Medium 1-2 (per unit): 350.00.

1 (per cwt): 300.00-325.00.

2 (per cwt): 220.00-280.00.

3 (per cwt): 155.00-200.00.

Selection 3 (per cwt): 185.00.

1 (per cwt): 255.00-285.00.

2 (per cwt): 210.00-275.00.

3 (per cwt): 135.00-215.00.

Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 100.00-135.00.

Selection 1-2 (per unit): 100.00-130.00.

Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 150.00-220.00.

Selection 2 (per cwt): 210.00.

Selection 2 (per cwt): 275.00.

Goats: Selection 1-2 (per unit): 120.00-280.00.

dairy sales

Market at a Glance 11/4/22

closed at $1.9750 and 40# blocks at $2.0100. average for barrels is $1.9645 (-0.0145) and (-0.0200).

actively seeking out loads. Milk volumes are available for processing in California. In Arizona and New Mexico, milk remains tight, and processors are purchasing loads from other states to meet current production needs. Meanwhile, loads of milk are available in the Pacific Northwest and the mountain states of Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. Some processors in those areas say they are moving loads to other parts of the West region where milk is tighter. In the East and West, demand for cream is steady. Contacts in the West say cream is more available this week; some processors are selling loads of cream at lower prices due to transportation issues. In the Central region, cream is readily available, and multiples are unchanged this week. East region ice cream makers say strong seasonal demand has prompted some to increase their purchasing of condensed skim. Meanwhile in the West, demand for condensed skim is strong and inventories remain tight. Cream multiples for all Classes are 1.34 - 1.41 in the East, 1.23 - 1.30 in the Midwest, and 1.06 - 1.29 in the West.

SPOT PRICES OF CLASS II CREAM: $ PER POUND BUTTERFAT, F.O.B., producing plants, Midwestern U.S. - $4.0390 - $4.1022.

I-40 LivestockOzark✝ 11/3/22 978 Uneven

160.00-185.00 155.00-175.00 159.00-186.00 161.00-174.00 144.00-161.50

142.50-160.00 135.00-150.00 132.50-139.00

142.50-159.00 140.00-159.00 140.00-160.00 135.00-162.00 130.00-145.00

Mid-State Stockyards* 10/31/22 600

152.00-200.00 111.00-180.00 115.00-180.00 100.00-172.00 100.00-155.00

N. Ark. LivestockGreen Forest✝ 11/2/22 1,105 Uneven

183.00-220.00 181.00-206.00 165.00-202.00 160.00-186.50

OKC West - El Reno, Okla.✝ 11/1/22

8,239 1-6 Higher

108.00-160.00 100.00-155.00 100.00-150.00 95.00-153.00 90.00-135.00

180.00-200.00 168.00-216.00 155.00-189.00 145.00-159.00 136.00-144.00

155.00-179.00 155.00-177.00 146.00-166.00 142.00-162.00 130.00-145.00

215.00-250.00 185.00-232.00 169.00-202.00 168.00-185.00 167.50-184.50 210.00 177.00-212.50 163.00-171.00

173.00-210.00 160.00-187.00 156.00-180.00 153.00-180.00 157.00-171.00

Four State Stockyards - Exeter

Prices reported per cwt

Cleburne County Livestock Auction 850.00-1380.00 †

Mid-State Stockyards 1350.00 *

Prices reported per cwt 825.00-1225.00 †

OKC West - El Reno 700.00-1125.00 †

Farmers Regional Sale Barn None Reported *

1030.00-1200.00 *

Prices reported per cwt 600.00-1400.00 †

1425.00 * 575.00-1100.00 †

Ouachita Livestock Auction - Ola Not Reported †

Welch Stockyards Not Reported*

cow/calf pairs

(Week of 10/30/22 to 11/5/22)

Ash Flat Livestock

Benton County Sale Barn - Siloam Springs

Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction

County Line Sale - Ratcliff 760.00-1400.00 †

I-40

Joplin Regional Stockyards

Mid-State Stockyards None Reported * North Arkansas Livestock

Ozarks Regional Stockyards Tulsa Livestock Auction 1085.00-1350.00 †

Stilwell Livestock Auction Not Reported *

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500

Ozarks RegionalWest Plains✝ 11/1/22

2,697 5-15 Higher

200.00-225.00 190.00-231.00 174.00-210.00 180.00-192.00 175.00-177.00

Stilwell Livestock Auction*

Tulsa Livestock Auction✝ 10/31/22

4,165 4-9 Higher

211.00-238.00 196.00-235.00 187.00-208.00 170.00-191.00 157.00-183.50

Welch Stockyards*

169.00-189.00 160.00 152.50

167.50-182.50 167.00-189.00 157.00-181.00 165.00-181.25 163.50

195.00-216.00 189.00-210.00 155.00-190.00 154.50-170.00

Milk/Cream: Overall milk production is steady to country. In some warmer states, such Arizona, temperatures are cooling. In output is already trending higher, while optimistic that milk production will increase latter. In the Northeast, processing facilities say available to meet their current production Mid-Atlantic, Class I sales are pulling on supplies. Southeast contacts report stable Fluid sales are showing signs of flattening retail outlets have satisfied orders that were the recent hurricane. In the Midwest, is steady and Class III processors are more NOT REPORTED NOT REPORTED NOT REPORTED

162.00-185.00 165.00-185.50 152.00-170.00 145.00-163.00 145.50-155.50

NOT REPORTED

Ouachita LivestockOla✝

Vinita Stockyards*

meet your neighbors Surrounded by Agriculture

By Terry Ropp

Dylan Kildow has a diverse background

Dylan Kildow is 18 years old and a senior at West Fork (Ark.) High School. He is the eldest of five sons of Matt and Jeanie Kildow. The farm is named 7K after the number of people in the family and is home to a cattle and a substantial hay operation.

Dylan is a strong, soft-spoken young man who has grown up surrounded by agriculture. He is a member of Hogeye 4-H led by Christy Weaver and West Fork FFA, with advisor Justin Hays. Dylan began showing pigs when he was 5 years old and fondly remembers a sow named Hamlet which he subsequently bred, showing her offspring. Two or three years later, Dylan switched to cat tle because he was older and more able to handle larger animals.

When he was 8 or 9, Dylan showed Thunderette, a registered Hereford. His cattle showing career is characterized by showing young heifers of different breeds such as Maine Anjou, Maintainer, Limousin and Brahman.

Dylan was part of the FFA judging team, while also competing in tractor driving with a 90 hp Kubota tractor and

a Veneer round baler. He won his first belt buckle when he was 10 for the 2014 Reserve High Point Maine Anjou Heifer at the Arkansas Junior Cattlemen’s Association show. This year, he won another buckle in a team competition with three of his brothers at the Ar kansas Youth Expo sponsored by Eric Walker of Walker Ranch and Cattle Company. They were division champions in agricultural mechanics.

Though goats had been part of the farm all during Dylan’s life, Dylan didn’t begin showing Boer goats until he was 15. He was particularly fond of a pygmy cross named Pepper, so named because of her coloring. Because she delivered during a brutally cold night, they brought her in the house during birthing and later sheltered her in a lean-to. Goats have been bottle-fed in the house more than once with a child’s playpen as their temporary enclosure. Once Dylan and his father went to Walmart in the middle of a frigid night to find colostrum for

two goats orphaned right after birth. Not finding any, they woke up dairy man Mike Weaver who gave them cow colostrum to use.

“I guess the most important thing I’ve learned about animals is that they take a lot of work and losing one is hard,” Dylan confided. “I lost Pepper about a year ago and that was tough.”

According to Matt, Dylan was an eager and enthusiastic child who wanted to learn everything. Matt worked with Dylan by his side, feeding and watering the animals as soon as the young child was able. Consequently, Dylan was driving a tractor hauling large round bales out of the fields and stacking them for his dad by the time he was 10. Dylan was and is an important part of Matt farming and trucking operations.

West Fork, Ark.

“Though he is really busy at this point in his life, I can always depend on him if I really need something done,” Matt said. “All I have ever had to do was tell him what needed to be done and he did it including hooking up or unhooking any

attachments as well as helping oiling, greasing and fixing equipment.”

“While I really don’t enjoy hauling square bales and cleaning pens even less, those things have to be done,” Dylan explained. “What I enjoy most is working with any equipment from a bulldozer to an excavator or a skid steer.”

Dylan has taken a number of ag classes in high school. He began with an intro course where he learned things his practical experience on the farm had not yet taught him. One of these was that breeding a horse and a donkey produced a mule who was always infertile due to a chromosomal issue. He also learned about the great differences in gestation periods among different species of livestock, with pigs gestating for only three months, three weeks and three days while a cow carries a calf for nine months, and a horse gestates for 11. Other classes include animal science and gas engines.

The 7K Farm is a busy place. Matt has cattle in several locations and a Brah man bull he plans to crossbreed to black baldie heifers with the goal of raising

Dylan Kildow works closely with his family at 7K Farm, where they raise cattle and have a haying operation.

Photo by Terry Ropp

meet your neighbors

good quality replacement heifers. Two years ago, he bought a herd of Angus from a local farmer who was selling out. Another upcoming project involves Corrientes, a very affordable and durable breed known for being good moth ers and maxing out between 700 and 800 pounds, which means less feed needs than the Angus, which reach 1,200 or 1,300 pounds. The problem with Corrientes is that their mottled coloring is far from desirable marketing preferenc es. Matt plans on crossing them with a Charolais bull in order to produce a calf which will put on more weight while also providing a much more marketable solid, light golden colored calf.

The diversity in planning at 7K has inspired Dylan to want his own farm someday. Part of his plan is to attend auctioning school this summer, though he already does occasional benefit auctions to raise money for FFA. This year he also auctioned the Washington County Fair Junior Livestock Premium Auction. Dylan learned from his father how to plan and how to work hard. At this point Dylan believes auctioneering will be a sideline, though he has yet to decide what his main income will be until his pursuit of having his own farm is fulfilled.

Berryville • 344 Hwy. 21 North 870-423-4245

Flippin • 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 • 304 Labarge Ave. 479-738-6814

Imboden • 5564 Hwy 63 East 870-869-2644

Jasper • 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

www.northarkansaslivestock.com

Photo by Terry Ropp

youth in agriculture

tomorrow’s ag leaders

Drake Slate

By Kacey Frederick

s Age: 14 s Hometown: Greenwood, Ark. s Parents: Brittany and Dwayne Slate s Sibling: Laney Slate s 4-H Club: Dayton 4-H s Club leader: Brittany Slate

What is your involvement in agriculture?

show animals with 4-H and do woodworking. I’m also the vice president of the Dayton 4-H club.”

What is your favorite part of being involved in agriculture/ living on a farm? “I like seeing all the different places you can travel to – not just with showing but with livestock and livestock judging, stuff like that.”

What are your future plans? “I want to have a goat showing farm for people to show goats that may not be able to take care of them themselves.”

What is the best advice about agriculture you have receivedfrom adults? “I’ve heard this many times, but just keep going. It’ll get easier throughout.”

“For 2022, I got the junior showmanship first place at a jackpot. At the county fair, I got third place with my goat and third place with my chickens.”

Submitted Photo

the ofn ag-visors

Advice from

Cost vs. Efficiency

By Chad Pittillo

the professionals

The use, benefit and importance of agricultural machinery continues to help farmers maximize their crop yield and food production. The future of farming depends on increased equip ment technology to aid in making the process easier and more efficient. In the agriculture lending world, efficiency is always a topic.

Our agricultural lenders discussions around machinery efficiency includes:

• Updating equipment – is the warranty still in place? Will repairs and updates to the equip ment need to be made? What are the depreciation schedules and remaining tax implications?

• Types of equipment – does the equipment have the horsepower and capability to match the land being farmed? Soil types? Irrigated vs. Non-irrigated?

• Labor - do the employees have the proper training and skills to operate the modern equip ment? Should some custom spraying and harvesting be obtained using outside parties?

• Timeliness - does the farm have the equipment needed to work within the important windows of preparing the ground, planting and harvesting? Can fewer trips be made across the acres?

• Acres – does the farm have the acres needed to justify the types and cost of machinery? What is your equipment cost per acre?

• Environment – Fewer trips across the ground and less tillage aids in reduced erosion. Less tillage and fuel can have positive impacts on soil and air quality.

COVID and inventory/supply chains must be discussed when talking about farm machinery. The ag machinery industry has also felt the impacts of COVID. Farmers wanting to purchase equipment have had to wait up to a year. Many times, equipment is ordered to be manufactured, resulting in delayed purchases and future planning. The current backlogged demand for new equipment and elevated commodity prices has pushed the price of machinery higher for both new and used equipment. With the current rising interest rate environment, the delayed equipment purchases will continue to have an impact the farmer’s costs. We had multiple cases in 2021 when purchase orders were signed but equipment wasn’t delivered until mid-2022 resulting in higher finance rates. An important question for farmers to consider is does the efficiency and technology outweigh the cost of machinery?

When making plans for farm equipment needs, another important topic to consider is whether you should purchase or lease machinery. It is recommended you seek advice from your banker and/or Certified Public Accountant. Many factors should be considered when finding what works best for the situation, including taxes, insurance, warranty maintenance and repairs, as well as depreciation and resale/trade values.

Most producers choose to purchase. Machinery can be central to your business operations you use frequently and keep for an extended period of time. Purchasing machinery can also be effective in building equity. Equipment is an asset on your balance sheet and the depreciation can typically be used for tax purposes.

Leasing can also be an option when equity or cash is not available to use for a down payment. Leasing is also considered if the equipment is only needed for a specific purpose or time period. The terms and lease payments are likely less than a down payment or finance charge.

Leases can also have flexible terms and payments. Leases usually have hourly limits. Many leases have purchase options at the end of the leasing period that a lot of farmers opt for.

Chad Pittillo is Simmons Bank’s lending manager for Pine Bluff, Ark.

farm help

Making farming a little easier

Replacement Factors

By Cheryl Kepes

Deciding when to replace farm vehicles and equipment

Agricultural economists advise producers to closely evaluate their goals, cash flow and income tax implications when determining whether to purchase new farm vehicles or equipment. “The right time really depends on your particular situation, and the financial health of your farm,” Courtney Bir, Ph.D., assistant professor with Oklahoma State University’s Depart ment of Agricultural Economics, said.

REPAIR OR REPLACE? Finding the balance between the cost of replacement versus the cost of repairs and maintenance can be tricky. This is an area where excellent record keeping can help guide producers through the process.

“Keeping good financial records, including the costs and frequency of repairs, can help you make the decision to replace,” Bir added.

Additionally, determining whether to buy new or fix the old depends on producers’ approach to the matter.

“Some people would rather have the payment and not be worried about any breakdowns,” Wesley Tucker, agricultural business specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, said. “Whereas other people who are a little more mechanically inclined are more adept at repairing and keeping equipment going and can get more useful life out of them than others can.”

Extension business specialists recommend producers ask themselves if the purchase is something they need or something they want. Taking a hard look at the future implications of the expenditure will help producers determine what is the best decision for their operation overall. “You have to sit down and think about and analyze those purchases and decide if it is the right thing or not as far as the long term,” Tucker explained.

INCOME TAX IMPACT: Income tax consequences are another factor to consider when deciding whether to buy new farm machinery, equipment, or vehicles. Many

“Keeping up with reg ular main tenance, like keeping the oil changed.”

“Change

producers choose to make a purchase at the end of the year if they are going to have to pay income taxes. However, agricultural economists encourage farmers to think about the financial impact a purchase will have over time.

“I always say you have to really assess whether that new purchase is going to improve your operation long term, whether it is going to add to the profitability of the operation or whether it is simply going to save a few dollars in income taxes,” Tucker stated.

Tucker recommends producers consult with their tax professionals to determine how the purchase will impact their taxes and profitability. Likewise, producers pre paring and filing their own taxes will want to analyze whether the new piece of equipment truly adds to their farm’s profitability or if it is a long-term financial drain.

DEPRECIATION DILEMMA: Producers take different approaches regarding the depreciation of their purchases. While many will keep utilizing and repairing equipment long after it has run its course of depreciation, others prefer the convenience of newer equipment.

Regardless of depreciation strategy, whenever producers make a new purchase, they will want to carefully consider how they write-off the depreciation on their taxes.

“Depreciation from an income tax standpoint is set up to be depreciated over the useful life of the piece of machinery,” Tucker explained. “Some people make the purchase then write off all that depreciation in the first year or two, section 179 is where they can write off as much in the first year as they want; they get a huge benefit for this at first, but then they don’t have the deductions in the future years.”

When determining whether to spend money on big ticket items producers will want to assess their cash flow, needs and goals while keeping in mind the long-term profitability of the operation.

“In equipment, it’s important to keep everything greased well and keep up on oil changes.”

“Grease and oil are your mustdos on any piece of equipment.”

Kimberly Jepsen Mayes County, Okla.

Aaron Artripe Madison County, Ark.

Blake Biswell Washington County, Ark.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

Jim Taylor Benton County, Ark.

the fuel filter as often as you can.”

What is your mustdo maintenance practice for your tractor or farm vehicle?

what do you say?

Saving on Fuel Costs

By Cheryl Kepes

Following a few steps can reduce fuel consumption

The financial pressure placed on farmers due to increased input costs has forced producers to look at any and every avenue to save money. In some cases, producers can reduce their fuel costs by improving the effi ciency of their farm vehicles and tractors.

Routine Maintenance: A little bit of routine maintenance can go a long way in optimizing fuel efficiency in vehicles and equipment. Routine maintenance includes replacing air filters, fuel filters and lubricants, changing the oil and getting engine tune-ups. The same can be said for axle oil, rear axle oil and hydraulic oils in tractors. Make sure the oil is consistent with the manufacturer’s requirements. “Just general

maintenance is going to make a big differ ence,” Buddy King, manager at Marion County Equipment, in Pyatt, Ark., said.

Routine maintenance includes conducting thorough visual inspections of equipment, vehicles, and machinery. “If the tractor has a fuel leak or is dripping fuel somewhere, it is pouring out fuel on the ground and wasting money,” King said. Catching the problem quickly can save money. In general, the better and more efficiently the tractor, vehicle or machinery runs the less fuel it needs.

Plan Routes: Planning to accomplish as many tasks as possible in the same trip can save fuel. Even letting the engine idle burns fuel. Extension energy experts recommend another way to save money on

fuel is to implement minimum or no-till practices where applicable. Other strategies include combining operations into one pass over a field or reducing the depth of tillage equipment.

Select Proper Machinery: If producers have the option to choose from different size tractors, then it is the best use of resources to select the smallest tractor for lighter jobs and loads. However, if the task requires more horsepower, select a larger tractor. Overloading a small tractor with a larger load, increases fuel consumption. Using a tractor with too much or too little horsepower for the task can negatively impact fuel efficiency. Selecting the correct implement size for the tractor being used is also key to run ning a fuel-efficient operation. Avoid using small implements with large tractors. The most efficient combination considers the tractor size and the equipment width.

Proper Ballast and Tire Inflation: Tractors that are properly ballasted and are operating with the recommended tire

inflation rates will run more efficiently, therefore reducing fuel consumption. A tractor that is properly ballasted and has the right amount of air pressure in its tires will create the proper wheel slippage that is needed to reduce excess wear on tires. Extension energy experts state 10 percent is typically the optimum slippage level, but the actual level depends on several factors including the type of tractor, the speed its operating and the type of implement being used. Overballasting is a common problem. If a tractor is operating with too much ballast weight, the lugs dig too deeply into the soil. This causes the tractor to use more fuel. If the tractor is running with too little ballast, then the tires will be slipping excessively, causing the tires to rotate more in order to travel the same distance. Producers can make sure they are operating their tractor with the cor rect amount of ballast and tire pressure by checking and following the tractor’s manufacturer recommendations.

farm help

Keeping Records

By Cheryl Kepes

Maintaining farm equipment and machinery records has advantages

Record keeping likely falls to the bottom of most producers’ favorite things to do list. Tending the fields and caring for livestock almost always trumps time inside updating records. Nonetheless, agricultural business specialists say record keeping is important and necessary for a successful operation. The practice of maintaining thorough equipment records will help producers stay organized, save money and optimize productivity.

Protecting Investments

In many cases, farm equipment and machinery comprise a hefty portion of a producer’s investments. Regular maintenance ensures those investments remain in good condition. “The better you maintain something hopefully the longer it will last and the less breakdowns that you will have,” Wesley Tucker, agricultural business specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, said. “It is difficult to set that time aside for maintenance, but you can’t afford a costly breakdown right in the middle of harvest or a big project.” Keeping the equipment and machinery in good working order will save money over time. According to information released in a Virginia Cooperative Extension publi cation, a study showed farmers can reduce machinery repair costs 25 percent by improving routine maintenance procedures.

Records and Reminders

Agricultural business specialists recommend producers keep detailed records of repairs, routine maintenance and future ser vice dates for all their equipment. A maintenance calendar and accurate service record helps producers identify a problem before it

develops into a major repair. It also serves as a tracker for what work needs to be done and when it should be completed.

Equipment and machinery should be serviced according to accurate service records, not based on a producer’s memory. Life on the farm can get extremely busy so even with the best of intentions machin ery maintenance may slip through the cracks. Creating a system with reminders of when equipment should be serviced will make it easier to prioritize getting rou tine maintenance completed.

The records will also serve as a guide when it is time to decide whether to continue repairing the farm machinery or start shopping for something new. A de tailed list of the amount spent on repairs and service gives producers an accurate account of how much it is costing them to maintain the aging equipment.

Producers can find farm equipment record templates online. Many of the templates include information about the item, brand, purchase price, warranty, repairs, notes, ID number and repair and maintenance logs.

Improves Resale Value

The detailed records can help producers get a little more money for their equip ment when it comes time to trade it in or sell it. “If you can show that something has been properly maintained and taken care of, I think it does have a positive im pact on resale value,” Tucker said. This is especially the case in situations in which the producer has worked with a dealer, purchased the parts from that same dealer and recorded the service history. The dealer or potential buyers will find value in the knowledge that the farm equipment has been maintained correctly with the right parts in a timely manner.

— ZONE A AUCTIONS —

11/18 Spur Ranch Equipment Auction – Vinita, Okla. • Lester Miller Auctions

11/26 Public Auction – Miami, Okla. • Lester Miller Auctions

— ZONE B AUCTIONS —

12/3 Cabin Auction – Ozark, Ark. • Reading Auction Service

12/3 Real Estate Auction – Mountainburg, Ark. • Contrail Auction Service

—

ZONE C AUCTIONS —

11/18-19 Antiques & Collectibles Auction – Harrison, Ark. • Graham and Olsen Auctions

11/19 Dan Guynn Estate Auction – Western Grove, Ark. • Bailey Auction Service

11/19 Estate of Billy & Alice Kitchens Farm Auction – Hindsville, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams

11/21 Charles Apperson Living Estate Auction – Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams

11/28 Living Estate Auction, Setser, Smith –Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams

12/5 Living Estate Auction, Holloway, Brown – Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams

12/12 Monday Night Auction, Gilbert, Olson – Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams

—

ZONE D AUCTIONS —

11/19 Estate Auction, Guns, Ammo, and 2016 Buick – Fair eld Bay, Ark. • Roberson Real Estate and Auctioneers Inc.

11/19 Joe Norcross Estate Auction – Mountain Home, Ark. • Walker Auction Service

11/19 John 3:16 Community Fest Auction –Charolotte, Ark. • John 3:16 Ministries

11/29 Geneva C. Taylor Revocable Trust Real Estate Auction – Heber Springs, Ark. • Frank Orr Auctions

12/3 Multi Estate Auction Extravaganza –Flippin, Ark. • Double Diamond Auction ONLINE

11/17 John Schlesinger Retirement Auction –bidding closes 11/17 at 10 a.m. – bigiron. com • Big Iron Auctions

11/19 Antiques & Collectibles Auction –Branson, Mo. • Coon Ridge Auction Company

11/23 Equipment Auction – bidding closes 11/23 at 10 a.m. – bigiron.com • Big Iron Auctions

11/30 Equipment Auction – bidding closes 11/30 at 10 a.m. – bigiron.com • Big Iron Auctions

12/1 Jim & Peg Schmid Retirement Auction – bidding closes 12/1 at 10 a.m. – bigiron. com • Big Iron Auctions

12/3 Estate Farm Auction – Cape Fair, Mo. • McKnight Auction Company LLC

12/10 Gun and Tool Auction – Harrisburg, Ark. • Auctions and More

1/1 New Years Day Antique Auction –Branson, Mo. • Coon Ridge Auction Company

—

& OUTSIDE AREA — 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

ozarks’ calendar

November 2022

14

Farm Pond Workshop – 18020 Y City Road, Decatur, Ark. – call 479-271-1060 to register

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

17

Certified Pesticide Applicator CEU Program – Northeast Tech, Afton Campus, Jay, Okla. –register by Nov. 14 –918-314-6091 or 918-253-4332

19 Christmas Gifts Galore – Carroll County Fairgrounds, Berryville, Ark. – 870-423-2958

29

Private Pesticide Applicator Training – Searcy County Fairgrounds, Marshall, Ark. – call 870-448-3981 to register or for more information

December 2022

1

Pesticide Applicator Training – 8:15 a.m. – Pope County Extension Office, Russellville, Ark. – Cost: $20, cash or check only – to register call 479-968-7098

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 p.m. – Faulkner County Extension Office, Conway, Ark. – to register call 501-329-8344 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 13

Private Pesticide Applicator Training – Petit Jean Electric Building, Clinton, Ark. – call 870-448-3981 to register or for more information 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

ozarks’

auction block

November 2022

Runft Charolais Complete Herd Dispersal – Belleville, Kan. – 785-527-1269

Show Me Select Replacement Heifer Sale – Joplin Regional Stockyards, Carthage, Mo. – 417-276-3313 or 417-345-7551

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

Sydenstricker Genetics 44th Annual Production Sale – at the farm, Mexico, Mo. – 573-581-1225 or 573-473-9202

Green Springs Bull Test – Nevada, Mo. – 417-448-7416

Galaxy Beef Production Sale – at the farm, Macon, Mo. – 816-244-4462 or 660-254-1337 December 2022

Heartland Highland Cattle Association 6th Annual Fall Highland Auction – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 417-345-0575

41st Annual Oklahoma Select Bull & Female Sale – Atoka Livestock Auction, Atoka, Okla. – 580-597-3006

Ridder Farms Family Values Female Sale & Annual Bull Sale – at the farm, Hermann, Mo. – 573-680-4692 or 573-280-5795

Shepherd Charolais 2nd Annual Female Sale – Cow Palace, Anita, Iowa – 515-321-6870 or 402-880-5179

Wheeler Angus Annual Production Sale – Wheeler Angus Sale Barn, Paris, Mo. – 660-951-0094

Glendenning J Bar J Holiday Classic – L365auctions.com – 402-350-3447 or 417-588-6121 or 417-664-0913

Bradley Cattle Bred Heifer Sale

Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 417-848-3457 or 765-376-8784

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

BALANCER

Rumfelt Farms

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

BRANGUS

Horsehead Ranch Talala, Okla. 918-695-2357 www.HorseheadRanch.net

GELBVIEH

Rumfelt Farms

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

HEREFORD

Laze D Herefords & Bakerville Cattle Co. Jerico Springs, Mo. 417-398-0019 lazedherefords@hotmail.com

LIMOUSIN

Glendenning J Bar J Lebanon, Mo. 417-588-6121 417-664-0913 417-664-1186 jack@jbarjlimousin.com www.jbarjlimousin.com

RED ANGUS

Watkins Cattle Company Harrison, Ark. 870-741-9795 870-688-1232 watkinscattleco@ windstream.net

ULTRABLACK

Horsehead Ranch Talala, Okla. 918-695-2357 www.HorseheadRanch.net

Country Veterinary Service

Tim E. O’Neill, DVM 479-267-2685 Farmington, AR cvsvet.com 30 years of serving both farm and family.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com