OFN November 18, 2019

Farm Machinery & Trucks • Youth in Agriculture

Advocating for Ag

NOVEMBER 18, 2019 • 28 PAGES

VOLUME 13, NUMBER 12 • WWW.OZARKSFN.COM

College freshman Nick Pohlman serves on the National Junior Angus Association Board

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

Show-Quality Swine Eighteen-year-old Mason Ramey demands quality and quantity from his sows

Proper Maintenance is Key

FFA Members Horse Around The Peper siblings compete in rodeo events across Oklahoma

A few simple steps can prolong the life of your tractor The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

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rumor mill

FFA member wins national proficiency award: Brayden Ingram of the Har-ber FFA Chapter in Arkansas won the National FFA Proficiency in Agricultural Processing Entrepreneurship/Placement at the 92nd National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Ind. Ingram has worked at War Eagle Processing since he was in the ninth grade.

Local cattle and pig farmers comprise most of the operation’s customers.

When the farmers drop off their animals, instructions are written down as to how the meat should be cut and packaged. Ingram’s duties include sorting the live animals and moving them toward the kill chute. He is supported by his parents, Stephanie and Mike, and his FFA advisors, Patti Priest, Seth Jones, Jonathan Roberts and Justin Mitchell. In other news from the national convention, the Har-Ber FFA was second in the poultry Career Development Event. Team members are Isabelle Pianalto, Cada Fischer, Amanda Anthney and Jenna Kutz.

Students awarded scholarships: Ten National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members were awarded a $10,000 Jack & Donna Vanier Scholarship at the American Hereford Association (AHA) Hereford Honorees Reception during the AHA Annual Meeting and Conference in Kansas City, Mo. The Vanier Family of CK Ranch in Brookville, Kan., donated 10 scholarships totaling $100,000 to youth who demonstrate a commitment to higher education and who have overcome obstacles in their lives. Two youth from the Ozarks were among those who received the scholarships. K.C. Barnes of Hulbert, Okla., is a graduate student at the University of Arkansas, pursuing a master’s in agricultural economics. The son of Kent and Diana Barnes, he was on the Oklahoma State University meat judging team during his undergraduate career. He also served as president for the Oklahoma Junior Hereford Association and past secretary for the American Farmers and Ranchers Collegiate Farm Bureau. Dixie Miller of Lincoln, Ark., is a junior studying animal science and agricultural communications at the University of Arkansas. She is the 21-year-old daughter of Christy Westlin. Dixie has been an active member of the NJHA and has served as an ambassador for NJHA and has attended the Faces of Leadership Conference. Dixie was selected as the 2019 Hutchinson Community College Young Female Kansan of the Year while she finished up her junior college livestock judging career. During her time at U of A, she is serving as an office assistant for the animal science department.

NEO team places second: The Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) Gold Equine Judging Team recently claimed reserve high team overall at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress (AQHA Congress), in Columbus, Ohio, under the direction of firstyear head coach Kevin Pool. Hannah Tweed, a sophomore business administration major from Chouteau, Okla., finished fourth overall in the contest. The NEO Blue team finished the contest in third.

The Ozarks Most Read Farm Newspaper

NOVEMBER 18, 2019 | VOL. 13, NO. 12

JUST A THOUGHT

3 Jerry Crownover –

Growing up “poor”

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Jody Harris – A time to be thankful

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Julie Turner-Crawford – Kids these days

MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS

7 Anna Mathis is a rising star in agriculture

10 12

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Nick Pohlman helps lead the National Junior Angus Association

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Tractor club draws members of all ages

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Eye on Agribusiness highlights Davy’s Tractor

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Town & Country features Sherri and Kyle Sanders

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Mason Ramey strives to produce top-quality show pigs

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Siblings like to compete in rodeo events

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Youth in Agriculture spotlights Layton E. Hawkins

FARM HELP 20 Credit and more 21 Buying the right truck for your needs

OzarksFarm @OzarksFarm

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.com

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Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

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Proper maintenance can prolong equipment life

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Tractor companies are going “green”

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Utilizing maternal data NOVEMBER 18, 2019

just a

thought

What’s On Your Mind, Ozarks?

Broken Cedar Saanen Dairy Goat Farm Located in Northwest Arkansas, our herd of high quality registered Saanen dairy goats has been in development for 10 years. We offer for sale excellent milking does, yearlings, kids, and breeding bucks.

Life Is Simple

e f i L elpmiS si

Our bloodlines….

By Jerry Crownover

I

PO Box 1514, Lebanon, MO 65536

suppose “being poor” is a relative term. Evirevonup woin rC ayrvery reJ yB dently, I was “poor” growing rural area of the Ozarks, but because almost everyone I knew was in similar circumJerry Crownover is stances, I didn’t even realize. It wasn’t until a farmer and former I went away to college that I began to understand professor of Agriculture that I was, in fact, “poor.”

Education at Missouri The first house I can remember living in, didn’t State University. He is a have electricity until the late 1950s. We didn’t native of Baxter County, have running water or indoor plumbing until my Arkansas, and an parents built (entirely with their own hands) a author and professional new house that we moved into sometime in the speaker. To contact Jerry, early 1960s. There was no TV until 1963 and, go to ozarksfn.com and until the death of my parents at the turn of the click on ‘Contact Us.’ century, they never owned more than one. Dad finally installed a window air conditioner about the time I left for college, but did not allow it to be turned on, unless the weatherman forecasted at least three days in a row above 90 degrees.

I’m not so naïve as to be unaware that there are “poor” people everywhere. One can’t turn on the news without seeing some tug-at-your-heart story about a struggling family or individual that seems to have lost all hope or purpose. The ones that show kids in these situations certainly bring tears to my eyes, as well, but consider this: • 99 percent of all Americans have running water and indoor plumbing • 96 percent have at least one color TV (the vast majority have more than one) • 96 percent have a cell phone • 90 percent have an air conditioner (I’ll bet most of them don’t wait until it’s 90 degrees) • 78 percent have a computer • 85 million Americans eat at a fast food restaurant at least once EVERY day.

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Eric Tietze Publisher

Administrative Kathy Myers, Marketing Manager Eric Tietze, Accounting Advertising Pete Boaz, Display & Classified Sales Kathy Myers, Production Sales Circulation Eric Tietze, Circulation Editorial Julie Turner-Crawford, Managing Editor Jerry Crownover, Columnist Jody Harris, Columnist Production Amanda Newell, Production Contributors Veronica Hicks, Klaire Howerton, Ken Knies, Kathy Parker, Terry Ropp

About the Cover Nick Pohlman has been involved in the cattle industry since he was a youngster. Today he is advocating for agriculture while a member of the National Junior Angus Association Board.

Read more on page 8.

Photo by Terry Ropp 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., 2019. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.

— Continued on Page 6

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Freshly Picked

By Jody Harris

B

rrr! It’s gotten cold in Northwest Arkansas. Halloween night was one of the coldest, and craziest, in the history of our family residing in Fayetteville.

I’m starting to feel the effects of Jody Harris is a freelance schedules for four children and a busy husband communications specialist, pulling our family in all different directions. gardener, ranch wife and My husband loves to bird hunt. I believe pheasmother of four. She and ant hunting is one of his favorite pastimes. As her family raise Angus beef with any kind of hunting, it has a season. He recattle and other critters on cently packed up with our 10-year-old son to a their northwest Arkansas South Dakota cattle ranch to enjoy a few days ranch. She is a graduate away from the office to bird hunt. Our son had of Missouri State University. been pheasant hunting before, but the idea of a To contact Jody, go to road trip with his dad and the guys was someozarksfn.com and click on thing magical.

‘Contact Us.’ The hunting trip timing collided with Halloween, the last home junior high football game and a whole bunch of other activities – I’ll spare you the details. Our 10-year-old hated the idea of missing out on wearing his very official-looking police officer costume.

He had to make a choice between heading out on Oct. 31 with his dad and the hunters or staying behind to trick-or-treat. I hate missing out on anything, so I understood his anguish.

Thankfully we live in the country and we quite possibly have the best neighbors around. I sent a message to a handful of our neighbors asking if the kids could come by the night before Halloween to trick-or-treat. As with most rural homes across America, we don’t really get a lot of trick-or-treaters in the country. Our neighbors were so kind to oblige. One even invited the kids out to trunk-or-treat in a couple church parking lots before Halloween – the kids thought that was so much fun. On the night before Halloween, three out of our four kids got dolled up in their costumes – rainbow elf, police officer and ghost – and set out to trick-or-treat in our “neighborhood.”

It had been a while since I’d seen some of my neighbors. With a business in town and four busy kids, it doesn’t leave a lot of time for much needed visiting. On every stop we had a chance to pet everyone’s dogs and catch up. Such a blessing.

On Halloween morning, our 10-year-old was very concerned if his dad picked him up at school he wouldn’t have a chance to hug me goodbye. I explained that we’d hug goodbye at morning drop off and I’d see him when he got back from his trip. By the afternoon, our sweet boy convinced his dad to run by my office for one more hug before they left town. Precious.

Between dance practice, the last home football game and a stop at Chick-Fil-A, the rest of the kids were able to dress up and enjoy a little bit of trick-or-treating on Halloween night too. Thankfully we have an amazing babysitter who is always available to help wrangle kids around our crazy schedule. Bless her.

I share this story because in the rat race that was October 2019, I want to pause and take time to count my blessings this November. I’m so thankful to live in such a beautiful place in the world. I’m very thankful for the kindness of neighbors and the thoughtfulness of so many people my family encounters all year round.

Happy Thanksgiving, neighbor.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

just a thought HURRY! OFFERS END DECEMBER 31, 2019.

Across the Fence

By Julie Turner-Crawford

K

ids these days.

That phrase seems to be often followed up with some not-so-kind statements about the next generation.

Julie Turner-Crawford I agree there are some kids, and just is a native of Dallas as many adults, who lack focus and manners these County, Mo., where she days. Maybe they don’t get the direction they need grew up on her family’s from home, or outside influences are taking them farm. She is a graduate down a trail that will prove to be a hazardous one of Missouri State in the future if they continue that path. My parUniversity. To contact ents’ way for “directing” me may have been a stern Julie, call 1-866-532-1960 voice or maybe a well-placed thump, but their or by email at editor@ point got across. ozarksfn.com.

Kids these days aren’t like my generation, but I can’t, however, pigeonhole all kids into the Generation Z stereotype of being self-involved and only interested in their cell phones.

Many young people are trailblazers and know it takes hard work to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. We are featuring a few of those young people in the pages of this edition of Ozarks Farm & Neighbor. I am proud of each one of them and their passion for the industry. These hard-working, driven young people are the future of agriculture.

Young people bring new ideas and a renewed energy to our farms, as well as technological advancement. The future is bright for agriculture because of young people like those featured, and the many other young farmers and ranchers in the Ozarks.

Some time ago, I met a young man who wants nothing more than to be a farmer.

He’s been helping out a couple of farmers for a couple of years, but his goal is to one day have an operation of his own, where he can raise livestock, taking what he has learned from others along the way to build his own herd. The producers he works — Continued on Next Page

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with have shown him a different world; a world he has grown to love. Thanks to the help and mentoring the young man has received, I’m sure he’ll obtain his goals.

With all the talk about kids these days, what are you doing to guide those future farmers and ranchers? Are you encouraging their dreams, or are you trying to deter them from taking a path back to our farms and ranches? Production agriculture is hard work for low pay, so don’t paint a picture that is all sunshine and roses, but don’t discourage the next generation from following the same path you have chosen. As we all know, the

average age of the nation’s farmers is increasing, so someone will have to be there to take over one day. Wouldn’t you like to see someone in your family or someone else you know and trust to take the lead?

So what about kids these days? With a little direction, I think they are going to be just fine.

Life Is Simple Continued from Page 3

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me to go to the woodpile and bring in another armload of firewood.

In his next riff, the comedian explained that his dad would tell him, “If you’re that cold, put on another layer of clothes,” and he answered that he already had on the three suits of clothes that he owned.

Again, my thought was, “You owned three suits of clothes?”

He ended his monologue by telling us that two good parents raised him with love, and he succeeded in spite of being raised “poor.”

While I admire the man, I like to think that any modicum of success I have been able to achieve is because of being raised “poor.”

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When you compare “poor” people in America to the majority of people in developing nations, our “poor” people would be considered well-to-do.

I was watching a TV comedy special last night by a multi-millionaire entertainer. It was extremely funny and I like this comedian very much, but towards the end of his show, he got serious and started to talk about his childhood and how poor his family was. When he talked about being so cold in the winter that he begged his father to turn up the thermostat, all I could think, was, “You had a thermostat?” If I was cold and complained about it, my dad would tell

Before It’s Here…

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1-866-532-1960 NOVEMBER 18, 2019

meet your

neighbors Photo by Terry Ropp

On the Rise

As a freshman in high school, Anna Mathis joined FFA was a way to compete against her older brother Caleb.

She is now the Arkansas State FFA President.

By Terry Ropp

Anna Mathis says FFA has presented her with many opportunities Hold on tight because Anna to manage both goats. When she attendMathis of Harrison, Ark., is part of ed her first and only show at the young this year’s Arkansas FFA leader- age of 5, she took offense to the judges ship and spearheading a unique asking questions they should already group of young people dedicat- know the answers to.

When the judge asked a question ed to be part of a new face in about feed, she fired up and exclaimed agriculture.

This face is a diversity whose focus is “Ask the man in the red shirt (her dad) not gender or race. Anna explained that if you need information.”

Obviously, she did not win. Nonethefemale membership is 50 percent and leaders are already over 50 percent fe- less she won showmanship for being so male. This new face of diversity includes spunky, a trait that has served her well.

One of her most important role modbackgrounds, personalities, interests and skills whose goal is to tackle the complex els was Granny Willie who, according issues, both national and international, to Anna, believed women had their facing American agriculture today from place working beside their men as long as is needed, but also providing for family a multitude of perspectives.

“We’re not just about cows, plows and needs and comforts. Sleep came as time sows anymore but rather leaders, speak- allowed, something Anna completely uners and beakers,” Anna said, quoting a derstands with her own intense schedule.

Anna readily admits she is highly comwell-known FFA slogan.

Anna is president of Arkansas State petitive and the reason she joined FFA FFA and one of this year’s six Arkansas was to outdo her older brother. He was officers from across the state leading the her target and motivation.

During her freshman year while pursuorganization. Their advisor is Chris Bacchus, who works within the Arkansas ing her Greenhand Degree, she made the “infamous five paragraph creed” her Department of Education.

Anna’s parents are teachers, with her life as she progressed to the state compefather Kent teaching ag at Bergman and tition, convinced she would win, but she her mother Dawn teaching elementary got runner-up.

“I was totally crushed,” Ann confessed. school in Valley Springs where Anna graduated high school. Anna’s introduc- “But the author of the creed once said tion to agriculture came through frequent that ideals rather than the words were the visits to a dairy farm ran by her great- point, that the hope for agriculture was leadership, treating people with respect grandparents, Jean and Willie Nichols.

When Anna was very young, she and being industrious for what you want.”

The experience forced her to look trained to show goats. All were named Lulu because that was Anna’s nickname outside of competitive efforts and to among male family members. She re- work harder. Consequently, she won the state competition for prepared members one day walking public speaking and went to with her brother Caleb to nationals. The experience train the goats when they Harrison, Ark. opened opportunities speak switched because Lulu was to different organizations too spirited for the young thereby teaching her the value girl. The brother and sister of communicating at different saw a copperhead and Anna levels according to audience need. took off, leaving her brother NOVEMBER 18, 2019

Anna went to Washington, D.C., three times, with the last being in the summer for a summit with other statelevel FFA officers from across the country. They met Rep. Rick Crawford’s staff, who explained his view that the majority of problems facing the country were not Republican versus Democrat, but rather rural versus urban. Anna came away with the belief that breaking down the barriers between people was the first step towards solutions.

Anna loves the density of history in the capital and now understands the purposeful but bewildering and winding lower streets. A tour guide explained that the layout insured visiting dignitaries as well as tourists knew where the power was.

“I want to become part of the power structure that ensures the ag community is respected and supported. Having a D.C. internship next summer is a step in that direction in addition to helping me gather a bigger network,” Anna explained.

Anna’s long-time pursuit of personal diversity has paid off. She was high school president of her FFA chapter,

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

as well as student council and her National Honor Society chapter. She was also class Valedictorian, captain of her volleyball team and an individually successful musician.

The blending and honing of these multiple skills provide a thinking pattern adaptable to problem-solving in any arena, with Anna’s being agriculture. One of Anna’s accomplishments she is most proud of is being pivotal in reinstating the FFA Band.

Agriculture is facing trade issues, the need to increase production to feed the world, appropriate resource use with an eye to sustainability and research and development for improvement in genetics of all kinds to mention a few. The scientist, the musician, the land management specialist, the producer, the soybean farmer, the banker and a host of others need to come together to protect agriculture while taking care of the world.

Anna hopes to add to the solutions by combining agriculture and communications with an eye toward law and policy decisions.

7

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By Terry Ropp

College freshman Nick Pohlman serves on the National Junior Angus Association Board An agricultural lifestyle often teaches a sense of community and a desire to give back to the environment, whether that environment involves people, animals or land.

Being responsible for the life and health of another creature creates an awareness that is often lifelong. Nick Pohlman, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Arkansas, is on a quest to give back to all three. He wants a future life such as the one he now lives on a small hobby farm with a professional career, in his case as a physician. Nick’s father Fred is an animal science professor at the U of A, while his mother Tami is a supervisor at a veterans hospital in Fayetteville, Ark. “A lot of people are worried about the ‘me’ and ‘I’ of their own world only instead of the agriculture industry,” Nick said.

“Farmers have to take care of the land and livestock in order to make a living and they need to make a living. Urbanization has created many good but uninformed Nick Pohlman began showing people who often don’t understand that, cattle at a young age. The and I want to help fix that.” now 18-year-old college freshNick, along with his older brother Will, man may be slowing down has been raised on a 10-acre farm with an on his showing career, but he additional 10 acres nearby and 80 acres in plans to continue being a part Southeast Missouri for row crops. of the cattle industry.

What is rather amazing is that on that 20 acres in Prairie Grove, they raise a total registered Angus herd of 80 animals. This is accomplished by splitting the The farm uses natural herd into two breeding groups, breeding rather than AI as in with 17 cows and a bull in Prairie Grove, Ark. the past because Nick’s show each group, and by having dry career is ending. lot weaning and heifer pens A family tradition has been where these young animals showing sheep, which young Nick are on a growing feed program started at the age of 5 at the county supplemented by plenty of hay.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

Photo by Terry Ropp

fair level. By the time he was 9, he was showing cattle at the county, state and national levels, with his first national show being at the National Western Livestock Show in Denver, Colo., where he showed a heifer that placed third in her class.

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

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NOVEMBER 18, 2019

Serving Arkansas & Oklahoma

OWNERS FIELD Sam Chandler • 918-696-6029 REPRESENTATIVES Scottie Smith • 918-696-0793 Carl Quinton • 479-856-5500 Budge Herbert • 918-658-4781 Dax Tyler • 479-461-3678

Sale Every Monday

DS

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T SMIT R O

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That year, his parents told him to and the next as an officer. He is one of never let go of his heifer; and when his 12 selected out of a membership of 8,000. heifer spooked, he was swung around What got him there was his passion for and dragged. When he finally let go, she giving back to his industry, as well as his went straight to Nick’s parents but knew leadership ability. she had messed up and never caused any “Working with the national associamore problems. Later in his career, Nick tion is really beneficial,” Nick said. “It won grand champion Angus at the Ar- already has taught me leadership and kansas State Fair and won a class at na- how to effectively present information tionals. Nick credits his show career for to help others learn about the breed. teaching him the importance and value Additionally, membership allows me to of planning ahead since four months be- develop a network of peers and industry fore show season he begins familiarizing leaders such as the Angus Association the show cattle with being washed and CEO. All of this will help me as I pursue begins working with hair to appeal to my dream of being a doctor and having show standards. my own hobby farm.”

Early on, the family Nick is very busy purhad two show heifers suing his education and named Kandi and Priss high-pressure career who were more like goals while working pets. He took the pair with the Angus associato Farm Friends at the tions. Nonetheless, he U of A Whitaker Censtill helps out at the farm Working with ter to promote agriculand is knowledgeable ture. Nick talked about about their very specific the national them and helped timid feed ration program. association is youngsters to touch The ration program really beneficial. It includes the use of without fear.

“That was when I already has taught MFA show feed with first realized I wanted beat pulp, cotme leadership and added to be an advocate for tonseed hulls for fiber, how to effectively agriculture,” Nick said. and oats for hair qual“To this day, those two present information ity and energy, as well heifers still love to be depth charge pellets to help others learn as scratched.” to fill out the flank. about the breed.

Predictably startSteers receive alfalfa ing 4-H at age 5, this pellets because of the – Nick Pohlman year Nick serves as high protein content the Ozark District vice in addition to mineral president of Northand added milk powwest Arkansas, which der. Regular rations, covers 25 counties. He started FFA as a which are suitable for cattle and sheep, freshman and was active on competitive are feed in the pasture by the house. teams for livestock judging, meat judg- This ration is a Powell Feed commercial ing and farm management as, well as mix, sometimes with individual ingreserving as the reporter during his senior dients according to specific needs. The year. Nick believes his time in FFA not cows and bull in the extra field receive only taught him about other species of range cubes instead of a ration. animals, but also much more detail about Although he’s early in adulthood, their physiology. In addition, during high Nick understands the need for pressure school, he was part of the Arkansas Ju- release. nior Angus Association and held various “I love sitting on the tractor and not office position. Now he is a member of thinking about what day it is,” he said. the National Junior Angus Association “Maybe when I retire, I’ll expand my and was elected to a two-year term, the hobby farm; but that’s a long ways off first to be served as the board of directors and I have a lot of life to live.”

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The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

9

roots Tractor

ozarks

the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home Photos by Terry Ropp

People

By Terry Ropp

Bill Garner heads the Arkansans Valley Antique Tractor Club

Bill Garner of Booneville, Arkansas is president of the Arkansas Valley Antique Tractor Club.

Like so many American farmers, Bill was raised on the farm and around tractors his whole life. He was about 3 years old when his father Pleas would place the young child right with him as they drove down the road. Then when Bill turned 7, his dad had him stand on the drawbar until it was time to open the gate. Then Bill’s job was to crawl into the seat and drive through while Pleas opened and closed the gate. About a year later Pleas told Bill to keep on driving and Bill felt like he was on “cloud nine.”

By the time he was 12, his father had a 1940 V C Case that Bill used to plow all day. By 13, he had progressed to using a two-row cultivator.

“Though I continue to work designing individual septic systems and have sold my cows, I still bale hay because driving a tractor is one of the joys of my life,” Bill said.

“I’d known about Arkansas Valley An-

10

tique Tractor Club for years and always felt I was too busy. Then, in 2009, I figured out I wasn’t getting any younger, and it was about time to share my love of tractors with others by talking to fellow tractor enthusiasts and displaying them for both farming and nonfarming.

The Arkansas Valley Antique Tractor Club has upwards of 100 members from teens to seniors. The club meets once a month, usually on the first Saturday, and have moved from potlucks at their Ozark (, Ark.) headquarters to eating at a Western Sizzlin in Fort Smith. Because the membership is so spread out including people from Sallisaw, Hodgen, and Heavener in Oklahoma, meeting attendance is usually around 40, with a core group that attends every month and others when they can.”

The purpose of the group is to share their love of tractors and find as many ways to display them as possible. These events provide an opportunity for nonfarming families to see the equipment that helps put food on their tables. Up-

close exposure is one tool in the endless effort to educate consumers about what agriculture really is.

Members attend several tractor shows including their own in early June and drive in numerous parades. The Arkansas Valley Antique Tractor Show features hay baling, a working blacksmith shop, a parade and a corn grinding exhibition as well as displays of antique tractors, old hand tools, hit and miss engines, in addition to implements and toys.

The numerous parades club members attend are in a variety of places and sometimes on the same day. Consequently, club members have to divide in order represented in each parade. Paris,

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

Ark., has the first Christmas parade right after Thanksgiving; while the Veterans Day Parade at Fort Chaffee is becoming an increasingly popular event and one they especially enjoy.

At the Ozark, the Fort Smith and the Waldron fairs, the club also sponsors pedal tractor pulls for children 4 through 9 in different age divisions. Usually the fairs offer a trophy while the club supplies the pedal tractor.

Some tractor owners, like Bill, perform only small repairs and touch ups on their tractors, while others restore them. A restoration means completely redoing everything so they appear show room perfect. Pride comes from saving

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

ozarks roots and sharing a piece of history when their tractors rumble and growl for others to see as they chug down the road.

Like most members, Bill has more than one tractor. His collection includes 12 tractors ranging from a 1941 VC Case, just like the one his father owned to a 1951 H Farmall, which was the third top-selling tractor ever built and the bestseller for Farmall with just under 400,000 units sold.

Members find tractors through magazines, newspapers and word-of-mouth.

Perhaps Bill’s favorite is his 1941 VC Case, which he purchased because it was exactly like his dad’s. He found the tractor through an ad in one of the many trade magazines. A woman’s husband had passed and Bill spied the ad where she was selling his equipment. Bill made a call to the West Virginia number and asked if he could see a picture. She informed him that the tractor was featured in the latest issue of Antique Power, picture and all.

“Like farmers, most tractor people are trustworthy and she told me to send her a check when I was ready and had arranged transportation,” Bill commented.

While most members of the club are seniors, the club has younger members, as well as four teenagers who love to compete in tractor pulls and go to parades.

The club also contains several women, including mother/daughter duo Agnes and Dianna Ives from Boonville, Ark. As older members pass on, younger members, who are often seniors themselves, enter the ranks because they have more time than those raising young children.

Further, the definition of “antique” changes because the middle-aged farmer of today remembers riding with his father on a tractor just as Bill did but in a much younger model.

Nonetheless, love for this vital equipment is strong and the future of the club looks green or red or whatever the color of a favorite brand, colors are much brighter than gold to tractor lovers.

Berryville • 344 Hwy. 21 North 870-423-4245 Yellville • 801 Hwy. 62 West 870-449-4966 Flippin • 9095 Hwy. 62 East 870-435-4400 Huntsville • 304 Labarge St. 479-738-6814 Green Forest • 181 West Main 870-438-5184 Harrison • 502 Hwy 62/65 N. 870-741-0855 Siloam Springs • 1629 East Main 479-524-3511 Imboden • 5564 Hwy 63 East 870-869-264 571083z

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

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

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Kevin (Short) Williams H - 870-423-3099 C - 870-423-8444

Elmer Robertson C - 479-466-0904

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Restaurant on Premises

“We Know Cattle, and we Know the Markets” Kirk Powell (870) 654-2205 and Ron Wallace (870) 654-6369 Community Owned and Operated with Consistency, Uniformity, and Convenience • Online Auctions with bidding • Hay and Water pens • On Farm Appraisals • Free Parking • Hauling and Delivery

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

Auctions on Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.

Special auctions to be announced.

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

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

11

Livestock, Flatbed and Dump Trailers

eye on Photo by Terry Ropp

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Davy’s Tractor

By Terry Ropp

Owner: Davy Owens, Sr. (pictured at left) Location: Wister, Okla.

Business: Davy’s Tractor Manager: Davy Owens, Jr. (pictured at right)

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History: “Our business first opened in 1988 after my dad had worked for the Massey dealers in Poteau,” Davy’s Tractor mananager Davy Owens, Jr., said. “He was tired of working for someone else and decided to go out on his own closer to home in Summerfield. He selected a location between Poteau and Red Oak because he saw a need for repair services in the immediate area, a need that has remained constant.

I was in eighth grade at the time and started working for him during summers. After graduating from high school, I went to Carl Albert College to earn a two-year degree in electronics. In 1992, my father decided he wanted even more independence and needed more room and bought land just down the road on Highway 270, building the facility we are still using today. In 1994, I returned home with my degree and told my father I was ready to work in the shop full-time. Now that dad’s getting ready to retire and devote his time to his cattle herd, I will soon take over the business.”

Products and Services: “We work on all brands of tractors, from the 1950 models up to current models, as long as the repairs are not computer-based. Typical repairs include clutches, hydraulics and engine issues. The most common brands people bring in are Massey and Ford, along with a few John Deere with models usually falling between the mid-1970s and 2000. The majority of the tractors we work on are 100 hp or less, meaning they’re used for activities such as hay baling and brush hogging. Most of our customers live within an 80-mile radius. We are known for being reliable and standing behind what we do. Consequently, people trust us and come back and tell others. While we keep some Massey and Ford parts, we order almost everything we need and get the parts within two days. People also use us for preseason servicing so equipment is ready to go when spring arrives. Pre-servicing includes oil, filters, plugs, if needed, and checking tire pressures. Most of our customers have more than one tractor. Our turnaround time is typical of other similar businesses in that during peak season customers may have to wait up to three weeks to get their tractor back though a week turnaround is not uncommon at other times. Very occasionally, we sell a few used tractors. I am looking forward to continuing my father’s business and servicing our customers in the tradition he began so long ago.”

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

town & Submitted Photo

country

ARKANSAS

in the field and in the office

Sharing The Success

ANGUS SALE Saturday

DECEMBER 14, 2019 Noon

(CST)

Held at the I-40 Livestock Auction • Ozark, AR

Selling 60 Featured Lots!

Service Age Bulls • Productive Cow Calf Pairs Elite Bred Heifers • Show Heifer Prospects

Sherri and Kyle Sanders

Sale Chairmen: Tyler Copeland (870) 450-4089 & Darrell Tunstill (479) 466-3305

By Veronica Hicks

Hometown: Searcy, Ark Family: Children: Jessica Wesson and Will Wesson

In Town: Sherri has worked as a White County Extension Agent for Agriculture for 24 years. Her office is also over 4-H. She stays busy serving as an Ex-Officio on the White County Farm Bureau Board, White County Fair Board, Searcy Tree Board and the Searcy Pollinator Friendly Committee. Sherri and her family attend First Baptist Church in Searcy where she serves on the hospitality committee and sings in the choir. Sherri is a member of the Arkansas Ag Agents Association and of the National Ag Agents Association, she serves on the Searcy High School Agriculture Education Advisory Committee, and she is a ambassador member of the Miss Rodeo America Foundation.

Kyle has worked for Ram/Ford for six years now. He taught agriculture for 30 years, teaching at three different school districts finishing up at Riverview in Searcy, Ark. In the Country: Rafter S Cattle Farm sits on 15 acres. The farm has around 24 head of cattle, which they started raising around three years ago. They moved into their new home over a year ago and when they first bought it they couldn’t even pull off the highway. They are working towards adding a full pasture and hay barn after the pasture is cleared.

They raise crossbred commercial cattle. They breed with artificial insemination from superior Angus and Limousin bulls. They also buy young heifers, run them for about a year and sell them.

“It’s a family operation. Both kids help on the farm as their schedules allow, and Kyle helps when he’s not on the road working. There has been a lot of hard work put into it,” Sherri said.

Before they moved, they had sheeps hogs, and goats at their old house, where they had a show barn, but decided to do away with that and focus on raising cattle when they moved to their new home.

“Cattle are a lot easier because they pretty much take care of themselves, but we don’t have more than we can take care of and we try to manage what our land can suffice. We are constantly trying to work on building our pasture and our productivity so that when we sell animals that they are of quality,” Sherri said.

“Just to stand here you would think everything is caught up but there is always something to be done. Keeping days and weeks planned so you keep everything running as it needs to be so you don’t get behind,” Kyle said.

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

For your free reference sale booklet, contact anyone in the office of the Sale Managers, TOM BURKE, KURT SCHAFF, JEREMY HAAG, AMERICAN ANGUS HALL OF FAME at the WORLD ANGUS HEADQUARTERS, Box 660, Smithville, MO 64089. Phone 816/532-0811. Fax 816/532-0851.

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Find your local Heritage Tractor location or request a quote at HeritageTractor.com (1)Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between November 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Subject to approved installment credit with John Deere Financial. Down payment may be required. Average down payment is 20%. $99 monthly payment based on a purchase of $10,419 with $2,084 down payment or trade-in, 84 months at 0% APR. Taxes, freight, setup and delivery charges could increase monthly payment. Available at participating U.S. dealers. Prices and models may vary by dealer.

Offers available on new equipment and in the U.S. only. Prices and savings in U.S. dollars. (2)Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between November 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Subject to approved installment credit with John Deere Financial.

Down payment may be required. Average down payment is 20%. $179 monthly payment based on a purchase of $18,796 with $3,759 down payment or trade-in, 84 months at 0% APR. Taxes, freight, setup and delivery charges could increase monthly payment. Available at participating U.S. dealers. Prices and models may vary by dealer. Offers available on new John Deere 5E (45-75 hp) Utility Tractors and in the U.S. only. Prices and savings in U.S. dollars. ‡All 5E Series Utility Tractors purchased new from an authorized John Deere Dealer come standard with a 5 year/2000 hour (whichever comes first) Powertrain Warranty. See the Limited Warranty for New John Deere Turf & Utility Equipment at dealer for details.

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

13

slaughter

market sales reports

bulls

(Week of 11/3/19 to 11/9/19) Arkansas Cattle Auction Ash Flat Livestock Benton County Sale Barn - Siloam Springs

5 Area (Tx-Ok, Ks, Neb, Ia, Colo) Live Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice Steers: 112.00-117.50; wtd. avg. price 114.62.

Heifers: 113.00-117.00; wtd. avg. price 114.77.

Dressed Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice Steers: 179.00-181.00; wtd. avg. price 180.69.

Heifers: 180.00-181.00; wtd. avg. price 180.56.

58.00-81.50* 50.00-75.00 † 70.00-85.00* None Reported* 62.00-79.00*

County Line Sale - Ratcliff Decatur Livestock Auction

Farmer’s & Ranchers - Vinita Farmer’s Stockyards - Springdale Fort Smith Stockyards Four State Stockyards I-40 Livestock - Ozark Joplin Regional Stockyards Mid-State Stockyards North Arkansas Livestock - Green Forest

cattle

Springer Cows: Supreme 1500.00-2300.00, Approved 1100.001200.00, ind Jersey 1020.00, few crossbreds 1100.00-1225.00, Medium ind 875.00.

11/10/19 Cows bred one to six months: Supreme 1500.00-2100.00, ind Jersey 1950.00, Approved 1250.00-1450.00, ind Jersey 1050.00, Medium few 650.00-1025.00.

Baby Calves: Holstein heifers few 40.00-85.00, Holstein bulls 85.00-100.00, small 10.00-45.00, Jersey bulls several 15.00, crossbred heifers few 275.00, small 85.00-125.00, crossbred bulls 110.00-225.00, small 15.00-45.00, beef cross heifers 200.00300.00, beef cross bulls 135.00-225.00.

Midwest - High Plains Direct Slaughter Cattle

None Reported †

Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction

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

beef

50.00-70.00 † 68.00-79.00 †

50.00-80.00* 59.00-84.00* 45.00-81.50 †

dairy cattle

60.00-88.00 † 75.00* None Reported † 55.00-81.50 † 40.00-65.00 † 56.00-89.00 †

Springfield, Mo. • Springfield Livestock Marketing Center

10/22/19

Receipts: 661 Springer Heifers bred seven to nine months: Supreme 65.00-79.00* 1100.00-1425.00, ind Jersey 2000.00, crossbreds 1175.0070.00-83.00 † 1300.00, Approved 800.00-1075.00, Medium 675.00-775.00.

Welch Stockyards 70.00-96.00* Heifers bred three to six months: Supreme 1100.00-1500.00, 10 30 50 70 90 110 130 top ind 2000.00, ind Jersey 1075.00, Approved 850.00-1075, Jerseys 775.00-950.00, few crossbreds 850.00, Medium 625.00800.00, ind Jersey 725.00, crossbreds 600.00-750.00, Common 200.00-490.00, few Jerseys 475.00, few crossbreds 400.00.

Heifers bred one to three months: Supreme 1000.00-1100.00, Approved 785.00-950.00, ind Jersey 825.00, Medium few crossbreds 700.00, Common 160.00-525.00, few Jerseys 250.00(Week of 11/3/19 to 11/9/19) 485.00.

Arkansas Cattle Auction - Searcy 33.00-54.00 † Open Heifers: Approved: 260-285 lbs 200.00-210.00, pkg 5 Ash Flat Livestock 25.00-52.00 † Jerseys 287 lbs 375.00, pkg 3 crossbreds 277 lbs 250.00, 363-370 Benton County Sale Barn - Siloam Springs None Reported † pkg 3 Jerseys 365 lbs 475.00, crossbreds 275.00-300.00, 419-500 Cattlemen’s Livestock 27.00-55.00* lbs few 175.00-200.00, crossbreds 250.00-360.00, 520-589 lbs 10.00-48.00 † County Line Sale - Ratcliff 375.00-450.00, ind Jersey 505 lbs 560.00, crossbreds 200.00Decatur Livestock Auction 35.00-54.00* 3 300.00, 608-699 lbs 300.00-560.00, crossbreds 400.00-650.00, None Reported* Farmer’s & Ranchers - Vinita 702-820 lbs 450.00-750.00.

Farmer’s Stockyards - Springdale 35.00-50.00* Medium: 308-340 lbs 185.00-250.00, 419-500 lbs few 175.00Fort Smith Stockyards 15.00-53.00* 200.00, few crossbreds 250.00-360.00, 558-590 lbs few 210.00Four State Stockyards 5.00-55.50* 325.00, ind Jersey 525 lbs 275.00, 630-670 lbs few crossbreds I-40 Livestock 15.00-54.00 † 260.00-360.00, 730-808 lbs few 260.00-310.00, crossbreds Joplin Regional Stockyards 10.00-69.00 † 275.00-360.00.

Mid-State Stockyards 56.00* Replacement Cows: Fresh Cows: Supreme ind Jersey 1425.00, North Arkansas Livestock - Green Forest None Reported † crossbreds 1425.00-1750.00, Approved 900.00-1175.00, † OKC West - El Reno 25.00-64.50 crossbreds 950.00-1150.00, Medium 925.00-1075.00, ind Jersey † Ouachita Livestock Auction 10.00-42.50 750.00, crossbreds 900.00-975.00, Common 525.00-725.00. † Ozarks Regional 20.00-64.00 2 Milking Cows: Supreme 1600.00-3100.00, top 2 cows Stilwell Livestock Auction 40.00-53.50* 4200.00-5900.00, crossbreds 1200.00-1375.00, Approved † Tulsa Livestock Auction 34.00-58.00 3 1000.00-1450.00, ind Jersey 1350.00, crossbreds 1025.00Welch Stockyards 40.00-58.00* 1125.00, Medium 925.00-1075.00, ind Jersey 900.00, few crossbreds 875.00-875.00, Common ind 585.00, ind Jersey 325.00.

slaughter

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.

14 14

10

30

50

Ark. Cattle Auction, LLC - Searcy✝ 11/5/19 1,764

Ash Flat Livestock✝

Uneven 143.00-169.00 144.00-162.00 124.00-158.00 115.00-136.00 122.00-130.00 140.00-165.00 125.00-153.00 110.00-145.00 105.00-125.00 111.00-126.00 128.00-145.00 110.00-138.50 105.00-132.00 106.00-122.00 109.00-121.00

70

90

goats

stocker & feeder Farmer’s Stockyards*

Fort Smith Stockyards*

11/5/19 -----

11/4/19 373

Uneven

-----

-----

110.00-173.00 109.00-163.00 106.00-147.00 115.00-142.00 100.00-144.00

133.00-145.00 130.00-144.00 120.00-135.00 130.00-138.00 135.00

165.00-189.00 155.00-173.00 145.00-163.00 135.00-150.00 130.00-145.00

165.00-175.00 144.00-167.00 125.00-159.00 118.00-131.00 116.00-118.00

109.00-161.00 105.00-141.00 82.00-139.00 87.00-121.00 100.00-110.00

----120.00-124.00 100.00-122.00 99.00-115.00 99.00-104.00

130.00-155.00 129.00-148.00 120.00-132.00 110.00-130.00 123.00-127.00

100.00-138.00 90.00-134.00 95.00-131.00 85.00-125.50 89.00-123.00

115.00-126.00 110.00-125.00 96.00-117.00 100.00-122.00 -----

Cattlemen’s Livestock*

Decatur Livestock*

11/6/19 1,372

County Line Sale Ratcliff✝ 11/6/19 198

11/8/19 736 St-7 Higher

Uneven

Uneven

158.00-177.00 140.00-159.00 135.00-151.00 130.00-140.00 120.00-130.00

170.00-185.00 154.00-170.00 139.00-165.00 135.00-149.00 130.00-152.00

151.00-166.00 134.00-159.00 124.00-135.00 115.00 105.00 138.00 120.00-132.00 115.00-130.00 113.00-120.00 110.00

Norwood, Mo. • Producers Auction Yards Sheep/Goat

Nan Nan Fam

Nati

10/26/19

Receipts: 1,194 Feeder Sheep/Lambs: Lambs - Medium and Large 1: 200.00-225.00.

Diamond, Mo. • TS White Sheep/Goat 11/7/19 Hair Lambs - Medium and Large 1: 220.00-240.00.

Receipts: 903 Hair Lambs - Medium and Large 2: 170.00-215.00.

Feeder Sheep/Lambs: Slaughter Sheep/Lambs: Lambs - Medium and Large 1-2: 217.50.

Wooled - Choice and Prime 2-3: 170.00-177.50.

Lambs - Medium and Large 2: 155.00.

Wooled - Utility and Good 1-3: 110.00.

Hair Lambs - Medium and Large 1: 225.00-240.00.

Hair Breeds - Choice and Prime 2-3: 185.00-232.50.

Hair Lambs - Medium and Large 1-2: 175.00-247.50.

Hair Breeds - Good and Choice 1-3: 125.00-220.00.

Hair Lambs - Medium and Large 2: 185.00-205.00.

Hair Ewes - Good and Choice 1-3: 120.00.

Slaughter Sheep/Lambs: Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3: 40.00-77.50.

Wooled & Shorn - Good and Choice 1-2: 130.00-150.00.

Hair Bucks - 1-3: 50.00-100.00.

Wooled - Good and Choice 1: 195.00-210.00.

Replacement Sheep/Lambs: Wooled - Good and Choice 1-2: 127.50.

Hair Ewes - Medium and Large 1: 130.00-185.00.

Wooled - Good 1-2: 105.00.

Hair Ewes - Medium and Large 2: 105.00-120.00.

Hair Breeds - Good and Choice 1: 215.00-232.50.

Hair Ewes - Medium and Large 3: 45.00-105.00.

Hair Breeds - Good and Choice 1-2: 157.50-215.00.

Families - Medium and Large 2 w/20-40 lbs lamb: 55.00Hair Breeds - Good and Choice 2: 122.50-190.00.

75.00.

Hair Breeds - Good 1-2: 128.00.

Feeder Goats: Ewes - Utility and Good 1-2: 82.50.

Kids - Selection 1: 235.00-280.00.

Ewes - Cull and Utility 1-2: 60.00-75.00.

Kids - Selection 2: 180.00-230.00.

Hair Ewes - Good and Choice 1-2: 100.00-125.00.

Slaughter Goats: Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-2: 75.00-85.00.

Kids - Selection 1: 180.00-270.00.

Hair Ewes - Cull and Utility 1-2: 70.00-90.00.

Kids - Selection 2: 175.00-230.00.

Hair Bucks - 1-2: 105.00-125.00.

Kids - Selection 3: 120.00-160.00.

Replacement Sheep/Lambs: Nannies/Does - Selection 1: 130.00-165.00.

Families - Medium and Large 1 w/20-40 lbs lamb: 232.50.

Nannies/Does - Selection 2: 100.00-125.00.

Families - Medium and Large 1-2 w/20-40 lbs lamb: Nannies/Does - Selection 3: 100.00-105.00.

195.00.

Bucks/Billies - Selection 1: 130.00-165.00.

Families - Medium and Large 2 w/20-40 lbs lamb: 160.00.

Wethers - Selection 1: 150.00-160.00.

Feeder Goats: Wethers - Selection 2: 130.00-160.00.

Kids - Selection 1: 250.00-270.00.

Replacement Goats: Kids - Selection 1-2: 230.00-240.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection 1: 170.00-240.00.

Slaughter Goats:

Farmer’s & Ranchers Vinita, Okla.* 11/6/19 -----

Benton Co. - Siloam Springs✝ 11/7/19 2,440

NONE REPORTED

0

cows

sheep &

Kids - Selection 1: 265.00-277.50.

Kids - Selection 1-2: 105.00-252.50.

Kids - Selection 2: 180.00-210.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection 1: 155.00-175.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2: 105.00-145.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection 2: 75.00-120.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection 2-3: 60.00-80.00.

Bucks/Billies - Selection 1: 150.00-200.00.

Bucks/Billies - Selection 1-2: 90.00-170.00.

Wethers - Selection 1: 205.00-227.50.

Wethers - Selection 1-2: 135.00-220.00.

prices

11/5/19 2,058

Four State Stockyards Exeter, Mo* 11/5/19 1,536

I-40 Livestock Ozark✝ 11/7/19 821

Joplin Regional Stockyards✝ 11/4/19 6,423

-----

-----

3-5 Higher

Uneven

3-6 Higher

168.00-175.00 160.00-168.00 157.00-165.00 ---------

150.00-165.00 145.00-163.00 135.00-159.00 130.00-153.00 120.00-147.00

125.00-183.00 120.00-174.00 116.00-167.00 110.00-148.00 -----

160.00-177.00 158.00-170.00 121.00-155.00 120.00-149.00 124.00-142.00

157.00-180.00 133.00-160.00 122.00-143.00 124.00-132.00 131.00-136.00

180.00-188.00 152.50-191.00 147.00-162.00 135.00-161.00 147.00-154.00

145.00-155.00 140.00-150.00 130.00-140.00 125.00-135.00 110.00-125.00

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

145.00-155.00 135.00-150.00 130.00-145.00 120.00-130.00 110.00-125.00

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

----121.00-133.00 130.00-138.50 105.00-118.50 112.00-123.00

----131.00-137.00 116.00-136.00 100.00-125.00 88.00-115.00

----161.00-180.00 ----137.00 -----

125.00-158.00 120.00-145.00 120.00-140.00 117.00-125.00 115.00-177.00

140.00-145.00 134.00-145.00 128.00-134.00 128.00-144.00 -----

130.00-145.00 120.00-140.00 120.00-136.00 105.00-132.00 100.00-127.00

117.00-150.00 112.00-147.00 107.00-142.00 102.00-140.00 -----

139.00-145.00 128.00-139.50 118.00-132.50 113.00-127.75 109.00-118.00

130.00-143.00 115.00-140.00 112.00-124.50 109.00-122.00 110.00-112.00

140.00-157.50 130.00-148.00 130.00-147.00 131.00-143.00 135.00-143.00

✝ USDA Reported * Independently Reported

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

Che The $2.1 Flui to h capa aski load disc $1.5 avai in th mul Mid SPO BU $2.6

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

Mi Stoc

11

140 135 130 122 120

120 110 110 118 110

Corn

9.27

9.31

9.40

5.56

5.50

5.50

5.66

9.02

9 6 3

3.92

0 Blyt

ion 1: 170.00-240.00.

le

hevil

na

Hele

e

Elain

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

5.20

3.92

eola

Little

k

Roc

ices

0

Joplin Regional Stockyards✝ 11/4/19 6,423

Mid-State Stockyards*

3-6 Higher

500

Week of 10/13/19

147.74 ** 127.73 127.99

136.54 ** 114.36 109.23 114.68

125.48 124.40

152.60 **

**

134.29

122.00 143.47

154.07 120.15

132.00

2000

2500

Welch Stockyards*

11/4/19 638 -----

St-10 Higher

St-3 Higher

St-10 Higher

3-7 Higher

St-10 Higher

6-9 Higher

-----

130.00 *

177.50-187.50 152.00-197.50 141.00-171.00 130.00-155.00 132.00-151.50

153.00-174.00 144.00-171.00 126.00-141.00 ---------

171.00-182.50 143.00-175.00 140.00-162.00 138.00-155.00 139.00-154.00

176.00-187.00 165.00-180.00 140.00-170.00 125.00-149.00 121.00-132.00

175.00-190.00 163.00-175.00 147.00-159.00 138.50-149.00 129.00-142.00

160.00-194.00 145.00-176.00 140.00-169.00 135.00-158.00 134.00-155.75

----1.00-137.00 6.00-136.00 0.00-125.00 .00-115.00

----161.00-180.00 ----137.00 -----

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

150.00-173.00 137.00-148.00 120.00-135.00 110.00-126.00 111.00-122.00

180.00 ------------125.50

131.00-178.00 132.00-154.00 120.00-134.00 95.00-105.00 105.00-110.00

155.00 141.00-143.00 132.00-138.00 130.00 -----

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

157.00-179.00 155.00-170.00 138.00-150.00 118.50-133.00 -----

145.00-161.00 150.00-171.00 120.00-145.00 115.00-133.00 90.00-110.00 135.00-148.00 130.00-147.00 128.00-145.00 120.00-148.00 110.00-143.85

The Most Read Farm Newspaper TheOzarks Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

133.54 117.31 117.47 108.00 115.41

130.26

124.00

140.94

11/5/19 2,243

153.00-173.00 145.00-165.00 135.00-161.00 124.00-147.00 133.00-154.00

138.50-150.00 130.00-145.00 124.00-134.50 115.00-126.00 120.00-134.00

150.00 129.61

124.80

144.79

140.00-162.00 135.00-158.00 130.00-145.00 122.00-140.00 120.00-135.00

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

139.36 120.64

139.02

Tulsa Livestock Auction✝ 11/4/19 4,678

129.00-143.00 131.00-142.00 119.00-138.00 108.00-123.00 117.00-128.00

**

133.98

Stilwell Livestock Auction* 11/6/19 1,252

139.00-149.00 125.00-149.00 125.00-138.00 128.00-141.00 132.50-142.00

135.48

136.29

Ozarks Regional West Plains✝ 11/5/19 4,801

127.00-143.00 119.00-134.00 115.00-130.00 ----106.00

125.28

153.86

Ouachita Livestock Ola✝ 11/8/19 376

145.00-160.00 126.00-154.50 121.00-149.00 121.00-149.00 131.00-146.50

123.99

**

OKC West - El Reno, Okla.✝ 11/5/19 10,595

136.00-147.00 124.00-140.00 120.00-135.00 121.00-137.00 112.00-120.00

117.00 **

144.96

N. Ark. Livestock Green Forest✝ 11/6/19 2,224

120.00-140.00 110.00-135.00 110.00-134.00 118.00-130.00 110.00-120.00

116.72

151.18

pairs

1500

138.51 118.63

143.71

180.00-188.00 152.50-191.00 147.00-162.00 135.00-161.00 147.00-154.00

140.00-157.50 130.00-148.00 130.00-147.00 131.00-143.00 135.00-143.00

138.93 **

7.00-180.00 3.00-160.00 2.00-143.00 4.00-132.00 1.00-136.00

0.00-143.00 5.00-140.00 2.00-124.50 9.00-122.00 0.00-112.00

134.47

575.00-1100.00 * 975.00-1475.00 * 800.00-975.00 † 450.00-1475.00 †

1000

135.18 125.10

150.99

2000

131.99

150.56

137.79

117.89 140.75

155.14 142.86

129.13

157.34 129.23 134.98 122.52 125.80

139.41 119.67 117.93 110.17 110.11

152.17

127.83

150.67

127.25 137.74

153.40 110

Ouachita Tulsa

115.99

132.47

None Reported * Mid-State Stockyard None Reported † North Arkansas Livestock - Green Forest 800.00-975.00 † OKC West - El Reno Ouachita Livestock Auction - Ola None Reported † Ozarks Regional 600.00-1350.00 † Stilwell Livestock Auction 900.00-1185.00 * Tulsa Livestock Auction None Reported † None Reported † Welch Stockyards

3.78

Osc

575.00-1085.00 † 760.00-1090.00 *

Arkansas Cattle Auction - Searcy None Reported † Ash Flat Livestock 625.00-1125.00 † Benton County Sale Barn - Siloam Springs None Reported † Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction 1450.00 * None Reported † County Line Sale - Ratcliff Decatur Livestock Auction 900.00-1350.00 * Farmer’s & Ranchers - Vinita None Reported * Farmer’s Stockyards 700.00-1300.00 *

Sorghum

9.34

500.00-1025.00 *

1500

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

136.71

None Reported † 200.00-1200.00 †

1000

heifers 550-600 LBS.

155.02

375.00-1175.00 † 650.00-1400.00 * None Reported † 520.00-925.00 †

500

Ouachita Tulsa

137.20

(Week of 11/3/19 to 11/9/19)

12

.00-270.00. .00-230.00. .00-160.00. ion 1: 130.00-165.00. ion 2: 100.00-125.00. ion 3: 100.00-105.00. on 1: 130.00-165.00.

150.00-160.00.

130.00-160.00.

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

May 19 June 19 July 19 Aug. 19 Sept. 19 Oct. 19

Week of 10/20/19

Soft Wheat

steers 550-600 LBS.

425.00-950.00 †

cow/calf

avg. grain prices Soybeans

Nov. 18 Dec. 18 Jan. 19 Feb. 19 Mar. 19 Apr. 19

650.00-1100.00 * 450.00-1200.00 * 875.00-1235.00 *

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

0

$80

Week of 10/27/19

Cheese: Barrels closed at $2.3300 and 40# blocks at $2.0150.

The weekly average for barrels is $2.3530 (+.0750) and blocks, $2.1100 (-.0495).

Fluid Milk: Milk production across the U.S. is generally steady to higher. In some regions, intakes are pushing manufacturing capacity. Idaho processors suggest that milk handlers are regularly asking around to see if they can find a home for any additional load of milk. And in the Midwest, cheesemakers are reporting discounted milk loads. Loads were reported as low as $1.50 to $1.50 over Class. Bottling demand is steady. Cream is widely available in most regions and cream is particularly available in the West compared to the other regions of the U.S. Cream multiples are 1.25 to 1.33 in the East, 1.21 to 1.31 in the Midwest, and 1.05 to 1.22 in the West.

SPOT PRICES OF CLASS II CREAM, $ PER POUND BUTTERFAT F.O.B. producing plants: Upper Midwest $2.6656 - $2.7281.

$120

1100.00 † 500.00-1025.00 † None Reported † 1000.00 * None Reported † 600.00-1280.00* None Reported *

Week of 10/13/19

11/8/19

Daily Report 11/12/19

.00-280.00. .00-230.00.

Uneven

County Line Sale - Ratcliff Decatur Livestock Auction Farmer’s & Ranchers - Vinita Farmer’s Stockyards - Springdale Fort Smith Stockyards Four State Stockyards - Exeter, Mo. I-40 Livestock - Ozark Joplin Regional Stockyards Mid-State Stockyards North Arkansas Livestock - Green Forest

$160

Prices reported per cwt

Week of 10/20/19

10/26/19

Large 1: 200.00-225.00. and Large 1: 220.00-240.00. and Large 2: 170.00-215.00. s: Prime 2-3: 170.00-177.50.

Good 1-3: 110.00. and Prime 2-3: 185.00-232.50. d Choice 1-3: 125.00-220.00.

Choice 1-3: 120.00. d Good 1-3: 40.00-77.50.

0-100.00. mbs: nd Large 1: 130.00-185.00. nd Large 2: 105.00-120.00. nd Large 3: 45.00-105.00. d Large 2 w/20-40 lbs lamb: 55.00-

I-40 estock Ozark✝ 11/7/19 821

Arkansas Cattle Auction - Searcy Ash Flat Livestock Benton County Sale Barn - Siloam Springs Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction

dairy sales

National Dairy Market at a Glance

cows

(Week of 11/3/19 to 11/9/19)

Week of 10/27/19

uction Yards Sheep/Goat

replacement

Nannies/Does - Selection 2: 110.00-170.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection 3: 47.50-55.00.

Families - Selection 2 w/20-40 lbs kid: 42.50-45.00.

550-600 lb. steers

$200

Week of 11/3/19

.00-277.50.

05.00-252.50. .00-210.00. on 1: 155.00-175.00. on 1-2: 105.00-145.00. on 2: 75.00-120.00. on 2-3: 60.00-80.00. on 1: 150.00-200.00. on 1-2: 90.00-170.00.

205.00-227.50.

2: 135.00-220.00.

12 Month Avg. -

$240

Week of 11/3/19

es reports

✝ USDA Reported * Independently Reported

137 164 191 218 * No price reported in weight break **USDA Failed To Report *** No Sale

245

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

95

116 137 158 179 * No price reported in weight break **USDA Failed To Report *** No Sale

200

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

15 15

meet your neighbors

Show-Quality Swine

By Terry Ropp

Eighteen-year-old Mason Ramey demands quality and quantity from his sows As society becomes more complex, new patterns for successful farms emerge.

A an example is the 260-acre R&M Show Pigs farm in Winslow, Ark. Eighteen-year-old Mason Ramey manages the farm and works for the West Fork School District, as do his mother Reba and sister Lacey. The creative part comes in with his father, a retired Fayetteville Schools maintenance manager.

Ralph feeds livestock, leaving very busy Mason time for working while attending Southern New Hampshire University online and managing the diverse livestock production farm.

“Mason has a good mind and a lot of knowledge. He really understands how to manage the farm and I follow his lead.

He understands breeding and finances, and all of the other many issues of livestock production,” Ralph said.

“I have always loved animals of all kinds and remember feeding scratch to chickens when I was 3,” Mason added. “My four-year business degree will help with the management side, but my ultimate goal is to work on the farm full time.”

The central operation is show pigs. It all began when Mason was 12 and a pig arrived at the diverse farm. The pig was a novelty to the youngster, and the plan to raise just one pig quickly faded.

The farm now typically supports 15 sows and one teaser boar to signal when sows are ready to breed. Only AI is used for breeding females and performed by Mason.

Mason follows one practice that helps both his customers and his genetics. If a customer purchases one of his piglets, shows and doesn’t want to sell it to just anyone but wants another piglet for the next year, Mason will take back the show pig and give the customer pick of the litter next season. Mason then culls his sows, replacing them with some of those he brought home, while finishing out others.

Mason demands both quality and quantity production from every sow and

16

culls any that don’t meet his standards.

A typical litter is eight or nine, with a few sows producing 13. Their largest litter size was from an older sow that produced 17 excellent piglets.

“We have one cross bred sow we bought three years ago who is like a dairy cow,” Mason said. “She consistently has 8 to 10 piglets who weigh 4 pounds (each) at birth, wean at 20 pounds (the typical weight of other sows’ litters) but weigh 65 pounds when sold. It seems like her babies could eat dirt and grow.”

Mason learned how to AI from Dr. Bri-

litters per sow, per year in order to take advantage of the Arkansas fall show season and the Oklahoma spring show season.

“My marketing goal is to make money while keeping prices reasonable so more kids and families will choose show pigs,” Mason said.

Most culled pigs are finished out and sold in Leach, Okla., the location of a substantial pig, sheep and goat sale every other week.

However, a few are retained for personal use with the freezer never short on pork.

The Rameys take pig health seriously and have visitors and buyers use sanitizProducing high-quality show pigs is Mason Ramey’s goal.

Photo by Terry Ropp

an Kutz from the University of Arkansas ers and booties to prevent the spread of when he was 15. From Mason’s point of disease. Sows received two shots to preview, the hardest part about AI in swine vent stillborns, one 30 days before breedis getting live semen since it can’t be fro- ing and again two weeks later. Sows are zen and needs to stay close to 63 degrees wormed by injection every 60 days. Pigin transit. lets, on the other hand, receive six vacThe semen for each sow is cines, including one for respiraselected individually by price tory issues, and are dewormed and from winning genetics. monthly. Piglets also receive Winslow, Ark. One goal is to match boar to iron injections on days two sow so that the resulting pigand four because Mason never let has the moderate qualities allows them to touch dirt as long that place well in the show as they are at the farm. ring. Another is to have two Mason’s business sense shows in Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

his ongoing construction of two new facilities, one for farrowing and another for sales. Mason tore down a structure in exchange for keeping the materials, which he is using to construct his facility. He saves construction money while meeting his future goal of developing a genetics company with the intention of selling show pigs, bred gilts and semen.

Mason’s great-great-grandfather, Enis Benjamin Ramey, homesteaded in the area in 1880. Five family households live in the immediate vicinity, sharing some land and haying for all of their needs.

A communal cattle herd has 28 cows and a Gelbevieh bull selected to produce more muscle and stoutness. The Rameys’ cattle operation runs five Charolais/Limousin cross cows because Mason wants higher weaning weights and calves that weigh 700 pounds 60 days after weaning.

However, Mason keeps an eye on the market and will keep calves longer if it is weak. Cows receive pour on for worms every 60 days and vaccinations for black leg and respiratory issues. Calves receive as much grain as they want, while the cows receive an occasional bucket to keep rounding them up for working easy.

According to Ralph, the family has had the land so long that little weed or pest control is needed though it is fertilized every spring with a commercial fertilizer.

Grazing land is brush hogged after grazing to knock down taller plants so fresh grass can regrow. Haying is done communally and produces 5-foot-by-6-foot bales, with a goal of having five bales per cow with one field this year already producing three cuttings.

Just to keep things interesting, Mason has 15 Nubian/Boer cross does bred by either a Boer or a Nubian/Boer cross buck. Rather than taking kids to a sale barn, Mason sells on Craigslist to keep this sideline simple. Livestock production also includes 35 laying hens of various breeds whose eggs are used for personal consumption, family and friends.

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

Columbia, MO Columbia, MO MO Columbia,

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Location: Holiday Inn Executive Center2020 January 10-12,

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Registration is Now Open!

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Whether you’re just starting out or bringing your third generation into the business, learning how to better your operations, cattle, and marketing practices is always a great investment. Join us in Columbia this winter to meet Whether you’re just starting out or bringing your third generation into the Whether you’re just starting out orout bringing third generation into you’re just or bringing your third generation into the andWhether learn from some ofstarting the industry’s topyour experts and network withthe other business, learning how to better your operations, cattle, and marketing business, learning how to better your operations, cattle, and marketing business, learning how to better your operations, cattle, and marketing cattlemen and investment. cattlewomenJoin across state tothis winter to meet practices is always a great us inthe Columbia

practices is always a great investment.

Join us in Columbia this winter to meet practices is always a great investment.

Join us in Columbia this winter to meet and learn from some of the industry’s top experts and network with other and learn from some of theofindustry’s top experts and network with other and learn from some the industry’s top experts and network with other cattlemen and cattlewomen across the state to cattlemen and cattlewomen acrossacross the state to cattlemen and cattlewomen the state to

Mail in the By form from the MOVE MISSOURI’S BEEF INDUSTRY FORWARD. Mail:

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By Mail: latest Missouri Beef Mail theform form from the MOVE MOVE MISSOURI’S BEEF INDUSTRY FORWARD. MailMail in the fromfrom the the ininform the MISSOURI’S BEEF INDUSTRY FORWARD. MOVE MISSOURI’S BEEF INDUSTRY FORWARD. latest Missouri Beef Cattleman magazine latest Missouri BeefBeef latest Missouri Cattleman magazine Cattleman magazine Cattleman magazine

Cattlemen’s Education Cattlemen’s Education Cattlemen’s Education Cattlemen’s Education Series Series Series Series Fighting Fear-Mongering Fighting Fear-Mongering Fighting Fear-Mongering Fighting Fear-Mongering D.C. AgPolicy Policy Update D.C. Ag Policy Update D.C. Ag Update D.C. Ag Policy Update Animal Disease Traceability Animal Disease Traceability Animal Disease Traceability Animal Disease Traceability Roosted Killers, Predators Roosted Killers, Predators Roosted Killers, Predators Roosted Killers, Predators Grazing Management Grazing Management Grazing Management andMore More Grazing Management and More and and More Questions?

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meet your neighbors Submitted Photos

FFA Members Horse Around

Kesley and Caleb Peper help on their family ranch and compete in rodeo events.

By Kathy Parker

The Peper siblings compete in rodeo events across Oklahoma Kelsey and Caleb Peper are sixth-generation cattle ranchers, but both are all about horses.

The siblings attend school in Adair, Okla. Kelsey is in her first year of FFA. She is 14 and in the eighth grade. Caleb is 16 and a high school sophomore.

Both Pepers have rodeo fever and the need for speed. Kelsey runs barrels and poles, but she competes in all events at the county horse show, which include flag race, barrels, pole bending, western horsemanship, western pleasure and a halter class.

“I have two horses of my own,” Kelsey said. “I was in 4-H horse shows before I got in FFA.” She qualified for the district and state 4-H horse shows.

She had a first place 4-D division win at the Better Barrel Races finals last year, collecting a $1,200 check.

Caleb is a tiedown calf roper and is also team roping in Oklahoma High School Association rodeos this year with partner Seth Best. Caleb is the header. He has already competed in OHSRA rodeos at Shawnee, Ardmore and Stigler, and at the Lazy E in Guthrie, Okla.

There are three horses in Caleb’s string, but he seems partial to his red roan calf roping mare.

He qualified for the Indian National Finals Rodeo last year and the Mike Johnson Calf Roping this year.

Caleb competes on the electricity and farm shop teams in FFA, along with grading cattle.

18

“I don’t like to give reasons, but Dad says these teams are the guys who are going to work,” Caleb said.

His dad, Trent Peper, would know. He has been teaching diesel mechanics at Northeast Technology Center for 23 years. Caleb will be taking a class from his dad next year, but he’s had a jump start on the course work.

Beginning when he was 12 years old, Caleb started a long string of tractor driving wins at the county fair – five so far, to be exact.

It’s not surprising Caleb would win a tractor driving contest. This summer he and his dad put up 3,000 round bales, their own and custom, and 3,200 square bales of horse hay both for their horses and for selling. Caleb said the description of his summer days is “get up; get on the tractor.”

He runs all types of equipment, including various trucks up to and including 18-wheelers.

“Even though I’m not old enough to have a CDL, I can drive up to 150 miles for farm use, so I can deliver liquid feed and haul chicken litter (which the Pepers use for fertilizer).”

The family farm, known as The Peper Patch, is 1,100 acres. They use LimFlex and Limousin bulls on the mature commercial cows and Angus bulls on the first calf heifAdair, Okla. ers. There are both spring and fall calf crops. When the calves are weaned, they are sold at local sale barns.

Pepers have an

added value enterprise raising butcher calves. Approximately 20 calves are fed out to sell as half or whole processed beef.

Both Kelsey and Caleb work in all these operations, but it doesn’t keep them from having buck fever.

Caleb recently won first place in an Oklahoma youth hunt with a 9-point buck that weighed 228 pounds before he was field dressed. He won a shoulder

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

mount from Jerad Langley, owner of Powderhorn Taxidermy in Bluejacket, Okla., and free processing from Tagged Out. Kelsey already has her eye on a big buck and says she will catch up as soon as an opportunity presents itself.

Kathy Peper said she and Trent ask their kids to do a lot and they have many responsibilities. “We hope they will be responsible adults one day.”

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

youth in

agriculture tomorrow’s ag leaders

Layton E. Hawkins

By Jordan Robertson

What’s For Dinner?

Share some of your favorite recipes with Ozarks Farm & Neighbor and enter for a chance to win a special gift at the end of the year. All recipes submitted between January thru November 2019 will be entered into the drawing.

Hometown: St. Vincent, Ark. Age: 10 Parents: Keith and Pamela Hawkins

1 recipe = 1 entry

What is your involvement in agriculture?

“We have 33 head of cattle and six chicken houses, plus the two horses. I help in the chicken houses by setting them up before the birds come. Also, I go around and pick up dead chickens, and sometimes I get to help my dad fix Photo by Jordan Robertson things around the farm. Usually, my siblings and I will feed and water all the animals, too. There is always a job to be done around our farm, so my dad keeps me very busy. I love it, though, because I get to be around all of the animals.”

What is your favorite part about living on a farm?

“I get to help my mom and dad, while also spending a lot of time with them. The most fun part, though, is riding the tractors to feed the cattle. One day, I will get to drive the tractors, but until then, riding with my parents on them is still very fun.

What are your future plans?

“I want to be a chicken farmer just like my parents. Also, I would love to have cows and hogs. After my parents retire, my dream is to take over their farm. I think growing up around the animals will be a huge help when I get older and become ready to do my parents’ do now. Learning everything that goes into my dad and mom’s job is a good starting point for my future.”

SUBMIT AS MANY RECIPES AS YOU LIKE. No need to be a gourmet chef and no limit to the number of recipes to submit.

Recipes will be featured in future issues of Ozarks Farm & Neighbor in print and online.

Hurry!

Deadline for Entries is November 27th.

TO ENTER: Submit your recipe along with your name, address, phone number & email address (optional) by mail or email. Contact information will be kept confidential. Winner will be notified December 2, 2019.

What’s the best advice about agriculture you have received from adults?

“To make sure you learn by watching, so you can fix things when they break. Being around a farm, I know that there is always something new that needs fixing, so it is very important to know how to do just that. My dad told me this advice a few years ago, and I have been trying to follow it ever since. I make sure to pay attention to every single thing my parents and siblings do around the farm. You can always learn something new.”

What advice would you give to other young people who want to be involved in agriculture?

PO Box 1514 • Lebanon, MO 65536 1-866-532-1960 • 417-532-4721 Fax editor@ozarksfn.com

“Farming is very hard work, but it can also be really fun. It is important to find excitement while doing your job. It keeps every day interesting.”

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

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the ofn

ag-visors

Advice from

the professionals

Credit and More

By Ken Knies

I

’ve had the opportunity in recent years to present and speak to groups that need and benefit from additional financial literacy.

They represent people recently released Ken W. Knies is an from incarceration through a returning agricultural and rural home program, as well as our deserving area vetconsultant. He holds a erans. These are two groups that deserve and can bachelor’s of science certainly gain personal benefit from credit and fiand arts from the nancial education. These programs are sponsored University of Arkansas

by CCOA, also known as Credit Counseling of and a master’s of Arkansas, a non-profit organization organized to business administraassist and educate others in need of financial adtion from Webster vice, research and counseling.

University in St. Louis, I believe all of us who love farming, ranching or Mo. He formed Ag rural lifestyles can also benefit from some fundaStrategies, LLC as a mental financial principals. business unit focused Consider a budget. This can be a simon quality borrowers ple document or worksheet that identifies your and lenders. monthly income and expenses. The objective here is to realize your sources of income and expenses over a consistent time period. A budget can be as simple as a two-column listing. The obvious benefit is to become better informed about your costs. When you can, cut save or modify to enhance your end-of-month financial position.

Stay abreast of your credit position and be credit aware. It’s important to share my thoughts about one’s credit bureau reports. If others are going to see, use and make decisions based on these reports, you should be aware of the same information. Use the free credit reporting tools available on-line to access your annual credit reports. The three most prevalent reporting services are Trans Union, Equifax and Experian. Review your report and call should you find any discrepancies.

Wants vs. Needs. One of the cool CCOA exercises is to poll the group and get their response to various categories relative to them being a want or a need: Consider these and make your call: • A cellphone?

• How about an $80 pair of jeans?

• A $15 lunch, a $5 latte or mocha coffee?

• How about $100 concert tickets?

• Finally, a used car?

In the words of many economists – it depends. The truth is that we can rationalize and justify many expenses as a need if they’re that important to us. Just keep in mind those dollars do add up. Each of these factors influences and impact your ability to spend, save, invest and plan for your family’s future. Keep your spending habits in check and consistent. That way you can still have money left at the end of the month.

Find a way to set aside some level of money for that “rainy day fund” and stick to it. After you have amassed 60 to 90 days of these emergency funds, you can move to other, longer-term savings or investment vehicles. I recommend you seek a trained, qualified financial advisor for this level of investing. They are obligated to operate and advise in your best interest.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

farm

help

Making farming a little easier

Buying the Right Rig

By Klaire Howerton

What to consider when looking at a new or new-to-you truck Buying a new truck can be equal parts exhilarating and exhausting.

A new truck is a large expense, which can be stressful. Before getting caught up in the technology or trying to bargain, take some time to determine what your needs and expectations are, and do some research to make sure the truck is the right one for the job.

What Will the Truck Be Used For? An honest evaluation of what the truck’s job will be is important.

“You don’t want to buy too much truck, but you don’t want too little,” Mark Hanshaw of Wood Motor Company in Harrison, Ark., said. “You are always better off to buy something a little bigger than what you need than something that will just barely get the job done.”

Kelly Grant, general manager of Bill Grant Ford in Bolivar, Mo., said too much bigger isn’t always better.

“Just because you take a load of calves to the auction three times per year, do you really need the most powerful engine, latest technology, and finest interior we have to offer?” Grant said. “Why not purchase a truck in line with its intended use and pocket the savings?”

what do you say?

What advice do you have for a young person who wishes to become a farmer or rancher?

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

Gas vs. Diesel: The question of whether to go with a gasoline engine versus a diesel engine will always come up when purchasing a truck for the farm. There are pros and cons to consider with both.

“Do you need a diesel truck, or do you want a diesel truck?” Hanshaw said. “A diesel has more torque and they will have more power, but are you going to be pulling a trailer a lot? Or are you going to be pulling a trailer a little? That’s a major consideration in a diesel truck.

A lot of people will buy a diesel just because they want it.”

While diesel trucks are known for added power, gasoline engines should not be overlooked.

“Newer gas engines mated to 10-speed transmissions deliver more power than some legacy diesels,” Grant said. “Compare torque and RPM figures – not horsepower – when analyzing heavy trucks.”

According to Hanshaw, upkeep and input costs go up considerably in a diesel.

“To go with a diesel and an Allison automatic (transmission) will cost you a minimum of $10,000 more,” he said.

“Your oil changes go from about $50 to $150. You also have a fuel filter you have to replace every year, and fuel is about

30 cents more per gallon. You just have to pencil it out.”

New vs. Used: Even if you need a new rig for your operation, you may not need a “brand new” one. A “new-toyou” truck might work just fine.

“A carefully-selected used truck will almost always yield a greater return than the costs associated with purchasing new,” Grant said. “Of course, how you treat your truck and adherence to proper maintenance deal the cards in your favor.”

Hanshaw cautioned that a used farm truck might have low mileage, but high wear.

“Is it a truck what someone has been using to pull a 32-foot-by-7-foot livestock trailer with, or has is it from a guy whose been using it just to feed his cows?” he said. “You just have to be careful. I’ve had good luck selling used trucks for 40 years, but I won’t sell anything to anyone I wouldn’t take and use myself. If you can afford and can justify a new one, especially if you’re going to keep it over a five-year period, buy the new one because you’re going to have a warranty.”

Hanshaw added that dealers have the ability to print vehicle history reports, and should provide those reports upon request.

“Experts are always changing their mind about the best way to run a cattle herd and my best piece of advice is to not be swayed by fads but to do what feels and turns out to be right for you.”

“You have to love what you do because there’s not a lot of money but what you do get is a good way to live.”

Blake Biswell Washington County, Ark.

Levi Smith Le Flore County, Okla.

Make It Last: You’ll want to protect your new investment by properly maintaining it.

“Make sure you take care of maintenance things like oil changes, tire rotations, brake wear, air filters and coolant system flushes before problems arise.

Many times, people come to our shop after deferring maintenance for thousands of miles. The cost of catching-up for neglected maintenance far exceeds the cost of doing it right,” Grant said.

When labor rates for mechanics reach $100 an hour, Hanshaw said proper maintenance for all equipment is very important.

“You need to stay on top of things,” he said.

Work on developing a trusting relationship with a reputable shop, dealer and/or mechanic.

“Don’t assume the dealer who tells you your air filter is dirty is just trying to get your money. Insist on looking at that filter, or walking back to the shop to look at those brakes rotors, dirty coolant, etc.

Reputable shops don’t stay in business by pushing unnecessary maintenance,” Grant explained. “A good shop will let you plan ahead for maintenance.

“Don’t get in a big hurry and get yourself into much debt. It’s better to start out slow.”

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

Kevin Hightower Crawford County, Ark.

“You have to be willing to work hard, be be financially prepared and very patient.”

Jan Dawson Tulsa County, Okla.

21

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Tractors are a crucial part to many agricultural operations.

Typically, they are also a large investment, and in order to protect that investment, proper servicing and maintenance is required.

While there are many variables when it comes to equipment usage, it is important to keep tractors (and other machinery too) on a regular maintenance schedule.

“Is’s a good idea to perform an oil change and replace fuel filters every 100 to 200 hours,” Steve Kuhs, service manager at S&H Farm Supply in Lockwood, Mo., said.

At that time, other checks and maintenance can also be performed on the tractor.

“A typical service should entail, of course, an oil and filter change, as well as replacement of all fluid filters on the

machine, checking coolant, checking engine air filters, (replacing if needed), checking the cab filters (replacing as needed), and greasing all grease points on the machine,” Kuhs explained. “Basically, check the entire operation of the machine from front to rear, including all the lights and all the functions.”

While servicing a tractor is a yearround task, there are a few special procedures that need to take place before cold weather sets in to winterize machinery.

“In the fall of the year, everyone should make sure they don’t forget to get ready for winter,” Kuhs advised. “The most important thing is make sure to check coolant freeze points. This is very crucial if the coolant system has weak coolant, and if it freezes this can be a very costly repair, so make sure your coolant is at

least around negative 20 degrees (for our climate here).”

He also advised running a fuel additive in both diesel and gas engines. While this can be done all year, it is especially important to keep fuel from gelling or freezing in the winter.

While routine service on a tractor may seem costly or time consuming, it costs far less in the long run to keep machinery on a schedule for upkeep.

“Routine services are vital to keeping all your equipment up and going,” Kuhs said. “By doing regular maintenance, this keeps you in the field during harvest time and it lets us find and repair issues before they become a major breakdown.

The last thing a farmer needs is to have their equipment in the shop when it needs to be in the field.”

5 ESSENTIAL TRACTOR MAINTENANCE TIPS 1

Give The Tractor A Visual Once-Over A simple visual inspection can expose problems ranging from minor cracks to major leaks. It’s an important action to get in the habit of – regardless of the season or proposed use.

2

Check & Change Radiator Fluid Radiator fluid helps to keep the tractor’s engine cool, and if it gets low the tractor could easily overheat. Because of this, it’s important to check the radiator fluid levels before every use. Flush the radiator fluid on a regular basis.

3

Check & Change Motor Oil Oil is a critical piece of a smooth-running engine. Check the motor oil before every use, and add or change the oil as needed to keep the engine running smoothly.

4

Inspect (& Clean Or Change) The Air Filter Air filters impact the tractor’s overall performance. To keep your tractor in good running order, check the air filter on a regular basis.

Dirty air filters result in exhaust-tinged with black smoke. If your air filter is contaminated, clean it with an over-the-counter solution or simply install a new one.

5

Maintain The Tractor’s Tire Pressure A tractor’s tire pressure influences the way it rides and handles, so it’s important to keep it within good ranges. Keep a tire pressure gauge on hand and check tires accorded to the PSI rating printed on the tire. Maintaining good tire pressure also extends the life of the tractor’s tires.

— Source, Nitorline.com

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

farm help

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NOVEMBER 18, 2019

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Tractors Are Going ‘Green’ As agriculture continues to evolve, more and more effort and awareness is being put into “greener” and more sustainable farming practices.

Producers are implementing no-till practices, rotationally grazing their livestock to reduce inputs and sequester more carbon, direct marketing their products to reduce food mileage – the list goes on, and includes the tractor industry making strides in producing more environmentally friendly machinery.

John Deere is one company making a push toward a “greener world” through the company’s Environmental Stewardship Goals.

One of those company goals is a commitment to sustainable products.

To bring product sustainability to life, John Deere has developed a Life Cycle Assessment methodology through which the company looks for ways to reduce the environmental footprint for a product during its entire life cycle while also improving performance and durability.

Some of the ways John Deere is incorporating their methodology into their farm equipment products include manufacturing Gator parts that contain PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which is sourced from recycled bottles, setting a specific requirement for the percentage of post-consumer recycled content in the steel used to manufacture products, incorporating soybeans and corn in the manufacture of composite side panels for John Deere S-Series combines, and working to minimize part weight, save material, and reduce soil compaction through computational analysis.

John Deere is also working on incorporat-

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ing electric motors into some of their larger equipment to create fuel efficient hybrids.

New Holland has developed a methane powered concept tractor that captures their vision for a sustainable future of farming.

Designed to reduce agriculture’s dependency on fossil fuels, this tractor can be powered by biomethane created by fermenting waste plant and food products, giving these otherwise unusable products a second life. The idea is that the tractor can be powered by energy created on a farmer’s own land.

The concept tractor, according to New Holland, will reduce running costs by up to 30 percent, has an approximately 50 percent reduction in drive-by noise, and has the same power and torque as its diesel equivalent.

The use of sensors on tractors to determine things like forage height, moisture levels, nitrogen levels, and so on is becoming more mainstream to help producers make management choices that allow precision inputs and are in the best interest of the environment.

Some farmers with smaller operations are taking their diesel-powered tractors and with a little ingenuity, converting them to electric for smaller crop plots.

The next few years promise to be interesting and innovative as the tractor industry continues to create more sustainable and adaptive technology.

John Deere and New Holland are not alone in their efforts to make agriculture a little more “green.”

Other manufactories, including Case IH and Kubota, are working to develop models that utilize track systems that help reduce soil compaction and reduce emissions.

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farm help

Utilizing Maternal Data

By Klaire Howerton

Using maternal information can help boost genetics Typically, when producers discuss Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs), they are referring to the bull.

Depending on the cattle operation and the desired outcome for the herd, EPDs for the females can be helpful records as well, as can genomic testing.

“Registered cows will have EPDs if the breeder participates in the breed’s whole herd reporting program. Seedstock producers use them in the same ways as you would bull EPDs, using them as a tool for buying and breeding decisions in an effort to optimize the herd’s performance in the various categories measured,” Andy McCorkill, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialists, explained.

Commercial cows can have EPDs as well, but sometimes other forms of gathering data might be a little more accessible to the commercial producer.

“For the commercial cattleman, it (EPDs) probably isn’t an option for the entire herd,” McCorkill said. “That being said, there are other similar options available that can be quite useful. For one, commercial cattle genomic profile data can be used to evaluate the same

criteria that EPDs do, giving a numeric comparison of an individual to benchmark averages. Commercial panels are becoming more widespread and lower in cost as the technology improves and becomes more commonplace.

“There are a number of options for commercial producers, some from breed associations and others from private companies. Select the option that best fits your herd’s breed make up, needs and price point.”

Once a producer has data in hand on their cows, either in the form of EPDs or genomic testing results, they must make sound breeding and management decisions based on the information for it to be a good investment. This is where putting the cow’s results up against the bull’s EPDs or genomic test results comes into play.

Producers can make appropriate selections for their herd by identifying strengths and weaknesses based on their test results, and by choosing a bull that can compensate for their cow’s weaknesses, Dr. Jared Decker, Beef Geneticist with MU Extension, explained. Utilizing test results in such a way will help the producer get a good return on his or her investment.

Why should producers DNA test their females? n

n

n

n

Strengthen traits such as Sustained Cow Fertility, Milk, and Maternal Calving Ease by DNA testing your herd. The more genotypes on inventory, the more reliable the numbers are.

Obtaining female DNA helps with determining parentage on future calves.

DNA collected can be used in the future to parent verify calves.

By DNA testing your herd, you can find out which animals might be a carrier of genetic abnormalities.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

— Source, the American Hereford Association

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

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November 2019 21 Private Pesticide Applicator Training – 6:30 p.m. – Carroll Electric Building,

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County 4-H program – purchase before Nov. 19 from a Franklin County

4-H member or at the Franklin County Extension Office, Ozark, Ark. – 479-667-3720 December 2019 3 Beef Quality Assurance Training – call Mitchell Vet Clinic at 918-647-2500

for more information 6 Field Day – Valliant, Okla. – call Curtis at 580-933-7719 for more information 10 Go Green Meeting – Dinner at 5:30 p.m., program starts at 6:30 p.m. –

Clinton Stockyards, Clinton, Ark. – 501-745-7117 10 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6:30 p.m. – First National Bank Community

Center, Paris, Ark. – 479-963-2360 12 Pesticide Applicator Training – 1 p.m. – Cost: $20 – Greenbrier City Events

Center, 5 Lois Lane, Greenbrier, Ark. – 501-329-8344 or rbeard@uaex.edu 18 Pesticide Applicator Training – 8:30 a.m. – Cost: $20 – Pope County

Extension Office, Russellville, Ark. – 479-968-7098 January 2020 8 Nomination/Pre-Entries for prospect steers, heifers, sheep & swine for

Delaware County Spring Livestock Show – call your local FFA chapter or

Delaware County Extension office at 918-253-4332

Sharp

Independence

Cleburne

Faulkner

calendar

February 2020 25 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – Cost: $20 – Workforce Training

Center, Timberwolf Drive UACCM Campus, Morrilton, Ark. – 501-329-8344

or rbeard@uaex.edu March 2020 4-7 Delaware County Spring Livestock Show – Delaware County Fairgrounds,

Jay, Okla. – 918-253-4332

ozarks’

auction block

November 2019 18 Green Springs Bull Test Sale – Nevada, Mo. – 417-448-7416 23 Sydenstricker Genetics Fall Production Sale – at the Farm, Mexico, Mo.

– 573-581-1225 23 Brandywine Farms & The Showcase Sale X1V – Kingsville Livestock

Market, Kingsville, Mo. – 877-486-1160 24 Kohlstaedt & Friends Genetic Power Sale – at the Farm, Wellington, Mo.

– 816-716-4614 30 College of the Ozarks Fall Production Sale – Point Lookout, Mo. – 417-342-0871 December 2019 7 Wright Charolais 9th Annual Female Sale – Sale facility, Kearney, Mo. – 816-776-3512 7 3rd Annual Highland Cattle Auction – Parsons, Kan. – 417-733-3201 8 Missouri Hereford Association Sale – Missouri State Fairgrounds, Sedalia, Mo.

– 660-277-3679

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

Cattlemen’s Seedstock Directory Angus Jac’s Ranch - Bentonville, Ark. 479-273-3030 Rocking A Ranch - Berryville, Ark. - 870-480-7651 870-423-3567 parthurrockinga@hotmail.com Rose Bud Bull Development & Sales - Rose Bud, Ark. 501-940-0299 www.rosebudfeeders.com Balancers Bob Harriman Genetics - Montrose, Mo. - 660-492-2504 Hodges Ranch - Omaha, Ark. 870-426-4469 - 870-704-9450 Rose Bud Bull Development & Sales - Rose Bud, Ark. 501-940-0299 www.rosebudfeeders.com Brangus Rose Bud Bull Development & Sales - Rose Bud, Ark. 501-940-0299 www.rosebudfeeders.com Charolais Rose Bud Bull Development & Sales - Rose Bud, Ark. 501-940-0299 www.rosebudfeeders.com Gelbvieh Hodges Ranch - Omaha, Ark. 870-426-4469 - 870-704-9450 Herefords Rose Bud Bull Development & Sales - Rose Bud, Ark. 501-940-0299 www.rosebudfeeders.com Lim-Flex Glen Odglen - Springdale, Ark. 479-200-2677 - 479-361-2407 Watkins Cattle Company Harrison, AR - 870-741-9795 – 870-688-1232 – watkinscattleco@windstream.net Sim Angus Bob Harriman Genetics - Montrose, Mo. - 660-492-2504

Reach More Than

24,000 Readers Who Are Primarily Livestock Producers,

By Placing Your Ad In the Purebred Corral, Call Today!

532-1960

1-866-

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

Farm Equipment

Vets

Machinery

RECENT TRADE-INs

Wild Horse Hill Ranch

Registered Polled Herefords Herd Bulls Boynton, Ok 918-231-3245

2007 NEW HOLLAND TC45DA, Nice Little Tractor, does have some small fender cracks, Not Bad at all................ ......................................$21,500

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cvsvet.com 30 years of serving both farm and family.

Website

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Machinery

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11/18/19

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479-442-8284

866-532-1960

williamstractor.com

TRADE WEBSITE DESIGN FOR FRESH BEEF If You’re Looking For A Website For Your Farm, Here’s Your Chance. I’m Looking To Do Some Trading For Fresh Beef. TurnKey Package Includes Full Website Design, 1 Year of Hosting and 1 Year of Domain Name Registration.

417-322-4711

11/18/19

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

BULLS FOR SALE SHOW STEER PROSPECTS

Poultry Litter Fertilizer Application Service Available • Application Rate 1-2 Tons Per Acre • GPS Guidance Green Forest, AR hostetlerlitter@emypeople.net

Since 1986 No Sunday Calls “Get More Out of Your Pasture” Louis Hostetler 870-438-4209 Cell: 870-423-8083

Connecting Buyers and Borrowers with a Quality Lender

Hostetler Litter Service Ken W. Knies

479-426-9518 kenknies1@gmail.com

“A Passion for Agriculture”

SELL YOUR LIVESTOCK HERE! Contact us today about placing a classified ad. Be sure to ask about our discount rates.

ads@ozarksfn.com • 1-866-532-1960

27

ARKANSAS’ NO. 1 GOOSENECK DEALER

We have 20’, 22’, 24’ and 32’ In Stock with All Kinds of Options with More Arriving Everyday!

90763 - 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LTZ Interior Cocoa/ Dune Mosaic Black Metallic, Duramax, 6.6L, V8, Turbodiesel, Fuel Type Diesel

00001 - 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LT Gideon/ Very Dark Atmosphere, Iridescent Pearl, Tricoat, 6.6L, 8-Cylinder, Gas

00040 - 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LTZ Gideon/ Very Dark Atmosphere, Northsky Blue, Metallic, 6.6L 8-Cylinder, Gas

00052 - 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LTZ Jet Black, Shadow Gray Metallic, 6.6L, 8-Cylinder, Gas

00048 - 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LTZ Gideon/ Very Dark Atmosphere, Ext. Cajun Red Tintcoat, Duramax 6.6L, V8, Turbodiesel

90324A - 2015 2500 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, 74,544 Miles, Dark Ash/ Jet Black, 6.0L 8-Cylinder, Gas $27,699

We stock the trailers farmers use most!

Financing Available!

Wood Motor Company has been a Gooseneck Brand dealer for over 30 years, we stock the trailers that you want to buy and We will not be under sold on a Gooseneck brand livestock trailer – Period!

Email or call with your specs to mhanshaw@woodmotor.com for a quote!”

Check Out More Of Our Inventory at WoodMotor.com We Keep Several Trucks Outfitted with the DewEze Truck Beds In Stock!

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#

600 Highway 62-65 • Harrison, AR Call Mark Hanshaw 870-715-9177

28

870-741-8211 • WoodMotor.com Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

NOVEMBER 18, 2019