Jerry Crownover – A costly free calf

What’s On Your Mind, Ozarks? just athought

I’ve always said that there’s a million ways to make money on the farm. Living in the greatest country on earth, freedom to choose what we do and when we do it, and beneficiaries of a booming economy, all afford us great opportunities, thus…

In September of last year, one of my neighbors called to see if I might help him with a cow that was having calving problems. When I arrived, I could see only the nose and one foot at the business end of the bovine. It was an unusually hot day and after a couple of attempts to drive her to the barn, we decided to sedate her, in the shade of a small grove of trees. Working together, the neighbor and I managed to retrieve the other foot, and pull the bull calf to freedom. Both cow and calf were soon back to normal and everyone was good.

Five days later, the same friend called again and asked if my wife, Judy, wanted a free calf. He went on to tell me that the cow we had assisted in calving, for whatever reason, had abandoned the calf and wanted nothing to do with it, and he didn’t think he could save it. Always up for a challenge, Judy agreed, and I went and brought the calf to our home. Suffering from hunger and dehydration, my wife worked tirelessly for 10 days, nursing the little guy back to health. He required a feeding tube, utilized at three-hour intervals, for the first few days, but was sucking from a bottle and doing fine by the end of the second week. For the next three and a half months, the calf lived and thrived (mostly) in a pen in the barn, that we usually reserve for orphans and ailing critters.

However, since calving season is fast approaching, and I fully expect to need his pen for other animals, I sold the calf last week at the cattle auction. It brought a Life Is Simple By Jerry Crownover Life is Simple By Jerry Crownover

Jerry Crownover farms in Lawrence County. He is a former professor of Agriculture Education at Missouri State University, and is an author and professional speaker. To contact Jerry, go to ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’

— Continued on Page 5

SUPER STRONG ALL STEEL BUILDINGS • Custom Built to Size • One Continuous Roof Sheet up to 50' wide • All Welded, No Bolts • Post Concreted in Ground 4-5' Deep

PROTECT YOUR VALUABLE HAY & EQUIPMENT!

Size Description Price 40’x60’x14’ 2 Ends, 1 Side $21,995 40’x80’x14’ 1 End, 1 Side $25,900 50’x80’x16’ 1 End, 1 Side $30,995 Size Description Price 50’x100’x16’ 1 End, 1 Side $36,500 60’x80’x16’ 1 End, 1 Side $35,195 60’x100’x16’ 1 End, 1 Side $43,995

*Prices subject to change **Travel required outside 100 mile radius We Build Equipment Sheds, Hay Barns, Shops & More! Chris Lowak 417-682-1488

30 TH EDITION BULL SALE Saturday, March 21, 2020 1 p.m. Central At the Ranch • Carthage, Mo. Visit our website for video’s and sale catalog. Offering 95 Bulls 75 Charolais • 10 Halfblood Akaushi 10 Fullblood Akaushi 20 3-in-1 Pairs Bred Akaushi

LIVE INTERNET BIDDING AT: www.cowbuyer.com

Larry & Peggy Aschermann Carthage, Missouri (417) 793-2855 cell • (417) 358-7879 e-mail: hayhook@gmail.com www.aschermanncharolais.com

Toll Free: 1-866-532-1960 417-532-1960 • Fax: 417-532-4721 PO Box 1319, Lebanon, MO 65536 E-mail: editor@ozarksfn.com Member: Eric Tietze President/Publisher Pete Boaz Vice President Administrative Kathy Myers, Marketing Manager Eric Tietze, Accounting Advertising Kathy Myers, Display & Production Sales Amanda Newell, Classified Sales Circulation Eric Tietze, Circulation Editorial Julie Turner-Crawford, Managing Editor Jerry Crownover, Columnist Frank Farmer, Editorial Page Editor Emeritus Production Amanda Newell, Production Contributors Kelli Joe Buettner, Kathy Daily, Neoma Foreman, Rachel Harper, Erin Harvey, Klaire Howerton, Ken Knies, Kim Light, Chad Pittillo, Brian Watkins and Laura L. Valneti

About the Cover Jay Stevens and his son Haden run Stevens Cattle Company in Polk County, Mo., managing an average of 750 commercial cows. Read more on page 7.

Photo by Laura L. Valenti 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.

MASSEY FERGUSON TRACTOR PACKAGE MIDWEST EQUIPMENT Rental and Sales Green Forest, AR 1000 W. Main Street 870-438-4328 Harrison, AR 505 E. Stephenson 870-743-1110 Call today for a no-obligation demonstration at your home! Financing Available! Package Includes: • Massey Ferguson 1723e Tractor with loader • 14' trailer with ramp • 4' brush hog • 4' box blade $ 16,969 00