OFN March 23, 2020 by Eric Tietze

Feed, Fields & Crops • Poultry • Production Sale

Pine Creek Ranch has Humble Beginnings

MARCH 23, 2020 • 28 PAGES

VOLUME 14, NUMBER 2 • WWW.OZARKSFN.COM

The Carsons have been dairy farmers and raised poultry, but they are now strictly in the cow/calf business

MARCH 23, 2020

‘Crazy’ for Chickens

Keeping the Old Breeds Alive

Backyard flock provides endless opportunities for fourth grader

Heritage Hill Poultry Farm is dedicated to disappearing breeds

Weather Whoas Wet conditions are causing delays

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

rumor mill

ASU to explore vet school: The Arkansas State University has announced an exploratory partnership with Adtalem Global Education Inc., to potentially create the state’s only veterinary college. Kelly Damphousse, Ph.D., the chancellor at ASU, announced the partnership and a 180-day feasibility study in late January.“The demand for veterinarians is significant as more households enjoy pet ownership, and Arkansas livestock producers have acknowledged a shortage of veterinarians for large animals,” Dr. Damphousse said in a press release. “This is a concern that our College of Agriculture faculty and others across the region have expressed to us. I am excited to begin the discussion on our campus. We plan to work closely with veterinarians throughout Arkansas as we move forward in the development of this new college.” Ag students honored at NEO: Roy Stovall of Wyandotte, Okla., and Mattie Hayes of Jay, Okla., were honored with a Northeastern Oklahoma A&T College Top 10 Freshman Award. Stovall, an agriculture major, is the NEO Student Body Government senator and previously served as the treasurer. He is a member of the Aggie Society, where he serves as treasurer, and the Collegiate Farm Bureau, where he serves as vice president. Haynes, an agriculture business major, has conducted extensive research through the NEO Honors Program, volunteered on campus and in the community, and helped run her family business, Jay Floral. She is a member of the NEO Livestock Judging Team, the Ag Ed Club, Young Farmers and Ranchers, Aggie Society and PTK. She is also a Student Ambassador and an Agriculture Ambassador. Haynes has also been named National High Point Rider at the North American International Livestock Exposition. Applications being accepted: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2020 Arkansas Century Farm program. This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. There is no cost to apply. Contact Mary Elizabeth Lea at 501-219-6363 or maryelizabeth. lea@agriculture.arkansas.gov with questions. Applications must be postmarked on or before May 31. Burkham tapped as outstanding alumni: Cody Burkham, executive vice president of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, is being honored by Southern Arkansas University with the Distinguished Young Alumni Award. Burkham is a 2014 graduate of the university with a degree in political science and history. After graduation, Burkham served as the field director, director of legislative communications, agriculture liaison and legislative assistant for Congressman Bruce Westerman from 2014-2018. In 2018, he returned to Arkansas to serve the ACA.

The Ozarks Most Read Farm Newspaper

MARCH 23, 2020 | VOL. 14, NO. 2

JUST A THOUGHT 3 Jerry Crownover – Politicians and farmers

Know a Good Rumor?

Jody Harris – Dealership anxiety

Julie Turner-Crawford – The sickly kitty

MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS 7 Heritage Hill Poultry Farm

is dedicated to preserving older breeds

10 12

OzarksFarm @OzarksFarm

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

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

His backyard flock gives Naaman Niehus many opportunities

Paul Linscott continues to search for hidden treasure

Eye on Agribusiness spotlights the National Ag Law Center

The Carsons are sticking with beef cattle production

Town & Country features Cas Salley

Pastured poultry is a labor of love for the Lovells

Youth in Agriculture highlights Emily Kirby

FARM HELP 21 Emotions and money 22 Getting the nutrition right 23 Is creep feed worth the cost? 24 Wet weather slows field preparations

Thinking about going commercial? MARCH 23, 2020

just a

thought

What’s On Your Mind, Ozarks?

e f i L elpmiS si

he son of an old friend stopped by last vonwoHe’s rC yarreseJ yB week to ask for somereadvice. nior in high school and is planning on going to college to study agriculture. Jerry Crownover is The boy has now passed the biggest hura farmer and former dle by having a family that is already established professor of Agriculture in farming, and willing to transition the land and Education at Missouri equipment to him in the future, but he wanted State University. He is a my opinion on what areas to study. native of Baxter County, After informing him my advice was worth exactly Arkansas, and an what he was paying for it, I proceeded to offer him author and professional my suggestions. I told him everything starts with speaker. To contact Jerry, the soil and he would need to take some soil scigo to ozarksfn.com and ence courses to understand structure, fertility and click on ‘Contact Us.’ conservation methods. Next, he would need to take some plant science courses to try and understand how seeds and plants were produced, and how they grow and reproduce during each stage of their life cycle. He would also need some chemistry courses to better enable him to select and handle the myriad of herbicides and pesticides that he would be using in the future. Knowing his family also has livestock, I told him he would need a good background in animal breeding and genetics courses, that would allow him to constantly improve the quality and performance of his animals, while implementing newer technologies of artificial insemination and embryo transfer. Lots of courses in nutrition would be required, as well as a good working knowledge of veterinary science in order to manage herd health. I went on to explain his parents owned hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of hightech equipment that needed to be serviced and repaired each year, so two or three courses of study in agricultural engineering would be more than beneficial. He would need to understand the workings of GPS systems, hydraulics, computer integration and materials handling systems, just to name a few. — Continued on Page 6

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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

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About the Cover Clarence Carson’s father deeded him 176 acres in 1971 to start his own farming operation. Read more on page 12. 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., 2020. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.

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Freshly Picked By Jody Harris

ne of my first purchase experiences with my husband (then boyfriend) was buying a new-to-me car. I had an older car that was having transJody Harris is a freelance mission problems. I’d never purcommunications specialist, chased a new vehicle and felt intimidated by the gardener, ranch wife and whole process. I was on my way to Missouri for a mother of four. She and visit to my family home and my car stalled on the her family raise Angus beef highway. I called my boyfriend to come pick me up cattle and other critters on and he quickly came to my rescue. their northwest Arkansas We wound up driving down to Siloam Springs, ranch. She is a graduate Ark., to a Chevrolet dealership where his brothof Missouri State University. er worked. Our plan was to trade the unreliable To contact Jody, go to junker off for something new(er) and reliable. ozarksfn.com and click on We arrived and walked the lot looking at several ‘Contact Us.’ different options. I settled on the idea of buying a 1-year-old Chevrolet Blazer that had been a rental program car. It had low miles and felt like a brand-new vehicle to me. Nathan knew the ins-and-outs of buying and selling cars. He worked his brother, the sales manager and finance director over until he felt the price had been negotiated down to a fair deal. I’m certain he was trying to impress me with his effective negotiation skills. To be honest, the back-and-forth and heated discussion made me want to crawl under the desk and melt into the floor. It was embarrassing. At one point I think he even pounded his fist on the table and raised his voice. I was happy with my new Blazer and he was smug that he’d made sure that I’d gotten a great deal. We have been married now for almost 17-years and I have NEVER gone to the car dealership with him since. Recently, my husband has been shopping around for a new farm truck. He spent the good part of a day haggling with his brother at the dealership. The same weekend he started shopping, I had taken off to Kansas City, Mo., to attend our oldest daughter’s dance competition and convention. Lo and behold, the man found a truck on the internet – one he couldn’t live without. It was in Olathe, Kan. What luck! His wife was already near there. He of course called me and convinced me to drive down and secure the truck of his dreams for him. I just shook my head. I could not believe after all these years he was conning me into going back into a car dealership to help him broker a deal on a new truck. After about 15 speaker phone calls back and forth between a salesman, who looked like he was about 15-years-old, my husband and me, they came to an agreement on a trade over the phone. I was ready to crawl the walls. Fortunately, the friendly salespeople could sense my patience wearing thin and got the paperwork ready quickly. They got me back on my way to watch our daughter dance. The truck was delivered to Fayetteville the following Monday in perfect condition. My husband is one happy camper. All I can say is this, I really love my husband and as Joe Diffie still sings, “there is something women like about a pick-up man.” Especially a Chevrolet pick-up, neighbor.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MARCH 23, 2020

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ike many of you, we have a couple of cats hanging around to help keep mice and other pests under control. Because these cats are mean to other cats, and each other, we don’t have any strays staying around long Julie Turner-Crawford either. They are a couple of tough cookies. is a native of Dallas Our tactical squad of elite feline warriors, howCounty, Mo., where she ever, is getting older. The oldest cat, Boo, dubbed grew up on her family’s farm. She is a graduate the “Huntress,” was very prolific in her prey-taking of Missouri State skills in her younger days. She spends most of her University. To contact time in the garage now, especially in the winter Julie, call 1-866-532-1960 months, or sunning on the porch. At nearly 15, or by email at editor@ she’s earned her rest. ozarksfn.com. The other commando cat is nearly 13, has been feral for most of her life, and she’s a fighter. Skylee has battle scars, smells to high heaven, is missing fur here and there, and is not a fan of most people. Of those she does like, she tolerates limited doses of attention. It’s not unusual to see her coming through the pasture with a mouse, lizard or mole in her mouth, growling at anything she passes, including people, as she goes to finish off her dinner. One recent cold morning, Skylee was on the deck; she didn’t feel well. She hadn’t been herself for a while, but she wouldn’t let me touch her. This day, however, she was ready for help. I grabbed some towels (remember, she’s a fighter), wrapped her up and brought her inside. Skylee was cold, muddy, battered and exhausted. Seeing her so frail broke my heart. For the first time in her life, she allowed me to hold her. I wasn’t sure if she was going to make it. An attempt to get her into a vehicle for a trip to the vet proved to be a fiasco, but I managed to recapture her later that day. She slept for hours wrapped up near the woodstove after I got some meds into her. We were prepared to find her deceased the next day in the bed I made for her in the mudroom, but Skylee was full of surprises. — Continued on Next Page

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Continued from Previous Page

She destroyed a blind on the back door, knocked things off of the cabinet, drug rugs across the room and clawed the door. The commotion made the dog a nervous wreck most of the night. Skylee wanted outside – and that’s where she went as soon as the door opened. I didn’t think I’d see her again, but she was on the deck that evening wanting to come inside. She wouldn’t eat for several days, but we’ve got a system now, which usually means she bites my finger when she’s hungry. Skylee is looking better since that cold morning. Her favorite place in the evening is in my husband’s lap or sitting on the arm of his recliner. The dog isn’t too happy about the situation and walks a wide berth around Skylee. The wild-child cat tried to curl up with the dog, which lasted about five minutes before the dog abandoned her spot. We’ve tried to take Skylee to the vet another time or two, but the fighting side comes back out, so she’s still got some life in her. The blinds have been replaced with curtains that I put back up almost daily, but we’re making progress. She still wants outside most mornings and is waiting on the deck when I get home.

She is beginning to think life isn’t too bad inside, and I have decided she will have a warm place to sleep in the house for the remainder of her golden years. The story of an old, cranky, stinky cat may not appeal to some, but all life is precious on the farm. Even the life of an old, cranky, smelly cat has merit. As farmers and ranchers, we do what we can to preserve the life of the animals in our care, or let life come to an end when nothing else can be done. Like the iconic “So God Made a Farmer” speech delivered by Paul Harvey states, “I need somebody willing to sit up all night with a newborn colt. And watch it die. Then dry his eyes and say, ‘Maybe next year.’ ...So God made a farmer.” “...I need somebody strong enough to clear trees and heave bales, yet gentle enough to tame lambs and wean pigs and tend the pink-combed pullets, who will stop his mower for an hour to splint the broken leg of a meadowlark... So God made a farmer.” I’m glad he did.

Life Is Simple Continued from Page 3 Lastly, I stressed the importance of study in economics, business management and, especially, marketing methods to make a profit and keep the farm in good financial shape. I could tell the young lad was beginning to feel a little overwhelmed before I added, “Unfortunately, almost nothing pans out exactly like the textbooks say it will, so you have to rely on the experience you gain through the years, to constantly adjust and adapt.” “Whew,” he sighed. “Everything seems pretty complicated and difficult.” “It is,” I responded Sensing the young man might be having second thoughts about his future occupaOzarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

tional aspirations, I told him that if my previous advice seemed too intimidating, he could always become a politician. “And just how would I learn to be one of those?” he asked. “No problem,” I answered. “I can teach anyone how to become a politician in four minutes. You just go out and beg for cash from big-money donors, hire a PR firm to make some slick TV ads, make a couple of speeches and, POOF, you’re a politician.” “That does seem a lot easier than being a farmer,” he said. “It is.”

MARCH 23, 2020

Keeping the Old Breeds Alive

meet your

neighbors

By Lisa Nance

Heritage Hill Poultry Farm is dedicated to disappearing breeds. Dennis Reynolds, owner of Her- the details of every single thing in their itage Hill Poultry Farm in Spring- anatomy,” Dennis explained. Compared to other chickens, heritage dale, Ark., didn’t know much about heritage breeds until he breeds have long productive lives. “Even though they are slow growers, met a poultry judge who explained the difference between they are steady in their egg production.,” the heritage breeds and the Dennis said. “Even when they get old, they may only lay four or five eggs a week, ones Dennis was raising. After looking into the breeds and dis- but they’ll do it every week and that’s covering how fragile their bloodlines even when they’re 8, 9 or 10 years old.” Dennis raises his chickens naturally. were, Dennis decided to try his hand at “I don’t put lights on them and I try to raising these purebred chickens. “The reason I got into heritage chickens let them out, free-range, every chance I itage chickens or a raccoon has gotten in is I found out about the Livestock Conser- can to eat bugs. In the summer, I let them and killed them, or they’ve just gotten out set their own eggs and of having chickens; that’s how a bloodline vancy and I started looking raise their own babies. The disappears,” he said. “There are instances at the critically endangered hen-raised chicks are very where someone dies and the chickens go breeds,” he said. “I was healthy,” he said. to the nearest sale or they’re eaten.” amazed at the breeds that In addition, he feeds his One of the ways Dennis believes he were on their list.” birds a mix of feed, some- can help save the heritage breeds is by Today, with more than times adding sunflower getting more youth involved. a dozen heritage breeds seeds for their high pro“The youth are very, very important,” of his own, Dennis works tein content. he said. “I give free roosters to 4-Hers. I with the Conservancy, Every spring, he cleans try to pick out some of the best chickens whose goal as a nonprofit out all the pens, spraying I’ve got for them, so they’ll win. If the organization is to promote or powdering for bugs, as kids win, they’re going to be hooked.” and preserve all heritage well as doing the same But, it’s what happens when the kids grow breeds of livestock. “My to the chickens, along up that interests Dennis. goals are to keep the old with worming them. As “What happens to those kids is that they chicken breeds pure and Photos by Lisa Nance a member of the National quit doing it when they’re teenagers, but together as long as I can, try to educate people, and try to keep Poultry Improvement Program, all birds when they’re in their 30s and 40s, they are blood-tested each year. come back to it,” he said. the youth involved.” “Their biggest enemies are predators; Ironically, some breeders have found anDennis’ experience with chicken and raccoons, opossums,” he said. “Every- other way to preserve the breed – eating poultry goes back years. them. With the advent of the “slow food “I’ve been doing this since the 1970s,” he thing likes to eat chicken.” To keep the predators from getting in movement,” which advocates preservexplained. “I’ve had every breed of poultry you can have – chickens, geese, ducks, wild under pens doors, he’s added an extra ing culinary heritage, the slow-growing heritage breeds are marketed as ducks, peacocks, ornamental pheasants, pi- ledge that keeps the doors tightly shut. being more flavorful and are geons, doves. I have two emu now.” But, Dennis’ biggest con- Springdale, Ark. commanding premium prices. Heritage chickens are birds that meet Heritage breeds can be hard the American Poultry Society’s standard cern is how easy it is for a breed or bloodline to get to find. of perfection requirements. “True heritage birds means no “They have to breed on their own and completely lost. “You’ll hear about someone modern breeding to them,” Denbe true to what the original breed looks nis explained. like. There’s no disqualifications. It’s in whose dog has killed their herMARCH 23, 2020

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

At one time he had more than 300 birds and has shipped hatching eggs as far as Puerto Rico and Alaska. “Even though I have this itty-bitty farm, I’ve shipped thousands of eggs,” he said. In addition to selling hatching eggs throughout the year, Dennis sells starting birds every summer. As a long-time breeder, he can also find any breed a purchaser may want. He also suggests finding heritage breeds at poultry shows or by checking the breeder’s list of the American Poultry Society or the National Poultry Improvement program. Dennis will be the first to admit raising and selling heritage chickens is more of a passion than a business. “Even though I’ve had these chickens all these years I still learn stuff about chickens. It’s an amazing hobby.”

meet your neighbors

‘Crazy’ for Chickens By Kaylea M. Hutson-Miller

Backyard flock provides endless opportunities for fourth grader Growing up in rural Delaware County, Okla., Susie Niehus watched as her toddler son became enamored with chickens. Susie, a self-described “cattle girl” from Northwest Arkansas, said chickens were not on the top 10 list of things she wanted to have on their 200-plus acre ranch near Zena. But by the time Naaman turned 4, Susie saw the writing on the chicken coop – her son was “going crazy” with chickens. Naaman, now 10, has a backyard chicken flock of Rhode Island

Naaman Niehus with one of his “banties,” his favorite breed of chickens because they are “tiny and cute.”

Reds, Cochin, Bantam and Buckeyes. He’s raised everything from Black Australorps to White Leghorns, and Brahmas to Dominiques. Naaman has traded friends for some of his flock. He’s also bought a few. A family friend helped him search the internet to figure out what chicks to purchase from Cackle Hatchery in Lebanon, Mo. The fourth grader Zena, Okla. at Grove Upper Elementary School has also utilized an incubator in his bedroom to raise chickens from fertilized eggs – his

Photo by Kaylea M. Hutson-Miller

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meet your neighbors favorite option because it lets him track everything start to finish. Naaman starts his young brood out on chick starter. As the flock ages he switches to cracked corn, laying pellets and even table scraps. His coop is a 6-foot by 6-foot building with a 10-foot by 6-foot run. Naaman’s parents helped build a chicken-wired covered box in the coop. When his chicks are 3-weeks-old, they transition from his room into this box. “The part I like is when I get good hens laying eggs,” Naaman said, “It’s just satisfying to look at the eggs.”

Life lessons

Things haven’t always been easy for Naaman. Predators, including snakes, raccoons, foxes, opossums and skunks, have wiped out his entire flock on three different occasions. Most recently, he grieved when his favorite Banty rooster managed to get out of the run – predators found it before Naaman could get it back in. “You just cry, then get some more,” Naaman said, describing his rebuilding process.

Learning beyond school

Naaman admits he’s not a fan of school. After a particularly hard day at kindergarten, Naaman informed his mom he “liked his teacher, the food and other kids at school, but there was just too much paperwork.” A dyslexia diagnosis within the last year and a half helped his parents piece together some of Naaman’s struggles, giving them a chance to develop strategies he can use in school. Learning about chickens, from books and YouTube videos, has sparked his interest in science. “From day one, the only books he was interested in were about chickens and calves,” Susie said, adding chickens also help Naaman relax after school. “It’s therapeutic for him to come home from school, when he’s stressed out, and sit and talk to his chickens and hold them,” Susie said. “Seeing how much he likes them, makes me more interested in chickens. His enthusiasm is contagious.”

Last fall, Naaman exhibited at the Ozarks Farmsteading Expo in Neosho, Mo., giving people a chance to see his favorite birds and learn a bit more about backyard flocks. In March, Naaman traveled to John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark., to teach a lesson about incubating chickens to a group of future elementary science teachers. The opportunity came thanks, in part, to his grandmother Marlene Schwerin, an adjunct professor at JBU. “The coworker knew she has an agricultural background,” Susie said. “When the coworker started to ask a bunch of questions about chickens, [my mom] laughed and suggested they consult Naaman – and the professor did.”

More about Naaman

Naaman and his parents, Susie and Nate, and little sister Natalie live on a 250-acre ranch overlooking Drowning Creek. Nate operates a tree service, but hopes to eventually focus solely on the ranch. Susie works as the children’s minister at First Christian Church in Grove. She’s also pursuing a master’s degree in leadership. Natalie is a kindergartener at Grove’s Early Childhood Centre. Beyond chickens, the family runs a 200head commercial Angus cow/calf herd and a locker beef operation, selling farmto-table processed beef to local patrons. The family feeds their cattle a grass and hay regiment, supplemented by a bulk feed ration mixture of soy hull pellets, cracked corn, dry distillers grain, rice brand, calcium and salt from Cattlemen’s Feed in Colcord. “I’ve learned to respect animals,” Naaman said, admitting chores aren’t always his favorite thing to do. “But I love being on a farm because of the freedom.” This spring, Naaman exhibited his Angus heifer, Annabelle, at the Delaware County Spring Livestock Show. He helped purchase Annabelle for $1,375, writing his first check from the account started with his 2019 premium sale earnings.

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SAVE YOUR SEED SAMPLE

SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE

510 W Mt Vernon, Nixa, MO 65714

nixahardware.com

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

MARCH 23, 2020

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

ozarks

roots

the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home

A Real Treasure Hunt By Terry Ropp

A love for exploring prompted an Arkansas man to buy his own cave

Paul Linscott of Sulphur Springs, Ark., grew up exploring caves with family and friends starting at age 4. He had his own equipment, including a hardhat and light. One of his earliest memories is having the job of carrying a rope while the rest went down into a small pit. Paul was supposed to remain on top to help them get out. Like most children, he wanted to get down into the pit to make sculptures out of the clay and to go where, according to young Paul’s imagination, “no man has been before.” When Paul moved back to the Berryville area, he decided he wanted a career change: a touring cave of his own. He was considering another in the Northwest Arkansas area and already had a business plan when his brother Andy told him about the Old Spanish Treasure Cave in Sulphur Springs coming up for sale. “I went to it one time and was blown away,” explained Paul. The entrance whispered of hidden secrets echoing throughout the maze cave with three levels and numerous tunnels at all levels snaking and branching out in different directions. Visitors go up to the middle level where the easy walking tour takes place and with the lower tunnels mostly water passages for streams and rivers. At that time, Paul believed the story of hidden Spanish treasure was just that, a story. Not long after purchasing the cave and exploring some of the passageways, Paul came to an area that didn’t seem natural. Part of one wall was clay with what appeared to be stacked rocks on top. He dug into the unusual section and found a small room with a stone pedestal and a very old blade on top. That changed everything, especially after the Discovery Chan-

nel came to the cave to use it as part of one of their Explained and Unexplained episodes. Two explorers from the channel looked at the blade and said they were as sure as was possible without further testing that the blade appeared to belong to the 1500s Spanish conquistador era when the Spanish came through the area. The tale is as intriguing as an Indiana Jones movie, and Paul’s mission is now to separate fact from fiction through exploring for artifacts, continued surveying and mapping, and examining old records and archives. Archives include an old tape recording involving a family history as told by a daughter of one of the early treasure hunters. Legend claims the conquistadors were trapped by a winter storm with horses dying and carts breaking down. They sheltered in the cavern and hid the treasure, planning to come back to retrieve it when better prepared and with more reinforcements. In the largest room at the back was a natural chimney and a little fire to warm themselves. However, they had brutalized

the Native Americans as they traveled and paid the price when their victims traced them by the smoke. At least one survived, and the rest is part of the intriguing story told during the tour. An early owner, George Dunbar, opened a mining operation in 1908. To accommodate the mining, Dunbar built rail tracks and used donkey carts to remove debris and carry clay. However, the mining operation was really a cover for extensive treasure exploration. Using metal detectors, Paul and his wife Tracy uncovered some of Dunbar’s track. Later Paul purchased a better detector and was trying to calibrate it but couldn’t. Puzzled, he dug beneath where he was working and found more rails near what is reputed to be the fire pit of George Dunbar. Throughout his explorations, Paul has found concealed tunnels and entrances and is hopeful one recently discovered area will be a time capsule of the past. He has stopped other explorations and is focused on this tunnel.

Photos by Terry Ropp

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

The Old Spanish Treasure Cave is a living cave which means formations are still growing. Because it is limestone, it contains fossils from once being part of the ocean. Additionally, it contains various formation sites including the Bridal Veil containing drapery, the Enchanted Forest with a variety of formation types and Land of a Thousand Lakes which features rim stone dams. The attraction offers a number of opportunities. One is a Camp in the Cave program for Scouts, while another is accommodating school field trips. In addition to the occasional wedding, the cavern is home to movie nights in the spring and the fall, which are held in the big chamber called the Council Room. The location features movies such as The Goonies and Indiana Jones in addition to some current movies. Imagine youngsters sitting in the cave while watching the Goonies or Indiana Jones traipsing through caves on their grand adventures with snakes and booby-traps just around the corner. Of course, popcorn and other concessions are available. From March through the summer and into the fall, the cave is typically open during business hours and sometimes later. Winter schedules vary. In either case checking the website or telephoning the attraction is the best way to determine the hours when planning to visit. A pleasant conclusion to the visit is browsing a gift shop full of intriguing geodes, fossils, unusual jewelry and other geology related items. This cave is exceptional because of Paul’s burning passion to find the truth. It is the site of real and ongoing treasure hunting combined with historical revelations. Discover for yourself why, according to Paul, “This unsolved mystery has kept the secrets alive.” MARCH 23, 2020

eye on

By Terry Ropp

agri-business meeting the needs of farmers

National Agriculture Law Center

Location: Fayetteville, Ark. Director: Harrison Pittman History: “An important thrust of

President Roosevelt’s New Deal during the Great Depression was to supply income support for farmers through various programs. He believed helping farmers helped the country recover. Many changes occurred through the years,” director Harrison Pittman, who has held the position since 2007, explained. “The National Agricultural Law Center was established in 1987 against the backdrop of the 1980s farm crisis. Farmers, Photo by Terry Ropp lawyers, bankers and others were confused by many of the unique agricultural laws and programs. Sen. Dale Bumpers was convinced of the need to create an institution that could be an objective resource for the nation’s agricultural community. As chair of the Senate Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee, Bumpers took the lead on establishing the center. Since that time, the center has served as the nation’s leading source of agricultural and food law research and information. Some states, such as Arkansas and Mississippi, were especially suited for program assistance.”

Services: “We serve producers of all commodities and sizes, attorneys and policymakers, as well as local and national agricultural organizations,” Harrison said. “To promote understanding, we speak, host and sometimes sponsor conferences, workshops and informational meetings. Attendees include congressional staff members, trade and commodity groups and producers. While we offer a variety of printed material, our main form of outreach is through our website. It contains a daily update, as well as an extensive reading room with each article directed toward a specific audience: attorneys, nonattorneys, experts and novices. Our staff currently includes two senior staff attorneys, one staff attorney whose specialty is environmental law, a communications director and 19 research fellows. The research fellows are law students, spread throughout the United States with each working on a different project such as an annual review of Federal Crop Insurance case law and a 50-state survey of pesticide drift state law. Examples of how we can help are aiding in the understanding of the legal aspects of agricultural tourism, fencing issues and pick-your-own berries enterprises.” Future: “We will continue to expand and better serve stakeholders throughout the U.S. by increasing our visibility. We want every member of the vast agricultural community to know who we are and what we do. Later this year, we will move into new dedicated office space as part of the Don Tyson Agricultural Sciences Building. This move will centralize our offices with the University of Arkansas System and more efficiently coordinate our efforts.” MARCH 23, 2020

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

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On Farm Appraisal

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The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

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Pine Creek Ranch has Humble Beginnings By Terry Ropp

The Carsons have been dairy farmers and raised poultry, but they are now strictly in the cow/calf business “To understand Pine Creek Ranch, you have to understand how it started because of the mother and father’s vision,” Clarence Carson, whose ranch is in the community of Venus but close to Witter, Ark., explained. During World War II, his father Burch, enlisted when he was 34 years and

While in the service, he met some Arkansas boys who talked about trees and water, a direct contrast to his 7 inches of rain per year in Texas where he once went without rain for five years. Consequently, Burch took a trip to Arkansas and soon purchased 1,100 acres and later bought out five families. At the time, Arkansas had vast amounts of acre-

SELLING 60 LOTS OF SIMMENTAL, SIMANGUS, ANGUS FALL & SPRING OPEN HEIFERS, BREDS, AND COW/CALF PAIRS

4/18/2020

1 2 : 0 0 P . M. A T T H E O W E N S B R O THE R S F A C I L I TY I N B O I S D A R C , M O ADAM OWEN 417.830.8150 MATT OWEN 417.830.8180 CASEY OWEN 417.830.9739 AARON OWEN 417.830.6252 owenbroscattleco@gmail.com

Photo by Terry Ropp

10 months old, only two months shy of the age limit. He ended up in New Guinea, where he lost his leg to a grenade. He had some land in Texas and worked for Texas Game and Fish on the mountain sheep project.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

age in the state books; first at $2 an acre and a little later at $2.50 an acre, much of which Venus, Ark. came from land forfeited after not paying taxes for seven years. Burch ended up with a total of 4,000 acres. — Continued on Page 16 MARCH 23, 2020

town &

country

in the field and in the office

Cas Salley By Terry Ropp

Hometown: Inola, Okla.

Bradley Cattle Bred Heifer Sale SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 4:00 p.m. Prior to the start of the Special Cow Sale at Springfield Livestock!

Springfield Livestock Marketing CenterSpringfield, Missouri

Selling

24 Purebred Charolais Bred Heifers, due in September to LT Affinity 6221 Pld 37 Purebred Charolais Bred Heifers, due in September to Red Angus Sires 8 Angus x Charolais Bred Heifers, due in September to Black Angus Sires 9 Hereford Bred Heifers, due in September to Red Angus Sires Charolais & Red Angus Breeding Age Bulls Sell just before Special Cow Sale

CATTLE B/B BRADLEY

Family: Wife Brenda; daughters Kaslin and Amanda; and sons Clay, Adam, Wyatt and Allen

Bruce & Janna Bradley Marshfield, MO 417-848-3457 BRUCEMBRADLEY@HOTMAIL.COM

Ranch Manager: Bob Stewart

In Town: “I have worked for BancFirst in Inola, Okla., for 16 years and am now vice president and a loan officer. I worked for a radio station that was sold, and at the time BancFirst was opening a branch in Inola. I was offered a job. Jeff Jensen, president of BancFirst in Clarmore, Okla., said he could make me a banker but he could not teach me public relations skills. He thought I already had those. I started as a loan officer and moved up to the vice president position. Photo by Terry Ropp My loan portfolio has a heavy emphasis on ag loans since I fully understand the issues and needs, but I do other types of lending as well. My wife Brenda owns and manages the vehicle tag agency in town which she has had for 30 years.” In the Country: “I have had previous agricultural jobs, including being an animal science professor at Murray State College in Tishomingo, Okla., and farm director for radio station KVOO in Tulsa. Brenda and I have 500 owned and leased acres outside of Inola with 150 to 160 Angus/Red Angus/Brangus cross cows bred by eight bulls. Six are registered Angus and two are registered Red Angus. The Angus bloodline provides quality meat while the Brangus bloodline provides hardiness and longevity. I also have a handful of Super Baldies, which adds the Hereford line with its tendency for docility and milk production. I prefer spring calving so the land works for me, and I don’t have to supplement much during the summers. I learned this concept and many others from my mentor Mike Armitage of Claremore, Okla. “I sell at weaning in the fall with the calves having had two rounds of shots. Daylight savings time works well with spring calving. I need more daylight hours once I head home from my real job at the bank. Brenda wants the animals to be in top condition so we feed 20-percent protein cubes daily during cold weather and a couple of times per week during warm weather. An important advantage of cubes for us is that we can feed on the ground. Our land is river bottom, and I can’t keep enough gravel to stabilize troughs. We also offer free-choice loose mineral, which contains fly control in the summer months. Brenda’s son Adam is a huge asset on the ranch helping with calving, feeding and anything else that might be needed.” Future: “My wife and I are very happy with our life and would just like to spend more time on the farm, which we plan on doing when we retire. We want to market high quality calves and may move towards raising more Super Baldy Cows.” MARCH 23, 2020

Lot 1, BC Trophy Rush 1818 Polled, 8-26-18, Rushmore granddaughter out of LT Easy Blend daughter

Sale Manager: Lot 2, BC Katherine 1819 Polled, 9-7-18, M6 Slam Dunk 3115 daughter out of Ledger granddaughter

Greg Hubert P.O. Box 100 Oakley, KS 67748 785-672-3195 (office) 785-672-7449 (cellular)

Improve Hay & Pasture Yields Now is the time to talk to a Farmers Coop professional to avoid weed problems and determine your fertilizer needs.

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slaughter

market sales reports

bulls

(Week of 3/8/20 to 3/14/20) Arkansas Cattle Auction Ash Flat Livestock Benton County Sale Barn

beef

62.50-90.00 † Not Reported † 51.00-91.00 †

Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction

59.00-91.50* None Reported †

County Line Sale - Ratcliff Decatur Livestock Auction

65.00-87.50*

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, Ark.

None Reported* Not Reported* 70.00-91.50* 60.00-95.00* 72.00-88.50 † 69.00-94.50 † 90.00* Not Reported †

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

58.00-95.50 † 60.00-81.00 † 60.00-97.00 † Not Reported* 76.00-95.00 †

cattle

Midwest - High Plains Direct Slaughter Cattle

5 Area (Tx-Ok, Ks, Neb, Ia, Colo) Live Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice Steers: 104.00-110.00; wtd. avg. price 108.77. Heifers: 105.00-111.00; wtd. avg. price 109.39. Dressed Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice Steers: 173.00-175.00; wtd. avg. price 174.15. Heifers: 173.00-173.00; wtd. avg. price 173.00.

Kids - Selection 1-2: 275.00-305.00. Kids - Selection 1-2: 60.00-70.00. Kids - Selection 2: 180.00-267.50. 3/16/20 Kids - Selection 2-3: 145.00-240.00. Kids - Selection 2-3 (per head): 25.00-50.00. Slaughter Goats: Kids - Selection 1: 280.00-330.00. Kids - Selection 1-2: 272.50-280.00. Kids - Selection 2: 217.50-260.00. Kids - Selection 2-3: 200.00-230.00. Nannies/Does - Selection 1: 145.00-160.00. Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2: 110.00-175.00. Nannies/Does - Selection 2: 115.00-140.00. Nannies/Does - Selection 3: 90.00-147.50. Bucks/Billies - Selection 1-2: 155.00-175.00. Wethers - Selection 2-3: 175.00-185.00. Wethers - Selection 3: 157.50. Replacement Goats: Families - Selection 1 w/<20 lbs kid: 200.00. Families - Selection 1-2 w/<20 lbs kid: 80.00-95.00. Families - Selection 2-3 w/<20 lbs kid: 50.00-77.50.

dairy cattle NONE REPORTED sheep & goats

Families - Medium and Large 1 w/<20 lbs lamb: 150.00170.00. Families - Medium and Large 1-2 w/<20 lbs lamb: 130.00142.50. Families - Medium and Large 2 w/<20 lbs lamb: 110.00. Feeder Goats: Kids - Selection 1: 310.00. Kids - Selection 2: 235.00-260.00. Kids - Selection 3: 200.00-215.00. Slaughter Goats: Kids - Selection 1: 280.00-295.00. Kids - Selection 2: 240.00-265.00. Kids - Selection 3: 180.00-202.50. Nannies/Does - Selection 1: 185.00. Nannies/Does - Selection 2: 150.00-165.00. Nannies/Does - Selection 3: 120.00-137.50. Replacement Goats: Nannies/Does - Selection 1: 205.00.

National Sheep Summary

3/13/20

Compared to last week slaughter lambs steady to 10.00 Welch Stockyards 80.00-96.00* higher. Slaughter ewes steady to 10.00 lower. Feeder lambs Buffalo, Mo. • Buffalo Livestock Market 2/25/20 not well tested. At San Angelo, TX 4773 head sold. Equity 10 30 50 70 90 110 130 Diamond, Mo. • TS White Sheep/Goat 3/5/20 Receipts: 423 Electronic Auction sold 350 slaughter lambs in North DaCompared to the January sale, Feeder lambs sold 10.00 to kota. In direct trading slaughter ewes were not tested and no Receipts: 830 20.00 higher, slaighter lambs sold 10.00 to 25.00 higher, comparison on feeder lambs. 7200 head of negotiated sales of Supply included: 50% Slaughter Sheep/Lambs (24% Wooled and kid goats sold steady to 20.00 higher. Supply was light slaughter lambs were 2.00 lower. 4,442 lamb carcasses sold & Shorn, 55% Hair Breeds, 4% Ewes, 15% Hair Ewes, 2% and Demand was good to very good. There was a large crowd with all weights no trend due to confidentiality. All sheep sold Bucks); 6% Replacement Sheep/Lambs (100% Families); in attendance for this months sale. Supply included: 22% per hundred weight (CWT) unless otherwise specified. 15% Feeder Goats (100% Kids); 25% Slaughter Goats (49% (Week of 3/8/20 to 3/14/20) Feeder Sheep/Lambs (100% Hair Lambs); 50% Slaughter Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3 90-160 lbs: Kids, 37% Nannies/Does, 5% Bucks/Billies, 10% Wethers); Arkansas Cattle Auction 30.00-61.00 † 3 Sheep/Lambs (22% Wooled, 54% Hair Breeds, 15% Ewes, San Angelo: wooled and shorn 110-170 lbs 150.00-168.00. 4% Replacement Goats (100% Families). Ash Flat Livestock Not Reported † 6% Hair Ewes, 3% Bucks); 4% Replacement Sheep/Lambs PA: wooled and shorn 100-140 lbs 222.00-255.00. Slaughter Sheep/Lambs: Benton County Sale Barnn 24.00-70.00 † (25% Ewes, 75% Families); 7% Feeder Goats (100% Kids); Ft.Collins, CO: wooled and shorn 125-145 lbs no test. Wooled & Shorn - Choice and Prime 1-3: 185.00-245.00. Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction 44.00-63.50* 16% Slaughter Goats (68% Kids, 32% Nannies/Does); 1% South Dakota: wooled and shorn 105-145 lbs 165.00-175.00. Wooled & Shorn - Choice 1-3: 169.00-205.00. 25.00-40.00 † County Line Sale Replacement Goats (100% Nannies/Does). Kalona, IA: wooled and shorn 100-120 lbs no test. Wooled & Shorn - Good and Choice 1-2: 120.00-170.00. Decatur Livestock Auction 45.00-59.00* Feeder Sheep/Lambs: Billings, MT: no test. Hair Breeds - Choice and Prime 1-3: 200.00-240.00. None Reported* Farmer’s & Ranchers - Vinita Hair Lambs Medium and Large 1: 260.00-262.50. Missouri: wooled and shorn 100-130 lbs 170.00-205.00; 150Hair Breeds - Choice 1-3: 155.00-210.00. Farmer’s Stockyards - Springdale Not Reported* Hair Lambs - Medium and Large 1-2: 225.00-230.00. 175 lbs 157.00-165.00. Hair Breeds - Good and Choice 1-2: 165.00-185.00. Fort Smith Stock 16.00-70.00* Hair Lambs - Medium and Large 2: 220.00-230.00. Equity Elec: 140 lbs 167.25. Ewes - Good 2-3: 90.00-120.00. Four State Stockyards 26.00-70.00* Slaughter Sheep/Lambs: Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2: Hair Ewes - Good 2-3: 80.00-135.00. I-40 Livestock 20.00-68.00 † Wooled - Choice and Prime 1-3: 255.00-270.00. San Angelo: hair lambs 40-60 lbs 230.00-250.00, few 250.00Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3: 75.00-110.00. Joplin Regional 12.00-64.50 † Wooled Choice 1-3: 210.00-230.00. 258.00; 60-70 lbs 230.00-246.00, few 250.00; 70-80 lbs 224.00Hair Ewes - Cull and Utility 1-2: 50.00-60.00. Mid-State Stockyards 75.00* Wooled Good and Choice 1-3: 140.00-175.00. 252.00; 80-90 lbs 218.00-236.00, few 244.00-252.00; 90-105 Bucks 1-2: 120.00-150.00. North Arkansas Livestock - Green Forest Not Reported † Hair Breeds Choice and Prime 1-3: 255.00-269.00. lbs 204.00-224.00. wooled and shorn 43 lbs 240.00; 60-70 lbs Bucks 2-3: 80.00. 33.00-69.50 † OKC West - El Reno Ewes Good and Choice 1-3: 80.00-95.00. 230.00-244.00; 73 lbs 250.00; 80-90 lbs 210.00-230.00. Replacement Sheep/Lambs: Ouachita Livestock Auction - Ola 46.09-58.50 † Hair Ewes Good and Choice 1-3: 70.00-85.00. Families - Small and Medium 1-2 w/20-40 lbs lamb: 75.00Ozarks Regional 20.00-74.00 † Bucks 1-2: 88.00-95.00. 90.00. Stilwell Livestock Auction Not Reported* Replacement Sheep/Lambs: Families - Small and Medium 2 w/20-40 lbs lamb: 55.00Tulsa Livestock Auction 40.00-65.00 † Ewes - Medium and Large 1-2: 87.50. 72.50. Welch Stockyards 48.00-74.00* Feeder Goats: 0 10 30 50 70 90 110 Kids - Selection 1: 292.50-305.00.

slaughter

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

154.00-190.00 144.00-176.00 136.00-166.00 115.00-145.00 112.00-122.00 145.00-170.00 142.00-152.50 129.00-152.00 114.00-125.00 109.00 130.00-160.00 132.50-152.50 130.00-143.00 105.00-134.00 105.00-117.00

Farmer’s Stockyards*

Fort Smith Stockyards*

3/10/20 780

Farmer’s & Ranchers Vinita, Okla.* 3/11/20 -----

---------

-----

Steady

-----

120.00-189.00 118.00-166.00 101.00-154.00 ---------

148.00-168.00 130.00-147.00 132.00 ---------

160.00-189.00 150.00-175.00 140.00-174.50 125.00-146.50 112.00-130.00

166.00-172.00 160.00-166.00 138.00-160.00 ---------

151.00-172.00 130.00-159.00 115.00-135.00 113.00-118.00 101.00

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

----142.00-149.00 130.00-137.00 120.00 -----

140.00-175.00 130.00-165.00 125.00-150.00 120.00-135.00 100.00-121.00

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

131.00-154.00 124.00-142.00 119.00-135.00 100.00-114.00 105.00

110.00-151.00 105.00-148.00 85.00-135.00 ---------

125.00-142.00 125.00-134.00 118.00-135.00 127.00-129.00 -----

130.00-154.00 125.00-148.00 114.00-139.00 111.00-125.00 105.00-115.00

149.00-152.00 138.00-149.00 128.00-138.00 ---------

Cattlemen’s Livestock*

---------

Benton Co. - Siloam Springs✝ 3/12/20 1,462

Decatur Livestock*

3/11/20 379

County Line Sale Ratcliff✝ 3/11/20 73

-----

10-20 Lower

5-10 Lower

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

140.00-180.00 146.00-174.00 141.00-155.00 101.00-129.00 116.00

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

prices

3/9/20 1,411

Four State Stockyards Exeter, Mo* 3/10/20 1,263

I-40 Livestock Ozark✝ 3/12/20 893

Joplin Regional Stockyards✝ 3/9/20 5,627

-----

St-8 Lower

10-25 Lower

2-10 Lower

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

134.00-190.00 123.00-170.00 119.00-157.00 112.00-148.00 -----

158.00-179.50 157.00-176.00 159.00-170.60 129.00-143.50 120.00-130.00

145.00-161.00 139.00-155.00 130.00-148.00 123.50-135.00 106.00-130.00

168.00-187.00 155.00-179.00 144.25-172.00 130.00-157.00 129.00-140.00

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

----139.50-156.00 ----107.50-130.50 110.00

--------123.00-136.00 101.00-137.00 -----

155.00-177.50 150.00-164.00 144.00-157.50 129.00 125.00

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

125.00-158.00 113.00-149.50 107.00-152.00 96.00-134.00 -----

121.00-153.00 137.00-153.00 128.00-138.50 119.00-131.00 107.00-113.00

130.00-154.00 125.00-141.00 105.00-141.00 110.00-130.00 100.00-106.00

140.00-152.50 136.00-153.00 129.00-156.00 123.00-139.00 118.00-118.50

NOT REPORTED

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

Ash Flat Livestock✝

NONE NOT REPORTED REPORTED

Ark. Cattle Auction, LLC - Searcy✝ 3/10/20 671 2-10 Lower

Che The $1.7 Flui sprin mild som Bott Coro bott Che disco prev and Tha mult 1.00 SPO BUT $2.1

cows

stocker & feeder

Steers, Med. & Lg. 1

Natio

✝ USDA Reported * Independently Reported

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

MARCH 23, 2020

Mi Stoc

140 135 130 122 90.

120 110 110 95.

25. e and Prime 1-2: 40-60 lbs 230.00-250.00, few 250.00246.00, few 250.00; 70-80 lbs 224.00236.00, few 244.00-252.00; 90-105 d and shorn 43 lbs 240.00; 60-70 lbs 0.00; 80-90 lbs 210.00-230.00.

500

8.39

Sorghum

5.41

6 3

5.30

ille thev

Bly

n Hele

8.45

5.30

5.41

8.09 5.00

3.64

3.34

e Elain

eola Osc

oc tle R

Lit

ices Joplin Regional Stockyards✝ 3/9/20 5,627

Mid-State Stockyards* 3/9/20 493

-25 Lower

2-10 Lower

-----

Uneven

7-21 Lower

Uneven

5.00-161.00 9.00-155.00 0.00-148.00 3.50-135.00 6.00-130.00

168.00-187.00 155.00-179.00 144.25-172.00 130.00-157.00 129.00-140.00

140.00-170.00 135.00-160.00 130.00-150.00 122.00-135.00 90.00-120.00

--------3.00-136.00 1.00-137.00 -----

155.00-177.50 150.00-164.00 144.00-157.50 129.00 125.00

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

0.00-154.00 5.00-141.00 5.00-141.00 0.00-130.00 0.00-106.00

140.00-152.50 136.00-153.00 129.00-156.00 123.00-139.00 118.00-118.50

120.00-151.00 110.00-143.00 110.00-131.50 95.00-121.00 95.00

MARCH 23, 2020

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

205.00-215.00 160.00-185.00 152.00-177.00 131.00-158.00 120.00-136.00

--------130.00 ---------

175.00-197.50 170.00-190.00 157.50-178.00 135.00-159.00 134.00-139.00

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

162.00-177.00 ------------119.00

143.00-150.00 130.00-140.00 -------------

165.00 137.50-165.00 136.00-158.00 130.00-133.00 -----

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

165.00-177.00 143.00-162.50 126.00-153.00 120.00-139.00 111.00-119.50

129.00 125.00-128.00 123.00 90.00 -----

150.00-170.00 137.50-155.00 128.00-147.50 124.00-132.00 -----

146.10 140.85

125.43

142.89

134.62

167.70 *

147.00

142.13

163.71

None Reported * Not Reported *

690.00-1100.00 *

Ozarks Regional West Plains✝ 3/10/20 2,469

139.34

169.64

750.00-1350.00 *

Ouachita Livestock Ola✝ 3/13/20 85

136.20

175.55

None Reported †

OKC West - El Reno, Okla.✝ 3/10/20 6,811

136.45 133.66

164.09

800.00-1160.00 †

750

160.84

1100.00 *

N. Ark. Livestock Green Forest✝ ---------

NOT REPORTED

I-40 estock Ozark✝ 3/12/20 893

148.01

153.00 146.76 134.00

None Reported * None Reported † 900.00-1350.00 †

* 128.98 127.04

148.17

123.85

148.58

124.50 142.88

157.86

None Reported * Not Reported †

139.62

158.48

925.00-1275.00 † None Reported † 1150.00-1450.00 †

1250

1750

125.94

140.51

144.34

167.50

Not Reported *

140.37

163.86

None Reported †

250

148.67

142.05

Not Reported †

Welch Stockyards

145.51 131.46

164.96

2000

Ouachita Tulsa

132.32

pairs

Mid-State Stockyards North Arkansas Livestock - Green Forest, Ark. OKC West - El Reno Ouachita Livestock Auction Ozarks Regional Stockyards Stilwell Livestock Auction Tulsa Livestock Auction 925.00 †

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

164.21

1075.00-1525.00 †

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

3.59

8.39

1500

Jan. 20 Feb. 20

heifers 550-600 LBS.

169.72

650.00-1375.00 † 650.00-1100.00 * Not Reported † 770.00-1340.00 †

1000

Ouachita Tulsa

Oct. 19 Nov. 19 Dec. 19

158.18

500.00-875.00 †

675.00-1000.00 † 710.00-1180.00 *

County Line Sale - Ratcliff Decatur Livestock Auction Farmer’s & Ranchers - Vinita Farmer’s Stockyards

12 9

Not Reported * 1485.00 * 985.00-1150.00 *

300.00-1450.00 † Not Reported *

Arkansas Cattle Auction Ash Flat Livestock Benton County Sale Barn Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction

Daily Report 3/17/20 Corn

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

(Week of 3/8/20 to 3/14/20)

avg. grain prices Soft Wheat

steers 550-600 LBS.

600.00-1185.00* None Reported *

255.00-450.00 †

July 19 Aug. 19 Sept. 19

Week of 2/16/20

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

Apr. 19 May 19 June 19

Week of 2/23/20

orn 100-130 lbs 170.00-205.00; 150-

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

Mar. 19

42.00-50.00 † Prices reported per cwt

cow/calf

Soybeans

$80

625.00-975.00 † 1075.00 *

163.13

2250

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

Tulsa Livestock Auction✝ 3/9/20 2,253

Welch Stockyards*

-----

7-9 Lower

-----

141.56 Week of 3/1/20

laughter lambs steady to 10.00 teady to 10.00 lower. Feeder lambs Angelo, TX 4773 head sold. Equity 350 slaughter lambs in North Daaughter ewes were not tested and no mbs. 7200 head of negotiated sales of 00 lower. 4,442 lamb carcasses sold d due to confidentiality. All sheep sold WT) unless otherwise specified. e and Prime 2-3 90-160 lbs: shorn 110-170 lbs 150.00-168.00. 00-140 lbs 222.00-255.00. and shorn 125-145 lbs no test. nd shorn 105-145 lbs 165.00-175.00. shorn 100-120 lbs no test.

Not Reported †

142.00 152.05 148.00

136.00 133.24 128.58 132.98

152.26

140.09

153.13

145.47

153.48

3/10/20 902

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

160.00-173.00 155.50-168.00 140.00-162.50 127.00-140.00 115.50-130.00

170.00-185.00 150.00-175.00 140.00-158.00 120.00-132.00 115.00-129.00

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

155.00-170.00 153.50-166.00 130.00-149.00 118.00-129.00 124.00

160.00-185.00 142.00-171.00 128.00-142.50 100.00-116.00 90.00-115.00

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

140.00-150.50 137.00-150.00 130.00-146.00 110.00-130.00 100.00-116.00

140.00-165.00 130.00-155.00 122.00-148.00 115.00-129.00 108.00-120.00

135.89

160.61

138.95

159.10 **

145.30

155.88 Week of 3/8/20

3/13/20

$120

525.00-1475.00 †

Week of 2/16/20

n 1: 205.00.

3/13/20

Cheese: Barrels closed at $1.5000 and 40# blocks at $1.8725. The weekly average for barrels is $1.4530 (-.0660) and blocks, $1.7925 (+.0345). Fluid Milk/Cream: Farmers are saying milk output is at early spring flush in the West and moving into the Midwest. Mostly mild winter weather has been friendly to milk output, although some farmers are reporting slightly lower component levels. Bottling demand is steady to lower, as spring break approaches. Coronavirus issues could create even more downticks for bottlers, as spring breaks are being extended across the country. Cheesemakers are finding milk at $2 to $5 under Class, which is discounted noticeably lower than it has been during week 11 in previous years. Cream is still easy to locate for butter churners and other cream end users, including ice cream manufacturers. That said, multiples have moved up in some cases. F.O.B. cream multiples are 1.05-1.20 in the East, 1.08-1.25 in the Midwest, and 1.00-1.19 in the West. SPOT PRICES OF CLASS II CREAM, $ PER POUND BUTTERFAT F.O.B. producing plants: Upper Midwest $2.1739 - $2.3225.

$160

Prices Pricesreported reportedper percwt cwt

Week of 2/23/20

0-295.00. 00-265.00. 00-202.50. n 1: 185.00. n 2: 150.00-165.00. n 3: 120.00-137.50.

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

NOT REPORTED

00. 00-260.00. 00-215.00.

National Dairy Market at a Glance

cows

(Week of 3/8/20 to 3/14/20)

550-600 lb. steers

$200

Week of 3/1/20

Large 1-2 w/<20 lbs lamb: 130.00-

Large 2 w/<20 lbs lamb: 110.00.

replacement

dairy sales

Large 1 w/<20 lbs lamb: 150.00-

12 Month Avg. -

$240

Week of 3/8/20

es reports

✝ USDA Reported * Independently Reported

* 140.02 132.00

134.97

145.17

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

130.46

123.12

144.02

135.29

163.92 137 164 191 218 * No price reported in weight break **USDA Failed To Report *** No Sale

107.40

135.00

142.19

110

245

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

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

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Morgan

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Pine Creek Ranch has Humble Beginnings

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Burch was wise enough to understand the equipment which helped keep us profvalue behind the cheap land, almost all of itable all these years,” Margaret, Clarit forested. Land purchases made money ence’s wife said. scarce, but he and his wife Alma raised “Margaret is my main asset because she four girls and two boys, Clarence and his trusts my judgments and purchases for brother Carmon, on the land, which was more stock or equipment,” Clarence said. eventually divided between them. “Not having to haggle helps everything In 1971, Burch deeded 176 acres to runs smoothly and far more profitably than Clarence, very close it would otherwise.” to the maximum alClarence’s first stock lowed without Clarpurchase was a group ence being required to of Hereford/Holstein pay inheritance taxes. cross bottle calves he Meanwhile, Clarence raised to begin his comhad several jobs, inmercial cattle. In 1975, cluding taking care of he built their home, another farm close to where they raised two home, working timber girls and two boys. and in a sawmill as Next came two chickwell as chicken house en houses in 1976, construction and runfollowed by a dairy ning a dozer. in 1980. Seven years “Those were my later, the government ‘college years’ when I stepped in to control learned all the skills I milk production by needed to run my own offering a program to place,” Clarence said. purchase dairy cows at Because he didn’t a price based upon anhave his own dozer, he nual milk production hired people to clear and proof of slaughter. that first 4 acres, includThe Carsons sold their ing his previous dozer dairy cows and used the boss, Newell Kemp. money to clear more One time, Clarence land and developing a asked if it was OK if he commercial Santa Gercleared some land while trudis herd. O.D. Reynolds ate Later, Clarence startlunch. O.D. took a bit ed a second dairy while – Clarence Carson running the chickens longer than usual and was shocked when he along with the comcame outside and saw mercial cattle. The Clarence had cleared as combination took all much or more land than the fun out of life, Marhe had. He then asked Clarence if it was garet said, so the family quit dairy proOK if he still charged him to which Clar- duction for a second time. Today they ence readily agreed. Thereafter Clarence focus only on commercial beef. only paid for machine rental while O.D. “The only way to make it in the beef came back every night to fuel and grease industry is to give the customers what the dozen. Eventually Clarence bought his they want,” Clarence said. “At that time own dozer. Santa Gertrudis were popular because “We never liked to borrow money of a larger frame and better developand Clarence always bought good used ment. As the years passed, I have also

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MARCH 23, 2020

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used Charolais crosses and switched to Angus as the Angus marketing strategy took hold of the country. Since black is still the preferred animal, I use Balancers because they’re good milkers, docile, and have excellent longevity, which is a really big deal. In order to maintain the black color, I breed them to a homozygous black Balancer bull because red calves, which a regular Balancer bull will sometimes produce, bring significantly less money at the market even though the only difference is hide color.” Clarence’s herd is now comprised of 200 head of Balancers. Though at one time he had synchronized his breeding for fall and spring, he found he was more successful by running bulls with his females at all times. One big advantage is he never has to pull the bulls. According to Clarence, each herd, including the bulls, has its own territory and is content staying by itself and away from the others. When Margaret retired from being a hairdresser, she started her own herd with six registered Herefords. She kept heifers and sold bulls. Then she began breeding the females to a black bull and has more than doubled her income. “All the cattle on the farm are ours or hers,” Clarence said with a laugh. “He does all the work and I get all the Hereford money,” Margaret added. Though Clarence does sell a few bulls to commercial breeders, their regular market is selling to independent buyer Joe Youngblood of Berryville, Ark. Calves are sold at weaning at about 550 pounds. Clarence is a farmer who recognizes the only way to protect and promote the industry is to be involved. He has served as a Venus’ Township committeeman for 40 years and was on the local Farm Bureau board for 30 years in addition to being County president for four and serving on the conservation board. For this family, the definition of sustainability means taking care of the land and the animals through the years believing if you take care of them, they take care of you.”

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MARCH 23, 2020

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

meet your neighbors

Chickens on the Move

Photo by Amber Parham

Kent Lovell and his wife Lynn provide pasture poultry to a local farmto-table restaurant and a brewery. They also market eggs to local customers through farmers markets and social media.

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Kent and Lynn Lovell find their niche in pastured poultry Tucked between Paris and Subiaco, Ark., along Hagwood Creek, Kent and Lynn Lovell revived his old family farm using sustainable practices. A Russellville native, Kent and his wife moved to Massachesetts for their careers. When he inherited his grandfather’s farm from his mother in 2014, they knew it was time to come home and Dunrovin Farm was born. The sloped-roof frames are covered in “My brother-in-law had given me a copy poultry netting and tarp for protection from of Joel Salatin’s book on pastured poultry,” predators and weather. He has also found Kent said. Two years later they lost their placing his tractors with sides touching resupplier for pastured poultry. “We knew if duces the amount of wall space available to we were going to do it, the time was [then].” predators to break in. He will be adding at His first year was spent rehabbing his least one more tractor this year. grandmother’s old henhouse, which now “This will be our third summer so we houses their layer flock. The following are still learning.” year they started supplying eggs to neighKent recalled the first summer he had bors and their business grew. They now to carry ice to the Cornish Rock crosses supply a local farm-to-table restaurant because they would not get up to go to with eggs and meat. The couple’s meat the waterers. products are also available to the public “We lost 20 percent because of the heat.” at the Pope County Farmers Market and Now he runs the Cornish Rocks in the through their Facebook page. They also cooler months of the spring and fall and offer larger wholesale orders. raises Freedom Ranger Color Yield dur“It’s a labor of love,” he said. “We wanted ing the hottest part of the growing season. to have chicken for us and our family.” But “They are more active and they also seem through word-of-mouth and selling eggs at to have a slower metabolism, which may be the local barbershop their business grew to why they do better in the heat.” – explaininclude Prestonrose Brewery and the larger ing the slower maturation of eight to 10 clientele at farmers markets. weeks as opposed to the fast growing CorKent built all of his chicken trac- nish Rocks that are ready at seven to eight tors himself. He originally weeks. The layers are a mix of bought plans after researchGold and Black Sexlinks. ing online and talking to Kent typically orders chicks other Arkansas growers. in March and processes his Paris, Ark. “You build one, and then last batch in November. He you figure out, OK, this was staggers his chick orders so a new wrong, and this was, so you batch is ready for pasture as soon as make it work,” he said. the finished birds are on their way Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

to the processor. Last year, he ran four batches and this year hopes to do five, running three tractors for the first and last and four during the middle runs. He feeds a standard flockraiser for meat birds in 40-pound feeders, along with fresh pasture. He said the laying hens are great foragers, but that he supplements them with layer ration. The chickens work and fertilize his grandfather’s old haymeadow as the tractors are moved daily by hand using removable wheels and a pull rope. This method raises the tractors up off the ground to reduce injury to the chickens. He added when the chickens are larger they may need to be moved twice a day, depending on how much litter they deposit. When his birds are ready, he transfers them to crates and hauls them to the processing facility. “I use Natural State Processing in Clinton, Ark.,” Kent said. It’s about a two-hour drive. He added that they provide a very presentable end product that appeals to customers. Processed weight is a 4 to 5 pound chicken although he says that they occasionally have had some that are 7.5 pounds and equally good quality. They offer whole birds, legs, thighs, split breasts, backs (soup packs), wings and livers. MARCH 23, 2020

MARCH 23, 2020

The Ozarksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Most Read Farm Newspaper

agriculture Emily Kirby

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Emily Kirby is a seventh grader at Jay Middle School. She lives on a ranch in rural Jay with her parents. She joined 4-H at the urging of her parents and older siblings. “It’s part of my heritage and tradition,” Emily said. She raises market goats and cross natural lambs for her 4-H projects. “I liked the hustle and competition in the goat and lamb shows.” Kirby also barrel races and is exploring riding bulls because “they are fun and are an adrenaline rush.” Kirby owns 50 acres of the family ranch. In addition to her 4-H projects, she also raises registered Texas Longhorns and Red/Black Angus cattle with her dad. Kirby loves living on a ranch because “you can do crazy stuff and don’t get the law called on you.” “You have privacy to have a bonfire and don’t have to worry about snoopers,” she said. “I also love the peace and quiet.” Kirby gets some help from her dad in the mornings during the school year, her evenings and weekends are filled with feeding everything from Miss Priss, her American Quarter horse/Thoroughbred horse, to her 335-pound lamb, Elliot – her first show lamb turned “my little baby.” Other chores include taking care of her other animals, ranging from her cow Peaches and her favorite longhorn, to turtles, fish and several dogs.

Who is the most influential person in your life?

“My mom, because she pushes me to do things I wouldn’t do. I wouldn’t be pro barrel racing if she hadn’t pushed me to do it. “She always tells me to keep trying, because at times I feel like giv-ing up, but then mom tells me to snap out of it.”

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“My older brother Robbie always tells me ‘don’t give up.’ He tells me if you give up, you are a wimp. I don’t want to be a wimp, so he tells me this, because he knows it will get me to try harder.” 479-938-2370

Future plans?

Kirby wants to be a trucker with her dad. She also wants to barrel race when not on the road. Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MARCH 23, 2020

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t’s no secret money and emotion go hand in hand. Money has the ability to impact our stress levels, mental health and personal relationships. In fact, more than half (53 percent) of Americans feel anxious thinking Jenny Rucker is a about their personal finances, according to the Nasenior vice president tional Financial Capability Study conducted by the and private banker for FINRA Investor Education Foundation. UMB Bank. She can And while money isn’t everything, it’s important be reached at to keep savings and spending in line with your Jennifer.Rucker@umb.com. individual financial goals. To better separate your emotions from your money, we’ve created four steps to help you become more confident and less stressed about your financial future.

Start with a budget

One of the first steps to managing your money – and the emotions surrounding it – is to create a budget. A budget can help take away some of the stress money creates because it gives you an action plan. Putting your budget in writing can help you better understand how much money is coming in and going out of your household, and more importantly, what the money is being spent on each month. This knowledge and organization can help cut unnecessary purchases and create a long-term savings plan.

Get comfortable being uncomfortable

Life can throw you curveballs, and sometimes change can be hard. A new child, school, divorce, retirement and even medical events can leave you feeling overwhelmed emotionally and financially. In these uncomfortable times, it’s important to address the situation head on and find a long-term solution that works for your family. Often, the best way to sort through these situations is to speak with someone about your concerns and work together to find the best way to move forward financially.

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Making farming

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Getting it Right By Klaire Howerton

Proper nutrition in poultry flocks helps boost production When poultry producers make sure their flocks are receiving the appropriate nutrition, they reap the benefits of increased performance, which leads to increases in profits. While contracted commercial producers will have proper feed rations developed and delivered to them, smaller scale producers in the Ozarks can work on evaluating their current feeding program and determining where they can make changes that will provide the greatest benefit to their birds. The Right Feed for the Right Birds at the Right Time: There is not a one size fits all ration when it comes to feeding poultry. Dr. Sara Orlowski, assistant professor with the University of Arkansas Department of Poultry Sciences and Research Station Director, explained the importance of determining the proper ration based on the type of poultry being produced, their age and their expected performance level at that time before purchasing feed. “It is important to understand that feeds that are available at a farm supply store have been formulated to feed a certain type of bird at a certain age, and that there are feeds for broilers, layers, chicks, turkeys, gamebirds, and so on,” she said.

what do you say? Why is a soil-testing program important?

Feeding an inappropriate feed to the flock will not produce the desired results. “For example, feeding a broiler feed to laying hens will result in calcium deficiency and poor egg quality, or feeding a laying feed to a chick may not have enough energy or protein for growth and development,” Orlowski said. Provide Enough Feed and Water: A common mistake small scale poultry producers make is not providing enough of a good quality ration. “Most birds, excluding broiler breeders, should have continuous access to a feed ration,” Orlowski said. Free range and pastured poultry are not exempt from this practice. Even though they are getting some extra supplementation from foraging, Orlowski explained grass and bugs alone will not provide the proper nutrition needed for the flock to perform at the optimum level. An adequate supply of fresh water is necessary for flock health and performance, but this is sometimes overlooked in a producer’s feeding program. “Birds should have constant access to a water source,” she emphasized. “The quality of the water provided may also impact bird health and water should be tested for microorganisms and pathogens.”

“We raise Christmas trees, and you have to know what is there, what you are growing, and what is needed as well as correcting the pH level.” Brian Batesole Muskogee County, Okla.

NUTRIENTS REQUIREMENTS FOR CHICKEN DM BASIS (BIS 1992) CHARACTERISTICS

CHICK (0-8)

GROWER

LAYER

BREEDER

1.0

Vit A IU/Kg

6000

8000

Vit D3 IU/Kg

600

1200

Vit E , IU/kg

Thiamin mg/kg

Riboflavin mg/kg

Manganese mg/kg

Zinc mg/kg

100

Iron, mg/kg

Iodine, mg/kg

Copper, mg/kg

Linoleic acid g/100g

Performance Improvements: Making sure the flock gets what it needs will have a very positive effect on production. “When feeding the proper feed at the proper age, producers can expect to see vast improvements in their poultry performance,” Orlowski said. “Broiler nutrition, since they are only alive for a short period of time, is imperative to their performance. Making the feed changes at the correct times will help improve growth rate, feed conversion and ultimately yield. For laying hens, feeding them the proper nutrition at a young age will help with bone growth and development. When those laying hens come into production, they will have the proper body conformation and fat deposition to become efficient layers. Calcium supplementation in older laying hens will also help to improve eggshell quality.”

“Forage cannot grow without pH levels close to neutral because it cannot take in nutrients.” Jim Taylor Madison County, Ark.

Cost Considerations: While there is the potential for increased cost when making improvements to a poultry feeding program, the results are generally worth it in terms of performance and profit and in some cases, the cost may be negligible. “A higher-quality feed, even though it is more expensive, typically will help improve flock performance and ultimately profits. When comparing feeds, it is important to look at the protein percentage, calcium level, etc., that is located on the feed tag. If the feeds appear to be fairly similar, yet one is cheaper, go with the cheaper option,” Orlowski advised. If producers have questions about their flock’s nutritional requirements, the local extension office is an excellent place to begin research for a new and improved feeding program.

“Soil testing is essential so you can balance what the grass needs for maximum production.” Tom Hood Cherokee County, Okla.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

“You have to know what your soil needs in order to have good grass, the heart of successful livestock production.” Kenny Underdown Carroll County, Okla. MARCH 23, 2020

farm help

The Lowdown on Creep Feeding By Klaire Howerton

The cost and value gained should be the deciding factor for creep feeding calves The practice of creep feeding is sometimes implemented by producers to facilitate weight gain. If managed properly, this practice can be a worthwhile investment for producers – without adequate research, facilities and management, however, it may not pay off producers hope. Make It Pay: In order for creep feeding to be a worthwhile endeavor, Andy McCorkill, livestock field specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, said the value of gain must be greater than its cost. “There is a vast difference in research findings on feed conversion of creep feeds, with some older reports of feed to gain ratios in excess 30:1, meaning that it takes 30 pounds of feed to get 1 pound of gain. That type of conversion is probably never going to be profitable,” he explained. “On the other hand, some of the more modern, better balanced rations, that also include an ionophore, have reported feed conversion well below 10:1, a much more favorable rate.” Provide the Right Ration: An inadequate ration for the needs of the calves is not worth spending money on. Dr. Shane Gadberry, livestock nutritionist with the University of Arkansas, explained choosing a creep feed should be based on quality and quantity of pasture. Higher protein creep feeds may be desired when forage protein is low and desired creep intake is low (around 1 to 1.5 pounds per calf, daily). However, moderate to moderately-high protein creep feeds may be desired when forage quantity is limited, or available forage is low quality and desired creep intake is moderate (around 1.5 to 3 pounds per calf, daily).” Is It the Right Type of Gain? Not all gains are created equal – if creep feeding causes calves to become excessively fleshy, McCorkill said, producers may find they receive a discounted market price. MARCH 23, 2020

Achieving the desired gains will come from having the appropriate amount of protein in the ration. This facilitates balanced bone and muscle development. Have the Right Set-Up: There are many ways that a producer can set up a creep feeding station, but a few management strategies usually stay the same across the board, namely preventing spoiled feed. “It may take some work but it is advisable to try and position the feeder in a way that limits the moisture from blowing precipitation getting in and spoiling feed,” McCorkill explained. “Keep an eye on the feed opening to make sure it keeps clean and free of spoilage; this will make consumption more even, as well as extend the life of your feeder. Properly setting the feed opening on gravity feeders so there isn’t an excess of feed exposed will help prevent spoilage as much as anything; start with it set pretty tight and as the calves consume more feed, open it up to compensate for the greater consumption.” A pen system with a gate only calves can get through or utilizing rotational grazing equipment such as electric wire and temporary fence posts, will restrict cow access. Creep Feed When Times Are Tough: Some producers may not typically creep feed as part of their program, but there can be some situations where this practice can be implemented to help conserve forage. “Situations that lead to a forage shortage, such as drought or even a late spring that affects the fescue growth curve, are examples of a time when creep feeding might need greater consideration,” McCorkill said. “The common notion creep feeding takes pressure off the cow is a bit flawed. Calves tend to take the same amount of milk whether creeped or not; they do, however eat the feed in place of a good bit of the grass they would consume, taking pressure off of the pasture, leaving more grass for the cows to consume.”

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farm help

Weather Whoas By Klaire Howerton

Wet winter conditions are causing delays

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The voice of the

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With above average rainfall around the Ozarks this winter, most producers are experiencing delays in their field preparations and planting due to mud – and unfortunately, more wet weather complications could be on the way. “Soil moisture levels remained unusually high across a large portion of the Missouri and Mississippi River Basins at the end of January, and set the stage for a significant spring flood season,” according to a weather report from Dr. Patrick Guinan, state climatologist with the University of Missouri Extension. February brought more rain, along with sleet and snow, leaving the soil in many places saturated and difficult to access for spring planting. “Right now, we are waiting for fields to dry up so we can get in,” Jill Scheidt, agronomist field specialist with MU Extension, said. One of the common crops in the Ozarks that is seeing complications from the wet weather is wheat. Due to the rain and field conditions, Scheidt explained a lot of wheat didn’t get planted. “If it did get planted, some might be a little low on nitrogen if fields were too

wet to make a fall nitrogen application,” she said. Overly wet soil does not work well for tractors and planting equipment. Trying to drive a tractor through a muddy field to prepare seedbeds can create compaction issues, which will lead to poor quality seedbeds with large, uneven clumps of soil that do not facilitate consistent seed coverage throughout the field. Muddy fields can also cause tractors and equipment to get stuck, causing exteive damage to fields, in addition to being a headache no producer wants to deal with. A couple of strategies include simply trying to wait it out and let the fields dry, which can be a bit of a gamble, or consider either a minimum tillage plan, only performing tillage operations that are absolutely necessary, or a no-tillage plan. If producers need to apply fertilizer, it is best to wait until conditions are more favorable, if possible, for the best results. This will help to avoid soil compaction and ammonia loss, which in turn leads to less of a return on fertilizer investments. For producers who are dealing with wet soil challenges, the local Extension office is a valuable resource for soil tests, assistance with management plans and, in some locations, renting no-till equipment.

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MARCH 23, 2020

farm help

Thinking About the Commercial Poultry Business? By Klaire Howerton

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Would-be operators should have a plan As today’s farms continue to evolve and diversify, some producers may be tossing around the idea of investing in the commercial poultry business. If this topic has come up in the farm management plan, here are some things to consider. Type of Poultry: There are many different types of poultry contracts available depending on what type of birds a producer would like to raise. Broilers, pullets, broiler breeders, turkeys and laying hens are all options for those interested in commercial poultry production. Investment: Before signing a contract, producers need to have several conversations with the company (integrator) and have a good idea of the costs and risks involved. “Prior to getting into the business, conversations should be had with potential integrators on the need for houses in the area as putting up houses is a large financial investment,” Dr. Sara Orlowski, assistant professor of the Department of Poultry Sciences and Research Station Director with the University of Arkansas, said. While each integrator is different, she explained some companies do offer assistance in financing of new facilities. Other topics for discussion prior to making the investment are insurance, financial responsibility for mortality losses and “backup” plans. “If a producer decides they ever want to get out of the poultry business, it would be best to talk with the integrator about your contract, and if there is an opportunity for that contract to continue over should another producer buy the farm,” Orlowski said. Location: The real estate term phrase location, location, location applies to potential poultry operations. MARCH 23, 2020

The location of the farm might determine if a company is willing to enter into a contract with the producer. “Typically, a company would like a farm to be within a 25 to 50-mile range or less from the feed mill and hatchery,” Orlowski explained. Other things to consider about poultry barn location include proximity to existing poultry farms, land potential for expansion, neighbors (who will appreciate if fans are oriented to blow away from their property), easements and vegetative buffers for aesthetic appearance and assistance in reducing odors, feathers and dust. Things to Avoid: Since entering into the commercial poultry business requires a large sum of capital, it can be tempting to cut corners in order to reduce the costs, which Orlowski advised against. “When considering putting up poultry houses, because of the financial investment, it can be easy to go for the cheapest option on fans, feed lines, drinkers, etc. This may not be beneficial in the long run as having better housing environment can help improve bird performance and ultimately income when the birds are processed or start producing eggs,” she said. Mortality disposal considerations are sometimes thought of too late, and this is another thing that new producers will want to avoid. “That is typically the grower’s responsibility and if not properly thought out could transfer disease to live, healthy birds,” Orlowski cautioned. “Another potential pitfall is hiring help. Whoever is taking care of the birds needs to be attentive and in tune with the bird’s needs. Having a good caretaker can make or break you when it comes to payout after processing.”

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March 2020 24 Pesticide Applicator Training – Cornerstone Bank, Berryville, Ark. – 870-423-2958 – CLASS MOVED ONLINE AT www.uaex.edu/pat 24 Soil Health Day – Delaware County Fairgrounds, Jay, Okla. – 918-253-4332 – CANCELLED 24 Dicamba Training – Ottawa County Extension Office, Miami, Okla. – 918-542-1688 24 Gardening Solutions – Heber Springs, Ark. – CANCELLED 27 Twin Lakes Beef & Forage Conference – Cotter High School Cafeteria, Cotter, Ark. – 870-425-2335 – CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE April 2020 2 Pesticide Applicator Training – Faulkner County Extension Office, Conway, Ark. – 501-329-8344 – CLASS MOVED ONLINE AT www.uaex.edu/pat 2-4 Big Branch/Cooper Cattle AI Training – Beebe, Ark. – 479-252-0570 or 501-316-3536 or BigBranchBreeders.net

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MARCH 2020 24 Superior Beef Genetics Bull Sale – Lamar, Mo. – 417-214-4090 24 GENETRUST Brangus Sale – Suhn Cattle Company, Eureka, Kan. – 620-583-3706 28 Maplewood Acres Joint Bull & Female Sale – Sedalia, Mo. – 660-826-1880 28 Seedstock Plus South Missouri Bull & Female Sale – Joplin Regional Stockyards, Carthage, Mo. – 877-486-1160 28 Worthington Angus Farm 5th Annual Spring Production Sale – at the Farm, Dadeville, Mo. – 417-844-2601 28 Arkansas Bull Sale, All Breed Bull & Commercial Female Sale – Heber Springs, Ark. – 205-270-0999 28 Harriman Santa Fe Top of the Breed Bull & Bred Heifer Sale – Windsor Livestock Auction, Windsor, Mo. – 660-492-2504 28 Missouri Classic Shorthorn Sale – Livestock Pavilion, Laclede County Fairgrounds, Lebanon, Mo. – 417-453-6713 28 Rogers Cattle Co. & Lile Farms Red Anugus Sale – at the Farm, Strafford, Mo. – 417-241-1302 30 Southwest Missouri PT Bull Sale – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 417-293-8002 April 2020 3 Ade Polled Hereford Production Sale – at the Farm, Amsterdam, Mo. – 765-583-4875 4 Circle S Ranch Annual Gelbvieh-Gelfords “Going to Grass Sale” – Canton, Kan. – 660-654-6507 4 Four State Angus Association Spring Sale – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 734-260-8635 4 Ridder Farms Bull Sale – at the Farm, Hermann, Mo. – 785-672-7449 4 B/F Cattle Company Spring Maternal Integrity Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale – at the farm, Butler, Mo. – 660-492-2808 4 Shoal Creek Land & Cattle Spring Sale – Excelsior Springs, Mo. – 612-805-7405 4 The Andras Kind Red Angus Bull Sale – at the Farm, Manchester, Ill. – 217-473-2355

7 18 23 23-25 25

Pesticide Applicator Training – Benton County Extension Office, Bentonville, Ark. – 479-271-1060 – CLASS MOVED ONLINE AT www.uaex.edu/pat Master Gardener Plant Sale – Searcy, Ark. – CANCELLED Farm Friends – Pauline Whitaker Center, Fayetteville, Ark. – CANCELLED Big Branch/Cooper Cattle AI Training – Harrison, Ark. – 479-252-0570 or 501-316-3536 or BigBranchBreeders.net Cattlemen’s Association Spring Field Day – Benton County Fairgrounds, Bentonville, Ark. – 479-295-7044 or Jenthurlophotography@yahoo.com

May 2020 9 Strawberry Festival – Stilwell, Okla. – www.strawberrycapital.com for more information 19 Pesticide Applicator Training – Workforce Training Center, Timberwolf Drive UACCM Campus, Morrilton, Ark. – 501-329-8344 – CLASS MOVED ONLINE AT www.uaex.edu/pat If you have a community event that has been cancelled or postponed or is currently still scheduled, send your information to us and we will help you get the word out.

1-866-532-1960 • editor@ozarksfn.com

5 P Bar S Proof of Progress Sale – at the Ranch, Sand Springs, Okla. – 402-350-3447 6 Brockmere Farms Spring Sale – New Cambria Livestock Auction, New Cambria, Mo. – 660-375-2055 11 The Renaissance 28th Anniversary Edition Sale – Chappell’s Sale Arena, Strafford, Mo. – 405-246-6324 – RESCHEDULED TO MAY 2 14 Sydenstricker Genetics Influence Sale – at the Ranch, Mexico, Mo. – 573-473-9202 18 Bradley Cattle Company Bred Heifer Sale – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 785-672-7449 18 The Great American Pie Limousin Sale – Laclede County Livestock Pavilion, Lebanon, Mo. – 402-350-3447 – RESCHEDULED TO APRIL 30 18 East Central Missouri Angus Association Sale – Cuba, Mo. – 314-393-2885 18 Owen Brothers Cattle Company Diamond & Spurs Sim-Genetics Spring Sale – at the Farm, Bois D’ Arc, Mo. – 417-830-6252 18 New Day Genetics Ranch Ready Bull Sale – Cunningham Livestock Auction, Salem, Mo. – 903-748-7591 25 Windy Hill Charolais 23rd Annual Gateway-Getaway Production Sale – Arrowhead Sale Facility, Cedar Hill, Mo. – 314-974-5230 25 9th Annual Heartland Highland Cattle Auction – Mid-Missouri Livestock Auction, Lebanon, Mo. – 417-733-3201 26 Missouri Red Angus Show-Me The Reds Sale – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 913-909-1912 – CANCELLED May 2020 8 Glendenning’s Next Generation Sale of 2020 – Lebanon, Mo. 402-350-3447 9 Mead Farms Female Sale – at the Farm, Versailles, Mo. – 573-216-0210 15 Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Sale – Joplin Regional Stockyards, Carthage, Mo. – 417-466-3102 16 Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Sale – Kingsville Livestock Auction, Kingsville, Mo. – 816-380-8460

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MARCH 23, 2020

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 Horsehead Ranch - Talala, Okla. 918-695-2357 www.HorseheadRanch.net 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 RED ANGUS Watkins Cattle Company Harrison, AR - 870-741-9795 – 870-688-1232 – watkinscattleco@windstream.net SIM ANGUS Bob Harriman Genetics - Montrose, Mo. - 660-492-2504

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OFN March 23, 2020

Articles inside

Wet weather slows field preparations

Getting the nutrition right

Emotions and money

Eye on Agribusiness spotlights the National Ag Law Center

Heritage Hill Poultry Farm is dedicated to preserving older breeds

His backyard flock gives Naaman Niehus many opportunities

Pastured poultry is a labor of love for the Lovells

Youth in Agriculture highlights Emily Kirby

Paul Linscott continues to search for hidden treasure

Jerry Crownover – Politicians and farmers

Julie Turner-Crawford – The sickly kitty