Sam and Alison Lovings continue the family tradition

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Family and Farming

By Taylor Short

With farming backgrounds, Sam and Alison Lovings hope to pass on their love of the industry to their children

From the time she was a young girl county at approximately the same time, Sam living in Billings, Mo., Alison (Bos) Lovins, from Seymour, Mo., grew up on his Lovins knew agriculture would al- family’s farm. Alongside his parents, Alan and ways be a big part of her life. She Tina Lovins and his brother, Danny Lovins, grew up on her parents’ dairy farm where he helped with their dairy and beef operation. they milked Brown Swiss cattle. Her par- He also helped on his grandma, Karen Ashents, Alby, and Angela (Fulp) Bos both er’s, alfalfa hay operation and worked on his came from dairy farming families. Alison step grandpa Ansel Asher’s silage crew. Sam and her two sisters, Sara (Bos) Barnhart and was active in the Seymour FFA during high Stephanie (Bos) Miller, grew school and obtained his diesel technician up showing cows and helping degree from Ozarks Technical Commuwith daily farm chores. Alison nity College. Sam still farms with his was active in 4-H and the Bill- family and is passionate about his ings FFA. She completed both family’s farming heritage. her bachelor’s and master’s degree In 2016, Sam and Alison’s in agricultural communications at Missouri State University. Fordland, Mo. paths crossed. Neither were aware their paths had previ-

Meanwhile in a surrounding ously crossed as Sam had been on Alison’s aunt’s and grandparents’ farms chopping corn silage. The couple was engaged a year later and was married in September 2017.

Sam and Alison’s goals were to stay involved in farming, even though they held other jobs in town. They wanted to gradually increase their herd size and establish a herd of cows that were productive, easy to work and raised quality calves every year. Their herd has since expanded to include Angus, Saler, Charolais and Braunvieh.

“We currently have 16 momma cows (all with calves at their sides or getting ready to calve) and two yearlings,” Allison said.

Ultimately, their goal is to maintain a herd so they could both remain a part of the industry that shaped their lives.

In January 2019, they learned they were expecting. With this announcement came some surprising news. An ultrasound revealed two heartbeats.

Twins Kolt and Kinsley made an earlier-than-expected entrance in the world and were born on June 30 at 29 weeks. Being born 2.5 months early, they spent nearly 70 days in the NICU at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Nearly two years later, they are thriving.

“When they are outside it’s like trying to herd cats. Kolt goes one way and Kinsley goes the other,” Alison said.

Sam and Alison purchased a small farm in Fordland where they keep their horses, chickens, and some of their cattle. They keep the remainder of their herd at Sam’s family farm and Sam continues to help his family on days while he is not working as a mechanic in Springfield. Alison works at the Soil and Water Conservation District in Webster County.

As their family grows, the couple hopes to expand their cattle operation as well.

“Our goal is to expand our herd to approximately 30 momma cows over time,” Alison said. “We sell calves as feeders out of our cows and crossed with Sam’s parents registered Angus and Limaflex bulls. To

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keep our herd growing, we keep back two of our best heifers each year or purchase young registered females from other herds. On our Fordland farm, we keep five of our cows to graze the parts of our land not ideal for hay production. We make hay off our Fordland farm where we planted a fescue/orchardgrass mix. Our goal is to make enough hay to feed cattle and horses kept at the farm through the winter. After the first cutting, the hay pastures are grazed.”

The Lovins Family aims to instill the values of faith and farming in their children’s lives. Kolt and Kinsley already have a registered Braunvieh heifer of their own that will hopefully be the foundation of their future show calves.

“We want to incorporate more registered stock into our herd to start building a foundation for future show calves for Kolt and Kinsley,” Alison said.

They love spending time outside and are already showing interest in daily farm chores. There is no doubt they will keep their families’ legacies alive for years to come.

“Our agriculture heritage is priceless, and we want Kolt and Kinsley to grow up with that understanding,” Sam and Alison said. “Plus, the life lessons the farm teaches will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”

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