OFN May 13, 2019

Building & Construction Issue • Beef Month Issue

It’s All in the Details MAY 13, 2019 • 28 PAGES

VOLUME 13, NUMBER 3 • WWW.OZARKSFN.COM

Jeremy Jackson closely monitors his Brangus and UltraBlack herd

MAY 13, 2019

Living the Dream

Piloting Change

Melissa Melton says it took 30 years to fulfill her childhood dream of owning a farm

Huntsville, Ark., farm is working with Tyson on new, efficient systems in the poultry industry

Sunny or Sour Disposition?

Study shows that nervous cattle have lower conception rates than those that are calm

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

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rumor mill

Youth Council members named: The first Oklahoma Agriculture council was recently created, and members were named to the council. The council was created by Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur to develop future agricultural leaders in Oklahoma through professional development, industry exposure and experiential learning. Members from the Oklahoma Ozarks are Colby Cook, Cushing; Jager Pifer, Kansas; and Ellie Throckmorton, Guthrie.

The Ozarks Most Read Farm Newspaper

MAY 13, 2019 | VOL. 13, NO. 3

State awards scholarships: Tina Padgett of Damascus, an agriculture business major at Southern Arkansas University, and Matthew Owens of Green Forest, an agriculture business major at Arkansas Tech, were among college students awarded scholarships by the Arkansas Agriculture Department. Funding for the scholarships comes from civil penalties collected by the Arkansas Agriculture Department’s State Plant Board.

FFA Stars honored at convention: The Arkansas Ozarks was well represented at the 91st Arkansas State FFA Convention. In addition to several chapters earning top honors in Career Development Events and proficiency awards, members from the Ozarks earned STAR status. Julie Griffin of Siloam Springs was named the STAR Farmer; the STAR in Agribusiness was Amanda Anthony of Springdale HarBer; Hannah Callicott of Springdale HarBer was named the STAR in Agriscience; and the STAR in Ag Placement was Drake Bacchus of Lamar.

Griffin was also named a state officer for 2019-2020.

New officers named: The Oklahoma FFA recently held it’s state convention, and two FFA members from Northeast Oklahoma were named as state officers for the 2019-2020 year. Courtney Tillinghast of the Owasso FFA was named reporter and Tanner Taylor of the Adair FFA was named northeast area vice president.

Farm families selected: County farm families for the annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Program have been selected. Those selected from the Ozarks include: Benton County – Kevin and Jacqueline Smith Family; Boone County– Jeff and Debbie Atkinson; Carroll County– Josh and Tonya McMahan; Crawford County– Richard and Earlene Boone; Franklin County – Michael and Kasey Post; Johnson County – Tanner and Amy Storment; Madison County – Greg Wheeler; Newton County – Gene Davidson Family; Washington County – Pitts Family; Conway County – Duvall Farms; Faulkner County – Schaefers Brothers Farms; Logan County – Clark and Tori Parker; Pope County – Rusty and Rebecca Davis; Baxter County – Wes Henderson Family; Cleburne County – Eldon and Anne Fry; Fulton County – Justin and Rachel Luther; Marion County – Mike and Darcy King Family; Searcy – Triple T Cattle Company; Van Buren County – Alan and Angela Mahan with Rabbit Ridge Farms; and White County – Lester and Ouida Cossey Family with Flying C Ranch.

Arkansas Farm Bureau honors teacher: Celia Wortham, a kindergarten teacher at Dwight Elementary in Russellville, is Arkansas Farm Bureau’s 2019 Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher. She receives an expense-paid trip to represent Arkansas at the National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Little Rock.

JUST A THOUGHT

3 Jerry Crownover –

Real meat, please

7 8 18

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5

Jody Harris – On the hunt Julie Turner-Crawford – A walk down memory lane

MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS 7 Jeremy Jackson pays close attention to all aspects of his herd

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Huntsville, Ark., farm is part of a program to develop new technology in poultry production

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Street brings entertainment for all

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Eye on Agribusiness features Buchanan Veterinary Clinic

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Town & Country highlights Lucas Anderson

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Melissa Melton is still chasing her dream

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Building a business at the roots

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Youth in Agriculture spotlights Briann Walden

FARM HELP 21 Beefing up your profits 22 Skipping the middle man

OzarksFarm @OzarksFarm

2

Know a Good Rumor?

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

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

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23 24 25

Can you do it yourself?

Building the right fence Nervous cattle have reduced fertility rates

MAY 13, 2019

just a

thought

What’s On Your Mind, Ozarks?

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Eric Tietze Publisher

Life Is Simple

e f i L elpmiS si

By Jerry Crownover

I

’m used to getting some strange revonwphone orC ytexts rreJ yB from my wife, but last week’s message took the cake, when she asked, “What is blue john milk?”

Jerry Crownover is She had overheard her friend, Rex, use a farmer and former the term and even though she had heard it beprofessor of Agriculture fore, she couldn’t remember to what it referred.

Education at Missouri Those of you who are my age and older, who State University. He is a grew up on a farm where cows were milked and native of Baxter County, Arkansas, and an you were raised on the freshest moo-juice posauthor and professional sible, will know. I told her that long before hospeaker. To contact Jerry, mogenization became a thing, the fresh cow’s go to ozarksfn.com and milk, if allowed to sit in a container overnight click on ‘Contact Us.’ in the refrigerator, would produce a layer of rich, fatty cream on the top, that could be carefully skimmed off the next day, in case you wanted to make homemade butter or just use the cream for cooking, etc. The liquid that was left was the equivalent of today’s version of skimmed milk – a no-fat, pale looking, white liquid that might even have a bluish tint to it, and, as my dad used to describe it, “blue john milk doesn’t have enough oomph to keep a cat alive.”

I guess it was just a coincidence that her question about the weak milk happened during the same time as the introduction of one of the big fast-food giant’s “meatfree” burgers. I’ve been hearing about it for some time and figured it would be just another failed attempt to produce a veggie burger that didn’t taste like…well…a veggie burger. So, I was surprised when I started reading reviews by food critics, columnists and editors that raved about its tastiness and texture.

Many stated they could not distinguish it from the real beef served up by the same company. According to reports, the introduction of the new meatless burger was such a success that it is now going to be offered nationwide.

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

About the Cover Jeremy Jackson, right, says paying attention to details helps producers earn higher returns on their investment. Jackson is pictured with his son Wyatt. See more on page 7.

Photo by Terry Ropp

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Ozarks Farm & Neighbor accepts story suggestions from readers. Story information appears as gathered from interviewees. Ozarks Farm & Neighbor assumes no responsibility for the credibility of statements made by interviewees. © Copyright Ozarks Farm & Neighbor, Inc., 2019. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.

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Freshly Picked

By Jody Harris

T

his year has been declared one of adventure for our family.

As much as farm life can seem like a daily adventure, we are committed to Jody Harris is a freelance getting out and trying some new things communications specialist, as a family. Easter weekend, we hosted some of my gardener, ranch wife and family from Missouri over a long weekend. We enmother of four. She and joyed games, food and some pond fishing together. her family raise Angus beef My younger sister has become a morel mushcattle and other critters on room hunter in recent years (says she). She has their northwest Arkansas some great pictures of finds from last year that she ranch. She is a graduate shared with us. of Missouri State University.

We were fascinated with the idea of discoverTo contact Jody, go to ing little edible treasures in our woods. We spent ozarksfn.com and click on Saturday afternoon hiking through the woods on ‘Contact Us.’ our farm in search of morels. My sister described the type of areas that they are typically found. My husband seemed to know the exact spot on the north side of our property, conducive to lots of shade and cool, wet conditions.

We put on long pants and boots. I slathered everyone in tick repellent. We loaded up water and set out on a hike through the woods. The wooded area of our property has a creek running through it. It’s also home to many huge rocks. We climbed (and slid) through the terrain in hopes of finding our first morels.

We hadn’t gotten too far into the woods and my sister screamed at my youngest daughter who was about to step right on top of a large brown snake hidden in some leaves. We are pretty sure she stepped on it to its death because the slithery tail whipped around and went limp into the leaves shortly after her step. By then, my husband was dying laughing at us. My sister and I were completely on edge.

We walked a little further in search of old elm trees and a few others. We climbed all the way to the top and searched all over. It wasn’t long before my sister let out another scream. Another snake. This one was a huge, black rat snake. We tried to calm her down because this one was one of the “good guys.” But she wanted the kids far away from it and fast. My husband followed its trail as it slithered up a tree into a hole. He touched its tail and I thought my little sister might pass out.

After a few hours in the woods we gave up. It was likely that the thick squirrel crop on our farm had already gotten to the morels. Even getting down on our knees to look in shady, moist areas, we couldn’t find any. That afternoon we perused social media only to see the great finds all our friends had the same day while morel hunting.

Adventures are everywhere in life. Whether working cattle or hitting the road to see one of the seven wonders of the earth – there is always something new to experience. We are not the people you want to call if you’re going to hunt for morels. Or maybe we just need more practice?

Our family is never short on its thirst for adventure. If you want to find huge, nasty looking snakes in the woods, call us neighbor.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MAY 13, 2019

just a thought

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Across the Fence

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M

embers of my family gathered recently to clear out a few things that have been in storage since my grandma passed.

Julie Turner-Crawford As we combed through plastic is a native of Dallas tub after plastic tub, we realized a couple of things.

County, Mo., where she First, June was a bit of a hoarder. grew up on her family’s We found neat stacks of every utility bill she had farm. She is a graduate paid since moving into town, every card she was of Missouri State given, graduation announcements dating back more University. To contact than 30 years and her treasure trove of gift bags she Julie, call 1-866-532-1960 had stashed. When she had to go into a care facilor by email at editor@ ity several years ago, the tendency “collect” continozarksfn.com. ued. One of her nurses said her was closet packed, but Grandma wouldn’t let anyone go through it. I waited until she went to sleep one afternoon and cleaned things out. Gift bags were not only shoved in her closet but in her nightstand, under her nightstand and anywhere she thought they could be kept. Bigger bags were used to store smaller bags, then carefully folded and stored wherever she felt she could fit them. If Grandma had caught me, she would not have been happy, but I made a clean getaway.

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Barbecued Beef Brisket Submitted by: Julie Turner-Crawford, Phillipsburg, Mo.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 C packed brown sugar • 1/2 C ketchup • 1/4 C water • 1/4 C cider vinegar • 1/4 C canola oil • 3 Tbsp dark corn syrup

• 2 Tbsp prepared mustard • 1 Tbsp prepared horseradish • 1 garlic clove, minced • 1 fresh beef brisket (2 to 2 1/2 pounds), trimmed

Directions: In a small saucepan, combine the first nine ingredients; cook and stir over medium heat until brown sugar is dissolved. Transfer to a disposable foil pan. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Brown brisket on both sides. Place in foil pan, turning to coat with sauce. Cover pan tightly with foil. Place pan on grill rack over indirect medium heat. Grill, covered, 2 to 2 1/4 hours or until meat is tender. Remove from heat. Remove brisket from pan; tent with foil and let stand 10 minutes. Meanwhile, skim fat from the sauce remaining in the pan. Cut brisket diagonally, across the grain, into thin slices; serve with skimmed sauce.

Know a Good Recipe? Send in your favorite recipe to share with our readers. Mail them to: PO Box 1319, Lebanon, MO 65536; fax them to: 417-532-4721; or email them to: editor@ozarksfn.com

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We shook our heads at what we found in storage, but we also had many memories flood back. Grandma may have been a hoarder of gift bags, but we soon found out she was also the keeper of family history.

An old family history book from Grandma’s mom tells the story of buying their first car around 1925, paying $3 for the Model T Ford, and the farms they bought and rented throughout their marriage. It’s the only written family record I’ve ever seen of Grandma’s side of the family. I only recall meeting one of her siblings, maybe two, so that part of the family story could have easily been lost when my dad and his siblings are gone if not for the book.

Grandma kept every school picture or snapshot she was given. One envelope had photos of my dad from grade school through high school. My brother, David, handed his daughter one of the pictures and asked her who it was. “That’s Uncle Scott,” she confidently said as she gazed at the old black and white photo. She looked a little puzzled when he told her it was her grandpa. Uncle Bill kept saying, “Look at this handsome feller there,” when he found a picture of himself.

The younger generation was reminiscing too. One cousin remembered playing in the old cedar chest, one of my brothers remembered the old Chinese checkers set and the other remembered the old red rooster cookie jar. I found the wooden pestle from her strainer. There was an old tin filled with buttons of all colors, shapes and sizes, and

at least one baby tooth. I have no idea how the tooth got into the button tin, but it meant enough to Grandma that she kept it.

Photos, games, buttons and pestles might not seem like much to some people, but there’s a whole other story to my Grandma June.

In 2008, a tornado ripped through our hometown, destroying my grandma’s house with her inside. Thankfully, she was OK, just a little shaken up. She was reading her Bible at the time and said the Lord was keeping her safe. That’s the only explanation any of us have for her coming away unscathed that day. I always said my Grandma June was a tough lady – a sentiment shared by my cousins who preached her funeral as many attendees nodded their heads in agreement – so a tornado didn’t stand a chance against her.

In the days following the tornado, we dug out and salvaged what we could, getting lots of help from extended family and friends. We packed up and tried to organize what remained, but so much was lost. I didn’t realize until we began cleaning out the storage area just how much was saved.

Grandma may have liked to keep many things, but if it weren’t for her tendency to keep everything, we would have nothing for the future. She may be gone, but she has made it possible for everyone to know her story, our story.

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To be fair, I have not tasted the new product and, since I raise beef cattle, have no plans to do so. I do, however, have a friend who told me that his niece’s boyfriend’s sister’s fiancé’s friend had tried one and found it to be delicious and worth the extra $1 to $3 price tag (depending on where you live) per burger, in order to do her part in saving the planet and eating healthier.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

I did look up the ingredient list for the new burger and, to me, it looked like a page from my old organic chemistry textbook. Granted, I was happy to get out of the course with a D, but I still don’t think I want to eat things I can’t pronounce.

Also, it should be pointed out that the nutritional value is considerably less than the nutrients contained in real beef.

My suggestion, then, to those who want to pay more money for less nutrition, would be to order the new meatfree burger along with a big, cold, glass of blue john milk.

MAY 13, 2019

meet your

It’s All in the Details

neighbors

By Terry Ropp

Jeremy Jackson closely monitors the fertility of his Brangus and UltraBlack herd As far as Jeremy Jackson of Brangus cross and soon discover the sheath Gentry, Ark., knows, the first Jack- typically disappears with the first cross and son to arrive in Benton County Ar- then come back and buy Brangus.”

Selling bulls is the main income stream kansas had land in Bella Vista in for Jeremy’s operation though he also sells the late 1800s.

Jeremy’s son Wyatt and daughter Emily a few heifers. Using semen from the top are the sixth generation, with 14-year-old GENETRUST sires, Jeremy uses AI or ET Wyatt headed for a career in agriculture. with all of his herd. He has part interest in The Jackson family history in agriculture one bull that was in the top five in registrais strong, with Jeremy’s grandfather Harold tions the last three years for Brangus. The still owning land that Jeremy now uses for Jackson’s also purchased the lead-off bull hay and heifers. Jeremy’s father Steve lives at Chimney Rock last year that produced across the way with his own commercial 1,700 straws of semen in six weeks at 13 and Brangus operation and partnering with Jer- 14 months of age. That bull is currently being used on heifers across the country. emy on six Tyson broiler houses.

“We use Purina Accuration to develop Jeremy’s wife, California-born Michelle, did not come from an agriculture fam- our bulls,” Jeremy explained. “This is the ily. Her father Fenton McDonald was a best product on the market to develop our preacher which meant the family moved bulls without pushing them too much.”

Flushing cows is another breeding pracevery five to seven years. During her high school years, the family moved to Washing- tice but has general rather than specific ton state where she learned combining in criteria. Jeremy maintains that every cow wheat fields and was introduced to beef by is different and one cow may produce working in a butcher department. The cou- only four usable eggs and three live calves ple met when Michelle was at John Brown on the ground, while another may proUniversity. Michelle now works from home duce 20 viable eggs but only one live calf. Generally speaking, if a cow does as an accounting contractor for JB Hunt.

“She supplies the cash flow to support not produce greater than 50 percent live calves, she is not used for flushing. our family,” Jeremy said with a laugh.

“If I’m doing what I am supposed to, Jeremy runs 55 registered Brangus and UltraBlack mommas, and 25 heifers in dif- my best breeding animals are the youngferent stages of production on 240 acres. est so I sell off cows according to their UltraBlack cattle are produced through the production and use second calf heifers as incorporation of Angus into the Brangus replacements for my herd.”

Other breeding practices include a reherd. The Jackson’s use JAC’s Ranch Angus bulls for their Angus genetics because of cent switch to winter calving at Christthe operation’s attention to producing only mas through the end of February. Jeremy noticed his best calves were the highest-quality Angus geborn then and are ready for netics. grass when the grass is ready.

“We sell a lot of UB1’s first Gentry, Ark. He also sets up his breeding because some people don’t regimen so heifers calve three want any cattle with a sheath,” weeks before the cows.

Jeremy said. “A lot of guys who Jeremy has a long history of run commercial Angus and working with the local fire departHereford herds really need that MAY 13, 2019

Jeremy Jackson switched his herd to winter calving because he feels the calves perform better in the spring.

Photo by Terry Ropp

ment and finds knowledge he gained as a paramedic helps with managing his herd.

However, he greatly depends upon Landon Watkins at Zoetis and veterinarian Dr. Charles Hatfield in keeping his herd in top condition. Another factor in herd health is his belief in using only Purina products from Powell Feed because it has an excellent line and staying within that line seems efficient and supplements when forage is not excellent. He also uses Purina Availa 4 tubs for conception rate because he believes a few extra calves are worth more than the price of the supplement.

For Jeremy, a cattleman is a grass farmer first with cattle being the commercial byproduct. Consequently, pastures are divided into 10-acre paddocks where livestock eat only the top before being moved to the next paddock.

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

Pastures are either fescue or Bermuda, with the Bermuda pastures drilled with rye in the fall. He has 70 acres of fescue hay ground. Land health is maintained through the use of chicken litter according to his NCRS nutrition plan and supplemented by a nitrogen application on the Bermuda in the summer. He broadcast sprays for weeds in the spring and spot sprays the timbered edges.

In April, Jeremy hosted his family’s annual field day, which focused on feeder calf profitability sponsored by Zoetis, Purina, Arvest and Adams and Creasy Insurance Agency. The Jackson’s believe in promoting education in the cattle industry and supporting the animals they sell.

For Jeremy, the dollar is in the details and his children often by his side learning just what those details are.

7

meet your neighbors

Piloting Change

By Terry Ropp

Huntsville, Ark., farm is working with Tyson on new, efficient systems in the poultry industry

ALL THE UPGRADES – ALL THE POWER – ALL THE SAVINGS

Nothing is more constant than change, especially in the poultry industry. The newest innovation comes from Israel with an updated design for breeding houses.

Bryan and Stephanie Reynolds of Huntsville, Ark., are a pilot project for Tyson using the updated design. Their two breeding houses are the first in the United States with the first flock still in production. Each house holds 13,800 hens and 1,200 roosters.

scale. The measurement of each scale is combined and calculated to produce an accurate weight that compensates for uneven shifting within the bin as grain is removed. Bryan and Stephanie keep track of the daily data which is then given to their field man for analysis.

The second change is to the sides of the chicken house. A clear strip runs horizontally across each side as part of the siding. The strip allows significant natural light to enter and replaces con-

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Photo by Terry Ropp

“So far the system seems to be more ef- ventional curtains. The purpose is twoficient with a 5 percent average higher fold. One is to create a more natural and therefore less stressful environment for production rate,” Bryan said.

While the new system is definitely the chickens. The other is better temdifferent than the traditional one, the perature and condition control throughchanges are intended to improve effi- out the year, regardless of weather. The ciency without instituting a new design third change is part of this system and is in the form of inlet vents for from the ground up. Two airflow at the top of the sides exterior changes bring little of the new houses. Another alteration to the traditional Huntsville, Ark. part of the airflow system, appearance. but unchanged from current The first innovation inconstruction methods, are seven volves scales for computing tunnel doors where air comes in daily grain usage. Each leg and goes through cool cells. of the bin has an attached

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MAY 13, 2019

meet your neighbors Inside the new houses, standard 85 KW John Deere generators and the master control computer system are the same. However, the interior does contain other significant changes.

Supporting the clear window strip along the side of the walls is a lighting system using LED lights. While supplemental LED lights are not new in broiler houses, they are in breeder houses.

Perhaps the most obvious change is a concrete floor. Concrete improves biosceurity due to the ease of complete washing and cleaning after each batch of breeder hens which is typically 45 weeks long.

To accommodate cleaning, the floor contains drains with the concrete providing a totally clean environment for each incoming flock.

“I remove the chicken litter and Tyson pays for the washing and bedding though I select the provider of those services,” Bryan explained.

Other obvious differences are the absence of slats to keep the breeder hens off of the litter and an extra feeder down the middle between the two rows of community nests. Not as obvious at first glance but even more significant are the nests themselves. The new metal and vinyl nests arrived unassembled from Israel. Workers took six days to assemble the new nests with 74 nests in each house.

Previously, breeder nests were side-byside with each hen going into a separate scratch box. The new breeder nests are communal, which taps chickens’ natural inclination to flock and lay together.

Chickens also prefer to lay in the dark.

Therefore, the front of each communal nest is covered with an opaque vinyl side with two entrance holes but with each piece of vinyl being movable if a chicken wants to enter other than through the entrances.

The sides of the nesting houses are a maze color, which is very attractive to chickens, while the roofs are another favorite color: green. In addition, each house has a waterer between openings as another attractor to use the nest. Finally, the nests themselves are made of an Astroturf – like surface but stiffer.

“The hens really like the new communal houses. They wait outside for a turn to get in to lay their eggs,” Stephanie said.

Another important innovation is changing the gravity flow collection conveyor belt that runs through the center of the houses to the room where the eggs are collected and stored. Instead of being cloth, the new belts are plastic and cleaner; traveling from one end of the house to the other in 15 minutes on high speed, but much slower during peak times to allow the four hired hands to collect the eggs during the week. On weekends, Bryan and Stephanie, as well as a part-time helper, handle collection.

Eggs are then stored at 70 degrees the optimum temperature for later hatching when the temperature is slowly raised.

The chickens lay almost exclusively between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. One side of nests is used each day with the other raised by a winch system to 18 inches and thereby becoming a scratch area.

While all data for the entire production cycle is yet to be collected, Bryan and Stephanie are pleased with the initial results. Indications so far are that peak production lasts longer and the fall off production is more gradual which could provide a higher total for the cycle. As importantly, mortality rates seem about half of previous company averages.

Since the 5 percent increase production rate is determined by the number of hens in the house, the lower mortality rate will probably increase overall profit. Another profit increase may come from the ability to pick up floor eggs by hand which is not possible under the old slats system.

The Reynolds’ current flocks produces about 1,200 eggs per house per day on the floor, a number which differs significantly with each flock.

“The house system seems highly functional and beneficial, but data will need to be collected from a number of flocks before any decisions are made about going forward with this Israeli-based system design,” Stephanie said. “One change will be adapting specific protocols to fit our Cobb birds as opposed to the species the Israelis use, which are not available to us.”

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

Decatur

On Farm Appraisal

Livestock Auction Inc. Serving the Tri-State Area

479-752-8499 • Hwy. 59 South • Decatur, AR

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Wt. Lbs.

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SORGHUMS

50 SILO PRO DWARD “BMR” BRACHYTIC, April 1.98 50 MILO, Grain Sorghum 94 Day #9417 April 1.78 50 HYB. FORAGE SORGHUM, GW-475 BMR 1.34 50 HYB. FORAGE SORGHUM, 1.54

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50 WILD BIRD GRAIN MILO, Non-Hybrid 1.08 0.88

WARM SEASON

Game Keeper 80K CORN, R-Ready® Lewis RB110RR2 164.50 50/48 BARLEY, Winter or Spring 13.85

50 WRANGLER BERMUDA, 50% Coated 6.76 50 CHEROKEE BERMUDA, Hulled 99% Pure 7.96 50 TEFF GRASS, Coated Corvallis

1.68 50 CRABGRASS, Red River 4.96

50 SPRING PEA, Little Giant 0.78 0.58 50 HAIRY VETCH, Winter Legume, Inoc. 1.78 1.58 50 TURNIPS, Purple Top 1.62 1.42 50 TURNIPS, 7 Top Forage 1.82 1.58 50 RADISH, Daikon “Driller” 1.62 1.42

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50 KOREAN, Inoc/Not Coated 90% 1.68 50 KOBE, Upright Growth; Hay Type Not Avail 50 SERICEA, Hulled, Goats, No sell to KS, CO 3.76

GRAIN ADDITIVES

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50 HYB. PEARL MILLET, TIF Leaf III 1.08 50 GERMAN MILLET, Strain R 0.92 50 SORGHUM/SUDAN, SWEET 6 BMR 0.98

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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.

9

ozarks

roots

the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home

By Ben Smith

Dickson Street: An entertaining street with a long history in Fayetteville, Ark. If you have been around Fayetteville or in Northwest Arkansas for even 10 minutes, you have probably heard of the town’s entertainment district.

The West Dickson Street Commercial Historic Distric, known as simply Dickson Street, is home to the Walton Arts Center, George’s Majestic Lounge, several restaurants and bars, and also serves as the backdrop to the third-largest bike rally in the nation, Bikes, Blues and BBQ. Through the years, store and bar fronts have changed, the scenery has evolved and hundreds of college kids have moved in and out of town, but the history of Dickson Street has remained. According to an article written by Chris Frye from KNWA, Dickson Street was one of the original streets in Fayetteville and was named after Joseph L. Dickson in the 1840s. Tony Wappel, a former Washington County archivist who wrote “Once Upon Dickson,” an illustrated history of the street’s nearly 200-year-old past, said in Dickson Street’s heyday, it was Fayetteville’s light industrial center. Lumber yards, dry cleaners, groceries and restaurants lined the street and some of them catered to University of Arkansas students.

The history of Dickson Street really grew from the 1930s through the 1950s with several current businesses at the root of that growth. Underwood’s Jewelry, George’s

10

A Street Majestic Lounge and Collier’s Drug Store are a few that have stayed around through Dickson Street’s growth. The back portion of the drug store building was originally a lumber yard, that was known as Dyke Lumber Company, and the parking lot was once home to Citizens Laundry Company.

George’s Majestic Lounge, the oldest and longest running club and live music venue

with a

in Arkansas, has held social events, dances and music on the patio all the way back to the 1930s, and live shows started in the early 1970s. George’s was the first bar to offer color television and the first pizza delivery service in Northwest Arkansas. Local patron Tiff Wimberly describes George’s Majestic Lounge as the soundtrack of Dickson Street.

History “They showcase all genres of music, so just about everyone in Northwest Arkansas, regardless of musical taste, feels welcome there. The happy hours are legendary and are a great way to kick-off a fun night on Dickson Street,” Tiff said.

Although, Dickson Street has been the known for its host of businesses and fun entertainment, there was a time where

Submitted Photos

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MAY 13, 2019

ozarks roots Let your Powell

MAY 13, 2019

location help you with ALL of your cattle working needs!

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

Berryville

Clifty

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

Elmer Robertson C - 479-466-0904

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Dickson Street got a bad rap. In the 1970s, the street started getting boarded up and was threatened to become secluded. After a couple of shootings at one of the bars, people started avoiding Dickson Street because they were afraid for their safety. The construction of the Walton Arts Center in the mid-1980s gave Dickson Street hope.

The Walton Arts Center moved in and paved the way for new businesses to make their mark in the area. The University of Arkansas and the city of Fayetteville thought the Walton Arts Center was just what Dickson Street needed – and they were right. With a donation from Walmart founder Sam Walton, the Walton Arts Center became Fayetteville’s performing arts center. The WAC has been the backdrop for culture, arts and performance for more than a quarter of a century.

“The Walton Arts Center means so much to me. It is one of my happy places in Northwest Arkansas. It is a place where the magic happens,” Tiff, who is also a volunteer for the Walton Arts Center, said. “It is a beacon on Dickson Street with its energy drawing people in.

“The recent renovations brought the building out to the corner of Dickson and West Street and I love looking out on the intersection and beyond to the towers of Old Main, watching the evening come to life in our downtown area.”

Dickson Street is more than a street.

Dickson Street is more than shopping and entertainment. Dickson Street is a trademark and symbol of what Fayetteville stands for. It is what holds the community of Fayetteville together. Whether it is to celebrate a Razorback win with friends and family, a night out on the town, or to just whine down for a drink after a long week, the rich history that ties it all together is what makes Dickson street unique. So next time you find yourself walking down Dickson Street in your dress shoes for a night of Broadway at the Walton Arts Center, or you put on your dancing shoes to dance to your favorite band at George’s Majestic Lounge, or you lace up your casual shoes to meet friends for dinner and drinks at one of Dickson Streets finest bars, take a second to to think about the history of this district.

Think about who may have just walked these streets before you and just what their story told.

Berryville 344 Hwy. 21 North 870-423-4245

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

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Special auctions to be announced.

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

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

11

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Your ad is only $21 per issue!

12

eye on

agri-business meeting the needs of farmers

Buchanan Veterinary Clinic

By Terry Ropp

Owners: Drs. Brett and Sara Buchanan Location: Berryville, Ark. History: “My wife, Sarah and I met during our studies at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine,” Brett explained. “We became employed at different veterinary clinics in Northwest Arkansas. We’ve worked at separate locations until this last year, when we decided to purchase the Berryville Veterinary Clinic to become practice owners. We were fortunate enough to expand the practice to accommodate my large animal patients. The attached barn includes a hydraulic tilt chute, horse stocks and a pull around drive for large trailers. I can now provide services such as feet trimming, teeth floating and Photo by Terry Ropp blood draws with ease, I also have a fully stocked truck when going to farms and ranches is the best option for the farmer.”

Products and Services: “For our large animal patients, including cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and horses, we perform a variety of preventative, medical and surgical services. These commonly include: feet trims, dehorning, breeding soundness exams, castrations and delivery assistance/c-sections. We can provide vaccinations and deworming for trailer loads of cattle on site. I tailor each visit to the specific needs of the farm, taking into consideration the time of year and herd health. For large herds, I focus on reproductive health, including ultrasounds for pregnancy testing, artificial insemination and creating an appropriate vaccination schedule. I also provide emergency on-site services. For horses, I routinely power float teeth, submit Coggins tests and treat colic. For pigs, I castrate and draw blood. For the goats and sheep, I routinely provide deworming for life threatening intestinal parasites.”

Philosophy and Future: “Berryville Veterinary Clinic recognizes the important bond between clients and their pets and livestock. Our staff members are pledged to help clients understand all aspects of animal health with an emphasis on preventative and the best possible treatment plan.

“My wife and I vow to treat our clients like family and their animals as if they were our own. This includes the cattle on our farm and the cats in our laps. We are focusing our future endeavors on growth with both our business and our education. I hope to hire another large animal veterinarian and expand our AI presence in the area in addition to attending school for embryo transfer certification. We love this town and hope to have a positive impact on our community.”

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MAY 13, 2019

town &

country

Mac’s

Keeping Your Herd Healthy & Efficient

in the field and in the office

Lucas Anderson

By Veronica Hicks

Weekly Sale Every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. starting with Calves & Yearlings, Stock Cows, Butcher Cows, then Bulls.

With the lowest commission rates in the area and the best buyers, getting you top dollar for your livestock is what we do best!

Family: Wife Elizabeth Anderson, and daughter Izabella Anderson

In the Country: Lucas owns 80 acres and is hoping to grow his own cattle operation.

“Growing up, my family always owned and showed horses. I also enjoyed spending as much time as possible outside hunting, fishing and helping my grandfather with anything he was working on,” he said. “I attended Cabot High School, and in the ninth grade I was recruited by the ag teacher for FFA. In my four years as a member of the Cabot FFA I showed horses, hogs and chickens.

“Being an FFA member gave me a place to belong in high school and meant a lot to me. My 10th-grade year, my ag teacher got me a job at a dairy as a milk hand and I worked at that dairy until I went to college. I milked twice a day, seven days a week, mixed feed, cut hay, pulled calves, learned to artificial inseminate and maintained all the equipment. Being involved in all those things in FFA taught me leadership skills, responsibility and encouraged me to develop a strong work ethic.

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Hometown: Butlerville, Ark. In Town: Lucas recently graduated with a master’s degree in agriculture education and is the agriculture instructor, FFA advisor and head shooting sports coach at White County Central High School. He teaches eight classes a day, including plant science, animal science, surveying, blue prints, wood working, plumbing, welding and advanced metal fabrication.

He is currently working to update the facilities and working on a grant for a new Photo by Veronica Hicks greenhouse. He is also working to update programs and is working with the local bee club and to grow a livestock program.

He also teaches hunter and boater education, and works with the Game and Fish Commission. He stays busy with events all throughout the year.

“After high school I attended Arkansas State University Beebe with the intention of becoming an ag teacher. I ended up changing my major from ag ed and instead received my associate’s in applied ag technology through the John Deere program.

“I worked for John Deere as an ag technician for two years until an injury forced me to leave. I decided to go back to school and finish my bachelors in ag ed and become a teacher. I completed my degree at ASU Jonesboro. There I was a member of the collegiate FFA chapter. I was awarded outstanding senior of the year and received a job offer from Newport High School, where I taught for four years. After those first four years, I decided to move closer to home and took a job at White County Central in Judsonia.

Since being hired I have been working to develop and grow the WCC FFA chapter.”

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HTR4X40513OFA4C

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

13

market sales reports

bulls

(Week of 4/28/19 to 5/4/19)

60.00-93.00 † 64.00-92.50 † Not Reported* Not Reported † 68.00-84.00* None Reported* Not Reported † 60.00-91.00 †

County Line Sale - Ratcliff Decatur Livestock Auction Farmer’s & Ranchers - Vinita Farmer’s Stockyards - Springdale Fort Smith Stockyards I-40 Livestock - Ozarkk Joplin Regional Stockyards Mid-State Stockyards North Arkansas Livestock Auction

5 Area (Tx-Ok, Ks, Neb, Ia, Colo) Live Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice Steers: 121.00-128.00; wtd. avg. price 124.45.

Heifers: 121.00-127.00; wtd. avg. price 123.77.

Dressed Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice Steers: 190.00-204.00; wtd. avg. price 198.99.

Heifers: 190.00-201.00; wtd. avg. price 198.55.

50.00-86.50 † 67.50-97.00 † 85.00* 79.00-93.00 †

Springfield, Mo. • Springfield Livestock Marketing Center

67.00-96.00 † 75.00-88.00* 75.00-95.00 † 82.00-99.00*

Welch Stockyards

40

60

80

slaughter

100

120

cows

(Week of 4/28/19 to 5/4/19) Arkansas Cattle Auction - Searcy

30.00-64.00 †

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

28.00-64.00 †

County Line Sale - Ratcliff Decatur Livestock Auction

33.00-64.00 † Not Reported* Not Reported † 48.00-64.00*

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

None Reported* Not Reported † 19.00-64.50 † 40.00-57.50 † 17.00-70.00 † 62.00* 30.00-63.00 † 39.00-71.50 † 32.00-67.00 † 3

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

Steers, Med. & Lg. 1 300-400 lbs.

400-500 lbs.

500-600 lbs.

600-700 lbs.

700-800 lbs.

Bulls, Med. & Lg. 1 300-400 lbs.

400-500 lbs.

500-600 lbs.

600-700 lbs.

700-800 lbs.

Heifers, Med. & Lg. 1 300-400 lbs.

400-500 lbs.

500-600 lbs.

600-700 lbs.

700-800 lbs.

14 14

46.00-62.00 * 34.00-71.50 † 50.00-77.50*

20

40

60

Ark. Cattle Auction, LLC - Searcy 4/30/19 915

Ash Flat Livestock

St-7 Lower 185.00-202.50 160.00-187.00 154.00-166.00 147.00-149.00 ----175.00-192.00 150.00-181.00 142.00-164.00 130.00-145.00 114.00 147.50-169.00 140.00-153.00 125.00-145.00 124.00-136.00 -----

80

4/23/19

Receipts: 961 Springer Heifers bred seven to nine months: Supreme – 950.00-1225.00, Brown Swiss 950.00-1175.00, Approved– 700.00-850.00, ind Jersey 870.00, ind crossbred 860.00, 140 Medium - 500.00-675.00, Common - 250.00-460.00, crossbreds 350.00-450.00.

Heifers bred three to six months: Supreme 935.00-1175.00, Brown Swiss 900.00-1175.00, Approved 700.00-900.00, few Jerseys 810.00-900.00, few crossbreds 800.00, Medium 475.00660.00, crossbreds 550.00-675.00, Common 210.00-310.00.

Heifers bred one to three months: Approved 650.00-860.00, Brown Swiss 700.00-800.00, ind crossbred 750.00, Medium 550.00-610.00, ind crossbred 530.00, Common few crossbreds 375.00-490.00.

Open Heifers: Approved: 200-265 lbs 235.00-260.00, ind Jersey 200 lbs 225.00, ind Brown Swiss 275 lbs 250.00, few crossbreds 235.00, 311-375 lbs 250.00-350.00, ind Brown Swiss 365 lbs 460.00, crossbreds 260.00-310.00, 408-495 lbs 300.00400.00, few Jerseys 360.00-485.00, ind Brown Swiss 405 lbs 475.00, crossbreds 325.00-400.00, 510-590 lbs 400.00-500.00, pkg 3 Jerseys 588 lbs 475.00, Brown Swiss 480.00-600.00, crossbreds 400.00-425.00, 605-690 lbs 500.00-560.00, few Jerseys 485.00-510.00, Brown Swiss 635.00-775.00, few crossbreds 510.00-600.00, 718-815 lbs 500.00-625.00, few Jerseys 425.00, Brown Swiss 625.300-840.00.

Medium: 420-490 lbs 225.00-285.00, 565-590 lbs 250.00385.00, ind Brown Swiss 535 lbs 350.00, ind crossbred 525 lbs 275.00, 615-677 lbs 235.00-300.00, 720-790 lbs few 310.00425.00.

Replacement Cows: Fresh Cows: Supreme ind 1275.00, ind Brown Swiss 1000.00, Approved 825.00-950.00, Medium few 600.00-625.00, Common 275.00-575.00, ind Jersey 420.00.

110 Milking Cows: Supreme 1000.00-1125.00, ind crossbred 1025.00, Approved 800.00-900.00, Brown Swiss 750.00950.00, Medium 600.00-740.00, Brown Swiss 640.00-725.00,

Cattlemen’s Livestock*

5/3/19 615

Benton Co. - Siloam Springs 5/2/19 1,118

3-10 Lower

2-20 Lower

121( 5(3257('

0

Nannies/Does - Selection 1: 145.00-185.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2: 90.00-135.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection 2: 80.00-100.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection 2-3: 50.00-75.00.

Bucks/Billies - Selection 1: 185.00-197.50.

Bucks/Billies - Selection 1-2: 130.00-145.00.

Wethers - Selection 1: 280.00-305.00.

Wethers - Selection 1-2: 240.00-260.00.

Replacement Goats: Nannies/Does - Selection 1: 120.00-240.00.

Norwood, Mo. • Producers Auction Yards

dairy cattle

71.00-91.50 †

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

cattle

Midwest - High Plains Direct Slaughter Cattle

few crossbreds 725.00-780.00, Common 210.00-575.00, few Brown Swiss 525.00-575.00.

Springer Cows: Supreme 1000.00-1100.00, Brown Swiss 5/6/19 1000.00-1225.00, Approved 800.00-975.00, ind Brown Swiss 830.00, ind crossbred 930.00, Medium few 700.00-725.00, few Brown Swiss 640.00-675.00, Common few 400.00-610.00, ind Jersey 390.00.

Bred Cows: Supreme 1000.00-1275.00, Brown Swiss 1000.001200.00, ind crossbred 1100.00, Approved 775.00-975.00, Brown Swiss 770.00-925.00, ind crossbred 775.00, Medium 600.00-735.00, few crossbreds 725.00-730.00.

Baby Calves: Holstein heifers 100.00-185.00, Holstein bulls 70.00-100.00, small 35.00-65.00, Jersey bulls few 20.00, Guernsey bull 65.00, Two registered Brown Swiss heifers 525.00 each, Brown Swiss bull 115.00, crossbred heifers-few 100.00-160.00, small 55.00-90.00, crossbred bulls 45.00-90.00.

169.00-182.00 157.00-175.00 159.00-165.00 135.00-158.00 -----

185.00-204.00 159.00-180.00 158.00-163.00 152.00-155.00 139.00

170.00 161.00-171.00 146.00-155.00 130.00-135.00 126.00

180.00-189.00 150.00-167.00 141.00-163.00 138.00-151.00 128.00-135.00

144.00 120.00-146.00 120.00-139.00 125.00 -----

154.00-159.00 134.00-150.00 130.00-141.00 137.00 -----

sheep & Diamond, Mo. • TS White Sheep & Goat

---------

-----

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

4/27/19

prices

Farmer’s Stockyards Springdale* ---------

Fort Smith Stockyards*

4/30/19 1,247

Farmer’s & Ranchers Vinita, Okla.* 5/1/19 554

-----

Steady

-----

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

185.00-208.00 165.00-190.00 152.00-165.00 138.00-147.00 128.00-139.00

182.00-199.00 171.00-182.00 160.00-171.00 ---------

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

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

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

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

155.00-170.00 143.00-162.00 140.00-150.00 129.00-137.00 128.00-135.00

155.00-157.00 148.00-155.00 135.00-148.00 ---------

4/29/19 2,283

I-40 Livestock Ozark 5/2/19 426

Joplin Regional Stockyards 4/29/19 5,042

-----

-----

6-12 Lower

4-7 Lower

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

150.00-202.00 143.00-187.50 131.00-178.00 120.00-163.50 -----

171.00-190.00 165.00-186.50 137.00-164.00 130.00-140.00 -----

190.00-207.50 173.00-189.00 152.00-187.00 141.00-182.00 137.00-155.00

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

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

----145.00-157.50 130.00-150.00 127.00-135.00 130.00

182.50-190.00 160.00-190.00 150.00-160.00 153.00 -----

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

133.00-173.00 124.00-169.00 118.00-160.00 107.00-153.00 -----

152.50-172.00 140.00-155.00 134.00-150.00 120.00-139.00 -----

157.00-175.00 146.00-165.00 134.00-160.50 130.00-149.00 127.00-135.00

USDA Reported * Independently Reported

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

Kid Nan Nan Nan Buc Buc Buc

Receipts: 779 Feeder Sheep/Lambs: Hair Lambs - Medium and Large 1: 230.00-300.00.

Hair Lambs - Medium and Large 1-2: 185.00-215.00.

Hair Lambs - Medium and Large 2: 165.00-170.00.

Slaughter Sheep/Lambs: Wooled - Good and Choice 1-3: 165.00.

Hair Breeds - Choice and Prime 1-2: 200.00-215.00.

Hair Breeds - Good and Choice 1-3: 172.50-210.00.

Hair Breeds - Utility and Good 1-3: 152.50-155.00.

Hair Ewes - Good and Choice 1-3: 130.00-170.00.

Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3: 60.00-100.00.

Hair Bucks - 1-2: 95.00-155.00.

Hair Bucks - 1-3: 60.00-82.50.

Replacement Sheep/Lambs: Ewes - Medium and Large 1: 155.00.

Ewes - Medium and Large 2: 75.00-105.00.

Hair Ewes - Medium and Large 1: 132.50-140.00.

Hair Ewes - Medium and Large 1-2: 120.00-125.00.

Hair Ewes - Medium and Large 2: 75.00-115.00.

Hair Ewes - Medium and Large 2-3: 64.00-75.00.

Families - Medium and Large 1 w/<20 lbs lamb: 95.00105.00.

Families - Medium and Large 1-2 w/<20 lbs lamb: 70.0080.00.

Hair Bucks - Medium and Large 1: 190.00-220.00.

Hair Bucks - Medium and Large 1-2: 140.00-145.00.

Feeder Goats: Kids - Selection 1: 275.00-310.00.

Kids - Selection 1-2: 220.00-270.00.

Kids - Selection 2: 200.00.

Kids - Selection 3: 145.00-160.00.

Slaughter Goats: Kids - Selection 1: 290.00-320.00.

Kids - Selection 1-2: 220.00-287.50.

stocker & feeder

Decatur Livestock*

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

5/2/19

Receipts: 905 Feeder Sheep/Lambs: Lambs - Medium and Large 1: 190.000-210.00.

Lambs - Medium and Large 1-2: 165.00-195.00.

Hair Lambs - Medium and Large 1: 190.00-205.00.

Hair Lambs - Medium and Large 1-2: 175.00-185.00.

Hair Lambs - Medium and Large 2: 150.00-165.00.

Slaughter Sheep/Lambs: Wooled & Shorn - Good and Choice 1-3: 60.00.

Wooled - Choice and Prime 1: 165.00-195.00.

Wooled - Good and Choice 1-3: 47.00-70.00.

Hair Breeds - Choice and Prime 1-2: 202.50.

Hair Ewes - Good and Choice 1-3: 50.00-75.00.

Hair Ewes - Cull and Utility 1-3: 50.00-60.00.

Hair Bucks - 1-2: 65.00.

Feeder Goats: Kids - Selection 1: 260.00-310.00.

Kids - Selection 1-2: 225.00-255.00.

Kids - Selection 1-2: 30.00-45.00.

Kids - Selection 2: 190.00-225.00.

Kids - Selection 2-3: 145.00-180.00.

Kids - Selection 3: 100.00.

Slaughter Goats: Kids - Selection 1:285.00-305.00.

Kids - Selection 1-2: 230.00-270.00.

Kids - Selection 2: 185.00-235.00.

County Line Sale Ratcliff ---------

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

goats

127 5(3257('

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

127 5(3257('

Arkansas Cattle Auction - Searcy

20

beef

70.00-88.00 †

127 5(3257('

slaughter

MAY 13, 2019

Nati

Che The $1.6 Flui leve Wes seas lowe to c amo are s shift dem sum in th SPO BUT $2.8

.00-310.00.

20.00-270.00. .00. .00-160.00.

6

4.69

4.65

3

.00-320.00.

20.00-287.50.

3.65

0

eville

h Blyt

ices

4.55

Arkansas Cattle Auction - Searcy Ash Flat Livestock Benton County Sale Barn Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction County Line Sale - Ratcliff Decatur Livestock Auction Farmer’s & Ranchers - Vinita

na

Hele

e

Elain

4.40

3.79

3.57

eola

Osc

Little

k

Roc

2000

Week of 4/7/19

2500

Steady

2-8 Lower

2-6 Lower

2-8 Lower

10-15 Lower

5-8 Lower

-----

185.00 164.00-185.00 156.00-168.00 ---------

----174.00-188.00 165.00-178.00 150.00-165.00 138.00-153.00

187.00-194.00 178.00-192.00 162.00-184.00 142.00-162.50 149.00-152.00

170.00-182.00 164.00-175.00 134.00-166.00 120.00-148.00 116.00-131.00

190.00-206.00 173.50-194.00 161.50-175.00 140.00-169.00 131.00-146.25

185.00-196.00 165.00-176.00 160.00-177.00 150.00-166.75 132.00-144.00

----45.00-157.50 30.00-150.00 27.00-135.00 130.00

182.50-190.00 160.00-190.00 150.00-160.00 153.00 -----

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

184.00 160.00-176.00 143.00-159.00 134.00-139.00 -----

170.00-205.00 167.00 156.50-158.00 ---------

162.50-180.00 156.00-176.00 140.00-165.00 140.00-145.00 -----

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

179.00-190.00 165.00-179.00 153.00-165.00 138.50-154.00 -----

170.00-202.00 150.00-173.00 130.00-161.00 128.00-136.00 100.00-117.00

MAY 13, 2019

137.00-159.00 140.00-156.00 129.00-142.00 124.00-137.00 111.00-124.00

134.00 139.89 148.48

151.19 153.83

142.04

155.00-167.00 150.00-163.50 142.00-165.00 125.00-139.00 123.00-136.00

155.00-171.00 150.00-160.00 140.00-155.50 130.00-140.00 124.00-129.00

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

169.05

145.63

168.86

145.40

180.84 158.16 * 164.05

158.44 141.38 * 136.43

167.51

146.10 149.72

170.02

4/30/19 1,198

178.00-209.00 160.00-190.00 150.00-171.00 140.00-160.00 130.00-150.00

157.00-168.00 152.00-165.00 138.00-153.00 132.50-153.00 130.75-132.50

156.59 139.74

160.11

4/29/19 618

----159.00-166.00 143.00-159.00 135.25-149.00 124.00-133.00

167.00

1560.00-1800.00 †

1500

145.80

153.00

500.00-1375.00 † 875.00-1335.00 * 1050.00-1300.00 †

1000

146.50 *

173.41

Week of 4/21/19

500

151.81

158.88

None Reported * 1100.00-1525.00 † 725.00-1350.00 †

Welch Stockyards*

153.00-166.00 150.00-161.00 138.00-145.00 130.00-134.50 -----

149.93

166.90

Tulsa Livestock Auction 4/29/19 2,852

163.00-175.00 145.00-170.00 128.00-150.00 128.00-142.00 110.00-130.00

141.95

166.64

190.00-207.50 173.00-189.00 152.00-187.00 141.00-182.00 137.00-155.00

157.00-175.00 146.00-165.00 134.00-160.50 130.00-149.00 127.00-135.00

133.00

148.76

171.60

650.00-1400.00 † 750.00-1200.00 † 750.00-1275.00 †

71.00-190.00 65.00-186.50 37.00-164.00 30.00-140.00 -----

52.50-172.00 40.00-155.00 34.00-150.00 20.00-139.00 -----

153.14

179.50

Stilwell Livestock Auction* 5/1/19 566

4-7 Lower

*

170.83

Ozarks Regional West Plains 4/30/19 2,633

-12 Lower

155.45 139.14

156.92

None Reported * Not Reported †

146.73

178.83

*

161.65

143.00

170.35

138.00

158.35 170.42 151.70 ** 154.00 158.49 168.99

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

148.47 142.98 ** 136.16 136.00 143.94

166.93 110

Ozark West Plains

156.98

171.86

pairs

Welch Stockyards

Joplin Tulsa

145.32

165.64

OKC West - El Reno, Okla.

4/30/19 8,827

Mid-State Stockyards*

El Reno Green Forest Searcy Siloam Springs

154.00

N. Ark. Livestock Green Forest 5/1/19 732

Joplin Regional Stockyards 4/29/19 5,042

Ash Flat Ratcliff

132.83

159.91

2000

650.00-1350.00 † 800.00-1775.00 † Not Reported * Not Reported † 875.00-1400.00 *

Mid-State Stockyard North Arkansas Livestock - Green Forest OKC West - El Reno Ozarks Regional Stilwell Livestock Auction Tulsa Livestock Auction

0

I-40 vestock Ozark 5/2/19 426

heifers 550-600 LBS.

167.08

1100.00-1350.00 †

Farmer’s Stockyards - Springdale Fort Smith Stockyards I-40 Livestock - Ozark Joplin Regional Stockyards

Feb. 19 Mar. 19 Apr. 19

176.12

(Week of 4/28/19 to 5/4/19)

8.01

4.67

Ozark West Plains

Week of 4/14/19

cow/calf

Sorghum

8.22

8.07

1500

Joplin Tulsa

171.60

12 9

1000

Green Forest Siloam Springs

153.26

710.00-1575.00 *

500

El Reno Searcy

Week of 4/21/19

Corn

Ash Flat Ratcliff

850.00-1235.00 * 585.00-1200.00 †

0

July 18 Aug. 18 Sept. 18 Oct. 18 Nov. 18 Dec. 18 Jan. 19

steers 550-600 LBS.

600.00-1325.00 † 250.00-1275.00 †

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

Daily Report 5/7/19

Soft Wheat

May 18 June 18

Week of 4/28/19

and Large 1: 190.00-220.00. and Large 1-2: 140.00-145.00.

5/3/19

avg. grain prices Soybeans

$80

710.00-1450.00 †

Not Reported *

County Line Sale - Ratcliff Not Reported † Decatur Livestock Auction 750.00-1300.00* Farmer’s & Ranchers - Vinita None Reported * Farmer’s Stockyards - Springdale Not Reported † Fort Smith Stockyards 500.00-1200.00 † I-40 Livestock - Ozark 685.00-1025.00 † Joplin Regional Stockyards 610.00-1150.00 † Mid-State Stockyards 600.00-1275.00 * North Arkansas Livestock Auction - Green Forest 800.00-1000.00 †

Cheese: Barrels closed at $1.6625 and 40# blocks at $1.6750.

The weekly average for barrels is $1.6365 (+.0345) and blocks, $1.6675 (-.0110).

Fluid Milk: The East region is experiencing surges in farm level milk production, while outputs in the Midwest are steady.

Western milk intakes are steady to higher, following usual seasonal patterns. Class I sales are generally stable to slightly lower, as impending school summer vacations have already begun to curb requests from bottlers. Interest for condensed skim milk among Class II and Class IV processors is healthy. Cream supplies are steadily edging down. Thus, a few butter manufacturers have shifted their output process primarily to micro-fixing. Cream demand from ice cream makers is steadily improving as the summer season approaches. F.O.B. cream multiples are 1.25-1.30 in the East, 1.20-1.29 in the Midwest, and 1.10-1.22 in the West.

SPOT PRICES OF CLASS II CREAM, $ PER POUND BUTTERFAT F.O.B. producing plants: Upper Midwest $2.8294 - $2.9199.

Large 1-2 w/<20 lbs lamb: 70.00-

$120

Week of 4/14/19

and Large 1: 230.00-300.00. and Large 1-2: 185.00-215.00. and Large 2: 165.00-170.00. s: hoice 1-3: 165.00. and Prime 1-2: 200.00-215.00. d Choice 1-3: 172.50-210.00. nd Good 1-3: 152.50-155.00.

Choice 1-3: 130.00-170.00. d Good 1-3: 60.00-100.00.

0-155.00.

0-82.50. mbs: arge 1: 155.00. arge 2: 75.00-105.00. nd Large 1: 132.50-140.00. nd Large 1-2: 120.00-125.00. nd Large 2: 75.00-115.00. nd Large 2-3: 64.00-75.00.

Large 1 w/<20 lbs lamb: 95.00-

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

National Dairy Market at a Glance

$160

Prices reported per cwt Prices reported per cwt Prices Prices Prices Prices reported reported reported reported per per per cwt per cwt cwt cwt Prices reported per cwt

600.00-975.00 † 450.00-925.00 †

Arkansas Cattle Auction - Searcy

550-600 lb. steers

$200

Week of 4/28/19

4/27/19

cows

(Week of 4/28/19 to 5/4/19)

dairy sales

ion 1: 120.00-240.00.

uction Yards

replacement

Kids - Selection 2: 170.00-215.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection: 140.00-177.50.

Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2: 112.50-150.00.

Nannies/Does - Selection 3: 60.00.

Bucks/Billies - Selection 1: 190.00-200.00.

Bucks/Billies - Selection 1-2: 145.00-155.00.

Bucks/Billies - Selection 2: 125.00-135.00.

ion 1: 145.00-185.00. ion 1-2: 90.00-135.00. ion 2: 80.00-100.00. ion 2-3: 50.00-75.00. on 1: 185.00-197.50. on 1-2: 130.00-145.00.

280.00-305.00.

2: 240.00-260.00.

12 Month Avg. -

$240

Week of 4/7/19

es reports

USDA Reported * Independently Reported

146.07 245

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

95

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

200

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

15 15

COMING SOON! The Ozarks’ Only Ag Resource Directory

meet your neighbors

Living the Dream

By Veronica Hicks

Melissa Melton says it took 30 years to fulfill her childhood wish of owning a farm

SUE S I 9 2 0 1 BL E W E N VAILA H A Y 15T JUL

The directory will be mailed to more than 7,000 farm families across northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma, plus it will be available online at AgResourceDirectory.com. The Farm Hand contains listings of ag-businesses & the products or services they provide.

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HAND

by

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Photo by Veronica Hicks

Melissa Melton considers herself a natural, simple person, so she wanted the name of her farm to reflect her personality.

At Melton Farm, she husband Robert have a small herd of registered Beefmaster and commercial cattle.

Melton Farm, established in 2015, consists of 56 acres equally divided into pasture and timber land.

“This place is very special to me because I am truly living my dream,” Melissa said.

“I remember as a child setting goals for my life in the little house next door to this farm. One of my goals was to own a farm someday. I always tell my students that dreams really do come true because I am living mine. As I am reflecting on this, I have tears in my eyes because there are no limits when you have the power to make your dreams Melissa Melton, pictured with her husband come true. It did not hapRobert, grew up next door to the farm she pen overnight, it happened and Robert now own.

30 years later.

“My husband and I had “I am especially partial to this breed the farmhouse built on the property 2012, but my mother moved to Providence because of the excellent maternal traits from east Arkansas with my two siblings and diversity that derives from the roots and I in 1977 after my father was killed (Brahman, Hereford and Shorthorn) of in a farming accident. Her property joins these cattle. Every calving experience is a surprise because you never Melton Farm, so in a sense know what the calf will look it’s always been my home, like. The calves can be bald even though it was owned by Judsonia, Ark. faced, mottled, solid or somethe Ware Family at the time.” times striped with red being The couple are members a dominant color. I am always of the Arkansas Cattlemens anxious to see what the crop of Association and Beefmaster calves will look like each spring Breeders United.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MAY 13, 2019

meet your neighbors 30 Years Strong 1989-2019

We go the extra mile.

and fall. The cattle are the highlight of ity time well spent for the mind, body my farm.” and soul. Robert does anything needing They layout of the farm allows grazing to be done when he is here, like fence and timber for the cattle to cool them- repairs or building corrals. He has expeselves during the summer. There are also rience, so he is good at it.” beautiful red barns that store hay and Melissa admits being the primary oplivestock, and three ponds. erator of the family farm presents some While Melissa might be a fan of her challenges, especially when it comes to cattle, more than one species of live- the cattle side. stock calls the farm home.

“I have learned there is an art to trick“I also have about 20 laying hens that ery,” she said. “Beefmaster cattle are generously supply the farm daily with smart and do not forget easily. Once fresh, tasty eggs. I do not market the they are caught, they are looking for an eggs because I enjoy sharing a product exit, if there is not one, sometimes they from the farm with others in my family create one.” and community. I also have Nubian and Like many farmers, last year’s drought Nubian cross goats in hopes of receiv- also presented many challenges. ing rich and creamy milk for drinking, “The farm leases an 80-acre hayfield, but making cheese and because of the dry soaps in the near fusummer, the field ture for marketing, yielded slow growth, and would love to and the wet fall start a poultry busihindered the final ness as well. cutting,” Melissa ex“I provide good plained. “I felt like I quality care for all of had to hustle for hay our livestock and it all winter. Thanks brings me joy to be to local farms and able to raise a proda good friend, I was uct from the farm able to pull through for another family to the winter. There enjoy as well.” were a couple of Melissa and Robert times the barn got have been married really low on hay 32 years. He works and I had to manfor B&G Pipeline age feeding cattle Company as a heavy with square bales.

– Melissa Melton Through that proequipment mechanic and Melissa is a cess I learned you first-grade teacher. can save money and there is less hay waste “I love teaching first grade and bringing feeding square bales to cattle, but it is a lot my farming experiences into the class- of work. This summer we are doing more room to share with my students,” Melissa winter forage and will keep them on the said. “So many of them come from farm- grass a little longer.” ing families or have connections to someBeing a teacher, Melissa presents lesone who farms. They often bring farming sons to her young charges, but someculture into the classroom too.” times the most important things in life The couple has one daughter, 22-year- can be learned right on the farm. old Emily Ann, who is employed for “It’s a challenge for me to patient,” she B&G as well. said. “When starting out small, it takes “Because my husband is often out of time to build a herd. Right now the farm town, the farm work is all up to me. It’s has about 40 head, including calves. I not a hardship at all because I love tak- love cattle and it is one of the best parts of ing care of the livestock and spending farming for me. I am excited about what time in the barn cleaning stalls and sort- the future holds for Melton Farm and as ing feed,” Melissa said. “I view it as qual- for me, I am going to keep on dreaming.”

“

I love

teaching first grade and bringing my farming experiences into the classroom to share with my students.”

MAY 13, 2019

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Tahlequah, OK 918-456-0557

17

meet your neighbors

By Terry Ropp

The Wilchmans literally began their operation at the roots Billy Wilchman of Atkins, Ark., is a nurse practitioner and his wife Charlotte is a respiratory therapist. The couple work enough to keep their licenses valid but devote most of their waking hours to running their pecan farm and other business interests.

Life hit Billy hard in 2004 when he was piloting a small aircraft and caught a power line. He was seriously burned. His copilot didn’t survive.

Not long thereafter, his son Daniel was dating a girl whose grandfather had a pecan farm where Daniel often worked. He asked his seriously disheartened father if they could have their own pecan farm.

Billy told his son to put it on pencil and paper. Billy and Charlotte then bought a 300-acre soybean farm in November 2004 and cleared enough land of plum thistles, junk and share-cropped soybean acres to begin planting grafted pecan saplings in February. Billy planted 2,000 trees of three different varieties that first year with the project being feasible because a man in Texas offered to sell him grafted pecan trees for $10 apiece instead of $30 if Billy would clear a lot for him, which he did.

Though Billy had lived on a 40-acre chicken farm as a child and raised his own pigs, he knew nothing about pecans.

Fortunately, his first three species of the 1,000 available were suited for Arkansas’s high-humidity climate.

“Our first plot was my university, and you can tell because trees planted later look better even though they are younger,” Billy said.

Recognizing a need for knowledge, Billy attended classes at Arkansas Tech. He learned different species have different maturation times and now has 10 varieties that mature from September through Thanksgiving because harvesting 4,000 mature pecans trees at their peak is impossible for one man. He also learned the solution to grasshoppers devouring trees was prevention and what looked like a late April killing frost only meant delayed growth. He also learned grafted pecans were far superior to native ones and pro-

18

Building a Business Photo by Terry Ropp

duce significantly larger nuts. apart. The grass area between strips is The growing year is labor-intensive. fertilized and harvested three to four Pruning dead, damaged and diseased times a year, with the yield of 300 round branches begins in February with a bales per cutting. pruned tree shape resembling a Christ“If it ain’t weeds, it’s hay, and if it ain’t hay, mas tree in order to minimize wind dam- it’s bugs; and 16-hour days are the norm age and stimulate trunk growth. The rather than the exception,” Billy quipped. goal of pruning is having upper growth Harvests consists of shaking the trees to a little behind root growth for optimum release the nuts. Next comes a tractor that health. Pruning continues for one or two both blows and sweeps the nuts into two months, and all debris must be complete- windrows where they are picked up by a ly removed to prevent insect infestation. harvester, which blows air with sufficient Next comes “bud break” and an ongo- force to remove most debris before and the ing two-week cycle that lasts until harvest. nuts are dumped into a drum. Those nuts The trees need to be completely sprayed are then cleaned by high pressure air that with fungicide, pesticide and nitrogen removes the remaining debris and empty which adhere to the leaves, preventing shells before filling 50-pound bags with humidity issues and insect infestation in quality nuts that the Wilchmans then proaddition to fertilizing the trees. The trees cess themselves at a rate of 500 shells a minare watered by 56 miles of an underground ute. Two pounds of harvested nuts produces irrigation system modified from the pre- 1 pound of packaged nuts. The nuts are sold existing soybean system. Spraying is done at nearby markets, by orders from word-ofat night to minimize evaporamouth or off their Facebook page tion and impact bugs when and are sent as far as France, they are on the trees.

Myanmar and Venezuela.

Through the years, Billy and Also during the two-week Atkins, Ark. Charlotte have diversified their cycle, herbicide is applied income. In addition to selling to an eight-foot wide strip wood chips and hay, they raise 10 containing each row of trees, varieties of Muscadine grapes with which are planted in 40 feet Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

a total of 100 vines sold in gallon increments pre-picked or on a pick your own basis. Another new income stream, raising bees and selling honey, is the result of customer demand. Additionally, they sell pre-grafted pecans saplings grown from nuts they plant. Demand is high due to severe damage to high production states like Georgia with hurricane damage and Texas, a victim of drought.

Two of the most recent income streams come from Charlotte Teresa Plantation and began with the construction a large plantation-style house. The homey and comfortable interior contains five guest bedrooms and bathrooms as a bed and breakfast. Connected to it is an event center.

The Wilchmans are just hitting their stride and plan to develop a busy agritourism business with a senior center soon bringing a busload as a surprise destination.

Billy and Charlotte want to add school groups and perhaps a fall pecan festival, especially since the area holds 20,000 trees within a 5-mile radius making it likely heart of the Arkansas pecan industry.

“We love our new life. However, I don’t pilot anymore. I keep in mind the Lord said, ‘Lo {low} I am with you always,’ so I stay on the ground,” Billy grinned and said.

MAY 13, 2019

MAY 13, 2019

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

19

Fire Up the Grill! and Share Your Favorite Grilling Recipes With Our Readers!

Submit recipes by mail, fax, or email and watch for them to appear in the upcoming issues of Ozarks Farm & Neighbor.

youth in

agriculture tomorrow’s ag leaders

Briann Walden

By Terry Ropp

Age: 16 Parents: Nathan and Becky Hometown: Huntsville, Ark. FFA Chapter: Huntsville FFA Advisor: Jerick Hutchinson What is your favorite aspect of agriculture?

“I absolutely love animals and have been showing since I was 5. While goats are my favorite, I have also shown cows, sheep and pigs.”

Who is the most influential person in your life?

“My ag teacher ‘Hutch’ has been espePhoto by Terry Ropp cially important because he shows me how to fit the animals for showing and is always there for hands-on help when needed.”

What is your current involvement in agriculture?

“I feed and water the cows twice a day and work the show cows in the summer. I have eight or nine commercial mommas and am now taking small animal science and animal science, but will have aquaculture next semester. I am currently the reporter for the chapter and went with them to nationals in Indiana this year. I also helped organize a fundraiser for the War Eagle Craft Fair, where we sold wood projects and decorative metal items. Other fundraisers were a hot dog sale at Tractor Supply and a fun day with our art teacher Candace Griffin, where we set out craft materials for parents and kids.

What are some of your agricultural memories?

“When I was 5 or 6, I had a baby pig named Bunny who found the smallest hole and ran out of the show barn underneath the cows. I also remember how interesting it was seeing my first calf born. It was messy, but it made me happy watching something that was new to the world taking its first breath and look.”

P.O. Box 1514 • Lebanon, MO 65536 417-532-4721 FAX • editor@ozarksfn.com All recipes shared from past issues are available on our website at ozarksfn.com

20

Awards: “I won showmanship when I was 10 with a lamb and have won three or four grand champions hips, as well as two or three reserve championships at the county and district levels for my goats. I won reserve champion with my heifer at the county fare and next year plan on showing dairy cows, commercial cows and dairy goats.

What would most people be surprised to learn about you?

“Most people don’t realize I have a twin brother named Briar, and he’s in ag too.”

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MAY 13, 2019

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Beef Up Profitability

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Kevin Stith is a credit s producers, we like to use Beef Month analyst with First Financial to promote the taste and health adBank’s Farm and Ranch vantages of beef over our competitor Lending Division. He can proteins (poultry and pork). You’re be reached at likely to see ads on billboards, radio 1-888-398-4119 or at spots, ads in print media, and possibly a TV spot or kstith@ffb1.com two in some local markets. Cattlemen around the country will be cooking steaks and hamburgers at numerous events in an attempt to grab the attention of another customer or convince consumers to grab another package of burger or steak as grilling season begins. All these things are an attempt to drive up demand, sell our healthy and delicious product, and ultimately increase the profitability of everyone in the cattle business.

I would like to see all Cattlemen’s associations put an emphasis on education and financial planning for producers during Beef Month (in conjunction with trying to promote our product). Without proper planning and management, will we be in the business several years from now to worry about promoting beef? Spring is a critical time for beef producers. The financial decisions you make now, will affect the whole year and whether you are profitable.

I know there are numerous things we’d all rather be doing than sitting at a desk staring at cash flow analysis. I do that every day and the phrase “cash flow analysis” made me snore. I was much happier yesterday weaning and tattooing the fall calves and moving a few early spring pairs to the first green pasture of the year. (I would also like to publicly apologize to my mom. Mom, I realize I am the one who misread calf 818 as 813 when you were recording weights. I am sorry we had to spend 20 minutes looking for bull calf 813 that didn’t exist. I also apologize for any mean words I said; you were right.)

But what decisions should we be making right now that are going to affect our cash flow and profitability for the upcoming year? We should be focusing on those fall calves we just weaned. Should we sell the ones we aren’t keeping for replacements now? Or should we run them on grass and try to capitalize on some additional gain and late summer markets? How many purebred bulls should we keep to market this fall? Is the cowherd expanding state wide and should I keep more bulls to sell? And should I run the fall cows that were open on grass to add weight or take them to the slaughter cow markets now? All these questions affect the profitability of the operation.

But we aren’t done there. What about those spring pairs? Am I going to sell all those calves when I wean them in the fall? (Hint: looking at some fall predictions might help with this decision) Am I going to hold them over until the higher spring markets? And if so, I better get out of this office and start rolling more hay to get them through the winter!

And if you are running stocker cattle, you better really be sharpening the pencil! The fall weanlings are getting ready to hit the market. How many head do I need for the summer? How much are my feed inputs going to be? What do I expect to sell them for in the fall? Considering all that, what can I pay for them right now and make a profit?

All these decisions need to be made now. But they need to be informed decisions based on economic analysis and market conditions. Taking the time right now to focus on inputs and marketing decisions will be key in your operation’s profitability. Take the time to sit at your computer, office, or even kitchen table and focus on cash flow and profitability. Your spouse, your bank account, and your banker will thank you at year end.

MAY 13, 2019

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21

farm

help

Making farming

Pros and Cons of Direct Marketing Meat

a little easier

Going Direct

PROS

By Klaire Howerton

Producers can market their beef directly to customers in a variety of ways, sometimes for higher profits With the local food movement securely in place in the Ozarks, many producers are going directly to consumers with their beef, through farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture programs, off-the-farm sales or through whole or half beef sales.

Direct marketing allows producers to get a higher price for the product they worked to raise and allows them to build a solid relationship with their clients that often leads to repeat sales and referrals.

What Do Consumers Want?

Understanding consumer preferences in your area will help ensure direct marketing success.

“Do not assume that your customer wants what you want,” Dr. Bryon Wiegand with the University of Missouri said.

Ask questions at the local farmers

what do you say?

What is the biggest struggle cattle producers face today?

22

market, visit with chefs at local restaurants and with your extension office professionals, or reach out to customers though social media.

Where to Sell?

There are several options for direct marketing beef, and producers are only limited by their imagination.

Farmers markets are common avenues for direct marketing. Be sure to check with the market manager about health department regulations during the application process, as each town or city has different requirements. If you go this route, be prepared to practice your public speaking skills.

“Most consumers move quickly through the market and need quick and concise information without the ‘total sales pitch,’” Wiegand said.

If you live near an area with farm to table dining, restaurant sales are another good option to move a lot of meat. Restaurant prices are typically wholesale, so while they are not as profitable per pound as selling to a consumer at a market or off the farm, selling to restaurants and de-

“Profitability is the biggest struggle now because costs have continued to gradually increase while cattle prices have decreased as much as 40 percent at times since 2015.”

Tom Huls Washington County, Ark.

veloping a relationship with the chef can create consistent income, where as farmers market sales can sometimes fluctuate.

Off-the-farm sales are quite beneficial since sales can be made without having to leave the farm to go into town.

Beef can be sold right out of the freezer, or producers can take orders for whole, half or quarter beef, where the producer raises the animal and then the consumer pays for the processing fees, plus a set amount per pound to the producer.

What is Required?

To sell beef directly to consumers through a farmers market, off the farm sales of packaged beef, or to sell to restaurants, beef, and other meat, must be USDA inspected at an approved processing facility.

Talk to your local processor about their inspection process. If you are selling whole or half beef “on the hoof” where the consumer pays the processor, “processing does not necessarily need done at a USDA inspected facility, Wiegand said.

“The biggest struggle today is the price of land which makes farming difficult if not impossible for many.”

4 You set your own price 4 You incur none of the costs associated with selling a live animal.

4 You are eliminating almost all of the middlemen.

4 Opportunity to sell your own branded product(s).

4 The demand for local meat is growing.

4 Interaction with customers.

CONS

4 Many regulations (local, state, and federal) govern the sale of meat and meat products.

4 All livestock have to be processed in a USDA or stateinspected plant; processing costs can be high.

4 You may not be able to sell all cuts.

4 Can be costly and timeconsuming to deliver product to market place and to sell it.

4 Some markets require yearround availability.

4 Sometimes, the local live market will be higher.

“Cattlemen have two struggles today. The first is making a profit because of overhead costs and the second is combating public misconceptions about agriculture.”

Brian Dean Benton County, Ark.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

Aleena Brammer Crawford County, Ark.

“The biggest struggle today is handling fluctuating cattle markets while overhead remain steady.”

Leroy Baker Craig County, Okla.

MAY 13, 2019

Every producer has a construction project of some kind in the works, whether it is still just a dream or idea, or whether it’s halfway done.

Every producer also knows that there just aren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish everything…and that money and enough time do not often accompany one another.

If a new barn or house is in the works, should one hire a contractor to save time, or do it themselves to save money?

DIY

If you are well organized, a quick learner, have good financial and business skills, and have the time and interest to effectively plan and manage a building project, you can save a substantial amount of money, maybe even 15 percent or more if you do everything right and are lucky enough to steer clear of any messy (and costly) mistakes, according to Building Advisor.

On a $200,000 project, that’s as much as $30,000, if everything goes right. Even if you end up saving only $20,000 – a more realistic goal, that’s still real money and may be worth the time and effort.

Scott McGillivray, licensed contractor, real estate investor and media personality for HGTV, advises anyone considering the DIY route to honestly evaluate their ability to complete tasks safely and efficiently, consider the cost of making potential mistakes and having to pay to fix them, and to determine what their time is worth and how much they want the project done.

“Doing a project yourself will likely take some time and take you away from other things you’d rather be doing. Hiring a professional will likely cost you more but it will also probably

get your project completed much faster,” he has said.

Would-be-builders need to gauge the risk factors of every project. If you don’t have the electrical expertise, for example, wiring can be, well, shocking.

Plumbing mishaps can lead to broken pipes and costly leaks. Do you know how to secure a permit? If not, you could be subject to fines when you sell. Also, be realistic about what you can and can’t do.

Spending a little extra on a professional now can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in the future.

o

ckyar US Hwy 64 Moffet, Okla.

Owners Field Sam Chandler • 918-696-6029 Representatives Scottie Smith • 918-696-0793 Carl Quinton • 479-856-5500 Budge Herbert • 918-658-4781 Dax Tyler • 479-461-3678

On Farm appraisals • Early drop off pens with 50 grass traps, water, and plenty of shade • Hauling available • Convenient Location • Family Owned & Operated

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Looking For Freelance Writers Experience in agriculture preferred, but not required. Some photography skills needed. Freelancers should have excellent organizational and time management skills, the ability to produce feature stories following AP style and the guidelines of OFN. Freelancers should have a strong initiative, be able to meet deadlines and follow through with projects. Please send writing samples and a resume to julie@ozarksfn.com.

Hire a Guy

If you are not construction savvy, have enough on your plate already or are not a very organized person by nature, hiring a contractor can eliminate a good deal of stress.

According to Building Advisor, an experienced contractor brings a wealth of knowledge to a project that can make the building process go smoothly and efficiently, resulting in lower costs and higher quality work. Based on years of experience, he knows what materials and building details will stand the test of time, and which are prone to failure.

A general contractor can also save you money by negotiating effectively with subs (subcontractors) and suppliers, and managing the work efficiently to avoid extra costs.”

In an article by Kandace Fisher, housing and environmental design specialist, and grad student Lisa Hamilton-Hill, they suggest those considering hiring a contractor should determine what they want done to the letter, acquire at least three detailed estimates, check contractor credentials and set a payment schedule. A lien waiver should also be acquired after the job is completed.

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When working on a construction project, farmers and ranchers should consider the time and money needed

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t Smit r o

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Hire a Guy or DIY?

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farm help

The voice of the

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MAY 13, 2019

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

23

farm help

Tips for Better Fences

By Klaire Howerton

Producers are encouraged to have a plan before driving posts

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One side sheeted.

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Toll Free: 1-888-364-9527 Office: 417-671-8015 Fax: 417-671-8018 Hours: Mon-Fri 8am - 5pm 12760 St. Hwy 76 • Cassville, MO 65625 www.superiormetalsalesinc.com sales@superiormetalsalesinc.com

24

While there are always lots of projects on a farm, building new fence is one that pops up on many producer’s spring project lists. Before jumping right in and pounding posts, there are a few considerations to make fencing an efficient process in the long run.

What are the Goals?

Before heading to the farm supply or hardware store, consider the purpose of the fence. Is it an ornamental fence to go around the farmhouse? Is it for a rotational grazing program? Is it to permanently house a breeding bull, boar or buck? Is it perimeter fencing around the entire farm to establish a boundary and keep the farm dogs from roaming? Will any of the fence be electric? Once the purpose of the fence has been determined, producers can move forward with purchasing materials and construction.

What Types of Fencing Are There?

There are numerous types of fencing available, each with a different purpose.

Barbed wire fencing, while common and fairly cheap compared to other types, is not always the most effective. Depending on the brand, barbed wire can break easily, and many crafty animals have slipped out between the gaps in the strands (obviously, the more strands the tighter the fence) on a four- or five- strand fence.

Barbed wire is also difficult to work with and causes many injuries in both livestock and humans. If caution is used and the number of strands is adequate, barbed wire can be used to keep in animals like bison or cattle that have tough hides.

Woven wire fencing is a popular option on smaller farms since it can be utilized safely for many different animals. It costs more but is a long lasting and versatile option. Another option is electric wire, or hotwire, fencing. Electric wire is relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and can be permanent or temporary. Electric wire can also be installed on the inside of woven, smooth or barbed wire fencing to keep animals off the fence.

Fencing technology has drastically improved over the last 25 years. There are no “right” fence styles or types for all operations or situations; it is a matter of preference, professors Tom R. Troxel and Kenny Simon with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service have said. Economics must be considered when building, replacing or mending fences. Many producers shy away from electric fences in favor of the five-strand barbed wire or woven wire fence with metal T-posts. Today, hightensile electric fences are generally more economical because they tend to be less expensive and are easier to install and maintain. The cost of materials for one mile of high-tensile fence is site specific.

Factors to consider are corner posts, terrain and the type of animals to keep in or fence out. In Arkansas demonstrations, cost of installation of electric fence has averaged 32 cents per foot. Cost includes an energizer, ground rods, posts, wire and insulators. The cost of a fivestrand barbed-wire fence (wire and metal T-posts) is approximately two to three times more per mile than a high-tensile fence, and the cost of a woven-wire fence with two strands of barbed wire on top is two to four times more per mile than

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

a high-tensile fence. These estimates do not include corner posts, braces or labor.

What Kind of Animals Are Being Contained?

The type of animals that will live within the fence will help determine what types of fencing should be used.

“Sheep, goats, pigs and poultry are difficult to contain. They climb, dig or fly through many fences, so for years woven wire has been the choice for these animals.

It’s also favored by many horse owners – as horses are less likely to get tangled in woven wire than in barbed wire – and because of its sturdy character, it’s often used for corrals and night-holding pens in areas with predator problems,” Carol Ekarius, farmer and Hobby Farms author said.

If a rotational grazing system is being implemented, electric wire can easily be used to create cross-fences to divide a large pasture with barbed wire or woven wire perimeter fence into smaller paddocks for cattle or sheep (be sure to purchase a quality fence charger for best results).

Call Before You Dig

Before digging post holes, be sure to call 1-800-DIG-RITE to have someone come out and check for buried electrical lines of any kind. Producers should also familiarize themselves with Missouri’s fence laws (https://extension2.missouri. edu/g811) to avoid any potential legal conundrums with neighbors or other.

MAY 13, 2019

farm help

Sunny or Sour Disposition?

By Klaire Howerton

Study shows that nervous cattle have reduced conception rates compared to those that are calm Most producers will agree that they prefer cattle that are predictable, even tempered and relatively calm. While no cow has a sunny disposition all the time, it is beneficial to an operation to have animals that are as mild mannered as possible, both for safety and profitability.

A study by the University of Florida revealed that cows who are nervous and flighty are less likely to conceive.

Their animal scientists “recorded disposition scores over two years on 160 Braford and 235 Brahman/British crossbred cows.

They wanted to evaluate the effects of cow temperament and energy status on the probability to become pregnant during a 90-day natural breeding season. Cows were scored as 1 being calm, no movement to 5 being violent and continuous struggling while in the working chute.

Also, a pen score assessment was assigned as 1 being unalarmed and unexcited to 5 being very excited and aggressive toward technician.

An exit velocity speed score was measured as the cows exited the working chute as 1 the slowest and 5 the fastest.

An overall temperament index score was calculated by averaging the chute score, pen score and exit velocity score. Blood samples were analyzed for cortisol concentrations.

Cortisol is a hormone released when mammals are stressed or excited. Increased cow temperament score and elevated plasma cortisol concentrations both were associated with decreased probability of pregnancy. These results suggest that excitable temperament and the consequent elevated cortisol concentrations are detrimental to reproductive function of cows.”

MAY 13, 2019

Reinaldo Cooke, associate professor of beef cattle production at Texas A&M, noted that sour dispositions caused lower conception rates in both AI (artificial insemination) and natural breeding programs. Usually, those cows are able to raise calves as good as those with a calmer disposition, he said. But, in the end, there are fewer calves to sell off of them, so the overall return is lower.

He also noted that since disposition is inheritable, keeping a cow with poor temperament means there’s about a 50% chance her heifer or bull calf will also have temperament problems. Excitable temperament has detrimental effects on reproduction in beef females independent of breed,” he explained.

Dr. Heidi Ward and Dr. Jeremy Powell with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service have said overly excitable cattle are more difficult to handle and studies have indicated that calves with disagreeable dispositions do not gain as well as calmer calves.

Cattle with poor or nervous dispositions have also been found to produce darker than normal beef due to stress-induced depletion of glycogen stores prior to slaughter.

Trying to keep cows with poor temperaments, especially those that won’t conceive, creates a drain on a producer’s resources, especially after last summer’s drought in the Ozarks when feed resources are still on the scarce side.

“Cows that have poor dispositions and are hard to handle, this is the time to get rid of them,” David Hoffman, MU Extension livestock field specialist, advised.

Need A Refreshment?

To help our farmers stay hydrated during hay season, Ozarks Farm & Neighbor is looking for some beverage recipes to feature in our publication. Send in your favorite lemonade, tea, flavored water, punch, shake or smoothie recipes and look for it to appear in our upcoming issues.

3 Ways to Submit:

1

Email: editor@ozarksfn.com

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

2

Mail: PO BOX 1514 Lebanon, MO 65536

3

Fax: 417-532-4721

25

ozarks’ farm

calendar

May 2019 15 Lunch and Learn: Fireants – noon-1 p.m. – Cleburne County Extension Office,

Heber Springs, Ark. – call 501-362-2524 to pre-register 16 North Arkansas Small Ruminents Conference – 9 a.m. registration –

9:30 a.m-3 p.m. – lunch included – Cost: $15 – Topics: General Health,

Forage, Fencing, Fecal Counts, Marketing – Carroll County Fairgrounds,

Berryville, Ark. – 870-423-2958 16 Free EIA (Equine Infectious Anemia) Verifier Certification Course – 5:30 p.m. –

Marion County Extension Office, 313 W. 7th Street, Yellville, Ark. – 870-449-6349 22 Lunch and Learn: Soil Testing and Vegetable Gardening – noon-1 p.m. –

Cleburne County Extension Office, Heber Springs, Ark. – call 501-362-2524 to pre-register 23 FAMACHA Training – 9 a.m. – Franklin County Fairgrounds, Ozark, Ark.

– 479-667-3720 29 Lunch and Learn: Diaster Prepareness – noon-1 p.m. – Cleburne County

Extension Office, Heber Springs, Ark. – call 501-362-2524 to pre-register June 2019 1 Benton County Fair Small Animal Nomination – All hogs, all market

goats and market sheep – 8-11 a.m. – $5 nomination/entry per class –

Benton County Fairgrounds, Bentonville, Ark. – 479-271-1060 1 Benton County Fair Commercial Beef Heifer Nominations – 9-11 a.m. –

$15 nomination fee/entry – 12 Stones Ranch, Decatur, Ark. – 479-271-1060 11 First Arkansas Cattlewomens Conference – Fayetteville, Ark. – Cost: $50

– Topics: Marketing, forage, feeding, rations, tours of the school farm and

research center – 870-423-2958 22 Benton County Fair Commercial Dairy Heifer Nominations – 11 a.m. –

$15 nomination/per head – Benton County Fairgrounds, Bentonville, Ark.

– 479-271-1060 August 2019 1 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – Cost: $20 per person – Faulkner

County Extension Office, Conway, Ark. – 501-329-8344 6-10 Benton County Fair – Benton County Fairgrounds, Bentonville, Ark. September 2019 10-16 Rogers County Fair – Rogers County Fairgrounds, Claremore, Okla. – 918-923-4958

ozarks’

auction block

May 2019 11 Mead Farms 77th Anniversary Female Sale – MF Sale Headquarters, Versailles,

Mo. – 573-302-7011 17 Show-Me Select Replacement Heifer Sale – Joplin Regional Stockyards,

Carthage, Mo. – 417-466-3102 June 2019 21-22 11th Annual South Poll Field Day & Cattle Auction – Mountain Glen

Farm, Fairfield, VA – 256-996-3142

26

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 Feeders - 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 Brangus Rose Bud Feeders - Rose Bud, Ark. - 501-940-0299 www.rosebudfeeders.com Charolais Rose Bud Feeders - Rose Bud, Ark. - 501-940-0299 www.rosebudfeeders.com Gelbvieh Hodges Ranch - Omaha, Ark. 870-426-4469 - 870-704-9450 Herefords Rose Bud Feeders - 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 Salers Flint Creek Salers - Gentry, Ark. - 479-212-2005 flintcreeksalers@gmail.com www.salersusa.org Sim Angus Bob Harriman Genetics - Montrose, Mo. - 660-492-2504

Farm Equipment

Barns

Early 1900’s (no pegs) hay barn interior framing in good condition. Metal roof is rusty but good condition. North side overhang all 1x oak planks in good condition as well as all 4’ patrician walls inside. Middle section is 25’ tall x 32’ wide, with both overhangs total width 54’ wide. Needs tore down, all reasonable offers considered.

Evenings

417-594-0283

5/13/19

Sell Your Farm Equipment with a classified ad for as low as $13.18 per issue!

Call today for details!

866-532-1960 Herd Sire: Ferdinand 2230#

Herd Sire: Prince Mo 2170#

joyedave@cox.net

Ph 918-231-3245 or

Sire: TH 122 711 Victor 719T

Ph 918-231-3125 Low Birth Weight – Private Treaty

Sire: FTF Prince Lee 925W

BULLS FOR SALE Visitors Welcome

Coming 2 Year Old Bulls Semen Tested Hereford Bulls x Angus Cows = Top of the Market Calves

Reach More Than

24,000 Readers Who Are Primarily Livestock Producers,

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

532-1960

1-866-

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

Aurora, Missouri 15 to 20 month old registered Hereford bulls for sale $2,500.00 Call Eric Jr. (417) 860-7151 Like us on Facebook for all private treaty female and bull sale updates

MAY 13, 2019

Fertilizer

Machinery

Machinery

Pure Chicken

Manure (NO LITTER) Serving SW Missouri

Hefley Farms Harrison, Arkansas

870-715-9929

RECENT TRADE-INs Heavy Duty Spike Hay Beds

Call for Price!

Atlas Steel Now Carries

2013 NEW HOLLAND BOOMER 3050, Clean tractor that is ready for the small farm. .............$24,900

With Beds In Stock

650 ESH RD. • VINITA, OK atlassteelproducts.com

If you eat, sleep, dream, breathe, live and love farming...

877-289-7835 / 918-256-6232

5/13/19

Proudly Connecting Ken W. Knies Buyers and 479-426-9518 Borrowers kenknies1@gmail.com with a Quality Bank “A Passion for Agriculture”

Green Forest, AR hostetlerlitter@emypeople.net

Yo

www.oza

it

e at rksfn.com

Poultry Litter Fertilizer Application Service Available • Application Rate 1-2 Tons Per Acre • GPS Guidance

SubscruiCbaen Also

By Visitin O g Our W nline ebs

2015 CASE IH FARMALL 110C, Nice tractor that is ready to go to work....$49,000

2009 KUBOTA MX5100 TRACTOR, 2wd, loader, 192 hours ............................$15,500

Then Subscribe to

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

Hostetler Litter Service

Trade Website Design For Fresh Beef

I am now receiving the paper.

I am enclosing:

$17.00 - 1 year

I don’t receive the paper. $30.50 - 2 years

$43.00 - 3 years

Add $7 for out-of-state orders

If You’re Looking For A Website For Your Farm, Here’s Your Chance. I’m Looking To Do Some Trading For Fresh Beef.

Turn-Key Package Includes Full Website Design, 1 Year of Hosting and 1 Year of Domain Name Registration.

2007 NEW HOLLAND TC45DA, Very Nice well kept 2007, Cab, Loader ..... $23,900

NAME ___________________________________ ADDRESS ________________________________ CITY _________ STATE ____ ZIP CODE ________ PHONE __________________________________ EMAIL ADDRESS ___________________________ Mail check to:

Williams Tractor

2501 Shiloh Dr. • Fayetteville, Ark.

417-322-4711

479-442-8284

www.williamstractor.com TFN

MAY 13, 2019

KUBOTA M7060HD TRACTOR, 4WD HRS 378 LOADER LA1154 HP. 71Power Shuttle transmission 2 sets of remotes 3rd function valve on loader ...........$29,500

A subscription makes a great gift for your friends and family. If you know someone who eats, sleeps, dreams, breathes, lives and loves farming, be sure to send them a subscription to Ozarks Farm & Neighbor.

PO Box 1514, Lebanon, MO 65536

5/13/19

The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper

Toll Free: 1-866-532-1960 www.ozarksfn.com

27

BIG

THE TRUCK SPECIALISTS! We know what you want...

We’re

90221 - 2019 Chevrolet Silverado DRW 3500 Crew Cab upfitted with 776 DewEze Haybed with 24 volt electrical.

Call for up to date pricing and incentives.

on Heavy Duty Trucks!

We buy trucks! If you have a truck you are thinking of selling or trading, WE ARE INTERESTED! Even if its at another dealership give Mark @ Wood Motor Co. a call for more information (870) 715-9177. We buy Chevrolets, Fords, GMC’s, Dodges, etc.

Big Selection + Low Prices!

Rebates and Incentives Change Daily! Contact Us for your Best Price.

The trucks pictured are all on the lot and available now. Supplier pricing is available for those that qualify as well as a first responder discount and several others. Call for up to date offers and pricing.

Arkansas’ No. 1 Gooseneck Dealer T90226 - 2019 Big Tex 22GN 35’ 26’ 9’ T90228 - 2019 Big Tex 22GN 40’ 31’+ 9’ T90227 - 2019 Big Tex 22GN 33’ 28’ Hydraulic Dovetail.....$13,899 IN STOCK! Hydraulic Dovetail.....$14,399 IN STOCK! +5’ W/ MEGA RAMPS......................... .............................$10,999 IN STOCK!

T90423 - 2019 Gooseneck 24x6’8” T60117 - 2016 “Old” NEW Stock 20 x 2019 Big Tex 14 TL20 Tilt with Rubber Floor, Torsion Axles, Full 6’8” Torsion Axles & More, Pre-Tariff Damping valve & complete spare ......

Escape Door & MORE......................... Price............................ $8,999 IN STOCK! ................................ $5,999 IN STOCK ............................ $13,099 IN STOCK!

“We will not be under sold on a Gooseneck brand livestock trailer – Period!

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

We stock the trailers farmers use most!

We have a good selection of PRETARIFF 20X6’8” Gooseneck Livestock Trailers starting as low as $8,999.

Call Mark for details SAVE$$$.

Financing Available!

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

Absolute Top Dollar offered on all trades!

See why we are the area’s

1 Truck Volume Dealer!

#

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

28

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

MAY 13, 2019