OFN May 9, 2022 by Eric Tietze

BEEF MONTH • FARM HEALTH & INSURANCE

MAY 9, 2022 • 28 PAGES

VOLUME 16, NUMBER 4 • WWW.OZARKSFN.COM

Seeking the Best

The hunt for a topquality Wagyu steak led to the beginning Grand Cattle Company

Always a Cattleman Jim Owens continues the family tradition

Beefing Up Rate of Gain Increasing pounds on calves

Overcoming Injury Oklahoma native Rodney Huffer says a 2010 accident serves as a reminder of dangers on the farm

rumor mill

School garden contest: Entries are being accepted for the ninth annual Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest, sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas. Applicants may be any school, early childhood education facility, or alternative learning environment that had a school garden during the 2021-2022 school year or is planning to start a garden in the 2022-2023 school year. Entries for the contest will be accepted through June 5, and the application can be found at go.ozarksfn.com/5lh.

The Ozarks Most Read Farm Newspaper

MAY 9, 2022

U of A releases new rice: A new jasmine-type aromatic rice called ARoma 22 has been released by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station amid rising U.S. demand for aromatic rice. ARoma 22 offers increased aromatics and color consistency over its predecessor, and equals several qualities looked for by consumers of imported Asian aromatic rice, sensory tests show. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, a sharp increase in imported rice over the past few years from Asia has been driven by jasmine-type rice from Thailand. Farm show set: The 2022 Four State Farm Show is set for May 20-22 at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan. Exhibits will be at the Robert W. Plaster Center, and there will also be outdoor displays. For more information, call 417-833-2660. Admission and parking is free.

Know a Good Rumor?

OzarksFarm @OzarksFarm

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

VOL. 16, NO. 4

JUST A THOUGHT 3 Jerry Crownover –

Teacher honored: Leslee Ann Tell of Clinton, Ark., an advanced nutrition and dietetics instructor at Conway High School, has been named the 2022 Arkansas Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher. Matt Jackson, Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Director of Education, presented the honor to Tell at her school on April 18. Tell received a check for $1,500. This summer she will attend the National Ag in the Classroom Conference. Tell has been teaching food safety and nutrition, chemistry of food and advanced nutrition at the Career Center in Conway High for 12 years. She has received numerous recognitions for her work, including the American Farm Bureau Federation’s On the Farm STEM Scholarship Award for Professional Development in 2019 and the Ag Literacy in Action Award from the Readers to Eaters program in 2021. Oklahoma has first bird influenza report: The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture has discovered its first wild bird to be infected with the Eurasian H5 type of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The disease was found in a wild duck from Payne County. HPAI can also cause sudden death in birds even if they aren’t showing any other symptoms. HPAI can survive for weeks in contaminated environments. Report sick birds to USDA Wildlife Services at 405-521-4039. Death or illness in domestic poultry species should be reported to the ODAFF Animal Industry Division at 405-522-6141.

4 5

18 19

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

Jody Harris – Special teachers Julie Turner-Crawford – The importance of beef

MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS 7 Jim Owens continues 8 9

Keeping things the same

10 11 18 19

the family farming tradition Oklahoma producer overcame serious injury Eye on Agribusiness highlights French Feed Onyx Cave has welcomed guests for more than 100 years Town & Country features Byron Suggs Partners start their own ranch after seeking Wagyu beef Youth in Agriculture spotlights Callie Lovell

FARM HEALTH 12 Preventing livestock-to-human 13 16 17

transmission of diseases Are you a candidate for joint replacement?

Beware of tick-borne illnesses and allergies A trip to the doctor anywhere you are

FARM HELP 20 Retirement choices 22 Getting more weight 21 24

on your calves

Keeping the farm safe BSEs recommended for older bulls

MAY 9, 2022

just a

s thought Mac Delivered To ’

What’s On Your Mind, Ozarks?

Life Is Simple

By Jerry Crownover

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MAY 9, 2022

Publisher

Administrative Amanda Newell, Marketing Manager Eric Tietze, Accounting

Circulation Eric Tietze, Circulation

Editorial Julie Turner-Crawford, Managing Editor Jerry Crownover, Columnist Jody Harris, Columnist Production Amanda Newell, Production Contributors

Anita Harrison, Cheryl Kepes, Michael Kinney, Kasey Frederick, Sonya Kullmann, Brad Pistole, Terry Ropp and Mandi Villines

About the Cover A farm-related injury caused Rodney Huffer to suffer from memory loss, but he never forgot his love of farming. See more on page 8. Photo by Kacey Frederick

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., 2022. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.

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f someone were to ask my wife to describe me usrevolikely nworCuse yrrthe eJ yB ing just one word, she would most word… boring. I prefer the word – consistent. I don’t like change, or surprises or things out of Jerry Crownover is place or any disruption in a schedule, even if that a farmer and former schedule only occurs in my mind. professor of Agriculture To illustrate my consistency (or boredom), I have Education at Missouri worn the same brand and style of blue jeans for 45 State University. He is a years. Only the waist size has changed. Anyone who native of Baxter County, has known me for more than a decade knows that I Arkansas, and an drive only one kind of truck, one kind of tractor, and author and professional vote one way on Election Day. speaker. To contact Jerry, I have been with my only wife for 38 years, and if she go to ozarksfn.com and ever leaves me (due to boredom, no doubt) I’d finish click on ‘Contact Us.’ out my years as a single man, for it would just be too much of a change for me to break in a new one. I chronicle all of my obsessive/compulsive behavior in order to explain my frustration with the United States Postal Service and their recent change of procedure. It seems that the movement of mail from the hometown of my youth to my present address will now take a 300-mile detour through Kansas City, causing certain items to arrive at my home later. Please refer to paragraph number 1. For the past 60 some years, ever since I learned to read, I have received my weekly, hometown newspaper every Thursday. Through blizzards, tornadoes, floods, ice storms and wars, I could always count on sitting down on Thursday evening and reading The Ozark County Times. Even though I haven’t lived there in 50 years, and have no living relatives left in the county, I derive great pleasure from keeping up with the people with whom I grew up – every Thursday.

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Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

just a thought

Freshly Picked

By Jody Harris

ur mailbox has been flooded with graduation announcements this spring. We are in the season of life where many friends have students graduating from high Jody Harris is a freelance school. This is one of my favorite times communications of year. I remember my own high school graduation specialist, gardener, with a lot of pride. ranch wife and mother of In my hometown, graduation week was a big deal. four. She and her family It started on Sunday with a baccalaureate ceremony raise Angus beef cattle where our family, friends and local pastors came toand other critters on gether to pray over the high school graduates. On the their northwest Arkansas following Friday night, our hometown community ranch. She is a graduate gathered on our high school football field to celebrate of Missouri State University. each student earning their high school diploma. The To contact Jody, go to high school band played, the choir sang, and several ozarksfn.com and click on people addressed the graduates and their families. ‘Contact Us.’ I had the privilege of addressing the class of 1995 as the student body president. I remember feeling honored to speak to my hometown and my graduating class. I had a deep sense of pride in my hometown and my high school. I grew up with a strong desire to make my parents proud and represent all of us well – in band, FFA and in my academic studies. When I think of the life I was privileged to live in rural southwest Missouri, I have tender memories of all the people who shaped me into the woman I am today. Obviously, my parents shaped my work ethic and my drive for achievement. I was surrounded by friends with like-minded values and goals. Most important, were the teachers whose classrooms I was placed in. There are so many I would still love to go back and thank one more time. There were teachers who disciplined me when I needed it. Teachers who patiently re-taught concepts of algebra and geometry when I struggled. Mostly, we always knew how much our teachers loved us and wanted us to be successful. For those things, I am so thankful. I stay connected to some of my teachers through social media, some of them have passed on and some are enjoying retirement (I hope). You know who you are – thank you to everyone who teaches and loves this next generation of students, the future of America. May 1-7, we will have celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week. As a parent, I am so glad to have the opportunity to show our sincere appreciation for the teachers who are making an impact in our children’s lives. Each of my four children has a different learning style. All of them enjoy different subjects at school. I am so grateful for the teachers who have come alongside my husband and I to guide their future. Parents and teachers are the best partners in education. I love talking to teachers who work in our schools to learn more about how we as parents can prepare our students for the exciting future that lies ahead of them. To the class of 2022 – congratulations! Enjoy all these special moments leading up to your graduation day. Each of you has a field of opportunity in Arkansas and beyond in businesses, trade schools and academic studies. Don’t forget about the people who got you to where you are today – thank your parents and teachers every chance you get. If you know how to read, write and balance your checkbook, you probably have a special teacher to thank, neighbor.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MAY 9, 2022

just a thought Healthy Soil and Healthy Animals:

The Natural Way

Across The Fence

ProbioticS Plus

By Julie Turner-Crawford

hy is the beef industry important in the Ozarks? Because it’s pretty much the bread and butter, or the brisket and steak, of our rural communities. Julie Turner-Crawford Every year, more than 90 million head is a native of Dallas of cattle are raised on more than 800,000 cattle operations, County, Mo., where leading to the production of around 27 million pounds of she grew up on her beef, according to the USDA. The agency also calls cattle family’s farm. She is a production “the most important agricultural industry in graduate of Missouri the United States.” Cattle production accounts for about State University. To 17 percent (the most significant share) and $392 million of contact Julie, call 1-866total cash receipts for agricultural commodities. 532-1960 or by email at Here are a few other interesting facts about beef proeditor@ozarksfn.com. duction you might not know: • Oklahoma is second in the nation in the number of beef cows, just behind Texas. • U.S. farmers and ranchers produce 18 percent of the world’s beef with only 8 percent of the world’s cattle. • The U.S. ranked fourth in the world for the amount of beef eaten per capita, at 79.3 pounds, in 2016. On average, Americans average 112 pounds of beef per year. • Beef is one of the most important dietary sources of iron. You’d have to eat three cups of raw spinach to get the same amount of iron in one 3-ounce serving of beef. It’s also a source of other nutrients, including protein, B vitamins, zinc, selenium, niacin, phosphorus, riboflavin and choline. — Continued on Next Page

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Before - 2018

N-ZYME is a compilation of ingredients designed to give nutrients and energy to existing soil and microbial population. We have applied one quart per acre in spring and one in fall on our pastures for many years. Earthworms are very active in those pastures today.

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We put in a mailbox in 2018 at our home. I dug a posthole and put all the dirt in a bucket; many years of chemicals had taken much life from the soil. Nothing but weeds could grow But after three years of aggressively treating with N-ZYME I dug another posthole within 6 inches of the ﬁrst one. We had a full 12 inches of topsoil! Today our yard is the talk of the neighborhood.

The onions are from the same Arkansas garden the same day. The big one was grown on soil treated with N-ZYME.

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Brown ground beef. Pour off drippings. Stir in beans, salsa and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring frequently. Stir in cilantro. Serve beef mixture over macaroni. Cook’s Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

Know a Good Recipe? Send in your favorite recipe 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

MAY 9, 2022

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BRAHMAN INFLUENCE COW & BULL SALE Saturday, June 4, 2022 • Noon

Closed, Exclusive Sale – No Drive Ups Accepted Expecting 400 Head

Farm #1: Field Rep: Colt Keeling; Phone: 417-489-8864 • 70 Cows: Jamison Herefords. Bred to Hudgins Brahman bulls. Fall calving. • 35 Registered Jamison Hereford Pairs: 3-in-1 pairs with Braford calves at side. Bred back to Registered Hudgins Brahman bulls. • 25 Registered Jamison Hereford Pairs: Braford calves at side. (All Hereford cows are 4-5 Y/O, on their 2nd calf. All home raised and half-sisters.) • 55 Braford Pairs: Have Charolais calves at side and exposed back to Charolais bulls. This is 2nd calves. All are half-sisters and home raised. • 40 Braford OPEN Heifers: All half-sister and home raised. Out of Registered Jamison Hereford cows and Registered Hudgins Brahman bulls. • 4 Hudgins Brahman Bulls: 4-5 Y/O Farm #2: Field Rep: Cade Hammen; Phone: 417-342-3407 • 70 Full Blood Brahman Cows: 2-5 Y/O. Handful are pairs, rest are 2nd and 3rd stage. Bred to full blood Brahman bulls. • 4 Full Blood Brahman Bulls Farm #3: Field Rep: Colt Keeling; Phone: 417-489-8864 • 30 Braford Pairs: 2-5 Y/O. Charolais and Angus calves at side. Exposed back to Charolais and Angus bulls. All are home raised. Farm #4: Field Rep: Colby Hammen; Phone: 417-489-2684 • 35 Super Baldy Heifers: All A.I. bred to Black Angus bull named Patriarch. Due to start calving September 15th. Farm #5: Field Rep: Colt Keeling; Phone: 417-489-8864 -27 OPEN Heifers: 11 Brahman, 7 Tigerstripe and Chocolates, 6 Black- 3/4 Brahman, and 3 Brangus Baldies. All longtime weaned, gentle, and current on shots. Will weight 600-700+ lbs.

FOUR STATE STOCKYARDS (417) 835-3000

Continued from Previous Page • 70 percent of food service operators say steak on the menu increases traffic. Not bad for a bunch of cattle. When it comes to cattle, the thought generally goes to beef, and there is nothing better on the grill than a hamburger or steak. Dietary preferences aside, there are many by-products of beef that folks use daily, products many might not think about having a connection to the cattle industry. Beef2Live.com says 99 percent of a harvested beef animal will be used for meat and other products, including adhesives, fertilizer, steel ball bearings, shaving cream, biodegradable detergents, tires, tennis racket strings and other sporting equipment. A single cowhide can produce 144 baseballs, 12 basketballs, 18 volleyball or soccer balls, or 12 baseball gloves. It puzzles me how an industry that generates billions of dollars for the nation’s economy can is branded as bad, but that’s what some of our counterparts think. I don’t think they realize how much their daily lives include the cattle industry. Cattle production is blamed for increased methane gas levels, which has been scientif-

ically proven to be false. Still, some folks just can’t let it go. UC Davis’ Frank Mitloehner, a professor and air quality specialist, has stated that cows and other ruminants account for just 4 percent of all greenhouse gases produced in the United States. Beef cattle are responsible for just 2 percent of direct emissions. Transportation and electricity account for nearly 60 percent of greenhouse emissions. We always knew the air was cleaner in the country, and this data only proves it. Cattle are all-natural lawn mowers and don’t require a battery, oil or gas like motorized mowers. They also leave a little natural fertilizer along the way to help regenerate the grasses and other forages they consume. Finally, cattle have the ultimate superpower – converting grass and grain into beef. Not bad for a bunch of cattle.

Life Is Simple Continued from Page 3 There is hardly a week that goes by that the obituary page doesn’t describe someone I knew. If I turn to the birth announcements, I, more often than not, know the child’s grandparents or great-grandparents. When I read the court records, the family names still ring with a familiarity of my younger days. If there are pictures accompanying a story, I can usually identify the place without reading the caption, and I’ve been able to do that every Thursday. My family reminds me that even my

hometown weekly paper is available online, just like the big boys, and if I’m so obsessed with making sure I keep my Thursday ritual intact, I could simply log on and read it on the computer. Again, refer to paragraph number 1. I guess I’ll just have to adapt to change and deal with the fact that I may have to read the deaths, births, court cases, and fascinating pictures from my hometown not every Thursday like I have my entire lifetime, but sometimes on a Friday. Last week, it arrived on a Saturday… a SATURDAY!

fourstatestockyards.com 9735 MO-76 • Exeter, MO 65647

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MAY 9, 2022

meet your

neighbors

Always a Cattleman By Mandy Villines

Jim Owens grew up in the family farm and continues that tradition today

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One side sheeted. One gable sheeted materials.

Jim Owens has been a cattleman his entire life, and still lives on his family’s farm.

50x100x18 Roof only Materials

Submitted Photo

When someone says “born and other breeds through the years. He utilized raised cowboy,” that would touch Hereford females bred by a Santa Gertruon the description of Jim Owens. dis bull, which produced a good, red, motIn 1940 in Huntsville, Ark., Jim was born ley-faced calf for a few years.“ into a longtime ranching family. He still A good steer calf would bring about 20 lives on the family farm on Berry Ranch cents a pound and feed was going for $2.15 Road. The farm started out at 190 acres a bag,” Jim recalled. in 1938 with 25 head of cattle. The operaJim said cattle operations were not the tion now consists of around 300 acres and norm in the area for many years, but the about 50 pairs in a cow/calf operation. poultry boom help spur the industry. “We hayed with horses until I was 15 “The commercial cow/calf market years old, then we bought our first tractor. never really took off until 1970 around It was a 8N Ford. We were livin’ up town,” these parts when everyone started growJim recalled. ing chickens commercially,” Jim recalled. Tragedy struck the Owens family, which “With the litter, we could grow more grass also includes Jim’s siblings Sam, Ken and and introduced fescue into the area, and Linda, when Jim was in his early 20s. He our land could hold more cattle. Before lost his mother to cancer and his father then, we creep fed and turned the cattle died the following year in a car crash. Jim into the woods.” and Sam wanted to keep the Jim also jumped into the poulfarm, so they bought out their try business and built two pulHuntsville, Ark. siblings. Today, Jim and Sam let houses in 1970, but got out each run their own herds, lendof the industry in about 1995. ing each other a hand when He did, however, stay in the catneeded. tle business. Jim’s cow/calf herd is priJim keeps his bulls with the herd marily Angus, but he has raised year-round, and calves are typically MAY 9, 2022

sold as feeder calves at about 500 pounds. He does retain a few select replacement heifers. He prefers to run a registered, low birth weight bull with his herd. Animal health protocols include annual vaccinations and deworming. “We lepto everything and blackleg the calves,” Jim said, adding that proper disease prevention is critical for cattle producers. “You can’t afford to lose them.” For those looking to enter the cattle business, the experienced cattleman offered a few words of wisdom. “Keep expenses low and don’t buy more than you can pay for.” Jim’s cattle operation may keep him busy, but he has time for other things. He’s a longtime member of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, former county treasurer (from 1999 to 2002) and former president of the Arkansas Team Roper Association. After 32 years, he retired as a mail carrier, and has been an auctioneer for many years. Jim’s wife of more than 50 years Ann passed in 2014. They have three children, Deb, Brent and Brad.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

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meet your neighbors

Overcoming Injury

Photos by Kacey Frederick

Rodney Huffer still suffers from memory loss after a head injury while unloading calves.

By Kacey Frederick

Oklahoma native Rodney Huffer says a 2010 accident serves as a reminder of dangers on the farm Seventy-four old Rodney Huffer with the Peace Corps to teach people adjusted the brim of his hat as he about how to care for and cultivate catdrove down the road in his Ford tle. F-350 flatbed, on a warm, windy “At that time I was just about to be afternoon. He was on his way to en- drafted to Vietnam, and the Peace sure the safety of a cow that was reported Corps kept me out of that. I had a lot by a neighbor to have wandered off. of success with what I was doing — edHe pulled up and parked his truck in ucating farmers — and Angie Debo, at front of the gate to the cow pasture, and [Oklahoma State University], and I was walked out as a hoard of cows came to contacted by the secretary of the treagreet him. He spotted the rogue cow and sury of the Kenyan government, askgrabbed a bucket out of his truck. ing me to stay on another year. Turned “They just love these cubes,” Rodney out, he had been a student of hers at said, grabbing a fist full of cubes and OSU.” tossing them into the pasture. “Every His time in Kenya was transformative time I come drivfor him. It allowed ing up, they know him to become a Marshall, Okla. what’s happening. more experienced They just go crazy farmer, help others for these cubes.” feed their families Rodney has lived in Oklahoand communities. ma birth – except for the three It’s also where he years he spent in Kenya, traveling met his wife, Mary:

a Ugandan native who had been studying in Kenya,. Rodney is an experienced cattle rancher and has seen the accomplishments farming can bring – as well as its dangers. On Dec. 3, 2010, Rodney suffered a near-fatal head injury from an accident while unloading calves at the vet to get their vaccinations. Rodney has no recollection of the accident and struggles with short-term memory loss. “I carry a notebook so I can write everything down,” Rodney said as he pulled a small notepad out from his front shirt pocket. “I don’t remember names, phone numbers, nothin’ like that. I’m lucky if I remember her name,” he laughed, pointing at his wife, Mary. When Mary first found out about what happened to Rodney, she was terrified. “The vet called me at work and told me Rodney had been in an accident,” recounted Mary, who has been Rodney’s biggest supporter throughout the recovery from his accident “They told me he had either been hit in the head or kicked in the head. Nobody saw exactly what happened.” Rodney spent about two months in the hospital and afterward had to learn how to do basic things over again, such as speaking. “I spent a long time in the hospital, and I didn’t enjoy it,” Rodney said. “They

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

had me on the first floor and they caught me crawlin’ out the window tryin’ to get out, so then they moved me to the third or fourth floor.” Thankfully, Rodney did not develop many other issues as a result of his accident, besides his inability to taste. “I can’t taste anything – nothing,” he said. “I can taste sweet things, but that’s it. Once a year, I suddenly can taste everything for one day, and then the next day it’s gone.” Since the accident, Rodney has tried to pay more attention to being careful, but he has acknowledged while working with animals such as cattle, especially for as long as he has, accidents can happen sometimes. One measure he has taken to make the process safer is hiring large trucks to come and pick up his calves for him when they need to travel. Throughout his recovery from the accident, Rodney’s dedication to farming never wavered. It was all he had ever known, and it’s what he still does to this day. “I enjoyed doing it with the Peace Corps in Kenya, and when I came home the first thing I did was go milk the cows with my dad,” he recalled. Today, Rodney has about a 100 head of cows which he keeps on four different pastures. He also has several horses, and continues farming with Mary, who works at the convenience store across the street from their home. MAY 9, 2022

eye on Submitted Photo

agri-business

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

French Feed By Julie Turner-Crawford

History: French Feed has been serving

farmers and rancher in the Clinton. Ark., n Location: Clinton, Ark. area for 32 years. Owner John French n Owner: John French bought Clinton Feed in 1990 after working there for about four years and changed the name to French Feed. “It’s been a family-owned business since then,” John said.

Products and Services: John said French Feed has a large variety of products available. “We have feed and farm supplies, garden supplies, plants, grass seed, garden seed, fertilizer; we have just a little of all of it,” he explained. “We do a lot of gardening stuff this time of year. We have always been big on plants and bulk seeds; a lot of people flock to that. We have people come from several different counties to get our gardening stuff.” French Feed also offers insecticides, herbicides, animal health products, pet supplies and many other items. Most livestock feed is offered in bagged form, but French Feed does carry 1,000-pound bulk bags. “It’s bagged when it gets to me and I pass them on through,” John explained. ADM, Powell and Hirsch feeds are the main feed lines. “I don’t carry a full line of any one product, but I have a full line of feed with the three of them combined,” he said. “Right now, 12 percent sweet feed from ADM is our top gun. It’s a good feed for the money.” In the fall, deer feed is a popular item at French Feed. Business Philosophy: “Fast, friendly service is our thing,” John said. “We

have never really called it a motto or anything, but we try to get you taken care of in a good, friendly way.”

Future plans: John plans on staying in business for many years to come.

“We have been blessed and the good Lord has been good to us,” John said. “We have been blessed for 32 years. At some point, we will have to retire, but we aren’t in any hurry.” MAY 9, 2022

Wholesale Seed Division

417-725-3512 • 1-800-648-7379

Seed Prices Accurate Day of Ad Print – Please Call for Current Pricing Wt. Lbs.

Total Germ.

Bag Lb.

$ Lb.

ALFALFA

Wt. Lbs.

Total Germ.

$ Lb.

LESPEDEZA

Bag Lb.

Cow/Horse

60 COMMON SENSE

90% 3.56 3.26

“A non-bloating legume” Summer Annual. Spring Plant.

50 HAYGRAZER

90% 3.56 3.26

50 KOBE/KOREAN MIX, Inoc/Not Coated 1.84 90% 1.96 50 KOREAN, Inoc/Not Coated

50 CIMARRON VL400

90% 3.56 3.26

3 Way Blend, Haygrazer, Cimarron 400 & 500, Inoc./Not Coated Cert., Inoc./Not Coated

Certiﬁed, Inoc./Not Coated 50 GENUITY, Roundup Ready® L446RR Coated, 65% Pure

GRAINS

7.96 Bu.

Bag

48 GOLIATH OAT

13.31 19.96

48 HORSEPOWER OAT

13.32 19.98

Hay Type/Tall

Combine-Type/Dual Purpose

48 HAYDEN OAT 50 SOYBEANS - LAREDO Very Tall Hay Type

13.29 19.94 39.74

50 SOYBEANS

29.95

Roundup Ready Willcross WXR7878, 3.5’ Tall ®

50 SOYBEANS

38.90

Liberty Link Willcross

SUDAN/MILLET

0.68

50 HYBRID “BMR” SUDAN

1.07

Piper Cross = Low Prussic Acid SWEET CHOW, Extended Season

50 HYBRID PEARL MILLET 1.54 50 GERMAN MILLET, Strain R, Horse & Cattle 0.92

SORGHUMS

50 50 50 50 50 50

GRAIN ADDITIVES

SPRING PEA, Little Giant, 0.76 Mix TURNIPS, Purple Top TURNIPS, 7 Top Forage RADISH, Daikon COWPEAS, Iron & Clay COLLARDS, Impact Forage

0.96 1.78 1.88 1.98 1.32 2.48

Bag Lb.

“Little Giant”

50 MILO - GRAIN SORGHUM

2.26 1.86

50 WILD BIRD GRAIN MILO

1.26 0.96

95 DAY, SAFENED Non-Hybrid

WARM SEASON

48.90

Enlist® Willcross, 2, 4-D, Liberty, Roundup 80K CORN, Roundup Ready® Lewis RB115RR2 168.50 80K CORN, Roundup Ready® Silage 224.00

$ Lb.

50 HYB. FORAGE SORGHUM, GW-400 BMR 1.64 1.94 50 FORAGE SORGHUM BRACHYTIC, BMR

50 SOYBEANS

$ Lb.

50 SAFE “T” GRAZE SUDAN

50 CHEROKEE BERMUDA, HULLED/RAW

7.96

50 WRANGLER BERMUDA, 50% COATED

6.48

50 STAMPEDE BERMUDA

6.18

50 50 50 50 50

3.98 1.98 2.68 5.36 1.74

6#=47.76/acre

12#=77.76/acrea, Wrangler is limited, we may allocate quantities

0.74 1.58 1.68 1.78 1.12 2.28

60% WRANGLER BLEND COMMON BERMUDA, HULLED/COATED TEFF GRASS - CORVALLIS, COATED TEFF GRASS, Raw CRABGRASS - RED RIVER, Aged SUNN HEMP - LEGUME, Use Inoc. No Sell to AR

SAVE YOUR SEED SAMPLE • SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE 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.

510 W Mt Vernon, Nixa, MO 65714

nixahardware.com

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

ozarks

roots

the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home

By Julie Turner-Crawford

Onyx Cave has been open to the public for more than 100 years

The “Natural State” is known for its scenic beauty, sparkling lakes and streams and abundant wildlife. But there’s a lot more Arkansas to see underground. There are thousands of caves in Arkansas, with only a few open to the public for tours. The oldest among the “show caves” is Onyx Cave, located just a few miles outside of Eureka Springs, Ark. Onyx Cave Park manager Noah Hutchison said the cave was discovered in 1891 and began offering tours in 1893. “According to the history, there was a brief history in the late 1920s, early 1930s where it was abandoned,” Noah said. “Since the 1950s, it has been open continuously.” Onyx Cave is not a sprawling cavern, with the cave being only about 325 feet deep. “On average, it takes about half an hour to 45 minutes to explore the cave,” he said, adding visitors cannot get lost because there is one way in and one way out. The name may be Onyx Cave, but it is not made of onyx. “Like most caves around here, it is a limestone cave,” Noah explained. “The ‘onyx’ comes from onyx flowstone. They call it cave onyx, but it is a calcite flowstone that makes the formations. We have spots where it’s new, meaning it formed in the last couple hundred years, with bright white cave onyx forming. Formations dull in color over time.” The cave may be small, but it is filled with awe. “We have the formation called The Fireplace,” Noah said. “It’s a large column where stalagmites and stalactites formed. At some point, it was broken open, so there have been lights placed inside it. When the lights kick on, it’s pretty dramatic. There is a piece of celling that has fallen that looks like a dragon’s head, so we call it The Dragon’s head. That gets a lot of photos.” Noah added some of the formations in the cave date back to 10,000 to 12,000 B.C. “They were just little drops on the ceiling then,” he said. Many show caves do not allow photos to be taken inside, but it is encouraged at Onyx Cave. “We just ask that people don’t touch anything,” Noah said. “It’s still a living, growing cave.” The cave also has unique features called “boxwork” formations. “Normal formations are stalactites and stalagmites formed by accumulation; the minerals are building up and building up,” Noah explained. “Boxwork is formed, usually, by a big shift in the Earth.”

Visitors venture into the cave for a self-guided tour, and each guest is given a headset. “Each group goes down individually, so you are just there with your group,” Noah explained. “There are seven little stops along the path, and the audio talks about that area of the cave and the history. On the way back out, you can take all of the time you want and enjoy the cave. “People really like not being in a big group, and you can take all the time you want, all of the pictures you want; there’s no rush. The recording is from 1975, but it is still incredibly informative, and most people don’t know it’s that old until the voice mentions the flash cubes. Each year our attendance has increases, so people seem to enjoy it.” In addition to the cave, Onyx Cave Park offers a few other attractions for guests, including a gift shop, ax throwing and a smash room. Visitors can also try their luck at gemstone panning. “We have a sluice and we have pre-loaded gemstones in bags. When you pick it up, it looks like a bag of dirt, but you rinse it off in the sluice and wash the dirt away, you reveal the gemstones. We see a lot of parents get bags for the kids, then in about 5 minutes, they are back buying a bag for themselves or another one for the kids. It’s a good time.” Noah, who has been with Onyx Cave Park for five years and grew up in the area, said Onyx cave is special in many ways. “I guess I was about 16 and high school the first time I came,” Noah recalled. “When I interviewed for this job, we walked through the cave. I remembered it as being a small cave, but I was just taken back by the various formations in there. While it’s small, you get basically everything packed into one little trip. Walking in there, for me, and thinking about how long its been down there. When you set into the cave, you are stepping back millions of years.” The public is welcome to tour the cave, but some visitors may find it difficult to navigate. “There are 14 steps down into the cave,” Noah explained. “There are five or six gentle steps throughout, but it’s pretty much a gentle path. The real journey is from the parking lot, down the hill to the gift shop. It’s a fairly steep, a switchback ramp, then a set of stairs.” Onyx Cave Park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., during the peak season, but goes to weekends only after Thanksgiving, then closing the month of January.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MAY 9, 2022

Submitted Photo

town &

country

in the field and in the office

Sp ash Sale 0% FINANCING 1023E + LOADER

4044M + LOADER

Byron Suggs By Terry Ropp

In Town: “I am a town person. When I

was a senior, my father George purchased a small body shop in Prairie Grove, Ark. While attending the University of Arkansas, I discovered I could make more money in the shop than I could teaching history and returned to the shop for 30 years before retiring two years ago.”

n Family: Wife LeAnn Suggs, and grown daughters Lauren and Brianna

In the Country: “I always wanted to be in production agriculture, like my cousin John Robert Hart, when I retired. Many years ago, my grandparents owned 280 acres completely surrounded by the National Forest in Crawford County, Ark. When my grandmother, Nora Hyler, passed, I bought the land and spent 20 years developing a hunting property for out-of-state hunters. After retirement, I purchased 67 acres near Hogeye, subsequently buying eight commercial Angus cow/calf pairs due to their popular color and reportedly few birthing issues. I was a complete novice. John Robert and many others like, Donnie Napier, helped me learn. I recently sold my first batch of steers at 550 to 600 pounds, while retaining heifers for herd growth. I band rather than castrate and wean in a couple of months because I have plenty of grass for fair weather grazing and haying. As a method of learning more about land management and production agriculture, I began custom baling years ago. During cold weather, I alternate feeding cubes one day and hay the next. I work my herd once a year, with the calves receiving two rounds of shots.” Future: “The first order of new business will be purchasing a purebred though not papered Angus bull. My goal is to maintain 30 momma cows and build a new hay barn to provide good, protected hay for my cattle.” MAY 9, 2022

3025E + LOADER Scan for more info

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3870 Highway 412 East, Siloam Springs, AR • 479-524-2371 www.bentoncountysalebarn.com

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

FARM HEALTH & INSURANCE By Cheryl Kepes

Preventing livestock-tohuman disease transmission Working with livestock can be rewarding, exhausting, frustrating and exciting all at the same time. Life as a farmer comes with many successes and challenges. One aspect of farming some producers may overlook is the possibility of getting sick from their livestock. There are illnesses producers can contract from their animals. The transmission of diseases from livestock to humans is rare. Nonetheless, there are management practices producers should keep in mind when working with animals in order to stay healthy.

Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that can spread from animals to people. Most commonly producers contract Brucellosis while they are assisting with the delivery of a calf because they are working with fluids and tissues. “Brucellosis not only can affect cattle, but it can affect sheep and goat species, swine species and our canine species,” Sarah Reinkemeyer, DVM and epidemiologist with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, explained. Cattle producers can vaccinate calves less than 12 months of age for Brucellosis. Missouri has been a Brucellosis free state since 2004, therefore the risk of animal to

Producer Health

human transmission is low. However, taking the proper precautions when working with animals will ensure producers stay healthy. Wearing gloves and thorough hand washing will help minimize the risk of contracting Brucellosis.

West Nile Virus

The West Nile virus can be found in horses. In equine cases, a mosquito serves as the vector of the virus. The mosquito acts as a carrier that can transmit the virus to humans as well. Horses can be vaccinated against West Nile virus. In addition, producers can take preventative measures by applying insect repellent and implementing other mosquito control measures.

Salmonellosis

This illness is contracted indirectly from livestock. Humans can pick up Salmonellosis from eggs and baby chicks that are not handled properly. “It is important to make sure the outside of the egg is thoroughly cleaned, and the egg is cooked to temperature. It is also important to wash hands thoroughly after handling baby chicks,” Reinkemeyer explained.

Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium is an infection that is spread by fecal oral transmission. Cryptosporidium most commonly occurs in calves and young livestock that have scours or diarrhea. In these cases, producers get feces on their hands and inadvertently consume fecal material. People who are infected with Cryptosporidium exhibit symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea. The best way for producers to keep from getting this illness is to wear gloves while working with livestock and wash their hands thoroughly when finished.

Zoonotic Influenza

Avian Influenza, Swine Influenza, Equine Influenza, and Canine Influenza are all illnesses that producers can catch from their animals. “Any Influenza A virus has the potential to infect humans,” Reinkemeyer stated. “Anytime people are working around animals known to have influenza, it is good to have proper PPE (personal protective equipment).” Experts recommend wearing a mask and gloves.

“The best prevention is to thoroughly wash your hands after handling livestock. When assisting with livestock births, always wear gloves or sleeves to prevent exposure to the reproductive – Dr. Sarah Reinkemeyer, DVM tissues and fluids.” Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

Rabies

The concern surrounding rabies is not regarding livestock, but in relation to bats, skunks, raccoons, and other animals. “It is something that we want to keep in mind that this is a disease that can be transmitted from animals found on many farms,” Reinkemeyer said. The wild animals carrying rabies can infect livestock and humans.

Prevention Measures

Following solid, sanitary protocols protects producers from many of these diseases. “The best prevention is to thoroughly wash your hands after handling livestock,” Reinkemeyer said. “When assisting with livestock births, always wear gloves or sleeves to prevent exposure to the reproductive tissues and fluids.” When processing meat, make sure it is done under sanitary conditions. Any fecal material that gets into the meat could cause E.coli or Salmonella infections. During processing, wear gloves and proper PPE. Vaccination serves as a viable option as prevention for some of the diseases. Disease transmission from livestock to humans is uncommon. But at the same time, it’s important for producers to take preventative measures to protect themselves. MAY 9, 2022

farm health & insurance

Are You Ready for Joint Replacement? By Anita Harrison

Talking with an orthopedic surgeon will help patients decide when the time is right Farmers value independence. It’s one of the benefits of the job. But it’s hard to stay healthy and active with a bad hip, shoulder or knee. “You can’t afford to let joint pain hold you back on the farm,” said Lake Regional Orthopedic Surgeon Jeffrey Mutchler, D.O. “The good news is, you don’t have to grin and bear it. Total joint replacement is a safe, effective treatment that renews confidence and restores independence.” Like any big decision, you’ll want to get all the facts first, Dr. Mutchler added. “It is major surgery, and you want to learn as much as possible to ensure you are ready,” he said. “Talking with an orthopedic surgeon will help you know if it’s the right time for you.” Here are five signs it’s time to have that talk.

Pain is ruling your life. When joint pain makes it hard to sleep or forces you to change your daily routine, that’s a sign your current coping tactics aren’t enough.

You’ve already tried other treatments. “Nonsurgical treatments, such as physical therapy and injections, might bring enough relief to make surgery unnecessary, or at least delay it,” Dr. Mutchler said. “But if you’ve tried other treatments and they no longer work, or you’re starting to deal with unwanted side effects, it makes sense to look at surgery.”

You are losing independence. It’s one thing to give up a once-in-awhile game of basketball. It’s another to find yourself unable to climb into a truck or put on socks. Joint replacement is important for getting people back to their normal daily activities.

MAY 9, 2022

Washington County Farmers Mutual Fire I N S U R A N C E

Company

FARM • HOME • LIABILITY 2209 North Henbest Drive • Fayetteville, Ark.

479-442-2612

washingtonins.net SERVING THE ARKANSAS AREA SINCE 1922

You are ready to take on surgery and recovery. You must commit to follow through on doctor’s orders for exercise and rehabilitation. “Joint replacement is not an instant fix,” Dr. Mutchler said. “Success depends on you putting in the time and effort to get strong.” Committing to the full process is so important that Lake Regional offers Total Joint Camp, a two-hour class that walks through the process, from start to full function. Loved ones are welcome to attend and absorb as much information as possible. Your orthopedic surgeon will review your medical history to ensure no health problem rules out surgery. You also might be encouraged to make some lifestyle changes – for example, quitting smoking – to be as healthy as possible for the procedure and recovery.

Know What’s Coming,

Before It’s Here…

The Ozarks Farm & Neighbor look ahead email is sent directly in your email: • A brief look at the coming issue. • Additional content not in the print edition. • Information about upcoming agricultural events in the Ozarks.

Signup today for free by visiting join.ozarksfn.com www.ozarksfn.com

1-866-532-1960

You feel it’s time. Maybe you’ve heard that you have to be a certain age to be a candidate for joint replacement. Although age is a consideration, it’s no longer the deciding factor for most people. Instead, the focus is on symptoms and quality of life. Are you missing activities you enjoy? Are you feeling down because you can’t do what you want and need to do? Are you ready to commit to recovery? “Your orthopedic surgeon will help you weigh any age consideration with the potential gains in quality of life,” Dr. Mutchler said. “You will know if the time is right.” Anita Harrison is the assistant manager for lake Regional Public Relations. She can be reached at 573-302-2770 or by email at aharrison@lakeregional.com

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

slaughter

market sales reports Norwood, Mo. • Producers Auction Yards Sheep/Goat

bulls

(Week of 4/24/22 to 4/30/22)

4/23/22

Receipts: 965 85.00-111.00 † Arkansas Cattle Auction Compared to last month slaughter lambs traded steady. Ash Flat Livestock Auction 85.00-112.00 † Midwest - High Plains Direct Slaughter Cattle 5/1/22 Slaughter ewes also traded steady. Not enough replace† Benton County Sale Barn - Siloam Springs None Reported ment sheep for a market comparison. In the goat portion 5 Area (Tx-Ok, Ks, Neb, Ia, Colo, Nm, Mn) Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction 91.00-118.00* of the sale feeder kid goats traded 10.00-25.00 higher with Live Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice † Cleburne County Livestock Auction 94.00-110.00 slaughter kid goats trading 25.00-60.00 higher. Not enough Steers: 139.00-148.00; wtd. avg. price 144.43. † County Line Sale Barn 74.00-94.00 volume of other classes of goats to quote a trend. Supply was Heifers: 139.00-147.00; wtd. avg. price 142.97. Decatur Livestock Auction moderate to heavy with good demand. Supply included: 78% 90.00-129.00* Dressed Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice Vinita Stockyards Slaughter Sheep/Lambs (1% Wooled & Shorn, 88% Hair 97.00-110.00* Steers: 231.00-234.00 ; wtd. avg. price 233.24. None Reported* Breeds, 10% Hair Ewes, 0% Hair Bucks); 4% Replacement Farmers Regional Sale Barn - Springdale Heifers: 231.00-231.00; wtd. avg. price 231.00. Fort Smith Stockyards Sheep/Lambs (30% Hair Ewes, 70% Families); 6% Feeder 60.00-112.50* Four State Stockyards Goats (100% Kids); 11% Slaughter Goats (69% Kids, 22% 93.00-119.00* Nannies/Does, 4% Bucks/Billies, 4% Wether Kids); 1% I-40 Livestock - Ozark 81.00-116.50 † Joplin Regional Stockyards Replacement Goats (100% Families). 93.00-120.00 † Mid-State Stockyards Slaughter Sheep/Lambs: 120.00* Buffalo, Mo. • Buffalo Livestock Market Sheep/Goat 4/26/22 North Arkansas Livestock Wooled & Shorn - Choice and Prime 1-3 (per cwt): 340.00. 75.00-121.50 † Receipts: 874 Wooled & Shorn - Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 200.00. 96.00-121.00 † OKC West - El Reno Compared to last month slaughter lambs traded steady. Hair Breeds - Choice and Prime 1-3 (per cwt): 350.00Ouachita Livestock Auction - Ola Not Reported † Slaughter ewes traded 10.00-16.00 lower. In the goat portion 430.00. Ozarks Regional Stockyards 80.00-136.00 † of the sale feeder kid goats traded steady with slaughter kid Hair Breeds - Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 250.00-352.50. Stilwell Livestock 68.00-95.00* goats trading 9.00-17.00 higher. Slaughter nannies traded Hair Breeds - Good 1-2 (per cwt): 265.00-280.00. Tulsa Livestock Auction 95.00-114.00 † steady. Supply moderate to heavy with very good demand. Hair Ewes - Good 2-3 (per cwt): 145.00-155.00. Welch Stockyards Not Reported* Supply included: 71% Slaughter Sheep/Lambs (4% Wooled & Hair Ewes - Good 2-3 (per head): 155.00. Shorn, 77% Hair Breeds, 5% Ewes, 12% Hair Ewes, 0% Bucks, 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per head): 125.00-160.00. 1% Hair Bucks); 7% Feeder Goats (100% Kids); 22% Slaughter Hair Ewes - Cull and Utility 1-2 (per cwt): 85.00-100.00. Goats (39% Kids, 51% Nannies/Does, 5% Bucks/Billies, 2% Hair Bucks - 1-2 (per cwt): 100.00. Wethers, 3% Wether Kids). Replacement Sheep/Lambs: Slaughter Sheep/Lambs: Hair Ewes - Small and Medium 1-2 (per head): 245.00(Week of 4/24/22 to 4/30/22) Wooled & Shorn - Choice and Prime 1-3 (per cwt): 275.00290.00. Arkansas Cattle Auction 56.00-87.00 † 345.00. Families - Small and Medium 1-2 w/<20 lbs lamb (per famAsh Flat Livestock 20.00-88.00 † Wooled & Shorn - Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 250.00-257.50. ily): 210.00-290.00. Benton County Sale Bar - Siloam Springs None Reported † Hair Breeds - Choice and Prime 1-3 (per cwt): 345.00-500.00. Families - Small and Medium 1-2 w/20-40 lbs lamb (per Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction 60.00-85.00* Hair Breeds - Choice 1-3 (per cwt): 280.00-330.00. family): 435.00. Cleburne County Livestock Auction 56.00-86.00 † Hair Breeds - Good 1-2 (per cwt): 220.00-245.00. Feeder Goats: 33.00-80.00 † County Line Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per cwt): 90.00-115.00. Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 450.00. None Reported* Decatur Livestock Auction Hair Ewes - Good 2-3 (per cwt): 150.00-172.50. Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 275.00-350.00. 65.00-110.00* Vinita Stockyards Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3 (per cwt): 112.00-135.00. Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 170.00. Farmers Regional Sale Barn 55.00-95.00* Hair Ewes - Cull and Utility 1-2 (per cwt): 95.00. Slaughter Goats: Fort Smith Stockyards 20.00-85.00* Bucks 1-2 (per cwt): 80.00. Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 370.00-450.00. 30.00-88.00* Four State Stockyards Hair Bucks - 1-2 (per cwt): 100.00-135.00. Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 350.00. I-40 Livestock 38.00-83.00 † Feeder Goats: Kids - Selection 3 (per cwt): 155.00. Joplin Regional 40.00-93.00 † Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 355.00-425.00. Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 150.00-220.00. Mid-State Stockyards 98.00* Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 242.00-307.50. Bucks/Billies - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 180.00-200.00. † North Arkansas Livestock - Green Forest 15.00-88.00 Slaughter Goats: Wether Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 415.00. † OKC West - El Reno 57.00-99.00 Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 350.00-415.00. Replacement Goats: † Ouachita Livestock Auction - Ola Not Reported Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 240.00-295.00. Families - Selection 1-2 w/<20 lbs kid (per family): 180.00Ozarks Reg 32.00-89.00 † Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 120.00-255.00. 420.00. Stilwell Livestock 38.00-83.00* Bucks/Billies - Selection 1-2 (per cwt): 170.00-220.00. † Tulsa Livestock Auction 59.00-100.00 Wethers - Selection 2 (per cwt): 250.00. Welch Stockyards Not Reported* Wether Kids - Selection 1 (per cwt): 400.00. Wether Kids - Selection 2 (per cwt): 260.00.

beef

sheep &

slaughter

cattle

goats

cows

110

National Sheep Summary

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.

Decatur Livestock*

Vinita Stockyards*

4/26/22 913

County Line Sale Ratcliff✝ 4/27/22 203

4/26/22 700

4/27/22 -----

Farmers Regional Sale Barn* 4/25/22 107

Uneven

-----

St-15 Higher

-----

Steady

Uneven

St-6 Higher

186.00-190.00 160.00-196.00 140.00-187.00 134.00-186.00 144.00-156.00

200.00-218.00 185.00-220.00 174.00-204.00 140.00-180.00 150.00-155.00

180.00-217.00 170.00-212.00 160.00-196.00 150.00-185.00 140.00-155.00

186.00-207.50 180.00-200.00 176.00-191.00 ---------

178.00-189.00 178.00-191.00 170.00-182.00 161.00-170.00 -----

185.00-229.00 180.00-219.00 175.00-204.00 170.00-190.00 140.00-160.00

130.00-210.00 130.00-205.00 144.00-181.00 140.00-176.00 146.00-166.00

177.50-190.00 181.00-210.00 158.00-179.00 160.00-173.00 140.00-165.00

154.00-210.00 140.00-201.00 152.00-200.00 133.00-186.00 123.00-157.00

190.00-226.00 180.00-206.00 175.00-200.00 166.00-185.00 152.00-165.50

185.00-210.00 150.00-204.00 161.00-187.00 160.00-173.00 148.00-150.00

215.00-222.50 202.00-222.00 188.00-209.00 173.50-189.50 158.00-167.00

140.00-202.50 140.00-185.00 135.00-167.50 140.00-159.00 -----

165.00-193.00 170.00-189.00 146.00-173.00 142.00-163.00 -----

187.00-207.00 174.00-215.00 154.00-197.00 120.00-166.00 128.00-146.00

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

193.00-197.00 162.00-181.00 167.00 145.00-170.00 127.00

--------167.00-172.00 135.00-151.00 -----

180.00-210.00 160.00-194.00 150.00-189.00 125.00-156.00 120.00-148.00

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

160.00-205.00 159.00-199.00 150.00-186.00 142.50-172.00 125.00-157.00

--------151.00-187.00 144.00-168.00 136.00-144.00

------------166.00 156.00

155.00-173.00 145.00-170.00 136.00-164.00 120.00-139.00 -----

151.00-174.00 140.00-176.00 120.00-151.00 ----122.00-124.00

164.00-190.00 150.00-180.00 144.00-167.00 140.00-158.00 121.00-143.00

150.00-176.00 145.00-172.00 135.00-159.00 127.00-152.00 120.00-150.00

158.00-180.00 140.00-163.00 149.00-153.00 129.00-142.00 -----

155.00-165.00 155.00-163.00 146.00-168.50 140.00-149.00 140.00

160.00-178.00 145.00-167.00 140.00-166.00 130.00-153.00 120.00-147.00

154.00-178.00 149.00-178.00 110.00-159.00 138.00-153.00 116.00-144.00

148.00-161.00 145.00-162.00 134.00-147.00 106.00-132.00 -----

140.00-180.00 129.00-178.00 104.00-175.00 102.00-155.00 102.00-133.00

160.00-195.00 145.00-169.00 145.50-165.00 147.00-168.75 131.00-152.00

167.50-185.00 155.00-180.00 142.50-163.00 140.00-158.00 132.00-141.00

186.00-200.00 165.00-183.00 158.00-174.00 157.00-166.00 146.00-155.00

Ash Flat Livestock✝

So 24 18

12 6 0

prices

Cleburne County Livestock✝ 4/25/22 199

Ark. Cattle Auction, LLC - Searcy✝ 4/26/22 915

Cattlemen’s Livestock*

4/29/22 787

Benton Co. - Siloam Springs✝ 4/28/22 1,710

Uneven

170.00-225.00 170.00-202.50 160.00-175.00 140.00-160.00 -----

NONE REPORTED

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

National Dai

Cheese: Ba $2.3700. T (-0.0245) a Fluid Milk expanding warm tem Overall n compariso year over the coasts some scho hiatuses. C prices in t III. Conde to tighter. condensed few weeks ice cream multiples 1.24 to 1.3 West. SPOT PR POUND B Midweste

130

stocker & feeder

Steers, Med. & Lg. 1

4/29/22

Compared to last week slaughter lambs sold unevenly, 20.0030.00 higher at San Angelo, TX and steady to 20.00 lower at New Holland, PA. Slaughter ewes were mostly steady to 10.00 lower, except thin ewes at Sioux Falls 5.00-10.00 higher. Feeder lambs were not well tested. At San Angelo, TX 5,854 head sold in a one day sale. No sales in Equity Cooperative Auction. Superior Video sold 525 slaughter lambs in New Mexico and 550 feeder lambs in Idaho. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs not tested. 3,755 lamb carcasses traded with no trend due to confidentiality. All sheep sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless specified. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3 San Angelo: wooled and shorn 120-140 lbs 208.00-240.00; 155-170 lbs 150.00-178.00. New Holland, PA: wooled and shorn 100-130 lbs 335.00375.00; 155-180 lbs 215.00-270.00. Ft. Collins, CO: wooled and shorn 110-115 lbs 330.00335.00. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 100-135 lbs 212.50-226.00; 171 lbs 183.00. Kalona, IA: wooled and shorn 100-120 lbs no test. Billings, MT: wooled and shorn 120-125 lbs no test. Missouri: wooled and shorn no test. Equity Coop: no sales. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2: San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 340.00-378.00; 60-70 lbs 330.00380.00, few 382.00-386.00; 70-80 lbs 336.00-372.00, few 376.00; 80-90 lbs 322.00-359.00, few 374.00-378.00; 90-110 lbs 318.00-336.00. wooled and shorn 52 lbs 360.00; 60-70 lbs 330.00-366.00; 74 lbs 359.00; 80 lbs 344.00; 90-110 lbs 295.00-315.00. New Holland: wooled and shorn 40-50 lbs 352.00-390.00; 50-60 lbs 360.00-387.00, few 405.00-410.00; 60-70 lbs 342.00385.00; 70-80 lbs 325.00-367.00; 80-90 lbs 330.00-370.00; 90-100 lbs 315.00-365.00. hair 40-50 lbs 370.00-385.00; 50-60 lbs 335.00-380.00; 60-70 lbs 342.00-355.00; 70-80 lbs 325.00335.00, few 360.00-370.00; 80-90 lbs 310.00-335.00; 90-100 lbs 310.00-352.00. Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 71 lbs 335.00; 85 lbs 320.00; 90-100 lbs 330.00-340.00. hair 40-50 lbs 320.00-350.00; 54 lbs 315.00; 60-70 lbs 300.00-310.00; 90-100 lbs 315.00-320.00. Kalona: no test. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 80-90 lbs 295.00-305.00; 90-100 lbs 295.00-302.50. hair 84 lbs 275.00. Billings: no test.

Fort Smith Four State I-40 Joplin Mi Stockyards* Stockyards - Livestock Regional Stoc Exeter, Mo* Ozark✝ Stockyards✝ 4/26/22 4/28/22 4/25/22 4/25/22 4/ 1,568 657 4,849 692

✝ USDA Reported * Independently Reported

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

MAY 9, 2022

150. 110.0 115. 100 100

100 100 100 95. 90.

12 Month Avg. -

✝ USDA Reported * Independently Reported

$200

ooled and shorn 40-50 lbs 352.00-390.00; 387.00, few 405.00-410.00; 60-70 lbs 342.00325.00-367.00; 80-90 lbs 330.00-370.00; -365.00. hair 40-50 lbs 370.00-385.00; 50-60 ; 60-70 lbs 342.00-355.00; 70-80 lbs 325.000-370.00; 80-90 lbs 310.00-335.00; 90-100 . ed and shorn 71 lbs 335.00; 85 lbs 320.00; -340.00. hair 40-50 lbs 320.00-350.00; 54 lbs 300.00-310.00; 90-100 lbs 315.00-320.00.

ooled and shorn 80-90 lbs 295.00-305.00; -302.50. hair 84 lbs 275.00.

100

avg. grain prices Soybeans

Daily Report 5/2/22

Soft Wheat

Corn

Sorghum

24 18

17.04

16.95

16.45

16.75

10.06

10.11

9.96

10.36

7.76

Hele

7.76

Elain

8.04

7.58

eola

Osc

Little

Fort Smith Stockyards Four State Stockyards - Exeter I-40 Live Joplin Regional Stockyards

7.63

Roc

700.00-1400.00 * 975.00-1200.00 * None Reported *

900.00-1170.00 * 500.00-1165.00 † 910.00-1200.00 † 650.00-1350.00 *

100

600

None Reported †

2000.00 * None Reported *

Not Reported †

2100

2600

210.00-221.00 196.00-212.00 175.00-203.00 165.00-181.00 142.00-160.00

218.00-229.00 208.00-226.00 185.00-208.50 164.00-178.00 150.00-160.00

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

185.00 175.00 159.00-170.00 146.00-158.00 140.00

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

182.00-193.00 180.00-196.50 165.50-185.50 164.00-173.50 -----

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

167.50-175.00 157.00-175.00 155.00-167.00 149.25-157.00 141.00-145.00

164.00-183.00 168.00-181.00 138.00-159.00 130.00-153.00 128.00-138.00

173.00-186.00 166.00-185.00 154.00-170.00 138.00-160.00 -----

--------151.00-187.00 144.00-168.00 136.00-144.00

------------166.00 156.00

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

168.00-200.00 150.00-180.00 157.00-174.00 137.00-168.00 145.00-152.00

215.00 192.50 176.00-190.00 ---------

-195.00 -169.00 -165.00 -168.75 -152.00

167.50-185.00 155.00-180.00 142.50-163.00 140.00-158.00 132.00-141.00

186.00-200.00 165.00-183.00 158.00-174.00 157.00-166.00 146.00-155.00

100.00-185.00 100.00-172.00 100.00-160.00 95.00-153.00 90.00-135.00

150.00-176.00 150.00-173.00 146.00-163.50 137.00-149.00 129.00-137.00

192.50-202.50 166.00-187.50 159.00-172.50 145.00-168.00 140.50-149.50

MAY 9, 2022

NOT REPORTED

210.00-229.00 200.00-218.00 185.00-206.00 175.00-187.00 160.00-171.00

NOT REPORTED ---------------------

-205.00 -199.00 -186.00 -172.00 -157.00

158.73

137.76 146.41 165.81 163.14

146.97 **

190.00

-----

202.50-237.50 199.00-217.50 192.50-204.00 159.00-191.00 146.00-169.00

157.51

164.58

177.28

St-6 Higher

190.00-216.00 175.00-211.00 164.00-199.00 160.00-172.00 -----

184.21 168.00

161.78 155.66

166.27

St-5 Higher

150.00-230.00 110.00-205.00 115.00-190.00 100.00-169.00 100.00-155.00

191.67 176.18

Not Reported †

St-3 Higher

215.00-222.50 202.00-222.00 188.00-209.00 173.50-189.50 158.00-167.00

163.00 151.12

None Reported *

-----

185.00-210.00 150.00-204.00 161.00-187.00 160.00-173.00 148.00-150.00

149.66

193.25

191.48

Welch Stockyards*

-226.00 -206.00 -200.00 -185.00 -165.50

145.01

195.20

Tulsa Livestock Auction✝ 4/25/22 1,966

Uneven

165.99 158.37

Stilwell Livestock Auction* 4/27/22 460

Uneven

151.17

170.00

Ozarks Regional West Plains✝ 4/26/22 2,495

-----

138.70

188.31

None Reported †

800.00-1550.00 * None Reported *

1600

151.20 138.00

188.32

None Reported †

850.00-1425.00 †

1100

166.27 156.06

162.96

Ouachita Livestock Ola✝ ---------

St-6 Higher

185.72 160.00

2100

OKC West - El Reno, Okla.✝ 4/26/22 9,530

Uneven

208.80

1040.00-1460.00 †

164.09

152.70

193.99

prices

State I-40 Joplin Mid-State N. Ark. yards - Livestock Regional Stockyards* Livestock er, Mo* Ozark✝ Stockyards✝ Green Forest✝ 6/22 4/28/22 4/25/22 4/27/22 4/25/22 568 657 4,849 761 303

138.00

159.49

925.00-1300.00 * 1100.00-1600.00 †

Welch Stockyards

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

136.00

171.00

925.00-1650.00 †

590.00-1250.00 † 1100.00-1400.00 †

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

st We phis Mem

heifers 550-600 LBS.

191.16

pairs

1300.00 *

Feb. 22 Mar. 22 Apr. 22

165.00

Not Reported *

1350.00 *

Dec. 21 Jan. 22

179.00

900.00-1200.00 † Not Reported † 350.00-1275.00 † None Reported *

1600

Nov. 21

163.45

450.00-1350.00 † 1150.00-1625.00 †

Mid-State Stockyards North Arkansas

Oct. 21

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

(Week of 4/24/22 to 4/30/22)

Arkansas Cattle Auction Ash Flat Livestock Benton County Sale Barn - Siloam Springs Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction Cleburne County Livestock County Line Sale - Ratcliff Decatur Livestock Vinita Stockyards Farmers Regional Sale Barn - Springdale

July 21 Aug. 21 Sept. 21

steers 550-600 LBS.

1100

cow/calf

May 21 June 21

700.00-1400.00*

925.00 †

600

$80

Week of 4/3/22

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

None Reported † 1150.00 * 760.00-1230.00 †

Week of 4/10/22

4/29/22

$120

Week of 4/10/22

National Dairy Market at a Glance

Cheese: Barrels closed at $2.3400 and 40# blocks at $2.3700. The weekly average for barrels is $2.3540 (-0.0245) and blocks, $2.3695 (N.C.). Fluid Milk/Cream: Milk production is generally expanding seasonally, except for Arizona, where warm temperatures have subdued milk outputs. Overall national production is mixed regarding yearly comparisons. Some regions report output is down year over year. Class I demand is steady to higher on the coasts but slowing somewhat in the Midwest, as some schools begin to wind down for their summer hiatuses. Class III demand remains active. Spot milk prices in the Midwest are -$2.50 to -$1.00 below Class III. Condensed skim supplies range from available to tighter. Some western contacts say that overall ooled and shorn 100-135 lbs 212.50-226.00; condensed skim demand has been strong the last few weeks. Cream supplies are slowly tightening as led and shorn 100-120 lbs no test. ice cream manufacturers increase activity. Cream oled and shorn 120-125 lbs no test. multiples for all Classes are 1.32 to 1.40 in the East, and shorn no test. 1.24 to 1.31 in the Midwest, and 1.00 to 1.30 in the sales. West. Choice and Prime 1-2: SPOT PRICES OF CLASS II CREAM: $ PER 40-60 lbs 340.00-378.00; 60-70 lbs 330.00POUND BUTTERFAT, F.O.B., producing plants, 0-386.00; 70-80 lbs 336.00-372.00, few Midwestern U.S. - $3.4379 - $3.5462. 322.00-359.00, few 374.00-378.00; 90-110 . wooled and shorn 52 lbs 360.00; 60-70 ; 74 lbs 359.00; 80 lbs 344.00; 90-110 lbs

680.00-1200.00 †

550.00 † Ash Flat Livestock Benton County Sale Barn - Siloam Springs Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction Cleburne County Livestock Auction County Line Sale - Ratcliff 440.00-450.00 † Decatur Livestock Auction Vinita Stockyards Farmers Regional Sale Barn - Springdale Fort Smith Stockyards Four State Stockyards - Exeter I-40 Livestock - Ozark Joplin Regional Stockyards Mid-State Stockyards North Arkansas Livestock 400.00-520.00 †

190.65 163.65 177.98 164.50

The&Ozarks Most• www.ozarksfn.com Read Farm Newspaper Ozarks Farm Neighbor

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

162.63 158.77 150.66 149.00 151.54

163.00 180.45

155.42

195.83

157.42 156.47

190.84

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

152.02 Week of 4/17/22

Arkansas Cattle Auction - Searcy

dairy sales

$160

Prices reported Prices reported perper cwtcwt Prices reported per cwt

Week of 4/17/22

week slaughter lambs sold unevenly, 20.00an Angelo, TX and steady to 20.00 lower PA. Slaughter ewes were mostly steady to pt thin ewes at Sioux Falls 5.00-10.00 higher. re not well tested. At San Angelo, TX 5,854 e day sale. No sales in Equity Cooperative r Video sold 525 slaughter lambs in New eeder lambs in Idaho. In direct trading nd feeder lambs not tested. 3,755 lamb carh no trend due to confidentiality. All sheep weight (CWT) unless specified. Choice and Prime 2-3 led and shorn 120-140 lbs 208.00-240.00; 0-178.00. A: wooled and shorn 100-130 lbs 335.00bs 215.00-270.00. wooled and shorn 110-115 lbs 330.00-

cows

(Week of 4/24/22 to 4/30/22)

165.48

122.46

* 163.51

196.10

150.39

181.12 195.07 ** 182.98 178.00

Week of 4/24/22

replacement

4/29/22

Week of 4/24/22

mmary

Week of 4/3/22

les reports

ady

550-600 lb. steers

$240

161.51

160.84 ** 150.68 159.86 142.53

157.08

180.60 189.00

161.90

190.01

158.50

125 148 171 194 217 240 * No price reported in weight break **USDA Failed To Report *** No Sale - Weather Prices Based on Weighted Average for Steers and Heifers 550-600 lbs.

100

120 140 160 180 200 * No price reported in weight break **USDA Failed To Report *** No Sale

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

Love agriculture and rural life, and have a knack for writing? Then you might enjoy being a contributor to Ozarks Farm & Neighbor! OFN is currently seeking freelance feature 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 news stories following AP style and a strong initiative. Must be able to meet deadlines and follow through with projects. Freelancers are required to travel to farms to conduct interviews and take pictures.

Please submit a current resume and writing samples to julie@ozarksfn.com

farm health & insurance

Tick-Borne Illnesses on the Rise From CoxHealth

Tick bites can cause a life-threatening food allergy Imagine grilling steaks for dinner and suffering from hives by bedtime. Ticks are already thick this year, and health experts want you to know more about a potentially life-threatening food allergy called alpha-gal syndrome that can be caused from a tick bite. According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, Lone Star ticks can cause a person to have an allergic reaction to a carbohydrate molecule called galactose-alpha-1, 3 galactose. An easy way to say that is that the tick bite can cause an allergy to red meat such as beef, pork, lamb, venison and rabbit. Anyone bitten by the tick, especially multiple times, becomes “sensitized” where the immune system produces antibodies against alpha-gal, so allergic reactions can occur not only when re-exposed to mammalian meat, but also future bites. Symptoms can range from mild to severe reactions from an itchy rash or hives to difficulty breathing and swelling of the lips or tongue that can require immediate emergency care. Unlike other reactions from typical food allergies, like peanuts or shellfish, which occur within minutes, alpha-gal allergy is delayed within three to eight hours after an exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

CoxHealth nurse Jana Watkins lives on a farm and knows a thing or two about how much of a nuisance ticks can be – she’s even suffered from tick illnesses herself. She says since there is no cure for alpha-gal allergies, prevention is key. “Use a good spray before outdoor activities,” she says. “And if you are bitten, use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to your skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady and even pressure.” Watkins said a common mistake people make when removing ticks is twisting them off your skin. “That can leave part of the tick embedded in your skin,” she explains. “You want to get that entire sucker out of there!” She also says don’t forget to clean the bite area and wash your hands with either rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Other prevention strategies include wearing long sleeves and pants when camping or hiking. Watkins reminds you to always check for ticks when you return from an outdoor activity. “Immediately wash all of the clothes you were wearing in hot water,” she says. “Check your hair, your scalp and have someone help look on your back and other hard to see areas. I want you to have a very fun – but safe – spring and summer. Nothing can ruin that fun like a tiny little tick.” MAY 9, 2022

farm health & insurance In the Business of YOU.

An Easy Trip to the Doctor By Sonya Kullmann

Producers can visit their health-care provider and never get off the tractor Many of today’s farmers rely on technology. GPS applications are helping them get an extra row of crops on the same piece of land, or even work late into the night with precision. “People may think of farmers as people who live far away from internet service and who have little interest in it,” said Dr. David Barbe, family medicine physician in Mountain Grove, Mo., and head of the department of primary care at Mercy Springfield Communities. “And while it’s true that internet service can be spotty, I can tell you most of my patients who farm carry smart phones and are tech savvy. That can be a real asset when it comes to their health.”

“

Matt Garrett Fayetteville 800-728-1700

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Scott McKennon Mena/Morrilton 866-310-0220

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There are times when we just need to see and hear you on camera. You can stop your tractor, call us up on the app, and we’ll get you moving again in minutes. During a busy growing season, not having to take time away from the farm is money in the bank.” — Dr. David Barbe

Most health systems these days offer some virtual health care services, which may vary by your location that enables patients to touch a button to order a prescription refill, check on test results, or even have a video visit with their local doctor. “There are some things we’ll need to see you in the office to properly diagnose,” Dr. Barbe explained. “But there are times when we just need to see and hear you on camera. You can stop your tractor, call us up on the app, and we’ll get you moving again in minutes. During a busy growing season, not having to take time away from the farm is money in the bank.” The use of virtual visits skyrocketed during the pandemic, as patients tried to stay home as much as possible. “We ramped MAY 9, 2022

up quickly because it’s what our patients needed us to do,” Dr. Barbe said. “Now, we have the capabilities in place and there’s no reason not to continue virtual visits if it’s more convenient for our patients.” And it’s not just primary care. For those who live in rural communities, you may be able to “see” a specialist in your hometown, too. For example, a virtual consult can be lifesaving if you experience stroke symptoms, and your nearest hometown emergency room has access to a neurologist. Using high-tech cameras and information from the bedside team, they can order a clot-busting drug and reduce the risk of any permanent damage. “We’re continually assessing how virtual

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care can augment what we already do at our regional hospitals,” said Valerie Davis, administrator for Mercy Hospital Aurora, Mo., and Mercy Hospital Cassville, Mo. “We have access to virtual stroke specialists, and we offer virtual behavioral health services. We can also do sleep studies locally and have the specialist visit with the patient afterward via telehealth. It saves our patients time and money – they don’t have to drive for the best care.” If you live in a rural area, now’s a good time to ask what virtual services your local doctor and hospital provide so you’ll know what’s available when you need it most. Sonya Kullmann is the media relations and communications manager at Mercy. She can be reached at 417-820-2426 Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

meet your neighbors

Seeking the Best By Michael Kinney

The hunt for a top-quality Wagyu steak led to the beginning of Grand Cattle Company Like most people in America, Erik Paulson likes a good steak. But also, like many people, finding a good cut of beef to devour could be a problem. Six years ago, Erik, a doctor, was faced with that situation when he searched for Wagyu beef. That search ended in the creation of Grand Cattle Company in Adair, Okla., and the development of Oklahoma-raised 100 percent full-blood Japanese black Wagyu beef. “We initially started it because we wanted to have some good beef for my friend and I,” Erik said. “So we were going to buy a [Waguy] steer and split it. And we bought it from a friend in Texas. And when we called him, he said, ‘Well, the cost to ship one of them from here up to Tulsa is going to be the same as the cost to ship up to six of them.’” Erik and his partner Jack Hoskins decided to purchase six steers and sell beef to friends. They had no idea, at the time, how much demand there was for Wagyu beef. “We called some of our chef friends and asked if they wanted any beef, too,” Erik said. “One of them ordered a whole steer, and a couple of other guys ordered a little bit. And we thought in our head at that moment was maybe this needs to be a company, and there’s probably a demand for it in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The 200-acre Grand Cattle Company ranch opened with the promise to bring only Prime-grade Wagyu beef to the Oklahoma market. “We saw a demand there and decided to turn it into a company,” Erik said. “In Tulsa, there are a bunch of new restaurants and steakhouses opening up; it seems like every week or two. They were just buying Prime-grade Angus beef, and when we offered them something that was local and of higher quality. A lot of them jumped on it, even though they have to pay a little bit more. They can charge more too.” Despite Oklahoma being cattle country, Erik said many ranches can not produce the premium cuts of beef that the Grand Cattle Company is known for. “I think it’s expensive to raise beef like this, the way that we do it,” Paulson said. “It takes a long time to raise them. So profit-wise, it’s probably just as easy to raise 100 of them in a year and a half and sell them for cheaper than it is to raise a smaller amount of them for a longer time and have to pay the feed cost and buy the genetics. And we don’t actually process any of ours until they’re over 3 years old, so slowly fattening them up, and the feed costs are really high. So that’s part of the reason.” Erik decided they wanted to produce the best beef possible, so that meant doing something a little different and looking outside the box. “We actually bought genetics from one of the original bulls that came from Kobe, Japan, in the 1990s, named Michifuku,” Erik said. “In fact, there’s not any more of that semen left in the world. The genetics we have bought for this it’s not just 100 percent full-blood Wagyu, it’s 100 percent full blood Tajima, Japanese Black Wagyu.” Purchasing the last of the Michifuku genetics did not come cheap, but Erik said the initial investment was worth it. “Tajima is known as being one of the best for tenderness and meat quality, although they’re not as good at their mothering capabilities,” Erik said. “So when we started doing all the genetics of this, we had to figure out some ways around that. And we’re using surrogates. And it’s a very complex process. But basically, we have the best genetics that you can buy in the world for Japanese Wagyu.” The ranch took the same mindset when looking at other areas of the breeding process.

“I did a lot of research and read a lot of stuff and different studies, and I talked to many different people on how to raise them,” Erik said. “The hurdle to getting this started up is the cost because we’re paying for embryos, sometimes $600 per embryo. And it only has a 50 percent chance of implanting. And we’re paying several hundred dollars for a straw of bull semen that also doesn’t have 100 percent success rate. So we did that for a while.” After six years in business, Eric said Grand Cattle Company no longer purchases embryos. They produce around 32 every three months from the current herd.” Once the cattle are born, that is when the real work begins. “You can’t throw these things in a feedlot and have them get the same intermuscular marbling that you could with Angus beef,” Erik said. “You need to slowly fatten them up for almost their entire first year; once they’re weaned, then we just let them roam the grass pastures, and they’re pure grass-fed and build up some muscle and some strength.” Cattle are never confined, but are housed in a smaller pen area. “At that point, we start feeding them grains, too. We hired a nutritionist who made a special Kobe beef blend with some special nutritional and vitamin requirements,” Erik said. “At the end of the first year, we start feeding them grains that are custom crushed. And we do that for another two years.” Once the cattle are processed, they do not head to the open market. It’s almost impossible for an everyday beef lover to get their hands on their product directly. “We only sell and deliver this in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Even to the public, there’s not really that much of it that goes to them because most cuts, like the rib eyes, the tenderloins and the New York strips, gets bought by the restaurants before we even process them,” Eric said. “So they’ll call and reserve. We have reservations already for all of the rib eyes and strips and tenderloins for the next two steers that we process.” With just 29 head of cattle, the Grand Cattle Company can grow larger and increase its production, but the parters are not in any rush. “We’re in a good spot where we’ve got enough to last us for a few years at a slow production rate,” Erik said. “And then we’ve got about four cows that we’re just going to use for embryos, and then all the rest of them are being raised for meat. We are making a profit, but none of us have taken a single penny from this company since we started it. So we put 100 percent of all the profits back into growing and expanding.” Yet, Erik knows they will have to make some tough decisions about the direction of the company, and much of it centers around their secret formula. “We have to talk about all that stuff because we’re a little bit protective of our genetics because they are so rare, and we paid so much for them that we have not sold any embryos to anybody else,” Erik said. “We’ve not sold any cows. The only thing we would potentially sell in the near future is steers because we don’t want anyone to have our genetics; it’s Adair, Okla. like our trademark. So I think down the road, we’ll consider it when we have higher production, but for right now, we’re just selling meat that is produced in the absolute best way you can and trying to produce as many embryos as we can to grow it to that stage.”

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

MAY 9, 2022

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MAY 9, 2022

farm

help

Making farming a little easier

On-The-Farm Safety Concerns By Cheryl Kepes

Hazards producers may overlook Life on the farm poises hazardous situations daily. Fortunately, producers typically go through the day with no issues. However, there are some safety precautions to implement that may not always be at the forefront of a farmer’s mind.

Producers may forget the importance of applying sunscreen before working outside. The sun can cause serious damage and lead to skin problems. Prevention is key to combating the impact of the sun. So, slather up!

when operating balers and hay equipment. Follow the safety procedures outlined in the equipment manuals. This is a good practice for any product or equipment used on the farm. Be familiar with the labels and safety manuals of products and equipment, especially any new products or equipment that’s unfamiliar. In addition, while baling hay there is an increased risk of fire. Having some means of fire suppression quickly at hand when in the hayfield is a good safety precaution to take. Experts recommend keeping a fire extinguisher or water in the tractor while working.

CAUTION AROUND EQUIPMENT

LOCK IT UP

The Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft is the device that transfers power between tractors and implements. Use caution around PTOs, avoid wearing loose clothing around PTO drives and pay extra attention when working around the PTOs on the back of a tractor. As hay season approaches use caution

Make sure children do not have access to any pesticides or herbicides. Ensure these products are stored where children cannot get to them. Additionally, keep the herbicides and insecticides in their original containers. For example, do not transfer the product into a soda bottle or empty food container.

SUN SAFETY

what do you say? What is the No. 1 safety rule at your operation? MAY 9, 2022

“Pay attention and always be very aware of what is going on around you.”

USE PPE When utilizing and applying different products such as fertilizers or herbicides wear the personal protective equipment (PPE) indicated on the product label. Following the recommendations on the product will help to keep producers safe.

PROTECT EARS Many times, farmers overlook the importance of protecting their hearing. A lot of the machinery and tools used on farms generate excessive noise. “It doesn’t take a lot of exposure to those things to have hearing loss later in life,” Brad Runsick, Baxter County, Ark., extension agent, said.

MAKE WHEREABOUTS KNOWN Before heading out to work around the farm, let someone know your plans. “Notify someone what you are doing

“No one works alone. It’s always good to have some with you.”

Michelle Pass Sebastian County, Ark.

Jennifer Howard Washington County, Ark.

“Always remember that bulls can be gentle, but they can become dangerous if challenged.”

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for the day and where you are going to be,” Runsick said. “Something as simple as that may make a difference so someone can find you if you get hurt.”

AVOID RISING WATER Experts warn community members of the dangers of rising waters on roadways during flash flooding events. The same caution can be applied to farms. When heavy rains flood creeks running through pastures, avoid the swollen waterways. “There are places that you can cross certain times of the year on the farm that you shouldn’t try to cross other times of the year, because of the potential to have your vehicle or sideby-side swept away with you in it,” Runsick said. Every day on the farm brings new and sometimes surprising obstacles. Keeping these general reminders in mind, should help producers have a safe and productive spring.

Larry Sutton Craig County, Okla.

“When I climb feed bins, I have three-point contact. I learned that when I was a fireman.”

James Dixon Madison County, Okla.

farm help

Beefing Up Rate of Gain By Cheryl Kepes

Increasing pounds on calves Improving the rate of gain in calves requires a balanced approach. Before taking any action, first look to determine if the calves are getting the basic building blocks to put on pounds. “Increasing performance on growing calves depends on the protein and energy supplied through their diet, the macro and trace minerals available, and the efficiency of the calf,” Paul Beck, Ph.D., livestock specialist with Oklahoma State University, said.

ADDING INPUTS Beck adds if producers are providing sufficient protein and energy to calves, it can be inefficient and expensive to add more through supplementation. For example, research indicates providing additional energy supplementation can come at the cost of 9 to 10 pounds of feed per pound of added gain, or more. However, livestock specialists state if nutrients are limiting growth, sup-

plementation can be efficient and cost effective. According to Beck, research conducted at the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Eastern Research Station analyzed the rate of gain of calves fed 2.7 pounds of dried distillers grain cubes every day throughout the summer. The calves, which were grazing Bermudagrass pastures, increased gains of .5 pounds a day, but they required 5.4 pounds of supplement per added pound of grain. Beck states in a similar trial in Arkansas, feeding 2.5 pounds per day of the distillers grain cubes increased gains during the late summer by 0.94 pounds (which is the difference of 1.26 pounds for unsupplemented calves and 2.2 pounds for supplemented calves). This study revealed it required only 2.7 pounds of supplement per pound of added gain. In the Arkansas trial, some other calves were fed a free-choice molasses lick tub either all summer or only during the late summer. “Using the self-fed supplement increased gains during the late

summer by 0.2 pounds per day, but the cost per pound of added gains was over $8.00 per pound,” Beck explained. “For supplementation to be cost effective the right supplement must be fed at the right price.”

CREEP FEEDING Producers may want to consider several factors before deciding whether creep feeding makes sense for their operation. According to livestock specialists, when adequate grass and milk are available for calves, many times it requires 9 to 10 pounds of creep per pound of added gain. However, a scaled down approach may produce more benefits. “A limit fed creep supplement fed at 2 to 3 pounds per day has been shown to increase gains by 0.5 to 0.7 pounds per day, when fed during the late summer and provides additional protein and energy to the calf,” Beck added.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

PROVIDING MINERALS The right amount of minerals can help give calves an added boost in weight and overall health. “Research in Oklahoma and Arkansas showed that gains of calves grazing wheat pasture were increased by 0.2 to 0.5 pounds per day when they were provided a free-choice complete mineral compared with only a white salt block,” Beck shared.

IMPLANTING CALVES Numerous research trials reveal implanting calves with a growth stimulant will improve their rate of gain. Implants can be an economically feasible practice for many producers. “Implants function by increasing muscle growth and reducing fat deposition, decreasing physiological maturity and thereby increasing growth potential and efficiency of nutrient utilization,” Beck said. MAY 9, 2022

farm help According to Beck, implanting calves at 3 to 4 months of age increases calf weaning weights by an average of 25 pounds at 6 to 7 months of age. This outcome means for each dollar producers invest; they receive a return of $25.00 to $30.00. In addition, research indicates implanting stocker calves increases average daily gain by 0.3 to 0.4 pounds per day increasing sales weight by 40 to 60 pounds. Implanting calves is a viable option for many producers. “Implanting increases gains and is a safe way to economically increase production and reduce the economic and environmental costs of production,” Beck stated. Livestock specialists state implanting steers, regardless of age, increases weight with no reduction in performance. Females receiving a single implant at 3 to 4 months of age will have an increased weaning weight, with no detrimental effects on later reproduction. However, implanting a heifer at birth or administering a second implant postweaning may have detrimental affects on her reproduction.

IONOPHORES Ionophores are another option for producers looking to increase their calves’ rate of gain. Ionophores are feed additives used to increase feed efficiency and weight gain. “Ionophores work by increasing the efficiency of digestion and metabolism in the rumen, reducing the carbon footprint of livestock production,” Beck explained.

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WATCHING COSTS Regardless of what avenue producers decide to take they should be mindful of the expense associated with adding gain to growing calves. Implants and ionophores may be the most cost effective. “Supplementation programs must be investigated to ensure they are providing the right supplements and are at the right cost for the expected improvement in performance,” Beck added.

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Testing Proven Bulls By Cheryl Kepes

Strategies to ensure breeding soundness in older bulls Many producers managing cow/ calf operations rely on herd sires to do their part to keep the operation growing. Older bulls that have established themselves as capable to cover cows may get a pass on important evaluations prior to breeding season. But livestock specialists say choosing to utilize a mature bull without a bull breeding soundness exam (BSE) can be a mistake.

BREEDING SOUNDNESS EXAM No matter their age or track record any bull used to cover cows needs a BSE conducted by a veterinarian. Livestock experts recommend bulls undergo a BSE before every breeding season. “The reason for this is bulls could come up with injuries, sickness or have issues with their reproductive tract at any time that could influence their ability to breed cows,” Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension Regional Livestock Field Specialist, said. In addition, a thorough BSE will determine if a bull is physically and reproductively sound to breed cows. “By replacing those bulls that have structural and reproductive soundness issues, this will improve cattle producers’ chances of optimum cattle operation performance and profitability,” Davis added.

ADDITIONAL EVALUATION

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All bulls, especially older bulls, should be evaluated for body condition and foot score prior to breeding season. Davis recommends bulls go into breeding season with a body condition score of a six. In addition, bulls need to have a good foot score for angle and claw set. When the bull is undergoing a BSE, liveOzarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

stock specialists say producers should utilize that time to optimize the bull’s overall health. “Giving booster vaccinations and treating for internal and external parasites at BSE time ensures bulls are healthy and do not pass disease or parasite issues onto the cattle operation,” Davis said.

FERTILITY WITH AGE As a bull ages, if he is healthy, then his fertility should remain strong. “If a bull passes a BSE he is physically and reproductively sound enough to breed cows regardless of age and cattle producers should see optimum pregnancy rates as long as they are using the proper bull to cow ratio,” Davis explained. Determining the proper bull to cow ratio depends on the age of the bull. Livestock specialists recommend using the following rule of thumb; bulls 12 to 30 months old can service about as many cows as the bulls’ age in months. For example, an 18-month-old bull can service 18 cows. However, when the bull is older than 30 months, typically a 1 to 30 ratio of bull to cows is optimum.

GETTING RESULTS Livestock specialists say getting a BSE for bulls is one the best ways for producers to ensure their operation has an optimum cow pregnancy rate and calf crop percentage. Cows calving is critical for profit potential in cow/calf beef operations. Livestock specialists encourage producers to take the proper steps to ensure their bulls are healthy, fertile and structurally sound. What a travesty it would be to turn out a tried-and-true bull, only to find out months later he was not capable of breeding cows. An extensive BSE is the best way to avoid any pitfalls. MAY 9, 2022

— ZONE A AUCTIONS —

5/16 Living Estate of Bob Trammel Auction – Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams 5/21 Phylip Gentry Auction, Furniture, Tools, Glassware – Harrison, Ark. • Sims Family Auctions 5/23 Living Estate Auction, Felstul, Hodge – Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams 5/28 Charlie (C.L.) McNelly Car Hoard Online Auction – Barberauctions. hibid.com, Bentonville, Ark. • Barber Auctions 5/30 Estate Auction, Scobey, Mayes – Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams 6/4 Bill & Freda Cole Estate Auction – Harrison, Ark. • Sims Family Auctions 7/23 Nick & Martha Novak Auction (Day 1) – Harrison, Ark. • Sims Family Auctions 7/30 Nick & Martha Novak Auction (Day 2) – Harrison, Ark. • Sims Family Auctions

5/14 Huge Farm Estate Auction of Mike Fitzpatrick – Bluejacket, Okla. • Lester Miller Auctions 5/20 Huge Estate and Moving Auction – Vinita, Okla. • Lester Miller Auctions 5/21 Betty Reynolds Public Auction – Stilwell, Okla. • Tucker & Crozier Auctions

— ZONE B AUCTIONS —

5/24 Land Auction – Ozark, Ark. • Reading Auction Service 6/4 Real Estate Auction – Ozark, Ark. • Reading Auction Service

— ZONE C AUCTIONS —

5/9

Mary Garrison Living Estate Auction – Springdale, Ark. • Auctions by Larry R. Williams 5/10 Farm Estate Auction – Berryville, Ark. • Arkansas Professional Auctioneers 5/15 Estate of Ronald Douglas Auction – Gravette, Ark. • Dwayne Craig Auction Service 5/16 Business Liquidation of Tawanee Water Company – Gravette, Ark. • Dwayne Craig Auction Service Nowata

Rogers Tulsa

A Craig

Mayes

Wagoner Okmulgee

McIntosh Haskel

MAY 9, 2022

Latimer

Stone

McDonald

Delaware D

Cherokee

Muskogee

Pittsburg

Newton

Ottawa

Adair

Washington

Le Flore

Howell

Ozark

C D B Boone

New Newton

Marion

Pope

Logan

Iz Izard

en Van Buren

Conway

Perry

Oregon

Fulton

Baxter

Searcy

Johnson

Yell Scott

Douglas

Taney

on Madison

Crawford Franklin

Sebastian Seba

Christian

rroll Carroll

Benton

Sequoyah

Barry

— ZONE D AUCTIONS —

5/14 The late Paul Don Sr (Buddy) Estate Auction – Kensett, Ark. • Spence Auctions

Independence

Cleburne Clebu

Faulkner

Sharp

White

5/14 Annual Spring Farm and Heavy Equipment Auction – Mountain Home, Ark. • Walker Auction Service 5/14 Unity Fest Farm and Auto Auction – Charlotte, Ark. • AJ Austin, John 3:16 Ministries 5/21 Estate Auction, Car, Truck, Tools, Kubota – Mountain Home, Ark. • Walker Auction Service 6/4 Little Family Estate Auction – Yellville, Ark. • Double Diamond Auction 7/9 Paul Doak Estate Auction – Mountain Home, Ark. • Sims Family Auctions

— OUTSIDE AREA — AUCTIONS

5/13 May Equipment Sale – Lonoke, Ark. • Phillips Auction and Savage 5/14 Clydes Welding & Trailer Auction – Ninnekah, Okla. • Bridges Auction & Sales Company 5/14 Estate Auction – Jacksonville, Ark. • Robert King Auctions 5/15 LJC Tool Auction Liquidation – Jacksonville, Ark. • LJC Auction Service 6/18 Estate Auction of J.L. Paul – Edna, Kan. • Col. Bud Armstrong

List your auction for FREE. Deadline for the May 30th issue is Monday, May 23rd. Call or email Amanda today at 417-532-1960 or amanda@ozarksfn.com

Want Your Auction to Stand Out? Call Today for More Information!

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

ozarks’

calendar

May 2022 10 Bull Breeding Soundness Exam Clinic – 9 a.m. – Kester Veterinary Clinic, Stilwell, Okla. – space limited, registration required – to register call Adair County Extension at 918-696-2253 10 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – UACCM, Morrilton, Ark. – 501-354-9618 11 Beginner Farmer and Rancher Program – Collinsville Church of Christ, 1010 W. Broadway, Collinsville, Okla. – for more information and to register contact Donna at 918-923-4958 or donna.patterson@okstate.edu 13 Growers School – Greens! Learn to grow greens like lettuce, kale, spinach, chard & Asian greens – 9 a.m.-2 p.m. – Cost: $10, lunch included – CAFF Farm, 1005 Meade, Fayetteville, Ark. – register at nwafarming.org 12, 23 Estate Planning Meeting – 6-8 p.m. – Washington County Office, Fayetteville, Ark. – for more information rhorn@uada.edu or 479-444-1755 14 Faulkner County Master Gardener Plant Sale – 8 a.m.-2 p.m. – Conway Expo Center, 2505 E. Oak Street, Conway, Ark. – 501-329-8344 20-22 Four State Farm Show – Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kan. – 417-833-2660 or fourstatefarmshow.com 21 Fulton County Fair Spring Jackpot Show – Fulton County Fairgrounds, Salem, Ark. – entry deadline is May 15 – for more information contact Wayne at 870-371-3232 – fultoncountyfair.org 21-22 Swine Show – Miami Fairgrounds, Miami, Okla. – 918-542-1688 25 Private/Commercial Pesticide Applicator Lunchtime CEU Training – noon-1 p.m. – Adair County Extension Office, Stilwell, Okla. – to register call 918-696-2253 June 2022 3-4 Annual Quilt Show – Kiamichi Techonology Center, Poteau, Okla. – for more information call 918-647-8231 8 Private/Commercial Pesticide Applicator Lunchtime CEU Training – noon-1 p.m. – Adair County Extension Office, Stilwell, Okla. – to register call 918-696-2253 July 2022 20-23 Fulton County Fair – Fulton County Fairgrounds, Salem, Ark. – 870-895-5565 or fultoncountyfair1@gmail.com – fultoncountyfair.org

ozarks’

auction block

May 2022 13 Show-Me-Select Heifer Sale – Farmington Regional Stockyards, Farmington, Mo. – 573-756-4539 14 Byergo Angus Sale – Savannah, Mo. – 734-260-8635 14 Central States BBA Mid America Futurity & Sale – Locust Grove, Okla. – 254-541-4643 14 V-Bar Cattle Company Complete Dispersal – Farmers & Ranchers Livestock, Salina, Kan. – 785-545-8389 14 Wheeler Angus Bull Sale – at the Farm, Paris, Mo. – 573-473-2508 or 573-473-8208 20 South Central Show-Me-Select Heifer Sale – South Central Regional Stockyards, Vienna, Mo. – 573-642-0755 20 Show-Me Select Heifer Sale – Joplin Regional Stockyards, Carthage, Mo. – 417-466-3102

Craig County Free Fair – Craig County Fairgrounds, Vinita, Okla. – craigcountyfairgrounds.com 26-27 Craig County Fair Rodeo – 7:30 p.m. – Admission: Adult $10; Child (6-12) $5, Child 5 & Under Free – Craig County Fairgrounds, Vinita, Okla. – craigcountyfairgrounds.com 26 Private/Commercial Pesticide Applicator Lunchtime CEU Training – noon-1 p.m. – Adair County Extension Office, Stilwell, Okla. – to register call 918-696-2253 28-8/6 86th Annual Ozark Empire Fair – Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield, Mo. – ozarkempirefair.com – 417-833-2660 or contactus@ozarkempirefair.com 29-30 2022 ACA Annual Convention & Trade Show – Hot Springs, Ark. – arbeef.org 23-30

August 2022 4-5 Women in Agriculture Conference – Champion Convention Center, Oklahoma City, Okla. – Cost: $75 – register by July 13 – for more information contact Sonya at 405-273-7683 or sonya.mcdaniel@okstate.edu – register online go.ozarksfn.com/gzz 6-13 Ottawa County Free Fair – Fairgrounds, Miami, Okla. – 918-542-1688 or jamie.foster@okstate.edu 14-20 Madison County Fair – Madison County Fairgrounds, Huntsville, Ark. – 479-789-4005 or madisoncountyfairboard@gmail.com – madisoncountyarfair.com 16-20 Logan County Fair – Fairgrounds, Paris, Ark. – 479-963-2360 19-27 Carroll County Fair and Livestock Show – Fairgrounds, Berryville, Ark. – 479-841-0116 21-28 Newton County Fair and Rodeo – Fairgrounds, Jasper, Ark. – 870-688-0312 or 870-715-0754 – thenewtoncountyfair.com 23-27 Baxter County Fair – Baxter County Fairgrounds, Mountain Home, Ark. – 870-425-6828 or baxtercountyfair.org 23-27 Sebastian County Fair – Sebastian County Fairgrounds, Greenwood, Ark. – sebastiancountyfair.com or 479-322-3111 23-27 Washington County Fair – Fairgrounds, Prairie Grove, Ark. – mywashcofair.com – information@mywashingtoncountyfair.com September 2022 6-11 Searcy County Fair & Rodeo – Fairgrounds, Marshall, Ark. – 870-221-1130 or searcyco.fair@gmail.com 6-10 South Logan County Fair – Fairgrounds, Booneville, Ark. – 479-675-2787

21 21 28

Spur Ranch Back to Grass Sale – at the Ranch, Vinita, Okla. – 918-256-5850 West Central Show-Me-Select Heifer Sale – Kingsville Livestock Auction, Kingsville, Mo. – 816-380-8460 Soaring Eagle Farms Production Sale – Springfield, Mo. – 734-260-8635

June 2022 4 Appalachian Classic Sale – Knoxville, Tenn. – 979-693-1301 4 Show-Me-Select Heifer Sale – F&T Livestock Market, Palmyra, Mo. – 573-985-3911 11 Wallen Prairie Ranch Beefmaster Production Sale – Lockwood, Mo. – 417-808-0296

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

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OFN May 9, 2022

Articles inside

Onyx Cave has welcomed guests for more than 100 years

Oklahoma producer overcame serious injury

Jody Harris – Special teachers

Beware of tick-borne illnesses and allergies

Jim Owens continues the family farming tradition

A trip to the doctor anywhere you are

Preventing livestock-to-human transmission of diseases

Julie Turner-Crawford The importance of beef