4 minute read
Eye on Agribusiness features L&K Farms
from OFN June 15, 2020
by Eric Tietze
eye on agri-business meeting the needs of farmers
Advertisement
GOOSENECK TRAILERS FRYE FARMS • SENECA, MO • 417-438-0146 LIVESTOCK TRAILERS • FLATBEDS • DUMP TRAILERS
L&K Farms
By Terry Ropp Submitted Photo Wholesale Seed Division
Owners: Keith and Leeanna Baer Location: Summer, Ark. CALL YOUR ORDER IN FOR
EASY DOCK PICKUP!
History: “At the time we bought the company, my wife Leeanna and I were in the dairy business and decided to go into the hauling business so producers, includ417-725-3512 • 1-800-648-7379 ing us, had a way to get their milk to the plants,” Keith Baer, owner of L&K Farms said. “In 2001, I bought the business from Keith Pearson. We purchased the routes and territory as well as two trucks. Though through time milk hauling has changed with companies going with whoever is cheapest. Over the years, I bought out all of Wt. Lbs. Total Germ. GRAINS 50 SOYBEANS - LAREDO, Hay Type 50 SOYBEANS, 3’ Tall-Harvest $ Lb. Bag Lb.
36.45 29.95
Wt. Lbs. Total Germ. $ Lb. SORGHUMS 50 HYB. FORAGE SORGHUN, GW-400 BMR 1.44
50 HYB. BRACHYTIC FORAGE SORGUM 1.88
the milk haulers in the area. We continue hauling milk though we closed our dairy R-Ready® Willcross WXR7484 50 MILO, Grain Sorghum, 85 Day, Safened 2.18 12 years ago due to dropping milk prices. At the time we purchased the business, Keith (Pearson) was hauling for Kraft Foods. Then Kraft quit buying farm milk and we hauled milk for another company before that company was absorbed by DFA (Dairy Farmers of America) about eight years ago. Our oldest son Joe came back to help and works the routes with four other specialized milk haulers; we deeply appreciate. I hope to return to work after I recover from a recent heart attack. The thing I like best about the business is visiting with the producers while the milk is loading. Nonetheless, when I’m driving between stops, I think about all the things I should be doing on the farm, where we now raise commercial beef.”
How the Process Works: “Hauling milk is a seven-day-a-week busi50 SOYBEANS, 4’ Tall-Forage 29.95 R-Ready® Willcross WXR7488 50 SOYBEANS, R-Ready™, Stratton Game Changer 48.50 41 SPRING HERITAGE MIX, Stratton 46.88 140K SOYBEANS, R-Ready® Lewis 473RR2 42.00 140K SOYBEANS, Eagle Brand R-Ready®, Big Fellow 73.84 140K SOYBEANS, R-Ready® Eagle Gamekeeper 83.84 SUDAN / MILLET 50 SAFE “T” GRAZE, BEST SELLER .69 Sudan, Piper Cross = Low Prussic Acid 50 PEARL MILLET, Hybrid 1.38 50 GERMAN MILLET, Strain R 1.28
50 WILD BIRD GRAIN MILO, 1.16 .96
LESPEDEZA “A Non-Bloating Legume” Summer Annual, Spring Planting 50 KOREAN, Innoc., Non Coated 90% 1.64 50 KOBE, Upright Growth, Hay Type Not Available 50 SERICEA, Scarifi ed, No Sell to KS, CO Feb 3.96 WARM SEASON 50 WRANGLER BERMUDA, 50% Coated 6.18 50 CHEROKEE BERMUDA, Huilled 90% Pure 7.76 50 TEFF GRASS, Coated, Corvallis 1.88 50 TEFF GRASS, Raw 2.42
50 CRABGRASS - RED RIVER 4.86 50 SUNN HEMP 1.68 Cow/Horse
ness with payment based upon the hundredweight. I normally deliver to the High CAUCASIAN BLUESTEM Not Available land Dairy in Fayetteville though I occasionally go to Fort Smith or Springfield, Mo. We have seven routes with 25 dairies in various locations covering a large area, including Locust Grove and Tahlequah in Oklahoma and Maysville, Bentonville and Evansville in Arkansas. We now pick up from fewer dairies but traveling significantly more territory than when we started. In the beginning we had 27 dairies in a 10-mile radius, but dairies closed due to dropping milk prices and producers finding easier ways to make money. Depending upon the route, the
Safe T Graze Sudan is the Summer Solution for Hay & Pasture! Low Prussic Acid! Your Ag Chemicals
Headquarters!
No license req’d to buy 2,4-D or GrazonNext! trucks leave the farm between 4 and 8 a.m., with a typical day lasting 10 to 12 SAVE YOUR SEED SAMPLE SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE hours. Most of the small dairies are about an hour apart from barn to barn. Our largest dairy produces 52,000 pounds of milk every other day.”
Philosophy and Future: “This business is no different than any other. 510 W Mt Vernon, Nixa, MO 65714 nixahardware.com It’s important to be honest, fair and kind. Because the dairy industry is in flux, the future is far from certain but I’m hoping that my son will one day take over for me.” 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. JUNE 15, 2020 The Ozarks’ Most Read Farm Newspaper 9
