Ofn dummy 6 2 14

No Caps on Poultry Potential

JUNE 2, 2014 • 32 PAGES

VOLUME 8, NUMBER 5 • WWW.OZARKSFN.COM

As long as financing and productivity allow, the Usrey family will continue to expand their operation

JUNE 2, 2014

A History of Herefords

Leroy Baker increases milk production by feeding his herd a balanced forage supply

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25th Annual 4-State Dairy Days: The Benton County Dairy Industry Association will be hosting the 25th Annual 4-State Dairy Days on June 20-22, 2014, at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Bentonville, Ark. This three day event promotes the dairy industry by providing opportunities for youth to learn and compete in a safe, family-friendly environment. Youth ages 5-19 from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma are invited to enjoy the activities which include a dairy quiz bow, Arkansas Dairy Ambassador contest, diary judging, select heifer show, senior fitting contest, dairy olympics, all-breed dairy show, commercial heifer sale and more. For more information about Dairy Days contact Tim or Nikki Crawley at 479-291-4552. Prior to Dairy Days, a two-day Dairy Camp will be hosted at the Benton County Fairgrounds. For more information about the 4-H Dairy Camp contact Steve Jones at 501-671-2067.

Program Offers Coverage for Fruits and Vegetable Growers: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new risk management option that will be available for fruit and vegetable growers and producers with diversified farms. The policy, called Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, will provide flexible coverage options for specialty crop, organic and diversified crop producers. The program will be implemented in counties across the country and will expand in availability over the next several years. Whole-Farm insurance allows farmers to insure all crops on their farm at once, rather than insuring commodity by commodity. This allows farmers greater flexibility to make planting decisions on their land. Check with your local USDA service center to find out more.

U of A Restructures its Public Outreach: The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is restructuring its public outreach, hiring a chief communications officer to guide strategy and combining two of its communications units under a single director. The Division has tapped Mark Scott, public relations manager for Sam’s Clubs, to serve as its chief communications officer. Mary Hightower was selected as director-communications services to oversee tactical aspects, supervising communications units for the Cooperative Extension Service and the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.

Scan Me Or Visit ozarksfn.com

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The Ozarks Most Read Farm Newspaper

JUNE 2, 2014

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VOL. 8, NO. 5

JUST A THOUGHT

3

Jerry Crownover – 44 years of public speaking

4 5

Dusty Richards – More than a rodeo

8 21 24

Lynzee Glass – Supporting an important documentary, Farmland

MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS 7 The Usrey Family participates in a

new biosecurity project to reduce the spread of disease on their poultry farm

8

10

The Stilwell Strawberry Festival brings thousands of people to the Ozarks

12

Eye on Agribusiness features Sea Minerals FA

13

Dakota Vaughn starts a new venture raising certified organic, free-range Bovan Brown layers

15

Town and Country features Jim and Helen Sposato

18

Kenny Kirk works closely with his local livestock market

21

Keli Carter creates a sustainable and productive environment for her poultry

Leroy Baker takes his experience teaching business classes and applies it to the farm

22 Youth in Agriculture spotlights Whitt Bell FARM HELP 24 Management and benefits of using chicken tractors

28 Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

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Look out for bermudagrass stem maggot this hay season

27 28

Tips for selecting the right mulch

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A look at animal welfare in relation to the poultry industry

Propane prices and the poultry industry at a glance

JUNE 2, 2014

just a

thought

PO Box 6, Prairie Grove, AR 72753

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479-846-1002 • Fax: 479-846-1003 E-mail: Member: editor@ozarksfn.com

What’s On Your Mind, Ozarks?

Sandra Coffman

Life Is Simple

Administrative Eric Tietze, Vice-President Operations Kathy Myers, Marketing Manager Sandra Coffman, Accounting Advertising Pete Boaz, Display & Classified Sales Kathy Myers, Production Sales Circulation Stan Coffman, Circulation Editorial Lynzee Glass, Managing Editor Jerry Crownover, Columnist Dusty Richards, Columnist Production Melissa Fuller, Production Amanda Newell, Production Assistant

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

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get the chance to speak at two or three FFA banquets every spring, have revonand worC yrrefor J yB many years. Since I’ve been around for so long, I’m now being invited to speak for Jerry Crownover is the second time at a few of these places a farmer and former and such was the occasion last Monday evening. professor of Agriculture It just so happened that I was asked to return Education at Missouri to my home county (not the high school from State University. He is a which I graduated, but one in a neighboring native of Baxter County, district) to speak at their annual parent/memArkansas, and an ber banquet after almost 44 years, to the day, to author and professional the school where I delivered my first-ever pubspeaker. To contact Jerry, lic speech. Back in 1970, I was so nervous and go to ozarksfn.com and scared that I have absolutely no recollection of click on ‘Contact Us.’ what I spoke about. The only thing I do remember is that the President of their FFA introduced me and I started speaking at exactly 7:00 p.m. I finished at exactly 7:07 p.m., and the crowd rewarded me with polite applause.

At the banquet last week, I had a very enjoyable time visiting with the superintendent and principal during the meal. The superintendent used to teach in my hometown and still lives there so we had many mutual friends to visit about, and the principal is a former student of mine, so it was fun catching up with all of his experiences since graduation. There was also a smattering of people who had taken classes under me or knew my parents or friends. All in all, it was one of the more ‘fun’ banquets I have attended.

As I spoke that evening, I began to recount stories of my youthful days in that county, as well as stories about former students, of which I thought the blue-jacketed members could relate. It seemed to be going so well that I looked up at the clock

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Contributors Klaire Bruce, Diana Dickinson, Gary Digiuseppe, Amanda Erichsen, Lynlee Franks, Pam and Terry Lamb, Dr. Tim E. O’Neill, DVM, Terry Ropp About the Cover Justin and Chana Usrey learn to overcome many obstacles when raising toms. Read more on page 7.

Photo by Terry Ropp

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor accepts story suggestions from readers. Story information appears as gathered from interviewees. Ozarks Farm & Neighbor assumes no responsibility for the credibility of statements made by interviewees. © Copyright Ozarks Farm & Neighbor, Inc., 2014.

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All We Need’s More Rain

By Dusty Richards

O

ne of the projects I have worked on is the Rodeo of the Ozarks in Western novelist Dusty Springdale, Ark. I have been on Richards and his wife the board since 1976 and I am the Pat live on Beaver Lake senior member in time served. in northwest Arkansas.

This year the rodeo is to be held on July 2-5, in To contact Dusty, go to Springdale. We kick things off at 7:30 p.m., each ozarksfn.com and click on evening and if you ride your horse in the grand ‘Contact Us.’ entry they still give you a free ticket. The parades are at 3 p.m., on June 2, and 10 a.m. on June 5.

But before the rodeo starts you can watch youngsters ride sheep every evening.

Three to 6-year-olds really have a big time. Crowds roar as some little rider rides wearing a helmet and holding a rope from around the sheep. The top finalists ride in the middle of the rodeo and on the final night we pick a big winner who gets a trophy taller than them.

For the past six years we have been listed as one of the top five rodeos in the U.S., that isn’t bad considering there’s over 800 rodeos today in the PRCA. Fourth of July is the busiest time of the year for rodeos. The cowboys have voted our stock contractor, Stacy Smith, the best for five years. His stock buck hard and is among the toughest to ride in the business. The announcer Boyd Polhiemist has announced many National Finals. This year funny man Lecille Harris is coming back – he is hilarious and Cody Sosbee will be there. He might dance with your date in the aisles between bucking horses. There’s no telling. But it will be four full nights of real rodeo competition and a fun time.

We will have a kid’s petting zoo before the rodeo in the concession area plus, free pony rides before things get under way so, come early.

This is the 70th annual rodeo, which started at the end of the World War II. Men were coming home from war so many folks were working off in California and Wichita, Kan., in defense plants. They wanted to come home and so the rodeo became the homecoming affair. I have talked to many people who found old friends they had not seen in years at the rodeo.

But that is not our only business at the Rodeo. We built the National Guard building and housed the Springdale Chamber for years in the old building. We built the park on the creek behind the Odd Fellows Hall and have completed many more projects in the community. Plus, a dozen ag students attend college on our scholarships we give each year; we sponsor the Christmas Parade each year; we have egg rolls for kids at Easter; our demolition derbies are well attended in the fall and spring; we host big truck events, high school rodeos, play days for kids and many more events you can bring your kids to.

We are making plans to put a roof over the stadium. Those are ambitious plans but they can be done and further the events and concerts. Personally, I’d like us to have a facility like the fairgrounds at Oklahoma City, Okla., and host lots of other horse events. Make us a capital for them right here. Anyone can tell you tourist dollars help communities grow.

See you at the up and coming rodeo. God bless you, your family and America, Dusty Richards

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JUNE 2, 2014

just a thought

20 Years of Serving the Tri-State Area

Keepin’ it Country

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By Lynzee Glass

I

t’s no surprise to most of us that only 1 percent of the U.S. population claim farming as an occupation. So it’s probably safe to assume that majority of Americans have Lynzee Glass graduated never stepped foot on a farm or have an imfrom Missouri State mediate relationship with a farmer or a rancher.

University with a A recent documentary set out to educate the gendegree in Agricultural eral public about the next generation of AmeriCommunications in 2008. can farmers and ranchers. This documentary is She grew up on a family a must-see, in my opinion, not because you, as farm in Dallas County, Mo. a farmer, will learn something profound but as a To contact Lynzee call way to support the efforts of this documentary.

1-866-532-1960 or email Farmland takes their audience through a joureditor@ozarksfn.com. ney with six farmers and ranchers, all in their 20s, who run a farming business. I think the film did a great job with their sampling of farmers. The farmers featured in Farmland were a fourth generation poultry grower in Georgia, a sixth generation beef cattle producer in Texas, a fifth generation corn and soybean grower in Nebraska, a fourth generation onion and potato grower in California who is starting out in organic production, a beginning farmer in Pennsylvania who grows her produce for a Community Supported Agriculture system and a fourth generation hog grower in Minnesota.

The audience has the opportunity to learn about the high risk/high reward jobs in which these farmers partake. The film demonstrates the passion these farmers have for a life that has been passed down from generation to generation but yet demonstrates how farming has evolved.

— Continued on Next Page

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just a thought Keepin’ it Country Continued from Previous Page There were two parts in the film that I think the filmmakers did a respectable job of addressing: GMOs and animal cruelty. Responses on the usages of GMOs varied from farmer to farmer, which I think represents the farm population as a whole. But the film addressed the situation from a farmer’s point of view, which I think is very important for the public. It was no surprise that each livestock producer was against animal cruelty and explained that animal wellbeing is a vital part to the success of their operation.

The film Farmland is playing in select theaters across the nation this spring.

Check with your local theater to see if there is a showing in your area.

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The night I watched the film an FFA Chapter drove an hour and a half to watch it. I would say most of the people in the theater had some connection to farming. Though, I would have really liked to see more “town folk” from my area watching the film. However, the film is being played in several major cities.

Most theaters seem to be showing it on a limited basis but I do believe copies will be available for purchase at a later date.

I encourage you to go out and support Farmland, tell your family and friends to do the same.

Best wishes,

Life is Simple Continued from Page 3 in the cafeteria and was surprised to discover that I had already spoken between 30 and 35 minutes, thus I wrapped it up rather quickly. I knew that the parents had not come to hear me, but rather to watch their sons and daughters receive recognition for their accomplishments over the past year.

After the banquet had concluded, I was visiting with the people I knew, congratulating members for their success, and meeting residents of the small community when I noticed one older attendee that seemed to be waiting to talk

to me. When a break occurred in my conversation, the gentleman stuck out his hand to introduce himself and thank me for traveling the 140 miles to speak at their banquet. I assured him that I had enjoyed being at their school and considered it an honor to be invited.

“You know,” he added, “I was here in 1970 when you spoke the first time.”

“You’re kidding?” I answered in amazement. “Do you remember what I talked about?”

“Nope, but I do remember the length of that speech was just about right.”

Send Us Your Favorite Summer Recipes Mail recipes to PO Box 6, Prairie Grove, AR 72753 or email recipes to editor@ozarksfn.com

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Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JUNE 2, 2014

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No Caps on Poultry Potential

By Terry Ropp

Justin and Chana Usrey find new ways to increase productivity while raising healthy toms Justin and Chana Usrey and their two sons, Kenny, 11, and Darrin, 8, live outside of Huntsville, Ark., where they raise turkeys and a commercial cattle herd. The couple married in 2000 and purchased 78 acres and another 30 later.

They also rent an additional 320 acres and are considering expanding that acreage.

The Usreys have one brooding house and two growing houses, which hold 32,000 Cargill turkeys at a time. They currently raise toms which grow to an average of 40 to 45 pounds. The first flock Cargill gave them, however, was of hens because they matured in only 12 weeks rather than the usual 20 weeks for toms to promote cash flow for the new Justin and Chana Usrey (pictured back) allow their sons Kenny (front right) and Darrin (front left) to have hands-on experiences working with the turkeys and cattle.

Photo by Terry Ropp

After high school Justin went to farrier turkey farmers. A 40-pound bird proschool to begin a part-time career and vides a 27-29 pounds of meat.

When a new batch of poults arrive, they to alleviate the need to pay for having his own horses shod. The position, how- are divided into pens with 800 poults per ever, soon turned into a full-time job pen. The new chicks are hand fed twice a which he has just recently been able to day for two weeks and turned out into the full house after one week. After eliminate completely. the initial two-week period, After college Chana bought the hand feeders are pulled 2 acres from her parents and Huntsville, Ark. out with the level being raised opened a convenience store/ two or three times per week. In gas station named Chana’s a total of seven or eight weeks the Corner, which provides a young poults are transitioned into good supplemental income the growing houses. used for family expenses.

JUNE 2, 2014

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Transferring can be a challenging process. Initially the Usreys had alleyways between the houses, and the turkeys had to be shooed to the houses in small batches of approximately 75. Moving the 16,000 young birds was therefore a time-consuming process. Although still time-consuming, the process has been sped up through the purchase and use of a new moving trailer, which contains a conveyor belt system and moves about 400 birds at a time.

In the growing houses, feeder heights are adjusted once per week until the turkeys are about 15 weeks old and have reached maximum height. Turkeys are really fast growing animals. One big adjustment for the birds after transition is the change in light because only white light is used in the brooding house while the birds have to adapt to natural sunlight as well as dimmer artificial light in the growing houses.

As with all poultry, disease is an issue with a 5 to 6 percent loss due to cellulitis being typical. Cargill is running several projects in an attempt to decrease this loss. The Usrey farm is involved in one, which requires spraying the floor of the houses once per week from 8 to 18 weeks of age. Kenny said, “Darren and I wave red and orange flags which startles the birds and helps us shoo them away from dad who follows behind with his sprayer.” Justin then added, “The initial results look good but further testing and analysis are needed and must be compared with the results of the other projects.”

The Usrey commercial cattle herd consists of 70 mommas with heavy Angus influence. They are bred to purebred Hereford bulls. Chana likes the cross because she believes the cross is more marketable, and, while Justin readily admits the advantage of hybrid vigor, he also simply likes the black baldy appearance.

Last year Kenny bought a show heifer from the Farm Credit Service youth loan program and earned almost enough money at Madison County Fair premium sale to pay back the loan. Kenny also plans on showing the cow and her calf next year while Darren is getting ready to purchase his first heifer.

Justin said, “We are young and have not put a cap on our growth. We will expand as much as financing and productivity allow.”

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Raising his seventh generation calf crop Leroy Baker still appreciates the breed once raised by his parents Breeding cattle is a significant investment that takes a careful selection of breeds into consideration. For some they inherited their breed, changed them over time or researched for a marketable high performance progeny.

In 1951 three semi-loads of commercial horned Herefords made their way to Vinita,

buying Hereford cows to put together his own herd which is in its seventh generation calf crop. “The breed is easy to handle, do good here in this region, getting real popular and they are just real pretty to look at. Every cow has a different color pattern. I like the line that the first one produced. My nieces and neph-

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Okla. That was also a notable year in history that led to a five-year drought. Leroy Baker was a small child when his parents were faced with a huge financial decision; it was either lose their investment or grit the bit and sell before the drought claimed their crop. Inevitably, the crop was sold; at least they thought all were sold. Somehow, they missed one cow that hid out and had delivered twins.

Leroy’s parents eventually sold all of the Herefords. Influenced by the breed, Leroy wanted to maintain the breed, since he could not maintain the line. In 1973 he started

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

Docility, adaptability and marketability are three traits that draw Leroy Baker to the Hereford breed.

ews show them at the Tulsa State Fair and when they show good each time, you know you have a good breed. The beef has a home grown flavor. The good thing about that is you know what you are getting. You know everything about is since it was born.”

In addition to farmVinita, Okla. ing, he taught business and coached basketball at Wann, which is now consolidated into Oklahoma Union School JUNE 2, 2014

meet your neighbors

‘‘

in Big Cabin and finished up at White times. That could lead bloat and sudden Oak High School. “It was hard to teach death of the calf,” stated Leroy. and then leave during lunch to take care “We get an average of three acres of the crop. Some nights I did not go to of grazing per head, if we get rain. We bed until 2am, and then I would get up generally do not give the crop hay unearly and do it all over again. I had very til December and sometimes not until understanding employers that allowed January. We have hay for a good eight to me to maintain my nine months. One business at home. of the reasons I Now that I am rehad to lease additired, I will finish tional property is up around eight due to the drought or nine at night. that killed off a There is always lot of fescue and something to do I have not rearound here. One seeded. This will day off can really give the pastures cause me to get betime to re-do ithind,” he said. self. My plans are Leroy’s brother, to fence off about James, co-owns In addition to native grasssix locations of 30 the family farm acre plots and do and helps when es, bermuda and fescue, rotational grazing. needed. His niece, there is a lot of clover. When Right now they Misty Pritchett they eat this, their milk gets scatter themselves has a daily rouall over the proptine after work to richer and is high in protein. erty,” added Leroy. help manage all of The babies even love the Leroy saddles the cattle and any clover. up on one of the paperwork that horses he raised – Leroy Baker to round the herd needs done. She and her husband Gray Horse Hereford Farm for vaccinations Everett also have or check them to a small commermake sure they cial cross herd on the farm they tend to. are okay. He does not use the 4-wheeler Misty’s brother, Jamie Baker also puts in much. Leroy concluded, “I also breed some time to help out. “One day this will Oklahoma Star Quarter Horses. I am be theirs to manage and I have to make down to three stallions and kept 13 sure I take care of it,” insisted Leroy. mares from my foundation stock; they “We have 86 registered polled Her- are cutting broodmares. They will do eford mommas and 40 heifers. We hope anything you tell them to do and someto have 126 in production next year,” times, they just do it on their own. They said Leroy. He sells out of his bulls fast are smart. I started with a gray stallion without paid advertisement. “I have and was raising Herefords at the same had people buying them at 11 months. time, so I had to come up with a name In addition to native grasses, bermuda for my farm. So, I ended up calling it and fescue, there is a lot of clover. When ‘Gray Horse Hereford Farm’ because it they eat this their milk gets richer and fit perfect.” is high in protein. The babies even love the clover. I have to keep a close watch on them. They tend to over eat someJUNE 2, 2014

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Serving More Than 24,000 Readers Across Northwest Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma

9

ozarks

roots

the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home

Celebrating the Strawberry

By Pam and Terry Lamb

Photos by Pam and Terry Lamb

An Oklahoma tradition, the Stilwell Strawberry Festival, is still going strong and growing after 67 years

“We were incorporated as a Kiwanis Club in April 1946. The festival started a year and a half later,” Dan Collins, president of the Stilwell Kiwanis Club said. “The Kiwanis Club was started to promote the strawberry industry around here. It has grown from that.” The annual festival celebrated its 67th year this year. The festival is held annually on the second Saturday in May. This year the festival brought in 30,000 people.

Events run from early in the week to Saturday evening and include a number of events. The parade starts at 10 Saturday morning. After the parade, attendants are entertained by numerous vendors lining the streets with everything from crafts and food to helicopter rides while judges decided which of Stilwell’s growers had the best berries. The Champion Strawberry Awards and Auction were held at two that afternoon. After the auction the Kiwanis Club served strawberries and ice cream to the crowd.

“Stilwell strawberries just taste better.

10

The berries coming in from Texas and California are bigger but the taste just doesn’t compare to the flavor of Stilwell strawberries,” Dan said. He speaks of a time when strawberries were big business in Stilwell. “There used to be a canning factory where Schwan’s Bakery is now. There is no telling how many berries they processed here. There were train car loads of berries that were processed and shipped out from here.”

Stilwell strawberry growers are limited to just eight seasoned growers with a median age of 80 and three young growers.

“It is very critical we get younger growers in to take the place of older growers as they get to the point where they can no longer produce strawberries,” Marty Green, secretary of the Stilwell Strawberry Grower’s Association said.

“We have targeted area FFA Chapters through the Kiwanis and the Stilwell Strawberry Grower’s Association to help young producers.”

Marty Green and Dan Collins both attribute the introduction of a new growing method in Stilwell called plasticulture to Tyler Woods. “Plasticulture has increased the beginning of the picking

season by several weeks. The old fashioned way, there were years we didn’t have any berries at the festival,” Dan said. “Plasticulture has expanded the growing season from three or four weeks at the end of April into May to midApril even into July. Last year the growers said they quit picking at the end of June or July because they just got tired

of picking.” Plasticulture is beginning to open new markets to producers and enables customers to obtain fresh locally grown strawberries for much longer.

“Plasticulture has several different functions. First, the plastic acts as a weed barrier resulting in less labor and expense in cleaning the weeds out of your field,” Tyler Woods said. “It also

Oklahoma Plasticulture Program Information The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry designed the Plasticulture Program in 2005 to help smaller farmers. Our agency with additional funding assistance provided in 2008 by the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program has been able to increase the number of limited resource farmers producing specialty crops. Applications will be limited to participants with forty (40) acres or less. The applicant is responsible for the preparation of the plot by having the following items ready.

1. The maximum plot size is one (1) acre, but can be less

2. The land must be ready and prepared for application

3. Must have adequate water supply for irrigation

4. Applicant will supply any fertilizer or other chemicals needed

5. Applicant will do the planting and harvesting

6. Remove and dispose of all plastic, irrigation tubing and any

other materials associated with the project.

For more information contact Micah Anderson, market coordinator at 405-522-5595.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JUNE 2, 2014

ozarks roots

Everything a tractor should be.

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works to conserve moisture in the soil.

The plastic forms a barrier that keeps the moisture from evaporating out of the soil requiring less water. The plastic also reduces the effects of winter weather on the plants.”

Tyler first plows his field and then uses a special machine to form rows of mounded earth for his plants. “There are several different models that work differently. Mine has two curved blades that funnel the dirt into a big mound.

Then a bed shaper smoothes the top off and shapes your beds,” Tyler said. “It will lay the drip irrigation line and the black plastic mulch down at the same time.”

Tyler then uses another machine that punches small holes in the black plastic mulch and plants by hand.

Tyler plants his strawberries in the middle of September. “After the first frost, you put the (white plastic) row covers on and leave them all winter. In the spring when it starts to warm up and it stops freezing at night, you want to take the row covers off so they can start getting sunlight and air. You just have to take the row covers off and on every time they predict a frost at night.”

“If you plant too early, you will have too much growth and too many crowns in the spring with too many flowers and they will make little tiny berries,” Tyler said. “There are two varieties of strawberries, Day-neutral and June-bearing.

The June-bearing varieties have a set amount of buds that develop into crowns through the fall into early winter. So they have only got so many flowers they can send out and then they are done,” he said. “Daylight triggers the June-bearing strawberries to shoot out the flowers. The Day-neutral variety does not rely on day length or anything like that. They just produce as long as the temperatures permit them to produce. So they will keep growing out flowers and buds as long as the temperature doesn’t get above 95 degrees for seven days. If you have a cool season, you can pick the Day-neutral variety all the way to August and possibly even later depending on how the weather cooperates with you.”

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479-442-8284 Bobcat of NW Arkansas

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eye on

agri-business meeting the needs of farmers

Sea Minerals FA Owner: Dr. Lynn and Pat Buhr Location: Siloam Springs, Ark. History: Dr. Lynn and Pat Buhr moved from Davenport, Iowa to Springdale, Ark., in 1972 where they opened a chiropractic office and soon settled on a farm near Elm Springs. In 2004, they moved to a farm east of Siloam Springs, Ark., and have 500 acres of land. “We were always looking toward better quality – better living conditions for us and the animals and better soil conditions. So we’ve been interested in natural soil improvement, organic farming and grass-fed beef all along,” Lynn said.

Lynn experimented with sea minerals and realized the impact they were making on his land. The couple has been selling their own product, Sea Minerals FA, since 2007. The business has taken off and now they have approximately 100 individual distributors. They are also licensed in 15 states and that number continues to grow.

Products: Sea Minerals FA works as a plant fertility supplement that re-mineralizes the plant. The minerals come from a very clean sea water and contains 90 or more minerals and trace minerals. It is easy to dissolve in water because it is finely ground. It can be applied as a foliar spray to pastures, hay fields, lawns, gardens and food plots for deer. It can also be used as a free-choice mineral for animals. The minerals come in 50, 5 and 1 pound bags.

The Business: “We run the business out of our home. I mainly explain the products and my wife, Pat, runs the office. She answers the phone and keeps in contact with all the distributors,” said Lynn.

They also have a warehouse on the property where they store pallets of the product.

Future Plans: They are continuing to grow their business by adding distributors. The business has taken up much of the couples’ time so they have sold all their cattle and lease out their pastures. “Our grandchildren, Bryar and Lydia Haden, have shown an interest in taking over the business when they finish with college.

They sometimes travel with us to farm shows and help package the product,” stated Lynn.

Story and Photo

By Lynlee Franks

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JUNE 2, 2014

meet your neighbors

Laying a New Foundation

By Pam and Terry Lamb

Young farmer Dakota Vaughn starts his new career raising Bovan Brown layers and Black Angus cattle Dakota Vaughn raises Bovan Brown layers for Heartland Egg. “The eggs are certified organic and we use no medication on these birds. Heartland Egg has several different types of organic eggs. Mine are an organic pasture-raised egg,” Dakota said. Bovan

Photos by Pam and Terry Lamb

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build was so long, I didn’t really want to wait. Then I heard about this deal and wanted to be one of the first ones to do it,” he said. Dakota hadn’t been around chickens very much. “I had never owned my own chickens or been hands on caring for them. This worked out much bet-

Dakota Vaughn has big plans for his future which includes building two more layer houses and adding more cattle to his herd.

brown chickens are a hybrid breed with ter for me just because it was a lot smaller a strong immune system that are easy operation,” he said. “I don’t have to hire to handle and can produce as many as somebody to do it. I can just take care of 330 eggs in their first year of produc- it,” he said. Dakota will keep the birds, tion. “The chickens have 5 1/2 acres per and collect eggs for 14 months. house with four pens on each side where Dakota started with two houses and they can eat grass,” Dakota added.

2,300 chickens per house. “I have lost Dakota started thinking about getting some but, not very many,” he said. Dainto the chicken business a year ago. kota has been working with “It has just his chickens for six weeks. taken time The chickens are between Westville, Okla. to get the 17 and 18 weeks old when money and they arrive and were alput this deal together,” ready starting to lay eggs.

Dakota said. “At first, I “The majority of the looked into Tyson layer houses. The waiting list to — Continued on Page 14 JUNE 2, 2014

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meet your neighbors

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eggs they lay the first weeks are not big enough to market. We have to wait until they are about 24 weeks before we can start marketing their eggs. They are just now at 24 weeks,” he said. “Hopefully, if everything goes well, I’m going to try to build some more of these.” He wants to have two more houses.

Dakota is just 22 and has big plans for the future. He owns 79 acres. Dakota just sold some steers and is in the process of buying heifers. “Right now, I am buying heifers. I’m going to keep them for about six months to put a couple hundred pounds on them. Once they weigh about eight and a half, I’ll put a couple of bulls with them. I will sell some pregnant heifers next year,” he said. Dakota is buying all Black Angus and Brangus calves. “I want to buy calves that make really good cows that people will want to buy,” he said. Dakota plans to buy several small calves to keep in the pens with the chickens to keep the grass under control. The chickens do not produce as well when they eat too much grass.

“I’m buying six weight heifers. I’m going to buy 50 or 60 of them to run on my pastures and then I will breed them when they get big enough,” he said. Dakota mentioned all he wants is to have his egg houses and cattle. “As long as the cash flow works, I will make money and get my place paid off. That is what I as shooting for,” he said. Dakota wants to have his place paid for in seven years. “Any time sooner than that is just a bonus.”

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

Dakota comes from a long line of cattlemen and has family members in the poultry industry, too. “My father had broiler houses and he ran cattle until I was about 5 years old. Then he got called to preach,” he said. Dakota was homeschooled, worked full time at 14 and graduated at only 16. Dakota’s uncle built portable buildings and needed help so, he moved back to Oklahoma from Arkansas where his father had taken the family. “I worked for him for about a year and then I moved in with my grandparents. I started working with my Uncle Cody taking care of grandpa’s cattle on the farm,” he said.

“My grandpa owns the Benton County Sale Barn in Siloam Springs, Ark. My uncle Cody and my grandpa have been in cattle all their lives. That is what they do for a living. They kind of helped me get started up here.”

“I left when I was 18 and went into the military.” Dakota was in the military police for the air force. “I bought a place in Westville, Okla., and was in the process of remodeling it when I left for basic training. When I got back my parents surprised me and had it all done. They had moved all the furniture in and everything,” he said. “So when I got back home, I had a house. I lived there for about a year.” Dakota sold that house and had enough money to buy his new place. “I’ve been here for a year. I bought a mobile home and remodeled it.

I turned the old milk barn into a shop. I patched up all my fences,” he said.

JUNE 2, 2014

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Jim and Helen Sposato

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www.ozarksfn.com In Town: “I am a retired PE teacher and coach. I moved in 1988 to Lincoln, Ark., which is where I retired from in 2012. I now own and run Coach’s Bar-B-Que Sauce & Catering, which serves an award winning sauce and cater in both Arkansas and Oklahoma. My wife, Helen, is a 34-year veteran psychiatric LPN at Vantage Point in Fayetteville, Ark.” In the Country: “Our new home sits on 15 acres where I am in my sixth year of raising a small herd of Highland cattle. My numbers are down a bit because I just sold three bulls. Though the herd is purebred, I had trouble securing the papers so I have to sell them by weight at the Stilwell Sale Barn, but the buyers know what they are getting. I love the shaggy-haired appearance of the animals and appreciate their hardiness and resistance to cold. Highlanders are fun to watch because they are browsers and use their horns to help dig up the brush, and I am looking forward to them clearing out the blackberry brush on my new place. My biggest concern is their desire and ability to escape fenced areas. I watched my bull one time slip through a weak spot in a fence that was no higher than 13 inches off the ground. That means one of my top priorities right now is bolstering the fences on this place. Highlanders have small calves weighing only 35 to 40 pounds and grow slowly so that by age 2, which is when I sell them, they weigh 400 to 500 pounds. I’m expecting new calves in four or five months and appreciate the fact that they calve easily, produce Jersey quality milk, and wean naturally. My goal is to expand my herd by doubling the number of mommas. The meat is popular with folks who like lean meat. In fact, Highlander hamburger needs to have some fat added to it to keep it from sticking to a pan.

“My wife Helen likes plants so she is planting fruit trees and “greening up” the place. Ironically neither Helen nor I were raised on a farm. We learned through our kids’ 4-H projects and from good advice from the Heartland Highland Association of Missouri.”

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Serving More Than 24,000 Readers Across Northwest Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma

15

Markets

16

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JUNE 2, 2014

ket sales reports

te. The supply der lambs; 4 percent replacement nt slaughter nannies nnies. All prices per se.

50-70 lbs 170.0000; 70-100 lbs

bs 165.00-185.00. s 100.00-110.00.

1 40-50 lbs lbs 210.00-230.00; s 165.00-195.00.

0.

5 lbs 80.00-100.00.

0. bs 80-107.50.

3 Dairy 80-115 lbs

feeder

Ft. Smith Livestock

566

-----

-----

St-5 Higher

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

218.00-286.00 211.00-239.00 209.00-217.00 188.00-205.00 171.00-180.00

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

----198.00-209.00 190.00-207.00 178.00-194.00 164.00-172.50

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

217.00-248.00 204.00-220.00 194.00-203.00 181.00-194.00 164.00-170.00

Steady

245.00-269.00 224.00-242.00 205.00-224.00 188.00-205.00 182.00-188.00 ---------------------

218.00-236.00 206.00-218.00 186.00-206.00 174.00-186.00 -----

Not Reported

Farmers Livestock Springdale -----

Soft Wheat

Corn

15.13

12 6.37

8 4 0 Blyt

6.40

6.37

6.33

4.82

5.97

4.82

le na hevil Hele

e

Elain

eola

Osc

usta

Pine

Bluf

f

1000

Week of4/27/14

193.72

199.71

pairs

190.36

2300

190.26

2800

186.09 190.46 187.42 183.42 189.28 189.97 188.01 191.26 193.39 193.39

Not Reported † Farmers Livestock - Springdale 1000.00-1900.00 † Ft. Smith Not Reported † I-40 Livestock - Ozark 1350.00-2000.00 † Joplin Regional Mo-Ark - Exeter 1650.00-2300.00 * North Arkansas Livestock - Green Forest None Reported † 1585.00-2200.00 † OKC West - El Reno Not Reported † Ouachita Livestock Auction - Ola Ozarks Regional 1025.00-2100.00 † Stilwell Livestock Auction 1750.00-2300.00 * 1200.00-1500.00 † Tulsa Livestock

6.26

189.81

1900.00-2400.00 *

Markets

4.70

Aug

1300

Farmer’s & Ranchers - Vinita

0

2000

3000

* 196.35 185.15 192.42

4000

5000

186.00 194.88 190.96 189.61 200.00 192.81 197.91 189.97

Joplin Regional Stockyards 5/19/14

Mo-Ark Exeter, Mo.*

5/19/14

I-40 Livestock Ozark -----

590

-----

6499

-----

St-10 Higher

-----

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

240.00-285.00 222.50-245.00 200.00-235.00 182.50-224.00 190.00-206.00

220.00-281.00 211.00-248.00 197.00-233.00 196.00-209.00 196.00

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

----220.00-227.50 204.00-220.00 183.00-196.00 177.00

242.00-260.00 207.00-228.00 213.00-218.00 ----176.00

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

217.50-257.50 ----189.00-219.00 175.00-194.00 168.00-176.00

----201.00-224.00 190.00-217.00 184.00-190.00 -----

JUNE 2, 2014

14.78

191.74

*

(Week of 5/18/14 to 5/24/14)

Sorghum

15.13

1800

192.63

191.04

925.00-2000.00†

1250.00-2175.00 † 1 Arkansas Cattle Ash Flat Livestock 1290.00-1925.00 † Benton County Sale Barn - Siloam Springs Not Reported † Cattlemen’s 1075.00-2700.00* 1 1700.00† Cleburne County Livestock 1225.00-2600.00* 1 Clinton Livestock Not Reported† County Line Sale - Ratcliff Not Reported * Decatur Livestock Auction

20 16

800

187.14

1250.00-1850.00 *

cow/calf

Week Ended 5/27/14

Soybeans

1000.00-1535.00†

199.31 182.98

186.60

1100.00-1710.00 † Not Reported †

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

300

avg. grain prices

prices

Farmer’s & Ranchers inita, Okla.* 5/21/14

5/23/14

Cheese: 40 lb. blocks closed at $2.0200 with a weekly average of $1.9880 (-.0190).

Fluid Milk: Manufacturing milk supplies heading into the Memorial Day holiday weekend are heavy.

Strategies are in place to process surplus milk over the extended weekend. Milk demand for bottling is generally lower. Milk production is building in the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Utah and Idaho; steady in New Mexico, Arizona and California; and steady to easing along the East Coast. Cream supplies are tighter, with increased interest from ice cream manufacturers and some churns. There was a shift away from using condensed buttermilk to lower priced condensed skim by a number of ice cream manufacturers.

SPOT PRICES OF CLASS II CREAM, $ PER POUND BUTTERFAT F.O.B. producing plants: Upper Midwest - $2.7273-2.9870.

188.69 *

Week of 5/4/14

5/15/14

1200.00-1800.00 † Arkansas Cattle Auction, LLC Ash Flat Livestock 900.00-1600.00 † Not Reported † Benton County Sale Barn - Siloam Springs Cattlemen’s Livestock 1000.00-1675.00 * Cleburne County Livestock Auction - Heber Springs 1230.00 † 1000.00-2175.00 * 1 Clinton Livestock Not Reported † County Line Sale - Ratcliff Decatur Livestock Auction Not Reported * Farmer’s & Ranchers - Vinita 1400.00-1950.00* Not Reported † Farmers Livestock - Springdale Ft. Smith Livestock 1100.00-1650.00 † Not Reported † I-40 Livestock - Ozark Joplin Regional 925.00-1950.00 † Mo-Ark - Exeter 1060.00-1480.00* North Arkansas Livestock - Green Forest Not Reported †

dairy sales

National Dairy Market at a Glance

193.25 **

Week of 5/11/14

goats

Receipts: 1147 Supply and demand were good. The supply included 29 percent slaughter and feeder lambs; 10 percent slaughter ewes and bucks; 6 percent replacement ewes and pairs; 32 percent kid goats; 14 percent slaughter nannies and billies; 9 percent replacement nannies, billies, and pairs. All prices per hundred weight unless noted otherwise.

Sheep Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3 wooled few non-traditional new crop 50-70 lbs 162.50-175.00; 7090 lbs 185.00; 90-100 lbs 155.00; old crop 125.00; traditional 112-135 lbs 135.00-140.00.

Hair lambs: new crop 50-60 lbs 162.50-185.00; 60-70 lbs 169.00-174.00; 70-80 lbs 166.00-180.00; old crop 145.00; 80-90 lbs 148.00-156.00; 90-100 lbs 130.00142.50; 112-130 lbs 135.00-140.00.

Feeder/Stocker Lambs: Medium and Large 1-2 Wooled 30-50 lbs 170.00-190.00.

Hair lambs: 20-30 lbs 215.00-230.00; 30-40 lbs 156.00-187.50; 40-50 lbs 155.00-195.00.

Ewes: Utility and Good 1-3 wooled 100-166 lbs 62.50-110.00; hair 60-120 lbs 60.00-62.50.

Bucks: wooled 105-205 lbs 50.00-115.00; hair 98-180 lbs 55.00-67.50.

Replacement Ewes: Medium and Large 1-2 wooled 155-166 lbs 72.50-82.00; hair 83-140 lbs 65.00-125.00 cwt. few pairs hair 67.50 per head.

Goats Slaughter Classes: Kids Selection: 1 40-50 lbs 222.50245.00; 50-60 lbs; 220.00-235.00;60-70 lbs 195.00225.00. Selection 1-2 70-90 lbs 155.00-170.00.

Selection 2 30-40 lbs 200.00-240.00; 40-50 lbs 185.00-215.00; 50-60 lbs 215.00-222.50; 60-70 lbs 180.00-195.00. Selection 3 60-70 lbs 115.00-120.00.

Does/Nannies: Selection 1 105-155 lbs 65.00-100.00.

Selection 2 50-95 lbs 67.50-125.00. Selection 3 63135 lbs 62.50-87.50.

Billies: Selection 1-2 95-125 lbs 107.50-125.00; Selection 3 95-210 lbs 80.00-85.00 cwt.

Replacement Nannies: Selection 1 110.00-170.00 per head. Selection 2 90-165 lbs 72.50 200.00. Selection 3

Not Reported

.00-250.00, ll 150.00-195.00; red heifers 300.00sbred bulls 310.00cross heifers 0.00-400.00.

5/1/14

*

5/24/14

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

OKC West - El Reno, Okla.

5/21/14

Ouachita Livestock Ola, Ark. -----

Ozarks Regional West Plains 5/20/14

Stilwell Livestock Auction* 5/21/14

Tulsa Livestock Auction.

5/19/14

-----

-----

9030

-----

3928

1532

3549

-----

Uneven

-----

5-15 Higher

Steady

Uneven

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

262.50 229.00-261.00 220.00-244.00 190.00-225.00 185.75-205.00

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

246.50-275.00 230.00-259.00 222.00-251.50 191.00-219.00 190.00-198.00

240.00-282.50 220.00-247.00 210.00-229.00 195.00-215.00 175.00-190.00

241.00-287.00 227.00-245.00 206.00-229.00 179.00-205.50 171.00-184.50

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

279.00 213.00-232.50 199.00-212.00 190.00-197.00 -----

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

246.00-270.00 227.50-235.00 205.00-230.00 194.00-210.00 -----

225.00-270.00 200.00-235.00 192.00-214.00 175.00-195.00 160.00-180.00

245.00-284.00 225.00-243.00 209.00-224.50 185.00-201.00 170.00-184.00

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

241.00-263.00 219.00-238.00 198.00-234.00 182.00-200.00 166.75-181.00

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

230.00-260.00 218.00-256.00 203.00-221.00 186.00-197.50 169.00-177.50

220.00-248.00 200.00-230.50 185.00-210.00 175.00-193.50 160.00-180.00

229.00-247.00 206.00-226.00 183.00-205.00 172.00-186.00 162.00-175.00

Serving More Across Northwest Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma Serving MoreThan Than24,000 24,000Readers Readers Across Northwest Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma

190.79 207.65

192.00 205.47 198.00 ** Week of 5/18/14

Diamond, Mo. • TS Whites Sheep & Goat Sale

Ash Flat El Reno Ft. Smith Green Forest Heber Springs Joplin Ouachita Ozark Ratcliff Searcy Siloam Springs Springdale Tulsa West Plains

(Week of 5/18/14 to 5/24/14)

Not Reported

preme Indiv. .00, Medium 0.00-1300.00; .00, Common 725.00-930.00, 0. m Indiv. Jersey , Milking

heifers 550-600 LBS.

cows

replacement

Dairy 85-130 lbs 85.00-155.00 cwt.

Pairs: Selection 1 60.00-102.50 per head. Selection 2 30.00-75.00. Selection 3 55.00-65.00 per head.

Billies: Selection 1-2 125-210 lbs 125.00-135.00 cwt.

Stocker/Feeder Kids: Selection 2 30-40 lbs 175.00180.00. Seletion 2-3 15-25 lbs 105.00-125.00.

Selection 3 20-30 lbs 140.00-160.00; 30-40 lbs 120.00180.00; 40-50 lbs 145.00-172.50.

Feeder Kids: Selection 2 20-40 lbs 200.00-220.00.

Selection 3 20-30 lbs 165.00-175.00; 30-40 lbs 165.00-200.00; 40-50 lbs 185.00-220.00.

Not Reported

bs Few 790.00-

USDA Reported * Independently Reported

198.49 198.60 ** ** ** 194.76 ** ** 187.22 207.45

160

173 186 199 212 * No price reported in weight break **USDA Failed To Report *** No Sale

225

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

17 17

2014 Show-Me Brahman Influence Sale June 20-21, 2014

meet your neighbors

(Sale 5:30 p.m., Saturday, June 21, 2014)

Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, MO Join us for 2 days of fun, food, friends and Brahman activities

Selling: Registered Brahman, Brangus, Braford, Brahmousin, Beefmaster, Santa Gertrudis & Simbrah PLUS: F-1 Tigers, F-1 Brangus, Star 5, Advancers (Pairs, Breds, Opens, Select Bulls) (Breeder Displays)

5:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

By Terry Ropp

Kenny Kirk uses strict culling protocol to maintain a highly productive calf crop

Friday, June 20th

Cattle available for viewing Fajitia Dinner Social & Benefit Auction

Saturday, June 21st

9:00 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

Making Strides with Brangus

Cattle available for viewing Ribeye Steak Sandwiches Judging Contest (Jrs. & Adults) All participants will be awarded a $100 certificate for the day of the show.

Brahman Influence Advantages Hoover Case Featuring distinguished speakers that represent all segments of the Brahman Influence industry. Come learn how Bos Indicus cattle can benefit your operation.

Sale

Participating Motels: • Candlewood Suites Springfield South, 417-881-8500 • LaQuinta Inn Springfield South, 417-890-6060 Call for Lodging Block Information

Kenny and Stephanie Kirk are not your typical livestock farmers, meaning that are born and raised with livestock all around them. Rather they were both “townies” and graduated from Springdale High School. However, Kirk was highly involved in FFA and

ny wears many hats. He works as a farm realtor, a field worker and hauler for the Farmers’ Livestock Auction in Springdale, Ark., and as a farm inspector for the First Financial Bank in Fayetteville, Ark., performing inspections to make sure farmers are maintaining the value

Consignments

• Bravado - 5 Cows • Braford - 2 Bulls, 5 Heifers • Brahmousin - 3 Semen, 3 Bulls, 4 Females

• Beefmaster - 3 Semen, 3 Embryo, • • •

2 Bulls, 5 Cows Brahman - 7 Bulls, 16 Females Brangus - 9 Bulls, 17 Females Santa Gertrudis - 2 Bulls, 8 Females, 50 Star 5

Lot 5 - Registered Brahmousin

Commercial Expecting 200+ Head by Sale Day!

Photo by Terry Ropp

We have a special semen lot of proven carcass Simbrah sires from Pine Ridge Ranch, Athens, TX

Sire of both: LMC Polled Madison

MLD Miss Firecracker 116Z, August 2012 Gray Brahman female

F-1 Brahman Shorthorn, polled coming 2 year old

For more information about the sale contact: RDG Marketing Robert Doehring 417-733-1213 • robertdoehring@yahoo.com Dean Galbraith 573-205-1703 • deangalbraith@rocketmail.com

18

Thirty days prior to turning out his bulls Kenny Kirk administers a hormone shot to his cows to encourage synchronized production, leading to a less stressful calving season.

placed second in the state for individual of their mortgaged property. All of this livestock judging. He also worked on is in addition to running his own heifer farms during high school and looked up replacement operation on 200 owned to Gene Shockley who had a cow/calf and leased acres of hay and cattle ground farm and the Parsons family who ran a outside of Hindsville, Ark. Stephanie, on feeder operation. Kenny said, “The bug the other hand is a one-year “lunch lady” bit, and I knew I wanted in.” Kenny knew at Hindsville Elementary and an active two things: he wanted to farm and he mom caring for three children: Jake, 21, Caleb, 16 and Mckenna, 9. wanted to live in Madison County.

Kenny likes to maintain a herd The problem, of course, is of 120 Brangus/Angus heifers that farming from scratch and 10 registered Angus bulls presents a huge financial Hindsville, Ark. using live cover because his obstacle. Kenny said, “I also busy schedule simply has insuflove people and checking out ficient time for AI. Kenny said, “I the world while my wife is know I have more bull power than highly child centered.” The I need, but I want synchronized proresult is a lifestyle where Ken-

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JUNE 2, 2014

meet your neighbors duction and bull power helps make that possible. I also facilitate synchronization by administering a hormone shot 30 days before turning out my bulls.”

Kenny selects his heifers by appearance looking for a long, black animal with good and heavy bone structure and a docile temperament. Kenny said, “I think the Brangus/Angus cross make the best momma cows in northwest Arkansas because they are the highly desired black color and are both heat and pinkeye resistant.”

Kenny selects his bulls by looking at the EPDs, especially in terms of birth weight.

Kenny typically buys his heifers in September or October and sells them 15 months later in January. He culls his heifer herd three times to ensure that he has the best possible calves. He culls just before administering the first round of shots, just after pulling the bulls out, and once more after he preg checks in 100 days. He sells all culled heifers at the Springdale auction. Kenny said, “They have been there for 40 years and have a steady, repeat customer base.”

Kenny treats for shipping fever with all animals as soon as purchased. He also administers two rounds of vaccinations, the first 30 days after purchase and the second 30 days before the bulls are turned out. Kenny believes the biggest current region-wide health issue is

trichomoniasis, which he also believes is beginning to be controlled.

The cattle are watered with spring water and ponds. Kenny said, “The drought really hit us hard and cattle numbers are still way down, which means prices are too high to afford replacement heifers and still be able to make money. I had a call just today for someone looking for heifers but I don’t have any to sell right now. Selling is never a problem, and I sell mostly by word-of-mouth and to repeat customers. ” Kenny’s pasture is fescue, natural grass and bermuda which is fertilized once a year with local chicken litter the first year and nitrogen the second. He also sprays once per year for weeds using a commercial spray in the spring. Kenny sets aside 60 acres for hay and can do two cuttings per year but likes to cut only once in order to reserve the land for grazing. Consequently, Kenny has to buy hay because the land does not produce enough to fill his year long needs.

Kenny and Stephanie are looking forward to an extremely busy year because they are moving into a new house and because both younger children have chosen athletics as their main activity.

Nonetheless, cattle are in Kenny’s blood, and he is looking forward to building up his herd again.

BIG SPRING SALE!

Everything priced to sell!

16’, 20’, 24’, 28’ or 32’ Need a flat bed trailer?

We carry those too!

Give Matt A Call Today For Your Best Prices!

McMahan Enterprises, Inc. Hwy. 65 S., Damascus, Ark. • 501-733-3551

DM Series Disc Mowers

5'6" to 10'6" working widths with 3-bladed counter-rotating discs

June Beef Cattle Tips Tips for spring calving herds: • Remove Bulls • Perform three-month calf processing

RA Series Rotary Rakes

TE Series Tedders

17'1" working width with one-piece chassis and hydraulic transport

13'9" working width with rugged, high-lift tine arms

Tips for fall calving herds:

• Pregnancy test cows • Check body condition • Plan heifer development for replacement heifers

Forage management tips: •

• • • •

Monitor warm-season grasses for first/second cutting – harvest on a 28 day interval Fertilize warm-season grasses as needed for hay and pasture Monitor pastures for broadleaf weeds and spray as needed Continue to rotationally graze to maintain forage into summer Defer grazing on fields with lespedeza to promote better growth for July and August

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Optional equipment may be shown. ©Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2014

Source: University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service

JUNE 2, 2014

Serving More Than 24,000 Readers Across Northwest Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma

© Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2014.

19

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www.hoganeq.com

meet your neighbors

Perfecting the Flock

By Diana Dickinson

Chicken producer Keli Carter learns as she goes and makes adjustments to become successful Weather is always a concern when beginning or managing a farm or ranch. Heat stress, drought, flooding or freezing temperatures can impact the operation of the chosen crop.

Grazing options may become limited or in abundance. An exit plan or a Plan B carries the burden when the actual plan begins to fail. Protecting the lifestyle means being in tune with Mother Nature, creating grazing boundaries, providing adequate shelter, maintaining a healthy herd via vaccinations and/or forage and keeping predators out.

For the first generation producer, much research has to be done in order to create a sustainable and productive environment. That is the concept that had to be practiced by a mother and two daughters in Pryor, Okla. Sue Parker (mother) purchased farming property several years ago and later daughters, Keli Carter and Patricia Parker, moved on the property. They each had their own endeavors of obtaining a healthier and more self-sufficient way of living.

Keli and Sue manufactured the idea that they would grow vegetables to lead them to healthier eating and with great success. They had no idea that Patricia had another idea…chickens. Patricia said, “I wanted my own egg source. A lot of people are raising chickens. How hard could it be?”

“When we were younger, we lived the city life and came to Oklahoma to visit our grandparents. We called one set of our grandparents, ‘Grandma and Grandpa Chicken’ because they raised chickens.

We gleaned our knowledge from each, but not nearly enough. I have no idea of what kind they raised or what all was entailed in their care,” stated Keli. Even though they are not first generation producers, they had to acquire the knowledge.

“Patricia brought home eight baby female Cornish Rex chicks. She placed JUNE 2, 2014

them into a water trough rigged with a heat lamp, water, feed tray and shredded bark. Since they were growing so fast, she requested I make a place for them to eventually call home; it had to be made fast,” said Keli. Sue had more than several buildings and a few were chosen to be the new home. “You can guess who was closer in

chickens. I researched books, magazines and the Internet about the many different breeds. I narrowed my choices based on the qualities I desired. I wanted nonflighty, average to good layers (200-325 eggs a year), dual-purpose (egg and meat birds), weather tolerant and low temperament personalities,” said Keli.

Photo by Diana Dickinson

When it comes to breed selection Keli Carter wants chickens who are non-flighty, good layers, dual purpose, weather tolerant and have low temperament personalities. (Pictured L to R: Patricia Parker, Keli Carter and Sue Parker)

proximity to the chickens,” said Keli. She was now the new primary avian caregiver.

Once the chickens grew more, the hens began laying eggs. They yielded three eggs in one day and on a good day they would get four.

Seeing the small rewards, Keli researched anything and everything about chickens.

“I discovered chickens lay eggs every 25 hours. For some crazy reason, I thought we needed more

Needless to say, while buying chicken feed, Keli came home with a box full of chickens. Their domesticated fowl flock has grown significantly. The types she chose were the Ameraucana – very hardy and known for show abilities, Australorp Pryor, Okla. – great nesters for breeding, egg laying record 364 days, Barred Plymouth Rock – hardiness, docility and broodi-

Serving More Than 24,000 Readers Across Northwest Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma

ness, Buff Orpington – great brooders, non-flighty, adapt well to cold climates and Rhode Island Red – prolific egg-laying abilities.

“Picking out chicks was time consuming but was the easiest part. Making sure they have an area full of protection, a place to sleep, nest, eat, drink and roost was the most time consuming,” said Keli.

She discovered that the hens lay better when they are cooler in the summer.

She hooked up a water misting system and fans to circulate air in their coop.

In addition to feed, she freezes fruit as treats on hot days, mostly watermelon and cantaloupe.

Fifty-to-sixty percent of their flock produces eggs each day. One of the lessons learned while trying to get a high yield on egg production, was to reduce the number of roosters or production will drop drastically. The chickens are free-range and peck the property eating grass, worms, bugs and feed. “Although I let them graze freely, I do not leave them out in the winter very long. They like it cool but not freezing. I have thermostat plugged in so that it will automatically turn on the heat lamps whenever the temperature drops below 35 degrees in their coop, which keeps them warm in the winter months,” added Keli.

Keli ended, “Raising chickens is a daily commitment and some days require more care than others. It takes a lot of planning. I open the chicken coop at dawn and close them up at dusk or whenever they go in.” To protect them from predators, Kat, an Akbash breed, watches the flock.

Keli has dabbled in the incubation process with a 65 percent hatch rate and ended up with beautiful and interesting crosses which have become a story all on its own.

21

youth in

agriculture tomorrow’s ag leaders

Whitt Bell Age: 21 Parents: Kim and Mark Bell Hometown: Fayetteville, Ark.

beef up your farm Today’s farmers and ranchers have more challenges than ever before.

Understanding you and your specific needs is the key to being an effective financial partner. We have a dedicated team of lenders to meet those needs. Local lenders and local decisions – Arvest Bank.

Contact us for an arvest agriculture Loan: John Gregson, NMLS #607979 (870) 423-1555 Berryville, AR Chris middleton, NMLS #564351 (870) 391-5685 Harrison, AR bob rawson, NMLS #564548 (479) 737-1101 Huntsville, AR Jeff Watson, NMLS #564555 (479) 737-1113 Huntsville, AR matt Smith, NMLS #997566 (479) 756-7976 Hindsville, AR ernie penn, NMLS #564424 (479) 846-7083 Farmington, AR Jim Singleton, NMLS #608015 (479) 787-5258 Gravette, AR Dax moreton, NMLS #564422 (479) 846-7015 Lincoln, AR Lynn Thomas, NMLS #564430 (479) 846-7422 Prairie Grove, AR Dave pfeifler, NMLS #564747 (479) 839-3000 West Fork, AR eric Lunnen, NMLS #564349 (870) 508-8463 Mountain Home, AR

Tobey Norberg, NMLS #564356 (870) 449-7124 Yellville, AR Scott mcKennon, NMLS #683362 (501) 477-5321 Morrilton, AR Levi price, NMLS #612473 (479) 549-1254 Siloam Springs, AR austin butler, NMLS #1141974 (479) 549-1203 Siloam Springs, AR Jeff Small, NMLS #564265 (479) 498-4875 Russellville, AR Jason Shook, NMLS #564262 (479) 963-5003 Paris, AR Whitney Harrison, NMLS #1180087 (479) 846-1506 Cassville, MO paul patterson, NMLS #564494 (918) 253-1824 Jay, OK Cody Lundberg, NMLS #564486 (918) 723-3336 Westville, OK Cliff robinson, NMLS #564501 (918) 868-8151 Kansas, OK Kurt price, NMLS #564498 (918) 696-8520 Stilwell, OK

Favorite Aspect of Ag: “I like row crop farming and especially equine science. I learned my love of horses from my grandfather, Jerry Bell, who owns and raises cutting horses. Rather than buying cutting horses, he breeds, competes and sells them. I especially like planning the breeding season and deciding which stud is best suited for each mare. I guess all this makes my grandfather the most influential person in my life. He also influenced me socially and taught me how to interact with people and how to speak to audiences easily. The combination of his influences will definitely help me in my career.”

Current Involvement in Ag: “I am working in the D.E. King Equine Program at the University of Arkansas, which involves volunteering time to work with horses and to learn facility management. I also am a farmer’s son and help on the family farm driving a tractor or doing whatever else is needed.”

arvest.com

Awards: “I compete on the national level and have twice won reserve champion at the American Quarter Horse Youth World Show. I have also won reserve and champion and a variety of high-level competitions and have earned total prize money of $80,000.”

Future Plans: “I want to become a veterinarian specializing in lameness in performance horses. I would someday like to have a private practice like a guy I know that travels to rodeo competitions and treats performance horses.

He is well enough known that he gets calls to travel to treat horses. I would like to do what he does but on a smaller scale so I could have a centrally based private practice, probably in Arkansas, and then travel on weekends to continue competing while treating performance horses as well.”

Most Memorable About Your Competitions: “What I’ve really learned was to remain humble because sometimes I win but other times I have to be willing to lose in order to win another time, since so many factors involved are outside of my control.”

Member FDIC

22

Story and Photo By Terry Ropp Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JUNE 2, 2014

the ofn

ag-visors

Advice from

The Udder Side of the Story Dr. Tim E. O’Neill, DVM

V

accinations are important.

They do help prevent devastating disease and sickness. Over the years I have recommended different vaccinations and ways of doing them. But, what happens if you do not vaccinate?

If you own horses and do not bother with vaccinating them or even getting a coggin’s test done annually normally I don’t worry about it, they are your animals. But, every once in awhile you see a horse without vaccinations or coggin’s test. Then you get a call from the owner about the horse

If they go into titanic seizures, this is not good. They become very dangerous to be around. They will be kicking and falling all over. You have to know exactly what you are doing to be around walking very stiff, head them without getting down and not wanting hurt. They need to be to eat very well. When under heavy sedation Dr. Tim E. O’Neill, DVM, you look at the horse at this time. Now when owns Country Veterinary it is evident that you they are going into Service in Farmington, have a case of tetanus. these titanic seizures Ark. To contact Tim go Now this is very life and over 26.5 years of to ozarksfn.com and threatening. A case practice, I have never click on ‘Contact Us.’ like this takes a lot of been able to bring one time and medicine to out of it. Generally we treat. We do use tetanus antitoxin, to treat end up putting the horse down and end this disease. Normally, the dose is seven the suffering. Not a good choice, but of those little vials daily or twice daily for better for the animal. Medicine can only about a week. do so much.

the professionals

Now my point is this could all be prevented by a vaccination for around about $10.00 or less per year. Enough said.

The other point to bring up is about coggin’s testing. Arkansas does require a negative coggin’s test every year to own a horse or any equidae, including donkeys, mules and zebras. For change of ownership the negative coggin’s test must be within 6 months prior to the exchange. Now, yes I do make a little money on doing this coggin’s testing but, like I have told many clients, my job is doing the testing and providing information. The state of Arkansas has not put me on the payroll or given me a gun or badge. So, I am not enforcement. But, if they do catch you, you will be quarantined until you prove that the testing has been done. And if you do not get the testing done you can be brought up on charges. These charges can be to the tune of $1,000.00 and/or 6 months in jail per head. These charges do carry some weight.

Coming July 14 The Ozarks’ Only Ag Resource Directory The directory will be mailed to more than 10,000 farm families across northwest Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. The Farm Hand contains listings of ag-businesses & the products or services they provide. This directory will be used and kept by farmers in our area year-round.

Ad space deadline is approaching quickly.

Call today to reserve your space.

1-866-532-1960 JUNE 2, 2014

Serving More Than 24,000 Readers Across Northwest Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma

23

farm

help

Making farming a little easier

Did You Say Chicken Tractor?

By Klaire Bruce

Understanding the benefits of portable housing for pastured poultry Chicken tractors are all the rage these days. Urban hobby farmers are keeping a few laying hens in tractors in their backyards, bigger producers are using them to pasture their poultry before selling processed birds at a premium price, and chicken enthusiasts everywhere are using tractors to simply provide convenient housing for their fowl. So what is a chicken tractor, exactly? And what are the benefits of using these portable housing structures to raise chickens and other poultry? Read on to find out.

What Is A Chicken Tractor?

A chicken tractor is a portable poultry housing unit that allows birds access to grass, bugs, seeds and other tasty morsels; chickens that are kept in tractors not only mow the lawn and keep the bugs down, they also fertilize the ground that they are rotated on. There is an endless variety of chicken tractor models – everything from small A-frames on wheels to giant structures that can be pulled with a tractor. Some chicken tractors are designed with a nesting box area for hens to lay their eggs in, and some are rather sparsely furnished. Some are constructed from PVC pipe and a do-it-yourself plan, and some are made from wood, painted like a barn and topped with a weather vane. One thing that all chicken tractors have in common, though, is that they provide the birds with easy access to the outdoors while keeping them protected from predators.

Chicken Tractor Benefits Poultry that have been raised in a natural, outdoor setting are healthier than birds that are raised entirely indoors – and chicken tractors provide an easy way for growers to pasture

their poultry. Jonathan Hale, an employee at Polyface Farms in Swoope, Va., a leader in natural agriculture and local food movement, said that there is a “huge difference” in eggs and meat from chickens that have been raised in the farm’s ‘Eggmobiles’ and portable broiler housing. “The eggs are a lot richer,” said Hale, “and the meat is a lot cleaner.” He also noted that customers who are unable to eat commercial eggs due to health problems are able to eat the farm fresh eggs from the pastured hens at Polyface Farms. Raising poultry in tractors can also help save money on feed costs. “The most notable benefit of keeping chickens in tractors is knowing what’s in the food fed to the chickens,” said Greg Samuel, owner of Portable Livestock Shelters in Seymour, Mo. “Their diet is supplemented with protein from insects and grass, cutting down on supplemental feed costs.”

Built by Portable Livestock Shelters

Built by poultry producer Scott Bruce

Chicken Tractor Management The most crucial part of managing a chicken tractor is ‘location, location, location.’ In other words, chicken tractors have to be moved. Moving tractors keeps chickens from compacting the soil, killing the forage and building up manure. How frequently a tractor is moved depends on the size and the number of chickens it holds, but most tractors typically need moved every few days. Jess Lyons from the Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri, noted that eggs laid in chicken tractors need to be gathered regularly to avoid eggshell contamination. Providing birds in tractors with clean fresh water and a balanced feed ration to go along with the insects and grass will ensure pastured poultry success.

Built by Portable Livestock Shelters Photos by Klee Bruce

what do you say?

What biosecurity measures do you take on your poultry farm to prevent the spread of disease?

24

“I work for Butterball and follow strict protocols for biosecurity, which includes proper signs and following all of their guidelines, which have been developed for the safety of the producer and the consumer.”

Brian Weisenfels Logan County, Ark.

“We have had a big problem around here with fire ants for five years or so.

That means in addition to spraying outside, I spray inside my chicken houses between batches to keep the problem under control.”

Don Smith Le Flore County, Okla.

“We try not to bring in any other poultry in here except straight from the hatchery and they’re confined in a brood house. We keep them separated from our other birds for four or five months until they are accustom to each other.”

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

Gary Greenwood Craig County, Okla.

“I try to make sure we don’t go a lot of places, especially when the birds are older. I use Agri-phene, a disinfectant, and put it in a tub in our control rooms. Plus, Tyson does a good job with biosecurity.”

Bryan Reynolds Madison County, Ark.

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farm help

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Be on the lookout.

University of Arkansas Extension is advising forage producers to watch for damage from an insect that’s been recently discovered in Arkansas. Atherigona reversura, more commonly called the bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM), is the larva of a fly in the Muscidae family that’s commonly called the “shoot fly.”

It’s about an eighth of an inch and colored yellow with four prominent black spots on its abdomen. University of Arkansas Extension Entomologist Dr. Kelly Loftin said the insect is native to southeast Asia; it was first detected in Georgia in 2010, and has spread throughout the southeastern U.S. It was found last July near Magnolia, Ark., and has since been confirmed in at least 25 Arkansas counties, and is believed to infest the entire state. The only forage grasses known to be susceptible to maggot feeding by BSM are bermudagrass and stargrass (Cynodon spp.). Loftin said information on control of the pest and the economic threshold of damage is limited. “Most work that has been conducted has been done in Georgia, and some work in Alabama,” he said, “so there’s quite a bit left to learn about this pest and how much damage, if any, it does…and how best to control it, if we need to control it.”

The fly lays its eggs near a node on the shoot; the larvae migrate into the node, and will kill the top two or three leaves.

It’s specific to bermudagrass, and researchers at the University of Georgia say it does more damage to varieties with fine stems, like common, Coastal, Alicia and Cheyenne II. Even if actual damage to the stand is minimal, the dead top leaves produce an unsightly bale which is sometimes rejected by buyers in the horse hay market. The

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

limited research has found pyrethroids applied at the lowest labeled rate are the most cost-effective means of control.

“They’ve also found that either poor soil or poor nutrients and poor moisture can lead to a bigger issue, because it slows the growth of the plant, so it can have more of an impact on that situation,” Loftin said.

The maggot is of less concern in bermudagrass that is moderately grazed, since the cows consume the larvae and eggs in the top growth; for the same reason, turfgrass sees little damage because the frequent mowing interrupts the fly’s 21-25 day life cycle from larva to adult. Loftin said if damage is found, producers should cut hay again if feasible 1-3 weeks after a harvest.

Although BSM is unlikely to be transported in cut hay – the maggot needs moisture and will die as the hay dries – Loftin warned producers to watch for another, more familiar pest that may be hitchhiking on baled hay. He said during last year’s drought many producers had hay shipped in from fire ant infested areas, under conditions that may have contributed to the spread of the exotic, imported pests. “Hay that’s actually stored in contact with the soil can become infested with entire fire ant colonies,” he said. “That’s not uncommon, and that’s why we all got concerned.”

Loftin said hay brought in from Louisiana and Mississippi, and likely from South Arkansas, carried the pests, and hay growing areas of Mississippi are known to be infested with black imported fire ants, hay from Alabama is of less concern, because that state has established a permit system where hay bales are certified to be fire ant free. “Today, we’re not aware of any new infestations resulting from infested hay, but we can’t let our guard down,” Loftin said. “We need to keep looking.”

JUNE 2, 2014

farm help

Much Ado About Mulch

By Klaire Bruce

Keep your poultry healthy and happy by selecting the right type of mulch If you have a chicken house, you know the importance of having happy hens. Happy hens lay more eggs, and are generally healthier and have better temperaments. Part of having happy hens means keeping your chicken coop, and/or your nesting boxes, mulched or deep bedded. ‘Mulching,’ by definition, is covering an area with organic matter, which could be leaves, straw or sawdust, just to name a few. ‘Deep bedding’ is a technique relatively close to mulching, except that it is used in animal housing and involves continually layering new organic matter in the area.

What are the benefits of mulching or deep bedding your chicken coop? Anyone who has spent any time around chickens knows that they are often accompanied by a rather unpleasant odor.

Mulching can do away with most of that odor – the organic material in the mulch speeds up the breakdown of the chicken manure. This also reduces the fly problem that many chicken coops have. Mulching gives the chickens an outlet to release their natural scratching tendencies – when they have material to scratch and fluff and eat insects from, they don’t pick at one another, a problem that can often lead to cannibalism. Mulching keeps the chicken coop warmer in the wintertime, and reduces time spent cleaning. Lastly, mulching your chicken coop and even your run for your hens gives the area a more aesthetically appealing look.

What sort of organic matter can be used to mulch a chicken coop? The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Here are a few choices to get you started.

Straw: Straw, the outer stems or stalks of grain plants, is one of the most JUNE 2, 2014

commonly used mulch materials. It is typically inexpensive and can be purchased in large quantities. It is easy to store as long as it is out of the elements, and a little bit goes a long way. It is important to make sure that the straw is free of mold before mulching – moldy straw can cause respiratory problems for chickens.

Pine Needles: If you or a close neighbor happens to have a few pine trees growing in the yard, you can get your poultry mulch for free. Pine needles are a very inexpensive source of soft, sweet smelling mulch for your hens to lay eggs in. A rake and some five gallon buckets work best for gathering pine needle mulch – just make sure the needles are dry before mulching.

Corn Husks: For those in the corn business, chances are you have a lot of chicken coop mulch growing right in your crop fields – corn husks are another great option for mulching. Just fill your coop with clean, dry corn husks after shucking and your hens will thank you.

Leaves: Leaves are yet another source of free mulch – when you rake your leaves in the fall, simply bag them in large trash bags and store in a dry place. You will have mulch for your chicken coop all winter long.

These are just a few mulching options for happy hens. Wood chips, lawn clippings and even tall, dry grasses can be used to mulch your chicken coop. Whatever you decide to use, make sure it is clean and mold free – then mulch away.

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farm help

Propane Fluctuation and the Poultry Industry

By Gary Digiuseppe

A look at propane prices and the affect on poultry growers and consumers

28

it was one of those things where it was hand-to-mouth as far as getting it in there. There was some concern that some of the propane companies were considering reneging on contracts that producers had for a specified price, but I think in the end everything turned out alright pricewise.” In one case, he said, growers had to have propane trucked in from Texas.

In January, according to Dr. Mark Jenner, University of Missouri Extension agriculture business specialist at the Bates County office in Butler, Mo., an Arkansas supplier said they couldn’t supply their clients, sending a panic through the system. “The supply system was stressed beyond its capacity,” Jenner told OFN.

paid a higher gas allowance than usual.

And producers kept their flocks alive.

“We didn’t see any spike in mortality,” Tencleve said. “I think the guys understand that if they don’t have any birds going out the door at the end of the batch, they cannot make any money…

There might have been where they were a little short for a day or so, but for an extended period of time we did not see that, at least in our part of the world.”

And he said supermarket shoppers did not feel the surge in the cost of raising birds. “Rarely does the consumer see the impact of what our producers do,” Tencleve said. “The producer and the integrator absorb the price because if it spikes too much a consumer, as finicky as we all are, will jump to something that’s a little bit cheaper at the time. They do a great job of keeping the price to the consumers relatively flat, so the consumer doesn’t pay Weekly Missouri any more out of pocket to Propane buy chicken or turkey.”

Residential Price (Dollars per Gallon) But the events of the winter may produce a shift in Weekly Missouri the grower population.

Propane

“From what I understand, there were a lot of fears that it could, really quickly, become really bad, but the system corrected itself before that happened.”

The surge in prices was short lived; as of March, the wholesale price of propane in the Ozarks was back down to $1.20, the same as it had been in October, whereas it was $4.00/gallon in the last week of January and $2.00 in early February (see chart).

Tencleve noted the high fuel prices had left it particularly unprofitable for growers to run older houses that are less efficient than newer ones. Most poultry are grown in this region under contract, and he said integrators worked to ensure propane supplies were available to their growers; in some cases, they reportedly

Midwest Weekly Heating Oil & Propane Prices (Oct.-March)

Wholesale/Resale Price (Dollars per Gallon)

10/7/13 10/14/13 10/21/13 10/28/13 11/4/13 11/11/13 11/18/13 11/25/13 12/2/13 12/9/13 12/16/13 12/23/13 12/30/13 1/6/14 1/13/14 1/20/14 1/27/14 2/3/14 2/10/14 2/17/14 2/24/14 3/3/14 3/10/14 3/17/14

Poultry growers know – when the price of your costliest input doubles or triples, there’s no choice but to pay up and get that next flock out the door.

This past winter, growers were faced with historically high propane costs that rose above $4.00/gallon. The unusually harsh winter had driven up demand for home heating while the record corn crop, which in many cases came out of fields late and wet, created increased need for grain drying. Then, for three weeks from late November to the third week in December, a major pipeline carrying hydrocarbons from Canada was shut down for maintenance.

“You had a transportation problem, a distribution problem, and a little bit of a shortage,” Arkansas Farm Bureau Assistant Director $4.50 for Commodity Activities and Regulatory Affairs Bruce $4.00 Tencleve told Ozarks Farm & Neighbor. “The combi$3.50 nation of all three of those things really had a devastat$3.00 ing impact on our poultry producers.” $2.50 That’s because during the wintertime, propane ac$2.00 counts for 75-80 percent of a poultry grower’s expenses. It’s $1.50 needed to keep young chicks and turkey poults warm, ex$1.00 plained Kelly Smith, Marketing and Commodities $0.50 Director for Missouri Farm Bureau. “There was supply $0.00 rationing here in our state,” Smith told OFN. “I don’t know that anybody ever really ran out of propane, but

Source: U.S. Emergy Information Administration, www.eia.gov

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JUNE 2, 2014

farm help

Animal Welfare Focused

By Amanda Erichsen

The importance of animal welfare and how it plays a role for poultry growers “Animal welfare is simply supplying the proper care for our animals by protecting them and providing their needs,” said Yvonne Vizzier Thaxton, professor and director at the University of Arkansas Center for Agricultural Food Animal Wellbeing.

“As a topic, animal welfare has become a misunderstood, controversial and often confusing topic,” Thaxton said. “This is the result of the disconnect between people and their food, in the United States. Today, less than 2 percent of the entire population has any connection to agriculture. Thus, the general population knows animals as pets, in zoos and in the media.”

Horses and mules were significant sources of farm labor in the early 1900s, but as tractors and other farm equipment were developed many of these animals were kept as pets. “Today you can buy diapers for your chickens so that you can have them in your home,” Thaxton said. “The move from domestic animal to pets changes the perception of the animals in many ways.”

Animal welfare is basic to animal agriculture. “It is the right thing to do and critical for sustained production regardless of the system,” Thaxton added.

“At Butterball, we strive to be a leader and set the industry standard for animal care and well-being,” said Stephanie Llorente, public relations manager for Butterball, LLC. “That’s why Butterball is working with industry leading specialists and scientists in animal care to assist in further developing our on-farm processes and practices. With the American Humane Association (AHA)’s rigorous inspection and certification, we ensure that our practices meet the AHA’s independent Humane Certification standards.”

JUNE 2, 2014

As knowledge of animal behavior increased, so did understanding of the needs of animals. “Increased efficiency and expansion after World War II also presented challenges,” Thaxton said. Today there are minimum accepted requirements for good animal care. For a place to start refer to these five suggestions.

1) Eliminate thirst and hunger – by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor.

2) Eliminate discomfort – by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.

3) Eliminate pain, injury and disease – by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.

4) Allow animal to express normal behavior – by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.

5) Eliminate fear and distress – by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.

Poultry companies have vertically integrated programs which detail the best practices of animal welfare for each type of facility. “On the other hand, independent small farms must devise their own systems,” Thaxton said. “The University of Arkansas Extension Service conducts annual seminars for backyard poultry farmers. On request, other training could also be provided to groups.”

For more information about poultry well being and animal welfare, please contact your state’s Department of Agriculture, area livestock extension specialist or state livestock association.

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Whether on the floor of the Missouri Senate, working for the USDA, or hosting the Farm & Ranch Report, Morris Westfall cares about the people of the Ozarks.

calendar

June 2014 3 Boone Co. Private Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – Boone Co. Fairgrounds, Harrison, Ark. – 870-741-6168 5-7 Diamond Daze Festival – Sallisaw High School, Sallisaw, Okla. – 918-775-2558 6-7 Roundup Club Rodeo – 8 p.m. – Fairgrounds, Harrison, Ark. – 870-654-2941 7 Northwest 4-H District Horse Show – 9 a.m. – Pauline Whitaker Arena, Fayetteville, Ark. – 479-444-1755 12 Blackberry Production Workshop – 2 p.m.-8 p.m. – U of A Division of Agriculture Fruit Research Station, Clarksville, Ark. – Reg. by June 10 – 479-754-2406 13-14 55th Annual Poultry Festival – 8 a.m. – John Q. Hammons Convention Center, Rogers, Ark. – 501-375-8131 19 Fire Ant Meeting – 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – Johnson Co. Fair Building, Clarksville, Ark. – 479-754-2240 19 Meet the Candidate Picnic – 6 p.m.-9 p.m. – Wagoner Civic Center, Wagoner, Okla.- 918-486-4589 19-20 Dairy Camp – 501-671-2067 20-21 Butterfly Festival – Fairgrounds, Paris, Ark. – 479-963-2244 20-22 25th Annual 4-State Dairy Days – Benton Co. Fairgrounds, Bentonville, Ark. – 479-291-4552 23-7/21 Newton Co. Summer Camp – 870-446-2240 26 Meat Goat Tagging Information – 7 p.m.-8 p.m. – Washington Co. Fairgrounds, Fayetteville, Ark. – 479-848-0566 27-28 16th Annual Red, White & Blue Festival & Rodeo – 8 p.m. – Baxter Co. Fairgrounds, Mountain Home, Ark. – 870-404-4174 27-7/2 John Henry Shaddox Wagon Train – Harrison, Ark. – Springdale, Ark. – Register – 870-577-0178 28 Meat Goat Tagging Information – 9 a.m.-10 a.m. – Washington Co. Fairgrounds, Fayetteville, Ark. – 479-848-0566 28 Multi-County Poultry Workshop – 10:30 a.m. – Community Building, Pindal, Ark. – 870-448-3981 August 2014 14 Faulkner Co. Private Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – Tommy Lewis Conference Room, Faulkner Co. Natural Resource Center, Conway, Ark. – 501-329-8344 22-31 Washington Co. Fair – Washington Co. Fairgrounds, Fayetteville, Ark. – 479-444-1755

ozarks’

Ag Production and political news and views for the farm and ranch.

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Join Morris Westfall for the Farm & Ranch Report.

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Saturday 8:05am Weekdays 6:3Oam & 12:05pm Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JUNE 2, 2014

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1/19/15

TFN

Farm Equipment

Baler Belts for All Balers

Country Veterinary Service Tim E. O’Neill, DVM

All belts made in the USA!

JD w/genuine JD plate fasteners.

CANNONBALL HAY/DUMP BEDS

479-267-2685

Farmington, AR countryveterinaryserviceinc.com

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1-800-223-1312

www.balerbeltsandhaybeds.com

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6/2/14

Livestock - Cattle 1st calf Charolais cows (fastrack genetics)

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6/2/14

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Cattlemen’s Seedstock Directory

is for you!

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ATTN: RANCHERS, INVESTORS, & DEVELOPERS REAL ESTATE AUCTION – JUNE 6, 2014 – BOONEVILLE, AR

Selling 1,525 Acres +/- of Ranch Land with improved pastures, houses, hay barns, working pens, corrals, ponds, creeks, crossed fenced, improved pastures w/deer and turkey. Also selling commercial property.

14 Properties: 1) 393.11 Acre Majestic Ranch bordering Ozark National Forrest.

2) 80.46 Acres of pasture land crossed fenced with hay barns.

3) 157.89 Acres of pasture land West of Booneville.

4) 33.47 Acres of improved pasture land with barn.

5) 196.81 Acres of pasture land with barn and working pens.

6) 67.67 Acres of pasture land just south of Booneville.

7) 141.25 Acres of pasture land with hay barns and ponds.

8) 40.10 Acres of pasture land E of Booneville.

9) 158.96 Acres of improved pasture land S of Booneville.

10) 207.40 Acres of improved pasture land S of Booneville.

11) 36.88 Acres of pasture land bordering the Petit Jean River.

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Commercial Properties: 12)Multiple commercial lots, Littlefield Estates Subdivision in Booneville, AR 13) 4.01 acres w/a 3,720 square foot truck terminal bldg.

14) 19.68 Acres of commercial property on Hwy 10

I am enclosing: ❏ $15.00 - 1 Year ❏ $27.50 - 2 Years ❏ $39.00 - 3 Years ❏ I am now receiving the paper ❏ I do not receive the paper now

Add $7 per year for orders outside AR, OK, MO NAME __________________________________ PHONE ______________ EMAIL ____________________________________________________

More info: www.blackmonauctions.com

PO Box 1319, Lebanon, MO 65536

866-532-1960 www.ozarksfn.com

ADDRESS ____________________________________________________

Contact Michael Hinze at 501-352-4709 or michael@blackmonauctions.com

CITY ____________________ STATE ______ ZIP ____________________

Please mail this form & your check to: PO Box 6, Prairie Grove, AR 72753

THOMAS BLACKMON REALTY Michael Hinze AR PB00055586

6/2/14

Serving More Than 24,000 Readers Across Northwest Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma

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