OFN June 7, 2021 by Eric Tietze

DAIRY MONTH ISSUE

JUNE 7, 2021 • 28 PAGES

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 5 • WWW.OZARKSFN.COM

Multiple Generations and Operations The Howard family offers not only raw milk, but farm-raised beef, pork, produce and more

The Legend of Puppy Cow

Riley DuBois’ venture into dairy cattle helped her create a career path and a book

Selecting Traits for Production Sire traits are important to today’s dairy industry

A Little Farm Ellen Dorsey’s “hobby” became a full-time occupation

rumor mill

U of A, MSU agree to transfer program: The Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and its Department of Poultry Science at the University of Arkansas have signed a memorandum of understanding with Missouri State University’s William H. Darr College of Agriculture in Springfield, Mo., to create a dual-degree transfer program with an emphasis on poultry science. The institutions have created a three-plus-one course curriculum allowing animal science majors at MSU to complete their senior year at the U of A in the poultry program and earn degrees from both universities. Graduates will earn bachelor’s degrees from MSU in animal science and from the U of A in agricultural, food and life sciences with a poultry science concentration.

The Ozarks Most Read Farm Newspaper

JUNE 7, 2021

Youth Council named: Twenty students from across Oklahoma have been selected to serve on the 2021-2022 Oklahoma Agriculture Youth Council hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. The council was created by Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur to develop future agricultural leaders in Oklahoma through professional development, industry exposure and experiential learning. The council consists of upcoming high school seniors interested in learning about and representing the agriculture industry from across the state. Those attending include Hannah Blankinship, Cushing; Dax DeLozier, Adair; Blake Long, Big Cabin; Elizabeth McEndoo, Stillwater; Hailey Suntken, Sequoyah; and Kelsey Wall, Bluejacket.

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

VOL. 15, NO. 5

JUST A THOUGHT 3 Jerry Crownover –

Appointment to board announced: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced several state board appointments on May 26. Robin Ralston of Atkins, Ark., was appointed to the Arkansas Agriculture Board. Her Appointment expires Aug. 15, 2024, and she replaces Jennifer James. Scholarships announced: The Arkansas 4-H Foundation recently awarded $32,900 in college scholarships to 28 high school seniors in 17 counties. Students from the Arkansas Ozarks who received scholarships are: Matthew Teague of Washington County, the Ada/Tyrell Anderson Scholarship; Aaron Mahan of Madison County and Zarah Dean of Franklin County, the Farm Credit of Western Arkansas Scholarship; Molly Gaskin of White County, the C.A. and Joye Vines Scholarship; Nealie Den Herder of Washington County, the Fayetteville Rotary/Dale Killian Scholarship; Victoria Puckett of Faulkner County and Faith Fritch of Benton County, the Gladys Klepfer/Bo and Peggy Cobb Scholarships; Karlie Lindsay of Benton County and Katie Boone of White County, the Oaklawn Jockey Club; Emily Dunn of Sebastian County and Mary Pruitt of White County, the Arkansas 4-H License Plate Scholarship; Jenna Frederick of Sebastian County, Faith Fritch of Benton County and Sarah Gaskin of White County, Governor’s Award Nominees; Meredith Holman of Franklin County, the Raydus Ree and Virginia Williams James 4-H Scholarship.

10 16

Julie Turner-Crawford – Drink more milk

through dairy cattle and 4-H

Ellen Dorsey is full-time at the farm Conserving the grasslands in Oklahoma Eye on Agribusiness spotlights Designer Genes Technology Town & Country features Jeanie Rowbotham The Howards have multiple operations Youth in Agriculture highlights Etana Morse

FARM HELP 19 Small changes 20

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

Jody Harris – Spring days and country weddings

MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS 7 Riley DuBois finds her place

Playing old men

22 23

can be big

The right traits for production Breeding dairy heifers successfully Managing dairy steers Nutrition and milk production JUNE 7, 2021

just a

s thought Mac Delivered To ’

What’s On Your Mind, Ozarks?

Life Is Simple

By Jerry Crownover

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SPRING SPECIALS

s a little kid, my friends and I found dozens of ways to keep ourselves entertained, long be-fore the introduction revonworCofyrrcell eJ yB phones and video games, which seem to have mesmerized today’s generation. Jerry Crownover is We could spend hours riding our stick horses through a farmer and former the woods, chasing bad guys, just like the Lone Ranger professor of Agriculture and Tonto. Of course, carefully selecting the right sapling, Education at Missouri and meticulously shaping it to be either Silver or Scout State University. He is a was part of the fun. After we tired of riding, we could alnative of Baxter County, ways find an iron rim that had been discarded from an old Arkansas, and an cart or wagon wheel, and push it along for miles with a author and professional u-shaped, Prince Albert can, nailed to a sawmill slat. speaker. To contact Jerry, Most of today’s kids seem to lack that degree of imagigo to ozarksfn.com and nation – but there are exceptions. click on ‘Contact Us.’ Cole is 5 years old (going on 50) and for the past few months has started coming to the convenience store every Saturday and Sunday morning with his dad and hanging out with all of us old fossils who are there every morning, 364 days a year. We don’t do much, other than drink coffee and give each other grief on topics ranging from making fun of the way we build our fenc-es, to ridiculing each other for the brand of tractor we have, to accusations of flirting with each other’s wives. Cole prides himself on being a “working man” and “cowboy.” It’s plain for everyone to see as well, decked out in cowboy boots, John Deere cap, Carhart shirt, coat and Wrangler jeans. He carries a pocket knife (that he’s happy to show anyone) and wears a holster holding a pair of pliers attached to a western belt with a buckle big enough on which to

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Circulation Eric Tietze, Circulation

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

Kathy Daily, Kaylea M. Hutson-Miller, Cheryl Kepes, Amber Parham, Terry Ropp and Sheila Stogsdill

About the Cover Ellen Dorsey’s farming operation started as a hobby, but it’s much more today. See more on page 8. Submitted photo

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., 2021. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.

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just a thought

Freshly Picked

By Jody Harris

ur family has experienced an especially busy spring. It is a rare occasion that we are all six in the same place at one time. This past weekend, our family was home Jody Harris is a freelance together due to rained-out races in Tulsa. communications We were able to get caught up on our yard work. The specialist, gardener, rain has put us behind on keeping up with just about ranch wife and mother of everything we need to do on the farm this spring. four. She and her family One of the kids’ favorite babysitters (and our neighraise Angus beef cattle bor) was getting married that day. We were all able to and other critters on cowboy up and attend her wedding together. It was a their northwest Arkansas beautiful setting on a newly refinished deck on their ranch. She is a graduate pond overlooking Round Mountain. Beautiful muof Missouri State University. sic, lovely flowers, and a committed young bride and To contact Jody, go to groom made the afternoon incredibly special. We were ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’ treated to donuts and a candy smorgasbord while the bride, groom, and their families took precious photographs after the wedding. As tradition would have it, the bride and groom arrived up to the reception tent to cut the cake and serve their wedding guests. It was a warm and sunny, so we enjoyed the fellowship with friends and neighbors as we celebrated the nuptials of the young couple. When planning a country wedding on or near a farm, several logistics must be considered upfront. The biggest challenge is always favorable weather. Our family knows the only way to remedy favorable weather for any outdoor event is to commit it to prayer and leave it up to our creator. It rained that morning for a bit but cleared off with beautiful sunshine in the afternoon. What a blessing. The next challenge is farm animals. The neighbors hosting their daughter’s wedding have several coonhound dogs at their farm. We were concerned about the howling they might do with so much commotion at their normally peaceful residence. They parked a tractor in front of the kennel to distract the dogs from seeing what was going on. After a few days of family and friends in and out of their property to prepare for the rehearsal dinner and wedding, the dogs were cool as cucumbers on the wedding day. We were quickly running out of green grass in our pasture for our cattle the week leading up to the wedding. We held off rotating pastures to make sure our cows, bulls and calves did not make a scene during the vows. They all seemed to be far enough away from the wedding staging area that they got an A-plus for wedding day manners. There was a concern about flies but there was a breeze in the air, and they were not too much of a menace. When the wedding party were prepared to venture off on their honeymoon, the kids (and some adults) were excited to shower them with sparklers. The getaway car had been properly decked out with plastic wrap, petroleum jelly and some redneck hay twine with plastic bottles to trail behind as they made their way out of the driveway. A special Texas uncle provided a spectacle of fireworks as the couple took off. The kids raced home to get swimsuits to play in the cold pool with the leftover group of cousins and friends. I love springtime, and I am a sucker for the simplicity of a pretty country wedding, neighbor.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JUNE 7, 2021

just a thought

Across The Fence

G OOSENECK TRAILERS L T •F •D T

By Julie Turner-Crawford

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t’s finally June, which means it’s Dairy Month! During Dairy Month, we tend to think about ice cream, cheese, milk, and all of the other marvelous dairy products we enjoy, but there’s more to the Julie Turner-Crawford industry than many people realize; a lot more. is a native of Dallas Information from the National Farmers Union states County, Mo., where the dairy industry is a significant part of the U.S. econshe grew up on her omy, accounting for about 1 percent of the U.S. Gross family’s farm. She is a Domestic Product (GDP), generating an economic imgraduate of Missouri pact of $628 billion. The dairy industry also creates State University. To about 3 million jobs in the U.S., generating about $159 contact Julie, call 1-866billion in wages annually. Not bad for an industry where 532-1960 or by email at 98 percent of the farms are family-owned operations. editor@ozarksfn.com. The dairy industry, while important to the nation’s economy, is struggling. Milk prices are tanking, no pun intended, and production costs continue to increase with each passing day. The Base Class I Price was $18.29 per hundredweight for June 2021, according to the USDA. When it costs producers more than $21 per hundredweight to produce that milk, it’s easy to see milking cows isn’t a money-making proposition these days. Growing up, it seemed like there were countless dairy farms within just a few miles of where we lived. Only a handful remain today. Back then, a family could make a decent living milking 50 or 60 cows, but those days are long gone. It simply costs too much to be a dairy farmer. — Continued on Next Page

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Then there are the animal rights groups. These organizations allege the dairy industry is inhuman. Their uneducated advocates claim dairy animals, are mistreated from birth, tortured throughout their lifetimes and even “raped.” I expect a PETA “undercover investigation” to break any day focusing on the dairy industry; it is Dairy Month, after all. Propaganda from animal-rights organizations, in my opinion, has contributed to the decline in milk consumption. According to the USDA, per capita, fluid milk consumption has dropped 40 percent since 1975. That year, Americans drank 247 pounds of milk per person. It dropped to 146 in 2018. The rise of plant-based “milk” promoted as healthier products and veganism continues to impact the dairy industry. Some can’t digest cow or goat milk, including a couple of my family members, so having other sources of “milk” is terrific. Still, it baffles me when something with ingredients like calcium carbonate (a derivative of limestone) and gellan gum (a derivative

of fermented starch) is considered healthier than something with one natural ingredient, an ingredient that is easy to spell – MILK. What can we do to help our nation’s dairy farmers? Keep buying and consuming dairy products. This summer, have some sour cream on a baked potato, butter an ear of corn, throw a slice of cheese on that burger, and wash it all down with a big glass of milk. And for dessert, a big bowl of ice cream. You can also add a piece of your favorite cake with buttercream or cream cheese icing – even if it isn’t someone’s birthday. Better yet, have cheesecake. Your local dairy farmer will thank you for it.

Life is Simple

Continued from Page 3 eat a meal. Oh, yeah, he knows how to use both the knife and pliers – safely. On weekends, Cole is the star of the show at Baumer’s (the name of the convenience store), as he goes from old man, to old man, asking them what they’re going to be working at that day. He will gladly tell them what he’s going to be working on, from tractor repair, to picking up rocks. He seems to fit right in with the regular gang of old farmers. Last weekend, after his trip to Baumer’s, he stayed with his grandmother for a few hours, while his father had to leave for a while. His grandmother asked the young boy if he wanted to play some games while Dad was away. “Sure,” Cole answered “That sounds like fun.”

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

“Would you like to play Hide ‘n Seek, Cowboys and Indians, or something else?” his grandmother asked. Thoughtfully, Cole replied, “I think I’d like to play ‘Old men at Baumers.’” “I’m not sure I know how to play that game. What do I do?” “Well,” the boy began, “I’ll be Crownover, and you be Myers.” “Then what?” Cole began the game by getting right in his grandma’s face, wagging his finger, and shouting, “I told you to quit flirting with my wife!” “Now, what?” grandma asked. Cole shot back, quickly, “You act real mad, and then make fun of my tractor, or fence, or truck, or anything.” JUNE 7, 2021

The Legend of Puppy Cow

meet your

neighbors

By Kaylea M. Hutson-Miller

Riley DuBois’ venture into dairy cattle helped her create a career path and a book As a young girl, Riley DuBois joined 4-H as soon as possible. First as a Cloverbud, then later as a regular member. At the age of 10, Riley decided to show dairy cattle. With the help of her parents, Puppy Cow – as she was affectionately known – came into her life. Through the years Puppy Cow was joined by others as part of Riley’s show string. The calf, now a “retired cow,” and all of the 4-H experiences, not only gave Riley a solid high school education – it’s also helped direct her collegiate studies and potential career path. Riley, now a rising junior at Oklahoma State University, plans to pursue a career in family and consumer sciences with the ultimate goal of becoming either a FCS educator in an Oklahoma Extension Office or an FCS teacher in a high school.

Puppy Cow

Back to how it began, as a first project heifer, Puppy Cow was initially destined for the sale barn. Her name indicating the English Bulldog Riley planned to purchase with the proceeds of the eventual sale. Riley began jotting down stories about Puppy Cow, as a way to remember her first 4-H animal. “We didn’t think we were going to keep her, and we wanted to remember all of the fun stuff [she did],” Riley said. Eventually, though, Puppy Cow wormed her way into becoming a permanent fixture on the family farm as other calves like Laptop, Kindle, iPad, Television (Telly for short), and Hershey (as in a trip to the chocolate factory in Pennsylvania) – all named for things Riley dreamed of buying upon their eventual sale. JUNE 7, 2021

She got the idea from Grove educator Vira Yirsa, who raised bottle calves, naming them for things she planned to purchase after their sale. The thought, Riley explained, was if she named the calf for something she wanted, she would not get as attached to it. “The system doesn’t work,” Riley said, “but it was an easy way to come up with names. When I got a new calf, I thought, what do I want. It narrowed down the name pool.” Puppy Cow is now 11, marking her latest birthday on the family’s farm in rural Delaware County, Okla.

Writing a book

In 2017, as Riley began preparing for that year’s Oklahoma State 4-H Record Book competition, she decided to take her 10-year-old musings about Puppy Cow and put them into a book. That book, Once Upon a Barn: The AutobiMOOgraphy of Puppy Cow, includes 21 stories from Puppy Cow’s life. The book, published on Amazon’s CreateSpace, is geared towards young readers and tells the story — in Puppy Cow’s voice — of what happened after she arrived on the farm at 3-days-old and continues until she began to have her first calves. Riley said it was compiled as a way to not only supplement her record book, but also give voice to the importance of 4-H and how it impacted her life as she took part in the dairy project.

Looking to the future

Initially, Riley planned to pursue a career in interior design –

Riley DuBois and her cow Puppy Cow at their Oklahoma farm. Submitted Photo

that is, until she took her first classes at OSU. “I hated every minute,” Riley said with a laugh. Unsure of her next step, Riley went to the career services office and took an aptitude test. “I was reading them off to Mom, and she said ‘well all of those things sound like Extension,’” Riley said, agreeing. It turned out, the program so instrumental in her formative years, would become her new career path. Her future plan, she said, all came because her parents helped her become a 4-H Cloverbud so many years ago. She is still a 4-H member, now as part of the Collegiate 4-H program at OSU. “I just really love 4-H and just want to be able to share that with the incoming kids,” Riley said. “There’s a misconception that 4-H is purely an ag-based program. Well yes, there is an ag element, but there’s so much more you can do.”

Learning from 4-H

Riley said working with dairy cattle as a 4-H project taught her a lot about working with people, saying the HolGrove, Okla. steins and Jersey calves had diverse personalities. “It gave me a baseline idea of people and the different

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

personality types,” Riley said. “4-H in general, also taught me various life skills, gave me confidence and helped me get out of my comfort zone.” During high school, thanks to a Cherokee Nation internship program, Riley spent three summers working at the Delaware County Extension Office. Last summer, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, she interned at the Hughes/Seminole County Oklahoma Extension Office. With everything moving virtual, Riley found herself leading workshops online. She created one known as “Eat The Rainbow” which provided a food demonstration and basic nutrition knowledge. The zoom workshop was eventually edited down, and became a recorded offering on Facebook. This summer, Riley is working at the Science Museum Oklahoma, while also maintaining her on-campus job running the social media for the OSU FCS Extension office. She’s on track to graduate in May 2022. Her ultimate goal – help people become aware of the myriad of resources available through a county extension office. “I want to see extension become more relevant to the general community,” Riley said. “It provides science-based resources, accessible for the general community.”

meet your neighbors

A Little Farm By Sheila Stogsdill

Ellen Dorsey’s “hobby” became a full-time occupation Ellen Dorsey started her goat career with Pygmy goats over two decades ago. By 2005, Ellen’s “hobby” became a fulltime business known as Dill’s-A Little Goat Farm, Dorsey-Lane Dairy Goats, and Dorsey-Lane Cattle Company in Chelsea, Okla,. The farm specializes in Nigerian Dwarfs, Alpines, Toggenburgs and black Angus stock cattle on their 24-acre farm located northeast of Claremore, Okla. The number of adult dairy goats fluctuates between 75 and 100 and the farm also runs 40 head of cattle. Many of the herd are award-winning goats with the American Dairy Goat Association, including Premier Exhibitor and Premier Breeder of the Nigerian Dwarf breed for many years at the Tulsa and Oklahoma state fair, and the ADGA National Show. Chris is the farm’s “operations manager” while Ellen does the milking, baby feeding, and general doctoring. “I like to tell him ‘he builds the operation, I build the goat,’” Ellen said. The family has six sons, Jason, Joshua, Jonathon, Justin, Jarred and Jacob. The four oldest sons have families of their own, while the younger sons, Jarred and Jacob, help on the ranch. Jarred and Jacob lead the grandkids as chief suppliers of hugs for the littlest goats. Dill’s-A Little Goat Farm, Dorsey-Lane Dairy Goats, and Dorsey-Lane Cattle Company provides dairy and milk, beef, and kid sales, as well as linear appraisal and production testing. The primary business is supplying kids to the breeding market. “Milk is a bonus part of what I do,” Ellen said. “Our goal is to produce a quality product for the market. We provide fresh sweet rich milk, and our beef is well-raised meat.” The move to goats reads live a romance novel. “I fell in love with goats as a species and then I discovered (Dwarf) Nigerians,” El-

Submitted Photos

Ellen Dorsey has Nigerian Dwarf, Alpines and Toggenburg dairy goats, in addition to a cattle operation. She said the main goal of her dairy goat operation is to supply goat kids to the breeding market.

len said. “From there I progressed to the standard breeds and have a love for each one. “I like each one for a variety of reasons, but the Nigerian Dwarf has my heart and always will.

Chelsea, Okla.

“They make my heart happy.” The Nigerian Dwarf has the highest butterfat and protein among the miniature goat breeds.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

“I also find their milk sweeter than the other breeds which is the primary reason I bottle it for my ‘human’ customers,” Ellen said. Ellen describes the Nigerian Dwarf goats as “hardy animals” and easy to live with and care for, if you know what you’re doing. When the farm needs lots of milk fast, the Alpines and Toggenburgs are the “go to” animal for that task, she said. Oklahoma law allows the sale of 100 gallons of milk per month with no licensing required. The average production for of an adult does is 5 pounds per day for the Nigerian, 10 to 12 pounds per day for the Alpines and 11 to 14 pounds for the Toggenburgs. The Dorsey’s participated in a USDA study and found their program is collaborating nicely with little worm load in any of their pastures. “The highest was among the junior stock as expected since they aren’t in the milk rotation they don’t get near as much attention as the adult stock,” Ellen said. “The goats haven’t been vaccinated in recent years since we found nothing changed over the years,” Ellen said. “We do however vaccinate our cattle for a variety of things using commercially available products. We also take all of our heifers to the vet for brucellosis testing.” Ellen’s goats are show goats, so hoof trimming done on a regular basis is part of the farming routine, she said. “A dairy goat with good hoof maintenance milks better,” Ellen said. “She gets around and can feed herself pain free. It translates to more milk in the bucket.” While the Dorseys do not make soap, they have many customers who buy milk for soap making purposes, she said. The buck kids are typically sold as bottle babies to individuals looking for pets or to raise for meat. “I breed the way I know to breed and have enjoyed a lot of success as a line JUNE 7, 2021

meet your neighbors breeder,” Ellen said. “We’re very hands on, so we keep track of animal health all the time,” Ellen said. The feed program is based on a well-balanced calcium phosphorus ratio using dairy cattle feeds, alfalfa pellets, alfalfa hay during peak milking season, free choice prairie hay year-round, pasture year-round and always fresh water available. Ellen also uses a good loose mineral made especially for dairy goats. The cows are also on a commercial cattle feed, free choice hay, pasture, and fresh water. “If we see an issue, we’re quick to treat that issue, or haul the animal to the vet for a professional opinion and treatment,” Ellen said. Ellen likes most of the herd to kid in the spring, then milk until October when they dry off most of the herd, so Ellen can attend the Annual Meeting and Convention for the American Dairy Goat Association where she is District 10 director. “When I leave for the week, my husband takes vacation from his full-time job to take care of my goats and milk for me,” Ellen said. “He only milks once a day, so I try to make it easy on him and leave only my heaviest milkers on the line, so we continue to have milk for customers and our household.” “The secret to live birth kids is being there,” Ellen said. “Lots of full-term kids are lost because no one is there to ensure they get the care they need, how much more those that are a little weak. “When you are there, the kids get cleaned off, their lungs are clear, and they get their colostrum. We bottle raise everything here and we use baby monitoring system. Ellen has been known to set up a cot and just stay with her “girls.” “We have a one-room apartment attached to our shop that has a walk-in closet and a bath,” Ellen said. “There is shelving in the bathroom that makes a nice spot for bottles, a pasteurizer and extra medications. We have room for a couple of freezers and miscellaneous kidding supplies.” JUNE 7, 2021

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417-725-3512 1-800-648-7379 There are also seven playpens set up to receive the kids once they’re dried off, she said. “They stay in here for a couple of days before being sent out to kid pens,” Ellen said. The Dorseys favor the springtime, typically from February through May, for their baby boom of kids. Winter and early spring kids tend to be healthier since they aren’t challenged by as many microorganisms living in the ground. “That’s really the opportune time to put kids on the ground,” Ellen said. “The shows are in the spring; you have to have goats in milk to show.” “Embryo transplanting is becoming big business in dairy goats, but I haven’t taken the opportunity to explore that end due to the expense involved,” Ellen said. Ellen also breeds a handful of does in the fall for winter kids. “It’s nice to have newly fresh does for winter. Those kids pay the feed bill and give my children a nice Christmas,” Ellen said.

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ozarks

roots

the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home

Conserving the Grasslands By Terry Ropp

Oklahoma-based preserve has 25,000 acres for bison and 14,000 acres of leased cattle range

The Nature Conservancy was incorporated as a nonprofit on Oct. 22, 1951, and focused on purchasing land for conservation purposes. In the 1970s, focus began including scientifically gathered information about the plants and animals in each preserve. Now the organization is dedicated to gathering and making science-based information public with many universities undertaking research. The organization and its affiliates have spread to each state and over 70 countries with more than 1 million members

protecting 119 million acres and thousands of miles of rivers. The Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, the only tallgrass preserve anywhere, became part of the Conservancy in 1989 with the lion’s share of the 40,000 acres coming from the Chapman-Bernard ranch. It is located about an hour north and a half and a bit west of Tulsa, Okla. School children across the country began fundraising and sending small checks to help pay for the preserve’s range while a rancher donated 300 bison. Recognizing the importance

of the everyone’s efforts, Gulf War General Norman Schwarzkopf said the preserve was “a gift from the American people to the American people.” Now 25,000 acres are set aside for free range bison with 14,000 acres leased as cattle range and the site of research projects. The Oklahoma Conservancy receives no federal or state taxes and is dependent upon income from a small endowment, leasing cattle grazing land and an online Buffalo sale whose goal is to maintain 2,250 head. The much funding, however, comes from individual and corporation

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

donations which also help support vital research because so much about the complexity, durability and flexibility of grasslands is unknown and will take many years to understand. An example is patch burning in the cattle area, an Oklahoma State University project. More than 200 scientific papers have been written on this unique preserve which is also a favorite with birdwatchers. Tallgrass land is even more endangered than the highly publicized rain forests with soil depth, fertility, rain, the degree of grazing and whether or JUNE 7, 2021

ozarks roots not the land has been burned affecting its vitality. Most don’t realize human intervention began up to 12,000 years ago when Native Americans wanted to increase the supply of wildlife available such as bison, deer and turkey for hunting while also providing some offense and defense in conflict with other tribes. In prehistoric times, the Oklahoma land and climate were influenced by the glacial age. The area was heavily forested and more like northern Minnesota forests with a preponderance of spruce and jack pines. When the Native Americans began their efforts to transform the forests, two other forces were at work: climate and grazing, primarily bison grazing. According to Oklahoma State University, natural lightning strikes cause prairie fires in March/ April and late summer when the land is dry and rain typically scarce. The highest incidents of fires historically occurred in mid-October and were almost exclusively set by native Americans. One practice followed today at the Conservancy is setting fire to one-third of the bison unit as part of an ongoing effort to mimic the seasonality of historic fires that shaped this landscape. The preserve has more than 750 species of plants. The dominant warm-season species is Big Blue Stem or the giant redwood of the grass kingdom as it is called by Harvey Payne, the first director of the preserve. Unless overgrazed, the grass is hardy and thrives under Conservancy burning practices. He has measured the grass to be over 10 feet tall at the end of its productive season in mid-September. The current species of Bison is now about 6,000 years old and eats almost exclusively grass, while white-tailed deer prefer the new growth following the burn. Deer can be seen grazing in the middle of the enormous grassland rather than hiding or browsing in the forest. Harvey Payne (pictured on page 10) served as director for 18 years. Hiram Payne, Harvey’s grandfather, walked, not rode, from 100 miles east of Springfield, Mo., to Oklahoma in 1891 to participate in the land run. He claimed 160 acres, which he subsequently sold when he moved to northern Oklahoma in JUNE 7, 2021

1917 where he purchased land that is still in the family. Harvey’s mother Jane lives there and is an example of the pioneer spirit because at 93 she still mows 10 acres around her home and barn on a riding mower. Harvey has a 1,500-acre ranch with other acreage scattered around. He leases part of the land for stockers while also raising horses and bison. The bison are used for meat and sold by private treaty to friends who also want the tasty, low-fat meat. “One purpose of our tallgrass research is to show that long-term soil health is promoted by diversity while the same diversity does not hinder production,” Harvey said. “Ranchers and farmers love the land and the wildlife it contains. Our research has shown modifying current land management practices can promote both, although transitioning does take time. If cool-season native grasses such as Western Wheatgrass are nurtured, cattle can graze more and require less grain during winter months.” COVID brought so many people to the Tallgrass Preserve that traffic became an issue. However, the traveling season is ready to start, and the preserve is a perfect place to go. The preserve contains two hiking trails separated from grazing areas, meandering dirt roads, a restored bunkhouse, a small cabin once belonging to noted Osage author John Joseph Matthews and a gift shop. There is no admission charge, and visitors are welcome seven days a week. “The preserve is an important resource to help people deal with our pandemic world,” Harvey commented. “Driving through the grasslands restores your soul and helps you know that things are and will be fine. Nature provides salvation.” As our world becomes more populated and the need for food increasingly critical, nature may also supply some solutions. A visit to this serene and rare place can demonstrate what may be a vital resource for meeting future needs while singing ever-present soothing nature songs so needed as we ease toward a more normal resistance. Photos contributed by Harvey and Leisa Payne

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

eye on

agri-business meeting the needs of farmers

Designer Genes Technology

By Terry Ropp

H Owners: Rethel King (pictured) and Sherry Parks H Location: Harrison, Ark.

If you sell meat, vegetables, fruit, dairy products, eggs or any other farm to table products, be sure your farm is listed on FromTheFarmToYou.com The listing is completely free. Just visit FromTheFarmToYou.com and click on “Submit Your Farm” at the top of the page.

Fro tothe Farm your family

Fro the Farm

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History: After seeing the benefits of ultrasound scans in the cattle industry, the father/daughter partners of Rethel King and Sherry Parks realized they wanted to venture into the profession. “In 1995, my dad and I saw our first cattle ultrasound. We were excited because it was a new and valuable tool to help us and other breeders evaluate and improve herd quality,” Sherry said. “We began by becoming certified technicians ourselves. Because the technology was not advancing as quickly as we wanted, we decided Photo by Terry Ropp to push development along by founding our own company, Designer Genes Technologies, Inc. The goals were to make that technology better and more assessable. We searched through many ultrasound image analysts for the best to help develop software. We also partnered with major companies such as Cobb-Vantress and Smithfield Premium Foods, as well as purebred cattle breed associations and breeders to provide image analysis software and data for operation improvement. Our new software became available in 1999 when we also began to build computers and accessories from the ground up for others to purchase and use. We made the decision to build an industry-leading training facility in 2014 as a result of national training growth.” Products and Services: “One of the advantages of our automated ultrasound technology is not having to wait for data results. Breeding changes can be immediate. We have certified ultrasound technicians who will go to cattle producers and perform ultrasound scanning on their animals. Many national, progressive breeders around the United States use our ultrasound including several in Missouri and Arkansas. We have several UGC Certified technicians nationwide who help ranchers with their ultrasound needs. We also offer a high-quality, portable ultrasound system supported by a linear transducer for cattle, hogs, sheep, goats and chickens. Information supplied pertains to breast meat in chickens, the loin eye area in hogs, sheep and goats as well as cattle data collected at the 12th and 13th rib area where carcasses are traditionally broken to calculate fat thickness, ribeye size and a marbling value. Additionally, ultrasound provides information about the optimum time for processing. Other transducers supply critical reproductive information for cattle, horses, sheep and goats. In addition to speaking and offering field trips at high schools and universities, we also offer training short courses for ranchers and both certified and uncertified technicians in the Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma areas. We also present at local beef seminars with more detailed information on all aspects of the business available on the website.”

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JUNE 7, 2021

Photo by Amber Parham

town &

country

in the field and in the office

Jeanie Rowbotham By Amber Parham

H Hometown: Hagarville, Ark. H Family: Husband Theron; and two children, 4-year-old Mae and 2-year-old Tate In Town: Jeanie has been the 4-H Agent for Johnson County, Ark., since 2007.

She coordinates all county 4-H activities and traditional clubs, and provides enrichment programs for the local elementary students. She is also a certified drone pilot and leads the Rockets to the Rescue program for junior high students. Her mission as a 4-H agent is to prepare kids to be advocates of agriculture.

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In the Country: Jeanie and her husband Theron own and operate Infinity Ranch in Hagarville, Ark. In 2017, they built four commercial turkey houses contracted with Butterball. She said they had always assumed they would eventually build broiler houses, but timing was an issue. They had heard through a friend that Butterball was looking for growers, and after they got clearance, they started construction. They produce mainly standard size turkeys, but have also grown heavy turkeys and some specialty flocks. They also have a commercial cow/calf operation and sell about 100 calves per year in the spring and fall. The Future: “I always say the most important thing you raise on your farm are your kids. We are hoping to continue to build the farm so it will sustain two families if they decide to come back and farm.” Her goals for 4-H include increased outreach and focusing on recruiting with social media to rebuild and restructure the program in order to offer as good an experience for youth as possible. “COVID, in some ways, improved our program. We learned the positive impact using social media and video programs could have. Before, we focused so heavily on face-toface that we didn’t look into other ways to serve people. Now we do a lot more videos and more social media marketing. Moving forward we will continue to do those. It has been neat to see the impact of social media and how much further we can reach,” she said. In addition to work and farm Jeanie has submitted a children’s book for publication about commercial turkey farming. JUNE 7, 2021

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slaughter

market sales reports

Arkansas Cattle Auction - Searcy Ash Flat Livestock

71.00-96.00 †

beef

74.50-92.50 †

Benton County Sale Barn - Siloam Springs Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction Cleburne County Line Sale Barn - Ratcliff Decatur Livestock Auction

5/23/21

5 Area (Tx-Ok, Ks, Neb, Ia, Colo, Nm, Mn) Live Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice Steers: 118.00-121.25 ; wtd. avg. price 119.81. Heifers: 118.00-121.00; wtd. avg. price 119.46. Dressed Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice Steers: 188.00-189.00; wtd. avg. price 188.92. Heifers: 190.00-190.00; wtd. avg. price 190.00.

36.00-92.00 † 99.00 † 75.00-97.00* Not Reported* 80.00-104.00* 55.00-94.50* 92.00 †

cattle

Midwest - High Plains Direct Slaughter Cattle

79.00-106.00 † 77.00-96.50*

Farmer’s & Ranchers - Vinita Farmers Regional Sale Barn Fort Smith Stockyards Four State Stockyards I-40 Livestock - Ozark Joplin Regional Stockyards Mid-State Stockyards North Arkansas Livestock - Green Forest

Not Reported*

75.00-117.00 † 95.00* 76.00-99.50 †

sheep &

goats

Buffalo, Mo. • Buffalo Livestock Market Sheep/Goat

5/25/21

Receipts: 621 Compared to last month, slaughter lambs traded 30.00 - 35.00 lower. Slaughter ewes traded steady. Not enough other classes of sheep for a market comparison. Slaughter kid goats traded 30.00 lower. Not enough receipts of other classes of goats for a market comparison. Supply moderWelch Stockyards Not Reported* ate with good demand. Supply included: 72% Slaughter 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 Sheep/Lambs (15% Wooled & Shorn, 65% Hair Breeds, 3% Ewes, 11% Hair Ewes, 2% Bucks, 4% Hair Bucks); 16% Feeder Goats (100% Kids); 12% Slaughter Goats (62% Kids, 23% Nannies/Does, 15% Bucks/Billies); 1% Replacement Goats (100% Families). (Week of 5/23/21 to 5/29/21) Slaughter Sheep/Lambs: Arkansas Cattle Auction - Searcy 35.00-71.00 † Wooled & Shorn - Choice and Prime 1-3: 192.50-220.00. Ash Flat Livestock 33.00-67.00 † 3 Wooled & Shorn - Choice 1-3: 152.50-162.50. 48.00-73.00 † Benton County Sale Barn - Siloam Springs Hair Breeds - Choice 1-3: 190.00-220.00. Cattlemen’s Livestockk 20.00-70.50* Hair Breeds - Good 1-2: 170.00-175.00. Cleburne County Livestock Auction 46.00-68.00 † Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3: 90.00-95.00. 20.00-66.00 † County Line Sale Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3: 95.00-130.00. 55.00-69.00* Decatur Livestock Auction Bucks 1-2: 95.00-115.00. Not Reported* Farmer’s & Ranchers - Vinita Hair Bucks - 1-2: 105.00-130.00. Farmers Regional Sale Barn 46.00-73.00* Feeder Goats: 20.00-72.50* 2 Fort Smith Stockyards Kids - Selection 1: 375.00-425.00. Not Reported* Four State Stockyards - Exeter Kids - Selection 2: 270.00-345.00. I-40 Livestock - Ozark 32.00-72.00 † Kids - Selection 3: 225.00. Joplin Regional Stockyards 30.00-88.00 † Slaughter Goats: Mid-State Stockyards 76.00* Kids - Selection 1: 380.00-415.00. North Arkansas Livestockk 25.00-70.00 † Kids - Selection 2: 280.00-335.00. 50.00-79.00 † OKC West - El Reno Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2: 190.00-225.00. Ouachita Livestock 25.00-69.50 † 2 Bucks/Billies - Selection 1-2: 230.00-255.00. Ozarks Regional Replacement Goats: 17.00-76.00 † Stilwell Livestock Auction Families - Selection 1-2 w/<20 lbs kid (Per Family): Not Reported* 230.00-365.00. Tulsa Livestock Auction 40.00-75.50 † OKC West - El Reno Ouachita Livestock Auction - Ola Ozarks Regional Stockyards Stilwell Livestock Auction Tulsa Livestock Auction

75.00-103.00 † 77.50-89.00 † 65.00-107.00 † Not Reported* 83.00-97.50 †

slaughter

cows

Welch Stockyards

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

Bulls, Med. & Lg. 1 300-400 lbs. 400-500 lbs. 500-600 lbs. 600-700 lbs. 700-800 lbs.

Heifers, Med. & Lg. 1 300-400 lbs. 400-500 lbs. 500-600 lbs. 600-700 lbs. 700-800 lbs.

National Dai

Cheese: Ba $1.5300. T (-0.0320) a Fluid Mil beginning upper Mi are keepin reporting Productio states of I varies fro summer b loads at p from $6 to Condense Cream m generally at afforda producers 1.32 to 1.3 and 1.05 t SPOT PR POUND Midweste

So 24 18 12 6 0 Blyt

Not Reported*

110

stocker & feeder County Line Sale Ratcliff✝ 5/26/21 137

Decatur Livestock*

5/26/21 1,068

Cleburne County Livestock✝ 5/24/21 382

St-6 Higher

3-7 Higher

2-9 Higher

158.00-172.50 151.00-160.00 133.00-144.00 138.00-147.00 120.00-138.00

178.00-196.00 159.00-183.00 148.00-173.00 141.00-151.00 131.00-141.00

122.00-169.00 120.00-167.50 110.00-179.00 119.00-154.00 96.00-140.00

146.00-184.00 135.00-170.00 125.00-151.00 121.00-138.00 116.00-139.00

150.00-162.00 138.00-150.00 124.00-144.00 ---------

167.00-192.00 161.00-178.00 138.00-163.00 132.00-142.00 111.00-132.00

139.00-162.00 128.00-152.50 112.00-138.00 116.00-126.00 109.00-116.00

140.00 136.00-138.00 130.00-140.00 110.00-128.00 102.00-115.00

147.00-169.00 137.00-160.00 129.00-146.00 116.00-129.00 119.00-121.00

Ark. Cattle Auction, LLC - Searcy✝ 5/25/21 958

Ash Flat Livestock✝

5/25/21 560

Farmer’s & Ranchers Vinita, Okla.* ---------

Farmers Regional Sale Barn* 5/28/21 176

St-10 Higher

-----

162.00-174.00 150.00-177.00 140.00-176.00 131.00-150.00 132.00-143.00

165.00 135.00-161.00 138.00-153.00 142.00-146.00 120.00

160.00-207.00 150.00-184.00 140.00-169.00 130.00-157.00 120.00-137.00

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

----148.00-161.00 141.00-154.00 125.00-140.00 110.00-131.00

125.00-180.00 120.00-173.00 115.00-169.50 109.00-153.00 -----

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

147.50-170.00 140.00-162.00 134.00-154.00 111.00-125.00 114.00

------------137.00 -----

150.00-190.00 140.00-165.00 130.00-154.00 120.00-141.00 105.00-125.00

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

110.00-149.00 115.00-149.00 100.00-143.00 81.00-127.50 103.00-116.00

140.00-161.00 110.00-158.00 119.00-140.00 124.00-135.00 120.00

139.00 130.00-138.50 125.00-136.00 ----119.00

150.00-163.00 140.00-155.00 130.00-145.00 120.00-137.00 100.00-129.00

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

130.00-142.00 120.00-136.00 112.00-125.00 100.00-125.00 -----

117.00-155.00 109.00-170.00 103.00-138.00 100.00-134.00 -----

Cattlemen’s Livestock*

5/28/21 447

Benton Co. - Siloam Springs✝ 5/27/21 1,136

St-10 Higher

Lower

135.00-215.00 147.50-185.00 140.00-165.00 130.00-150.00 122.00-133.00

prices

Fort Smith Four State I-40 Joplin Mi Stockyards* Stockyards - Livestock Regional Stoc Exeter, Mo* Ozark✝ Stockyards✝ ----5/27/21 5/24/21 5/24/21 5 ----444 5,878 897

NOT REPORTED

Steers, Med. & Lg. 1

5/22/21

Receipts: 1,217 Compared to last month, slaughter lambs traded 40.00 lower. Not enough other classes of sheep for a market comparison. Sheep supply moderate with light demand. Slaughter kid goats traded 30.00 lower with a light supply and good demand. Supply included: 74% Slaughter Sheep/Lambs (5% Wooled & Shorn, 86% Hair Breeds, 8% Hair Ewes, 1% Hair Bucks); 1% Replacement Sheep/ Lambs (100% Hair Bucks); 13% Feeder Goats (100% Kids); 12% Slaughter Goats (73% Kids, 27% Nannies/Does); 1% Replacement Goats (100% Nannies/Does). Slaughter Sheep/Lambs: Wooled & Shorn - Choice and Prime 1-3: 180.00-225.00. Hair Breeds - Choice and Prime 1-3: 190.00-270.00. Hair Breeds - Choice 1-3: 180.00-230.00. Hair Ewes - Good 2-3: 150.00-170.00. Hair Ewes - Utility and Good 1-3: 95.00-125.00. Hair Bucks - 1-2: 107.50-130.00. Replacement Sheep/Lambs: Hair Bucks - Small and Medium 1-2: 175.00-450.00. Feeder Goats: Kids - Selection 1: 345.00-405.00. Kids - Selection 2: 290.00-350.00. Kids - Selection 3: 190.00-260.00. Slaughter Goats: Kids - Selection 1: 345.00-430.00. Kids - Selection 2: 240.00-360.00. Kids - Selection 3: 195.00-260.00. Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2: 155.00-215.00. Replacement Goats: Nannies/Does - Selection 1-2: 240.00-350.00.

NOT REPORTED

NONE REPORTED

South Dakota: wooled and shorn 100-150 lbs 231.00244.00; 152 lbs 224.00. Kalona, IA: wooled and shorn 100-150 lbs 225.00235.00. Billings, MT: wooled and shorn 100-115 lbs no test. Missouri: wooled and shorn 100-150 lbs no test. Equity Coop: no sales. Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-2: San Angelo: hair 40-60 lbs 232.00-266.00, few 268.00272.00; 60-70 lbs 226.00-258.00; 70-80 lbs 214.00-240.00; 80-90 lbs 210.00-236.00; 90-110 lbs 210.00-232.00, few 242.00. wooled and shorn 40-50 lbs 232.00-236.00; 50-60 lbs 236.00; 60-70 lbs 228.00-256.00; 70-80 lbs 222.00240.00; 80-90 lbs 214.00-222.00; 90-100 lbs 220.00222.00. New Holland: wooled and shorn 40-50 lbs 280.00310.00; 50-60 lbs 235.00-285.00; 60-70 lbs 230.00-285.00; 70-90 lbs 230.00-275.00; 90-100 lbs 295.00-300.00. hair 40-50 lbs 257.00-267.00; 50-60 lbs 250.00-277.00; 60-70 lbs 230.00-265.00; 70-80 lbs 230.00-272.00; 80-90 lbs 220.00-270.00; 90-100 lbs 232.00-265.00. Ft. Collins: wooled and shorn 40-50 lbs 250.00-270.00; 60-70 lbs 250.00-280.00; 70-80 lbs 270.00-280.00; 87 lbs 285.00; 90-100 lbs 260.00-275.00. hair 45 lbs 265.00; 60-70 lbs 250.00-260.00; 77 lbs 280.00; 90-100 lbs 250.00260.00. Kalona: wooled and shorn 40-50 lbs 247.50-252.50; 50-60 lbs 239.00-252.50; 60-70 lbs 227.00-237.50; 70-80 lbs 222.50-238.00; 80-90 lbs 220.00-234.00; 90-100 lbs 230.00-237.50. hair 42 lbs 237.50; 50-60 lbs 232.50242.50; 68 lbs 230.00. South Dakota: wooled and shorn 70-80 lbs 230.00240.00; 80-90 lbs 225.00-243.00; 90-100 lbs 233.00National Sheep Summary 5/28/21 250.00. Billings: no test. Compared to last week slaughter lambs mostly steady Missouri: wooled and shorn 40-50 lbs 217.50-220.00; to sharply lower; slaughter ewes mostly steady to 12.00 lower; feeder lambs steady to 15.00 lower. At San Angelo, 50-60 lbs 215.00-225.00; 60-70 lbs 200.00-215.00; 70-80 TX 8431 head sold. No sales in Equity Cooperative Auc- lbs 200.00-220.00; 80-90 lbs 180.00-205.00. hair 40-50 lbs 227.50-242.50; 50-60 lbs 215.00-250.00; 60-70 lbs 222.50tion. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs 230.00; 90 lbs 190.00. were not tested. 4,267 lamb carcasses traded with no Slaughter Ewes: trend due to confidentiality. All sheep sold per hundred San Angelo: Good 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 weight (CWT) unless specified. (fleshy) 90.00-110.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3: flesh) 116.00-134.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 100.00-118.00; San Angelo: wooled and shorn 105-110 lbs 172.00Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 90.00-100.00; Cull 1 180.00. 70.00-85.00. New Holland, PA: wooled and shorn 100-135 lbs 210.00-275.00. Ft. Collins, CO: wooled and shorn 100-135 lbs 250.00280.00. Norwood, Mo. • Producers Auction Yards Sheep/Goat

bulls

(Week of 5/23/21 to 5/29/21)

-----

Uneven

3-7 Higher

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

160.00-178.00 150.00-182.00 143.00-160.00 133.00-153.00 120.00

186.00-210.00 175.00-192.50 166.00-184.00 150.00-167.00 136.00-150.00

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

--------130.00-151.50 126.00-140.00 100.00-123.00

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

141.00-160.00 136.00-152.00 121.00-137.00 123.00-133.00 112.00-118.00

153.00-165.00 148.00-163.00 133.50-153.50 132.00-144.00 124.50-134.00

✝ USDA Reported * Independently Reported

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

JUNE 7, 2021

150 110. 115. 100 100

100 100 100 95. 90

12 Month Avg. -

✝ USDA Reported * Independently Reported

$200

100

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

od 3-4 (very fleshy) no test; Good 2-3 0.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium 4.00; Utility 1-2 (thin) 100.00-118.00; y 1-2 (very thin) 90.00-100.00; Cull 1

Sorghum

24 18

15.58

13.91

15.51

12 6

6.84

6.91

5.83

5.91

6.41

ille thev

Bly

a elen

e Elain

ceola

6.59

Little

k Roc

250

-----

Uneven

Ouachita Livestock Ola✝ 5/25/21 568

Ozarks Regional West Plains✝ 5/25/21 4,188

St-4 Higher

Uneven

-----------

160.00-178.00 150.00-182.00 143.00-160.00 133.00-153.00 120.00

186.00-210.00 175.00-192.50 166.00-184.00 150.00-167.00 136.00-150.00

150.00-210.00 110.00-165.00 115.00-155.00 100.00-140.00 100.00-125.00

186.00 163.00-181.00 146.00-171.00 139.00-156.50 129.00-139.00

182.50-190.00 174.00-189.00 164.00-179.00 148.00-167.50 139.00-147.00

161.00-181.00 154.00-175.00 143.00-165.00 142.00-151.00 120.00-139.00

190.00 173.00-184.00 160.00-172.00 144.00-168.00 140.00-146.00

-----------

--------130.00-151.50 126.00-140.00 100.00-123.00

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

169.00-175.00 150.00-171.00 142.00-152.00 127.00-144.00 118.00-128.00

----155.00 -------------

154.00-173.00 150.00-164.00 136.00-157.00 126.00-139.00 117.00-128.00

162.50 145.00-160.00 136.00-159.00 132.00-138.00 -----

-----------

141.00-160.00 136.00-152.00 121.00-137.00 123.00-133.00 112.00-118.00

153.00-165.00 148.00-163.00 133.50-153.50 132.00-144.00 124.50-134.00

100.00-175.00 100.00-142.00 100.00-132.00 95.00-126.00 90.00-115.00

146.00-161.00 136.00-155.00 128.00-139.50 122.00-133.50 111.00-127.00

160.00 155.00-165.00 136.00-154.00 129.00-139.75 121.00-135.00

139.00-154.00 131.00-152.00 113.00-139.00 116.00-133.00 119.00

153.00-162.50 145.00-151.00 137.00-146.00 131.00-145.00 120.00-126.00

JUNE 7, 2021

126.62

600.00-1200.00 * 1375.00 *

1100.00-1200.00 †

121.98

136.00

150.16

None Reported † Not Reported * None Reported *

127.80

162.88 145.31 142.67 136.00

137.80 127.11 *

128.54 122.70

144.30 149.93

128.62

165.81

137.88 131.86

154.68

None Reported * 156.58

1225.00-1300.00 † None Reported † 825.00-1475.00 † Not Reported * 900.00-1250.00 †

2250

Tulsa Livestock Auction✝ 5/24/21 1,630

Welch Stockyards*

-----

3-6 Higher

-----

170.00-181.00 168.50-180.00 165.00-181.00 141.00-158.00 124.00-137.50

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

150.00-165.00 145.00-166.00 133.00-158.50 121.00-124.00 -----

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

154.00-166.00 154.00-167.00 135.50-150.00 120.00-132.50 -----

140.55 131.55

151.67

Stilwell Livestock Auction* -----------------------------

134.00

164.96

Not Reported †

1750

125.87

144.00

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

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

168.69

* 141.52 142.35

139.49 126.85 128.38 133.43 126.16

151.00 151.02

128.23 138.20

160.67 162.96

---------

NOT REPORTED

3-7 Higher

OKC West - El Reno, Okla.✝ 5/25/21 9,389

140.18 133.27

145.51

1850.00 *

1250

132.07 126.73

156.57

Not Reported * None Reported † 800.00-1275.00 †

750

126.05 122.97

740.00-800.00 †

NOT REPORTED

Uneven

146.33

136.38 125.15

166.44

prices

State I-40 Joplin Mid-State N. Ark. yards - Livestock Regional Stockyards* Livestock er, Mo* Ozark✝ Stockyards✝ Green Forest✝ --5/27/21 5/24/21 5/26/21 5/24/21 --444 5,878 830 396

141.14

850.00-1510.00 †

Welch Stockyards

166.86 135.00

2100

650.00-1425.00 †

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

137.97 123.03

144.27

985.00-1135.00 †

Fort Smith Stockyards Four State Stockyards - Exeter I-40 Livestock - Ozark Joplin Regional Stockyards

129.56

142.66

pairs

Apr. 21 May 21

139.30

Week of 5/9/21

d and shorn 40-50 lbs 217.50-220.00; -225.00; 60-70 lbs 200.00-215.00; 70-80 0; 80-90 lbs 180.00-205.00. hair 40-50 lbs 0-60 lbs 215.00-250.00; 60-70 lbs 222.5090.00.

1600

Mar. 21

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

166.00

Not Reported *

Feb. 21

heifers 550-600 LBS.

148.00

200.00-1250.00 † Not Reported * 660.00-885.00 †

1100

Jan. 21

(Week of 5/23/21 to 5/29/21)

Daily Report 5/28/21 Corn

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

650.00-730.00 †

600

Oct. 20 Nov. 20 Dec. 20

steers 550-600 LBS.

660.00-1200.00 †

cow/calf

avg. grain prices Soft Wheat

June 20 July 20 Aug. 20 Sept. 20

Week of 5/2/21

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

$80

Week of 5/2/21

5/28/21

Cheese: Barrels closed at $1.5700 and 40# blocks at $1.5300. The weekly average for barrels is $1.6055 (-0.0320) and blocks, $1.5430 (-0.0705). Fluid Milk/Cream: The peak of flush season is beginning to ease in some parts of the country. In the upper Midwest, dairy farmers note cool temperatures are keeping milk yields steadily high. There are areas reporting steady to slightly declining milk yields. Production remains generally strong in the mountain states of Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. Class I demand varies from flat to lower, as schools begin to prep for wooled and shorn 40-50 lbs 280.00s 235.00-285.00; 60-70 lbs 230.00-285.00; summer break. Cheesemakers are taking extra spot loads at pre-holiday discounts. Spot milk prices ranged -275.00; 90-100 lbs 295.00-300.00. hair from $6 to $4.50 under Class III in the upper Midwest. -267.00; 50-60 lbs 250.00-277.00; 60-70 Condensed skim markets are stable for the near term. 0; 70-80 lbs 230.00-272.00; 80-90 lbs Cream markets are somewhat stable, as cream remains 0-100 lbs 232.00-265.00. generally available. Butter producers are finding spots led and shorn 40-50 lbs 250.00-270.00; at affordable rates, even as ice cream and cream cheese -280.00; 70-80 lbs 270.00-280.00; 87 lbs producers are actively producing. Cream multiples are bs 260.00-275.00. hair 45 lbs 265.00; -260.00; 77 lbs 280.00; 90-100 lbs 250.00- 1.32 to 1.37 in the East, 1.22 to 1.42 in the Midwest, and 1.05 to 1.29 in the West. SPOT PRICES OF CLASS II CREAM: $ PER and shorn 40-50 lbs 247.50-252.50; POUND BUTTERFAT, F.O.B., producing plants, -252.50; 60-70 lbs 227.00-237.50; 70-80 Midwestern U.S. - $2.4466 - $2.6320. 0; 80-90 lbs 220.00-234.00; 90-100 lbs hair 42 lbs 237.50; 50-60 lbs 232.5030.00. wooled and shorn 70-80 lbs 230.00s 225.00-243.00; 90-100 lbs 233.00Soybeans

$120

Week of 5/16/21

National Dairy Market at a Glance

685.00-1150.00 †

Ash Flat Livestock 675.00-1050.00 † Benton County Sale Barn 560.00-1000.00 † Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction 1650.00 * Cleburne County Livestock Auction 610.00 † County Line Sale - Ratcliff None Reported † Decatur Livestock Auction 600.00-1175.00* Farmer’s & Ranchers - Vinita Not Reported * Farmers Regional Sale Barn None Reported * Fort Smith Stockyards 1125.00 * Four State Stockyards - Exeter Not Reported * I-40 Livestock - Ozark 42.00-55.00 † Prices reported per cwt Joplin Regional Stockyards 700.00-1150.00 † Mid-State Stockyards 650.00-1350.00 * North Arkansas Livestock - Green Forest 750.00-935.00 †

dairy sales

Week of 5/9/21

Arkansas Cattle Auction - Searcy

$160

Prices reported per per cwtcwt Prices reported

142.69 *

140.00 146.20

124.61

165.28

143.00 134.83

152.15 Week of 5/23/21

ooled and shorn 100-115 lbs no test. d and shorn 100-150 lbs no test. o sales. s: Choice and Prime 1-2: r 40-60 lbs 232.00-266.00, few 268.00s 226.00-258.00; 70-80 lbs 214.00-240.00; -236.00; 90-110 lbs 210.00-232.00, few and shorn 40-50 lbs 232.00-236.00; 50-60 0 lbs 228.00-256.00; 70-80 lbs 222.00s 214.00-222.00; 90-100 lbs 220.00-

cows

(Week of 5/23/21 to 5/29/21)

Week of 5/16/21

replacement

wooled and shorn 100-150 lbs 231.00224.00. oled and shorn 100-150 lbs 225.00-

170.43 150.33 150.00 149.53

Week of 5/23/21

les reports

---

550-600 lb. steers

$240

146.30

140.22 129.35 123.59 131.48 127.43

134.49

156.84 165.63

142.31

164.95

141.30

110 129 148 167 186 205 * No price reported in weight break **USDA Failed To Report *** No Sale - Weather Prices Based on Weighted Average for Steers and Heifers 550-600 lbs.

108 126 144 162 180 * No price reported in weight break **USDA Failed To Report *** No Sale

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

meet your neighbors

Photos by Terry Ropp

Dairy cattle are just a part of the Howard family operation. Pictured from left,are Isaiah Howard’s fiance Hannah, Isaiah Howard, Jennifer Howard and Dean Howard

By Terry Ropp

Multiple Generations and Operations

The Howard family offers not only raw milk, but farm-raised beef, pork, produce and more Change is constant, even in multi-generational farms. An example is the Howard farm in Elkins, Ark., where three generations are living and working together.

Family matriarch Mary Lou Howard, amazing and interesting,” Jennifer said. her son Dean and his wife Jennifer as After completing high school, Dean well as their son Isaiah and his fian- worked for 22 years at the University of cée Hannah all live at the farm. Dean Arkansas heating plant. Jennifer helped and Jennifer are currently running the on the farm, but took over when Loyd 100-acre farm. Dean’s father passed. By that time, Loyd’s herd Loyd ran a commercial beef had been sold and Dean and operation in addition to log- Elkins, Ark. Jennifer were building their ging both his land and othown commercial herd. ers’ properties. The dairy herd began acci“When I came into the dentally in 2014 when Dean family, Loyd was still using and Jennifer went to a sale barn a mule to log, which I found and saw a young 400-pound Jersey Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

heifer that Jennifer thought was just too cute to be turned in to meat. The couple brought the heifer home and were amazed when she had a calf only two months later, giving birth to their dairy, as well a heifer. calf. The Howard dairy herd consists of four cows and three Jersey heifers. Because Arkansas law dictates raw milk must be sold off the farm rather than through farmers market, Jerseys are a logical breed with a higher fat content that appeals to consumers. JUNE 7, 2021

meet your neighbors The Howard cows produce 14 gallons per day, most of which is sold during the week as milk or cream, although the Howard hogs receiving some as an important part of their diet. The three Jersey heifers will soon be calving and increase milk production and, hopefully, their raw milk market so the herd can expand again. Consequently, when the heifers are bred, they will be bred by the commercial herd’s registered Limousin bull. The process will produce commercial calves for the meat sales. When ready to expand the dairy again, the Howards will use AI and Jersey semen implanted by Huntsville veterinarian Chris France. Dairy cattle receive 20-percent protein dairy feed purchased from the Elkins Coop. The feed is used during milking which is currently done at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. When only two cows were milked, the Howard’s milk by hand, with three being the tipping point for pulling out the milking machine, which will become increasingly important as the heifers start producing milk. After working in a daycare facility, Isaiah’s fiancé Hannah decided she would rather be part of the farm. Isaiah works as a pipefitter on commercial ceiling sprinklers for Freedom Fire Protection. Hannah and Isaiah have two Nubian dairy does and a buck. Like Jersey cattle, Nubians are known for higher fat content, in addition to high production. While currently only milking one of the Nubians who produces half a gallon per day, Hannah hopes begin selling milk sometime this year. In the meantime, she is making goat milk soap in a variety of scents such as lavender, gardenia and watermelon. The soaps are sold in pairs at the Elkins market in small, metal containers. The Howard commercial cattle herd is a main portion of the farm’s income and are Beefmaster influenced. Although the Howards first sold calves at a sale barn, they switched to the farmers market when a friend pointed out that grass- and hay-fed JUNE 7, 2021

beef has a more profitable market there. The herd is comprised of 30 breeding females bred by a Limousin bull from Green Forest and raised on mixed grass pastures and hay. While some hay is produced on the farm and custom baled by neighbor Ron Kuntz, most is purchased from him because the Howard’s know the quality will be as good as hay from their pastures, an important consideration in grass fed beef. The cattle also receive supplementary minerals changed according to season to maintain herd health. “I like the Beefmaster influence and recently purchased Beefmaster heifers because of the breed’s high quality and abundant milk production,” Dean explained. “On the other hand, I like a

Limousin bull because the market prefers black and because those bulls have always been as docile as our mommas.” “The cute French name of the bull didn’t hurt,” Jennifer added. The Howards purchase four Yorkshire/Berkshire piglets twice a year from milk customer Cody Perkins and raise the pigs to 300 pounds. They are fed milk, farm-gathered walnuts, pecans and acorns, as well as other volunteer produce, such as persimmons. Like all Howard meat, the pigs are butchered and packaged at USD- inspected B & R Meat Processing in Winslow, Ark. The farm is also beginning to produce lamb, part of Hannah and Isaiah’s con-

tribution to the farm’s development. The sheep operation began with a Katahdin ram. After researching, Isaiah found the breed to be hardy, even-tempered and somewhat parasite resistant. The couple then went to BOQ Farm and Hatchery where they purchased two orphaned ewe lambs. The couple began this venture only three months ago and now have eight breeding Katahdin ewes and a red Katahdin ram. They plan to sell lamb at the farmers market at the end of July. Hannah is also raising chickens for eggs, though hawks have been a significant issue in the past. The farm’s diversity is additionally enhanced by duck eggs, produce, honey and jellies. The Howards devote one half acre to a container garden and plot where they raise tomatoes, cucumbers, yellow crookneck squash, zucchini, patty pan squash, green beans, sugar baby watermelons and a large variety of peppers including green peppers and cow horns. Jennifer repurposed three bee swarms, with one coming from a tire wheel well and the other two from trees. The bees are a new venture and may or may not produce enough honey this year for sale. Jellies, on the other hand, are made from steeped blossoms coming from volunteer plants on the farm and feature all natural and sometimes vibrant colors. The gourmet flavors are as diverse as they are delicious and include lilac, redbud, honey locust and magnolia. A final contribution to the farm’s offerings is a hickory bark syrup developed by Isaiah from the bark rather than from tree sap as is maple syrup. One year the unique syrup won grand champion at the county fair. “Love fills a generational farm,” Jennifer said. “We not only love all our different ventures and the unique way each developed but also hope to add another generation living on the land in the future.”

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

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Etana Morse By Terry Ropp

H Age: 14 H Parents: Jim and Palika Morse H 4-H Club: West Fork 4-H H Leader: Tracy Roebke

What is your 4-H project and what you like about it?

“My area is in nutrition and food preservation, such as dehydrating lemons to put in water, which enhances the taste and nutrition, as well as promoting drinking more water, an important part of health.”

Favorite 4-H moment, awards

“My sister started community service when she was 5 but I started at 3, even before I joined 4-H. With the Presidential Service Award Gold Medal requiring 100 hours of annual community service, I also worked in food banks, packaging and distribution. However, my sister and I have also made over 600 masks for the COVID pandemic, with most used locally, though some went to a nursing home in Louisiana.”

What is the most important thing you have learned in 4-H?

“The goal of 4-H is to build good leaders who incorporate what they learn into other parts of their lives. Belonging to 4-H has made me a better leader, especially in public speaking which now comes easy. I remember performing a demonstration on how to cook rice in a rice cooker when I was 5. Now I am a part of the Project Prevention Youth Coalition at my school with my current public speaking focusing on the dangers of E-cigarettes in addition to other dangers, such as cigarettes in general, alcohol and drugs.”

What are your future plans?

“I just recently figured out what I want to do. I was helping my sister look through information on colleges and majors when I saw sports psychology as an option. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had found my future career.”

What would you tell someone about 4-H?

“Explaining the value of being involved with community service and learning life skills is where I would start. Then I would explain how diverse 4-H is and how useful it can be in finding a career that is also a passion.” Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JUNE 7, 2021

the ofn

ag-visors

Advice from

Big Results

the professionals

What is the 5 Percent Rule?

Kathy Daily is the Senior Vice President of First Financial Bank’s Farm and Ranch Division. She has been an agricultural lender for more than 25 years.

“A 5 perecent increase in price received, a 5 percent decrease in costs, and a 5 percent increase in yield will often produce more than a 100 percent increase in net returns. The effect is cumulative, multiplicative, and compounding.” This is a reminder that it is the little changes that add up to big improvements. If someone told you that you need to increase revenue this year by 41 percent, you would probably think they just fell off the turnip truck, but if they asked you if you could increase your price by 5 percent, you would probably think that’s achievable. This same 41 percent increase over three years would produce more than a 100 percent increase in net returns. Price increases can generally be achieved by making a plan and sticking to it. Set the price you need and make it happen. I encourage people to work with a grain marketer if possible. The biggest problem in marketing your own crop is waiting for another increase. You just know the market has one more increase left, and then it drops. Determine your operations breakeven, add a profit, set your price, and then sell when you get there. A grain marketer will keep you disciplined. Remember, 90 percent of the people at the coffee shop didn’t hit the high either. They just said they did. You’re not competing with your neighbors; you’re running a business. I’m not an agronomist, so I’m not going to try to tell you how to improve your yield, but speak to someone who is and ask them for some suggestions. Farmers are very prideful and typically don’t like to ask for help, but we need to get over that and seek input from others. You know the farmers in the area whose crops always look good. Ask some questions and find out what they are doing differently. Maybe they are using a new drought-tolerant seed or one that is inclined to grow faster and stronger. Ask your seed salesperson or the co-op what’s new and shows promise. Cost savings might be recognized from a variety of things: • More precision chemical application instead of treating the entire field • Taking advantage of prepaid discounts • Paying on time to avoid late fees • Getting updated quotes on property insurance on a routine basis • Purchase in bulk with other producers • Refinance higher interest rate loans • Limit the number of suppliers to get better pricing – ask for a quote and shop around The 5 Percent Rule is easy to remember, and I often think about it in my profession. Now, think about how this rule would impact your business and its impact if you did this over several years? JUNE 7, 2021

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farm

help

Making farming

a little easier

Selecting Traits for Production By Cheryl Kepes

Sire traits are important to today’s dairy industry

First things first, producers should assess their operation and decide if they want to utilize a bull or artificial insemination for their herd. If breeders choose the AI route, it gives them the opportunity to make genetic progress at an accelerated rate. Additionally, AI provides health benefits for the dairy herd. “The overall health and reproductive success of your cowherd can be dramatically improved through artificial insemination because you limit the risk of some diseases that can be transferred by live cover,” Reagan Bluel, dairy field specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, explained. Bluel added AI allows producers the ability to select from multiple sires and customize breeding phenotypically. For example, if a cow needs a stronger udder cleft, then producers can select the bull with the strongest udder cleft. “While that sounds like such a miniscule thing, that can really help in the longevity of that cow family over time,” Bluel said. When selecting a bull or semen, a variety of factors can be considered. The specific traits selected will depend on the goal of each individual dairy operation. However, there are common goals throughout the dairy industry that producers can work toward through strategic genetic selections. Over the last 15 to 20 years, the dairy industry has focused on a single trait – milk production. This has resulted in milk yield increasing and dairy production reaching an efficient state. However, the years of selecting for a single trait has been at the sacrifice of other traits. “We have a very efficient system because we have selected for milk production, but at the cost of feet and legs of those animals, udder support of those animals and different things like that,” Michael Looper, Ph.D., Head of the Department of Animal Science at the University of Arkansas, said. Research indicates fertility and

what do you say? How is nutrition tied to milk production?

“Beef cattle mothers need the same care and nutrition as a dairy cow to raise a good calf. You take good care of momma and momma takes care of the calf.” Farrell Hamm Adair County, Okla.

longevity have also slipped, due in part, to the extensive genetic focus on milk production. Instead of looking solely at a sire’s milk production numbers, experts suggest implementing a multi-trait selection process. Researching sires and knowing their genetic longevity and fertility numbers can improve overall-herd profitability. The average lifespan of a dairy cow is five years. It takes a substantial financial investment to grow a replacement female for two years to get her to calving and first lactation. The financial investment is even higher now due to the increase in corn prices. If that female remains in the milk line for the average of three years, that means she will have three lactations. Even if a cow doesn’t produce quite as much milk, if she stays in the herd longer, she will ultimately make the operation more money. “I want to hedge my bets and not take off a lot of milk yield, but make sure she stays in the herd for four lactations or five lactations,” Looper said. A sire’s reproductive traits are important considerations, as are his milk component numbers. “We know that energy corrected milk is a very important feature, that is a combination of fluid volume and the components,” Bluel said. “Even in Southwest Missouri that has for decades been a fluid milk market, the last few years we have been paid a lot on our components. So, we can’t ignore the need of pounds of fat protein, protein specifically.” Another factor to consider is calving ease. This is particularly important when selecting sires for heifers and first-calf heifers. Lastly, experts suggest producers carve out time each year to pause and make a thorough assessment of their herd. Producers should analyze where their herd is, where they want it to be and what sires will get them there. A yearly assessment is necessary because even among the same herd, goals and needs, will vary from year to year.

“More milk means a stronger baby that grows faster. If momma doesn’t have a good udder, she can’t stay.”

Roxanna Teafatiller Benton County, Ark.

“Of course, the more and better the milk, the better the calf. However, the production of colostrum before momma’s milk develops that calves immune system which goes far beyond the early stages of development.”

Lee Graham Washington County, Ark.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

“Looking at it from a breeder’s and our business’s standpoint, technology aids in the development of better milk producing mommas in tern of quantity and quality so calves grow stronger and more quickly.”

Rethel King Boone County, Ark. JUNE 7, 2021

farm help

Breeding Dairy Heifers

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By Cheryl Kepes

Optimal timing and management for dairy heifers There are a number of financial benefits to breeding dairy heifers at the optimal time. Determining when to breed a dairy heifer takes time and effort. However, getting it right will add dollars to a producer’s bottom line. Numerical age helps guide timing decisions for breeding. However, research indicates a more accurate and effective measure for the perfect time to breed a dairy heifer is weight. Weight is a better indicator of the heifer’s stage of sexual maturity. Ideally, the heifer is bred between 14 to 15 months and calves close to 24 months. Though in reality, this varies from heifer to heifer. Still, it is worth planning to try to reach the ideal. In order to determine the best time to breed a dairy heifer, producers should assess the animal’s weight and structural development. Achieving the proper calving weight, requires producers to plan for steady development of their replacement heifers. “I like a lean, structural consistent pattern of growth,” Reagan Bluel, dairy field specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, said. “It is important to routinely measure or monitor the rate of growth to make sure she is reaching that ideal point of weight at calving.” The suggested weights and heights at breeding and at maturity vary from breed to breed. For Holstein heifers, researchers suggest a pre-calving weight of 1,350 pounds so the animal will maintain a post-calving weight of 1,250 pounds. If a heifer calves with a less than ideal body weight, some of her energies will target her own growth instead of pouring it all into milk production. “They are going to be growing still if they are below 1,250 pounds post-calving, 1,350 pounds pre-calving weight,” Michael Looper, Ph.D., Head of the Department of Animal Science at the University of Arkansas, exJUNE 7, 2021

plained. “If they are lower than that, they are going to be putting nutrients toward their own bodies.” In addition, heifers that calve before they are mature may have problems with dystocia. One way to reach the desired calving weight is to determine the general mature body weight of the herd. Then start feeding the replacement heifers toward that goal. “There is a science to it and also an art to it. Every situation, every case, every farm is individual and unique in a sense,” Looper stated. If producers are growing their own replacements, they should have an idea of the herd’s average mature weight. Once producers establish their herd’s mature weight, they can use that weight as a target weight for their heifers to reach at 24 months. Constant monitoring of growth is an essential part of the pre-breeding management of dairy heifers. There are several ways to track weight gain. Those include; periodically weighing heifers on a scale, measuring them with girth tape and asking someone who doesn’t routinely see the heifers to assess them. When feeding the heifers to get them to their desired weight, pushing them too fast, too soon can cause problems in the long run. “If they get above 2 pounds, average daily gain, what tends to happen is fat deposits in the mammary gland and that decreases milk yield,” Looper said. Experts suggest working with a nutritionist to balance the protein in the ration to ensure heifers achieve proper structural growth without putting on too much fat. The development of replacement heifers requires a substantial investment of time and money. Factors that could be a cause for culling prior to breeding include, contracting a serious case of pink eye, losing one quarter of udder due to mastitis and failing to meet the herd’s quality standards.

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Managing Dairy Steers By Cheryl Kepes

Strategies for success in the steer market

For some dairy farmers, raising dairy steers may feel like operating a completely different enterprise. In order to make money in this endeavor, livestock specialists encourage producers to plan out a strategy, assess the market, calculate the costs and develop a feeding program. “If you can have a strategy to get to the end point, I think there is an opportunity to have a separate line or stream of income coming in to add value to your bull calf,” Reagan Bluel, dairy field specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, said.

Know the Market

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Before venturing into developing and selling steers, producers should know their market. Experts recommend farmers research to determine if there is a market for dairy steers in their region. In parts of the country, producers may find it challenging to secure buyers for their purebred Holstein steers. Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

“In a lot of our Kansas and Texas packing plants, they are refusing to take these straight dairy animals because of their large frames,” Paul Beck, Ph.D., livestock specialist with Oklahoma State University, said. The purebred Holstein steers finish with a large frame and carcass weight, causing them to run into a heavy weight carcass discount at the sale barn. In addition, some packing plants shy away from heavy weight dairy steers out of possible health concerns. “They are on feed for a very long time, so there is a higher incidence of liver abscesses in them,” Beck stated. “So, it’s been harder to sell those in our normal commercial markets in a lot of areas.” However, dairy composite or crossbred steers are more marketable. “They are very efficient and very good doing cattle,” Beck explained. “And a lot of these, by the time they are finished, they don’t look as dairy influenced as you JUNE 7, 2021

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Now more than ever the price of inputs, such as corn, has a significant impact on profits. Producers should calculate their projected expenses before taking on the task of feeding steers. Determine what it is going to cost to hold the animals and put gains on them. Calculate potential profit and break-even points. If after that assessment a producer determines they cannot make a profit by holding the cattle, then it is time to sell.

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It may be the case after crunching numbers, dairy farmers decide raising dairy steers to almost-finished or finished, is worth the effort. One consideration for when to sell steers is what the market prices are for corn and other nutritional inputs. “In general, when we have high corn prices, feedlots’ cost of gain is higher, so they will bid more dollars for a heavier weight animal,” Beck explained. Therefore, the slide from a light-weight animal to a heavier-weight animal will be less, thus increasing the value of gain for a growing calf. Historically, purebred Holstein steers are sold before they weigh more than 600 to 700 pounds. The straight Holstein steers are more marketable if sold as a large group before they reach heavier weights. However, crossbred dairy steers can be finished and sold at an average of 1,400 pounds. Many farmers find these animals are more marketable. “The cattle are extremely high-quality,” Beck commented. “The average daily gain from that 250- to 300-pound starting weight, to an average of about 1,400 pounds, is right at 3.8 to 3.9 pounds per day, 6 to 6.5 pounds of feed per pound of gain.” There are many factors to ponder before raising dairy steers. Producers who know their market, track their costs and research the best time to sell, give themselves the best chance of success in the steer market.

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farm help

Nutrition and Milk Production By Cheryl Kepes

Homegrown forages and constant monitoring are keys to success

Nutrition plays a major role in milk production. Consulting with a nutritionist or extension expert can help guide producers in the specific requirements for their particular operation. However, there are steps all dairy producers can take to improve milk production through nutrition. If producers grow their own high-quality forage, they can increase milk yield and gain a financial advantage. “Without a doubt, especially in the milk market right now, the most important thing a dairy producer can do is create high-quality, homegrown forage to give them a competitive edge financially in this milk market,” Reagan Bluel, dairy specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, said. The current commodities market highlights the need for dairies to produce their own forages. Corn and soybean meal prices continue to climb, cut-

ting into producers’ bottom lines. Since producers cannot control some of the input costs such as corn and soybean meal prices, producers who have homegrown, highly-digestible forages fair better financially. In addition, experts suggest dairy cattle benefit nutritionally from homegrown forage. “The cows just perform better,” Bluel explained. “They are healthier. Their rumen is healthier. Their productivity is better. They breed back better and everything just works better when you have high-quality forage put up.” Nutritionists advise a general rule of thumb when feeding milk cows is to remember the numbers 20-30-40. Twenty percent crude protein, 30 percent Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and 40 percent Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF). In order to adequately follow those guidelines, producers need to know the nutritional values of their dry forages.

“You can’t count those numbers unless you test your hay,” Bluel said. “It’s really incredible how many producers don’t test their forages. Even if you do have homegrown forages, you have to know what you are feeding in order to best balance your ration.” Dairy producers can gain a competitive advantage if they test their hay. The test will give them information about the fiber concentration and digestibility of the fibers they are feeding their animals. Once farmers know exactly what their animals are getting nutritionally, the next step is constant monitoring. Nutritionists advise if farmers are feeding a Total Mixed Ration (TMR), they should evaluate the total intake, the changes in silage dry matter, the ration and any other subtle differences in the TMR. “For example, what do you do if it rains and all of a sudden the silage on top of the pile weighs more but does

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

not contain more nutrition – it is just moisture,” Bluel proposed. “There are so many complexities to consider.” Research suggests producers who focus on nutrition and management when their animals are calves, are more likely to have high-producing dairy cows in the future. Plenty of water and comfortable housing also play a role in optimizing milk production in dairy cows. For higher producing cows, producers may want to consider adding fats, rumen undegradable protein and other feed additives. Due to the abundance of intricacies in feeding dairy cattle, leaning on experts for help can make a difference. Nutritionists and experts with local extension offices are available to guide dairy farmers in nutrition-based decisions for their herds. There are different nutritional requirements based on where the herd is in regards to the animals’ stage of lactation, the time of year and the type of operation. JUNE 7, 2021

— ZONE A AUCTIONS — 6/8 6/10 6/13 6/14 6/14 6/19 6/26 9/25

Real Estate Auction – Bixby, Okla. – Chupps Auction Company and Real Estate 4,000 +/- Sq. Ft. Shop Building with Living Quarters – Claremore, Okla. – Wiggins Auctioneers Consignment Auction – Grove, Okla. – Gus Grunden Auctions Multi-Estate Auction at Mr. Ed’s – Catoosa, Okla. – Mr. Ed’s Auction Company Bankruptcy & Estate Assets at Mr. Ed’s – Catoosa, Okla. – Mr. Ed’s Auction Company Living Estate Auction – Eucha, Okla. – Gus Grunden Auctions 2021 Summer Consignment Auction – Wagoner, Okla. – McKinney Auctions 2021 Fall Consignment Auction – Wagoner, Okla. – McKinney Auctions

— ZONE B AUCTIONS — 6/9 6/10 6/12 6/12 6/15

JUNE 7, 2021

Live Auction – Fort Smith, Ark. – Looper Auction & Realty II, LLC Estate Auction – Mansfield, Ark. – Looper Auction & Realty II, LLC Real Estate Auction – Van Buren, Ark. – Contrail Auction Service Farm Equipment Auction – Talihina, Okla. – Looper Auction & Realty II, LLC Estate Auction – Waldron, Ark. – Looper Auction & Realty II, LLC

6/18 Estate & Real Estate Auction – Fort Smith, Ark. – Contrail Auction Service 6/18 Equipment Auction – Fort Smith, Ark. – Looper Auction & Realty II, LLC 6/19 Estate Auction – Barling, Ark. – Looper Auction & Realty II, LLC 9/4 Estate & Real Estate Auction – Fort Smith, Ark. – Contrail Auction Service

6/19 Harris Family Trust Auction – Harrison, Ark. – Bailey Auction Service 6/21 Elaine Farish Living Estate Auction – Springdale, Ark. – Auctions by Larry R Williams 6/28-6/29 Dwight Minor Two Day Estate Auction – Springdale, Ark. – Auctions by Larry R Williams

— ZONE D AUCTIONS —

— ZONE C AUCTIONS —

6/12 Redman Estate Auction #2 – Leslie, Ark. – Lock Auction Service 6/12 Stroman/Tripplett Auction – Mountain View, Ark. – Swafford Auctions

Now-6/9 Jimmy B’s Storage Auction – Sulphur Springs, Ark. – Northwest Arkansas Online Auctions 6/8 Estate Auction – Springdale, Ark. – Looper Auction & Realty II, LLC 6/11 Eckhart, Burkholder #1, Brack, Forsgen Estates Auction – Sulphur Springs, Ark. – Barber Auctions 6/12 The Estate of Hershell Goins Auction – Pottsville, Ark. – Miller Auction Company, Inc. Nowata

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Benton

Washington Crawford

Baxter

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Newton Newto

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SELF-PACED ONLINE COURSES • Agronomy 101 – Self-Paced Course, Time Limit: 120 days – Cost: $20 – to enroll visit go.ozarksfn.com/yz1– for questions call 405-744-4357 • Arkansas Center for Farm and Food – contact Benton County Extension Office for more information – go.ozarksfn.com/e2m • Backyard Chickens – Self-Paced Course, Time Limit: 30 days – Cost: $20 – to enroll visit go.ozarksfn.com/db0 – for questions call 405-744-4357 • Beekeeping Basics Podcasts – contact Benton County Extension Office for more information 479-271-1060 – go.ozarksfn.com/xof • Introduction to Horses – Self-Paced Course, Time Limit: 60 days – Cost: $20 – to enroll visit go.ozarksfn.com/m7y – for questions call 405-744-4357 • Introduction to Prescribed Fire – Self-Paced Course, Time Limit: 120 days – Cost: $20 – to enroll visit go.ozarksfn.com/30m – for questions call 405-744-4357 • Selling Home Bakery Items – What You Need to Know – Self-Paced Course, Time Limit: 90 days – Cost: $100 – to enroll visit go.ozarksfn.com/z2e – for questions call 405-744-4357 • Southern Fruitcast Podcast – contact Benton County Extension Office for more information 479-271-1060 – go.ozarksfn.com/g8d • Understanding Food Labeling Regulations – Self-Paced Course, Time Limit: 90 days – Cost: $600 – to enroll visit go.ozarksfn.com/hv1 – for questions call 405-744-4357 JUNE 2021 15 Calving Simulator Workshop – 6-8 p.m. – Adair County Fairgrounds, Stilwell, Okla. – call 918-696-2253 for more information 17 Cattlemen’s Forage College – Rotational Grazing/Watering Systems – 6 p.m., Online via Zoom – No fee to attend – to register call 405-527-2174 or 405-321-4774 21 Master Gardener Meeting – 6 p.m. – Rogers County Building, 416 South Brady Street, Claremore, Okla. – call 918-923-4958 for more information 25-26 Ottawa County Jackpot – June 25, Swine Jackpot – June 26, Sheep and Goat Jackpot – Miami Fairgrounds, Miami, Okla. – 918-542-1688 or 918-848-0635 – extension.okstate.edu/Ottawa 29 Goat and Sheep Small Ruminant Parasite Workshop – 6 p.m. – Washington County Extension Office, Fayetteville, Ark. – 479-444-1755 or rhorn@uada.edu for more information 28-29 Babysitting Basics Class – Youth 9-19 – 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Pope County Extension Office, Russellville, Ark. – Cost: $50, includes: resource binder, hands-on lessons, t-shirt, lunch and snacks – for more information call 479-968-7098 JULY 2021 15 Cattlemen’s Forage College – Stockpiling Fall Forages/Economics of Pasture Fertility – 6 p.m., Online via Zoom – No fee to attend – to register call 405-527-2174 or 405-321-4774 15-17 Porter Peach Festival – Porter, Okla. – www.porterpeachfestivals.com 18 Beginning Farmer Class – Season Extension Part 1, Farm School Tour – 1:30-5 p.m. – Location to be determined – Cost: $10 – for questions contact Ryan at 479-271-1060 – to register visit go.ozarksfn.com/pna 29-30 JB Massey Sheep and Goat Show Camp – Cherokee County Fairground, Tahlequah, Okla. – visit masseyshowlambcamp.com to register 30-31 2021 ACA Annual Convention & Trade Show – Hot Springs, Ark.

AUGUST 2021 15 Beginning Farmer Class – Farm Tour – 1:30-5 p.m. – Location to be determined – Cost: $10 – for questions contact Ryan at 479-271-1060 – to register visit go. ozarksfn.com/pna 19 Cattlemen’s Forage College – Establishment & Management of Cool Season Grasses and Legumes – 6 p.m., Online via Zoom – No fee to attend – to register call 405-527-2174 or 405-321-4774 21-28 Sebastian County Fair – Sebastian County Fairgrounds, Greenwood, Ark. – 479-484-7737 24-28 Baxter County Fair – Baxter County Fairgrounds, Mountain Home, Ark. – call 870-425-2335 for more information SEPTEMBER 2021 16 Cattlemen’s Forage College – Forage Supplementation/Forage Production and Calving Season – 6 p.m., Online via Zoom – No fee to attend – to register call 405-527-2174 or 405-321-4774 16-20 Rogers County Fair – Rogers County Fairgrounds, Claremore, Okla. – 918-923-4958 19 Beginning Farmer Class – When to Hire a Lawyer & Farm Tour – 1:30-5 p.m. – Location to be determined – Cost: $10 – for questions contact Ryan at 479-271-1060 – to register visit go.ozarksfn.com/pna 24-10/2 Arkansas Oklahoma State Fair – Kay Rodgers Park, Fort Smith, Ark. – www.arkansasoklahomafair.com OCTOBER 2021 17 Beginning Farmer Class – Season Extension Part II, Farm School – 1:30-5 p.m. – Location to be determined – Cost: $10 – for questions contact Ryan at 479-271-1060 – to register visit go.ozarksfn.com/pna 15-24 Arkansas State Fair – Arkansas State Fairgrounds, 2600 Howard Street, Little Rock, Ark. – 501-372-8341 or www.arkansasstatefair.com November 2021 18 Cattlemen’s Forage College – Hay Storage & Feeding/Balanced Forage Systems – 6 p.m., Online via Zoom – No fee to attend – to register call 405-527-2174 or 405-321-4774 December 2021 16 Cattlemen’s Forage College – Forage Budgeting/Stocking Rates – 6 p.m., Online via Zoom – No fee to attend – to register call 405-527-2174 or 405-321-4774

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June 2021 12 Wallen Prairie Ranch Production Sale – Lockwood, Mo. – 417-808-0296

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Articles inside

Managing dairy steers

Breeding dairy heifers successfully

The Howards have multiple operations

The right traits for production

Small changes can be big

Riley DuBois finds her place through dairy cattle and 4-H

Jody Harris Spring days and country weddings

Conserving the grasslands in Oklahoma

Jerry Crownover Playing old men

Ellen Dorsey is full-time at the farm