Ofn dummy 7 27 15

JULY 27, 2015• 28 PAGES

VOLUME 9, NUMBER 8 • WWW.OZARKSFN.COM

Family Farm Features Diversification Rob and Jennifer Sizemore incorporate a variety of livestock in their family operation

JULY 27, 2015

d n a H m r Fa e c r u o s e Ag R y r o t c e r i D Inside

Life in the Fast Lane

The ‘Living’ Cave

Roy Bradley began his career in the horse business in 1966

Blanchard Caverns offers tours ranging from a leisurely stroll to ‘wild’ trip

Is Pinkeye Plaguing Your Livestock?

Severe cases can result in corneal ulcers and blindness Serving More Than 24,000 Readers Across Northwest Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma

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Sugarcane aphids expand in Arkansas: Sugarcane aphids are rapidly expanding in Arkansas, quadrupling the number of confirmed counties. “We now have the aphids confirmed in 12 counties,” said Nick Seiter, extension entomologist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. In the Ozarks, Logan and White counties have confirmed aphid cases.

Tyson Foods makes donation to The Nature Conservancy: Tyson Foods Inc., of Springdale, Ark., has given $500,000 to kickstart an initiative with The Nature Conservancy to develop conservation projects for rivers and streams in northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri. The money will help fund stream restoration, reforestation, erosion prevention, unpaved road improvements, watershed research and community engagement in conservation projects throughout the area, including the Kings, Elk and Buffalo rivers, the company said in a news release.

Ozarks student selected for leadership camp: Rhett Pursley, a student at Locust Grove High School in Locust Grove, Okla., took part in the Oklahoma Pork Council’s Youth Leadership Camp. He was one of 12 students selected from the state of Oklahoma. Camp participants learned all phases of the industry from breeding sows to selling pork chops. Participants will also complete a live animal evaluation and actually harvest and process the hogs they evaluate.

Renk begins new position: Bryan Renk has begun duties at the Technology Commercialization Office of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture as the associate director for commercialization. He is responsible for various aspects of assessing technology, patenting, licensing and marketing. The office helps Division of Agriculture faculty and research scientists to identify, protect and commercialize intellectual property developed from their research.

Benton County youth take first in national competition: The Benton County, Ark., 4-H Shooting Sports team took first-place recently in the Muzzle Loader division of the 2015 Shooting Championships in Grand Island, Neb. Team members are Tristan Eike, Regan Puryear, Felecia Secrist and Matthew Harris. Puryear won second-place overall and Harris was sixth. The team is coached by Doug Secrist and David Joyner. Arkansas’ National 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassadors are Graycen Perkins and Kyle Russell.

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VOL. 9, NO. 8

JUST A THOUGHT

7 8 12 18

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

3 4 5

Jerry Crownover – A little bull Jody Harris – The birds and bees Julie Turner-Crawford – Getting an MBA

MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS

7 Brothers Kyle and Bryan Benedict

combine efforts, talents to manage three ranches

8

Roy Bradley began his career in the horse business in 1966

10

Blanchard Caverns is a ‘living’ cave in rural Arkansas

11

Eye on Agribusiness spotlights Russellville Kubota

12 Ron and Jennifer Sizemore incorporate

13 18

Town & Country features Don Rainbolt

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Youth in Agriculture features Courtney Adkins

a variety of livestock in operation Mixing registered horses, commercial cattle

FARM HELP 21 Understanding tax rules 22 Fall cereal grains like wheat and

rye can winter livestock, improve soil conditions

23

Warm-season grasses can fill the forage gap

24 25

Is pinkeye a problem for your livestock?

Is anthrax a threat to your herd?

JULY 27, 2015

just a

thought

PO Box 6, Prairie Grove, AR 72753

Toll Free: 1-866-532-1960

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What’s On Your Mind, Ozarks?

Sandra Coffman

Life Is Simple

Administrative Eric Tietze, Vice-President Operations Kathy Myers, Marketing Manager Sandra Coffman, Accounting Advertising Pete Boaz, Display & Classified Sales Kathy Myers, Production Sales Circulation Stan Coffman, Circulation Editorial Julie Turner-Crawford, Managing Editor Jerry Crownover, Columnist Jody Harris, Columnist Production Amanda Newell, Production

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

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By Jerry Crownover

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realize that the vast majority of Americans revoremoved nworC yfrom rreJ yB are now several generations farming, so it shouldn’t come as any great surprise, when people display their lack of Jerry Crownover is knowledge about agriculture. a farmer and former When I’m visiting with urban people and they professor of Agriculture find out what I do for a living, I have to suppress Education at Missouri the urge to correct them when they say someState University. He is a thing like, “Oh, so you raise cattles, do you?” native of Baxter County, I’ve learned to smile as I reply, “Yes, I raise Arkansas, and an CATTLE.” author and professional I’ve also developed the ability to restrain myself speaker. To contact Jerry, when I hear the occasional, “I don’t know why you go to ozarksfn.com and work so hard farming when you can get all the food click on ‘Contact Us.’ you would ever need at the local grocery store.”

That one is almost too much.

I obviously understand that we, as farmers, should take every opportunity to help educate an uninformed society about our business, but after what happened this morning, I wonder if it’s not too late.

Over the past few years, I’ve developed a routine of working the crossword puzzle from the local daily paper while I eat breakfast. I read somewhere that doing so will help keep my mind sharp as I enter my golden years. If I complete the puzzle before I finish eating, I’ll flip the page over and cipher through the Jumble as well. I enjoy it and I usually get a kick out of the little cartoon that accompanies the scrambled letters.

Today’s cartoon depicted the stereotypical image of a cartoon bull in the foreground, with two obvious cows across the fence. The caption referred to the bull as, “the male cow.” I almost choked on my last bite of eggs and bacon.

Handing the paper across the table to my wife, I instructed, “Please read today’s Jumble.”

“Male cow? I can’t believe someone would write that.”

— Continued on Page 6

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

Contributors Gary Digiuseppe, Pam and Jack Fortner, Klarie Howerton, Terry Ropp and Adam Wolfe

About the Cover Trey Sizemore with one of the ranch horses at his family’s farm, which focuses on cattle and turkey production. Read more on page 12.

Photo by Terry Ropp Ozarks Farm & Neighbor accepts story suggestions from readers. Story information appears as gathered from interviewees. Ozarks Farm & Neighbor assumes no responsibility for the credibility of statements made by interviewees. © Copyright Ozarks Farm & Neighbor, Inc., 2015.

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just a thought

Freshly Picked

By Jody Harris

S

ex has been a hot topic recently here at our home.

Jody Harris is a freelance I’m not talking about somebody who communications specialist, saw something on TV that they shouldn’t gardener, ranch wife and have – but humans, animals, birds, bees, mother of four. She and even plants procreate and these children of ours her family raise Angus beef have had a lot of questions about it recently. cattle and other critters on When my husband and I were married we made their northwest Arkansas one simple prenuptial pact. We vowed never to ranch. She is a graduate own a cat. of Missouri State University.

When work on the outside of our old farmTo contact Jody, go to house began, drainage problems were affecting ozarksfn.com and click on the house foundation. My handy husband eagerly ‘Contact Us.’ rented a bulldozer and began moving the hillside behind our home.

Around that time, our second daughter was 9-months-old and starting to enjoy sitting up and playing. This self-entertainment stage of her life allowed me a moment in the kitchen to make coffee. I remember that day vividly. I walked in the living room to find her holding something black and wiggly in her hand, giggling with joy.

I’m blind-as-a-bat without glasses or contacts. Since I wasn’t wearing either yet, I had to go in for a closer look to see what kind of toy she had. It. Was. A. Snake. In my baby’s hand! I panicked. I wasn’t sure if I should call 9-1-1. She dropped it and I caught it in a lidded Tupperware (never underestimate the power of overpriced plastic containers). I sprinted to call my husband and discovered ANOTHER baby snake on one of her toys. I bravely captured and sealed this monster in more Tupperware. I was ready to move back to town and never look back.

My panicked phone call to my husband prompted him to make an emergency return home from work. We moved every stitch of furniture in the house. Thankfully there were no more unpleasant discoveries. Apparently, the excavation project had upset a nest of these nasty beasts.

I had nightmares about their mother coming into our home to find them. I couldn’t stop the terror in my head so I turned to the Internet for reassurance. I had to prevent this from ever happening again. I learned many things including – snakes enjoy an appetite of mice and frogs. After hours of research, I felt the best way to eliminate snakes from the farm was a barn cat! Problem solved! I brought home a female barn cat. My husband never said a word. He knew this cat was the only thing keeping a for-sale sign out of our driveway. We spayed her, and Cinderella-the-cat became a member of our family. The marital pact was broken.

A few months ago he came home with a menacing grin on his face. All I could ask was, “What did you do?” He called our kids outside to his truck to see his surprise.

Ugh! Did we really need another cat? Well, Lightning-the-cat was promptly named and adopted into our household.

A few weeks ago, I noticed he was looking a little round and wormy so I picked him up and felt his belly. I lifted his tail in horror as I discovered HE was a female.

An expectant female – ready-to-pop any day. And so the sex and gender questions began. And I’ve answered them as factually and age-appropriately as I can.

The five kittens were born, the questions have subsided, their cuteness a welcome distraction. I’ve realized that while we’ll never have a mouse or snake problem, I’ve now transformed into a cat lady with four kids and seven cats. Do you need a free barn cat, neighbor?

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JULY 27, 2015

just a thought

Across the Fence

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By Julie Turner-Crawford

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recently got my MBA and I’m pretty excited about it. No, I didn’t get my master’s in business administration. I now hold what is known as a Masters of Beef Advocacy – and Julie Turner-Crawford you can get yours too. is a native of Dallas The Masters of Beef Advocacy is an online proCounty, Mo., where she gram that anyone can participate in. It is funded grew up on her family’s through your Beef Checkoff dollars, so why not farm. She is a graduate take advantage of it? of Missouri State There are five self-directed training courses dealUniversity. To contact ing with beef advocacy topics, such as raising beef Julie, call 1-866-532-1960 on grass, life in the feed yard and beef nutrition. The or by email at editor@ courses are easy to follow and there is a quiz at the ozarksfn.com. end of each course to test what you have learned.

I thought I was pretty savvy when it came to promoting the nation’s beef industry, but the courses gave me new information that I, as a beef advocate, can pass on to others.

The beef industry, just like all animal agriculture, is constantly criticized for its perceived lack of humane treatment of animals and the notion that beef offered to consumers comes from “factory farms.”

How do we address those misconceptions? The Masters of Beef Advocacy course can help by giving you the tools needed to educate the public.

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— Continued on Next Page

side dishes

Basic Roll Dough

Submitted by: Hendrixetta Watts, Leslie, Ark. 2 1/4 tsp yeast 1/4 C warn water 1C scalded milk 3 1/2 C plain flower, sifted 1/4 C shortening 1 tsp salt 1 egg 1/2 C sugar

JULY 27, 2015

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Mix well and add yeast mixture and egg, mixing well again. Add remaining flour and salt. Let rise until doubled (about 1 1/2 to 2 hours) or refrigerate overnight. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and shape into desired shape. Let rise until doubled (about 35 to 40 minutes). Bake on greased baking sheet at 375 degrees until done. Dough can be used for monkey bread, cinnamon rolls or donuts.

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just a thought Across the Fence Continued from Previous Page When addressing the factory farm issue, the MBA program suggests that beef-industry advocates simply ask people what their image of a factory farm is, then explain the lifecycle of beef. Makes sense to me because chances are the “farm” that they describe will be nothing like your place.

There is also a big consumer trend for grass-fed beef, but what many consumers might not know is that there is a big difference between “grass-fed” and “grassfinished” beef.

All cattle eat grass, so aren’t all cattle grass-fed? Yes, but are they finished on grass or in a feedyard? Throw that question out to someone promoting grassfed beef and see what the response is.

Chances are, they won’t know and it will give you the opportunity to educate that person on the difference.

Another “hot button” issue is the use of antibiotics. As we know, we don’t pump our animals full of antibiotics, but does the average consumer know that? The MBA program gives advocates informa-

tion on how to explain to consumers that producers only give antibiotics when needed to treat an ill animal and that animal can only be slaughtered after a specified withdrawal time. The Food and Drug Administration has a zero tolerance policy for antibiotic residue, and there is regular testing for the substances.

The courses in the Masters of Beef Advocacy is a yet another tool that we have in our farmer’s toolbox to promote our industry, and if we aren’t going to promote it, who is?

Take the time to enroll in the program and see what you can learn. For more information or to apply, go to www.beef. org/MBAApplication.aspx. It’s free and you can join me in saying, “I am a master of beef advocacy.”

Life Is Simple Continued from Page 3 Looking at the source, I found that the little cartoon originated in Los Angeles and was syndicated in hundreds of papers across the country. I would bet real money that the author wouldn’t know, or care, that all cows ARE female and the males are either bulls or steers.

My wife said, “The sad thing is, the person who captioned the cartoon isn’t

ignorant. It would have only taken a few seconds to research what a male bovine is called. This is just laziness. Maybe you should write a letter.”

“I would,” I answered, “but 90 percent of the people wouldn’t even know what I was talking about, and the other 10 percent would think I had wasted my time talking about so much, well, male cow manure.”

Do You Have a Favorite Family Recipe?

Send in your favorite family recipe to share with our readers.

P.O. Box 1319, Lebanon, MO 65536 julie@ozarksfn.com

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Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JULY 27, 2015

meet your

neighbors

Young Ranchers, Family Men

By Pam and Jack Fortner

Brothers Kyle and Bryan Benedict manage three ranches in Marion County, Ark. Two young Marion County, Ark., brothers, Kyle and Bryan Benedict, are combining their efforts and talents to manage three ranches.

Kyle and Bryan work side-by-side daily to manage their individual commercial herds, as well as assisting their grandparents, Forrest and Nina Wood, on their

The Benedicts’ commercial herds include lots of colored cows, but they use registered Black Angus bulls that come from Fallen Ash Farms. At Fallen Ash, they use selective breeding to get the bulls they want for their herd to achieve Angus cross calves. They keep 20 or so bulls a year for themselves and have customers who buy the rest.

Brothers Bryan and Kyle Benedict team up to run three ranches in Marion County, Ark. Photo by Pam and Jack Fortner

Combining calves from both herds alFallen Ash Ranch. The boys say they are grateful for the opportunity they have lows them to present large lots of calves been given by their mother Donna Al- of the same weight and size at one time exander, aunt Brenda Hopper and their come sale time.

Kyle and Bryan both love cattle and grandparents to do what they do today.

The brothers work together every day, ranching and say that’s all they ever wantsharing tractors and equipment. With sever- ed to do. “The hardest part of ranching is al thousand acres of owned and leased land balancing time between family and doing everything that needs to get to maintain, the boys say there done,” Kyle said. is plenty of work for everyone.

Flippin, Ark. “There’s a lot of life lessons “It all kind of just works tofor a kid to learn on a farm,” gether,” Kyle said. “If there’s a Bryan added. “Mom and Dad job to get done, we all just jump had a farm when we were growin. When it’s time to cut hay, ing up, both grandparents had a we combine all the equipment farm, and my dad’s side of the family and cut everyone’s hay.”

JULY 27, 2015

had dairy cattle when we were little kids.

It was just pretty much cows every time we went anywhere. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. It kept us close to home and it may have kept us from seeing other parts of the world, but I wouldn’t trade it.”

Kyle and Bryan would like to continue this lifestyle with their own families. Bryan and his wife Andrea have 12-year-old Bryce and 8 year-old Adrianne. Kyle and Alisha’s children are 12-year-old Maelee, 9-year-old Marcee and 4-year-old Karson. Both men’s coach summer league ball teams.

Bryan said it’s hard working everything in, “but at some point you just stop what you’re doing and you go.”

When asked about the future, Bryan said, “I plan on being there. I’m 35 years old now. In 15 years, looking out there, I’d say I’d like to own a little bit more of my land, what I’m operating on, maybe a little bit larger size-wise. At some point you have to get to the threshold of, ‘Can I handle this by myself and farm on my own,’ or do I want to hire a lot of people and depend on them to have it done? Also, where do I get to the point where this is what I can handle and still meet my duties as a husband and a father, and down the road from now, maybe even be a grandfather, helping my son start his own cattle herd. I don’t know if that’s what he’ll do, but I suspect that’s what he’ll end up doing at some point in his life, whether it’s his main source of income or if it’s something he wants to do on the side because he enjoys it – I expect to be fully engulfed in the cattle business.”

“Before I graduated high school I wanted cows, when I graduated I wanted a hundred cows, a few years ago I wanted 200 cows. I’ll get as big as life will take me but I also think you can string yourself out too much,” Kyle said.

The boys said being a farmer is a gamble.

It makes them feel alive, but sometimes they lose a little sleep at night, too. Their biggest goal is to be content, whether they have five cows or 500.

Either way, they intend to accomplish their goals while surrounded by family.

“All the help my family has provided is extremely beneficial. I’m not saying I wouldn’t be farming without them, but it would be a lot harder without them in our lives,” Bryan said.

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Life in the Fast Lane

By Terry Ropp

Roy Bradley began his career in the horse business in 1966 Raising racing Quarter horses is not part of production agriculture, but uses the same basic principles to produce the best and most economically advantageous animals.

Roy Bradley, a resident of Springdale, Ark., is a retired forklift dealer who sold a small repair shop two years ago. He has been in and out of the Quarter horse

ered, proven stallions. With stallions, the name really matters.”

Roy used semen from a stud named Extra Special Effort who retired two years ago at age 30. He was an important stud because his sire, Special Effort, was the only Quarter horse Triple Crown winner in history. Unlike thoroughbred racers, quarter horses run their Triple Crown events when they are only 2, and even

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Photo by Terry Ropp

Roy Bradley is devoting all of his efforts to produce high-quality racing stock.

business twice and is now devoting all his efforts to produce high-quality racing stock. His horse career began in 1966 just though their official birth date is Jan. 1, after he graduated from high school and just like Thoroughbreds, having foals as bought a solid Quarter horse mare in foal. close to Jan. 1 is not as important.

“I prefer April foals because of the unTo keep her, Roy rented a pasture in Fayetteville. Now he leases two farms for a predictably of Arkansas winter weather,” Roy said. “My foals can be true horses, total of 120 acres near Beaver Lake.

“When I started out the second time, that is outside right away running and playing which helps them to I made a mistake by buying develop. Because of that, good-looking mares instead they are at no disadvantage of focusing on genetics,” Roy Springdale, Ark. on the race track.” said. “I am still making up for Another difference between that mistake but I’m getting Quarter horses and Thoroughthere. You have to buy the breds is registry. Thoroughbred best mares you can afford must be 100 percent Thoroughbred and semen from high pow-

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JULY 27, 2015

meet your neighbors while Quarter horses can be bred to Thoroughbreds to increase speed. They are registered on what is called an Appendix Registry that can be upgraded to Permanent Registry by running at a speed index greater than 90. Registry papers are kept at the track, and background in licensing checks ensures that all trainers, owners and jockeys are properly licensed in each racing state.

Mares contribute 60 percent of a foal’s composition making them critically important. A good broodmare needs to have an outstanding pedigree, combined with speed or the ability to produce speed in her offspring. Confirmation and disposition are secondary though still important.

“If a mare has a bad disposition but produces high-quality foals, she’s worth keeping,” Roy said.

Currently, Roy uses semen from young studs with good race records or proven offspring in order to keep costs down.

He tries to stay within the $1,500$2,800 range but is planning to jump to $5,000 to $6,000 for some broodmares starting to show production and speed.

Veterinary costs are another part of the financial investment structure. Semen must be cool and shipped overnight on the day that stud farm is shipping. AI requires at least three to four vet visits: checking for readiness, breeding, ovulation and pregnancy. If development is slow, additional visits may be necessary.

Health regimens include frequent worming in addition to rotational grazing, annual mare vaccination for sleeping sickness, tetanus and West Nile virus and foal care including naval doctoring and a tetanus shot. Roy doesn’t worm his colts and fillies until they are weaned at about 5 months.

Additionally, Roy uses fly bayte in the barn areas, which is very effective. Nonetheless, he is planning on adding chickens to help with the fly problem while having the added benefit of fresh eggs.

Just like show cattle or other livestock, racing quarter horses require excellent feed. The broodmares graze on pastures with mixed grasses and clover though they are pulled off fescue 60 days before foaling to prevent problems with the placenta and with milk production.

All horses in stalls or lots, those starting training or being prepped for sale, are fed Bermuda and alfalfa hay supplemented by 14 percent protein and 6 percent fat pellets twice a day. Well water is used for the barns and lots, with all horses having access to well water though some pastures have spring fed ponds. Roy said, “If I buy another place, I won’t use ponds at all because cleaner water is better water.”

Roy owns six broodmares outright and is in partnership with pharmacist Danny Smith from Goshen, Ark., with others.

Future plans include retaining some fillies from proven mares in order to slightly increase herd size in conjunction with semen from stallions with better name recognition.

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Quarter Horse Racing

American Quarter Horses are the fastest horses in the world, and among the fastest of all animals. Able to run at speeds up to 55 mph, they can travel a quarter mile in less than 21 seconds, starting from a flat-footed standstill.

In American Quarter Horse racing, the clock begins as soon as the starter pushes the button and the starting gates open. In comparison, Thoroughbreds are given a running start. Although they break from the gate just like American Quarter Horses, their timer does not begin until they are several strides from the gate.

Quarter-horse racing was begun by the early settlers in Virginia shortly after Jamestown was established in 1607. Traditionally the course was 0.25 mile using whatever pathways were available or could be cut through the forests, and later a street of a settlement.

Long recognized as a distinct type, quarter horses are known for their ability to start quickly and sprint swiftly, producing close contests with many photo finishes.

The breed originated in Virginia from a Thoroughbred stallion, Janus, and native mares.

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9

ozarks

roots

the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home

The ‘Living’ Cave

By Terry Ropp

Blanchard Caverns offers tours ranging from a leisurely stroll to a ‘wild’ trip Most show caverns on U.S. Forest Service land are contracted out to concessionaires, but not Blanchard Caverns near Fifty Six, Ark., in Stone County, not far from Mountain View. According to Tony Guinn, information specialist at the site since 1991, the caverns are 22 miles from Highway 65, 100 miles north of Little Rock, and only an hour drive south of Missouri.

In 1963, the upper-level to the caverns was discovered by amateur spelunkers, Hugh Shell and Hail Bryant, though the mid-level had been known for over 150 years. This upper level has three large open rooms with surprisingly easy passage through them.

“After 10 years of work which included roadwork and developing routes for tours as well as lighting, the cave opened in 1973,” Tony explained. “Currently we’re using only one-quarter of the system and leaving three-quarters for the natural wildlife.”

She went on to explain that because this was a new venture for the Forest Service, other show caves were investigated and numerous engineers consulted to ensure safety. Some safety elements include textured concrete, hand rails, and cave-friendly lighting supported by an emergency backup generator.

Since access to the upper level involved a 100-foot drop, the Dripstone Trail on that level was almost completed before elevators were installed to ensure the safe, economic accessibility. An important feature of the upper level tour is wide pathways containing no stairs. Both viewing and safety are enhanced by earth tone lighting revealing important features such as flowstones, drapes and bacon while providing a clear view of the path.

When tourists enter for the upper level tour, an elevator carries them down 216 feet to the beginning of the four-tenths mile, one-hour Dripstone Trail tour. Visitors first enter the largest room in the cave system called the Cathedral Room because of its 1,150 feet tall, arching ceilings and amazing acoustics, which are most apparent during an annual vocal and instrumental Christmas season Caroling in the Caverns event.

The room is filled with spectacular formations of almost every kind including a 65-

10

foot column, which makes that feature more than six stories tall. Columns are formed when a stalactite growing down from the ceiling reaches a stalagmite growing up from the floor as water drips from the stalactite. The Cathedral Room also contains a feature now called the Battleship whose name has changed over the years, but always refers to a boat while the smallest room has the soda straws.

Discovery Trail, the middle level of the cave, is open only during the summer because that area is a winter residence or hibernaculum for the endangered gray bat. Discovery Trail is 1.2 miles and includes 700 stairs with a touring time of an hour and a half. This tour uses the cave’s natural entrance and emphasizes both geology and history.

A highlight is the Ghost Room with its immense and hauntingly white flowstone. Also on the middle level is a tour named Wild Cave. This adventure is a four to five hour, 1.75 mile journey through a completely natural and undeveloped area and is available only by prior reservation. Hard hats, gloves, knee pads and lights are provided to help the most adventurous tourists tackle the challenge of constricted areas and slippery clay spots. Although Blanchard Springs Caverns is visited by 60,000 visitors per year, only about 800 tackle the Wild Cave. The lowest level caverns are flooded and not open to the public.

Tony explained that interest in the caverns’ development came at the right time because of local support. Local businessmen and residents went to Washington D.C., to help drum up interest in Stone County and the caverns. They were strongly supported by U.S. Rep. Wilbur Mills, a native of Arkansas who was the head of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Sen. John McClellan, another Natural State native and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The Blanchard Springs Caverns is part of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, which offers camping, swimming, hiking, trout and smallmouth bass fishing, horse trails and an epic bike trail called Syllamo, an old and local Indian name. In addition, the Ozark Folk Center State Park is only 15 miles away and features demonstrations of soap making, quilting and gardening with a mule, aspects of traditional pre-1940 Ozarks country life.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JULY 27, 2015

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Russellville Kubota Owners: James and Brad Carlow, David Maddow Branch manager: Robert Wallace Location: Russellville, Ark. History: “Russellville Kubota opened in 1987 and has been at its current location since the mid-1990s. In July 2014, the business was purchased by James Carlo Tractor and Equipment. James, the major shareholder, was a county judge for 24 years and ran a large dairy for 20. In the early 2000s, the construction of an exit ramp off I-40 took a large portion of our frontage, but also increased customer traffic. The Kubota company started in Japan in 1890, coming to the United States in 1969 with small mowers and tractors. As the customer base became predominantly agriculture and a demand for larger equipment increased, so did Kubota’s diversity. The same is true for our dealership which is selling an increased number of larger tractors,” explained manager Robert Wallace.

Products and Services: “Eighty percent of our customers are farmers. In addition to lawnmowers from 42 inches using regular gasoline to 72 inches using diesel, we offer tractors from 23 to 135 horsepower.

Among our most popular items are small compact tractors most often used for brush hogging on a smaller scale and recreational/utility vehicles popular with hobby farmers as well as hunters. Almost all tractor sales include the purchase of a front end loader. All haying equipment such as tedders, rakes and balers of various sizes have been field tested and proven.

“We also have a complete parts and services department with six Kubota certified technicians having an average of 26 years of experience. They repair all brands of ground equipment ranging from chainsaws and weed eaters to lawnmowers and tractors.”

Philosophy and future: “We make sure every customer sees us as a professional, but hometown-friendly dealership, especially since we are heavily dependent upon repeat business and word-of-mouth as our main advertising venue. Of course, we are looking forward to an ever increasing customer base. Kubota seeks to support our efforts by developing new and larger tractors which are now being developed up to 170 horsepower.”

Story and Photo

By Terry Ropp JULY 27, 2015

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11

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12

Family Farm Features Diversification

By Lynzee Glass

Rob and Jennifer Sizemore incorporate cattle and turkeys in their family operation Rob and Jennifer Sizemore of Mayfield, Ark., went to high school together and shared FFA. Jennifer then earned a degree in agribusiness and is a packaging engineer for Tyson while also running the money side of their turkey and commercial cattle operation.

The operation consists of 1,000 acres on which they run 200 Angus and Angus cross mommas. They have 10 Angus, Simmental and Simangus bulls.

Rob’s goal is to pull all of the bulls and keep them with one set of cows, preferring more spring calves than fall calves.

Rob Sizemore and his family raise cattle and turkeys on their Mayfield, Ark., farm.

Photo by Terry Ropp

“We’re diversified across all the proteins He believes keeping flesh on the cows is because we have cattle and turkeys and I easier in the spring when grass is comwork for Tyson,” Jennifer said with a laugh. ing on.

“The truth is, I hate bulls because they’re Initially Rob worked in the poultry industry in a variety of positions, including never where you want them to be so I often wiring and installing poultry equipment. can’t keep them where I want,” Rob said.

He described a young bull that cleared When he got laid off four or five years later, he went to work for his parents four fences the day before, taking the entire family and much time who had broiler houses and to capture. commercial cattle, but has Mayfield, Ark. “While catching wild cattle since gone out on his own. with horses and dogs is my faThe couple’s current housevorite thing to do because I love hold consists of their two ranch rodeoing and, team roping, children, 15-year-old Ty and 9-year-old Trey, and Rob’s fa— Continued on Page 17 ther Raymond.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JULY 27, 2015

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Don Rainbolt Family: A daughter, Laykyn Rainbolt Hometown: Leslie, Ark. Town Life: “After working in commercial maintenance, I began Rainbolt Excavating Services out of my home in Leslie, Ark., eight years ago. I do housing, NRCS projects (especially water systems for farms) footings, roads and driveways, to name a few. Normally, I have one or two guys working for me but not at the moment though I am very busy. Five years ago I built a city street in Marshall that started with dirt ground and became an asphalt-topped road.”

Country Life: “I have 100 acres of family land in Leslie and lease an additional 200 acres. Between my daughter Laykyn and me, we have 30 registered Black Angus mommas and one bull. We use both AI and natural cover. I use AI on my best producers and all heifers, and choose bull semen to match the cows to maintain a variety of genetic strains and to meet customer’s diverse needs. Some customers want lower birth weights, some higher. Others want higher weaning weights, but disposition is always the number one criterion. I sell bulls right off the farm by word-of-mouth and have kept all our heifers the last several years because buying them is too expensive. Rotational grazing is systematic with the cattle moving every Sunday through our five similarly sized pastures. My health protocol includes vaccinating once a year with a broad spectrum vaccine and worming twice yearly. I hay cool season grasses and some clover which means the cattle eat dormant grasses in the summer though I grain feed as well, especially my bull calves.”

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Together: “My two businesses work well together. I’m always learning from the people I work for in the excavating business and sometimes sell bulls to them.

While each business stands on its own, profit margins are tight and we need both incomes.”

Future: “Our goal is to keep expanding the herd and leasing more land with the intent of having a production sale of our own. For the last two years, Laykyn has had the highpoints Angus bull in Arkansas and may someday keep cattle as a part of her adult life.”

Story and Photo

By Terry Ropp JULY 27, 2015

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13

market sale

steers 550-600 LBS.

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

slaughter

261.00

(Week of 7/12/15 to 7/18/15)

267.88

Week of 6/21/15

253.98 259.24 250.50 252.72 259.97

254.20 257.51 276.24

*** 255.00 262.41 *** Week of 6/28/15

246.01 265.70 *** *** *** 237.95 *** *** 244.49 278.87

*

264.72 249.74 253.62 Week of 7/5/15

247.76 265.22 243.00 249.49 254.00 245.00

113.00-140.00 † Not Reported* 120.00-136.00 † 115.00-150.00* 122.00-138.00 † 101.00-135.00 † 1

Ash Flat Livestock Barry County Livestock Marketing Benton County Sale Barn Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction Cleburne County Livestock Auction County Line Sale Decatur Livestock Auction

245.51

beef

114.00-132.00 †

Arkansas Cattle Auction

262.35

248.46 262.93

bulls

5 Area (Tx-Ok, Ks, Neb, Ia, Colo) Live Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice Steers: 146.00-149.50; wtd. avg. price 148.12.

Heifers: 147.25-151.00; wtd. avg. price 148.03.

Dressed Basis Sales - Over 80% Choice Steers: 232.00-237.00; wtd. avg. price 234.84.

Heifers: 233.00-236.00; wtd. avg. price 235.32.

130.00-153.00* 122.00-142.00* 136.00-143.00 † 127.00-133.50 †

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

cattle

Midwest - High Plains Direct Slaughter Cattle

Baby Calves: Holstein Heifers 590.00-610.00, Small 160.00-380.00, Holstein Bulls 400.00-480.00, Small 230.00-385.00, Jersey Heifers Individual 235.00, Jersey 7/19/15 Bulls 100.00-125.00, Crossbred Heifers Pair 360.00, Small 150.00-260.00, Crossbred Bulls 235.00-300.00, Small 110.00-210.00, Beef Cross Heifers 325.00-450.00, Beef Cross Bulls 410.00-530.00, Small 225.00-380.00.

dairy cattle

slaughter

50

70

90

110

130

150

278.53

* 258.08 242.45

Week of 7/12/15

233.42 231.61 * * 241.61 242.38 260.36

200

224 248 272 296 320 * No price reported in weight break **USDA Failed To Report *** No Sale - Holiday

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

14 14

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

400-500 lbs.

500-600 lbs.

600-700 lbs.

700-800 lbs.

Bulls, Med. & Lg. 1 235.80

7/2/15

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.

Ark. Cattle Auction, LLC - Searcy 7/14/15

Ash Flat Livestock

457

599

4-12 Lower

Steady

282.50-330.00 247.00-292.50 230.00-255.00 218.00-230.00 216.00

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

----220.00-271.00 210.00-235.00 204.00-218.00 -----

310.00 291.00 -------------

250.00-287.50 220.00-257.50 218.00-235.00 205.00-220.00 -----

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

7/17/15

Receipts: 145 All goats and sheep Graders and bough buying station. Offe goats and 35 percen will be Saturday, Ju to accept goats from per cwt.

GOATS: Slaughter Kids: Sel 230.00. Selection 2 Selection 1-3 45-60 Feeder Kids: Select Slaughter Does/Na 135.00.

Slaughter Bucks: S SHEEP: Slaughter Lambs: G 80 lbs 120.00-160.0 lbs 160.00-180.00, S

National Sheep Summary

Compared to last w as much as 20.00 h to 5.00 higher, inst lambs were steady. a one day sale. Equ lambs in Oregon. I not tested; feeder la head of negotiated s 8900 head of formu tested; 55-65 lbs w 1.00-2.00 lower; 7 lbs were 6.00-7.00 1.00 higher. 5,050 5.85 higher; 45-55 higher and 65 lbs a per hundred weight Slaughter Lambs: C San Angelo: shorn VA: wooled 90-110 180.00.

stocker & feeder

170

Barry Co. Livestock Marketing* -----

Benton Co. - Siloam Springs 7/16/15

Cattlemen’s Livestock*

-----

575

-----

pr

County Line Sale Ratcliff 7/15/15

Decatur Livestock*

7/15/15

Cleburne Co. - Heber Springs 7/13/15

1211

200

170

561

400

403

Uneven

Uneven

3-14 Lower

8-15 Lower

5-7 Lower

Steady

Uneven

7-20

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

319.00-335.00 265.00-285.00 249.00-270.00 216.00-230.00 216.00-219.00

280.00-341.00 250.00-310.00 240.00-277.00 215.00-246.00 -----

275.00-325.00 257.00-285.00 230.00-255.00 215.00-235.00 203.00-210.00

----260.00-285.00 247.50 232.50-238.00 217.50

300.00-370.00 260.00-305.00 235.00-268.00 211.00-242.00 200.00-220.00

200.00-380.00 161.00-301.00 100.00-263.00 151.00-253.00 95.00-229.00

300.00-345.00 265.00-318.00 232.00-267.00 224.00-246.00 -----

31 239.0 229.0 21

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

287.00-319.00 251.00-273.00 221.00-260.00 220.00-221.00 205.00

250.00-323.00 240.00-300.00 225.00-260.00 210.00-235.00 180.00-205.00

260.00-282.50 225.00-267.50 219.00-240.00 ---------

--------230.00 ----205.00

275.00-355.00 235.00-295.00 220.00-255.00 197.00-230.00 190.00-205.00

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

315.00-345.00 255.00-304.00 230.00-258.00 205.00-228.00 190.00-205.00

262.0 223.0 215.0 -

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

264.00 232.00-256.00 215.00-230.00 208.00 -----

235.00-295.00 220.00-260.00 210.00-236.00 195.00-228.00 180.00-205.00

250.00-295.00 237.00-255.00 225.00-236.00 212.00-220.00 -----

----------------193.00

265.00-310.00 245.00-282.00 225.00-251.00 205.00-230.00 180.00-205.00

200.00-293.00 190.00-277.00 150.00-235.00 100.00-218.00 132.00-195.00

282.50-310.00 237.50-292.50 215.00-262.50 205.00-220.00 -----

270.0 239.0 230.0 23 -

127 5(3257('

249.50

264.71

goats

Diamond, Mo. • TS Whites Sheep and Goat Sale

cows

239.69

250.22

Koshkonong, Mo. • Oreg

Receipts: 1347 Supply was good and demand was good. All prices steady 124.00-150.00 † to lower. Supply included 13 percent slaughter ewes, 34 100.00-141.00* Norwood, Mo. • Producers Auction Yards 7/9/15 percent slaughter lambs, 26 percent slaughter goats, 17 115.00-145.00 † percent Bucks and Does. All prices per hundred weight Receipts: 336 124.00-148.00 † OKC West - El Reno Livestock (CWT) unless noted otherwise.

At this month’s special dairy sale at the Producers Ouachita Livestock Auction 127.00 † SHEEP: Auction Yard, demand was good on a moderate supply.

120.00-150.00 † Ozarks Regional Stockyard Feeder Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3 22-39 lbs 200.00The supply consisted of 2 percent Springer Heifers, 6 Stilwell Livestock Auction 125.00-148.00* 235.00. percent Bred Heifers, 14 percent Open Heifers, 13 Tulsa Livestock Auction 106.00-164.00 † percent Fresh and Milking Cows, 11 percent Bred Cows Slaughter Lambs: Wool lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3 2552 lbs 190.00-205.00, 60-101 lbs 165.00-180.00.

70 90 110 130 150 170 190 and 31 percent baby calves. The balance was made up Hair lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3 42-75 lbs 190.00of weigh cows and beef animals. All quotes are on a per 210.00. Good and Choice 2-3 43-90 lbs 165.00-185.00; head basis for Holsteins unless noted otherwise.

95-132 lbs 135.00-165.00.

Springer Heifers Bred Seven to Nine Months: Supreme Individual 2100.00, Approved 1700.00-1900.00, Medium Slaughter Ewes: Wooled: Utility and Good 1-2 70-190 lbs 55.00-75.00.

Ind. 1650.00, Ind. Crossbred 1700.00.

(Week of 7/12/15 to 7/18/15) Hair Ewes: Utility and Good 3-4 75-145 lbs 80.00-95.00.

Heifers Bred Four to Six Months: Supreme Individual Culls and Utility 1-3 73-180 lbs 62.50-75.00.

Arkansas Cattle Auction 1975.00, Approved 1750.00-1875.00, Medium 1425.0090.00-110.00 † Rams: Few Replacement Hair Rams: Medium and Large Ash Flat Livestock 1550.00, Common 985.00-1075.00.

90.00-108.50 † Heifers Bred One to Three Months: Approved Individual 1-2 185.00-340.00 Per Head.

Barry County Livestock Marketing Not Reported* Slaughter Rams: Choice and Prime 1-2 120-145 lbs 1725.00, Medium Individual Crossbred 1375.00.

Benton County Sale Barn 85.00-115.50 † 110.00-125.00.

Open heifers: Approved 240 lb Individual Jersey 625.00, Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction 95.00-127.00* GOATS: 390 lb Individual Jersey 1000.00, Pkg 6 hd 1096 lbs Cleburne County Livestock 91.00-115.00 † Several bottle kids 20.00-65.00 Per Head.

1380.00, Medium 200-300 lbs Pkg 4 hd 500.00; Pair County Line Sale 83.00-107.00 † Feeder kids: Selection 2 25-38 lbs 240.00-260.00.

Crossbred 560.00, Pkg 3 hd 365 lbs 840.00, 455 lb Decatur Livestock Auction 95.00-120.00* Selection 3 25-38 lbs 200.00-235.00.

Individual Crossbred 825.00, 680 lb Individual Crossbred 80.00-135.00* Farmer’s & Ranchers 8 Slaughter Classes: Selection 1 40-66 lbs 260.00-285.00; 925.00, 795 lb Individual 1290.00, 895 lb Individual 87.00-110.00 † Farmers Livestock Crossbred 1325.00, 955 lb Individual 1235.00, 975 lb Ind. 75-95 lbs 225.00-240.00. Selection 2 40-70 lbs 220.00Ft. Smith Livestock 85.00-113.50 † 250.00. Selection 3 40-50 lbs 205.00-215.00; few Angora Jersey 930.00, 1085 lb Individual 1120.00, 1005 lb Ind. I-40 Livestock 72.00-115.00 † 7 kids 50 lbs 155.00.

Crossbred 1200.00, 1150 lb Individual 1170.00, 1255 lb Joplin Regional Stockyard 85.50-126.00 † Does: Few Replacements: Selection 1-2 65-72 lbs 205.00Individual 1300.00.

Mid-State Stockyards 88.00-119.00* 215.00.

Fresh Milking Heifers and Cows: Supreme 2150.00North Arkansas Live 81.00-125.00 † Slaughter Does: Selection 1 50-190 lbs 160.00-180.00 2275.00, Approved 1610.00-1950.00, Ind. Crossbred 91.00-118.25 † OKC West - El Reno Selection 2 46-125 lbs 130.00-155.00-Cull Does Selection 1800.00, Medium 1250.00-1575.00, Ind. Crossbred 86.00-101.00 † Ouachita Livestock 3 50-140 lbs 100.00-127.50.

1175.00, Common 975.00-1150.00.

83.00-128.00 † Ozarks Regional Bred and Springer Cows: Approved 1650.00-1725.00, Stilwell Livestock Auction 90.00-119.00* Crossbreds 1575.00-1625.00, Medium 1300.00-1600.00, Tulsa Livestock Auction 91.00-118.00 † Ind. Crossbred 1300.00, Common 1025.00-1275.00.

106.00-134.00 †

262.50

236.53

sheep &

Bucks: Several rep 1 65-85 lbs 180.00-1 175.00. Selection 3 Few Families with head.

7/14/15

Farmer’s & Farmers Ranchers Livestock Vinita, Okla.* Springdale 7/15/15 7/17/15

USDA Reported * Independently Reported

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

JULY 27, 2015

Ft. S Live

7/1

4

ket sales reports

replacement

dairy sales

avg. grain prices

feeder

prices

Arkansas Cattle

224.00

Ash Flat Livestockk 1100.00-1900.00 † 11 Barry County Livestock t kM Marketing k ti Not Reported* Benton County Sale Barnn 1400.00-1750.00 † Cattlemen’s Live 1300.00-2500.00 * 1500.00-1700.00 † Cleburne County Livestockk County Line Sale - Ratcliff None Reported † Decatur Livestock Auction 1500.00-2525.00* Farmer’s & Ranchers - Vinita 1750.00-2275.00 * Farmers Livestock - Springdale 2150.00-2425.00 † Ft. Smith Livestock 1175.00-1650.00 † I-40 Livestock 1225.00-3450.00 † Joplin Regional 1300.00-2700.00 † 900.00-2250.00 * Mid-State North Arkansas Live 1475.00-1800.00 † OKC West - El Reno 1650.00-2600.00 † 1250.00-2000.00 † Ouachita Livestock

231.03 231.00 226.31 230.00 230.54 224.00 229.23 241.50 238.82

1475.00-3000.00 † 2000.00-2800.00 * 1785.00-2200.00 †

Ozarks Regional Stilwell Livestock Auction Tulsa Livestock Auction

1000

227.56 *

2000

3000

*** 226.63

4000

5000

pairs

cow/calf

(Week of 7/12/15 to 7/18/15)

1550.00-2700.00 †

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

* *** 225.07 233.95 *** *** *** 222.67

None Reported † Not Reported* None Reported †

*** ***

825.00-2750.00 * 1850.00-2250.00 † None Reported †

233.62 238.88

1500.00-2975.00* 1750.00-2425.00 * 2250.00-3075.00 †

*

Ft. Smith Live 975.00-1575.00 † I-40 Livestock - Ozark 2100.00-2400.00 † Joplin Regional Stockyards 1800.00-2700.00 †

236.53 *

Mid-State Stockyards 1850.00-3000.00 * 2850.00 † North Arkansas Livestock - Green Forest 1925.00-2500.00 † OKC West - El Reno Ouachita Livestock 1500.00-1810.00 † 1250.00-2750.00 † Ozarks Regional Stilwell Livestock Auction 2800.00-3825.00* Tulsa Livestock Auction None Reported †

1000

2000

3000

4000

224.81 222.75 227.72 224.10 231.09 230.31

5000

225.16 225.38 *

7/13/15

7/13/15

N. Ark. Livestock Green Forest 7/15/15

400

403

485

455

2771

383

632

5770

395

1154

1226

1632

Steady

Uneven

7-20 Lower

4-18 Lower

2-10 Lower

5-12 Lower

St-8 Lower

2-5 Lower

4-20 Lower

Lower

Lower

St-3 Lower

*

300.00-345.00 265.00-318.00 232.00-267.00 224.00-246.00 -----

312.50 ----239.00-249.00 229.00-235.00 218.00

292.00-300.00 252.00-295.00 230.00-248.00 221.00-228.00 214.00-215.00

295.00 275.00-297.50 258.00-283.00 226.00-263.00 200.00-223.00

270.00-355.00 258.00-300.00 220.00-271.00 220.00-248.00 215.00-225.00

310.00-341.00 259.00-301.00 248.00-268.00 233.00-252.00 215.00-223.00

----287.00-307.50 257.50-287.00 218.00-247.00 208.00-228.00

300.00-329.00 255.00-274.00 230.00-241.00 220.00-228.00 208.00-212.00

305.00-335.00 282.50-300.00 260.00-270.00 231.00-240.00 220.00

290.00-345.00 260.00-300.00 230.00-266.00 220.00-244.00 200.00-220.00

361.00-373.00 321.00-331.00 240.00-263.00 223.50-247.00 216.00-222.00

*

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

0.00-293.00 0.00-277.00 0.00-235.00 0.00-218.00 2.00-195.00

Joplin Regional Stockyards 7/13/15

Mid-State Stockyards*

OKC West - El Reno, Okla.

7/15/15

Ouachita Livestock Ola, Ark. 7/17/15

Ozarks Regional West Plains 7/14/15

Stilwell Livestock Auction* 7/15/15

Tulsa Livestock Auction.

7/13/15

233.78

I-40 Livestock Ozark 7/16/15

0.00-380.00 1.00-301.00 0.00-263.00 1.00-253.00 .00-229.00

Ft. Smith Livestock

252.06

1200.00-2400.00 †

315.00-345.00 255.00-304.00 230.00-258.00 205.00-228.00 190.00-205.00

----262.00-267.00 223.00-235.00 215.00-224.00 -----

268.00-277.50 ----221.00-228.00 210.00-220.00 199.00

310.00-317.50 260.00-262.50 237.50-247.50 ---------

268.00-355.00 250.00-294.00 220.00-265.00 190.00-234.00 180.00-205.00

287.00-304.00 243.00-301.00 228.00-250.00 222.00-228.00 193.00-213.00

300.00 250.00-285.00 224.00-255.00 221.00 -----

----250.00-267.00 220.00-239.00 210.00-219.00 -----

297.50-325.00 270.00 251.00 224.00-237.00 195.00-212.50

270.00-335.00 240.00-285.00 220.00-255.00 205.00-230.00 180.00-210.00

348.00-351.00 259.00-325.00 235.00-261.00 216.00-229.50 208.00-210.00

282.50-310.00 237.50-292.50 215.00-262.50 205.00-220.00 -----

270.00-280.00 239.00-248.00 230.00-238.00 234.00 -----

255.00-285.00 243.00-251.00 219.00-222.00 213.00 -----

250.00-267.50 232.00-248.00 212.00-237.50 200.00-210.00 196.00-203.50

260.00-320.00 244.00-271.00 222.00-244.00 207.00-219.00 180.00-209.00

254.00-280.00 234.00-260.00 206.00-234.00 209.00-221.50 195.00-202.00

----260.00-267.50 223.00-250.00 191.00-235.00 203.75-207.75

260.00-264.00 241.00-265.00 220.00-237.00 ---------

270.00 247.50-257.50 232.50-246.00 ---------

250.00-290.00 225.00-260.00 210.00-245.00 200.00-218.00 180.00-205.00

289.00-313.00 254.00-274.00 239.00-246.00 199.00-221.00 185.00-200.00

JULY 27, 2015

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

235.51

* 241.71 219.77 Week of 7/12/15

rmer’s & Farmers anchers Livestock ta, Okla.* Springdale 7/15/15 7/17/15

0

*

(Week of 7/12/15 to 7/18/15)

Week of 6/21/15

goats

cows

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

Week of 6/28/15

PA: shorn and wooled 110-130 lbs 192.00-214.00.

Ft.Collins, CO: no test.

South Dakota: shorn and wooled 115-160 lbs 154.00159.00.

Billings, MT: no test.

Koshkonong, Mo. • Oregon County Goat and Sheep Market 6/27/15 Kalona, IA: wooled 90-110 lbs 167.50-172.50; 110-120 lbs 165.50-167.00; 130-145 lbs 155.00-167.50.

Receipts: 145 Missouri: 115-140 lbs 158.00-160.00.

All goats and sheep graded by MO Dept of Ag-USDA Graders and bought per cwt. based on in-weights at the Equity Elec: no sales. buying station. Offerings were made up of 65 percent goats and 35 percent sheep. Next scheduled market date 7/2/15 will be Saturday, July 25th. The station will be open to accept goats from 9:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. All prices d. All prices steady per cwt.

National Dairy Market at a Glance 7/17/15 laughter ewes, 34 GOATS: Cheese: Barrels closed at $1.5950 and 40# blocks at aughter goats, 17 Slaughter Kids: Selection 1 45-60 lbs 260.00; 61-80 lbs $1.6125. The weekly average for barrels is $1.6120 (-.0020) r hundred weight 230.00. Selection 2 45-60 lbs 245.00; 61-80 lbs 210.00 and blocks, $1.6480 (-.0180).

Selection 1-3 45-60 lbs dairy influence 170.00-200.00.

Fluid Milk: Milk production has leveled off in the Feeder Kids: Selection 1-2 20-44 lbs 225.00.

Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and the Upper Midwest 2-39 lbs 200.00Slaughter Does/Nannies: Selection 1-2 115.00; yearlings regions, while declining in other areas of the country.

135.00.

Milk components have declined in those areas that have and Prime 2-3 25- Slaughter Bucks: Selection 1-2 115.00. endured recent hot, humid weather. Some manufacturing -180.00.

SHEEP: plants continue to operate at near capacity levels. Class I 0 75 lbs 190.00Slaughter Lambs: Good and Choice 2-3 hair mostly under demand is steady to lower. There is steady to good demand 165.00-185.00; 80 lbs 120.00-160.00. Utility and Good 1-3 90.00. 65-170 for cream, due to the active production of ice cream and lbs 160.00-180.00, Selection 2 65-140 lbs 110.00-127.50. frozen desserts. Cream supplies are tight in the Central and Good 1-2 70-190 lbs National Sheep Summary 7/17/15 Western regions, less so in the East.

SPOT PRICES OF CLASS II CREAM, $ PER 45 lbs 80.00-95.00. Compared to last week slaughter lambs were steady to POUND BUTTERFAT F.O.B. producing plants: Upper as much as 20.00 higher. Slaughter ewes were steady 75.00.

Midwest - $2.5012-2.8860.

Medium and Large to 5.00 higher, instances 10.00-20.00 higher. Feeder lambs were steady. At San Angelo, TX 6020 head sold in a one day sale. Equity Electronic Auction sold 441 feeder 120-145 lbs lambs in Oregon. In direct trading slaughter ewes were not tested; feeder lambs were 5.00-6.00 higher. 4,000 Week Ended 7/21/15 head of negotiated sales of slaughter lambs were steady. d.

Soybeans Soft Wheat Corn Sorghum 8900 head of formula sales under 55 lbs were not well 00-260.00.

20 tested; 55-65 lbs were 1.00-2.00 higher; 65-75 lbs were 1.00-2.00 lower; 75-85 lbs were not well tested; 85-95 s 260.00-285.00; 16 lbs were 6.00-7.00 lower and over 95 lbs were steady to -70 lbs 220.0010.39 1.00 higher. 5,050 carcasses sold with 45 lbs and down 12 5.00; few Angora 5.85 higher; 45-55 lbs 10.44 higher; 55-65 lbs 5.48 7.01 8 7.64 5.05 4.82 2 65-72 lbs 205.00- higher and 65 lbs and up .57-.83 higher. All sheep sold 4.70 4.90 4.45 per hundred weight (CWT) unless otherwise specified.

4 Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3 90-160 lbs: 3.97 3.92 4.02 160.00-180.00 0 Cull Does Selection San Angelo: shorn and wooled 100-145 lbs 142.00-162.00. f a a e la le t n il s in o VA: wooled 90-110 lbs 175.00-180.00; 110-130 lbs 173.00v le u e Bluf Ela he He Osc Aug Pine Blyt 180.00.

Bucks: Several replacements: 200.00 Per Head. Selection 1 65-85 lbs 180.00-190.00. Selection 2 55-182 lbs 150.00175.00. Selection 3 55-190 lbs 120.00-145.00.

Few Families with single kids at side: 40.00-65.00 per head.

heifers 550-600 LBS.

Week of 7/5/15

610.00, Small 80.00, Small l 235.00, Jersey Pair 360.00, Small 300.00, Small 00-450.00, Beef 0-380.00.

USDA Reported * Independently Reported

225.51 223.63 220.00 * 222.71 219.66 218.87 * 233.38

195

212 229 246 263 280 * No price reported in weight break **USDA Failed To Report *** No Sale - Holiday

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

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meet your neighbors Family Farm Features Diversification Continued from Page 12 this one is too much trouble, and he is in the trailer ready to go,” Rob continued.

Rob works his cattle two weeks before weaning when he worms, castrates, dehorns and administers both Covexin 8 and a virus shield. Until recently he sold calves twice a year but now weans and sells them as needed, usually between 600 and 650 pounds, retaining 30 to 35 replacement heifers per year.

As expected, the drought last year was hard on the Sizemore operation. Rob was able to keep all of his cattle by thinking outside of the box and adding rather than minimizing expenditures, understanding that cow replacement is often cost prohibitive. He bought a mixer, which allowed him to stretch hay and add protein as needed though the cost was high. Another measure he took that first year to maintain his cow herd was the addition of automatic waterers that supply his herd, although pond water is also available.

This year Rob plans to increase the chop corn content of his feed ration since a neighbor is raising corn

and Rob won’t have to store the corn. Space is an issue, with a gridiron hay barn being his next construction project.

Rob raises the farm’s hay. Both hay and pastures are comprised of Bermuda, Fescue and Johnson grasses, along with naturally occurring clover, which he sprays for weeds and fertilizes with turkey litter from his houses.

The Sizemore turkey operation consists of one brooding and two grow houses connected by a breezeway for easy transition. The houses hold 54,000 birds at one time with 27,500 in a beginning flock.

“I always wanted to do turkeys after helping a friend,” Rob explained. “When a turkey farm came up for sale three years ago, I decided to get into the business.”

Rob has one full-time employee at the turkey farm because time is his scarcest commodity.

The biggest challenge is bio security. Rob has a pair of rubber boots in every house, and no outsider is allowed in. The houses are constantly washed and disinfected by a company Cargill supplies, but Rob washes addi-

tional areas to combat disease. Part of the challenge is the proximity of a highway and other turkey houses.

“You can do everything right but the truth is your bio security is only as good as your neighbors’ because contamination spreads easily,” Jennifer added.

The Sizemores also raise Quarter horses, which they use for riding on the farm and on trail rides, as well as for Rob’s rodeo and roping hobbies. Ty participates on the FFA poultry judging and tractor driving teams. He wants to be a diesel mechanic some day and is happy to help with haying all summer because he gets to be on the tractor. Trey, on the other hand, loves animals, especially horses, and is looking forward to showing in the future. At the current time he has two bottle calves, including one that follows him like a family dog.

Rob and Jennifer are active in the community. Rob is a member of the Northwest Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association and the Madison County Rodeo Board while Jennifer is a board member of the Rock Ridge Riding Club.

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Leroy and Pat Sellers raise registered horses, commercial cattle

By Terry Ropp

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Leroy and Pat Sellers run both registered Quarter horses and commercial cattle on 450 acres in the Morrow, Ark., area and an additional 300 acres outside of Stilwell, Okla. Leroy’s father was a successful cattleman in Farmington, while Pat came from a tobacco farming family from Kentucky.

The couple met at a hamburger drivein in Fayetteville when Leroy spied Pat eating and thought she needed some company. They dated for a couple years

Leroy runs 250 mommas with seven bulls. Some bulls are pulled from the cows to provide spring and fall breeding seasons while others remain year-long depending upon where the land is located. Leroy prefers mostly Angus cows and bulls mixed with some Charolais because he believes the Charolais is a good breed that produces a profitable cross with added milkability and muscle.

Because of his many years of experience, Leroy uses a vet only when necessary. When a calf’s leg was recently broken

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Although he raises cattle, Leroy Sellers’ passion is registered Quarter horses.

before marrying and raising five children, who have produced eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren while being pulled, Leroy treated it with so far.

Leroy and Pat bought their current a system that has worked well for him in residence in Morrow about 15 years ago the past. He wrapped the leg with cotbecause it was centrally located among ton and then heavy tape. Next he sliced a piece of PVC pipe slipping it up around their Arkansas properties.

“I’m pretty spread out so I can’t get to the leg and leaving about 3 inches below the hoof. Healing took about every piece every day, and three weeks with the calf time is my biggest challenge.

Morrow, Ark. now no longer even limping.

Right now my cows are grazHealth protocols in the Seller ing the lawn because I don’t operation include castration, a have time to use my lawn six way vaccine and worming as mowers. With all the rain, the well as dehorning on the rare occalawn is thriving and I can’t sions when needed. keep up,” Leroy said ruefully.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JULY 27, 2015

Leroy sells his calves between 500 and 600 pounds, mostly at the Stilwell Livestock Auction. This year, however, he retained 60 heifers which he brought to pastures closer to his home to calve so he could keep an eye on them.

Registered Quarter horses are a passion Leroy learned from a horse racing and training uncle.

He loves competition and winning even more, of course. While now he races only rarely, he does raise racing stock and has a herd of 20 broodmares and three stallions with an additional 20 colts and fillies he usually sells as yearlings, the time when racing stock buyers like to start training.

Although Lee Roy sells the yearlings throughout the middle section of the country by word-of-mouth, he looks forward to attending the Tulsa Heritage Sale at least once a year. Each sale is a premier sale for Quarter horses and is one of the biggest in the industry sometimes offering more than 1,000 head from across the country.

Leroy normally breeds by live cover but will occasionally use AI if he finds a particularly good combination.

When Jess Tambian, a successful AAA racer with an excellent pedigree was injured a couple of years ago, Leroy bought the then 4-year-old stallion at a good price.

“That was a smart buy and he throws good stock,” Leroy said.

Whether feeding horses or cattle, Leroy believes in custom mixed feeds.

For his horses, he starts with oats, corn and some pellets to bring up the protein content and then adds minerals. For cattle, he starts with a basic commercial mix and tinkers with the formula. He often changes the balance of 40 percent protein cottonseed meal and salt according to how much additional protein his livestock needs as determined by hay quality which varies year-to-year.

Leroy harvests and stores 1,500 large bales for his herds as well as square bales.

He currently stores his hay in old chicken houses that came with the Morrow house purchase. Nonetheless, he needs more space and is accumulating lumber to build another barn. Leroy’s horse fields are mostly Bermuda with an abundance of clover while the cattle fields JULY 27, 2015

“

meet your neighbors

“I’ll retire when they shovel me in. I’m not one to sit still and (I) always need to be doing something.”

– Leroy Sellers are Bermuda, Fescue and Johnson with clover as well.

To keep the fields productive, he spring fertilizes with a commercial fertilizer be-

cause he can’t get enough chicken litter and sprays for weeds.

“I hate thistles the worst and will spot spray whenever I find the time,” Leroy said.

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

Just to make sure he has enough to do, Leroy also has residential rental properties, which are constantly needing maintenance.

“I’ll retire when they shovel me in. I’m not one to sit still and (I) always need to be doing something,” he said.

19

youth in

agriculture tomorrow’s ag leaders

Courtney Adkins AY L P R O U! O K Y R R O O W F N A FOR O L A E WE HAV

Age: 18 Parents: David and Sherry Ambrose Hometown: Heavener, Okla.

FFA chapter: Howe FFA Advistory: Troy Dyer What is your favorite aspect of agriculture?

“I really like baling hay and working with the goats because they have a lot of personality. I don’t, however, like it when they headbutt me.”

Who is the most influential person in your life?

“My grandpa is really the most influential because he taught me the value of working hard in order to reach goals and that family is always first. He believes if there is a family vacation and one gets mad and leaves, everybody leaves.”

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What is your favorite agricultural memory?

“Once my dad tried to unload a buck by grabbing the horns, but the goat got the better of the battle.”

What is your involvement in FFA? “As far as competitions, I usually am in prepared speaking but serve as the chapter secretary. My biggest contribution is as a behind the scenes aide where I help with speeches and projects.”

What are your future plans?

“My current plan is to move to Fayetteville for an associate’s degree at Northwest Arkansas Community College and then transferring to the Univesity of Arkansas to get a bachelor’s degree in biology. After that, I plan to go to dentistry school and become a dentist.”

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What is your current involvement in agriculture?

“I have 25 does and two bucks. I sell the babies, typically, at 9 months but make exceptions according to how each grows. I am just getting started on a family herd of Brangus and have five cows. I also have two Quarter horses and retired Thoroughbred racehorse in addition to a rescue pony. In order to keep everything safe I have three Great Pyrenees who served as guards.”

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

Story and Photo

By Terry Ropp JULY 27, 2015

the ofn

ag-visors

Advice from

Can You Pass the Test?

the professionals

1) Does the farmer participate for more than 500 hours? The participation of both spouses can be added together; if more than 500, participation is material.

2) Is the farmer the sole participant in the activity? If the taxpayer does substantially all the work in the activity, there is no requirement for hours, and participation is material.

By Adam Wolfe 3) Does the farmer participate for more than 100 hours in the activity, with no one else participating more? If the farmer logs more Farmers need to understand a few tax rules than 100 hours, and no other party, including employees, works to ensure proper income tax reporting more than the farmer, participation is material. hen a farm operation is in its early stages, its 4) Is the 500-hours test from No. 1 met via participation in mulAdam Wolfe, CPA owners often treat it as a side-business, to suptiple activities the taxpayer participates in? This test is complicated is the Partner & Tax plement income from their primary occupation. and warrants discussion with a tax professional; if the farmer has Director of Bobby While this is almost certainly a smart decision for several activities in the 100-hour range with similar functions, they Medlin, CPA and works the financial affairs of the family, it’s important that might be aggregated together to achieve material participation. in the firm’s Lake Ozark the farmer understand a few tax rules to ensure proper income tax re5) Has the farmer materially participated for five of the last 10 branch. Adam has porting. The rules we’ll discuss here deal with Passive Activity Losses. years? If so, participation is material. worked at the firm’s A passive activity is any business or farm activity in which the tax6) The sixth test deals with personal service corporations where Lake Ozark branch payer owns an interest, but doesn’t materially participate. material participation for three years locks in material participation since 2010.

In order to ensure that a farm loss is deductible and not suspended as in the future. This test is not likely to impact farmers. passive, farmers need to materially participate in the farm operation 7) Do the facts and circumstances show that the taxpayer materially by regularly working, planning, providing resources and making decisions. participates? This test allows for a close examination of the individual case and allows for To determine whether an individual materially participates or not, the IRS exam- consideration of log books and other information in determining participation. ines the farmer’s role using seven tests. If any one test is passed, the activity is not While a full-time farmer won’t find it difficult to pass one of the tests, any farmer involved considered passive, and losses are deductible. in other activities should understand the importance of substantiating farm participation.

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Cover Crops are Gaining Popularity

By Gary Digiuseppe

Fall cereal grains like wheat and rye can winter livestock, improve soil conditions Planting a cover crop over the winter is an idea that’s gained increasing popularity, for a number of reasons – the cover crop protects soil from erosion; it adds nutrients to the soil. And, of course, it can also provide nutrition for livestock.

“The cover crops we have worked the most with have been cereal grains like wheat and rye, and winter annuals like annual ryegrass. And, we’ve done a lot of work with forage brassicas, like forage turnips and forage rape,” Dr. John Jennings, University of Arkansas Extension state forage agronomist, told Ozarks Farm & Neighbor. “They’re very high quality and will produce good gains.

They can also be used in a limited grazing situation where they’re grazed a couple of days a week and the animals are fed hay the rest of the time, and will help balance out some of the deficiencies of the hay.”

To be grazed in the fall, cereal grains like wheat and rye need to be planted in September in order to have enough time to grow and produce adequate forage. If they’re being planted into fescue or Bermudagrass, the growth of those forages has to be suppressed either in early fall or late summer to get enough growth out of the cover crops. Jennings said, “If we don’t plant them until October after the Bermudagrass has gone dormant, if we’re interseeding it, we typically don’t get grazing until February or March.”

The forage brassicas have to be planted early, preferably between the last week of August and the first week of September. To prepare a Bermudagrass field for a winter annual, the field first needs to be lightly to moderately disked, suppressing the Bermudagrass sod without killing it. If there’s a little rain, the brassicas will grow well through September and October and can be grazed in November – sometimes late October – into December, if managed through rotational grazing.

what do you say?

How do you prevent heat stress in your livestock?

22

“We fight heat stress naturally by providing a lot of shade and good water.”

It’s touchier to graze a cover crop that’s been planted following row crops. Although corn is harvested earlier in this part of the country, soybeans often don’t come off until late September or October. Under those circumstances, Jennings said, “We can plant our winter cover crop but it doesn’t do much in the fall. It’ll be spring, if ever, before it produces much growth, and that’s around the time they need to kill it to plant the next crop.” It has to be an early harvested growth to get the best fall growth out of those.” Corn usually comes out in August or September in this region and is better suited for following with a cover crop.

“You do need to be careful with grazing cover crops too tight,” cautioned Tim Schnakenberg, University of Missouri Extension regional forage agronomist. “The idea of a cover crop is to develop a root system that’s going to hold the soil in place, and eventually that root system is going to decay and leave behind organic material that’s going to build the soil back up. So if you graze into the ground all winter, it’ll be of benefit, but it’s not going to be as good.” He – Photo from University of Arkansas recommended allowing the animals to graze the cover crop no lower than about 4 inches, then putting them in another field so the crop can regrow.

Schnakenberg told OFN forage turnips can be of particular benefit to the soil; they leave behind a large bulb that decays and contributes to soil organic content. He said cattle need to be watched so they’re only grazing the tops off the plants up until the first of January, when the greens are usually gone. “Be very sparing so you can get multiple grazings out of it,” he said. “Normally when we’re grazing turnips, cattle will be on there long enough that they’ll start pulling the turnip out of the ground and eating it as well.”

While the tops are 15 to 20 percent protein, the roots are only about 8-10 percent; on the other hand, the TDN (energy) value is typically around 70 percent.

“Basically, I don’t work my cattle when it’s hot and have enough trees for shade.”

Brian Franklin Crawford County, Ark.

Bill Hoffman Le Flore County, Okla.

“For the commercial cattle we rely on tree and the woods but for our show dairy cattle we have fans and air conditioners.”

Amy Hill Washington County, Ark.

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

“It’s important to pick a breed that is heat resistant and support that natural resistance by providing shade and plenty of fresh, cool water.”

Stan Johnson Ottawa County, Okla.

JULY 27, 2015

farm help

Filling the Summer Forage Gap

By Gary Digiuseppe

Make sure your farm stocks up on warmseason grasses to get cattle to fall It’s called the “summer slump,” as the spring moisture dissipates and the grasses and legumes that rely upon it start to decline. To prepare for summer, make sure your farm stocks enough warm-season grasses to get your cattle to fall.

“The most common forage to use during the summer is Bermudagrass,” Dr. John Jennings, University of Arkansas Extension state forage specialist, told OFN. “In southern Arkansas, a lot of bahiagrass is used. As you move further north Bermudagrass is less and less of an option, so you have to look at other options like crabgrass or summer annuals like pearl millet or sorghum-sudan.” Crabgrass reseeds itself but the annuals don’t, and Jennings also cautioned that if the choice is for native warm season grasses, they’ll require additional management.

The annuals will need to be fertilized to step up their productivity. Jennings said the fertilization rates are not excessive and if the objective is only grazing, 50 to 60 units of nitrogen will often be enough.

If the producer plans to cut hay, a second fertilizer application may be helpful.

While crabgrass can be compatible sown into fescue if the fescue is grazed off early in the spring, the annuals don’t compete well with fescue and it’s best to suppress the fescue with herbicide or disk it up.

Annuals can also stand in if a producer intends to renovate a field. They can destroy a stand of toxic Kentucky 31 fescue, use the annual as a rotation crop, and then replant the paddock to a novel endophytefree fescue or to Bermudagrass.

“They can use that summer forage as their rotation crop, and do a different pasture each year until they get through that rotation,” Jennings said. “Hopefully, by then they’ll have a perennial summer grass like Bermuda or native grass; then, they’ll have their fescue for the spring and the fall.”

JULY 27, 2015

He said it is important to plan early.

“When they start killing the old fescue they’re going to turn loose a tremendous amount of weeds and weedy grasses that have been suppressed by that fescue. They may need to spend at least a year of time during the rotation or renovation process, or they’ll be disappointed with all the weed encroachment they’re going to have.”

Tim Schnakenberg of the University of Missouri Extension, recommended producers have somewhere between 10 to 30 percent of their farm in a warm season grass, whether they cut hay on it, graze it or both. Examples of warm season grasses are Bermudagrass, crabgrass or native grasses like big bluestem, indiangrass, switchgrass and eastern gamagrass.

“Another option would be an introduced species,” Schnakenberg told Ozarks Farm & Neighbor. “Caucasian bluestem – which is not the same as big bluestem – is an excellent summer forage, but the problem we’re having with that is seed supply is very, very limited, so it’s very difficult these days to find the seed for it.”

Schnakenberg said forage tests and stocker performance trials show warm season grasses have excellent nutritional potential. As with other grasses, if it goes to a head and becomes too mature the quality drops pretty quickly. However, under a grazing system where it’s kept in a vegetative state throughout the summer months, he said that’s usually not a problem.

“We usually sow a warm season grass stand from mid-May to mid-June, so you’re looking at getting some first growth off it at about 90 days,” Schnakenberg said. “It’s going to be touch-and-go getting a new stand utilized its first year, but you might be able to flash graze it from August to around the first of September.”

Once the stand is established, it will be good to go in following years beginning in June.

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Is Pinkeye Plaguing Your Livestock?

By Gary Digiuseppe

Severe cases can result in corneal ulcers and blindness Pinkeye – more properly known as “infectious keratoconjunctivitis” – is a highly contagious disease affecting the eyes.

It can affect cattle, sheep and even humans, but the organisms that infect livestock are not the same as those that affect people, and humans cannot contract it from animals.

Dr. Charlotte Clifford-Rathert, the state Small Ruminant Extension Specialist for Lincoln University Cooperative Extension and Research, told Ozarks Farm & Neighbor pinkeye in goats and sheep is caused by two primary infective bacteria, Chlamydophila pecorum and Mycoplasma conjunctivae.

“Clinical signs are usually obvious tearing of the eye, cloudiness, redness, squinting and sensitivity to sunlight,” she said.

“Severe cases can result in corneal ulcers and blindness. Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, conjunctival scraping and positive culture of the organism from the tears. The disease will usually complete its course in three to four weeks.”

Cattle and small ruminants can be treated with eye medications containing antibiotics like tetracycline, and in some individual cases an injectable tetracycline is warranted. When treating cattle, according to University of Arkansas Extension veterinarian Dr. Jeremy Powell, injectables can be administered under a veterinarian’s care if topical treatments have failed. However, while there are no effective vaccines available for sheep or goats, Powell told OFN there are vaccines for cattle; the veterinarian can recommend which vaccine is the best fit for your situation.

Powell said pinkeye in cattle during the summer months has been blamed historically on an organism called Moraxella bovis.

“Over the last few years we’ve seen another organism associated with pinkeye in cattle called Moraxella bovoculi,” he explained. “It seems as though we don’t

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

see it as often as we see M. bovis, but when we do see it, it seems more aggressive and somewhat more resistant to some of the antibiotics we’ve used to treat pinkeye cases in the past.”

While pinkeye is not normally a life threatening issue, it causes economic detriments in terms of weight gains in cattle.

“Instead of being out and grazing pastures, cattle dealing with pinkeye cases are laying over in the shade because the extra light from the summer sunshine hurts their eye,” Powell said. “If it happens in cows that are nursing calves, their milk production will be affected because of lower grazing intake while they’re affected with pinkeye, so that will affect calf weight gains.”

Pinkeye is contagious and can be spread via direct contact, but the main vector is the face fly, and populations are high this year due to all the early moisture. The face fly feeds off discharge from the eyes of cattle and it uses its spongy mouthparts to feed off the eyelid of an infected cow, and when it moves to the next cow it carries the bacteria with it.

Another predisposing factor this time of year can be tall grass in the pasture.

“With an animal that spends a lot of its time with its head lowered, just grazing through the pasture, seed heads and tall grass can cause mild abrasion to the eye, which causes irritation and makes the eye more susceptible to infection,” Powell said.

“Dust can also cause irritation to the eye, and just the extended sunlight, cattle with less pigment around the eye, like whitefaced cattle tend to have more issue with pinkeye than some other breeds.”

However, he hastened to add, “you’ll see plenty of cases among cattle that have pigment around the eye as well.”

In addition to antibiotics, fly control and clipping grass shorter, sometimes a veterinarian will prescribe a simple patch over the animal’s eye to protect it from the UV light, as well as from flies and grass seed.

JULY 27, 2015

farm help

Understanding Anthrax

By Klarie Howerton

Could it be a threat to your herd?

As a livestock producer, whether it be cattle, sheep, goats or another species, the health of your herd is nearly always your primary concern.

Healthy herds are happier and perform better, leading to a better farm environment and increased profits. Common livestock health issue like flies, overgrown hooves or scours can usually be diagnosed and treated relatively quickly, since most herdsmen have experience with those types of problems. But what about more serious potential herd health problems on the farm – like the threat of anthrax?

What is Anthrax?

Anthrax is a very serious, infectious disease that can occur naturally in the soil, and is caused by a bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. This disease primarily affects wild and domestic grazing livestock like cattle, sheep, goats, antelope and deer when they ingest or breathe in spores from contaminated areas, but it can affect humans on rare occasions if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated products from an infected animal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains anthrax in three stages: 1. The bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis produce spores that are dormant and can live in the soil for decades.

2. When spores get into the body of an animal or a human (full of water, sugars and other nutrients), the spores can be activated and turned into active, growing cells.

3. Once active, the bacteria can multiply and spread, creating toxins and causing severe illness and death.

Diagnosing and Treating Anthrax

Anthrax can be diagnosed. It can strike quickly – the incubation period is three to seven days – and can kill otherwise healthy looking animals rapidly. If the animal does JULY 27, 2015

show signs of anthrax, however, an article

by The Food and Agriculture Association of the United Nations noted that symptoms can be “characterized by fever, depression, difficulty in breathing and convulsions.”

If anthrax is discovered in an animal, it must be treated quickly and with a course of antibiotics. Prompt disposal of contaminated carcasses, bedding and feed is essential, as is good hygiene for people who have come into contact with the animal. Animals that have died of anthrax are teeming with the infectious spores and occasionally humans contract the disease when they are exposed to contaminated aerosols or animal products, according to the University of Missouri Laboratory for Infectious Disease Research. Cutaneous anthrax is the most common form and begins as a sore on the face, arms or hands, developing into a painless ulcer with a black, necrotic center.

Patients suffering from the less common inhalational anthrax may have fever, nonproductive cough, chest discomfort, sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes, headache and vomiting.

What Is the Risk of Anthrax in the US?

Anthrax is, without doubt, a very serious disease – but as a rule, it is not common in the United States.

“Anthrax is rare in the United States, but sporadic outbreaks do occur in wild and domestic grazing animals such as cattle or deer. Anthrax is more common in developing countries and countries that do not have veterinary public health programs that routinely vaccinate animals against anthrax. In the United States, yearly vaccination of livestock is recommended in areas where animals have had anthrax in the past,” stated an article by the CDC. Cases of anthrax are seen yearly in Texas, North and South Dakota and other midwestern states, but there have been no cases in Arkansas or Oklahoma in many years.

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calendar

July 2015 27-8/1 Fulton County Fair – Salem, Ark. – 870-895-3301 28 Canning Class – 5:30 p.m. – Saint Anne’s Catholic Church, Hwy 62,

Berryville, Ark. – 870-423-2958 28-30 4-H Sponsored Day Camp – Search County Civic Center, Marshall, Ark.

– 870-448-3981 29-8/2 World Wide Paint Horse Congress – Tulsa Expo Square – Tulsa, Okla. – 785-479-6817 30-8/1 Sallisaw Lion’s Club IPRA Rodeo – Sallisaw Rodeo Grounds – Sallisaw,

Okla. – 918-774-5497 or 918-776-9977 August 2015 1 Ozark Stocker Cattle Conference – 9 a.m.-3 p.m. – Cost: $20 (includes

lunch) – Durand Center, Harrison, Ark. – 870-741-6168 1 Last Day to Register for Beef IQ program – includes 6 workshops and 2 field

days – Cost: $100 includes all sessions, meals and hand out materials –

workshop locations will alternate between Benton and Madison counties

– 479-271-1060 1 61st Annual Decatur Barbecue – 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m. – Events include: 5K

Run 7 a.m., Children’s Games 8 a.m., Car Show 10 a.m., Dinners 10 a.m.,

Parade Line Up 10:30 a.m., Parade 11 a.m., Car Show Awards 3 p.m.,

National Anthem-Prayer 5 p.m., Miss Decatur Barbecue Casual Wear 5:30 p.m.,

Tiny Tots 6 p.m., Miss Decatur Barbecue Formal Wear/Crowning 6:30 p.m. –

Opening Act featuring Johnny Dale Roberts 7:30 p.m., Featured Act Jesse Keith

Whitley 8:30 p.m. – Veterans Park, Decatur, Ark. 1-4 71st Annual Rodeo of the Ozarks – Parson’s Stadium, 1423 East Emma

Ave, Springdale, Ark. – 479-756-0464 3 Lake Conway-Point Remove Watershed (Water Quality Stakeholder Forums)

– 5-8 p.m. – Counties in the Watershed: Conway, Faulkner, Perry, Pope,

Pulaski, Van Buren and Yell – University of Arkansas College, Morrilton

Cafeteria, 1537 University Blvd., Morrilton, Ark. – 501-671-2228 7 Arkansas Rice Expo – Stuttgart, Ark. – 501-671-2126 7-9 57th Annual Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association Convention & Trade Show –

Fort Smith, Ark. 10 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – Extension Office, Conway Ark.

– 501-329-8344 11 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – Flippin, Ark. – 870-449-6349 11-15 Benton County Fair – Bentonville, Ark. – 479-271-1060 11-15 North Logan County Fair – Paris, Ark. – 479-963-2360 13 Small Animal Club Meeting – 6:30 p.m. – Cherokee County Fairgrounds,

Tahlequah, Okla. – 918-456-6163 13-22 Ottawa County Fair – Miami, Okla. – 918-542-1688 15 Deadline to register for Master Gardener Classes in Rogers County –

Claremore, Okla. – 918-923-4958 or john.haase@okstate.edu 15-23 Madison County Fair – Madison County Fairgrounds, Huntsville, Ark. – 479-738-6826 17-22 116th Annual Johnson County Fair – Clarksville, Ark. – 479-754-5050 20 L-Anguille Watershed (Water Quality Stakeholder Forums) – 5-8 p.m. –

Counties in the watershed: Craighead, Cross, Lee, Poinsett, St. Francis,

Woodruff – Wynne Fire Station, 1111 N. Falls Blvd., Wynne, Ark. – 501-671-2228 22 Professional Bull Riding – Springdale, Ark. – 479-756-0464 24 Illinois River Watershed (Water Quality Stakeholder Forums) – 5-9 p.m.

– Counties in the watershed: Benton and Washington – Washington

County Cooperative Extension Service, 2536 N. McConnell Avene,

Fayetteville, Ark. – 501-671-2228

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25-29 29 29-9/5

Beaver Reservoir/Upper White Watershed (Water Quality Stakeholder Forums) – 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Counties in the watershed: Benton, Boone, Carroll, Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Madison, Newton and Washington – Clifty Community Center, 182 Madison 8248, Huntsville, Ark. – 501-671-2228 Sebastian County Fair – Greenwood, Ark. – 479-996-4131 4-H Pullet Sale – Bentonville, Ark. – 479-271-1060 Carroll County Fair – Berryville, Ark. – 870-423-2958

September 2015 8-12 South Logan County Fair – Booneville, Ark. – 479-675-2787 8-12 Searcy County Fair – Marshall, Ark. – 870-448-3981 8-12 Delaware County Free Fair – Jay, Okla. – 918-253-4332 9-12 Cherokee County Fair – Tahlequah, Okla. – 918-456-6163 10-12 Wagoner County Fair – Wagoner County Fairgrounds, Coweta, Okla. – 918-486-4589 11-12 Sequoyah County Fair – Sallisaw, Okla. – 918-775-4838 14 Gardening 101 – 6-7 p.m. – Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens,

400 S. Walton Blvd., Bentonville, Ark. – 479-271-1060 or 479-254-3870 14-19 Crawford County Fair – Van Buren, Ark. – 479-474-5286 15-19 Pope County Fair – Russellville, Ark. – 479-968-7098 15-19 Rogers County Fair – Claremore Expo Center, Claremore, Okla. – 918-923-4958 22-26 Faulkner County Fair – Conway, Ark. – 501-329-8344 25-10/3 Arkansas/Oklahoma State Fair – 918-456-6163 26 Fall Demolition Derby – Tickets: $7 children 2-12, $12 Adults – Springdale,

Ark. – 479-756-0464 October 2015 1-11 Tulsa State Fair – Tahlequah, Okla. – 918-456-6163 10 Denim and Diamonds Gala – 6 p.m. – Parsons Stadium, Springdale, Ark. – 479-756-0464 12 Gardening 101 – 6-7 p.m. – Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens,

400 S. Walton Blvd., Bentonville, Ark. – 479-271-1060 or 479-254-3870 November 2015 3-5 Better Process Control School – University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark

– 479-575-4450 9 Gardening 101 – 6-7 p.m. – Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens,

400 S. Walton Blvd., Bentonville, Ark. – 479-271-1060 or 479-254-3870

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FINANCING AVAILABLE!

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Call Mark Hanshaw: 870-715-9177 (cell) 870-741-8211

We stock the trailers farmers use most!

Whether it’s a golf cart, a 4-wheeler trailer or one of the big boys, you’ll find it at Wood Motor Co. We’ll NEVER be undersold!

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

JULY 27, 2015