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Some customers drifted away from Farmers Regional during the transition time, but Ruth is trying to gain back those customers, and bring in new buyers and sellers. “All of the other barns do a By Julie Turner-Crawford good job, are nice to the people, and do a great job,” she said. “My Ruth Jones assumed management hat is off to them, so it’s a tight of Farmers Regional Sale Barn in 2020 market. My brother-in-law (DaWhen the Farmers Regional Sale Barn was in danger of closing its vid Jones) told me ranchers stick doors, Ruth Jones tried to rally support in the community for a new own- to their sale barns like bark on er to take over. While many in the Springdale, Ark., community agreed with her, no a tree. Once they develop a relationship, they are very loyal. I one was willing to step up to save the barn, which opened in 1937, so Ruth did. “I didn’t plan this,” Ruth said with a laugh. “The sale barn was part of the communi- have a man from Fort Smith who ty, so one night I came home and told my husband (Jim), ‘We’re going to have to run brings his cattle to me. He says he Ruth Jones and her crew are working that sale barn.’ He said, ‘Oh my gosh, Ruth. What are you thinking?’ We had our own has always brought his cattle here to expand numbers at Farmers Reand always will. I’ve had a few business, and this was just another business.” gional. Pictured, from left, are office Ruth took over in 2020 from long-time owner Harold Sargent, who had run the barn come back, and I have a couple manager Rita Blair, barn manager since 1967. When Harold initially retired in 2018, other individuals took over the oper- of new customers, too” Kevin Lynch, Ruth Jones and field rep Ruth is also trying to reduce ation, but only last a couple of years. Harold still owns the property, but it is leased to David Jones. shrinkage on cattle coming Ruth, and Ruth is the business owner. Ruth and Jim have been involved in the cattle industry throughout their 50-year through the ring, which costs sellers money. marriage, so they are familiar with the industry. “I don’t think most people realize how important that is,” she said. “Research “His family moved here from Colorado in the 1970s, bringing some of the first fullFrench Charolais cattle into this area,” Ruth said. “I grew up on a small farm, so raising shows calves that are stressed and have extended wait times before they sell can lose up to 6 percent of their body weight. So in a 500-pound calf, that’ s 30 pounds. In cattle isn’t new to me; I’m just on the other side now.” Her first year was a struggle, but things are beginning to pick up for Farmers Regional. today’s market that is approximately $45 a head. That’s a big loss to a seller. “As a smaller market, we have less wait time and we work to reduce stress and “Our grand opening was the day they shut the country down because of COVID,” Ruth said. “Right after COVID, we had the stocker and packers in dispute, then that dehydration. We have water available in all our pens, plus we use fans and misters spring we had horrible rains and mud, and then in February, we had all of the freezing to keep the cattle cool. Also we have a calmer, less hectic atmosphere than you may see in larger markets. All these efforts reduce stress and maintain the health of our weather. One guy told me if we could survive all of this, then we were pretty tough.” Farmers Regional typically runs between 200 and 300 head of cattle at their weekly cattle. Buyers want to buy healthy cattle, so these efforts are a win-win for everyone. Of all the lessons she has learned over the last year and a half, it’s the resilience Friday sale, and Ruth wants to see that number increase to at least 400. With the help of cattle producers that sticks out the most for her. of employees and field reps, Ruth said they are making some headway. “Any problem or concern you throw at them, they will figure out a way “They know a lot more about it than I do. I knew I couldn’t do it unless to make it work; they’re just tough. I’m very pleased to get to know the those people stayed. Everyone has been very, very helpful,” Ruth said of Springdale, Ark. buyers and sellers, and ranchers are just nice people. I’ve always known her employees. that but it just gets proven to me more and more on the other side of the Farmers Regional has expanded to include a sheep, goat and hog sale on business.” the first Saturday of each month and an “alternative” livestock sale. The first year and a half may have been a struggle for Ruth, but she has “In October, we are going to have our first alternative animal sale, and that no regrets. will include any exotic cattle, equines, goats and sheep varies,” Ruth said. “Not one,” she said. “Jim and I have sold cattle there since the 1970s, and “We will have zebras, zedonks, and that kind of thing. I know the other sale I know a lot of the farmbarns aren’t doing things ers and ranchers who like this because they are go here. I’ve had several getting enough cattle that tell me ‘thank you’ for they don’t have to look at keeping it open because other income routes like I it’s close to where they do. I try to think of other ranch. things to use the sale barn “There is a big camarafor because it basically sits derie of guys, and some there the whole week, and of them are retired now, we are only using it one who come to watch the day. I’m looking at what sale because that’s what I can do to utilize it more they have always done.” and boost revenue.”
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Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com
AUGUST 9, 2021
