Ruth Jones stepped up to keep Farmers Regional a part of the Springdale community

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A Part of the Community By Julie Turner-Crawford Ruth Jones assumed management of Farmers Regional Sale Barn in 2020

When the Farmers Regional Sale Barn was in danger of closing its doors, Ruth Jones tried to rally support in the community for a new own-

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 good job, are nice to the people, and do a great job,” she said. “My hat is off to them, so it’s a tight market. My brother-in-law (David Jones) told me ranchers stick 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 reone was willing to step up to save the barn, which opened in 1937, so Ruth did. lationship, they are very loyal. I

“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 that sale barn.’ He said, ‘Oh my gosh, Ruth. What are you thinking?’ We had our own has always brought his cattle here business, and this was just another business.” and always will. I’ve had a few

Ruth took over in 2020 from long-time owner Harold Sargent, who had run the barn come back, and I have a couple since 1967. When Harold initially retired in 2018, other individuals took over the oper- of new customers, too” ation, but only last a couple of years. Harold still owns the property, but it is leased to Ruth is also trying to reduce Ruth, and Ruth is the business owner. shrinkage on cattle coming

Ruth and Jim have been involved in the cattle industry throughout their 50-year through the ring, which costs sellmarriage, so they are familiar with the industry. ers money.

“His family moved here from Colorado in the 1970s, bringing some of the first full- “I don’t think most people realize how important that is,” she said. “Research French 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 cattle isn’t new to me; I’m just on the other side now.” up to 6 percent of their body weight. So in a 500-pound calf, that’ s 30 pounds. In

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.

“Our grand opening was the day they shut the country down because of COVID,” “As a smaller market, we have less wait time and we work to reduce stress and 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 weather. One guy told me if we could survive all of this, then we were pretty tough.” see in larger markets. All these efforts reduce stress and maintain the health of our

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. Friday sale, and Ruth wants to see that number increase to at least 400. With the help Of all the lessons she has learned over the last year and a half, it’s the resilience of employees and field reps, Ruth said they are making some headway. of cattle producers that sticks out the most for her.

“They know a lot more about it than I do. I knew I couldn’t do it unless “Any problem or concern you throw at them, they will figure out a way those people stayed. Everyone has been very, very helpful,” Ruth said of her employees. Springdale, Ark. to make it work; they’re just tough. I’m very pleased to get to know the buyers and sellers, and ranchers are just nice people. I’ve always known

Farmers Regional has expanded to include a sheep, goat and hog sale on that but it just gets proven to me more and more on the other side of the the first Saturday of each month and an “alternative” livestock sale. business.”

“In October, we are going to have our first alternative animal sale, and that The first year and a half may have been a struggle for Ruth, but she has will include any exotic cattle, equines, goats and sheep varies,” Ruth said. no regrets. “We will have zebras, zedonks, and that kind of thing. I know the other sale “Not one,” she said. “Jim and I have sold cattle there since the 1970s, and barns aren’t doing things I know a lot of the farmlike this because they are ers and ranchers who getting enough cattle that go here. I’ve had several they don’t have to look at tell me ‘thank you’ for other income routes like I keeping it open because do. I try to think of other it’s close to where they things to use the sale barn ranch. for because it basically sits “There is a big camarathere the whole week, and derie of guys, and some we are only using it one of them are retired now, day. I’m looking at what who come to watch the I can do to utilize it more sale because that’s what and boost revenue.” they have always done.”

Ruth Jones and her crew are working to expand numbers at Farmers Regional. Pictured, from left, are office manager Rita Blair, barn manager Kevin Lynch, Ruth Jones and field rep David Jones.

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