Brothers build their own livestock operation

meet yourneighbors The Future of Agriculture

By Mandy Villines Young producers Ty and Brody Hawkins have their own growing livestock operation

Ty and Brody Hawkins of Kingston Ark., are the epitome of a farm kid. They fit the description of a Norman Rockwell painting. With wild blonde hair and bright blue eyes, they are inseparable and always “up to something,” according to their mom.

Ty is in the sixth grade and Brody is in fourth at Kingston schools.

Sons of Doug and Kaela Hawkins, they are fourth-generation cattle producers. Ty and Brody both are heavily involved in 4-H. Ty shows pigs, goats, cows, rabbits and chickens. Brody shows pigs, chickens, rabbits and goats.

At T-B Mini Farm, each animal is cared for with much fondness. There’s even a miniature pond with misfit, adopted baby aquatic animals. Anything from soft shell turtles to crawdads and minnows are happily swimming around.

Ty and Brody also speak fondly of their show pigs – Casey and Sherry. They are Landrace and Hampshire crosses. Ty and Brody raised the pigs from birth up.

The boys’ daily chores consist of feeding their pigs, cattle, goats and seven rabbits, 19 hens and a rooster, and they walk their pigs every day to prepare for the upcoming shows. Ty and Brody are in charge of training their pigs from the ground up.

Both boys can artificially inseminate pigs as well, which they learned from their father and they raise multiple litters a year. They sell their best stock as show animals and the rest to butcher and help feed their Kingston, Ark. family.

When their sows are ready to give birth, the boys are camped out in the pig barn patiently awaiting the big event.

Brothers Ty and Brody Hawkins are fourth-generation cattle producers. They are pictured with their show steer, Leroy.

Photo by Mandy Villines They help keep the baby pigs warm un- also enjoy participating in BB shooting der a heat lamp and dry them off as soon sports events in 4-H, and have qualified as they are born and make sure they go for state competition. straight to their mom to nurse. The boys Both boys said 4-H is important and are serious about their pigs and take ev- encourage other young people to beery step with the most care and attention. come involved, and for adults to show Each of their pigs they have sold as show their support for the organization and stock have done quite well at local shows for local farmers. and they are very proud. They have en- Raising pigs is Brody’s favorite part of joyed participating in the Arkansas Ju- being involved in agriculture, especially nior Swine Series classes in Fayetteville, at farrowing time. He loves wiping them Ark., and have learned a great deal by down when they are fresh and watching attending. them nurse. Ty also loves to rake hay

The boys have done well in the swine with his dad and is pretty handy with showing business. Both showed at the the tractor. National Junior Swine Association Show Brody also enjoys swine production, held earlier this month in Woodard, especially showing, and also helping his Okla., this year. brother when it comes time for the pigs

Between shows and 4-H, the boys agree to give birth. that their favorite part is learning more The Hawkins boys may be youngabout swine showing and the community. esters, but they have a firm grip on what

There are other aspects of 4-H the boys agriculture is and it’s importance. said they love and think are important. “Knowing where your food comes Ty enjoys art and both boys from is very important and it also teachlove cooking and photogra- es you how to value life and be kind to phy. animals and that you have to be responThey’ve have each won mul- sible for them,” Ty said. tiple awards with their photog- “Agriculture teaches you about money raphy and can be found snapping and how to be gentle and patient with pictures around the farm while animals,” Brody added. chasing cattle or raking hay. They