NEIGHBORS
Making an Impact
After and eight-year hiatus, the Ericksons returned to the Simmental breed
BUFFALO, MO. - Tim Erickson and his wife Nancy were burning the candle at both ends. They were building their financial business, raising a family and operating a Simmental operation in rural Dallas County, Mo. While they enjoyed all aspects of their busy lives, something had to give.
In 2002,...
From Bottle Calves to Registered Angus
CSW Farms began their cattle operation a decade ago with four heifers
MOUNTAIN GROVE, MO. - Chase and Sheena White work hard and love the farming life with their three children, Rylan (14), Reagan (11) and Jacob (5) at CSW Farms in Texas County, Mo., where they raise Angus cattle.
“We keep about 45 mommas and we raise yearlings to sell, so...
Pretty Happy Cow
Siblings return to their farming roots
GROVESPRING, MO. - Randy Neasby of Lebanon, Mo., will be the first to admit, he is living a dream, raising Black Herefords in rural Laclede County.
An engineering technician raised in Kansas City, with deep Southwest Missouri family roots, returned to Laclede County upon retirement. He worked an additional decade for the city of Lebanon...
A New Comfort Zone
Madison Hutson joined FFA to conquer stage fright, and is now a state officer
MOUNTAIN HOME, ARK. - When Madison Hutson joined FFA in eighth grade, it was for a specific reason. It had nothing to do with her love of animals or growing up working on her grandparent’s farm in Viola (Ark.). It wasn’t even because she would be...
Combined Passions
Ava Andrews’ love for show cattle and FFA allows her to share both with younger kids
CLAREMORE, OKLA. - Ava Andrews has been part of the cattle-showing world for almost half her life. However, the Claremore, Okla., native’s interest in the time-honored tradition dates back to even before she started at the age of 11.
Ava has been part of FFA...
NEIGHBORS
Triple H Feeds
Location: Miller, Mo.
Owner: Stanley Hostetler
History: Stanley Hostetler and two of his sons, Wayland and Layne Hostetler, started Triple H Feeds in 2011. The business began in a mobile home but now has a storefront location offering a wide range of products to farmers and ranchers in the area.
Products and Services: Matthew Hostetler, Stanley’s son-in-law, who works at the store...
Teagan Hardy
Age: 15
Hometown: Steelville, Mo.
Parents: Dustin and Autumn Hardy
Sibling: Younger brother Corbin Hardy
FFA Chapter: Steelville FFA
FFA Advisor: Natalie Koch
4-H Club: Udder, Hooves, Feathers and Fur 4-H
4-H Club Leader: RaMona Andrus
What is your involvement in agriculture? “From a young age, I was encouraged by my family, who have been involved in the dairy industry for many generations. I started at age...
Jess Judy
Hometown: Lebanon, Mo.
Family: Sons, Joshua McCabe (16) and Levi Jackson (11); mother, Lisa Judy-Walker; grandfather David Judy; and significant other, Daniel Chapin
In Town: Jess is the circulation manager for the Laclede County Record in Lebanon, Mo.
“I manage all of the newspapers coming in and going out,” she said. “I also manage all of the subscriptions and dealer racks, where people pick up the paper at...
Collectables and Antiques with Soup and a Sandwich
Spring Creek Tea Room is a unique experience
OZARK, MO. - Located in the heart Ozark, Mo., at 107 S. Third Street, is an oasis of delicious food and unique antique, vintage and exciting treasure-shopping experiences galore.
Spring Creek Tea Room and Antiques opened its doors in June 1998. At that time, it was only the antique warehouse acquired and owned...
Hunter Carey
Age: 19
Hometown: Webbers Falls, Okla.
Parents: Brad and Carri Carey
Siblings: Four brothers and four sisters
FFA Chapter: Webbers Falls FFA
Advisor: Brad Carey
What’s your involvement in agriculture? “I’ve been around agriculture for a long time. My family has been based in agriculture for generations, and I’ve grown up in it and then got involved in FFA. We have 12 crossbred sows that we AI and raise...
Ridgeway Enterprises
Location: Flippin, Ark.
Owners: Brent and Glenda Rozeboom
History: Growing up on his family’s Northwest Iowa farm, Brent Rozeboom learned about tractors and equipment first-hand, so getting into the repair and parts business came naturally.
In 2003, Brent and his wife Glenda, an Arkansas native, purchased a tractor business in Ridgeway, Iowa, and brought it to Arkansas.
“It was in our garage at...
Preparing for the Next Drought
Forage specialist recommends diversifying forage systems
As the searing summer heat starts to fade and the cool fall air makes its way into the Ozarks, one...
Proper Bull Development and Maintenance
Keeping bulls in good condition
Developing bulls to an ideal condition and keeping them in that good shape throughout breeding season takes a bit of...
Vaccinations Prior to Breeding
Producers should customize herd vaccinations
What a delight it is this time of year for livestock producers to see the offspring of their fall-calving herds...
Considerations for Early Weaning
Early weaning can help stretch resources and keep cows in better condition
Producers in parts of the region stricken with drought conditions are already...
Is it Time to Cull?
Watching the markets to determine where and when to take cattle to the sale barn
Factors such as solid market prices, drought conditions and forage...
Shade Solutions
Creating artificial shade structures for pens and pastures
Protecting cattle from the blazing summer sun makes cattle more comfortable and shields them from some of...
