NEIGHBORS
Quality Beef and More
Red Trail Ranch offers customers all-natural Limousin beef and locally-sourced products
ARCHIE, MO. - Jim Crust has been a cattleman most of this life.
While still in high school, Jim began to grow a cattle operation. For several years, he was in business with his grandfather L.A., dad Willard, and brother Jerry.
“My brother and dad got out of it, then I got...
Striving for More
Farm-raised beef and quality heifers are the goal of the Campbell family
MACKS CREEK, MO. - “Big Rock” pays homage to a massive rock formation protruding from the landscape at one Camden County, Mo., farm, and the family who has called the property home for four generations has a solid foundation in the cattle industry.
Jarrod Campbell’s grandparents bought the farm...
Separate Herds, One Family
The Stories have a mixed bag of breeds, and utilize various marketing strategies
CONWAY, MO. - Kenny and Skyler Storie of Conway, Mo., are running a double cattle operation on 600-acres.
Kenny has black baldies, Black Herefords and Beefmaster-cross cattle, while his son, Skyler, raises registered horned and polled Herefords. Together, their cattle number reaches 250 to 275 head.
For the past...
Back in Business
Rodney and Lisa Alderson took a break from the cattle industry, but started again after moving to the Ozarks
ZANONI, MO. - The Ozarks is as cattle country, but that isn’t what drew Rodney and Lisa Alderson to the region.
“It was striped bass,” Lisa said with a laugh. “On one of his business trips, Rodney was in a gas station...
An Honest Approach to Beef
T.J. Martin’s clients trust him to provide a quality, chemical free product
MUSE, OKLA. - T.J. Martin has been part of the cattle business for most of, if not all his life. As a third-generation cattleman, it’s all he has seemingly ever wanted to be part of.
“I grew up just south of where I’m at now in McCurtain County...
NEIGHBORS
Isabella Hamner
Hometown: Osage Beach, Mo.
Parents: Matt and Sherrie Hamner
Sibling: Emery Hamner
FFA Chapter: Lake Career and Technical Center
Advisor: Josh Toops
4-H Club: Easy Riders 4-H
Club Leader: Christina Landry
What is your involvement in agriculture?
“Unfortunately, I’ve never had the opportunity to live on a farm. I got my start in agriculture through riding horses. At 10 years old I joined a local equine UH Club, the...
Troy Hogsett
Hometown: Willow Springs, Mo.
Family: Two adult daughters in Kansas City, Mo.
In Town: Troy is the manager of engineering at Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative (HOEC). He’s been with the cooperative for 23 years.
“I interviewed in the area for a similar job and learned of the opening here,” said Troy. “I was in the process of gaining my professional license in Missouri, which is...
Swartz Tractor Sales and Service
Location: Neosho, Mo.
Owner: Jerod Swartz
Office Manager: Kay Chathers
History: Jarod Swartz started Swartz Tractor Sales and Service about 20 years go in Neosho, Mo.
Office manager Kay Chathers said Jarod began his own business, a body shop, when he as just 20 years old, and then moved into the tractor and implement business. She said Jarod also collected and restored antique tractors for a...
Tashia Miller
Age: 7
Hometown: Fayetteville, Ark.
Parents: Nathan and Liz Miller
Sibling: Vera Miller
What is your involvement in agriculture? “I help my sister, Vera, water the sheep and chickens.”
What is your favorite part of being involved in agriculture/living on a farm? “My favorite thing is petting the animals.”
What are your future plans? Do they involve agriculture in some way? “I want to become...
Steve Bercher
Hometown: Hindsville, Ark.
Family: Wife, Hope; and son Steve
In Town: After retiring as a farrier, Steve Bercher decided to delve into real estate. He’s been in the business for about three and a half years and is currently with United Country Real Estate.
“I shod horses from the time I was 14 until I was 45-years-old. Real estate is something I’ve...
Hagan Tractor Parts
Location: Broken Arrow, Okla.
Owners: Kevin Hagan and Terry Hagan
History: Evert Hagan founded Hagan Tractors in 1983. Today, his sons, Kevin and Terry Hagan, are the second generation to run the business, which started almost by accident.
“We traded for a couple of tractors that were broke; we took two and made one. Then we had extra parts so we started selling parts,” Kevin said. “We’ve...
The Conservation Reserve Program
Intent and benefits of the federally-funded land conservation initiative
Missouri ranks in the top five states in the country when it comes to Conservation Reserve...
Improving a Commercial Herd
The top areas to focus time and money for herd advancement
Many cattlemen and women are poised to rebuild their operations after liquidating parts of...
Applying for Agriculture Programs
Strategies to put in place prior to seeking state or federal funding
If the thought of applying for a state or federally funded agricultural program...
Keeping Calves Healthy
Signs a calf is struggling and what to do about it
The biggest stress during calving season may be the task of trying to ensure...
Used Vehicle Purchases
Questions to ask and information to consider before buying
The adage, buyer beware, may come to mind as producers go to buy a used truck...
Dealing with Diesel
Maintenance practices designed to keep diesel vehicles and equipment operating smoothly
The changes in the components of diesel fuel through the years has sparked the...