The red and white flowers of the crepe myrtles lining the road through Winningham Farms provide a hint of what you will find out in their pastures. For the past three years, Doyce and Peggy Winningham have been raising registered Polled Hereford cattle on their 500-acre farm located near Center Ridge, Ark., in Conway County. The Winninghams have found Hereford cattle to be just the right fit for their operation, and when it comes to farming you might say that the Winninghams have just about done it all.
Over the past 20 years of farming at their current location, Doyce and Peggy have raised several breeds of beef and dairy cattle, operated a commercial dairy and commercially produced eggs. While the Winninghams still raise dairy heifers, grow their own produce and fruit, and keep a few laying hens, their commercial farming interests are primarily aimed at producing the best possible Polled Hereford seedstock.
For the Winninghams, the move to registered Polled Herefords came about while raising a flighty group of crossbred cattle that were difficult to handle. After a few near misses with these cattle, Doyce made the decision to look for a beef cattle breed that would be calm and manageable. Herefords were just what they were looking for. “I like the calm disposition of the Herefords. We can move them anywhere with a bucket of feed, and it only takes three of us to work the entire herd,” said Doyce.
In addition to being docile, the Winninghams have also found their Polled Herefords to be fertile, productive and hardy. Doyce and Peggy work with Dr. Alvin Williams of Damascus, Ark., to implement a complete herd health and breeding program that includes bi-annual vaccinations, pregnancy testing of females, and Bull Soundness Evaluations for herd sires. The Winninghams also believe in supplementing cattle with minerals year-round, providing supplemental feed to their developing stock and keeping pests like horn flies under control.
The Winningham's Herefords are raised primarily on Midland bermudagrass pasture and Bermuda hay in the winter. The quality of the forages on their farm stems from paying close attention to details. The Winninghams soil test, lime as needed and make use of poultry litter and commercial fertilizers to keep the ground productive.
A strategic breeding program that includes the rotation of three outstanding Polled Hereford sires is the backbone of the cattle operation. The Winninghams seek out and buy bulls that excel, especially in maternal traits. Their bulls are from some of the top bloodlines in the breed, as are many of their females.
When it comes to selection of replacement females, Doyce and Peggy place heavy emphasis on the udder. Small teat size and a balanced udder play heavily into the selection process, along with total milk production, vigor and a calm temperament.
When asked about what it takes to make it in farming, the Winninghams noted that it starts with a strong desire to farm and a willingness to make the necessary sacrifices. Peggy said, “Once you begin farming you have to be committed to work hard and be there every day. And you have to be resilient. There are ups and downs in farming, and you need to be ready to weather the storms that are sure to come along.” “It’s also important to stay positive in those tough times… believing that things will eventually come around,” Doyce added.
Doyce and Peggy Winningham have a wealth of wisdom when it comes to farming, and they have a stand-out herd of Hereford cattle including young registered herd bulls and replacement females available. A visit to Winningham Farms is time well spent.
