Phil and Dr. Susan Watkins
In Town: Phil Watkins has worked for South Western Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) since 1990. He has been the Energy Efficiency Program Manager for the last five years. Dr. Susan Watkins is a Professor of Poultry Science and Extension Specialist at the University of Arkansas. She has been Poultry Extension Specialist since 1996.
In the Country: Phil and Susan have a 55-acre farm located in Huntsville, Ark., near the King’s River. They usually run 15 head of Simmental/Angus cross cows, but have cut down to 12 due to the recent drought. The herd runs on a mix of fescue and bermudagrass. They also provide salt and loose mineral for the herd. “The Simmental/Angus cross makes it possible to reach that sweet spot of a 5-month-old calf weighing 400-500 pounds. Some of the momma cows also have a little Holstein mixed in, which helps too. Most of our calves are now 50 to 75 percent Simmental. We will sell several calves probably in a month or so since they are already weighing it out. We are not planning on keeping any heifers this time around. Our herd is already pretty young.” The couple plan on expanding the herd some day and leasing more land for pasture.
How do you make it all work?
The success of the farm can be contributed to team work and excellent communication. “Someone is out here every day making sure the herd gets what they need. We both travel occasionally for our jobs, Susan more than I, so we have gotten really good at coordinating.”
Advice for others: “If you look around, you will notice that we don’t have a chute or really good working pens. We spend time making our cattle gentle enough to work with. It makes things easier when it is time to load them up.”
Story and Photo by Lynlee Franks
