Owner: Stacy Allen
Family: Husband, Curt; and sons Chase and Cole Allen.
Location: Halfway, Mo.
History: After the summer drought of 2018, Stacy Allen found herself in need of hay. With supplies low in the Ozarks, she branched out and bought loads from other states. It didn’t take long for her to realize other producers were in the same boat, so at the suggestion of long-time friend Larry McCarthy, she brought in more hay and held a hay auction. Since then, Stacy has started Whatcha Need, which specializes in high-quality hay, as well as other services.
“I’m blind and I always need help,” she said. “My dad (Phil Schleifer) was blind too, but when you would call him to ask for help, he’s say, ‘Whatcha need?’ That’s why I call this Whatcha Need… As a farmer, you’re always looking at ways to supplement your income, and this was a way I could do that and still serve the community.”
Products and services: Hay sales and hauling remains the main line for Whatcha Need, but the company has branched out into trailer rentals, wood sales and, most recently, a roll back.
“It goes back to people helping people,” Stacy said. “People need things, but they might not be able to afford to buy them, so you just keep helping people.”
With the help of employee Scotty DeArman, Stacy and Whatcha Need stays busy.
“My true love is cows and hay,” Stacy said. “I have to feed my cows a little different than some people. I can’t handle the big lick tubs, and Larry taught me the importance of good quality hay.”
Since August 2018, Whatcha Need has moved more than 1,800 tons of hay.
The majority of her customers are fellow beef cattle producers, but she does sell and transport hay to horse facilities and to the Promise Land Zoo in the Branson, Mo., area.
“If you want a certain kind of hay, like an 80/20 mix of alfalfa and grass, if it’s out there we will try to find it,” Stacy said. “If it’s not cost effective to put the truck on the road to do it, we won’t. Since Larry first got me into hay and my alternatives, I haven’t raised my prices. If there’s something wrong with the hay, I’ll stand behind it and let you come pick what you want. We just want to get you whatcha need.”
In the fall, Stacy also entertains pumpkin patch visitors with a pumpkin cannon.
“Another crazy idea, but it works,” she said with a laugh.
On the wood business, they have cut and sold more than 60 cords of wood since November.
Future plans: Stacy said she plans to continue her current operations, possibly expanding into other areas, continue her cattle operation and help others.
“We need to set an example for the next generation,” she said. “I’m not looking to become wealthy; I just want to help people. My dad always wanted to help me no matter what I needed and whatever I needed, he would figure it out.”
