Name: Doug Moore
In Town: Doug has helped run the family business, Moore Sales, on the northwest side of the square in Lincoln, Ark., for 16 years. The store is open six days a week selling Dixon lawnmowers, Yazoo mowers, Stihl chainsaws and trimmers. Doug is there full time to offer sales, parts, service and repair for the brands he sells. His father Richard helps wait on customers and minds the shop whenever Doug needs some time off.
In the Country: The family farm runs 35 head of black cows on 70 acres, and Doug's son Josh helps make hay on his 40 acres. Doug uses a Brangus bull because he feels the Brahman influenced cattle are not so picky about eating and will forage for themselves better. He likes the fact that their coats slick off in spring and they don't mind the summer heat.
How do you keep up with farming and running a business?
"By being a good juggler and prioritizing every job." Doug said he takes off in hay season and partners with Josh in the field while Richard handles the store. "Dad can fix anything," said Doug, "and when we hit a snag Dad and I brainstorm up a solution." Mowing hay after dark with good tractor lights gets the crop on the ground and frees up the next day for drying time.
The fluctuating cattle market made Doug decide to hold on to the weaned calves, which meant he didn't sell his surplus hay as he usually would. Having doubled his carrying capacity for the winter means chores take a little longer on short winter days. "At the business, one challenge has been finding mower bearings that are not made in China, since they were not standing up under use." Doug said he has outsourced and found that bearings last much longer if they are made in America or South America.
What advice can you give fellow cattlemen?
Doug advises learning to be flexible, and keeping up with new advances — don't keep doing things like you have for 20 years. "And attend the Washington County Beef Cattle short course every Monday in February; it provides lots of good information."
By Audrey Banks Hacker
