Backgrounding A Little Differently
"I get three to four pounds of gain this way,” said Ted Dana, of his cattle's ration. Ted, who raises registered Angus and commercial cattle in Newton County, focuses on feeding – from content to technique. He doesn’t need to be in the pen with his steers to feed them. There are concrete feeders by the pipe fence, where he uses a wagon behind his four-wheeler to shovel feed in the trough. Since he is there by himself so much of the time, it makes for better safety, and peace of mind for his wife, Judy.
They Know Genetics
Howard Phillips has always been involved in agriculture. He began as an AI technician in Kansas in 1959. In 1967 he became the District Manager of American Breeder Service in Missouri. In 1975 he became a distributor for Select Sires in Missouri. Howard retired in 2000, but still does AI for individuals and for breeding programs.
Curve-Bending EPDs
Bryan Robertson is happy with his job. Many people wake up every day and spend the next 8 hours doing something they despise, and then the next day, they do the same thing again. Bryan is definitely not one of those people. He and his father Neil farm about 1,400 acres and care for close to 200 cattle. No two days are ever exactly the same, and that’s how he likes it.
What’s Great Advertising
"It's all about Cody,” is the philosophy Brian and Melissa Jacobs use on their Hawk Shadow Farms, located on the Wright-Douglas county line. Cody is Brian and Melissa's 4-year-old son and they are evolving their goat and cattle operation to meet his interests and safety. For example, Cody attended his first goat shows this year at the Ozark Empire and Missouri State Fairs. Melissa said that since Cody showed an interest in showing goats, they plan to cut back on their commercial herd and purchase more full-bloods.
A Historic Herd in the 21st Century
Bill and Reta Wehmeier, of rural Phelps County, have found ways to blend old-fashioned farm family traditions with modern marketing practices to produce a successful 21st Century operation. They are the proud owners of a historic Angus herd. “That's a herd that's been going for more than 50 years, according to the American Angus Association,” Bill explained recently on his farm outside St. James, Mo.
Dairy Turns To Internet Marketing
Groves-View Dairy welcomed more than 170 dairy producers for a field day in July, hosted by the Missouri Holstein Association. The dairy originated in 1913 and is being passed on to Todd and Brad Groves.
Angus Over The Years
Limousin Is Right
More Braunvieh Each Year
Deeres and Donkeys
Jerry Pegelow grew up in the farming country of northern Illinois. “We, my son and I, were housed out of farming,” is the way he put it. Coming from a strong background in farming livestock and cash grains, Jerry Pegelow has seen a lot of changes. The family farm consisted of over 1,000 acres in far northeast Illinois. Much of the land was being swallowed up by urban sprawl and corporate expansion. “Where we grew corn and soy beans they now grow concrete and black top. Chicago and Milwaukee will run into each other soon,” Jerry said.