Neighbors

Piney River Valley Sheep is located west of Licking, Mo., literally on the east bank of Big Piney River. Ray and Pam Wallace have lived there almost 40 years and have had several types of farming operations. Ray is a retired union lineman from Intercounty Electric. Pam was the licensing agent for the Department of Revenue in Licking for several years and more recently has been employed at Wal-Mart for the past eight years. In 2006 they purchased their first sheep and they quickly became Pam’s pet project and captured the hearts of their grandchildren, Cole who is 9 years old and Linzie who is 7. Both are very involved with the sheep on a daily basis as well as in the show ring.

The Osage orange tree, also known as a hedge apple has been a part of the landscape of Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas long before the white settlers moved in. Historically speaking the wood has been used as an excellent heating fuel, fence posts and in the making of the world’s best archery bows. However, Bronaugh, Mo., student and local FFA chapter member Cole Diggins got an idea from his grandfather and revived using the hedge apple as a green alternative for home insect control.

Farmers’ livestock herds change as their lives change. This is what’s happening to Derrick and Simonnee Butler who lease 60 acres in Bentonville, Ark., and run some cattle on Simonnee’s fathers land. One defining factor in the nature of their cattle operation is rodeoing. The couple first met in 2003 when Derrick judged some rodeos that Simonnee competed in. The couple’s paths crossed again three years later when both were competing in another rodeo.

“We’re gonna raise what the market demands.” And that is just what Gary and Marilyn Townsend have done. Located just outside of Rose Bud, Ark., the Townsends raise Brangus cattle and market those cattle over the southeastern United States to producers looking to make improvements in their herd books and their checkbooks.

The Limousin breed ranks as one the the third largest breeds in the United States and is found in 70 countries. The crossbreeding of Limousin and Angus, aka Lim-Flex, has proven to be a valuable breeding resource both at home and work for George Hubbard of Miami, Okla. For the past 16 years it has been a hobby and employment for the Southern Division Magness Land and Cattle manager. The business is owned by Gary Magness and headquartered in Platteville, Colo., with a companion operation in Miami. “This is a 24/7 operation. It is great that I live nearby because there is always something to do every day of the week. Even a day off is a work day since the cattle still have to be fed,” said George.

Managing Flying Miner Ranch like a true business and budgeting every expense is the recipe for success according to Parker Vandivort of Hartville, Mo.

After spending their childhoods enduring the endless chores of their families’ dairy farms, both Wayne and Connie Galbraith swore off following in their parents’ footsteps. They both chuckle about their adamant pledge to stay out of the cattle business as they look out on their herd of Limousin cattle in Marshfield, Mo. “You have to enjoy it. And we really do enjoy it,” said Connie Galbraith.

Danny Fanning of Joplin, Mo., is a man with a busy mind and restless spirit. The one constant thing in his life has always been his love for livestock, more yet the love for purebred cattle. Danny said, “Showing my first heifer when I was 6 started my whole life’s career. I remember it just like it was yesterday, caring for my first heifer project and showing her for the first time. Our three children were all raised in the 4-H program and now 60 years later some of my grandkids are heading down that path. I love it and it’s what keeps me going.”

Years ago a popular TV commercial carried the tagline of “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.” Todd Weyl, who lives in Fayetteville, Ark., on a small purchased acreage but runs his parents’ 228-acre farm in Lincoln, Ark., has learned through trial and error and  through extensive observation and reading that allowing Mother Nature to have dominance in farming leads to a paradigm shift.  Todd views agriculture as an interdependent system where superimposing solutions to problems may solve a particular problem but harms the system. Todd said, “This is not about going ‘natural’ for the environment’s sake but increasing profitability by decreasing costs naturally.”

Tony and Linda Nichols own and lease 2,000 acres just outside of Wainwright, Okla., in Council Hill where they raise a commercial herd with 400 mommas. The land where the Nichols’ house sits was purchased by Tony’s grandfather 100 years ago and added to as the years have gone by. Tony said, “I was born a rancher and really wanted to live with my grandparents because my folks lived in town.” Tony and Linda have been married for 53 years after meeting at church when 5 or 6 and becoming sweethearts in high school although they went to different high schools. When Tony asked Linda to go on their first date at his high school’s talent show, Linda wasn’t sure if he was asking her out or selling her a ticket. Linda said, “That date was it, and we’re still dating now.” The couple has three girls, seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter with another on the way. Colt Watson, the oldest grandson, is a fulltime employee.