Ozarks Farm & Neighbor Newspaper – written for, by & about farmers

Over 40 years ago Jerry and Betty Laughlin took their passion for horses and hard working spirit and developed a business that now involves three generations.

Al and Pat Chapman’s farm is nestled in a valley outside of Anderson, Mo. Pat said, “When Al’s grandfather first drove on this land over 100 years ago, he was eye-to-eye with a walnut tree that now towers over the house and protectively shades it during the hot summer months.” The original Chapman homestead was 80 acres but divided during the Depression by a WPA project road. Later the acreage was expanded to 120 as Al grew up. When Al took over the farm, he added more acreage until now the Chapman farm is 340 acres and home to a commercial cattle herd.

Opportunity in farming and agriculture gives people ability to choose what works for them. Sue Beagle, of Exeter, Mo., chose raising broiler chickens because it was something she could do for herself, and it was something she could do into her retirement years.

In January, the price of eggs exploded in California. USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) says in October, the price of eggs in Southern California was 12 cents above the price in New York City; by early January, the spread had widened to $1. ERS said the likely reason was California’s chicken cage size regulations, which took effect at the start of this year. Adopted by voters in 2008, it was amended in 2010 by the state legislature so the requirement would cover all eggs sold in California, including those brought in from other states.

For many Ozarks cattle producers, their grazing system consists of no system at all.