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

The efforts of the American people forced the U. S. House of Representatives to look real hard at the administration’s and congressional leadership’s energy bill. Lots of trading went on before the vote, and they tell me that the bill is riddled with pork barrel projects. The biggest good thing is many of the electric coop members have been spared the brunt of the bill by the actions of folks that had you and me in mind. Not entirely, but in northwest Arkansas, southwest Missouri and eastern Oklahoma most of us can breathe some easier. It passed the house by six votes, not much when the majority party exceeds the other one by such a large margin. If we all tell our U.S. Senators to look out for us we should get an even better energy bill in the end.

Judy got home from work on Thursday afternoon, quickly changed into her work clothes and proceeded to do some yard work. When I got in from the fields about 6 p.m. and sat down at the kitchen table to drink some iced tea, I heard the back door slam and the sound of Judy’s footsteps walking much faster than normal. I looked up as she entered the kitchen to see her hair all messed up, her arms flailing around her head, her face reddened, missing a shoe and her glasses, with a hint of tears rolling down her cheek. “They got me good!” she exclaimed with a quivering voice as she headed for the garage.

For Dave and Pam White, the farm is their place to be in life, but they didn’t always know it. 

In today’s America, more and more children of farmers are taking jobs in the city and less and less are returning to the farm. Matt and Amanda Crutcher both grew up on family farms. Matt’s dad was an AI tech with a commercial herd of cattle and Matt grew up showing cattle at the fairs. Amanda was raised by her parents alongside cattle, horses, sheep and pigs. Matt went to college at Fort Scott where he judged livestock and claimed the National Championship title. Amanda went to college at Fort Scott where she claimed the heart of her soon to be husband, Matt.

Robin Childs may not have the most experience, or the most cattle, but he knows a few things that many people miss. “I am a firm believer in listening,” Robin said. When he started his cow/calf operation about six years ago, he listened to friends and older producers in the area, but he also did his own research. What he learned led him to purchase his first registered Gelbvieh cows at a seed stock sale. Robin wanted Gelbviehs because “they are good producers and good milkers.”

Throughout most of our adult lives we have been told to drink eight glasses of water to maintain good health and well-being. But what water rules apply to our livestock as scorching late summer temperatures rise throughout the Ozarks?