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

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Loan Programs:

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=fmlp&topic=bfl


Poultry growers and LED bulbs for their houses:
http://www.arkansasenergy.org/energy-in-arkansas/energy-policy-and-legislation/recovery-2009/state-energy-program/advanced-lighting-technology-for-poultry-growers.aspx

Missouri Linked Deposit Program:
http://mda.mo.gov/abd/financial/


Missouri Rural Development Contact Info:    
Matt Moore
 (573) 876-9321. 
[email protected].  
 USDA Rural Development
 601 Business Loop 70 West
 Parkdale Center, Suite 235
 Columbia, MO 65203

Ozarks Farm & Neighbor - Arkansas

August 24, 2009

White, black and red signs mark O’Neal Limousin Farm as it stretches along on both sides of Scenic Highway 23 through Branch, Ark. Just behind the home of Gary and Beth O’Neal, black Limousin cattle pepper the hillside grazing on grass made green by the unusual July rains. Their home overlooks a large pond and the pastures where they keep heifers and weaning calves. “I keep the first year heifers up here to give them a little extra care the first three or four months of their pregnancy," Gary said. “Spoiled is what they are,” laughed Beth. “Yes, they are spoiled,” Gary admitted, “but that’s okay.”

Dwight Carney has been around cattle all his life. After working for Walmart for a number of years and helping his father with his cattle, he decided to start building his own herd. Dwight and his wife Debbie now own 1,000 acres near Cane Hill, Ark., and have 150 cows as well as their home in Fayetteville on 90 acres. They have three children, a son and two daughters who still live in the area. “The farm in Fayetteville is just a play farm,” he said. “We raise cattle, mix our own feed and bale hay at (the Cane Hill) place.” Dwight used to raise Limousin. “But, we now raise Angus and cross them with black Limousin bulls,” Dwight said.

The red and white flowers of the crepe myrtles lining the road through Winningham Farms provide a hint of what you will find out in their pastures. For the past three years, Doyce and Peggy Winningham have been raising registered Polled Hereford cattle on their 500-acre farm located near Center Ridge, Ark., in Conway County. The Winninghams have found Hereford cattle to be just the right fit for their operation, and when it comes to farming you might say that the Winninghams have just about done it all.

Producers aiming for high-quality beef, take note:  Starch is a key at every step in the life of cattle.