What’s the most unusual farm animal in Arkansas? It might just be the peculiar-looking alpaca. Deborah Shannon of Sweet Clover Alpacas in Conway talks about these South American imports, which she raises for their fleece.
We paid a visit to Allen and Barbara Primm of Hampton, in Calhoun County. The couple were the 2019 Southwest District Farm Family of the Year and they've partnered together for 26 years raising cattle, timber and hay. They love life on their farm and introducing others to it. This is their story.
On Big D Ranch near Center Ridge, members of the DeSalvo family have been raising cattle since the 1800s. Today they focus on the development of registered Ultrablack bulls and heifers using artificial insemination, genetic selection and ultrasound data to advance the breed.
Tommy Sorrells grew up on his family's cattle and sheep ranch in the community of Royal in western Garland County. Now 79, he still enjoys raising Angus cattle, interacting with young people showing their animals at the county fair and being involved in leadership on the county level. He's endured storms, drought and periods of low prices for his livestock, but has weathered them all. This is his story.
We talked to Chris Bacchus of Bacchus Family Adventure Farm in Hagarville, who describes how he’s slowly shifted his family's farming operation from a focus on commercial cattle and poultry to agritourism and exotic animals.
The University of Arkansas Ranch Horse Team keeps alive the horsemanship skills that once ruled the iconic cattle drives of the Old West. Formed in 2016, the two-time national champions recruit skilled riders and compete several times during the school year. Watch these skilled riders and learn their story.
The kunekune is a small breed of domestic pigs originally from New Zealand. We visited Brenda Eldridge, president of the American Kunekune Pig Society, at her Piney Creek Farm in Calico Rock to learn more about these hairy, rotund pigs that produce well-larded meat.
Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia has one of only two collegiate rodeo teams in the state. The Muleriders rodeo team has a proud history dating to the 1980s and recruits student-athletes from across the country. Coach Rusty Hayes was a member of the school's original team and has coached a number of national champion riders. The team will host their annual rodeo Oct. 31-Nov. 2, so we paid a visit to hear from members of this year's squad.
Arkansas Farm Bureau was once again one of the major sponsors of the Junior Livestock Auction at the Arkansas State Fair. During the premium livestock sale, we caught up with some of the young participants from around the state, who talked about the work involved in raising champion animals and their personal experience at this year’s Fair.
We spent the afernoon with Logan County cattle rancher and poultry grower Brian Weisenfels and he told us about his recent investment in Black Baldy cattle from Montana and his plans to use them for building a new herd.
