Larry Blasdel raises cattle in the hills of Marion County and, despite industry challenges, he wouldn't have it any other way. He shares the story of his family business and spending a lifetime in the livestock business.
In this week's Arkansas AgCast, we interview experts on pasture maintenance and spraying and talk about potential dangers in livestock drinking water. We also talk to Arkansas Farm Bureau Chief Economist Travis Justice about the cattle market and the fallout from a major beef processing plant fire.
Learn how B&D Genetics is "building" better livestock for the future, get to know two young Arkansas farm families who've been honored for their work, and read the latest columns on policy, agriculture law and more.
On this week's Arkansas AgCast, we visit a large animal vet in Morrilton and talk with UA Extension Horticulture Specialist Amanda McWhirt about the possibility of growing hops in Arkansas to support the state's burgeoning craft beer industry.
To celebrate National Dog Day, we visited Howard County farmer Amanda Whisenhunt, who introduced us to her team of working farm dogs and showed us how they help her with her daily operations.
With large facilities and state-of-the-art technology, large-animal vet clinics can efficiently and effectively provide the services Arkansas cattle ranchers need to raise healthy livestock. With a limited number of large-animal vets offering on-farm visits, ranchers are thinking differently about animal care and hitting the road with their animals to visit these specialized facilities. Learn more from one clinic operator and a cattleman using his services.
Seventeen-year-old Riley and 15-year-old Jack Hoyle of Taylor have grown up attending livestock shows and showing goats, sheep and hogs at fairs and Jackpot shows all over the country. By embracing a lifestyle built on discipline and a strong work ethic, the Columbia County siblings and FFA members have learned how to raise champion animals. This is their story.
Believe it or not, fair season is here. Beyond the rides and food, it's a time of building connections between urban and rural communities and the agriculture industry and those outside of it. Benton County Farm Bureau leaders explain how they're using their annual petting zoo at the county fair to bridge the gap between producers and consumers in their community.
2019 Miss Rodeo Arkansas Susan Rhodes spoke with us about her personal platform, “Tough Enough to Talk” and shared her passion for the sport of rodeo and its agricultural roots and family atmosphere.
Guard llamas? Really? You bet! Top AI Angus breeder Shirley Williams of Fair Oaks Farm near Van Buren, uses llamas to protect her registered seed-stock Angus. Llamas have an instinctive dislike for canids, like wild dogs and coyotes. Shirley loves her llamas and hasn't lost a single calf since they began guarding her herd 10 years ago.
