About Us
County Impact Statements - Benton County
Field Day Celebrates Local Beef Industry
An annual field day and heifer pen show allows Benton County cattlemen to
celebrate the fall harvest in an atmosphere of fun and learning. The activity is
a cooperative effort between Extension and the Northwest Arkansas Cattlemens'
Association each October.
The central attraction of the field day is a pen of three heifer show which
includes some of the counties best cattle representing a multitude of beef
breeds. The shows usually attract 12 to 20 pens of cattle.
A variety of educational programs and activities provide a learning
experience for producers. Such activities have included vaccination
demonstrations, forage and weed control plots, cattle handling facilities, body
condition scoring and heat detection demonstrations. Field tours of grazing
management and watering systems were included in the 2001 field day. Speakers
include local veterinarians, University and Extension specialists and
knowledgeable local producers.
Fun events at the field day may include cattle weight and hay bale weight
guessing and quality hay contests. A free beef lunch and farm equipment displays
complete the program.
The field days draw 60 to 100 producers annually to the host farms, located
throughout the county. 
Cattle judge Danny Belcher talks the winning pen show heifers
at the annual field day.
Impacts
- Pen shows provide informal competition for local producers and
highlights quality beef heifers.
- Local producers are allowed to visit and see a variety of host farms and
operational methods.
- Host producers have an opportunity to share their production practices
and ideas with fellow producers.
- Educational presentations by state recognized beef specialists provide
quality learning opportunities.
- Local farm supply and equipment dealers share information and display
new products.
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