About Us
County Impact Statements - Hempstead County
Arkansas Beef Improvement Programs Work In Hempstead County
"I started reading everything I could, and bugging my Extension agent, and
the state and county offices to find out what I needed to do and when I needed
to do it". - Clovy Keaster, Hempstead County ABIP Cooperator
In 1997, Mrs. Clovy Keaster bought additional land to expand her cattle
operation and realized that she needed some advice and guidance to make her
livestock operation profitable and efficient. The land had not been maintained
for many years, and was in need of extensive renovation before becoming
productive.
Mrs. Keaster sought help from the Hempstead County Extension Service and the
Soil Conservation Service. The Extension Service recommended that she adopt
practices outlined in the Arkansas Beef Improvement Program (ABIP). The ABIP
program looks at all phases of a livestock operation and recommends changes
where needed.
Implementation of a coordinated weed control, soil fertility, forage
improvement and cow herd testing program has resulted in a dramatic improvement
of the Keaster Farm. Calf weaning weights have increased 36% and forage quality
is improved to the point that supplemental feeding in winter is minimized.
A sample of the cattle benefiting from the Arkansas Beef
Improvement Program.
|
Impacts
- Hempstead County cattle numbers rank in the top 7 counties for the
state.
- An ABIP horn fly control demonstration with treated ear tags provided 17
weeks of control.
- ABIP programs have reduced supplemental feed costs up to 60%.
- Cow herd performance testing increased calf weaning weights by 36%.
- ABIP programs across the state have identified selenium as deficient in
parts of the state.
- The ABIP programs compute the producer’s cost of producing a pound of
beef which allows the producer to sell at a profit.
|
