Episode 4 of our Ask a Farmer Series took us to Hot Spring County, where John Michael Bearden of Fowler & Bearden Farm took some time to answer your questions about sheep farming.

Every year, thousands of Arkansas kids compete in the ring showing farm animals, but many people don't realize how much work goes into preparing them for competition. To learn more about it, Farm Bureau's Jenny Higgs visited Huck Plyler of Hempstead County to see his show day prep routine for champion steers.

Nestled in the heart of the Ozarks is TaylorHawk Farms, a cattle ranch like many others, but with a unique difference – the Highland cattle they've been raising for the past 16 years. Typically found grazing in the Scottish Highlands, they've become popular for their unique look and for their tasty meat. Lawrence Haight, a farmhand at TaylorHawk, talks about what makes the breed so special.

The Arkansas State Fair’s annual Junior Livestock Auction highlighted the top junior exhibitors. Showing veteran Jack Hoyle tells us what it means to raise and show livestock and ArFB President Rich Hillman talks about supporting the young people involved in the event.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello has added a Katahdin sheep herd for its animal science program. Rocky Lindsey, University of Arkansas at Monticello assistant professor, shares the motivation for the addition and explains how it will provide more "hands-on" learning opportunities for students on campus.

For almost a century, Ogden Ranch cattle have been grazing in the Boston Mountains of Washington County. They are well-known for their angus beef and the family now operates a community meat market right on the farm. However, in recent years they've gained national notoriety for something they started just for kicks. The ranch is quickly becoming prime breeding ground for some big-time bucking bulls.

Arkansas Farm Bureau has received a limited statewide depredation permit for black vultures to aid Arkansas livestock producers.

The Local Food, Farms and Jobs Act of 2019 was passed to help strengthen local farm and food economies and expand access to locally grown and produced foods. The Act asked state agencies, including schools, to set a goal of purchasing at least 20 percent of food from Arkansas producers. We visited Newton County to learn how one local rancher is working to provide meat for the local school system.

This week, we wrap up our podcasting year with a look at why feed costs are rising and what it means for livestock growers and we hear from the chair of the Scott County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee, which was recently honored as the state’s top women’s committee.

In only 3 years Taylor Farms in Benton County has produced state-winning full blood buck and doe Boer goats. In the second part of this series we catch up with Lauren and Lexi of Taylor Farms to learn the ins and outs of showing award-winning goats.