ZWT Ranch Hosting Family Friendly Agriculture Event
Overton County’s ZWT Ranch will host Tennessee Angus Field Day Saturday to celebrate beef cattle and the beef industry. Farm Manager Wil Mayes said the event is meant to be informative and educational for beef produces of all ages, and he hopes it gets more kids excited about agriculture. “It’s you know, getting harder every […]
Hay Season In Full Swing, Rain Both Positive And Negative
The abundance of rain this spring and summer has helped hay production, but hurt the harvesting process. Overton County Ag Extension Agent Jason Garrett said the rain delayed the spring crop harvest. Garrett said cool season grasses are better when harvested earlier because of their nutrients. “Everybody was behind,” Garrett said. “Which affected the quality […]
Higher Beef Prices Leading Some UC Farmers To Sell Off, Retire
Beef Month celebrates the Upper Cumberland’s most popular commodity each July, but the industry is changing. Overton County Ag Extension Agent Jason Garrett is a beef producer. He said beef cattle remains the primary income stream for many farmers in the region. But Garrett said price increases have challenged beef farmers locally and nationally. “When […]
Two Cookeville Cattle Farmers Elected As Delegates For American Angus Association Convention
Cookeville’s Richard Brown and his daughter Kristen Brown have been elected as delegates for the Annual American Angus Association Convention. They run a cow-calf feed stock operation with about 100 head of cattle. Richard Brown said rising costs are the most prevalent issues that cattle farmers in the Upper Cumberland face today. “It’s been kind […]
PCSO Arrested Man Responsible For 155 Dead Cattle In Monterey Area
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the man responsible for more than 100 deceased cattle in a Monterey animal cruelty case. Ricky Dake was charged with 14 counts of animal cruelty and one count of failure to dispose of dead live stock Thursday. Sheriff Eddie Farris said Dake recently moved to the Putnam County […]
UC Could See Bad Tick Season Based On Local Reports
The anecdotal evidence is pointing towards a bad tick season in the Upper Cumberland. Smith County Agriculture Extension Director Chris Hicks said the office has fielded a number of calls already about tick reports. Hicks said a longer than normal spring is the biggest factor. He said people should know tweezers are the safest way […]
Spencer’s First Meat Processing Plant Opening June 14
The A&H Custom Meat and Processing plant will open on June 14 in Spencer becoming the first facility in the county. President Barry Austin said the plant will start with seven full-time employees and provide job opportunities to Van Buren County High School students interested in working this summer. Austin said they have received over […]
Agriculture Aid Available To Farmers As Costs Rise
The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program has opened signups to provide Upper Cumberland farmers aid. Chad Huddleston is County Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency. Huddleston said up to $250,000 is available based on a farmers crops and the number of animals they own. “All input costs are going up,” Huddleston said. “Fuel, fertilizer, […]
Rainfall in 2020 Creates Strong Hay Supply For Winter
The Upper Cumberland should not experience a hay shortage this year, thanks to a good rainfall and late frost. Overton County UT-Ag Extension Agent Jason Garrett said Summer droughts have pushed hay feeding earlier into October the past two years. However, he said things have lined up in 2020 to keep cattle in good shape […]
USDA Meat Processing Plant Coming To Van Buren County
The push for more farm to table beef is getting a boost in Tennessee. A 6,000 square foot custom meat and processing plant will be built in Van Buren County by June, 2021. A&H Custom Meat and Processing Co-Owner Barry Austin, said he expects to pour concrete in the next two to three months “Local […]
