Farm Family Salute

By Randy Rice is year's Sebastian County Farm Family of the Year is Tracy and Julie Leonard of Huntington, who have owned and operated the Leonard Farm for 23 years. ey started with 200 acres that they owned and have grown to 801 acres owned and 454 rented. "I was raised on a dairy operation that borders the original purchased 200 acres," Tracy said. "I attended college and double-majored in animal science and agricultural business. I began working for Superior Livestock Auction in 1998 and marketing cattle for customers in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. I purchased my own ranch in 2000 and began ranching with 20 head of cows while still working for Superior Livestock Auction." Julie was raised on a diversified livestock operation and cutting horse ranch in Boone County. She attended college and got a degree in Agricultural Education and went to work as a county extension agent. While an agent, she completed her master's degree in Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences. Tracy and Julie were married in 2010 and Julie le her job to work full- time on the ranch. "At that time, there were approximately 40 cows and 100 stockers, and we owned 250 acres," Tracy said. "e cow-calf pairs were the only cattle on the ranch and feeder pens were rented from our in-laws to receive and grow the stockers." A passion for agriculture and teamwork and a focus on growth has led to the size and scope of their ranch in a remarkably short period of time. e Leonard's major crops include 139 acres of Bermuda grass hay and 263 acres of mixed grass rounds, with each crop yielding four to five tons an acre. Today, their livestock operation includes 250 head of low calf pairs, 500 head of 500-800 pound stockers and 20 head of farm-to-table beef. e Leonards are also dealers for BioZyme. "In 2016, we were approached by the regional sales director for BioZyme about becoming a farmer/dealer aer we ordered several tons of mineral to begin using on our ranch," Tracy said. "As a dealer, we are listed on their website and customers can contact us for the mineral. However, our greatest customer base has been producers that we do cattle business with. is is our most volatile enterprise because it is an upper-level mineral and in difficult farming years, it is one of the easiest things for customers to modify to cut costs." From the beginning, the farm had some unique issues that needed to be addressed. Sebastian County: Leonard Family Farm Congratulations to the Leonard family as the 2023 Sebastian County Farm Family. Thank you for choosing A&B Pallets for your farming endeavors A&B Pallet Supply 12422 Wildwood Road • Mansfi eld, AR • 479-928-4355 2023 Farm Family Salute 24 June 2023

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