UACES Facebook Miller County First Farmer of the Month - June 2015 - Mike Lowe
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Miller County First Farmer of the Month - June 2015 - Mike Lowe

Mike Lowe standing in his field
Mike is a native of Texarkana and is a third generation farmer. Mr. Lowe farms approximately 1,100 acres of family land located off of 296 in the northeastern part of Miller County, where he grows wheat, corn, and soybeans.

TEXARKANA, Ark. –

Miller County Cooperative Extension Service is excited to announce that we are starting a new “Farmer of the Month” series to highlight local county farmers. 

The first farmer that we would like to showcase is Mike Lowe.

Mike is a native of Texarkana and is a third generation farmer. Mr. Lowe farms approximately 1,100 acres of family land located off of 296 in the northeastern part of Miller County, where he grows wheat, corn, and soybeans.

A major concern Mr. Lowe currently has, along with many other farmers in the area, involves the destruction of property, including crops, by feral hogs. Mr. Lowe has been working to exterminate his feral hog problem for the past several years but the problem persists and still harbors major concerns for many farmers. A small feral hog herd can cause hundreds to even thousands of dollars worth of damage in just a few short hours by destroying crops and cropland, not to mention the hours of labor involved to repair the damage done by these animals. He hopes with new technology in the future, a possible solution in biological control will be helpful in solving this problem.

One of the many things Mr. Lowe loves about farming is the smell of fresh tilled dirt and the satisfaction he gets from a good harvest. He also loves the freedom and independence that comes with farming for yourself. Mr. Lowe says that he appreciates the fact that his success or failure is determined by his efforts and, of course, the weather. Mr. Lowe is proud to be a farmer and work the lands to help provide food and by products for so many.

** This picture was taken and article written before the rains and flooding started. Since that time, Mr. Lowe, like many other farmers on Dooley Ferry Rd and around the area, are hopeful that the levees will hold and keep their farms and crops from being flooded. The problems they face now are getting the fields dry enough to get into them. Wheat is about ready to harvest but if fields don't dry up enough, it'll be difficult to get into them with combines and tractors. This is also the time of year farmers are still planting, side dressing and spraying crops with fertilizer, as well as spraying for weeds and insects. With the saturated fields, it makes it extremely difficult to manage your farmland like you should making the crops vulnerable and less productive. Not to mention, if the ground stays saturated for an extended period of time, it opens up more possibility for diseases, root rot, insects and more. Hopefully, with a pretty week this week, the ground will dry up enough to allow the farmers to gain access into their fields.


Fun farm facts:
A bushel is a unit of measure for volumes of dry commodities such as shelled corn kernels. 1 Bushel of corn is equal to 8 gallons.

As well as being eaten by the cob, corn is also processed and used as a major component in many food items like cereals, peanut butter, potato chips, soups, marshmallows, ice cream, baby food, cooking oil, margarine, mayonnaise, salad dressing, and chewing gum.

We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Miller County's Farmer of the Month. If you have someone that you would like to nominate for our Miller County Farmer of the Month, contact Jennifer Caraway, County Extension Agent, at 870-779-3609 or email jcaraway@uada.edu.

By Jennifer Caraway
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Media Contact: Jennifer Caraway
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
400 Laurel Street, Suite 215 Texarkana AR 71854
(870) 779-3609
jcaraway@uada.edu

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The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

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