Benton County Pasture to Plate

03/23/2026

Wow what a day. Big thanks to everyone that helped out on Saturday with our weight in. Kids got great hands on education from the best in the business and we can’t wait to see how far these kids can take these steers in the next 180 days. Time to put some pounds on some beef.

03/20/2026

Toaday is the last day to get your county fair steers regestered onto show works.
Pasture to plate steers are eligibile for the regular market steer show and showmanship.

We are excited to see everyone tomorrow at the Mathias Ranch for weight in and to get this party officially started.

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12/23/2025

Tis the season….
We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and tons of luck while halter breaking the 2026 Pasture to Plate steers. If you would like to participate in the 2026 program it is not too late to find a steer and get started. If you need help finding a steer or have any questions about the program feel free to send us a message or reach out to Johnny and Wes.

Our start up meeting is scheduled for January 31st and our official steer weight in will be on March 21st. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

11/09/2025

We have finished the 2025 Benton County Pasture to Plate year with our awards Banquet. I’d like to thank everyone that has helped us throughout the year to make this program a success.
Congratulations to all of the winners throughout the program.
Big thanks to Benton County Farm Bureau for supporting us year after year with awards and anything else that sneaks up on us.
Mathias Ranch for always allowing us to use their facilities and helping us.
Thank you Gean Smith for hauling our steers to the processing plant!
Thank you Cloud's Meats for always working with us and Janeal Yancey for evaluating our carcass’s .
And a really BIG thank you to Bill Haak for cooking for us and serving your amazing steaks from Jeremy Jackson’s farm.

10/05/2025

2025 Pasture to Plate program has made it to the finish line.
Each carcass will be judged and data gathered to see how they compare with others and what they can do different, or the same, next year. Thank you Clouds Processing for going above and beyond to help educate our kids.
Thank you University of Arkansas Meat science department, Dr. Yancy, for coming to judge for us.

09/27/2025

Benton County Fair is over… now the steers are all having fun at steer camp.

09/24/2025

What a great opportunity for our kids to raise money for the program. Big thanks to Mathias Ranch for constantly supporting our program.

06/14/2025

What a great opportunity for our kids to see new technology and farming practices used in the industry. Big thanks to Chace Jamison, Carl and Lamar Steiger and team for being such great hosts and for being great advocates for the Beef industry.

03/29/2025

03/29/2025

What an amazing day for our kids and their steer projects. We started off with a great hands on educational activity by Johnny Gunsaulis to help the kids understand the 4 parts of a bovine stomach and how they work together. Then the kids brought their calves into the chute to be weighed, frame scored, weight taped, ear tagged and installed EID tags. After all the work was done we made our way back to the barn to enjoy a great meal prepared by Mr, Bill Haak. And learned more about the day to day operations at Mathias Ranch. Kyle Kennedy and Toby explained how they utilize EID tags and the advantages that it gives to not only their operation, but how it will help breed associations collect the sufficient data needed to make the beef industry more profitable in the future.

Big thanks to Mathias Ranch for always being such great hosts to all of our families and Mr,Bill for always filling us with food and love.

A huge thank you to Arkansas poultry and livestock for not only supplying the EID tags but sending Jesse Claybrook out to help install and show the kids how to electronically read them.

The saying is “it takes a village to raise a kid.” Which im completely convinced is true but I’m just thankful our village is full of farmers willing to help the next generation find success.

03/27/2025

It’s that time of year again. Spring is in the air so it’s time to get the weights on this years Benton County Pasture to Plate steers. Weight in will be this Saturday at Mathias Ranch in Highfill Arkansas.