Joey Blann inherited his farming passion from his father and grandfather, Bill Blann and Herbert Lee Blann. Even with other endeavors, the family’s true love was cattle and horses. Blann continues the tradition with his own diversified enterprises, J&K Transport and JB Dirtwork LLC, which are the major contributors to the overall operation.
“It’s very hard to make a total living out of farming these days,” he noted. But he says the farming side is “where my passion has always been”, and he’s pursued that passion for the last six years.
Story by Jeri Shire More on Page 5-6 Further improvement goals are to increase productivity with a focus on soil nutrient management, including testing for lime application.
Problems in his 75 acres of hay fields run from army worm infestation, and invasive wild hogs. Daily checks and spraying is necessary to get rid of the army worms, and to eliminate the hogs traps are set.
Then newly seeded pasture was stunted by drought and needed a jumpstart with the water truck. Now, Blann is looking at purchasing a sprinkle system for hay meadows.
“You’re always trying to stay ahead of the rain… or you’re praying for a rain,” Blann said. “It’s an ongoing thing, I’m banking on the weather and the Good Lord! It’s always a struggle when you are relying on nature. Nature can throw you a curve.”
One of this year’s curve balls was a dry May with a wet July that has Blann wishing for “two weeks of sun”.
“There’s always a hurdle. Every day is a new day,’ he said. “You get up in the morning and what you’ve planned to do you can’t do.”
On his 200 acres of property just east of Hampton, Blann runs about a hundred head of cattle, with calving being his favorite part of the business. Most of his cattle marketing is done by word of mouth with some social media and radio and newspaper advertising. He sells through National Livestock in Oklahoma City.
Four cutting horses are on hand for thinning out cows, a task Blann has done since his teen years. Blann has some fun with a little competitive cutting done on the side. When the out of state grandchildren visit, they also enjoy riding the horses.
Although allergy sensitivities keep his wife, Arlene, from the grassroots of the operation, she does join him at the horse shows helps on the financial side of the farming.
Working a farm/ranch always entails improvements. Blann’s upgrades include new machinery and reseeding better quality Bermuda grass for grazing, plus planting some sorghum. He has reclaimed some waterlogged acreage by filling with soil, and to save energy he has installed LED lights in his barn.
Aside from the work, Blann has been involved in the Calhoun County Riding Club, Hampton FFA, First Assembly of God Church, the Hogskin Rodeo, and cattlemen associations.
Calhoun County Extension agent Jaret Rushing has kudos for Joey’s nomination, although another county’s operation moved forward to the regional level.
selection of the Blann Family as this years Calhoun County Farm Family,” Jared said. “With their rich farming heritage and undying love of the practice, it was an easy selection. I have always been impressed with their desire to better themselves in the industry as well. Between testing new forages, comparing cattle breeds or simply expanding their enterprise, it is definitely an honor to work with such a great family in my profession.'
