Getting Started 

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Steve Smith (pictured left, 1979) always had a passion for animals and agriculture. He later attended Arkansas Tech University and graduated with a degree in Agriculture Business in 1986. Two years later, he met Paula Hendrix, the beautiful daughter of a Witts Spring farmer, and after knowing each other only five months, the two married in August of 1989, and have been together 31 years. 

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While the Smith family always worked and sold commercial cattle, Steve and Paula did not express an interest in registered breeds until their rambunctious 9-year-old daughter, Dakota, and teenage son, Colby, showed bottle calves in the county fair.

 

 Success and Selecting a Breed

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After their children's success at the fair, Steve began searching for more competitive animals for his children. Dakota chose registered Angus and Black Limousin cattle, while Colby went with a family favorite: Charolais.

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Dakota and her father showed together for 9 years. In 2013, she applied all the knowledge given to her by her father to win the title of Miss Arkansas Beef and began writing articles for the Arkansas Cattlemen's Association until beginning college at her father's alma mater. 

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Colby graduated from the same school with a degree in Ag Business. He is still serious and level-headed.

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Dakota graduated with degrees in English and Creative Writing. She still brings critters home without asking.

 

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About the Farm 

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CD Farms is comprised of 391 acres nestled deep in the Ozark Mountains. Parts of the farm have been in the family for 4 generations. 

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We practice humane and ethical agriculture. We keep detailed records on all of our animals, and many of our retired champions still reside on the farm today, nurturing our champions of tomorrow. 

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CD Farms utilizes rotational grazing in the pastures in an effort to increase forage productivity, help weight gain, milk production, and overall net return on the farm. 

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Rotational grazing improves manure distribution and acts as a source of nutrients to the soil. Rotational grazing can also reduce machinery costs, fuel, supplementary feedings, and can extend the grazing season.