Magazine Issue: Spring 2018

Momentum Magazine >> Spring 2018

Articles

Humbly Failing Forward

It wasn’t long after my last Momentum article titled “No Pain, No Gain” that we came to the realization perhaps we (I) underestimated the severity of some of the pain. You see, when you implement a new accounting system for the first time in 27 years, you expect to have […]

A man with crossed arms stands smiling in front of a herd of cows in a grassy field. He wears a blue t-shirt and jeans. The sky is overcast, and the cows are various colors, including black, brown, and white.

Black Cows, Big Dreams

From pasture to plate, Gourley Land & Cattle Co. offers premium beef When Billy Gourley Jr. says he manages from the ground up, he couldn’t be more literal. At Gourley Land & Cattle Co. based in Ozark, Mo., success starts in the soil. “If you have good soil, you’ll have […]

Aerial view of a vast, sunlit landscape with green fields, a winding road, and scattered trees. The sky above is filled with dramatic clouds, illuminated by the warm, golden hues of the setting sun on the horizon.

Disconnected

Lack of Access to High-Speed Internet Hampers Rural Communities The digital divide separating rural Americans from their urban neighbors has left the far-flung communities across the country cut off from the economic, educational and social opportunities high-speed Internet provides. While recent advancements in Internet technology have transformed the ways people […]

A person in a plaid shirt stands in a field watching the sunset. The warm sunlight illuminates the sky and landscape, casting a serene glow over the scene. Trees are visible on the horizon.

Don’t Wait to Plan Your Estate

I recently had the difficult task of sitting by the hospital bed of a farmer in his early 80s to discuss his estate plan. This man, who was suffering from the late stages of cancer, had two children. One child had farmed with his father all his life and one […]

Close-up of two green seedlings emerging from dark soil. The sprouts have small, oval leaves and are surrounded by dried twigs and organic matter. The background is slightly blurred, highlighting the fresh growth.

Soybeans Set to Challenge Corn as U.S. Crop King

For the first time in 35 years, soybeans are expected to be within reach of claiming the crown as the nation’s top crop. A poll of 21 trading firms and analysts conducted by Bloomberg predicts 2018 will be the year soybeans unseat corn as the top U.S. crop. The survey […]

Sowing Seeds of Doubt

Researchers Accuse Russia of Spreading Anti-GMO Propaganda Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election has been confirmed by the Trump Administration and U.S. intelligence agencies, but politics is far from the only arena where Russia has sought to shape international opinion. A recent review of Russian-funded media outlets conducted […]

Pool Fisheries in Lonoke, Ark., ships 4 million fish per week and commands about 80 percent of the U.S. goldfish market.

Angling for a Turnaround

Driving along the grassy levees separating a half-dozen goldfish ponds in central Arkansas, Landon Pool points out the paths too dangerous to traverse by pickup truck. Pool, a 30-year-old fish farmer, is surveying the land he purchased last year, making note of the eroding earthen walls and the work it […]

A large oil tanker is positioned near an offshore oil rig under a vivid sunset sky. The ocean reflects the colorful hues of the setting sun, creating a serene yet industrial scene.

Looking Back to Plan Ahead

Spring is a good time to look forward to your fuel needs for the fall harvest. So far this year, there’s been plenty of news about the energy industry, but overall, the market’s reaction to said news has been uneventful. Almost two years ago, Tom Kloza, global head of energy […]

Judge Finds U.S. Government Responsible for Missouri River Flooding

A federal judge has ruled in favor of a group of 372 farmers, landowners and businesses who filed suit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for damages caused by repeated Missouri River flooding in recent years. Senior Judge Nancy Firestone of the United States Court of Federal Claims found […]

Firefighter helmets hanging on hooks, labeled for roles such as ASST. CHIEF and CAPTAIN. Helmets are in various colors, including white, red, and yellow, with full firefighting gear underneath them.

MFA Oil Foundation Supports Rural Fire Departments

Every 24 seconds, a fire department responds to an alarm somewhere in the United States. In most cases, it’s volunteer firefighters who show up to battle the flames or render emergency services. These volunteers save not only lives but also money—more than $139.8 billion annually for local governments, according to […]

Close-up of a network server with multiple colored cables connected. The image shows intricate wiring and connectors, highlighting data transmission and technology infrastructure.

Data-Driven Decisions

Sifting through mountains of data sounds dull, but as MFA Oil and other businesses have learned “there’s gold in them thar hills.” As the amount and variety of data available has skyrocketed, new opportunities have surfaced. That’s where MFA Oil’s business intelligence team comes into play. They analyze data to […]