A celebration of agriculture in Madison County

BROOKFIELD, NY — Amongst the backdrop of 4-H livestock shows, carnival rides and the bellowing diesel power of the tractor pulls at the 179th Madison County Fair, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County held a special Agriculture Appreciation Reception to honor Dairy of Distinction recipients and

Country Folks

A complicated relationship

by Sally Colby

July 8, 2026

Farmers have a love/hate relationship with phosphorus (P). It’s a dietary requirement for livestock but significant P is excreted in manure and urine....

Country Folks

Rye revival

by Sonja Heyck-Merlin

July 8, 2026

Using winter rye in his crop rotation has freed farmer Sandy Syburg from a chore he never much enjoyed: spreading poultry litter. His biologically act...

Country Folks

Dirty bums need prompt attention

by Sally Colby

July 8, 2026

Small ruminants come up with a variety of reasons to have diarrhea. A change in feed, weather, stress or disease can result in a miserable animal with...

Country Folks

Horse Tales: ‘But Mom, why are you waiting?’

Horse Tales A7 Horse Tales A9

July 8, 2026

Recently I learned a friend named Wendy had purchased her very first horse, and with it came a surprise that I needed to see. Her story was interestin...