A severe winter storm bringing ice and snow may be a regular part of the expected winter weather. Summer thunderstorms and tornados may be relatively common in your region. You may already know how to cool your livestock, or protect them from icy weather. You might have a generator on-hand, and extr...

“Genetics do play a huge role in our particular operation,” say Ashley and Adam McFarland, owners and young farmers at Top Notch Livestock, Jordanville, NY. “Our goal for our small seed stock operation is to supply youth and 4-H kids in the northeast with quality show hogs and lambs.” Ashley (Livest...

My wife and I have lived in our rural upstate town for over 14 years and I have known agriculture for my entire life. Being farmers and being part of this large agriculture community I have, as other long time residents, become used to the smells, the sights and sounds of animals along with the nois...

At the Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop held recently in Harrisburg, PA, Dr. Jack Britt, Jack Britt Consulting, addressed the topic of what the dairy farm will look like in 50 years. Britt said he looked back 65 years when he was on a farm in Kentucky. The dairy barn was constructed in 1953 and inclu...

Farm animal manure is one of the most valuable and economical sources of nutrients for crops. Knowing the nutrient content of manure, along with soil tests and proper manure spreader calibration, helps make the best use of this resource. Fertilizer products for field application have an exact analys...

Think about the beef cow’s calendar: Over the 12 months in a year (nine of which are dedicated to carrying a calf), there isn’t a lot of time for her to be successfully rebred for the next calf. Establishing a solid breeding schedule for replacement heifers can be challenging, but it’s critical to o...

“We weren’t very good at raising calves,” confirms 3rd generation dairy farmer Jackie Peck, senior partner of Marks Farms, a multiple LLC dairy located near Lowville, NY. “So, our big push was to learn how to raise calves.” That was back in the ‘80s when Marks Farms was just beginning under the new ...

“Follow your dreams,” advises Rob Maciol (aka Sheriff Rob Maciol, Oneida County), whose fond memories of visiting and working on his uncle’s farm, have brought him back to the farm, where he says he has always wanted to be. “My mom is one of 10 children, she was born and raised up here in Holland Pa...

Abraham Lincoln said, “When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” This school of thought is well practiced by Lindsey Dairy, located in Burlington Flats, NY. “We’ve seen low milk prices three times since I started farming over 35 years ago,” said Lee Lindsey, Sr. “It’s like you’ve...

Forty percent of calves stressed at birth will die by three weeks of age. Those are the statistics. Presenters at Session 2 of Cornell CALS and PRO-DAIRY’s Calving and Neonatal Calf Care Training, including Dr. Robert A. Lynch, PRO-DAIRY; Dr. Kimberley Morrill, Cornell North Country Regional Ag Team...

If digging clods of soil from random paddocks in a grazing system provided a picture of soil health, is it worth the effort? When beef cattle farmers Margaret and Alan Jaymes converted their dairy and crop farm to a grazing operation, they received assistance from NRCS, USDA soil specialists and hav...

Seven generations have tilled the soil at Lee Turkey Farm, working the land since 1868. This year, the farm celebrates its 150th anniversary and another year providing their neighbors from both near and far with quality birds for their holiday meals. Located in suburban East Windsor, NJ, Lee Turkey ...

CAZENOVIA, NY — Author Richard Louv said, “The more high-tech our lives become the more nature we need.” It’s a sensible theme given all the variables in today’s landscape and becoming a more resilient society. Local conservation districts are on the front line of this charge. It’s why the New York ...

National Dairy Council Chair Audrey Donahoe recognizes the impact the Dairy Princess Program has on dairy promotion in New York State. “The knowledge the girls have in promoting the importance of dairy and dairy products throughout New York State is a huge benefit to dairy farmers,” remarked Donahoe...

Late last month, on a brisk autumn day in a greenhouse in Saratoga Springs, big news broke: American Farmland Trust had partnered with the State of New York, agricultural organizations, land trusts and others to launch Farmland for a New Generation New York. The new program is the first to span the ...