For the most part, chickens and other poultry species mind their own business and don’t bother other birds except for positive social activities. However, some negative behaviors, especially aggression, affect bird welfare and productivity. Dr. Richard Blatchford, associate poultry specialist, Cente...

Greg LaBarge, an agronomic systems field specialist at Ohio State University, conducts research on nutrient management and water quality issues. He focuses on the 4R (Right Source, Right Time, Right Rate, Right Place) application management of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in row cr...

Here are the silly, spooky stories we printed in our Oct. 30, 2024 editions. Have a happy and safe Halloween! Ghostly tradition continues at Harvest Hollow Farm For generations, locals have whispered about eerie happenings at the old barn on Harvest Hollow Farm. This year, those rumors have been con...

One of the keys to a successful dairy program is an excellent feeding management program. James Salfer, Extension educator with the University of Minnesota, has extensive experience developing nutrition standards for both conventional and robotic dairy herds and has seen the results of various progr...

Imagine flying a drone equipped with sprayers across a soybean field, targeting only weeds that eluded the first round of spraying. Or imagine an implement that can kill specific weeds with laser technology. These technologies are not outlandish, and according to Dr. Muthu Bagavathiannan of Texas A&...

Keeping farm records for the calendar year and compiling everything at tax time is no one’s idea of fun. Mark Dikeman of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University breaks down essential information and terminology used in farm taxes. Throughout the year, farmers purchase inp...

Sunnyside Farms of Scipio Center has been selected for the New York AEM-Leopold Conservation Award. The award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in the management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land. Brothers Greg and Neil Rejman, who own and ...

Arvilla is the only milker responsible for milking the 55 Jersey cows who call Stone House Farm their home. Arvilla works 24/7/365. About 160 times a day she is putting a milking machine on a cow. But Arvilla is not a human; she’s a robot. The switch to a robotic milker at this historic farm in Shar...

As of Nov. 5, 2024 , certain classes of cattle and bison will be required to have a permanent electronic identification device (EID) prior to moving across state lines. The tags, often referred to as 840 tags, are placed in the left ear and are both visually and electronically readable. Dr. Alex Tur...

At the end of each Congressional session, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) presents American Farm Bureau Federation’s Friend of Farm Bureau Award. It is given to members of Congress who have supported Farm Bureau policy as shown by their voting records and based on American Farm Bureau Federation prio...

Simmental cattle are a popular breed in the U.S. and were well-represented at the Big E on Sept. 25. Showmen gathered to participate in various cattle classes to show off their best Simmental cows. Cody Helms from Holbrook, NE, was the judge for both the Simmental (87.5% – 100% Simmental blood) and ...

Robert and Linda Groom moved their family from Scotland to the U.S. 26 years ago with a plan. Their goal was to start a cattle operation. Today, they’re running one in the Finger Lakes region of New York where they raise registered Angus and Charolais seedstock. In addition to selling breeding stock...

There are a ton of agricultural grants available, but knowing which ones you qualify for and taking your time to fill them out is essential. The MSU Center for Regional Food Systems recently hosted a webinar to help farmers prepare to fill out their applications – and laid out the steps to success. ...

For producers interested in raising livestock under organic standards, Jackie Schweichler, staff attorney, Center for Agricultural & Shale Law at Penn State, has some tips. The organic industry is the fastest growing segment of American agriculture. “As of 2021, sales of food and non-food organic pr...

Last year, Country Folks honored Dygert Farms in Palatine Bridge, NY, as our inaugural Farmer of the Year. In honor of National Farmers Day on Oct. 12, this year, we’re giving that accolade to Fletcher Farm, which was also named the 2024 Green Pastures Award winner from Massachusetts. The New Englan...