Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), caused by Betaarterivirus suid 1, was first observed in the U.S. in 1987 and had spread to Europe by 1990. Pigs that contract what was at first called “the mystery pig disease” are frequently left with an inability to conceive, see an increase in...

SENECA FALLS, NY ­– Weeds: they reduce yields, contaminate crops and seem to infest fields year after year. No matter how much you spray, they come right back the next season, ready to take over your acres. To offer some helpful advice, Vipan Kumar, associate professor and weed management specialist...

Fur trapping can trace its roots in America back to the practices of ancient Native Americans. Using an array of trapping techniques, Indigenous people harvested mammals as a source of both food and fur. European settlers began fur trading in New England in the 1600s. These early colonists sent the ...

I am writing this article with a heavy heart. We in the agricultural community have lost three very influential people here in Central New York. I was so honored and blessed to have worked with these people in my many capacities with Farm Bureau, Fair Association, the Oneida Co. Association of Towns...

Competing at the state level is much more challenging than county-level shows; however, for the Marshman family representing Marshman Farms in Oxford, NY, this year’s New York State Fair was a good year. Lily Marshman, 15, won first place in her class for her fall heifer calf at the 4-H Show and her...

The Northeast Grazing & Livestock Conference took place during winter, but one panel discussion focused on keeping your livestock cool during summer heat. This summer, there has been unprecedented heat – and promises that in the future this heat will be unrelenting unless extreme measures are taken ...

At the summer meeting of the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania , Dr. Hayley Springer, Penn State Extension veterinarian, discussed the challenges in developing both everyday and enhanced biosecurity plans for dairy farms. Everyday biosecurity includes measures taken daily on the farm, espe...

It was a good show experience for the Byma family, with several impressive wins in the state fair show ring, thanks to three generations’ involvement in showing. Although retired from milking dairy cows after 35 years, Linda and Benjamin Byma still feel close to the industry – and their family – thr...

September 15 and 16 are going to be exciting days for those in Central New York. That’s when the Country Folks Farm Progress Show will be celebrating heritage and innovation together. Being hosted at Len-Lo Farms, 640 Robinson Rd., Mohawk, NY, the two-day event is a trade show and a great place to g...

Laura Siegal, health communications officer with AgriSafe Network, said there’s mental health crisis in ag communities, but there are ways to support farmers who are struggling. “Farming is stressful, and most people know at least one individual who has committed suicide or who has depression and wo...

According to Jenifer Cruickshank, an assistant professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University, wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe. In 2022, there were 68,988 wildfires in the U.S. burning 183 million acres. It’s predicted that by the next century there will...

There are T-shirts and mugs joking about how relationships, often between spouses, suffer during cattle handling. While handling cattle can be stressful for both humans and animals, several critical factors can make the process less stressful for all. In a live online event, two experts discussed th...

Farms can be very dangerous places, from handling large animals and chemicals to operating heavy equipment. A recent safety event hosted by Cornell’s Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops team focused on equipment precautions. It was led by Jim Carrabba, educator for Bassett Healthcare N...

The goal of beef cow/calf production is to wean one heavy, healthy calf with the greatest genetic potential to perform per cow, every year, according to Jesse Fulton. The director of Beef Quality Assurance for the University of Nebraska’s Extension program, Fulton spelled out the best way to go abou...

The CDC estimates 36,000 people are treated in emergency rooms annually for chainsaw injuries, and the average chainsaw injury requires 110 sutures to close. Although injuries resulting from chainsaw accidents happen anywhere from head to toes, most occur to the arms, hands and legs. Dan Neenan, par...