Some farmers who operate conventional dairy farms find it difficult to imagine how animals are kept healthy on an organic farm due to limits on products that can be used. Keeping a healthy herd is actually easier than it might seem. Dr. Guy Jodarski, lead veterinarian for CROPP Cooperative/Organic V...

At this point, most people in agriculture know the impact that the invasive spotted lanternfly (SLF) can have. According to Dr. Julie Urban of the Penn State Entomology Department, SLF feeds on more than 70 species of plants and trees. Many of them flower and produce pollen – that sweet stuff that a...

According to the Wikipedia, beginning in March 2023, and with increased intensity starting in June, Canada has been affected by an ongoing, record-setting series of wildfires. As the worst wildfire season in recorded Canadian and North American history, Big Burn 2023 surpasses the record held by the...

From Aug. 3 through 5, the largest outdoor farm show in the Northeast is taking place just outside of Syracuse, NY, at Palladino Farms. We will be presenting a very robust programming and entertainment schedule for 2023. Programming will not only be focused on farmers but also educating youth, the p...

Dr. Matt Poore, Extension specialist, North Carolina State University, and director of Amazing Grazing, shared tips for evaluating and renovating pastures. Poore said the question of whether or not to renovate a pasture comes down to two issues: changing the forage crop to a more productive crop or ...

Almost a year later, the avian flu is still present in much of the East Coast’s wild bird and waterfowl population. Poultry owners are still taking the necessary precautions to protect their flocks. In 2022, many county fairs decided to not allow live poultry exhibits to help prevent the spread of t...

Corn is one of the three major cereal crops in the world, and given its importance, farmers utilize every tool and technique at their disposal to maximize crop yields. The angles at which the leaves protrude from the corn stalk are integral to light interception and photosynthetic efficiency. Leaf a...

Sheep and goat farmers have been battling internal parasites for decades, and the problem isn’t going away. Throughout the Southeast and Northeast, Haemonchus contortus (barber pole worm) continues to top the list as the most serious internal parasite for small ruminants. Dr. Scott Bowridge, associa...

It’s no accident that a person who dominates those around him is often called the “cock of the walk.” The same aggressiveness that makes roosters the effective leaders and protectors of the henhouse can also make them a pain in the butt, often intimidating not just the flock but their poultry farmer...

The first time I encountered the term “emergency crop” was when I studied the 1973 “Cornell Recommends for Field Crops.” I had just begun what would turn out to be a 63-month career assignment as a dairy and field crops Cooperative Extension agent in Central New York. My supervisor told me to become...

Internal parasites can significantly impact cattle health. Parasites result in reduced feed intake and gains and may contribute to poor reproductive performance. Dr. Sarah Potts, University of Maryland Extension dairy and beef specialist, explained that beef cattle will never be 100% parasite free. ...

In their ongoing efforts to connect rural Americans across the country with existing mental health resources, Rural Minds recently partnered with the National Grange to present a webinar titled “Mental Health Benefits of Sleep, Nutrition, Exercise and Mindfulness.” Looking first at the mental health...

Implants for growth promotion were introduced for use in livestock in 1957 and are widely used in the cattle feeder and stocker industry. Implants contain natural or synthetic components that result in a physiological response similar to the animal’s natural response. While there has been consumer c...

Damon Odom is a very nice guy, but you don’t really want him to visit your place all that much – at least not in his professional capacity. A veterinarian for 26 years, Odom treats animals large and small. “I treat dogs and cats,” he explained, “but also cows, goats and sheep. Basically, I’ll treat ...

My first contact with the Brassica plant genus as a soil fumigant took place a dozen years ago. At the time, several associates and I were making biodiesel. Our most common raw material for this alternative fuel was waste vegetable oil donated by local restaurants. Most of this cooking waste product...