A recent call among veterinarians and entomologists regarding the New World screwworm (NWS) delved deep into this potential agricultural threat. After a May shutdown of cattle movement, USDA announced a risk-based port reopening plan for July. It was short-lived when authorities discovered NWS was m...

Penn State attorney Brook Duer recently provided tips for employers concerned about an encounter with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS). Duer stated that the information he provided should be considered guidance and not legal advice. “The two...

In theory, grazing your livestock should be the simplest part of your farming operation. Step 1: Put a fence around an area. Step 2: Put animals inside that fence. Step 3: Animals eat their sustenance inside the fenced-in area. Of course, we all know that proper grazing management involves much more...

The concept of soil health is all about enriching your soil. Jamie Garzon, the assistant Extension professor and forage educator at UMaine, defines soil health as “the soil’s continued capacity to function as a vital living ecosystem.” Maintaining healthy soil can lead to increased plant growth, qua...

Part 4: Personal stories Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), often dubbed the “red meat allergy,” is a life-changing reaction to a particular sugar resulting from the bite of a lone star tick. Many farmers, including some who told their stories during a presentation on AGS, have been affected by this syndrome...