Dr. Troy Rowan, assistant professor, beef cattle genomics, University of Tennessee, realizes cattlemen may not see the value of genomic testing for commercial heifers, but he offers solid information on why it’s worthwhile. “Traditional heifer selection strategy has been to buy good bulls, use commo...

WALTON, NY – The drive up Fletcher Road is beautiful; the houses and barns of Bear Farm are nestled in the blue-green brilliance of Delaware County’s bucolic scenery. Visitors will pass the farm’s eponymous sign as they make the sharp turn onto the country road: “Bear Farm – All-Natural Beef for Sal...

Summer and autumn bring livestock shows and fairs, a higher risk of disease transmission and more need for solid biosecurity. “Biosecurity is the set of steps to take to prevent or reduce the spread of disease,” said Abby Schuft, Ph.D., poultry Extension educator, University of Minnesota. “With fair...

Once upon a time, the phrase “shameless self-promotion” was seen only in a negative light. These days, talking about yourself – through the lens of your farming operation – may be the best way to promote your business and your way of life. Speaking candidly about their advocacy in action at the most...

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...

Two Vermont graziers shared anecdotes about using virtual fencing technology at the 2025 Gathering of Good Graziers conference put on by the Vermont Grass Farmers Association. Aimee Braxmeier of Slippery Slope Goats in Landgrove, VT, uses virtual fencing to contract graze about 200 goats. Ben Notter...

Most of us know Hans Christian Anderson’s fable about the ugly duckling blossoming into a beautiful swan. This parable extends to an “unkept,” wooly 10 acres of my pasture system left after a quick grazing event. This rank, hideous wad of growth left behind prompted visitors to ask, “When ya gonna m...

Farmers are familiar with AI as the abbreviation for artificial insemination or avian influenza, and many know it also stands for artificial intelligence. Alexis Stevens, farm management specialist with Iowa State University, said there are more than 36,000 AI tools available today – and the number ...

Christina Dodge provided some simple yet effective tips for building a motivated and committed workplace team. Dodge is a Maine Small Business Development Center business advisor. “The power of motivation is that motivation drives results and that shows up in increased productivity, better customer ...

Dr. Jeffrey Bewley admits his first impression of compost bedded pack barns for dairy cows wasn’t favorable. He was concerned about animals laying on manure, impacts on milk quality and mastitis potential. Bewley, who serves as executive director, Innovation and Genetics, Holstein Association USA, p...

Manure is making a comeback, not just as a nutrient source but as a long-term investment in soil health, crop yields and fertilizer savings. New data from Cornell University’s Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP) and PRO-DAIRY confirm what many farmers have long suspected: manure’s magic doesn’t...