Josh and Katie Wenger did their research – a lot of it. He grew up in Maryland and joined the Army, and she was a Navy brat. When it came time to leave the service and settle down on a farm homestead, they wanted to make sure they did it right. They started shopping for property in 2015. He flew int...

“What are some additional stressors you experience on the farm or in your life as a woman?” asked Rebecca McFarland at the 2021 Women Managing the Farm Conference. McFarland is a district family and child development specialist and was one of four presenters in the session titled “Managing Stress, D...

Many humans enjoy the coziness of curling up with a good book. Now, thanks to a new program from the Friends of Tompkins County Libraries, animals can enjoy that same feeling, in a manner of speaking. All year long the Friends receive donations of used books from the community. Most donated books ar...

Let’s just say there have been some “delicate situations” in the farm stores and lumberyards across the country in acquiring spring supplies. Whether you’re trying to buy high tensile wire, bale wrap, treated lumber or cropping inputs, it might pay to call ahead to check availability before you head...

The New York Animal Agriculture Coalition (NYAAC) recently hosted a virtual panel discussion. “We have a new farming media social group,” said Kelsey O’Shea, an industry relations specialist with American Dairy Association North East. “It is American Dairy Engaged. The idea is to provide you with co...

Whether you’ve been routinely applying a pour-on as cattle come through the chute or administering an injectable, parasitologist Dr. Ray Kaplan wants cattle producers to know they are likely contributing to the issue of parasite resistance to dewormers. Kaplan, professor at the University of Georgia...

Pasturing livestock may seem a natural and straightforward way to feed them; however, it also promotes farm resilience. Paul Dorrance, owner of Pastured Providence, presented “Pasture-Based Livestock: Advancing Ecological, Economic and Emotional Resilience” as a webinar hosted by Food Animal Concert...

Flies may have been given their name because of what they do, but a more appropriate moniker may be pests. And even though they’re called house flies, their impacts on animal facilities are noteworthy: They are a nuisance to facility employees and those living in farm areas, they transmit a number o...

An outbreak of coccidiosis among young dairy animals can be costly, time-consuming and potentially deadly. The protozoa that cause coccidiosis are highly prevalent in the environment, but dairy producers can manage calves and their environment to prevent this disease. Dr. Matt Atkins, dairy manageme...

Managing harvest well can result in better quality and higher quantity of forage. Joe Lawrence, dairy forage systems specialist at Cornell University PRO-DAIRY, presented “Improving Harvest Management” as part of the 2021 Western New York Virtual Forage Congress. “Harvest quality and silo management...

Feed center operations represent a costly part of a farm’s budget that could be reduced if managed better. Jason Karszes, senior Extension associate, Animal Science PRO-DAIRY, Cornell University, presented “Feed Center Operating Costs: Loading, Mixing & Delivering Feed” as a recent webinar. “When yo...

In the Northeast, precipitation on the farm could be summed up as too much of a good thing at times or – like in 2020 – too little of a precious resource. That’s why water management is vital for preventing pastures from browning or flooding. Ignoring these extremes can result in lost forage opportu...

by Courtney Llewellyn, Country Folks With just over 100 days to go until one of the biggest events of the summer, Lee Trade Shows, the organizers of Empire Farm Days, are shifting into overdrive to make sure the 2021 event is bigger and better than ever. This year’s Empire Farm Days, set for Aug. 3 ...

Never before have dairy managers faced such diverse challenges as they face today. Richard Stup, Ph.D., with Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development, recently hosted a dairy call-in conversation to discuss the importance of employee handbooks to better manage those challenges. “A lot of farmers i...

Agricultural economist Robin Reid and farm analyst LaVell Winsor, both of Kansas State, delivered a joint presentation at the 2021 Women Managing the Farm Conference on “The Cost of Production and Crop Marketing.” Reid presented first, providing suggestions for determining the cost of production per...