News – Page 8 – Country Folks

News

Strategic deworming to fight resistance, part 2

Sally Colby

Posted on April 23, 2025

Incorporating strategies To help slow the problem of parasite resistance to deworming products, the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (ACSRPC) developed the Sustainable Integrated Parasite Management (SIPM) toolbox. This management combination helps reduce drug use and slows th...

News

Organic Farmers Association weighs in on new organic rule

Sally Colby

Posted on April 23, 2025

As farmer services director with the Organic Farmers Association (OFA), Julia Barton serves transitional, organic and sustainable producers as a certifier, inspector and provider of technical services. Barton and her family operate an organic farm in Ohio. The OFA is a membership organization for or...

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Chobani makes huge investment in food production facility in Mohawk Valley

jkarkwren

Posted on April 22, 2025

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on April 22 that Chobani , a next generation food and beverage company originally known for its high-quality Greek yogurt, has chosen the Mohawk Valley as the location for the nation’s largest investment in natural food manufacturing after a competitive nationwid...

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Investing in human capital helps local conservation

Troy Bishopp

Posted on April 16, 2025

ROCHESTER, NY – “Training is not an expense, but an investment in human capital.” – Roy H. Williams To serve diverse communities and farming customers effectively, New York State Conservation Districts continually “train-up” to meet folks where they are on the land and implement practices and projec...

News

Spring turnout & butterfat depression

Sonja Heyck-Merlin

Posted on April 16, 2025

Spring turnout is an exciting and dynamic time for graziers and dairy cattle. These lush, fast-growing, green pastures, however, can pose some challenges – notably, decreased butterfat. Early grass is high in unsaturated fatty acids, like linoleic acid, and low in total fiber. When these two factors...

News

Words matter

Sally Colby

Posted on April 16, 2025

Nearly everyone involved in agriculture has first-hand knowledge of a family member or friend involved in a farm accident. But Dr. Barbara Lee, senior research scientist at Marshfield Clinic Research Institute , believes the term “accident” isn’t accurate. She encourages the use of “incident” instea...

News

Mycotoxins and how to manage them

Kelsi Devolve

Posted on April 16, 2025

The biggest cost for any livestock operation is feed and nutrition. It’s important to properly store and use your feed to maintain its quality, and to keep your animals healthy. When it comes to hay, silage and small grains, it’s common for farmers to have mycotoxins present. However, if not caught ...

News

Assessing the queen of forages

Sally Colby

Posted on April 16, 2025

Alfalfa is an important crop for both dry hay and stored forage. However, winter damage can compromise a stand and make it less productive. Al Gahler, ag and natural resources educator in Ohio, discussed winter impacts on alfalfa – the queen of forages. “One of the main concerns is what stands look ...

News

How to avoid bird flu

jkarkwren

Posted on April 16, 2025

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) has affected more than 1,600 flocks nationwide, including 652 non-commercial backyard flocks (40%), 783 large-scale operations (47%) and 177 small-scale/commercial flocks. Bird flu has killed more than 166 million birds. Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) ...

News

The springtime manure dilemma

Sally Colby

Posted on April 9, 2025

By this time of year, many farmers are dealing with liquid manure storage at capacity. As farmers consider how to use manure in spring, Glen Arnold, field specialist in nutrient management, Ohio State, urges farmers to understand how stored nutrients affect crops. “About 50% of the nitrogen, phospho...

News

Terminated or frozen USDA funding: How to file an appeal

Sonja Heyck-Merlin

Posted on April 9, 2025

On March 25, Farm Commons hosted a webinar titled “Terminated and Frozen USDA Funding: Filing an Appeal to Protect Your Rights.” The intent of the session was to provide education rather than legal advice. The mission of Farm Commons is to empower agricultural communities to resolve their own legal ...

News

O’Mara Farms: Conservation Farm of the Year

jkarkwren

Posted on April 9, 2025

“Farming is a profession of hope,” waxed farmer and writer Brett Brian. Scott O’Mara, from the multi-faceted O’Mara Farms , knows this sentiment and tradition very well. “Without hope, plenty of coffee and a strong support network of farmers and local customers, it would be a tough proposition to fa...

News

Western bean cutworms, serious corn pests

Kelsi Devolve

Posted on April 9, 2025

The western bean cutworm (WBC) is a relatively new pest to the Northeastern U.S. It migrated from the west, showing up in New York in 2009, and has been found throughout the East Coast since 2017. Unlike the West, the WBC does not have many natural enemies in the Northeast, making them a larger prob...

News

Herd first aid

jkarkwren

Posted on April 9, 2025

You should call the vet as needed; however, some ruminant health concerns can be dealt with yourself. Sometimes, the first aid you offer immediately can make the vet’s job easier later and contribute to a better outcome for the animal. Food Animal Concerns Trust recently hosted “First Aid Fundamenta...

News

Bringing your brand to life

Sonja Heyck-Merlin

Posted on April 9, 2025

“I’m excited to walk you through some of our approaches of really starting to lay the groundwork for building your brand thoughtfully and strategically,” said Sara Rosario-Gray. Rosario-Gray is creative director at Pulp+Wire , is a Maine-based creative agency that specializes in consumer packaged go...